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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2020

Securities Act File No. 333-248432

File No. 814-01358

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

   Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1  
   Post-Effective Amendment No.  

 

 

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY

(212) 503-2100

(Address and telephone number, including area code, of principal executive offices)

 

 

Marisa J. Beeney, Esq.

GSO Capital Partners LP

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10154

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

COPIES TO:

Rajib Chanda

Benjamin C. Wells

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

900 G Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20001

 

 

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

 

Check box if the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans.

 

 

Check box 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 (“Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan.

 

 

Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto.

 

 

Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act.

 

 

Check box if this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act.

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

 

 

when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c) of the Securities Act.


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If appropriate, check the following box:

 

 

This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].

 

 

This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:                 .

 

 

This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:                 .

 

 

This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:                 .

Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:

 

 

Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”)).

 

 

Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act).

 

 

Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).

 

 

A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form).

 

 

Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act).

 

 

Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).

 

 

If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.

 

 

New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Title of Securities Being Registered   Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)
 

Amount of

Registration Fee(1)

Common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share

  $5,000,000,000   $649,000(2)

 

 

(1)

Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.

(2)

Previously paid.

 

 

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

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Preliminary Prospectus

 

 

LOGO

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Class S, Class D and Class I Shares

Maximum Offering of $5,000,000,000—Minimum Offering of $100,000,000

 

 

Blackstone Private Credit Fund is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust that seeks to invest primarily in originated loans and other securities, including broadly syndicated loans, of private middle market U.S. companies. Our investment objectives are to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. Throughout the prospectus, we refer to Blackstone Private Credit Fund as the “Fund,” “we,” “us” or “our.”

We are a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). We are externally managed by our adviser, GSO Asset Management LLC (the “Adviser”). The Adviser is an affiliate of GSO Capital Partners LP, the credit-focused business of The Blackstone Group Inc. We intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

We are offering on a continuous basis up to $5,000,000,000 of our common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”). We are offering to sell any combination of three classes of Common Shares, Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares, with a dollar value up to the maximum offering amount. The share classes have different ongoing shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees. Until the release of proceeds from escrow, the per share purchase price for Common Shares in our primary offering will be $25.00 per share. Thereafter, the purchase price per share for each class of Common Shares will equal our net asset value (“NAV”) per share, as of the effective date of the monthly share purchase date. This is a “best efforts” offering, which means that Blackstone Securities Partners L.P., the intermediary manager for this offering, will use its best efforts to sell shares, but is not obligated to purchase or sell any specific amount of shares in this offering.

We will accept purchase orders and hold investors’ funds in an interest-bearing escrow account until we receive purchase orders for at least $100,000,000, excluding shares purchased by our Adviser, its affiliates and our trustees and officers, in any combination of purchases of Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares and our board of trustees has authorized the release to us of funds in the escrow account.

We have submitted an application to the SEC for an exemptive order to permit us to offer multiple classes of our Common Shares. Until an exemptive order satisfactory to us is granted, we will only offer Class I shares and will not issue Class S or Class D shares.

Investing in our Common Shares involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 29 of this prospectus. Also consider the following:

 

   

We have no prior operating history and there is no assurance that we will achieve our investment objectives.

 

   

This is a “blind pool” offering and thus you will not have the opportunity to evaluate our investments before we make them.

 

   

You should not expect to be able to sell your shares regardless of how we perform.

 

   

You should consider that you may not have access to the money you invest for an extended period of time.

 

   

We do not intend to list our shares on any securities exchange, and we do not expect a secondary market in our shares to develop prior to any listing.

 

   

Because you may be unable to sell your shares, you will be unable to reduce your exposure in any market downturn.


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We intend to implement a share repurchase program, but only a limited number of shares will be eligible for repurchase and repurchases will be subject to available liquidity and other significant restrictions.

 

   

An investment in our Common Shares is not suitable for you if you need access to the money you invest. See “Suitability Standards” and “Share Repurchase Program.”

 

   

We cannot guarantee that we will make distributions, and if we do we may fund such distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital or offering proceeds, and we have no limits on the amounts we may pay from such sources.

 

   

Distributions may also be funded in significant part, directly or indirectly, from temporary waivers or expense reimbursements borne by the Adviser or its affiliates, that may be subject to reimbursement to the Adviser or its affiliates. The repayment of any amounts owed to our affiliates will reduce future distributions to which you would otherwise be entitled.

 

   

We expect to use leverage, which will magnify the potential for loss on amounts invested in us.

 

   

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Common Shares less attractive to investors.

 

   

We intend to invest in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They may also be illiquid and difficult to value.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulator has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Securities regulators have also not passed upon whether this offering can be sold in compliance with existing or future suitability or conduct standards including the ‘Regulation Best Interest’ standard to any or all purchasers.

The use of forecasts in this offering is prohibited. Any oral or written predictions about the amount or certainty of any cash benefits or tax consequences that may result from an investment in our Common Shares is prohibited. No one is authorized to make any statements about this offering different from those that appear in this prospectus.

 

     Price to the
Public(1)
     Proceeds to
Us, Before
Expenses(2)
 

Maximum Offering(3)

   $ 5,000,000,000      $ 5,000,000,000  

Class S Shares, per Share

   $ 25.00      $ 1,666,666,667  

Class D Shares, per Share

   $ 25.00      $ 1,666,666,667  

Class I Shares, per Share

   $ 25.00      $ 1,666,666,666  

Minimum Offering

   $ 100,000,000      $ 100,000,000  

 

(1)

The price per share shown will apply until funds are released to us from the escrow account. Thereafter, shares of each class of our Common Shares will be issued on a monthly basis at a price per share equal to the NAV per share for such class.

(2)

No upfront sales load will be paid with respect to Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares, however, if you buy Class S shares or Class D shares through certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to a 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares and 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares. Selling agents will not charge such fees on Class I shares. We will also pay the following shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the intermediary manager, subject to Financial


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  Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) limitations on underwriting compensation: (a) for Class S shares, a shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee equal to 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month for the Class S shares and (b) for Class D shares only, a shareholder servicing fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month for the Class D shares, in each case, payable monthly. No shareholder servicing or distribution fees will be paid with respect to the Class I shares. The total amount that will be paid over time for other underwriting compensation depends on the average length of time for which shares remain outstanding, the term over which such amount is measured and the performance of our investments. We will also pay or reimburse certain organization and offering expenses, including, subject to FINRA limitations on underwriting compensation, certain wholesaling expenses. See “Plan of Distribution” and “Estimated Use of Proceeds.” The total underwriting compensation and total organization and offering expenses will not exceed 10% and 15%, respectively, of the gross proceeds from this offering. Proceeds are calculated before deducting shareholder servicing or distribution fees or organization and offering expenses payable by us, which are paid over time.
(3)

The table assumes that all shares are sold in the primary offering, with 1/3 of the gross offering proceeds from the sale of Class S shares, 1/3 from the sale of Class D shares, and 1/3 from the sale of Class I shares. The number of shares of each class sold and the relative proportions in which the classes of shares are sold are uncertain and may differ significantly from this assumption.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2020


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SUITABILITY STANDARDS

Common Shares offered through this prospectus are suitable only as a long-term investment for persons of adequate financial means such that they do not have a need for liquidity in this investment. We have established financial suitability standards for initial shareholders in this offering which require that a purchaser of shares have either:

 

   

a gross annual income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000, or

 

   

a net worth of at least $250,000.

For purposes of determining the suitability of an investor, net worth in all cases should be calculated excluding the value of an investor’s home, home furnishings and automobiles. In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, these minimum standards must be met by the beneficiary, the fiduciary account or the donor or grantor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the donor or grantor is the fiduciary.

In addition, we will not sell shares to investors in the states named below unless they meet special suitability standards set forth below:

Alabama—In addition to the suitability standards set forth above, an investment in us will only be sold to Alabama residents that have a liquid net worth of at least 10 times their investment in us and our affiliates.

California—California residents may not invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in us and must have either (a) a liquid net worth of $350,000,000 and annual gross income of $65,000 or (b) a liquid net worth of $500,000.

Idaho—Purchasers residing in Idaho must have either (a) a liquid net worth of $85,000 and annual gross income of $85,000 or (b) a liquid net worth of $300,000. Additionally, the total investment in us shall not exceed 10% of their liquid net worth.

Iowa—Iowa investors must (i) have either (a) an annual gross income of at least $100,000 and a net worth of at least $100,000, or (b) a net worth of at least $350,000 (net worth should be determined exclusive of home, auto and home furnishings); and (ii) limit their aggregate investment in this offering and in the securities of other non-traded business development companies (“BDCs”) to 10% of such investor’s liquid net worth (liquid net worth should be determined as that portion of net worth that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities).

Kansas—It is recommended by the Office of the Securities Commissioner that Kansas investors limit their aggregate investment in our securities and other non-traded business development companies to not more than 10% of their liquid net worth. For these purposes, liquid net worth shall be defined as that portion of total net worth (total assets minus total liabilities) that is comprised of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.

Kentucky—A Kentucky investor may not invest more than 10% of its liquid net worth in us or our affiliates. “Liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth that is comprised of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.

Maine—The Maine Office of Securities recommends that an investor’s aggregate investment in this offering and similar direct participation investments not exceed 10% of the investor’s liquid net worth. For this purpose, “liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.

Massachusetts—In addition to the suitability standards set forth above, Massachusetts residents may not invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in us and in other illiquid direct participation programs.

 

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Missouri—In addition to the suitability standards set forth above, Missouri residents may not invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in us.

Nebraska—Nebraska investors must have (i) either (a) an annual gross income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000, or (b) a net worth of at least $250,000; and (ii) Nebraska investors must limit their aggregate investment in this offering and the securities of other business development companies to 10% of such investor’s net worth. Investors who are accredited investors as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) are not subject to the foregoing investment concentration limit.

New Jersey—New Jersey investors must have either (a) a minimum liquid net worth of $100,000 and a minimum annual gross income of $85,000, or (b) a minimum liquid net worth of $350,000. For these purposes, “liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth (total assets exclusive of home, home furnishings and automobiles, minus total liabilities) that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities. In addition, a New Jersey investor’s investment in us, our affiliates and other non-publicly-traded direct investment programs (including real estate investment trusts, business development companies, oil and gas programs, equipment leasing programs and commodity pools, but excluding unregistered, federally and state exempt private offerings) may not exceed 10% of his or her liquid net worth.

New Mexico—In addition to the general suitability standards listed above, a New Mexico investor may not invest, and we may not accept from an investor more than ten percent (10%) of that investor’s liquid net worth in shares of us, our affiliates and in other non-traded business development companies. Liquid net worth is defined as that portion of net worth which consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.

North Dakota—Purchasers residing in North Dakota must have a net worth of at least ten times their investment in us.

Ohio—It is unsuitable for Ohio residents to invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in the issuer, affiliates of the issuer and in any other non-traded BDC. “Liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth (total assets exclusive of primary residence, home furnishings and automobiles, minus total liabilities) comprised of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.

Oklahoma—Purchasers residing in Oklahoma may not invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in us.

Oregon—In addition to the suitability standards set forth above, Oregon investors may not invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in us and our affiliates. Liquid net worth is defined as net worth excluding the value of the investor’s home, home furnishings and automobile.

Pennsylvania—Purchasers residing in Pennsylvania may not invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in us.

Puerto Rico—Purchasers residing in Puerto Rico may not invest more than 10% of their liquid net worth in us, our affiliates and other non-traded business development companies. For these purposes, “liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth (total assets exclusive of primary residence, home furnishings and automobiles minus total liabilities) consisting of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.

Tennessee—Purchasers residing in Tennessee must have a liquid net worth of at least ten times their investment in us.

Vermont—Accredited investors in Vermont, as defined in 17 C.F.R. §230.501, may invest freely in this offering. In addition to the suitability standards described above, non-accredited Vermont investors may not purchase an amount in this offering that exceeds 10% of the investor’s liquid net worth. For these purposes, “liquid net worth” is defined as an investor’s total assets (not including home, home furnishings or automobiles) minus total liabilities.

 

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The Adviser, those selling shares on our behalf and participating brokers and registered investment advisers recommending the purchase of shares in this offering are required to make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of shares in this offering is a suitable and appropriate investment for each investor based on information provided by the investor regarding the investor’s financial situation and investment objectives and must maintain records for at least six years after the information is used to determine that an investment in our shares is suitable and appropriate for each investor. In making this determination, the participating broker, registered investment adviser, authorized representative or other person selling shares will, based on a review of the information provided by the investor, consider whether the investor:

 

   

meets the minimum income and net worth standards established in the investor’s state;

 

   

can reasonably benefit from an investment in our Common Shares based on the investor’s overall investment objectives and portfolio structure;

 

   

is able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on the investor’s overall financial situation, including the risk that the investor may lose its entire investment; and

 

   

has an apparent understanding of the following:

 

   

the fundamental risks of the investment;

 

   

the lack of liquidity of our shares;

 

   

the background and qualification of our Adviser; and

 

   

the tax consequences of the investment.

In addition to investors who meet the minimum income and net worth requirements set forth above, our shares may be sold to financial institutions that qualify as “institutional investors” under the state securities laws of the state in which they reside. “Institutional investor” is generally defined to include banks, insurance companies, investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act, pension or profit sharing trusts and certain other financial institutions. A financial institution that desires to purchase shares will be required to confirm that it is an “institutional investor” under applicable state securities laws.

In addition to the suitability standards established herein, (i) a participating broker may impose additional suitability requirements and investment concentration limits to which an investor could be subject and (ii) various states may impose additional suitability standards, investment amount limits and alternative investment limitations.

Commencing June 30, 2020, broker-dealers must comply with Regulation Best Interest, which, among other requirements, enhances the existing standard of conduct for broker-dealers and establishes a “best interest” obligation for broker-dealers and their associated persons when making recommendations of any securities transaction or investment strategy involving securities to a retail customer. The obligations of Regulation Best Interest are in addition to, and may be more restrictive than, the suitability requirements listed above. When making such a recommendation to a retail customer, a broker-dealer must, among other things, act in the best interest of the retail customer at the time a recommendation is made, without placing its interests ahead of its retail customer’s interests. A broker-dealer may satisfy the best interest standard imposed by Regulation Best Interest by meeting disclosure, care, conflict of interest and compliance obligations. Regulation Best Interest also requires registered investment advisers and registered broker-dealers to provide a brief relationship summary to retail investors. This relationship summary, referred to as Form CRS, is not a prospectus. Investors should refer to the prospectus for detailed information about this offering before deciding to purchase Common Shares. Currently, there is no administrative or case law interpreting Regulation Best Interest and the full scope of its applicability on brokers participating in our offering cannot be determined at this time.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Please carefully read the information in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements, which we refer to collectively as the “prospectus.” You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. You should not assume that the information contained in this

prospectus is accurate as of any date later than the date hereof or such other dates as are stated herein or as of the respective dates of any documents or other information incorporated herein by reference.

We will disclose the NAV per share of each class of our Common Shares for each month when available on our website at www.bcred.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus.

The words “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Fund” refer to Blackstone Private Credit Fund, together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

Unless otherwise noted, numerical information relating to Blackstone and GSO is approximate as of June 30, 2020.

Citations included herein to industry sources are used only to demonstrate third-party support for certain statements made herein to which such citations relate. Information included in such industry sources that do not relate to supporting the related statements made herein are not part of this prospectus and should not be relied upon.

MULTI-CLASS EXEMPTIVE RELIEF

This prospectus relates to our Common Shares of Class S, Class D and Class I. We are currently only offering Class I shares for sale. We have submitted to the SEC an application for an exemptive order to permit us to offer additional classes of Common Shares. Until an exemptive order satisfactory to us is granted, we will only offer Class I shares and will not issue Class S or Class D shares. The exemptive order may require us to supplement or amend the terms set forth in this prospectus, and we will file a prospectus supplement or an amendment to the registration statement to the extent required by the SEC.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements about our business, including, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and objectives. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue” or other similar words. These statements include our plans and objectives for future operations, including plans and objectives relating to future growth and availability of funds, and are based on current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to these statements involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to accurately predict and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements, and the forward- looking statements themselves, are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and our actual results, performance and achievements may be materially different from that expressed or implied by these forward- looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in these forward looking statements, the inclusion of this information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans, which we consider to be reasonable, will be achieved.

You should carefully review the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that we believe are material to our business, operating results, prospects and financial condition. Except as otherwise required by federal securities laws, we do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

SUITABILITY STANDARDS

     i  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     iv  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     iv  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1  

FEES AND EXPENSES

     25  

RISK FACTORS

     29  

ESTIMATED USE OF PROCEEDS

     66  

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

     79  

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

     97  

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

     105  

ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

     110  

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     116  

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     152  

DISTRIBUTIONS

     154  

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SHARES

     156  

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     167  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     169  

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

     174  

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

     177  

DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN

     179  

REGULATION

     180  

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     184  

RESTRICTIONS ON SHARE OWNERSHIP

     190  

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DISTRIBUTION PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     191  

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     191  

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     191  

LEGAL MATTERS

     192  

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     192  

INVESTOR DATA PRIVACY NOTICE

     193  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT

     F-1  

APPENDIX A: SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

     A-1  

APPENDIX B: SUPPLEMENTAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF THE ADVISER

     B-1  

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This prospectus summary highlights certain information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This is only a summary and it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. Before deciding to invest in this offering, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” section.

 

Q:

What is Blackstone Private Credit Fund?

 

A:

We are a newly organized Delaware statutory trust formed on February 11, 2020. We are a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). We are externally managed by our adviser, GSO Asset Management LLC (the “Adviser”). The Adviser is an affiliate of GSO Capital Partners LP (collectively with its affiliates in the credit-focused business of Blackstone, “GSO” which, for the avoidance of doubt, excludes Harvest Fund Advisors LLC and Blackstone Insurance Solutions (“BIS”)), the credit-focused business of The Blackstone Group Inc.

 

Q:

Who are Blackstone and GSO?

 

A:

Blackstone is a leading global investment manager with total assets under management of $564 billion.

Blackstone’s alternative asset management businesses include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, insurance, hedge fund solutions, non-investment grade credit, secondary private equity funds of funds, infrastructure and multi-asset class strategies. Blackstone also provides capital markets services.

GSO is part of the credit platform of Blackstone. GSO’s asset management operation has aggregate assets under management of approximately $129 billion across multiple strategies within the leveraged finance marketplace, including loans, high yield bonds, distressed and mezzanine debt and private equity, including hedge funds. GSO has a global platform with approximately 356 employees based in offices in New York, Houston, London and Dublin, and satellite offices in Baltimore, San Francisco, Toronto, Frankfurt and Milan.

Our objective is to bring GSO’s leading credit investment platform to the non-exchange traded BDC industry.

 

Q:

What are your investment objectives?

 

A:

Our investment objectives are to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation.

 

Q:

What is your investment strategy?

 

A:

We will seek to meet our investment objectives by:

 

   

utilizing the experience and expertise of the management team of the Adviser, along with the broader resources of GSO and Blackstone, in sourcing, evaluating and structuring transactions, subject to Blackstone’s policies and procedures regarding the management of conflicts of interest;

 

   

employing a defensive investment approach focused on long-term credit performance and principal protection, generally investing in loans with asset coverage ratios and interest coverage ratios that the Adviser believes provide substantial credit protection, and also seeking favorable financial protections, including, where the Adviser believes necessary, one or more financial maintenance covenants;



 

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focusing on loans and securities of private U.S. companies, and to a lesser extent European and other non-U.S. companies, specifically middle market companies, which we define as companies with annual revenue of $50 million to $2.5 billion, at the time of investment. In many market environments, we believe such a focus offers an opportunity for superior risk-adjusted returns;

 

   

investing primarily in established, stable enterprises with positive cash flows;

 

   

maintaining rigorous portfolio monitoring in an attempt to anticipate and pre-empt negative credit events within our portfolio; and

 

   

utilizing the power and scale of the Blackstone and GSO platform to offer operational expertise to portfolio companies through the GSO Advantage program (as defined below).

Our investment strategy is expected to capitalize on GSO’s scale and reputation in the market as an attractive financing partner to acquire our target investments at attractive pricing. We also expect to benefit from Blackstone’s reputation and ability to transact in scale with speed and certainty, and its long-standing and extensive relationships with private equity firms that require financing for their transactions.

 

Q:

What types of investments do you intend to make?

 

A:

Under normal circumstances, we will invest at least 80% of our total assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in private credit investments (loans, bonds and other credit instruments that are issued in private offerings or issued by private companies).

Once we have invested a substantial amount of proceeds from this offering, under normal circumstances we expect that the majority of our portfolio will be in privately originated and privately negotiated investments, predominantly direct lending to U.S. middle market companies through (i) first lien senior secured and unitranche loans (generally with total investment sizes less than $300 million, which criteria may change from time to time) and (ii) second lien, unsecured, subordinated or mezzanine loans and structured credit (generally with total investment sizes less than $100 million, which criteria may change from time to time), as well as broadly syndicated loans (for which we may serve as an anchor investor), club deals (generally investments made by a small group of investment firms) and other debt and equity securities (the investments described in this sentence, collectively, “Private Credit”). To a lesser extent, we will also invest in publicly traded securities of large corporate issuers (“Opportunistic Credit”). We expect that the Opportunistic Credit investments will generally be liquid, and may be used for the purposes of maintaining liquidity for our share repurchase program and cash management, while also presenting an opportunity for attractive investment returns.

Most of our investments will be in private U.S. companies, but (subject to compliance with BDCs’ requirement to invest at least 70% of its assets in private U.S. companies), we also expect to invest to some extent in European and other non-U.S. companies, but we do not expect to invest in emerging markets. Subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, we may invest in loans or other securities, the proceeds of which may refinance or otherwise repay debt or securities of companies whose debt is owned by other GSO funds. From time to time, we may co-invest with other GSO funds. See “Regulation—Exemptive Relief.”

The loans in which we invest will generally pay floating interest rates based on a variable base rate. The senior secured loans, unitranche loans and senior secured bonds in which we will invest generally have stated terms of five to eight years, and the mezzanine, unsecured or subordinated debt investments that we may make will generally have stated terms of up to ten years, but the expected average life of such securities is generally between three and five years. However, there is no limit on the maturity or duration of any security we may hold in our portfolio. Loans and securities purchased in the secondary market will generally



 

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have shorter remaining terms to maturity than newly issued investments. We expect most of our debt investments will be unrated. Our debt investments may also be rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, and, in such case, generally will carry a rating below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or lower than “BBB-” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services). We expect that our unrated debt investments will generally have credit quality consistent with below investment grade securities. In addition, we may invest in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and will generally have the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and will generally not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or entities that sponsored the CLOs.

We may, but are not required to, enter into interest rate, foreign exchange or other derivative agreements to hedge interest rate, currency, credit or other risks, but we do not generally intend to enter into any such derivative agreements for speculative purposes. Any derivative agreements entered into for speculative purposes are not expected to be material to the Fund’s business or results of operations. These hedging activities, which will be in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, may include the use of futures, options and forward contracts. We will bear the costs incurred in connection with entering into, administering and settling any such derivative contracts. There can be no assurance any hedging strategy we employ will be successful.

Our investments are subject to a number of risks. See “Investment Objectives and Strategies” and “Risk Factors.”

 

Q:

What is an originated loan?

 

A:

An originated loan is a loan where we lend directly to the borrower and hold the loan generally on our own or only with other GSO affiliates. This is distinct from a syndicated loan, which is generally originated by a bank and then syndicated, or sold, in several pieces to other investors. Originated loans are generally held until maturity or until they are refinanced by the borrower. Syndicated loans often have liquid markets and can be traded by investors.

 

Q:

What competitive strengths does the Adviser offer?

 

A:

GSO is a key player in the middle and upper-middle market direct lending space and in the private credit space more generally. GSO has experience scaling funds across its platform that invests throughout all parts of the capital structure. GSO strives to focus on transactions where it can differentiate itself from other providers of capital, targeting larger transactions and those where GSO can bring its expertise and experience in negotiating and structuring. We believe that GSO is one of the few investment management firms with the scale and platform to effectively manage a U.S. private credit investment strategy, offering investors the following potential competitive strengths:

 

   

Ability to Provide Scale, Differentiated Capital Solutions. We believe that the breadth and scale of GSO’s approximately $129 billion platform gives GSO a distinct competitive advantage in sourcing proprietary investment opportunities and provides GSO with a differentiated capability to invest in large, complex opportunities. GSO is invested in over 1,000 corporate issuers across its portfolios globally and has focused solely on the non-investment grade corporate credit market since its inception in 2005. GSO expects that in the current environment, in which committed capital from banks remains scarce, the ability to provide flexible, well-structured capital commitments in appropriate sizes will enable GSO to command more favorable terms for its investments. GSO believes that it occupies a differentiated position in the leveraged finance market, with investment activities that span a broad array of public and private market strategies. We believe this presence enables GSO to identify opportunities early and select those investments that GSO believes offer the most attractive risk-adjusted return profile. In addition, when



 

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banks are facing difficulties in syndicating new issues, GSO’s ability to serve as a large “anchor” investor can help facilitate the successful completion of a transaction. We believe the depth of the experience of GSO’s senior management team, together with the wider resources of GSO’s team of investment professionals (the “Investment Team”), which is dedicated to sourcing, structuring, executing, monitoring and harvesting a broad range of private investments, will provide us with a significant competitive advantage in sourcing and analyzing what we believe to be attractive investment opportunities.

 

   

Leading Origination Platform with Strong Credit Expertise. GSO has a 76 person U.S. Direct Lending Investments and Portfolio Management Team (excluding Dwight Scott, GSO’s senior management) focused on the sourcing, structuring, execution, management and realization of performing credit investments (which includes those professionals who focus primarily on direct lending investments). Performing credit investments are credit investments whose obligors are able to timely and fully pay interest on their outstanding debt, and are not financially stressed or distressed, or considered to be at substantial risk of being financially stressed or distressed, at the time of investment. We believe that GSO’s strong reputation and longstanding relationships with corporate boards, management teams, leveraged buyout sponsors, financial advisors and intermediaries position GSO as a partner and counterparty of choice and provides us with superior sourcing capabilities. In GSO’s experience, these relationships help drive substantial proprietary deal flow and insight into investment opportunities.

GSO has a broad and diversified origination platform that we believe allows GSO to drive deal flow through various market cycles while maintaining quality control. Furthermore, GSO has established a reputation for providing creative, value-added solutions to address portfolio companies’ financing requirements and believes that the ability to “solve a problem” for a company can lead to attractive investment opportunities. See “How will you identify investments?” below for additional information.

GSO seeks to generate investment opportunities through its direct origination channels and through syndicate and club deals (generally, investments made by a small group of investment firms). With respect to GSO’s origination channel, we seek to leverage the global presence of GSO to generate access to a substantial amount of directly originated transactions with attractive investment characteristics. We believe that the broad network of GSO provides a significant pipeline of investment opportunities for us. With respect to syndicate and club deals, GSO has built a network of relationships with commercial and investment banks, finance companies and other investment funds as a result of the long track record of its investment professionals in the leveraged finance marketplace. GSO also has a significant trading platform, which, we believe, allows us access to the secondary market for investment opportunities.

 

   

Value-Added Capital Provider and Partner Leveraging the GSO Advantage Program. GSO has established a reputation for providing creative, value-added solutions to address a company’s financing requirements and believes that our ability to “solve a program” for a company can lead to attractive investment opportunities. In addition, GSO has access to the significant resources of the Blackstone platform, including the Blackstone / GSO Advantage Program (“GSO Advantage”), which is a global platform that provides access to a range of cost saving, revenue generating and best practice sharing opportunities. Specifically, GSO Advantage provides (i) partnership and best practices for portfolio companies by offering invaluable access to industry and function experts both within the Blackstone organization (including the Blackstone Portfolio Operations team) and the network among portfolio companies; (ii) cross selling opportunities across Blackstone and GSO portfolio companies; (iii) industry knowledge via leadership summits and roundtables; and (iv) quarterly reports sharing meaningful insights from CEOs on business and economic trends. Finally, one of the most important benefits of the program is



 

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Blackstone’s Group Purchasing Organization (“GPO”), which is a collective purchasing platform that leverages the scale and buying power of the $5 billion of average annual spending of Blackstone’s portfolio companies with strategic partners and vendors measured over the past ten years. Blackstone and GSO portfolio companies have generated significant cost savings through their use of the GPO, often from existing suppliers, on maintenance, repair, operations, back office, information technology, hardware, software, telecommunications, business insurance and human resources, among others. The benefits of working with Blackstone’s GPO can include improved pricing and terms, differentiated service, and ongoing service that drops straight to the bottom line.

 

LOGO

Note: All data as of July 21, 2020.

 

  (1)

Measured over the past 10 years.

 

  (2)

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”). Includes the 63 companies with both 1) enough addressable spend to yield at least $250K in annual savings and 2) a management team that has actively participated in the GSO Advantage Program.

 

   

Flexible Investment Approach. GSO believes that the ability to invest opportunistically throughout a capital structure provides a meaningful competitive advantage in sourcing transactions and enables the Fund to seek investments that provide the best risk/return proposition in any given transaction. GSO’s creativity and flexibility with regard to deal-structuring distinguishes it from other financing sources, including traditional mezzanine providers, whose investment mandates are typically more restrictive. Over time, GSO has demonstrated the ability to negotiate more favorable terms for its investments by providing creative structures that add value for an issuer. GSO will continue to seek to use this flexible investment approach to focus on principal preservation, while generating attractive returns throughout different economic and market cycles.

 

   

Long-Term Investment Horizon. Our long-term investment horizon gives us great flexibility, which we believe allows us to maximize returns on our investments. Unlike most private equity and venture capital funds, as well as many private debt funds, we will not be required to return capital to our shareholders once we exit a portfolio investment. We believe that freedom from such capital return requirements, which allows us to invest using a longer-term focus, provides us with a better opportunity to increase total returns on invested capital compared to other private company investment vehicles.



 

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Disciplined Investment Process and Income-Oriented Investment Philosophy. GSO employs a rigorous investment process and defensive investment approach to evaluate all potential opportunities with a focus on long-term credit performance and principal protection. We believe GSO has generated attractive risk-adjusted returns in its investing activities throughout many economic and credit cycles by (i) maintaining its investment discipline; (ii) performing intensive credit work; (iii) carefully structuring transactions; and (iv) actively managing its portfolios. GSO’s investment approach involves a multi-stage selection process for each investment opportunity, as well as ongoing monitoring of each investment made, with particular emphasis on early detection of deteriorating credit conditions at portfolio companies which would result in adverse portfolio developments. This strategy is designed to maximize current income and minimize the risk of capital loss while maintaining the potential for long- term capital appreciation. Additionally, GSO’s senior investment professionals have dedicated their careers to the leveraged finance and private equity sectors and we believe that their experience in due diligence, credit analysis and ongoing management of investments is invaluable to the success of the U.S. direct lending investment strategy that we will employ. GSO targets businesses with leading market share positions, sustainable barriers to entry, high free cash flow generation, strong asset values, liquidity to withstand market cycles, favorable underlying industry trends, strong internal controls and high-quality management teams.

 

   

Strong Investment Track Record. GSO’s track record in private debt lending dates back to the inception of GSO. Since 2005, GSO has provided approximately $68 billion in capital in privately-originated transactions with over 120 different sponsors, through various funds and accounts advised or sub-advised by GSO. As it relates to the U.S. direct lending strategy, GSO has been originating in the strategy since inception, and has invested over $28 billion of capital specifically in U.S. middle market privately originated and anchor loans.

 

Q:

What is the market opportunity?

 

A:

We believe that there are and will continue to be significant investment opportunities in the targeted asset classes discussed above.

Attractive Opportunities in Senior Secured Loans. We believe that opportunities in senior secured loans are significant because of the strong defensive characteristics of this asset class. While there is inherent risk in investing in any securities, senior secured debt is on the top of the capital structure and thus has priority in payment among an issuer’s security holders (i.e. senior secured debt holders are due to receive payment before junior creditors and equity holders). Further, these investments are secured by the issuer’s assets, which may be collateralized in the event of a default, if necessary. Senior secured debt often has restrictive covenants for the purpose of additional principal protection and ensuring repayment before junior creditors (i.e. most types of unsecured bondholders, and other security holders) and preserving collateral to protect against credit deterioration.

Opportunity in Middle Market Private Companies. In addition to investing in senior secured loans generally, we believe that the market for lending to private companies, particularly middle market private companies within the United States, is underserved and presents a compelling investment opportunity. We believe that the following characteristics support our belief:

 

   

Large and Growing Target Market. Middle market companies represent a large and growing portion of the U.S. economy. According to the National Center for The Middle Market, there were nearly 200,000 middle market companies in the United States with annual revenues between $10 million and $1 billion, as of June 30, 2020 (see National Center for The Middle Market, 2 Q 2020 Middle Market Indicator). Middle market companies have generated a significant number of investment opportunities



 

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for investment programs advised by GSO and its affiliates over the past several years, and we believe that this market segment will continue to produce significant investment opportunities for us.

 

   

Limited Investment Competition. Despite the size of the market, we believe that regulatory changes and other factors have diminished the role of traditional financial institutions and certain other capital providers in providing financing to middle market companies. As tracked by S&P Capital IQ LCD, U.S. banks’ share of senior secured loans has declined from 33.1% in 1995 to 5.7% as of June 30, 2020. In addition, due to bank consolidation, the number of banks has also rapidly declined, furthering the lack of supply in middle market lending. As of March 31, 2020, there were approximately 4,437 banks in the U.S., which was only one-third of the number of banks in 1984 (see Federal Reserve Economic Data as of August 2020).

We also believe that lending and originating new loans to middle market companies, which are often private, generally requires a greater dedication of the lender’s time and resources compared to lending to larger companies, due in part to the smaller size of each investment and the often fragmented nature of information available from these companies. Further, we believe that many investment firms lack the breadth and scale necessary to identify investment opportunities, particularly in regards to directly originated investments in middle market companies, and thus attractive investment opportunities are often overlooked. In addition, middle market companies may require more active monitoring and participation on the lender’s part. We believe that many large financial organizations, which often have relatively high cost structures, are not suited to deal with these factors and instead emphasize services and transactions to larger corporate clients with a consequent reduction in the availability of financing to middle market companies.

 

   

Attractive Market Segment. We believe that the underserved nature of such a large segment of the market can at times create a significant opportunity for investment. In many environments, we believe that middle market companies are more likely to offer attractive economics in terms of transaction pricing, up-front and ongoing fees, prepayment penalties and security features in the form of stricter covenants and quality collateral than loans to larger companies. In addition, as compared to larger companies, middle market companies often have simpler capital structures and carry less leverage, thus aiding the structuring and negotiation process and allowing us greater flexibility in structuring favorable transactions. We believe that these factors will result in advantageous conditions in which to pursue our investment objectives of generating current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation.

Growing Opportunities in Europe. We believe the market for European direct lending provides attractive opportunities. In recent years, we have continued to see a growing number of corporate carve-outs and divestitures driven by pressure on European public companies from activists, streamlining of operations, and sustained pressure from European competition authorities. This creates a source of deal flow that we believe GSO is uniquely placed to execute. We further believe that the strong fundraising environment globally for private equity over the past few years will also continue to drive deal flow for European originated transactions. We anticipate that many of our opportunities to provide originated loans or other financing will be in connection with leveraged buy-outs by private equity firms. Private equity dry powder (uncalled capital commitments) currently stands at over $1 trillion, which means that these private equity firms have a large amount of capital available to conduct transactions, which we believe will create debt financing opportunities for us. Although we believe the alternative credit market in Europe is still somewhat less developed compared to its U.S. counterpart, acceptance of private capital in Europe has grown substantially in recent years. Across the U.S. and Europe, we believe GSO has the ability to take advantage of a dislocation in capital markets as a result of volatility by providing financing solutions, including anchoring loan syndications, originating loans where traditional banks are unwilling or unable to do so, or



 

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buying investments in the secondary market, all of which we may be able to do on more attractive terms in times of market disruption than would otherwise be available. This deployment of capital via a market dislocation strategy remains firmly within GSO’s investment philosophy—focusing on performing companies where GSO has enhanced access and a due diligence advantage.

 

Q:

Why do you intend to invest in liquid credit investments in addition to originated loans?

 

A:

We believe that our liquid credit investments will help maintain liquidity to satisfy any share repurchases we choose to make and manage cash before investing subscription proceeds into originated loans while also seeking attractive investment returns. We expect these investments to enhance our risk/return profile and serve as a source of liquidity for the Fund.

 

Q:

How will you identify investments?

 

A:

In order to source transactions, the Adviser will utilize its significant access to transaction flow, along with its trading platform. The Adviser will seek to generate investment opportunities primarily through direct origination channels, and also through syndicate and club deals. With respect to GSO’s origination channel, the global presence of GSO generates access to a substantial amount of directly originated transactions with what we believe to be attractive investment characteristics. With respect to syndicate and club deals, GSO has built a network of relationships with commercial and investment banks, finance companies and other investment funds as a result of the long track record of its investment professionals in the leveraged finance marketplace. We believe that GSO’s strong reputation and longstanding relationships with its broad network will help drive substantial proprietary deal flow and provide a significant pipeline of investment opportunities for us.

 

Q:

Will you use leverage?

 

A:

Yes. To seek to enhance our returns, we intend to employ leverage as market conditions permit and at the discretion of the Adviser, but in no event will leverage employed exceed the limitations set forth in the 1940 Act, which currently allows us to borrow up to a 2:1 debt to equity ratio. We intend to use leverage in the form of borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and the issuance of debt securities. We may also use leverage in the form of the issuance of preferred shares, but do not currently intend to do so. In determining whether to borrow money, we will analyze the maturity, covenant package and rate structure of the proposed borrowings as well as the risks of such borrowings compared to our investment outlook. Any such leverage, if incurred, would be expected to increase the total capital available for investment by the Fund. See “Risk Factors.

 

Q:

How will the Fund be allocated investment opportunities?

 

A:

GSO, including the Adviser, provides investment management services to other BDCs, registered investment companies, investment funds, client accounts and proprietary accounts that GSO may establish.

GSO will share any investment and sale opportunities with its other clients and the Fund in accordance with the Advisers Act and firm-wide allocation policies, which generally provide for sharing pro rata based on targeted acquisition size or targeted sale size. Subject to the Advisers Act and as further set forth in this prospectus, certain other clients may receive certain priority or other allocation rights with respect to certain investments, subject to various conditions set forth in such other clients’ respective governing agreements.



 

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In addition, as a BDC regulated under the 1940 Act, the Fund is subject to certain limitations relating to co-investments and joint transactions with affiliates, which likely in certain circumstances limit the Fund’s ability to make investments or enter into other transactions alongside other clients.

The Adviser has received an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that permits us, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. Pursuant to such order, the Fund’s board of trustees (the “Board of Trustees” and each member of the Board of Trustees, a “Trustee”) may establish objective criteria (“Board Criteria”) clearly defining co-investment opportunities in which the Fund will have the opportunity to participate with one or more listed or private GSO-managed BDCs, including us (the “GSO BDCs”), and other public or private GSO funds that target similar assets. If an investment falls within the Board Criteria, GSO must offer an opportunity for the GSO BDCs to participate. The GSO BDCs may determine to participate or not to participate, depending on whether GSO determines that the investment is appropriate for the GSO BDCs (e.g., based on investment strategy). The co-investment would generally be allocated to us, any other GSO BDCs (including Blackstone / GSO Secured Lending Fund) and the other GSO funds that target similar assets pro rata based on available capital in the applicable asset class. If the Adviser determines that such investment is not appropriate for us, the investment will not be allocated to us, but the Adviser will be required to report such investment and the rationale for its determination for us to not participate in the investment to the Board of Trustees at the next quarterly board meeting.

 

Q:

How is an investment in shares of your Common Shares different from listed BDCs?

 

A:

An investment in our common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”) generally differs from an investment in listed BDCs in a number of ways, including:

 

   

Shares of listed BDCs are priced by the trading market, which is influenced generally by numerous factors, not all of which are related to the underlying value of the entity’s assets and liabilities. Our Board of Trustees, rather than the “market,” determined the initial offering price of our shares in its sole discretion after considering the initial public offering prices per share of other blind pool non-traded BDCs. The estimated value of our assets and liabilities will be used to determine our net asset value (“NAV”) following the date on which we break escrow for this offering. As a result, non-traded BDCs are generally less volatile and more closely correlated with the values of their underlying loans as opposed to other conditions that may impact public markets.

 

   

An investment in our shares has limited or no liquidity outside of our share repurchase plan and our share repurchase plan may be modified, suspended or terminated. In contrast, an investment in a listed BDC is a liquid investment, as shares can be sold on an exchange at any time the exchange is open.

 

   

Some listed BDCs are often self-managed, whereas our investment operations are managed by the Adviser, which is part of GSO.

 

   

Unlike the offering of a listed BDC, this offering will be registered in every state in which we are offering and selling shares. As a result, we include certain limits in our governing documents that are not typically provided for in the charter of a listed BDC. For example, our charter limits the fees we may pay to the Adviser. A listed BDC does not typically provide for these restrictions within its charter. A listed BDC is, however, subject to the governance requirements of the exchange on which its shares are traded, including requirements relating to its Board of Trustees, audit committee, independent Trustee oversight of executive compensation and the Trustee nomination process, code of conduct, shareholder meetings, related party transactions, shareholder approvals and voting rights.



 

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Although we expect to follow many of these same governance guidelines, there is no requirement that we do so unless it is required for other reasons. Both listed BDCs and non-traded BDCs are subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

Q:

For whom may an investment in your shares be appropriate?

 

A:

An investment in our shares may be appropriate for you if you:

 

   

meet the minimum suitability standards described above under “Suitability Standards;”

 

   

seek to allocate a portion of your investment portfolio to a direct investment vehicle with an income-oriented portfolio of primarily U.S. credit investments;

 

   

seek to receive current income through regular distribution payments;

 

   

wish to obtain the potential benefit of long-term capital appreciation; and

 

   

are able to hold your shares as a long-term investment and do not need liquidity from your investment quickly in the near future.

We cannot assure you that an investment in our shares will allow you to realize any of these objectives. An investment in our shares is only intended for investors who do not need the ability to sell their shares quickly in the future since we are not obligated to offer to repurchase any of our Common Shares in any particular quarter in our discretion. See “Share Repurchase Program.”

 

Q:

Are there any risks involved in buying your shares?

 

A:

Investing in our Common Shares involves a high degree of risk. If we are unable to effectively manage the impact of these risks, we may not meet our investment objectives and, therefore, you should purchase our shares only if you can afford a complete loss of your investment. An investment in our Common Shares involves significant risks and is intended only for investors with a long-term investment horizon and who do not require immediate liquidity or guaranteed income. Some of the more significant risks relating to an investment in our Common Shares include those listed below:

 

   

We have no prior operating history and there is no assurance that we will achieve our investment objectives.

 

   

This is a “blind pool” offering and thus you will not have the opportunity to evaluate our investments before we make them.

 

   

You should not expect to be able to sell your shares regardless of how we perform.

 

   

You should consider that you may not have access to the money you invest for an extended period of time.

 

   

We do not intend to list our shares on any securities exchange, and we do not expect a secondary market in our shares to develop prior to any listing.

 

   

Because you may be unable to sell your shares, you will be unable to reduce your exposure in any market downturn.

 

   

We intend to implement a share repurchase program, but only a limited number of shares will be eligible for repurchase and repurchases will be subject to available liquidity and other significant restrictions.



 

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An investment in our Common Shares is not suitable for you if you need access to the money you invest. See “Suitability Standards” and “Share Repurchase Program.”

 

   

We cannot guarantee that we will make distributions, and if we do we may fund such distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital or offering proceeds, and we have no limits on the amounts we may pay from such sources. A return of capital (1) is a return of the original amount invested, (2) does not constitute earnings or profits and (3) will have the effect of reducing the basis such that when a shareholder sells its shares the sale may be subject to taxes even if the shares are sold for less than the original purchase price.

 

   

Distributions may also be funded in significant part, directly or indirectly, from temporary waivers or expense reimbursements borne by the Adviser or its affiliates, that may be subject to reimbursement to the Adviser or its affiliates. The repayment of any amounts owed to our affiliates will reduce future distributions to which you would otherwise be entitled.

 

   

We expect to use leverage, which will magnify the potential for loss on amounts invested in us.

 

   

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Common Shares less attractive to investors.

 

   

We intend to invest in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They may also be illiquid and difficult to value.

 

Q:

Do you currently own any investments?

 

A:

No.

 

Q:

What is the role of your Board of Trustees?

 

A:

We operate under the direction of our Board of Trustees, the members of which are accountable to us and our shareholders as fiduciaries. We have five Trustees, three of whom have been determined to be independent of us, the Adviser, Blackstone and its affiliates (“independent Trustees”). Our independent Trustees are responsible for reviewing the performance of the Adviser and approving the compensation paid to the Adviser and its affiliates. The names and biographical information of our Trustees are provided under “Management of the Fund—Trustees and Executive Officers.”

 

Q:

What is the difference between the Class S, Class D and Class I Common Shares being offered?

 

A:

We are offering to the public three classes of Common Shares, Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares. The differences among the share classes relate to ongoing shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees. In addition, although no upfront sales loads be paid with respect to Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares, if you buy Class S shares or Class D shares through certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to a 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares and 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares. Selling agents will not charge such fees on Class I shares. See “Description of Our Shares” and “Plan of Distribution” for a discussion of the differences between our Class S, Class D and Class I shares.



 

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Assuming a constant net asset value per share of $25.00, we expect that a one-time investment in 400 shares of each class of our shares (representing an aggregate net asset value of $10,000 for each class) would be subject to the following shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees:

 

     Annual
Shareholder
Servicing and/or
Distribution Fees
     Total Over
Five Years
 

Class S

   $ 85      $ 425  

Class D

   $ 25      $ 125  

Class I

   $ 0      $ 0  

Class S shares are available through brokerage and transaction-based accounts. Class D shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class D shares, (2) through participating brokers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class D shares, (3) through transaction/ brokerage platforms at participating brokers, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers or (6) other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. Class I shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class I shares, (2) by endowments, foundations, pension funds and other institutional investors, (3) through participating intermediaries that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class I shares, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) by our executive officers and trustees and their immediate family members, as well as officers and employees of the Adviser, Blackstone, GSO or other affiliates and their immediate family members, and joint venture partners, consultants and other service providers or (6) other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. In certain cases, where a holder of Class S or Class D shares exits a relationship with a participating broker for this offering and does not enter into a new relationship with a participating broker for this offering, such holder’s shares may be exchanged into an equivalent NAV amount of Class I shares. Before making your investment decision, please consult with your investment adviser regarding your account type and the classes of Common Shares you may be eligible to purchase.

If you are eligible to purchase all three classes of shares, then in most cases you should purchase Class I shares because participating brokers will not charge transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, on Class I shares and Class I shares have no shareholder servicing or distribution fees, which will reduce the NAV or distributions of the other share classes. However, Class I shares will not receive shareholder services.

 

Q:

At what point will the initial proceeds of this offering be released from escrow?

 

A:

We will take purchase orders and hold investors’ funds in an interest-bearing escrow account until we receive purchase orders for at least $100 million (excluding any shares purchased by our Adviser, its affiliates and our Trustees and officers but including any shares purchased in any private offerings), and our Board of Trustees has authorized the release of the escrowed purchase order proceeds to us so that we can commence operations. Even if we receive purchase orders for $100 million, our Board of Trustees may elect to wait a substantial amount of time before authorizing, or may elect not to authorize, the release of the escrowed proceeds. If we do not raise the minimum amount and commence operations by [            ], 2021 (one year following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part), this offering will be terminated and our escrow agent will promptly send you a full refund of your investment with interest and without deduction for escrow expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may elect to withdraw your purchase order and request a full refund of your investment with interest and without



 

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  deduction for escrow expenses at any time before the escrowed funds are released to us. If we break escrow for this offering and commence operations, interest earned on funds in escrow will be released to our account and constitute part of our net assets.

 

Q:

What is the per share purchase price?

 

A:

During the escrow period, the per share purchase price for our Common Shares will be $25.00. After the close of the escrow period, shares will be sold at the then-current NAV per share, as described below.

 

Q:

How will your NAV per share be calculated after the escrow period?

 

A:

At the conclusion of the escrow period, NAV for our shares will be equal to the net proceeds received by us from purchases of shares during the escrow period, less our liabilities. Thereafter, our NAV will be determined based on the value of our assets less our liabilities, including accrued fees and expenses, as of any date of determination.

Investments for which market quotations are readily available will typically be valued at those market quotations. To validate market quotations, we will utilize a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Securities that are not publicly traded or for which market prices are not readily available will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by, and under the oversight of, the Board of Trustees, based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser and independent third-party valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board of Trustees to review our investments. The Board of Trustees will review and determine, or (subject to the Board of Trustee’s oversight) delegate to the Adviser to determine, the fair value of each of our investments and our NAV per share each month. See “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

 

Q:

Is there any minimum investment required?

 

A:

The minimum initial investment in our Common Shares is $2,500, and the minimum subsequent investment in our shares is $500 per transaction, except that the minimum subsequent investment amount does not apply to purchases made under our distribution reinvestment plan and that the minimum investment in Class I is $1,000,000. In addition, Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (the “Intermediary Manager”), an affiliate of the Adviser, may elect to accept smaller investments in its discretion.

 

Q:

What is a “best efforts” offering?

 

A:

This is our initial public offering of our Common Shares on a “best efforts” basis. A “best efforts” offering means the Intermediary Manager and the participating brokers are only required to use their best efforts to sell the shares. When shares are offered to the public on a “best efforts” basis, no underwriter, broker or other person has a firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the shares. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that any minimum number of shares will be sold.

 

Q:

What is the expected term of this offering?

 

A:

We have registered $5,000,000,000 in Common Shares. It is our intent, however, to conduct a continuous offering for an extended period of time, by filing for additional offerings of our shares, subject to regulatory approval and continued compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and applicable state laws.

We will endeavor to take all reasonable actions to avoid interruptions in the continuous offering of our Common Shares. There can be no assurance, however, that we will not need to suspend our continuous offering while the SEC and, where required, state securities regulators, review such filings for additional offerings of our Common Shares until such filings are declared effective, if at all.



 

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Q:

When may I make purchases of shares and at what price?

 

A:

Subscriptions to purchase our Common Shares may be made on an ongoing basis, but after the time we break escrow for this offering, investors may only purchase our Common Shares pursuant to accepted subscription orders effective as of the first day of each month (based on the NAV per share as determined as of the previous day, being the last day of the preceding month), and to be accepted, a subscription request including the full subscription amount must be received in good order at least five business days prior to the first day of the month (unless waived by the Intermediary Manager). During the escrow period, the per share purchase price for our Common Shares will be $25.00.

Notice of each share transaction will be furnished to shareholders (or their financial representatives) as soon as practicable but not later than seven business days after the Fund’s NAV is determined and credited to the shareholder’s account, together with information relevant for personal and tax records. While a shareholder will not know our NAV applicable on the effective date of the share purchase, our NAV applicable to a purchase of shares will be available generally within 20 business days after the effective date of the share purchase; at that time, the number of shares based on that NAV and each shareholder’s purchase will be determined and shares are credited to the shareholder’s account as of the effective date of the share purchase.

See “How to Subscribe” for more details.

 

Q:

When will the NAV per share be available after the escrow period?

 

A:

We will report our NAV per share as of the last day of each month on our website within 20 business days of the last day of each month. Because subscriptions must be submitted at least five business days prior to the first day of each month, you will not know the NAV per share at which you will be subscribing at the time you subscribe.

For example, if you are subscribing in October, your subscription must be submitted at least five business days prior to November 1. The purchase price for your shares will be the NAV per share determined as of October 31. The NAV per share as of October 31 will generally be available within 20 business days from October 31.

 

Q:

May I withdraw my subscription request once I have made it?

 

A:

Yes. Subscribers are not committed to purchase shares at the time their subscription orders are submitted and any subscription may be canceled at any time before the time it has been accepted. You may withdraw your purchase request by notifying the transfer agent, through your financial intermediary or directly on our toll-free, automated telephone line, 844-702-1299.

 

Q:

When will my subscription be accepted?

 

A:

Completed subscription requests will not be accepted by us any earlier than two business days before the first day of each month.

 

Q:

Will I receive distributions and how often?

 

A:

We expect to pay regular monthly distributions commencing with the first full calendar quarter after the escrow period concludes. Any distributions we make will be at the discretion of our Board of Trustees, considering factors such as our earnings, cash flow, capital needs and general financial condition and the requirements of Delaware law. As a result, our distribution rates and payment frequency may vary from time to time.



 

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Our Board of Trustees’ discretion as to the payment of distributions will be directed, in substantial part, by its determination to cause us to comply with the RIC requirements. To maintain our treatment as a RIC, we generally are required to make aggregate annual distributions to our shareholders of at least 90% of our net investment income. See “Description of our Shares” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

The per share amount of distributions on Class S, Class D and Class I shares generally differ because of different class-specific shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees that are deducted from the gross distributions for each share class. Specifically, distributions on Class S shares will be lower than Class D shares, and Class D shares will be lower than Class I shares because we are required to pay higher ongoing shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees with respect to the Class S shares (compared to Class D shares and Class I shares) and we are required to pay higher ongoing shareholder servicing fees with respect to Class D shares (compared to Class I shares).

There is no assurance we will pay distributions in any particular amount, if at all. We may fund any distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital or offering proceeds, and we have no limits on the amounts we may pay from such sources. The extent to which we pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations will depend on various factors, including the level of participation in our distribution reinvestment plan, how quickly we invest the proceeds from this and any future offering and the performance of our investments. Funding distributions from the sales of assets, borrowings, return of capital or proceeds of this offering will result in us having less funds available to acquire investments. As a result, the return you realize on your investment may be reduced. Doing so may also negatively impact our ability to generate cash flows. Likewise, funding distributions from the sale of additional securities will dilute your interest in us on a percentage basis and may impact the value of your investment especially if we sell these securities at prices less than the price you paid for your shares. We believe the likelihood that we pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations will be higher in the early stages of the offering.

 

Q:

Will the distributions I receive be taxable as ordinary income?

 

A:

Generally, distributions that you receive, including cash distributions that are reinvested pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan, will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent they are paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Dividends received will generally not be eligible to be taxed at the lower U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to individuals for “qualified dividends.”

We may designate a portion of distributions as capital gain dividends taxable at capital gain rates to the extent we recognize net capital gains from sales of assets. In addition, a portion of your distributions may be considered return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Amounts considered a return of capital generally will not be subject to tax, but will instead reduce the tax basis of your investment. This, in effect, defers a portion of your tax until your shares are repurchased, you sell your shares or we are liquidated, at which time you generally will be taxed at capital gains rates. Because each investor’s tax position is different, you should consult with your tax advisor. In particular, non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors regarding potential withholding taxes on distributions that they receive. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

Q:

May I reinvest my cash distributions in additional shares?

 

A:

Yes. We have adopted a distribution reinvestment plan whereby shareholders (other than Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington investors and clients of certain participating brokers that do not permit automatic enrollment in our distribution reinvestment plan) will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares unless they elect to receive their distributions in cash. Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas,



 

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  Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington investors and clients of certain participating brokers that do not permit automatic enrollment in our distribution reinvestment plan will automatically receive their distributions in cash unless they elect to have their cash distributions reinvested in additional Common Shares. If you participate in our distribution reinvestment plan, the cash distributions attributable to the class of shares that you own will be automatically invested in additional Common Shares. The purchase price for shares purchased under our distribution reinvestment plan will be equal to the most recent NAV per share for such shares at the time the distribution is payable. Shareholders will not pay upfront selling commissions when purchasing shares under our distribution reinvestment plan; however, all shares, including those purchased under our distribution reinvestment plan, will be subject to ongoing shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees. Participants may terminate their participation in the distribution reinvestment plan by providing written notice to the Plan Administrator (defined below) five business days in advance of the first calendar day of the next month in order for a shareholder’s termination to be effective for such month. See “Description of Our Shares” and “Distribution Reinvestment Plan.”

 

Q:

Can I request that my shares be repurchased?

 

A:

Yes, subject to limitations. Beginning no later than the first full calendar quarter from the date on which we break escrow for this offering, and at the discretion of our Board of Trustees, we intend to commence a share repurchase program in which we intend to repurchase, in each quarter, up to 5% of our Common Shares outstanding (either by number of shares or aggregate NAV) as of the close of the previous calendar quarter. Our Board of Trustees may amend, suspend or terminate the share repurchase program at any time if it deems such action to be in our best interest and the best interest of our shareholders. As a result, share repurchases may not be available each quarter. We intend to conduct such repurchase offers in accordance with the requirements of Rule 13e-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act. All shares purchased by us pursuant to the terms of each tender offer will be retired and thereafter will be authorized and unissued shares.

Under our share repurchase plan, to the extent we offer to repurchase shares in any particular quarter, we expect to repurchase shares pursuant to tender offers on or around the last business day of that quarter (the “Repurchase Date”) using a purchase price equal to the NAV per share as of the last calendar day of the applicable quarter, except that shares that have not been outstanding for at least one year will be repurchased at 98% of such NAV (an “Early Repurchase Deduction”). The one-year holding period is measured as of the subscription closing date immediately following the prospective repurchase date. The Early Repurchase Deduction may be waived in the case of repurchase requests arising from the death, divorce or qualified disability of the holder. The Early Repurchase Deduction will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of remaining shareholders.

In the event the amount of shares tendered exceeds the repurchase offer amount, shares will be repurchased on a pro rata basis. All unsatisfied repurchase requests must be resubmitted in the next quarterly tender offer, or upon the recommencement of the share repurchase plan, as applicable.

The majority of our assets will consist of instruments that cannot generally be readily liquidated without impacting our ability to realize full value upon their disposition. Therefore, we may not always have sufficient liquid resources to make repurchase offers. In order to provide liquidity for share repurchases, we intend to generally maintain under normal circumstances an allocation to syndicated loans and other liquid investments. We may fund repurchase requests from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital or offering proceeds, and we have no limits on the amounts we may pay from such sources. Should making repurchase offers, in our judgment, place an undue burden on our liquidity, adversely affect our operations or risk having an adverse impact on the company as a whole, or should we otherwise determine that investing our liquid assets in



 

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originated loans or other illiquid investments rather than repurchasing our shares is in the best interests of the Fund as a whole, then we may choose to offer to repurchase fewer shares than described above, or none at all. See “Share Repurchase Program.”

 

Q:

What is a business development company, or BDC?

 

A:

BDCs are subject to certain restrictions applicable to investment companies under the 1940 Act. As a BDC, at least 70% of our assets must be the type of “qualifying” assets listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, as described herein, which are generally privately-offered securities issued by U.S. private or thinly-traded companies. We may also invest up to 30% of our portfolio opportunistically in “non-qualifying” portfolio investments, such as investments in non-U.S. companies. See “Investment Objectives and Strategies— Regulation as a BDC.”

 

Q:

What is a regulated investment company, or RIC?

 

A:

We intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

In general, a RIC is a company that:

 

   

is a BDC or registered investment company that combines the capital of many investors to acquire securities;

 

   

offers the benefits of a securities portfolio under professional management;

 

   

satisfies various requirements of the Code, including an asset diversification requirement; and

 

   

is generally not subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxes on its net taxable income that it currently distributes to its shareholders, which substantially eliminates the “double taxation” (i.e., taxation at both the corporate and shareholder levels) that generally results from investments in a C corporation.

 

Q:

What is a non-exchange traded, perpetual-life BDC?

 

A:

A non-exchange traded BDC is a BDC whose shares are not listed for trading on a stock exchange or other securities market. We use the term “perpetual-life BDC” to describe an investment vehicle of indefinite duration, whose Common Shares are intended to be sold by the BDC monthly on a continuous basis at a price generally equal to the BDC’s monthly NAV per share. In our perpetual-life structure, we may offer investors an opportunity to repurchase their shares on a quarterly basis, but we are not obligated to offer to repurchase any in any particular quarter in our discretion. We believe that our perpetual nature enables us to execute a patient and opportunistic strategy and be able to invest across different market environments. This may reduce the risk of the Fund being a forced seller of assets in market downturns compared to non-perpetual funds. While we may consider a liquidity event at any time in the future, we currently do not intend to undertake a liquidity event, and we are not obligated by our charter or otherwise to effect a liquidity event at any time.

 

Q:

Will I be notified of how my investment is doing?

 

A:

Yes. We will provide you with periodic updates on the performance of your investment with us, including:

 

   

three quarterly financial reports and investor statements;

 

   

an annual report;



 

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in the case of certain U.S. shareholders, an annual Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 1099-DIV or IRS Form 1099-B, if required, and, in the case of non-U.S. shareholders, an annual IRS Form 1042-S;

 

   

confirmation statements (after transactions affecting your balance, except reinvestment of distributions in us and certain transactions through minimum account investment or withdrawal programs); and

 

   

a quarterly statement providing material information regarding your participation in the distribution reinvestment plan and an annual statement providing tax information with respect to income earned on shares under the distribution reinvestment plan for the calendar year.

Depending on legal requirements, we may post this information on our website, www.bcred.com, when available, or provide this information to you via U.S. mail or other courier, electronic delivery, or some combination of the foregoing. Information about us will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

In addition, after the escrow period, our monthly NAV per share will be posted on our website promptly after it has become available.

 

Q:

What fees do you pay to the Adviser?

 

A:

Pursuant to the advisory agreement between us and the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser is responsible for, among other things, identifying investment opportunities, monitoring our investors and determining the composition of our portfolio. We will pay the Adviser a fee for its services under the Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: a management fee and an incentive fee.

 

   

The management fee is payable monthly in arrears at an annual rate of 1.25% of the value of our net assets as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the applicable month. For the first calendar month in which the Fund has operations, net assets will be measured as the beginning net assets as of the date on which the Fund breaks escrow. In addition, the Adviser has agreed to waive its management fee for the first six months following the date on which we break escrow for this offering. The longer an investor holds our Common Shares during this period, the longer such investor will receive the benefit of this management fee waiver period.

 

   

The incentive fee will consist of two components as follows:

 

   

The first part of the incentive fee is based on income, whereby we will pay the Adviser quarterly in arrears 12.5% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns (as defined below) for each calendar quarter subject to a 5.0% annualized hurdle rate, with a catch-up. The Adviser has agreed to waive the incentive fee based on income for the first six months following the date on which we break escrow for this offering. The longer an investor holds our Common Shares during this period, the longer such investor will receive the benefit of this income based incentive fee waiver period.

 

   

The second part of the incentive is based on realized capital gains, whereby we will pay the Adviser at the end of each calendar year in arrears 12.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the end of such calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fee on capital gains.

See “Advisory Agreement and Administrative Agreement.”

 

Q:

Who will administer the Fund?

 

A:

GSO Capital Partners LP, as our administrator (the “Administrator”), will provide, or oversee the performance of, administrative and compliance services. We will reimburse the Administrator for its costs,



 

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  expenses and the Fund’s allocable portion of compensation of the Administrator’s personnel and the Administrator’s overhead (including rent, office equipment and utilities) and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”). See “Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement—Administration Agreement.”

 

Q:

What are the offering and servicing costs?

 

A:

No upfront sales load will be paid with respect to Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares, however, if you buy Class S shares or Class D shares through certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to a 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares and 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares. Selling agents will not charge such fees on Class I shares. Please consult your selling agent for additional information.

Subject to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) limitations on underwriting compensation, we will pay the following shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the Intermediary Manager: (a) for Class S shares, a shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee equal to 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month for the Class S shares and (b) for Class D shares, a shareholder servicing fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month for the Class D shares, in each case, payable monthly. No shareholder servicing or distribution fees will be paid with respect to the Class I shares. The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees will be payable to the Intermediary Manager, but the Intermediary Manager anticipates that all or a portion of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees will be retained by, or reallowed (paid) to, participating brokers. The total amount that will be paid over time for other underwriting compensation depends on the average length of time for which shares remain outstanding, the term over which such amount is measured and the performance of our investments. We will also pay or reimburse certain organization and offering expenses, including, subject to FINRA limitations on underwriting compensation, certain wholesaling expenses. See “Plan of Distribution” and “Estimated Use of Proceeds.” The total underwriting compensation and total organization and offering expenses will not exceed 10% and 15%, respectively, of the gross proceeds from this offering.

The Adviser has agreed to advance all of our organization and offering expenses on our behalf (including legal, accounting, printing, mailing, subscription processing and filing fees and expenses and other offering expenses, including costs associated with technology integration between the Fund’s systems and those of our participating brokers, reasonable bona fide due diligence expenses of participating brokers supported by detailed and itemized invoices, costs in connection with preparing sales materials and other marketing expenses, design and website expenses, fees and expenses of our escrow agent and transfer agent, fees to attend retail seminars sponsored by participating brokers and costs, expenses and reimbursements for travel, meals, accommodations, entertainment and other similar expenses related to meetings or events with prospective investors, brokers, registered investment advisors or financial or other advisors, but excluding the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee) through the date on which we break escrow for this offering. Unless the Adviser elects to cover such expenses pursuant to the Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement we have entered into with the Adviser, we will be obligated to reimburse the Adviser for such advanced expenses upon breaking escrow for this offering. See “Plan of Distribution” and “Plan of Operations—Expenses—Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement.”

 

Q:

What are your expected operating expenses?

 

A:

We expect to incur operating expenses in the form of our management and incentive fees, shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees, interest expense on our borrowings and other expenses, including the expenses we pay to our Administrator. See “Fees and Expenses.”



 

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Q:

What are your policies related to conflicts of interests with Blackstone and its affiliates?

 

A:

The Adviser, GSO, Blackstone and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Firm”) will be subject to certain conflicts of interest with respect to the services the Adviser and the Administrator provide for us. These conflicts will arise primarily from the involvement of the Firm in other activities that may conflict with our activities. You should be aware that individual conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of our interest.

 

   

Broad and Wide-Ranging Activities. The Firm engages in a broad spectrum of activities. In the ordinary course of its business activities, the Firm will engage in activities where the interests of certain divisions of the Firm or the interests of its clients will conflict with the interests of the shareholders in the Fund. Other present and future activities of the Firm will give rise to additional conflicts of interest. In the event that a conflict of interest arises, the Adviser will attempt to resolve such conflict in a fair and equitable manner. Subject to applicable law, including the 1940 Act, and the Board of Trustees’ oversight, the Adviser will have the power to resolve, or consent to the resolution of, conflicts of interest on behalf of the Fund. Investors should be aware that conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of the Fund’s interests. In addition, the Adviser may in certain situations choose to consult with or obtain the consent of the Board of Trustees with respect to any specific conflict of interest, including with respect to the approvals required under the 1940 Act, including Section 57(f), and the Advisers Act. The Fund may enter into joint transactions or cross- trades with clients or affiliates of the Adviser to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act and any applicable co-investment order from the SEC. Subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in loans or other securities, the proceeds of which may refinance or otherwise repay debt or securities of companies whose debt is owned by other GSO funds.

 

   

Fund Co-Investment Opportunities. As a BDC regulated under the 1940 Act, the Fund is subject to certain limitations relating to co-investments and joint transactions with affiliates, which likely will in certain circumstances limit the Fund’s ability to make investments or enter into other transactions alongside the Other Clients. There can be no assurance that such regulatory restrictions will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to capitalize on attractive investment opportunities. However, subject to the 1940 Act and any applicable co-investment order issued by the SEC, the Fund may co- invest with Other Clients (including co-investment or other vehicles in which the Firm or its personnel invest and that co-invest with such Other Clients) in investments that are suitable for the Fund and one or more of such Other Clients. Even if the Fund and any such Other Clients and/or co-investment or other vehicles invest in the same securities, conflicts of interest may still arise.

We have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits us, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. Such order may restrict our ability to enter into follow-on investments or other transactions. Pursuant to such order, we may co-invest in a negotiated deal with certain affiliates of the Adviser or certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. We may also receive an allocation in such a deal alongside affiliates pursuant to other mechanisms to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

   

Other Affiliate Transactions and Investments in Different Levels of Capital Structure. From time to time, the Fund and the Other Clients may make investments at different levels of an issuer’s capital structure or otherwise in different classes of an issuer’s securities or loans, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act. Such investments may inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest between or among the various classes of securities or loans that may be held by such entities. To the extent the Fund holds securities or loans that are different (including with respect to their relative seniority) than those held by an Other Client, the Adviser and its affiliates may be presented with decisions when the interests of the funds are in conflict.



 

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Any applicable co-investment order issued by the SEC may restrict the Fund’s ability to participate in follow-on financings. GSO may in its discretion take steps to reduce the potential for adversity between the Fund and the Other Clients, including causing the Fund and/or such Other Clients to take certain actions that, in the absence of such conflict, it would not take. Such conflicts will be more difficult if the Fund and Other Clients hold significant or controlling interests in competing or different tranches of a portfolio company’s capital structure. In addition, there may be circumstances where GSO agrees to implement certain procedures to ameliorate conflicts of interest that may involve a forbearance of rights relating to the Fund or Other Clients, such as where GSO may cause the Fund or Other Clients to decline to exercise certain control- and/or foreclosure-related rights with respect to a portfolio company.

Further, the Fund is prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of affiliates (including portfolio companies of Other Clients) without the prior approval of a majority of the independent members of the Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities will be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act and generally the Fund will be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of the Board of Trustees. However, the Fund may under certain circumstances purchase any such affiliate’s loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Adviser between the Fund’s interests and the interests of such affiliate, in that the ability of the Adviser to recommend actions in the Fund’s best interest may be limited. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or closely related times), without prior approval of the Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC.

In addition, conflicts may arise in determining the amount of an investment, if any, to be allocated among potential investors and the respective terms thereof. There can be no assurance that any conflict will be resolved in favor of the Fund, and each shareholder acknowledges and agrees that in some cases, subject to applicable law, a decision by GSO to take any particular action could have the effect of benefiting an Other Client (and, incidentally, may also have the effect of benefiting GSO) and therefore may not have been in the best interests of, and may be adverse to, the Fund. There can be no assurance that the return on the Fund’s investment will be equivalent to or better than the returns obtained by the Other Clients participating in the transaction. The shareholders will not receive any benefit from fees paid to any affiliate of the Adviser from a portfolio company in which an Other

Client also has an interest to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

   

Other Blackstone and GSO Clients; Allocation of Investment Opportunities. Certain inherent conflicts of interest arise from the fact that the Adviser, GSO and Blackstone provide investment management, advisory and sub-advisory services to the Fund and Other Clients. GSO will share any investment and sale opportunities with such Other Clients and the Fund in accordance with the Advisers Act, and Firm-wide allocation policies, which generally provide for sharing pro rata based on targeted acquisition size or targeted sale size. Notwithstanding the foregoing, GSO may also consider a number of factors in making any allocation determinations, and such factors may result in a different allocation of investment and/or sale opportunities. GSO shall not have any obligation to present any investment opportunity (or portion of any investment opportunity) to the Fund if GSO determines in good faith that such opportunity (or portion thereof) should not be presented to the Fund for any one or a combination of the reasons specified above, or if GSO is otherwise restricted from presenting such investment opportunity to the Fund.

In addition, as noted above, GSO has received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits certain existing and future funds regulated under the 1940 Act (each, a “Regulated Fund”), among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of GSO, and certain funds managed and controlled by GSO and its affiliates (a “GSO Fund”), including the Fund, subject to certain terms and



 

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conditions. For so long as any privately negotiated investment opportunity falls within the investment criteria of one or more Regulated Funds, such investment opportunity shall also be offered to such Regulated Fund(s). In the event that the aggregate targeted investment sizes of the Fund and such Regulated Fund(s) exceed the amount of such investment opportunity, allocation of such investment opportunity to each of the Fund and such Regulated Fund(s) will be reduced proportionately based on their respective “available capital” as defined in the exemptive order, which may result in allocation to the Fund in an amount less than what it would otherwise have been if such Regulated Fund(s) did not participate in such investment opportunity. The exemptive order also restricts the ability of the Fund (or any other GSO Fund) from investing in any privately negotiated investment opportunity alongside a Regulated Fund except at the same time and on same terms. As a result, the Fund may be unable to make investments in different parts of the capital structure of the same issuer in which a Regulated Fund has invested or seeks to invest. The rules promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as well as any related guidance from the SEC and/or the terms of the exemptive order itself, are subject to change, and GSO could undertake to amend the exemptive order (subject to SEC approval), obtain additional exemptive relief, or otherwise be subject to other requirements in respect of co-investments involving the Fund and any Regulated Funds, any of which may impact the amount of any allocation made available to Regulated Funds and thereby affect (and potentially decrease) the allocation made to the Fund.

Moreover, with respect to GSO’s ability to allocate investment opportunities, including where such opportunities are within the common objectives and guidelines of the Fund and one or more Other Clients (which allocations are to be made on a basis that GSO believes in good faith to be fair and reasonable), GSO and Blackstone have established general guidelines and policies, which it may update from time to time, for determining how such allocations are to be made, which, among other things, set forth principles regarding what constitutes “debt” or “debt-like” investments, criteria for defining “control-oriented equity” or “infrastructure” investments, guidance regarding allocation for certain types of investments (e.g., distressed energy) and other matters. In addition, certain Other Clients may receive certain priority or other allocation rights with respect to certain investments, subject to various conditions set forth in such Other Clients’ respective governing agreements.

When GSO determines not to pursue some or all of an investment opportunity for the Fund that would otherwise be within the Fund’s objectives and strategies, and Blackstone or GSO provides the opportunity or offers the opportunity to Other Clients, Blackstone or GSO, including their personnel (including GSO personnel), may receive compensation from the Other Clients, whether or not in respect of a particular investment, including an allocation of carried interest or referral fees, and any such compensation could be greater than amounts paid by the Fund to GSO. As a result, GSO (including GSO personnel who receive such compensation) could be incentivized to allocate investment opportunities away from the Fund to or source investment opportunities for Other Clients. In addition, in some cases Blackstone or GSO may earn greater fees when Other Clients participate alongside or instead of the Fund in an Investment.

 

   

Group Procurement; Discounts. The Fund (subject to applicable law) and certain portfolio companies will enter into agreements regarding group, benefits management, purchase of title and/or other insurance policies (which may include brokerage and/or placement thereof, and will from time to time be pooled across portfolio companies and discounted due to scale, including through sharing of deductibles and other forms of shared risk retention) from a third party or an affiliate of GSO and/or Blackstone, and other operational, administrative or management related initiatives. The Firm will allocate the cost of these various services and products purchased on a group basis among the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies. Some of these arrangements result in commissions, discounts, rebates or similar payments to GSO and/or Blackstone or their affiliates (including personnel), or Other Clients and their portfolio companies, including as a result of transactions entered into by the Fund and its portfolio companies and/or related to a portion of the savings achieved by the portfolio companies.



 

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The foregoing list of conflicts does not purport to be a complete enumeration or explanation of the actual and potential conflicts involved in an investment in the Fund. Prospective investors should read the Fund’s offering documents and consult with their own advisors before deciding whether to invest in the Fund. In addition, as the Fund’s investment program develops and changes over time, an investment in the Fund may be subject to additional and different actual and potential conflicts. Although the various conflicts discussed herein are generally described separately, prospective investors should consider the potential effects of the interplay of multiple conflicts.

See “Potential Conflicts of Interest” for additional information about conflicts of interest that could impact the Fund.

 

Q:

Are there any ERISA considerations in connection with an investment in our shares?

 

A:

We intend to conduct our affairs so that our assets should not be deemed to constitute “plan assets” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and certain U.S. Department of Labor regulations promulgated thereunder, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA (the “Plan Asset Regulations”). In this regard, until such time as all classes of the Common Shares are considered “publicly-offered securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, the Fund intends to limit investment in our Common Shares by “benefit plan investors” to less than 25% of the total value of each class of our Common Shares, within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations.

In addition, each prospective investor that is, or is acting on behalf of any (i) “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (ii) “plan” described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code (including, for example, an individual retirement account and a “Keogh” plan), (iii) plan, account or other arrangement that is subject to the provisions of any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), or (iv) entity whose underlying assets are considered to include the assets of any of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) (each of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) referred to as a “Plan”), must independently determine that our Common Shares are an appropriate investment for the Plan, taking into account its obligations under ERISA, the Code and applicable Similar Laws, and the facts and circumstances of each investing Plan.

Prospective investors should carefully review the matters discussed under Risk Factors—“Risks Related to an Investment in the Shares” and “Restrictions on Share Ownership” and should consult with their own advisors as to the consequences of making an investment in the Fund.

 

Q:

What is the impact of being an “emerging growth company”?

 

A:

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined by the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and disclosure requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:

 

   

have an auditor attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”);

 

   

submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes pursuant to the “say on frequency” and “say on pay” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve compensation of certain executive officers) and the “say on golden parachute” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve golden parachute arrangements for certain executive officers in connection with mergers and certain other business combinations) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; or



 

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disclose certain executive compensation related items, such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies. This means that an emerging growth company can delay adopting certain accounting standards until such standards are otherwise applicable to private companies.

We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of: (1) the last date of the fiscal year during which we had total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more; (2) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt; or (3) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined under Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

We do not believe that being an emerging growth company will have a significant impact on our business or this offering. We have elected to opt in to the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards available to emerging growth companies. Also, because we are not a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer under Section 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, and will not be for so long as our Common Shares are not traded on a securities exchange, we will not be subject to auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act even once we are no longer an emerging growth company. In addition, so long as we are externally managed by the Adviser and we do not directly compensate our executive officers, or reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the salaries, bonuses, benefits and severance payments for persons who also serve as one of our executive officers or as an executive officer of the Adviser, we do not expect to include disclosures relating to executive compensation in our periodic reports or proxy statements and, as a result, do not expect to be required to seek shareholder approval of executive compensation and golden parachute compensation arrangements pursuant to Section 14A(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act.

 

Q:

When will I get my detailed tax information?

 

A:

In the case of certain U.S. shareholders, we expect your IRS Form 1099-DIV tax information, if required, to be mailed by January 31 of each year.

 

Q:

Who can help answer my questions?

 

A:

If you have more questions about this offering or if you would like additional copies of this prospectus, you should contact your financial adviser or our transfer agent: DST Systems, Inc., 1055 Broadway, 7th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.



 

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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in Common Shares will bear, directly or indirectly. Other expenses are estimated and may vary. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown.

 

     Class S
Shares
    Class D
Shares
    Class I
Shares
 

Shareholder transaction expenses (fees paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum sales load(1)

     —       —       —  

Maximum Early Repurchase Deduction(2)

     2.0     2.0     2.0

 

     Class S
Shares
    Class D
Shares
    Class I
Shares
 

Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to our Common Shares)(3)

      

Base management fees(4)

     1.25     1.25     1.25

Incentive fees(5)

     —       —       —  

Shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees(6)

     0.85     0.25     —  

Interest payment on borrowed funds(7)

     4.07     4.07     4.07

Other expenses(8)

     1.41     1.41     1.41

Total annual expenses

     7.58     6.98     6.73

 

(1)

No upfront sales load will be paid with respect to Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares, however, if you buy Class S shares or Class D shares through certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to a 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares and 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares. Selling agents will not charge such fees on Class I shares. Please consult your selling agent for additional information.

(2)

Under our share repurchase plan, to the extent we offer to repurchase shares in any particular quarter, we expect to repurchase shares pursuant to tender offers on or around the last business day of that quarter using a purchase price equal to the NAV per share as of the last calendar day of the applicable quarter, except that shares that have not been outstanding for at least one year will be repurchased at 98% of such NAV. The one-year holding period is measured as of the subscription closing date immediately following the prospective repurchase date. The Early Repurchase Deduction may be waived in the case of repurchase requests arising from the death, divorce or qualified disability of the holder. The Early Repurchase Deduction will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of remaining shareholders.

(3)

Weighted average net assets employed as the denominator for expense ratio computation is $975 million. This estimate is based on the assumption that we sell $1,560 million of our Common Shares in the initial 12-month period of the offering following the date we meet the minimum offering requirement. Actual net assets will depend on the number of shares we actually sell, realized gains/losses, unrealized appreciation/ depreciation and share repurchase activity, if any.

(4)

The base management fee paid to our Adviser is calculated at an annual rate of 1.25% on of the value of our net assets as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the applicable month.

(5)

We may have capital gains and investment income that could result in the payment of an incentive fee in the first year of investment operations. The incentive fees, if any, are divided into two parts:

 

   

The first part of the incentive fee is based on income, whereby we will pay the Adviser quarterly in arrears 12.5% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns (as defined below) for each calendar quarter subject to a 5.0% annualized hurdle rate, with a catch-up.

 

   

The second part of the incentive is based on realized capital gains, whereby we will pay the Adviser at the end of each calendar year in arrears 12.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the

 

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end of such calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fee on capital gains.

As we cannot predict whether we will meet the necessary performance targets, we have assumed no incentive fee for this chart. Once fully invested, we expect the incentive fees we pay to increase to the extent we earn greater income or generate capital gains through our investments in portfolio companies. If we achieved an annualized total return of 5% for each quarter made up entirely of net investment income, no incentive fees would be payable to the Adviser because the hurdle rate was not exceeded. If instead we achieved a total return of 5% in a calendar year made up of entirely realized capital gains net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation, an incentive fee equal to 0.63% of our net assets would be payable. See “Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement” for more information concerning the incentive fees.

 

(6)

Subject to FINRA limitations on underwriting compensation, we will also pay the following shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the Intermediary Manager: (a) for Class S shares, a shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee equal to 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month for the Class S shares and (b) for Class D shares only, a shareholder servicing fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month for the Class D shares, in each case, payable monthly. No shareholder servicing fees will be paid with respect to the Class I shares. The total amount that will be paid over time for other underwriting compensation depends on the average length of time for which shares remain outstanding, the term over which such amount is measured and the performance of our investments. We will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on the Class S shares and Class D shares on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) our merger or consolidation with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of this offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with this offering, including the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee and other underwriting compensation, is equal to 10% of the gross proceeds from our primary offering. In addition, as required by exemptive relief allowing us to offer multiple classes of shares, at the end of the month in which the Intermediary Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees paid with respect to any single share held in a shareholder’s account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such share (or a lower limit as determined by the Intermediary Manager or the applicable selling agent), we will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on either (i) each such share that would exceed such limit or (ii) all Class S shares and Class D shares in such shareholder’s account. We may modify this requirement if permitted by applicable exemptive relief. At the end of such month, the applicable Class S shares or Class D shares in such shareholder’s account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such Class S or Class D shares. See “Plan of Distribution” and “Estimated Use of Proceeds.” The total underwriting compensation and total organization and offering expenses will not exceed 10% and 15%, respectively, of the gross proceeds from this offering.

(7)

We may borrow funds to make investments, including before we have fully invested the proceeds of this continuous offering. To the extent that we determine it is appropriate to borrow funds to make investments, the costs associated with such borrowing will be indirectly borne by shareholders. The figure in the table assumes that we borrow for investment purposes an amount equal to 125% of our weighted average net assets in the initial 12-month period of the offering after we meet the minimum offering requirement, and that the average annual cost of borrowings, including the amortization of cost associated with obtaining borrowings and unused commitment fees, on the amount borrowed is 3.25%. Our ability to incur leverage during the 12 months following the commencement of this offering depends, in large part, on whether we meet our minimum offering requirement, the amount of money we are able to raise through the sale of shares registered in this offering and the availability of financing in the market.

(8)

“Other expenses” include accounting, legal and auditing fees, reimbursement of expenses to our Administrator, organization and offering expenses and fees payable to our Trustees, as discussed in “Plan of Operation.” The amount presented in the table estimates the amounts we expect to pay during the initial 12-month period of the offering following the date we meet our minimum offering requirement.

 

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We have entered into an Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement with the Adviser. The Adviser may elect to pay certain of our expenses on our behalf, including organization and offering expenses, provided that no portion of the payment will be used to pay any interest expense or distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees of the Fund. Any Expense Payment that the Adviser has committed to pay must be paid by the Adviser to us in any combination of cash or other immediately available funds no later than forty-five days after such commitment was made in writing, and/or offset against amounts due from us to the Adviser or its affiliates. If the Adviser elects to pay certain of our expenses, the Adviser will be entitled to reimbursement of such expenses from us if Available Operating Funds (as defined below) exceed the cumulative distributions accrued to the Fund’s shareholders. See “Plan of Operations—Expenses—Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement” for additional information regarding the Expense Support Agreement. Because the Adviser’s obligation to pay certain of our expenses is voluntary, the table above does not reflect the impact of any expense support from the Adviser.

Example: We have provided an example of the projected dollar amount of total expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical $1,000 investment in each class of our Common Shares. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that: (1) that our annual operating expenses and offering expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above, except to reduce annual expenses upon completion of organization and offering expenses, (2) that the annual return before fees and expenses is 5.0%, (3) that the net return after payment of fees and expenses is distributed to shareholders and reinvested at NAV and (4) your financial intermediary does not directly charge you transaction or other fees.

Class S shares

 

Return Assumption

   1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return from net investment income:

   $ 75      $ 211      $ 342      $ 645  

Total expenses assuming a 5.0% annual return solely from net realized capital gains:

   $ 81      $ 227      $ 366      $ 679  

Class D shares

 

Return Assumption

   1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return from net investment income:

   $ 69      $ 196      $ 318      $ 608  

Total expenses assuming a 5.0% annual return solely from net realized capital gains:

   $ 75      $ 212      $ 343      $ 646  

Class I shares

 

Return Assumption

   1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return from net investment income:

   $ 67      $ 189      $ 308      $ 593  

Total expenses assuming a 5.0% annual return solely from net realized capital gains:

   $ 73      $ 205      $ 333      $ 631  

 

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While the examples assume a 5.0% annual return on investment before fees and expenses, our performance will vary and may result in an annual return that is greater or less than this. These examples should not be considered a representation of your future expenses. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments to trigger a quarterly incentive fee on income and/or if we achieve net realized capital gains in excess of 5.0%, both our returns to our shareholders and our expenses would be higher. See “Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement” for information concerning incentive fees.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Common Shares involves a number of significant risks. The following information is a discussion of the material risk factors associated with an investment in our Common Shares specifically, as well as those factors generally associated with an investment in a company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or traders markets similar to ours. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our Common Shares. The risks below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such cases, the NAV of our Common Shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

We are a relatively new company and have no operating history.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that will elect to be regulated as a BDC with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors have no track record or history on which to base their investment decision. We are subject to the business risks and uncertainties associated with recently formed businesses, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and the value of a shareholder’s investment could decline substantially or become worthless. Further, the Adviser has not previously offered a non-traded business development company. While we believe that the past professional experiences of the Adviser’s investment team, including investment and financial experience of the Adviser’s senior management, will increase the likelihood that the Adviser will be able to manage the Fund successfully, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

Our Board of Trustees may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse to our results of operations and financial condition.

Our Board of Trustees has the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without shareholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, NAV, operating results and value of our shares. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Moreover, we have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds from our continuous offering and may use the net proceeds from our continuous offering in ways with which investors may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated in this Registration Statement.

Our Board of Trustees may amend our Declaration of Trust without prior shareholder approval.

Our Board of Trustees may, without shareholder vote, subject to certain exceptions, amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration of Trust by making an amendment, a Declaration of Trust supplemental thereto or an amended and restated Declaration of Trust, including without limitation to classify the Board of Trustees, to impose advance notice bylaw provisions for Trustee nominations or for shareholder proposals, to require super- majority approval of transactions with significant shareholders or other provisions that may be characterized as anti-takeover in nature.

Price declines in the medium- and large-sized U.S. corporate debt market may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio, reducing our NAV through increased net unrealized depreciation.

Conditions in the medium- and large-sized U.S. corporate debt market may deteriorate, as seen during the recent financial crisis, which may cause pricing levels to similarly decline or be volatile. During the financial

 

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crisis, many institutions were forced to raise cash by selling their interests in performing assets in order to satisfy margin requirements or the equivalent of margin requirements imposed by their lenders and/or, in the case of hedge funds and other investment vehicles, to satisfy widespread redemption requests. This resulted in a forced deleveraging cycle of price declines, compulsory sales and further price declines, with falling underlying credit values, and other constraints resulting from the credit crisis generating further selling pressure. If similar events occurred in the medium- and large-sized U.S. corporate debt market, our NAV could decline through an increase in unrealized depreciation and incurrence of realized losses in connection with the sale of our investments, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on the ability of the Adviser to manage and support our investment process. If the Adviser or GSO were to lose any members of their respective senior management teams, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

Since we have no employees, we depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the broader networks of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Adviser evaluates, negotiates, structures, executes, monitors and services our investments. Our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of GSO and its senior management team. The departure of any members of GSO’s senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on the Adviser’s ability to identify and analyze, and to invest in, finance and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. The Adviser’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to us, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of investment professionals in an adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve our investment objective, the Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in our investment selection and monitoring process. The Adviser may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Failure to support our investment process could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Advisory Agreement has been approved pursuant to Section 15 of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Advisory Agreement has termination provisions that allow the parties to terminate the agreement. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by us upon 60 days’ written notice or by the Adviser upon 120 days’ written notice. If the Advisory Agreement is terminated, it may adversely affect the quality of our investment opportunities. In addition, in the event the Advisory Agreement is terminated, it may be difficult for us to replace the Adviser.

Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, the inability of the Adviser to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

The Adviser depends on its broader organization’s relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, and we rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If the Adviser or its organizations fail to maintain their existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the Adviser or its broader organizations have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.

We will compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including private equity funds, mezzanine funds, performing and other credit funds, and funds that invest in CLOs, structured notes, derivatives

 

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and other types of collateralized securities and structured products), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested, including making investments in mid-sized private U.S. companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in middle market private U.S. companies may intensify. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms or structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms or structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in middle market private U.S. companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financial sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC.

As required by the 1940 Act, a significant portion of our investment portfolio is and will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith and, as a result, there is and will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined pursuant to policies adopted by, and subject to the oversight of, our Board of Trustees. There is not a public market for the securities of the privately-held companies in which we invest. Most of our investments will not be publicly-traded or actively traded on a secondary market. As a result, we value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith as required by the 1940 Act. In connection with striking a NAV as of the last day of a month that is not also the last day of a calendar quarter, the Fund will consider whether there has been a material change to such investments as to affect their fair value, but such analysis will be more limited than the quarter end process.

As part of our valuation process, we will take into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments without market quotations, many of which are loans, including and in combination, as relevant: (i) the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company, (ii) the nature and realizable value of any collateral, (iii) the portfolio company’s ability to make payments based on its earnings and cash flow, (iv) the markets in which the portfolio company does business, (v) a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to any similar publicly traded securities, and (vi) overall changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future. Our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these non-traded securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our NAV on a given date to materially differ from the value that we may ultimately realize upon the sale of one or more of our investments.

There is a risk that investors in our shares may not receive distributions or that our distributions may decrease over time.

We may not achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified or stable level of cash distributions and our distributions may decrease over time. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions.

 

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The amount of any distributions we may make is uncertain. Our distributions may exceed our earnings, particularly during the period before we have substantially invested the net proceeds from our public offering. Therefore, portions of the distributions that we make may represent a return of capital to you that will lower your tax basis in your shares and reduce the amount of funds we have for investment in targeted assets.

We may fund our cash distributions to shareholders from any sources of funds available to us, including offering proceeds, borrowings, net investment income from operations, capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets, non-capital gains proceeds from the sale of assets, dividends or other distributions paid to us on account of preferred and common equity investments in portfolio companies and fee and expense reimbursement waivers from the Adviser or the Administrator, if any. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by, among other things, the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this registration statement. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC may limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions are and will be paid at the discretion of our Board of Trustees and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our Board of Trustees may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will continue to pay distributions to our shareholders in the future. In the event that we encounter delays in locating suitable investment opportunities, we may pay all or a substantial portion of our distributions from the proceeds of our public offering or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital. A return of capital is a return of your investment, rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from our investment activities.

We have not established any limit on the amount of funds we may use from available sources, such as borrowings, if any, or proceeds from this offering, to fund distributions (which may reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in assets).

Shareholders should understand that any distributions made from sources other than cash flow from operations or relying on fee or expense reimbursement waivers, if any, from the Adviser of the Administrator are not based on our investment performance, and can only be sustained if we achieve positive investment performance in future periods and/or the Adviser or the Administrator continues to makes such expense reimbursements, if any. The extent to which we pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations will depend on various factors, including the level of participation in our distribution reinvestment plan, how quickly we invest the proceeds from this and any future offering and the performance of our investments. Shareholders should also understand that our future repayments to the Adviser will reduce the distributions that they would otherwise receive. Shareholders should also understand that our future repayments to the Adviser will reduce the distributions that they would otherwise receive. There can be no assurance that we will achieve such performance in order to sustain these distributions, or be able to pay distributions at all. The Adviser and the Administrator have no obligation to waive fees or receipt of expense reimbursements, if any.

Although we expect to adopt a share repurchase program, we have discretion to not repurchase your shares, to suspend the program, and to cease repurchases.

Our Board of Trustees may not adopt a share repurchase program, and if such a program is adopted, may amend, suspend or terminate the share repurchase program at any time in its discretion. You may not be able to sell your shares at all in the event our Board of Trustees amends, suspends or terminates the share repurchase program, absent a liquidity event, and we currently do not intend to undertake a liquidity event, and we are not obligated by our charter or otherwise to effect a liquidity event at any time. We will notify you of such developments in our quarterly reports or other filings. If less than the full amount of Common Shares requested to be repurchased in any given repurchase offer are repurchased, funds will be allocated pro rata based on the total number of Common Shares being repurchased without regard to class. The share repurchase program has many limitations and should not be relied upon as a method to sell shares promptly or at a desired price.

 

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The timing of our repurchase offers pursuant to our share repurchase program may be at a time that is disadvantageous to our shareholders.

In the event a shareholder chooses to participate in our share repurchase program, the shareholder will be required to provide us with notice of intent to participate prior to knowing what the NAV per share of the class of shares being repurchased will be on the Repurchase Date. Although a shareholder will have the ability to withdraw a repurchase request prior to the Repurchase Date, to the extent a shareholder seeks to sell shares to us as part of our periodic share repurchase program, the shareholder will be required to do so without knowledge of what the repurchase price of our shares will be on the Repurchase Date.

As a public company, we are subject to regulations not applicable to private companies, such as provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Efforts to comply with such regulations will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with such regulations may adversely affect us.

As a public company, we are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. Our management is required to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We are required to review on an annual basis our internal control over financial reporting, and on a quarterly and annual basis to evaluate and disclose changes in our internal control over financial reporting. As a relatively new company, developing and maintaining an effective system of internal controls may require significant expenditures, which may negatively impact our financial performance and our ability to make distributions. This process also will result in a diversion of our management’s time and attention. We cannot be certain of when our evaluation, testing and remediation actions will be completed or the impact of the same on our operations. In addition, we may be unable to ensure that the process is effective or that our internal controls over financial reporting are or will be effective in a timely manner. In the event that we are unable to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls and maintain or achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, we may be adversely affected.

We are not required to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the internal control evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404, and will not be required to comply with all of those requirements until we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act for a specified period of time or the date we are no longer an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. Accordingly, our internal controls over financial reporting do not currently meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 that we will eventually be required to meet. We are in the process of addressing our internal controls over financial reporting and are establishing formal procedures, policies, processes and practices related to financial reporting and to the identification of key financial reporting risks, assessment of their potential impact and linkage of those risks to specific areas and activities within the Fund.

Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. Because we do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls and have not yet tested our internal controls in accordance with Section 404, we cannot conclude in accordance with Section 404 that we do not have a material weakness in our internal controls or a combination of significant deficiencies that could result in the conclusion that we have a material weakness in our internal controls.

The impact of financial reform legislation on us is uncertain.

In light of recent conditions in the U.S. and global financial markets and the U.S. and global economy, legislators, the presidential administration and regulators have increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the “Dodd- Frank Act,” institutes a wide range of reforms that will have an impact on all financial institutions. Some of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have been enacted, while others have extended implementation periods and

 

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delayed effective dates and will require extensive rulemaking by regulatory authorities. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies and through regulations, the full impact such requirements will have on our business, results of operations or financial condition is unclear. While we cannot predict what effect any changes in the laws or regulations or their interpretations would have on us as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, these changes could be materially adverse to us and our shareholders.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the loans or other debt securities we originate or acquire, the level of our expenses (including our borrowing costs), variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions, including the impending presidential election in the United States in 2020. As a result of these factors, results for any previous period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

General economic conditions could adversely affect the performance of our investments.

The global growth cycle is in a mature phase and signs of slowdown are evident in certain regions around the world, although most economists continue to expect moderate economic growth in the near term, with limited signals of an imminent recession in the U.S. as consumer and government spending remain healthy. Although the broader outlook remains constructive and progress was made on trade, including a phase one deal with China and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, geopolitical instability continues to pose risk. In particular, the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus and related respiratory disease (“COVID-19”) in many countries, which is a rapidly evolving situation, has disrupted global travel and supply chains, and has adversely impacted global commercial activity and a number of industries, such as transportation, hospitality and entertainment. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of COVID-19, or any future pandemics that may arise, which may have a continued adverse impact on economic and market conditions, and may lead to significant declines in corporate earnings or loan performance, and the ability of corporate borrowers to service their debt, any of which could trigger a period of global economic slowdown, and have an adverse impact on the performance and financial results of the Fund, and the value and the liquidity of the shares.

We may be impacted by general European economic conditions.

The success of our investment activities could be affected by general economic and market conditions in Europe and in the rest of the world, as well as by changes in applicable laws and regulations (including laws relating to taxation of our investments), trade barriers, currency exchange controls, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, asset re-investment, resource self-sufficiency and national and international political and socioeconomic circumstances in respect of the European and other non-U.S. countries in which we may invest. These factors will affect the level and volatility of securities prices and the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, which could impair our profitability or result in losses. General fluctuations in the market prices of securities and interest rates may affect our investment opportunities and the value of our investments. We may maintain substantial trading positions that can be adversely affected by the level of volatility in the financial markets; the larger the positions, the greater the potential for loss. Declines in the performance of national economies or the credit markets in certain jurisdictions have had a negative impact on general economic and market conditions globally, and as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Adviser’s financial condition may be adversely affected by a significant general economic downturn and it may be subject to legal, regulatory, reputational and other unforeseen risks that could have a material adverse effect on the Adviser’s businesses and operations (including those of the Fund). A recession, slowdown

 

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and/or sustained downturn in the global economy (or any particular segment thereof) could have a pronounced impact on the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund’s profitability, impede the ability of the Fund’s portfolio companies to perform under or refinance their existing obligations and impair the Fund’s ability to effectively deploy its capital or realize its investments on favorable terms.

In addition, economic problems in a single country are increasingly affecting other markets and economies. A continuation of this trend could adversely affect global economic conditions and world markets and, in turn, could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

Any of the foregoing events could result in substantial or total losses to the Fund in respect of certain investments, which losses will likely be exacerbated by the presence of leverage in a portfolio company’s capital structure.

It may be difficult to bring suit or foreclosure in non-U.S. countries.

Because the effectiveness of the judicial systems in the countries in which the Fund may invest varies, the Fund (or any portfolio company) may have difficulty in foreclosing or successfully pursuing claims in the courts of such countries, as compared to the United States or other countries. Further, to the extent the Fund or a portfolio company may obtain a judgment but is required to seek its enforcement in the courts of one of these countries in which the Fund invests, there can be no assurance that such courts will enforce such judgment. The laws of other countries often lack the sophistication and consistency found in the United States with respect to foreclosure, bankruptcy, corporate reorganization or creditors’ rights.

MiFID II obligations could have an adverse effect on the ability of GSO and its MiFID-authorized EEA affiliates to obtain and research in connection with the provision of an investment service.

The Recast European Union Directive on Markets in Financial Instruments (“MiFID II”) came into effect on January 3, 2018, and imposes regulatory obligations in respect of providing financial services in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) by EEA banks and EEA investment firms providing regulated services (each an “Investment Firm”). The Adviser is a non-EEA investment company and is, therefore, not subject to MiFID II but can be indirectly affected. The regulatory obligations imposed by MiFID II may impact, and constrain the implementation of, the investment strategy of the Fund. MiFID II restricts Investment Firms’ ability to obtain research in connection with the provision of an investment service. For example, Investment Firms providing portfolio management or independent investment advice may purchase investment research only at their own expense or out of specifically dedicated research payment accounts agreed upon with their clients. Research will also have to be unbundled and paid separately from the trading commission. EEA broker-dealers will unbundle research costs and invoice them to Investment Firms separated from dealing commissions.

Therefore, in light of the above, MiFID II could have an adverse effect on the ability of GSO and its MiFID- authorized EEA affiliates to obtain and to provide research. The new requirements regarding the unbundling of research costs under MiFID II are not consistent with market practice in the United States and the regulatory framework concerning the use of commissions to acquire research developed by the SEC, although the SEC has issued temporary no-action letters to facilitate compliance by firms with the research requirements under MiFID II in a manner that is consistent with the U.S. federal securities laws. GSO’s access to third-party research may nonetheless be significantly limited. Some EEA jurisdictions extend certain MiFID II obligations also to other market participants (e.g., Alternative Investment Fund Managers) under national law. There is very little guidance, and limited market practice, that has developed in preparation for MiFID II. As such, the precise impact of MiFID II on GSO and the Fund cannot be fully predicted at this stage.

 

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We are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our shares less attractive to investors.

We will be and we will remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act until the earlier of (a) the last day of the fiscal year (i) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (ii) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the date of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and (b) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three- year period. For so long as we remain an “emerging growth company,” we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We cannot predict if investors will find our shares less attractive because we will rely on some or all of these exemptions. If some investors find our shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price may be more volatile.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the 1933 Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We will take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which may make it more difficult for investors and securities analysts to evaluate us since our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates and may result in less investor confidence.

Any unrealized losses we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Trustees. Decreases in the market value or fair value of our investments relative to amortized cost will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods. In addition, decreases in the market value or fair value of our investments will reduce our NAV.

Terrorist attacks, acts of war or natural disasters may adversely affect our operations.

Terrorist acts, acts of war or natural disasters may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to recent global economic instability. Future terrorist activities, military or security operations, or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact the businesses in which we invest directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.

Force Majeure events may adversely affect our operations.

The Fund may be affected by force majeure events (e.g., acts of God, fire, flood, earthquakes, outbreaks of an infectious disease, pandemic or any other serious public health concern, war, terrorism, nationalization of industry and labor strikes). Force majeure events could adversely affect the ability of the Fund or a counterparty

 

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to perform its obligations. The liability and cost arising out of a failure to perform obligations as a result of a force majeure event could be considerable and could be borne by the Fund. Certain force majeure events, such as war or an outbreak of an infectious disease, could have a broader negative impact on the global or local economy, thereby affecting the Fund. Additionally, a major governmental intervention into industry, including the nationalization of an industry or the assertion of control, could result in a loss to the Fund if an investment is affected, and any compensation provided by the relevant government may not be adequate.

The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. and global economy and is expected to have a materially adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

During the first quarter of 2020, there was a global outbreak of COVID-19, which has spread to over 100 countries, including the United States, and has spread to every state in the United States. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020 the United States declared a national emergency with respect to COVID-19. The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving, and as cases of COVID-19 have continued to be identified in additional countries, many countries have reacted by instituting quarantines, restrictions on travel, closing financial markets and/or restricting trading, and limiting hours of operations of non-essential businesses. Such actions are creating disruption in global supply chains, and adversely impacting a number of industries, including industries in which our portfolio companies operate. The outbreak could have a continued adverse impact on economic and market conditions and has triggered a period of global economic slowdown.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and related effects could have a material adverse impact on our NAV, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and the businesses of our portfolio companies, among other factors. Negative impacts to our business as a result of the pandemic could exacerbate other risks described in this prospectus, including:

 

   

weakening financial conditions of or the bankruptcy or insolvency of portfolio companies, which may result in the inability of such portfolio companies to meet debt obligations, delays in collecting accounts receivable, defaults, or forgiveness or deferral of interest payments from such portfolio companies;

 

   

significant volatility in the markets for syndicated loans, which could cause rapid and large fluctuations in the values of such investments and adverse effects on the liquidity of any such investments;

 

   

deteriorations in credit and financing market conditions, which may adversely impact our ability to access financing for our investments on favorable terms or at all;

 

   

operational impacts on our Adviser, Administrator and our other third-party advisors, service providers, vendors and counterparties, including independent valuation firms, our lenders and other providers of financing, brokers and other counterparties that we purchase and sell assets to and from, derivative counterparties, and legal and diligence professionals that we rely on for acquiring our investments;

 

   

limitations on our ability to ensure business continuity in the event our, or our third-party advisors’ and service providers’ continuity of operations plan is not effective or improperly implemented or deployed during a disruption;

 

   

the availability of key personnel of the Adviser, Administrator and our other service providers as they face changed circumstances and potential illness during the pandemic;

 

   

difficulty in valuing our assets in light of significant changes in the financial markets, including difficulty in forecasting discount rates and making market comparisons, and circumstances affecting the Adviser’s, Administrator’s and our service providers’ personnel during the pandemic;

 

   

limitations on our ability to raise capital in this offering;

 

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significant changes to the valuations of pending investments; and

 

   

limitations on our ability to make distributions to our shareholders due to material adverse impacts on our cash flows from operations or liquidity.

The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of the novel coronavirus on economic and market conditions, and, as a result, present material uncertainty and risk with respect to us and the performance of our investments. The full extent of the impact and effects of COVID-19 will depend on future developments, including, among other factors, the duration and spread of the outbreak, along with related travel advisories, quarantines and restrictions, the recovery time of the disrupted supply chains and industries, the impact of labor market interruptions, the impact of government interventions, and uncertainty with respect to the duration of the global economic slowdown. COVID-19 and the current financial, economic and capital markets environment, and future developments in these and other areas present uncertainty and risk with respect to our performance, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay distributions.

The outbreak of the epidemics/pandemics could adversely affect the performance of our investments.

Certain countries have been susceptible to epidemics/pandemics, most recently COVID-19, which has been designated as a pandemic by world health authorities. The outbreak of such epidemics/pandemics, together with any resulting restrictions on travel or quarantines imposed, has had and will continue to have a negative impact on the economy and business activity globally (including in the countries in which the Fund invests), and thereby is expected to adversely affect the performance of the Fund’s investments. Furthermore, the rapid development of epidemics/pandemics could preclude prediction as to their ultimate adverse impact on economic and market conditions, and, as a result, presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Fund and the performance of its investments.

We may face a breach of our cyber security, which could result in adverse consequences to our operations and exposure of confidential information.

Cyber security incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level and will likely continue to increase in frequency in the future. Blackstone, GSO and their affiliates and portfolio companies’ and service providers’ information and technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from cyber security breaches, computer viruses or other malicious code, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and other security breaches, or usage errors by their respective professionals or service providers. If unauthorized parties gain access to such information and technology systems, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify private and sensitive information, including non-public personal information related to shareholders (and their beneficial owners) and material non-public information. Although Blackstone has implemented, and portfolio companies and service providers may implement, various measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, such systems could prove to be inadequate and, if compromised, could become inoperable for extended periods of time, cease to function properly or fail to adequately secure private information. Blackstone and GSO do not control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to Blackstone, GSO, their affiliates, the Fund, the shareholders and/or a portfolio company, each of which could be negatively impacted as a result. Breaches such as those involving covertly introduced malware, impersonation of authorized users and industrial or other espionage may not be identified even with sophisticated prevention and detection systems, potentially resulting in further harm and preventing them from being addressed appropriately. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans for any reason could cause significant interruptions in Blackstone’s, GSO’s, their affiliates’, the Fund’s and/or a portfolio company’s operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to shareholders (and their beneficial owners), material non-public information and the intellectual property and trade secrets and other sensitive information of

 

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Blackstone, GSO and/or portfolio companies. Blackstone, GSO, the Fund and/or a portfolio company could be required to make a significant investment to remedy the effects of any such failures, harm to their reputations, legal claims that they and their respective affiliates may be subjected to, regulatory action or enforcement arising out of applicable privacy and other laws, adverse publicity, and other events that may affect their business and financial performance.

We may not be able to obtain all required state licenses.

We may be required to obtain various state licenses in order to, among other things, originate commercial loans. Applying for and obtaining required licenses can be costly and take several months. There is no assurance that we will obtain all of the licenses that we need on a timely basis. Furthermore, we will be subject to various information and other requirements in order to obtain and maintain these licenses, and there is no assurance that we will satisfy those requirements. Our failure to obtain or maintain licenses might restrict investment options and have other adverse consequences.

The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union may create significant risks and uncertainty for global markets and the Fund’s investments.

The United Kingdom (the “UK”) formally left the European Union (the “EU”) on January 31, 2020 (commonly known as “Brexit”). The UK-EU trade relationship is currently subject to a transition period, which will expire on December 31, 2020. During this period, the UK will remain in the EU customs union and single market, and EU law will continue to apply to the UK, as the future UK-EU trade relationship is negotiated. If the two governments fail to approve a new trade agreement by the end of the transition period, the trading relationship between the UK and the EU will be based on World Trade Organization rules (a “hard Brexit”) effective January 1, 2021.

Since the June 2016 referendum in the UK, global financial markets have experienced significant volatility due to the uncertainty around Brexit. There will likely continue to be considerable uncertainty as to the UK’s post-withdrawal and post-transition framework, in particular as to the arrangements which will apply to its relationships with the EU and with other countries. This process and/or the uncertainty associated with it may adversely affect the return on investments economically tied to the UK (and consequently the Fund). This may be due to, among other things: (i) increased uncertainty and volatility in UK, EU and other financial markets; (ii) fluctuations in asset values; (iii) fluctuations in exchange rates; (iv) increased illiquidity of investments located, listed or traded within the UK, the EU or elsewhere; (v) changes in the willingness or ability of financial and other counterparties to enter into transactions, or the price at which and terms on which they are prepared to transact; and/or (vi) changes in legal and regulatory regimes to which the Fund’s investments are or become subject.

Compliance with the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest may negatively impact our ability to raise capital in this offering, which would harm our ability to achieve our investment objectives.

Commencing June 30, 2020, broker-dealers must comply with Regulation Best Interest, which, among other requirements, enhances the existing standard of conduct for broker-dealers and natural persons who are associated persons of a broker-dealer when recommending to a retail customer any securities transaction or investment strategy involving securities to a retail customer. The impact of Regulation Best Interest on broker-dealers participating in our offering cannot be determined at this time, but it may negatively impact whether broker-dealers and their associated persons recommend this offering to retail customers. If Regulation Best Interest reduces our ability to raise capital in this offering, it would harm our ability to create a diversified portfolio of investments and achieve our investment objectives and would result in our fixed operating costs representing a larger percentage of our gross income.

 

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Risks Related to Our Investments

Our investments in prospective portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.

Our investments may be risky and, subject to compliance with our 80% test, there is no limit on the amount of any such investments in which we may invest.

Subordinated Debt. Our subordinated debt investments will generally rank junior in priority of payment to senior debt and will generally be unsecured. This may result in a heightened level of risk and volatility or a loss of principal, which could lead to the loss of the entire investment. These investments may involve additional risks that could adversely affect our investment returns. To the extent interest payments associated with such debt are deferred, such debt may be subject to greater fluctuations in valuations, and such debt could subject us and our shareholders to non-cash income. Because we will not receive any principal repayments prior to the maturity of some of our subordinated debt investments, such investments will be of greater risk than amortizing loans.

Equity Investments. We may make select equity investments. In addition, in connection with our debt investments, we on occasion may receive equity interests such as warrants or options as additional consideration. The equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Preferred Securities. Investments in preferred securities involve certain risks. Certain preferred securities contain provisions that allow an issuer under certain conditions to skip or defer distributions. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its distribution, the Fund may be required to include the amount of the deferred distribution in its taxable income for tax purposes although it does not currently receive such amount in cash. In order to receive the special treatment accorded to RICs and their shareholders under the Code and to avoid U.S. federal income and/or excise taxes at the Fund level, the Fund may be required to distribute this income to shareholders in the tax year in which the income is recognized (without a corresponding receipt of cash). Therefore, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution in any such tax year an amount greater than the total amount of cash income the Fund actually received, and to sell portfolio securities, including at potentially disadvantageous times or prices, to obtain cash needed for these income distributions. Preferred securities often are subject to legal provisions that allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuer’s call. In the event of redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority for corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt securities. Preferred securities may trade less frequently and in a more limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than many other securities, such as common stocks, corporate debt securities and U.S. government securities.

Non-U.S. Securities. We may invest in non-U.S. securities, which may include securities denominated in U.S. dollars or in non-U.S. currencies, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Because evidence of ownership of such securities usually is held outside the United States, we would be subject to additional risks if we invested in non-U.S. securities, which include possible adverse political and economic developments, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits and adoption of governmental restrictions, which might adversely affect or restrict the payment of principal and interest on the non-U.S. securities to shareholders located outside the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or otherwise. Because non-U.S. securities may be purchased with and payable in foreign currencies, the value of these assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations.

Loans Risk. The loans that the Fund may invest in include Loans that are first lien, second lien, third lien or that are unsecured. In addition, the Loans the Fund will invest in will usually be rated below investment grade or may also be unrated. Loans are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, including credit risk, liquidity risk, below investment grade instruments risk and management risk.

 

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Although certain Loans in which the Fund may invest will be secured by collateral, there can be no assurance that such collateral could be readily liquidated or that the liquidation of such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a Loan. In the event of a decline in the value of the already pledged collateral, if the terms of a Loan do not require the borrower to pledge additional collateral, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the value of the collateral will not at all times equal or exceed the amount of the borrower’s obligations under the Loans. To the extent that a Loan is collateralized by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries, such stock may lose some or all of its value in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower. Those Loans that are under-collateralized involve a greater risk of loss.

Further, there is a risk that any collateral pledged by portfolio companies in which the Fund has taken a security interest may decrease in value over time or lose its entire value, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. To the extent the Fund’s debt investment is collateralized by the securities of a portfolio company’s subsidiaries, such securities may lose some or all of their value in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the portfolio company. Also, in some circumstances, the Fund’s security interest may be contractually or structurally subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in a portfolio company’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the debt. Secured debt that is under-collateralized involves a greater risk of loss. In addition, second lien debt is granted a second priority security interest in collateral, which means that any realization of collateral will generally be applied to pay senior secured debt in full before second lien debt is paid. Consequently, the fact that debt is secured does not guarantee that the Fund will receive principal and interest payments according to the debt’s terms, or at all, or that the Fund will be able to collect on the debt should it be forced to enforce remedies.

Loans are not registered with the SEC, or any state securities commission, and are not listed on any national securities exchange. There is less readily available or reliable information about most Loans than is the case for many other types of securities, including securities issued in transactions registered under the Securities Act or registered under the Exchange Act. No active trading market may exist for some Loans, and some loans may be subject to restrictions on resale. A secondary market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may impair the ability to realize full value and thus cause a material decline in the Fund’s NAV. In addition, the Fund may not be able to readily dispose of its Loans at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such loans if they were more widely-traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. During periods of limited supply and liquidity of Loans, the Fund’s yield may be lower.

Some Loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate the Loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to lenders, including the Fund. Such court action could under certain circumstances include invalidation of Loans.

If legislation of state or federal regulations impose additional requirements or restrictions on the ability of financial institutions to make loans, the availability of Loans for investment by the Fund may be adversely affected. In addition, such requirements or restrictions could reduce or eliminate sources of financing for certain borrowers. This would increase the risk of default.

If legislation or federal or state regulations require financial institutions to increase their capital requirements this may cause financial institutions to dispose of Loans that are considered highly levered transactions. Such sales could result in prices that, in the opinion of the Adviser, do not represent fair value. If the

 

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Fund attempts to sell a Loan at a time when a financial institution is engaging in such a sale, the price the Fund could get for the Loan may be adversely affected.

The Fund may acquire Loans through assignments or participations. The Fund will typically acquire Loans through assignment. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, the purchaser’s rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral.

A participation typically results in a contractual relationship only with the institution selling the participation interest, not with the borrower. Sellers of participations typically include banks, broker-dealers, other financial institutions and lending institutions. Certain participation agreements also include the option to convert the participation to a full assignment under agreed upon circumstances. The Adviser has adopted best execution procedures and guidelines to mitigate credit and counterparty risk in the atypical situation when the Fund must acquire a Loan through a participation.

In purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation. Further, in purchasing participations in lending syndicates, the Fund will not be able to conduct the due diligence on the borrower or the quality of the Loan with respect to which it is buying a participation that the Fund would otherwise conduct if it were investing directly in the Loan, which may result in the Fund being exposed to greater credit or fraud risk with respect to the borrower or the Loan than the Fund expected when initially purchasing the participation.

The Fund also may originate Loans or acquire Loans by participating in the initial issuance of the Loan as part of a syndicate of banks and financial institutions, or receive its interest in a Loan directly from the borrower.

The Adviser has established a counterparty and liquidity sub-committee that regularly reviews each broker- dealer counterparty for, among other things, its quality and the quality of its execution. The established procedures and guidelines require trades to be placed for execution only with broker counterparties approved by the counterparty and liquidity sub-committee of the Adviser. The factors considered by the sub-committee when selecting and approving brokers and dealers include, but are not limited to: (i) quality, accuracy, and timeliness of execution, (ii) review of the reputation, financial strength and stability of the financial institution, (iii) willingness and ability of the counterparty to commit capital, (iv) ongoing reliability and (v) access to underwritten offerings and secondary markets.

LIBOR Risk. Changes in the method of determining LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect our credit arrangements and our collateralized loan obligation transactions.

LIBOR is currently being reformed, including (i) the replacement of the British Bankers’ Association with ICE Benchmark Administration Limited as LIBOR administrator, which was completed on February 1, 2014, (ii) a reduction in the number of tenors for which LIBOR is calculated, and (iii) modifications to the administration, submission and calculation procedures, including their regulatory status, of LIBOR and certain other inter-bank lending rates (such rates, together with LIBOR, the “Benchmark Rates”). These reforms may cause such Benchmark Rates to perform differently than in the past or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR as a benchmark by the end of 2021. It is expected that a number of private-sector banks currently reporting information used to set LIBOR will stop doing so after 2021 when their current reporting commitment ends, which could either cause LIBOR to stop publication immediately or cause LIBOR’s regulator to determine that its quality has degraded to the degree that it is no longer representative of its

 

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underlying market. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S. dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by U.S. Treasury securities. Additionally, on July 12, 2019 the Staff of the SEC’s Division of Corporate Finance, Division of Investment Management, Division of Trading and Markets, and Office of the Chief Accountant issued a statement about the potentially significant effects on financial markets and market participants when LIBOR is discontinued in 2021 and no longer available as a reference benchmark rate. The Staff encouraged all market participants to identify contracts that reference LIBOR and begin transitions to alternative rates. On December 30, 2019, the SEC’s Chairman, Division of Corporate Finance and Office of the Chief Accountant issued a statement to encourage audit committees in particular to understand management’s plans to identify and address the risks associated with the elimination of LIBOR, and, specifically, the impact on accounting and financial reporting and any related issues associated with financial products and contracts that reference LIBOR, as the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR and transition to an alternative reference rate will be exacerbated if the work is not completed in a timely manner. As a result of this transition, interest rates on our floating rate obligations, loans, deposits, derivatives, and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, as well as the revenue and expenses associated with those financial instruments, may be adversely affected. It is unclear whether new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The transition from LIBOR to any other replacement rate is likely to cause uncertainty due to a mismatch in the LIBOR maturities and the terms of the replacement. In addition, the transition to a successor rate could potentially cause (i) increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, (ii) a reduction in the value of certain instruments held by the Fund, or (iii) reduced effectiveness of related Fund transactions, such as hedging. It remains uncertain how such changes would be implemented and the effects such changes would have on the Fund, issuers of instruments in which the Fund invests and financial markets generally. There is some possibility that LIBOR continues to be published, but that the quantity of loans used to calculate LIBOR diminishes significantly enough to reduce the appropriateness of the rate as a reference rate.

There is no guarantee that a transition from LIBOR to an alternative will not result in financial market disruptions, significant increases in benchmark rates, or borrowing costs to borrowers, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, result of operations, financial condition, and unit price.

Junior, Unsecured Securities. Our strategy may entail acquiring securities that are junior or unsecured instruments. While this approach can facilitate obtaining control and then adding value through active management, it also means that certain of the Fund’s investments may be unsecured. If a portfolio company becomes financially distressed or insolvent and does not successfully reorganize, we will have no assurance (compared to those distressed securities investors that acquire only fully collateralized positions) that we will recover any of the principal that we have invested. Similarly, investments in “last out” pieces of unitranche loans will be similar to second lien loans in that such investments will be junior in priority to the “first out” piece of the same unitranche loan with respect to payment of principal, interest and other amounts. Consequently, the fact that debt is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the debt’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the debt should it be forced to enforce its remedies.

While such junior or unsecured investments may benefit from the same or similar financial and other covenants as those enjoyed by the indebtedness ranking more senior to such investments and may benefit from cross-default provisions and security over the issuer’s assets, some or all of such terms may not be part of particular Investments. Moreover, our ability to influence an issuer’s affairs, especially during periods of financial distress or following insolvency, is likely to be substantially less than that of senior creditors. For example, under typical subordination terms, senior creditors are able to block the acceleration of the junior debt or the exercise by junior debt holders of other rights they may have as creditors. Accordingly, we may not be able to take steps to protect investments in a timely manner or at all, and there can be no assurance that our rate of return objectives or any particular investment will be achieved. In addition, the debt securities in which we will invest may not be protected by financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness, may have limited liquidity and are not expected to be rated by a credit rating agency.

 

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Early repayments of our investments may have a material adverse effect on our investment objectives. In addition, depending on fluctuations of the equity markets and other factors, warrants and other equity investments may become worthless.

There can be no assurance that attempts to provide downside protection through contractual or structural terms with respect to our investments will achieve their desired effect and potential investors should regard an investment in us as being speculative and having a high degree of risk. Furthermore, we have limited flexibility to negotiate terms when purchasing newly issued investments in connection with a syndication of mezzanine or certain other junior or subordinated investments or in the secondary market.

Below Investment Grade Risk. In addition, we intend to invest in securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They may also be difficult to value and illiquid. The major risks of below investment grade securities include:

 

   

Below investment grade securities may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of below investment grade securities may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade securities. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of holders of below investment grade securities, leaving few or no assets available to repay holders of below investment grade securities.

 

   

Prices of below investment grade securities are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of below investment grade securities than on other higher-rated fixed-income securities.

 

   

Issuers of below investment grade securities may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations because of an economic downturn, specific issuer developments or the unavailability of additional financing.

 

   

Below investment grade securities frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from us before it matures. If the issuer redeems below investment grade securities, we may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields and may lose income.

 

   

Below investment grade securities may be less liquid than higher-rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions. There are fewer dealers in the below investment grade securities market, and there may be significant differences in the prices quoted by the dealers. Judgment may play a greater role in valuing these securities and we may be unable to sell these securities at an advantageous time or price.

 

   

We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer.

The credit rating of a high-yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer.

Mezzanine Loans. Our mezzanine debt securities generally will have ratings or implied or imputed ratings below investment grade. They will be obligations of corporations, partnerships or other entities that are generally unsecured, typically are subordinated to other obligations of the obligor and generally have greater credit and liquidity risk than is typically associated with investment grade corporate obligations. Accordingly, the risks associated with mezzanine debt securities include a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions (including a sustained period of rising interest rates or an economic downturn) may adversely affect the obligor’s ability to pay principal and interest on its debt. Many obligors on mezzanine debt securities are highly leveraged, and specific developments affecting such obligors,

 

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including reduced cash flow from operations or the inability to refinance debt at maturity, may also adversely affect such obligors’ ability to meet debt service obligations. Mezzanine debt securities are often issued in connection with leveraged acquisitions or recapitalizations, in which the issuers incur a substantially higher amount of indebtedness than the level at which they had previously operated. Default rates for mezzanine debt securities have historically been higher than has been the case for investment grade securities.

CLO Risk. Our investments in CLOs may be riskier than a direct investment in the debt or other securities of the underlying companies. When investing in CLOs, we may invest in any level of a CLO’s subordination chain, including subordinated (lower-rated) tranches and residual interests (the lowest tranche). CLOs are typically highly levered and therefore, the junior debt and equity tranches that we may invest in are subject to a higher risk of total loss and deferral or nonpayment of interest than the more senior tranches to which they are subordinated. In addition, we will generally have the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and will generally not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or entities that sponsored the CLOs. Furthermore, the investments we make in CLOs are at times thinly traded or have only a limited trading market. As a result, investments in such CLOs may be characterized as illiquid securities.

“Covenant-lite” Obligations. We may invest in, or obtain exposure to, obligations that may be “covenant- lite,” which means such obligations lack certain financial maintenance covenants. While these loans may still contain other collateral protections, a covenant-lite loan may carry more risk than a covenant-heavy loan made by the same borrower, as it does not require the borrower to provide affirmation that certain specific financial tests have been satisfied on a routine basis as is required under a covenant-heavy loan agreement. Should a loan we hold begin to deteriorate in quality, our ability to negotiate with the borrower may be delayed under a covenant-lite loan compared to a loan with full maintenance covenants. This may in turn delay our ability to seek to recover its investment.

Bridge Financings. From time to time, we may lend to portfolio companies on a short-term, unsecured basis or otherwise invest on an interim basis in portfolio companies in anticipation of a future issuance of equity or long-term debt securities or other refinancing or syndication. Such bridge loans would typically be convertible into a more permanent, long-term security; however, for reasons not always in the Fund’s control, such long-term securities issuance or other refinancing or syndication may not occur and such bridge loans and interim investments may remain outstanding. In such event, the interest rate on such loans or the terms of such interim investments may not adequately reflect the risk associated with the position taken by the Fund.

Restructurings. Investments in companies operating in workout or bankruptcy modes present additional legal risks, including fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference and equitable subordination risks. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investment in companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. There is no assurance that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action.

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

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any proceeds. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

 

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There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

If one of our portfolio companies were to file for bankruptcy, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower.

We generally will not control our portfolio companies.

We do not expect to control most of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements with such portfolio companies may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of the company’s common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in non-traded companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

We will be exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments and investment opportunities and, accordingly, have a material adverse effect on our investment objectives and our rate of return on invested capital. In addition, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt for our financing needs.

Interest rates have recently been at or near historic lows. In the event of a rising interest rate environment, payments under floating rate debt instruments generally would rise and there may be a significant number of issuers of such floating rate debt instruments that would be unable or unwilling to pay such increased interest costs and may otherwise be unable to repay their loans. Investments in floating rate debt instruments may also decline in value in response to rising interest rates if the interest rates of such investments do not rise as much, or as quickly, as market interest rates in general. Similarly, during periods of rising interest rates, fixed-rate debt instruments may decline in value because the fixed rates of interest paid thereunder may be below market interest rates.

Second priority liens on collateral securing debt investments that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

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

 

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sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the debt obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the company remaining assets, if any.

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

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the debt investments we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens: the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; the approval of amendments to collateral documents; releases of liens on the collateral; and waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

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

Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic recessions or downturns and may be unable to repay our debt investments during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase, and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of any collateral securing our senior secured debt. A prolonged recession may further decrease the value of such collateral and result in losses of value in our portfolio and a decrease in our revenues, net income and NAV. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us on terms we deem acceptable. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and adversely affect our operating results.

A covenant breach or other default by our portfolio companies may adversely affect our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, lenders in certain cases can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them when they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over a borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken if we render significant managerial assistance to the borrower. Furthermore, if one of our portfolio companies were to file for bankruptcy protection, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to claims of other creditors, even though we may have structured our

 

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investment as senior secured debt. The likelihood of such a re-characterization would depend on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company.

Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged.

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

Investing in middle market companies involves a number of significant risks, any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Investments in middle market companies involve the same risks that apply generally to investments in larger, more established companies. However, such investments have more pronounced risks in that middle market companies:

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

Certain investments that we may make could include warrants or other equity securities. In addition, we may make direct equity investments in portfolio companies. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We intend to seek puts or similar rights to give us the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company issuer. We may be unable to exercise these put rights for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress.

 

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An investment strategy focused primarily on privately-held companies presents certain challenges, including, but not limited to, the lack of available information about these companies.

We intend to invest primarily in privately-held companies. Investments in private companies pose significantly greater risks than investments in public companies. First, private companies have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and the ability to withstand financial distress. Second, the depth and breadth of experience of management in private companies tends to be less than that at public companies, which makes such companies more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a smaller group of persons and/or persons with less depth and breadth of experience. Therefore, the decisions made by such management teams and/or the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our investments and, in turn, on us. Third, the investments themselves tend to be less liquid. As such, we may have difficulty exiting an investment promptly or at a desired price prior to maturity or outside of a normal amortization schedule. As a result, the relative lack of liquidity and the potential diminished capital resources of our target portfolio companies may affect our investment returns. Fourth, little public information generally exists about private companies. Further, these companies may not have third-party debt ratings or audited financial statements. We must therefore rely on the ability of the Adviser to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in these companies. The Adviser would typically assess an investment in a portfolio company based on the Adviser’s estimate of the portfolio company’s earnings and enterprise value, among other things, and these estimates may be based on limited information and may otherwise be inaccurate, causing the Adviser to make different investment decisions than it may have made with more complete information. These companies and their financial information will generally not be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments.

Our investments in securities or assets of publicly-traded companies are subject to the risks inherent in investing in public securities.

We may invest a portion of our portfolio in publicly-traded assets. For example, it is not expected that we will be able to negotiate additional financial covenants or other contractual rights, which we might otherwise be able to obtain in making privately negotiated investments. In addition, by investing in publicly-traded securities or assets, we will be subject to U.S. federal and state securities laws, as well as non-U.S. securities laws, that may, among other things, restrict or prohibit our ability to make or sell an investment. Moreover, we may not have the same access to information in connection with investments in public securities, either when investigating a potential investment or after making an investment, as compared to privately negotiated investments. Furthermore, we may be limited in its ability to make investments and to sell existing investments in public securities because the Firm may be deemed to have material, non-public information regarding the issuers of those securities or as a result of other internal policies. The inability to sell public securities in these circumstances could materially adversely affect our investment results. In addition, an investment may be sold by us to a public company where the consideration received is a combination of cash and stock of the public company, which may, depending on the securities laws of the relevant jurisdiction, be subject to lock-up periods.

A lack of liquidity in certain of our investments may adversely affect our business.

We intend to invest in certain companies whose securities are not publicly-traded or actively traded on the secondary market, and whose securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly-traded securities. The illiquidity of certain of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. The reduced liquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.

 

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Our investments may include original issue discount and payment-in-kind instruments.

To the extent that we invest in original issue discount or payment-in-kind (“PIK”) instruments and the accretion of original issue discount or PIK interest income constitutes a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with the requirement to include such non-cash income in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

 

   

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

 

   

original issue discount and PIK instruments may have unreliable valuations because the accruals require judgments about collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral;

 

   

an election to defer PIK interest payments by adding them to the principal on such instruments increases our future investment income which increases our net assets and, as such, increases the Adviser’s future base management fees which, thus, increases the Adviser’s future income incentive fees at a compounding rate;

 

   

market prices of PIK instruments and other zero coupon instruments are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes, and may be more volatile than instruments that pay interest periodically in cash. While PIK instruments are usually less volatile than zero coupon debt instruments, PIK instruments are generally more volatile than cash pay securities;

 

   

the deferral of PIK interest on an instrument increases the loan-to-value ratio, which is a measure of the riskiness of a loan, with respect to such instrument;

 

   

even if the conditions for income accrual under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) are satisfied, a borrower could still default when actual payment is due upon the maturity of such loan;

 

   

for accounting purposes, cash distributions to investors representing original issue discount income do not come from paid-in capital, although they may be paid from the offering proceeds. Thus, although a distribution of original issue discount income may come from the cash invested by investors, the 1940 Act does not require that investors be given notice of this fact;

 

   

the required recognition of original issue discount or PIK interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have a negative impact on liquidity, as it represents a non-cash component of our investment company taxable income that may require cash distributions to shareholders in order to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC; and

 

   

original issue discount may create a risk of non-refundable cash payments to the Adviser based on non-cash accruals that may never be realized.

We may enter into a TRS agreement that exposes us to certain risks, including market risk, liquidity risk and other risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.

A total return swap (“TRS”) is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying the TRS, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or securities indices during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate. A TRS effectively adds leverage to a portfolio by providing investment exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. Because of the unique structure of a TRS, a TRS often offers lower financing costs than are offered through more traditional borrowing arrangements.

A TRS is subject to market risk, liquidity risk and risk of imperfect correlation between the value of the TRS and the loans underlying the TRS. In addition, we may incur certain costs in connection with the TRS that

 

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could in the aggregate be significant. A TRS is also subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations thereunder or that we will not be able to meet our obligations to the counterparty.

We may enter into repurchase agreements.

Subject to our investment objective and policies, we may invest in repurchase agreements as a buyer for investment purposes. Repurchase agreements typically involve the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Fund will sell the securities back to the institution at a fixed time in the future for the purchase price plus premium (which often reflects the interests). The Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including (1) possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period in which the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (2) possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period; and (3) expenses of enforcing its rights. In addition, as described above, the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund generally will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercise of the Fund’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss.

We may enter into securities lending agreements.

We may from time to time make secured loans of our marginable securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, would at least equal 150% immediately after each such loan. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. However, such loans will be made only to brokers and other financial institutions that are believed by the Adviser to be of high credit standing. Securities loans are made to broker-dealers pursuant to agreements requiring that loans be continuously secured by collateral consisting of U.S. government securities, cash or cash equivalents (e.g., negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal at all times to the market value of the securities lent. If the Fund enters into a securities lending arrangement, the Adviser, as part of its responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement, will invest the Fund’s cash collateral in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and strategies. The Fund will pay the borrower of the securities a fee based on the amount of the cash collateral posted in connection with the securities lending program. The borrower will pay to the Fund, as the lender, an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on the securities lent.

The Fund may invest the cash collateral received only in accordance with its investment objectives, subject to the Fund’s agreement with the borrower of the securities. In the case of cash collateral, the Fund expects to pay a rebate to the borrower. The reinvestment of cash collateral will result in a form of effective leverage for the Fund.

Although voting rights or rights to consent with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund, as the lender, will retain the right to call the loans and obtain the return of the securities loaned at any time on reasonable notice, and it will do so in order that the securities may be voted by the Fund if the holders of such securities are asked to vote upon or consent to matters materially affecting the investment. The Fund may also call such loans in order to sell the securities involved. When engaged in securities lending, the Fund’s performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned and will also reflect the receipt of interest through investment of cash collateral by the Fund in permissible investments.

 

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We may from time to time enter into credit default swaps or other derivative transactions which expose us to certain risks, including credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk and other risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.

We may from time to time enter into credit default swaps or other derivative transactions that seek to modify or replace the investment performance of a particular reference security or other asset. These transactions are typically individually negotiated, non-standardized agreements between two parties to exchange payments, with payments generally calculated by reference to a notional amount or quantity. Swap contracts and similar derivative contracts are not traded on exchanges; rather, banks and dealers act as principals in these markets. These investments may present risks in excess of those resulting from the referenced security or other asset. Because these transactions are not an acquisition of the referenced security or other asset itself, the investor has no right directly to enforce compliance with the terms of the referenced security or other asset and has no voting or other consensual rights of ownership with respect to the referenced security or other asset. In the event of insolvency of a counterparty, we will be treated as a general creditor of the counterparty and will have no claim of title with respect to the referenced security or other asset.

A credit default swap is a contract in which one party buys or sells protection against a credit event with respect to an issuer, such as an issuer’s failure to make timely payments of interest or principal on its debt obligations, bankruptcy or restructuring during a specified period. Generally, if we sell credit protection using a credit default swap, we will receive fixed payments from the swap counterparty and if a credit event occurs with respect to the applicable issuer, we will pay the swap counterparty par for the issuer’s defaulted debt securities and the swap counterparty will deliver the defaulted debt securities to us. Generally, if we buy credit protection using a credit default swap, we will make fixed payments to the counterparty and if a credit event occurs with respect to the applicable issuer, we will deliver the issuer’s defaulted securities underlying the swap to the swap counterparty and the counterparty will pay us par for the defaulted securities. Alternatively, a credit default swap may be cash settled and the buyer of protection would receive the difference between the par value and the market value of the issuer’s defaulted debt securities from the seller of protection.

Credit default swaps are subject to the credit risk of the underlying issuer. If we are selling credit protection, there is a risk that we will not properly assess the risk of the underlying issuer, a credit event will occur and we will have to pay the counterparty. If we are buying credit protection, there is a risk that we will not properly assess the risk of the underlying issuer, no credit event will occur and we will receive no benefit for the premium paid.

A derivative transaction is also subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations thereunder or that we will not be able to meet our obligations to the counterparty. In some cases, we may post collateral to secure our obligations to the counterparty, and we may be required to post additional collateral upon the occurrence of certain events such as a decrease in the value of the reference security or other asset. In some cases, the counterparty may not collateralize any of its obligations to us. Derivative investments effectively add leverage to a portfolio by providing investment exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. In addition to the risks described above, such arrangements are subject to risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage. See Risk Factors Risks Related to Debt Financing.”

We may acquire various financial instruments for purposes of “hedging” or reducing our risks, which may be costly and ineffective and could reduce our cash available for distribution to our shareholders.

We may seek to hedge against interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations and credit risk by using financial instruments such as futures, options, swaps and forward contracts, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. These financial instruments may be purchased on exchanges or may be individually negotiated and traded in over-the-counter markets. Use of such financial instruments for hedging purposes may present significant risks, including the risk of loss of the amounts invested. Defaults by the other party to a hedging

 

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transaction can result in losses in the hedging transaction. Hedging activities also involve the risk of an imperfect correlation between the hedging instrument and the asset being hedged, which could result in losses both on the hedging transaction and on the instrument being hedged. Use of hedging activities may not prevent significant losses and could increase our losses. Further, hedging transactions may reduce cash available to pay distributions to our shareholders.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments, net of prepayment fees, could negatively impact our return on equity.

Technological innovations and industry disruptions.

Current trends in the market generally have been toward disrupting a traditional approach to an industry with technological innovation, and multiple young companies have been successful where this trend toward disruption in markets and market practices has been critical to their success. In this period of rapid technological and commercial innovation, new businesses and approaches may be created that will compete with the Fund and/ or its investments or alter the market practices the Fund’s strategy has been designed to function within and depend on for investment returns. Any of these new approaches could damage the Fund’s investments, significantly disrupt the market in which it operates and subject it to increased competition, which could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of investments.

Syndication of Co-Investments.

From time to time, the Fund may make an investment with the expectation of offering a portion of its interests therein as a co-investment opportunity to third-party investors. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be successful in syndicating any such co-investment, in whole or in part, that the closing of such co-investment will be consummated in a timely manner, that any syndication will take place on terms and conditions that will be preferable for the Fund or that expenses incurred by the Fund with respect to any such syndication will not be substantial. In the event that the Fund is not successful in syndicating any such co-investment, in whole or in part, the Fund may consequently hold a greater concentration and have more exposure in the related investment than initially was intended, which could make the Fund more susceptible to fluctuations in value resulting from adverse economic and/or business conditions with respect thereto. Moreover, an investment by the Fund that is not syndicated to co-investors as originally anticipated could significantly reduce the Fund’s overall investment returns.

Risks Related to the Adviser and Its Affiliates; Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser and its affiliates, including our officers and some of our Trustees, face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us and our affiliates, which could result in actions that are not in the best interests of our shareholders.

The Adviser and its affiliates receive substantial fees from us in return for their services, and these fees could influence the advice provided to us. We pay to the Adviser an incentive fee that is based on the performance of our portfolio and an annual base management fee that is based on the value of our net assets at

 

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the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. Because the incentive fee is based on the performance of our portfolio, the Adviser may be incentivized to make investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the incentive fee is determined may also encourage the Adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. Our compensation arrangements could therefore result in our making riskier or more speculative investments than would otherwise be the case. This could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

We may be obligated to pay the Adviser incentive compensation even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio.

Our Advisory Agreement entitles the Adviser to receive Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns regardless of any capital losses. In such case, we may be required to pay the Adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or if we incur a net loss for that quarter.

In addition, any Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously included in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. The Adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the incentive fee it received that was based on accrued income that we never received as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted in the accrual of such income, and such circumstances would result in our paying an incentive fee on income we never received.

There may be conflicts of interest related to obligations that the Adviser’s senior management and Investment Team have to Other Clients.

The members of the senior management and Investment Team of the Adviser serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds managed by the same personnel. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to Other Clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in our best interests or in the best interest of our shareholders. Our investment objective may overlap with the investment objectives of such investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles. In particular, we will rely on the Adviser to manage our day-to-day activities and to implement our investment strategy. The Adviser and certain of its affiliates are presently, and plan in the future to continue to be, involved with activities that are unrelated to us. As a result of these activities, the Adviser, its officers and employees and certain of its affiliates will have conflicts of interest in allocating their time between us and other activities in which they are or may become involved, including the management of its affiliated equipment funds. The Adviser and its officers and employees will devote only as much of its or their time to our business as the Adviser and its officers and employees, in their judgment, determine is reasonably required, which may be substantially less than their full time.

We rely, in part, on the Adviser to assist with identifying investment opportunities and making investment recommendations to the Adviser. The Adviser and its affiliates are not restricted from forming additional investment funds, entering into other investment advisory relationships or engaging in other business activities. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the members of the Adviser, its affiliates and their officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to our business, but will be allocated between us and such other business activities of the Adviser and its affiliates in a manner that the Adviser deems necessary and appropriate. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

The time and resources that individuals employed by the Adviser devote to us may be diverted and we may face additional competition due to the fact that individuals employed by the Adviser are not prohibited from raising money for or managing other entities that make the same types of investments that we target.

The Adviser and individuals employed by the Adviser are generally not prohibited from raising capital for and managing other investment entities that make the same types of investments as those we target. As a result,

 

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the time and resources that these individuals may devote to us may be diverted. In addition, we may compete with any such investment entity for the same investors and investment opportunities. We may participate in certain transactions originated by the Adviser or its affiliates under our exemptive relief from the SEC that allows us to engage in co-investment transactions with the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. However, while the terms of the exemptive relief require that the Adviser will be given the opportunity to cause us to participate in certain transactions originated by affiliates of the Adviser, the Adviser may determine that we not participate in those transactions and for certain other transactions (as set forth in guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees) the Adviser may not have the opportunity to cause us to participate. Affiliates of the Adviser, whose primary business includes the origination of investments or investing in non-originated assets, engage in investment advisory business with accounts that compete with us. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Our shares may be purchased by the Adviser or its affiliates.

The Adviser and its affiliates expect to purchase our shares. The Adviser and its affiliates will not acquire any shares with the intention to resell or re-distribute such shares. The purchase of shares by the Adviser and its affiliates could create certain risks, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

the Adviser and its affiliates may have an interest in disposing of our assets at an earlier date so as to recover their investment in our shares; and

 

   

substantial purchases of shares by the Adviser and its affiliates may limit the Adviser’s ability to fulfill any financial obligations that it may have to us or incurred on our behalf.

The Adviser relies on key personnel, the loss of any of whom could impair its ability to successfully manage us.

Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on the continued services of the officers and employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. The loss of services of one or more members of the Adviser’s management team, including members of GSO’s investment committee (the “Investment Committee”), could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations. The Adviser does not have an employment agreement with any of these key personnel and we cannot guarantee that all, or any particular one, will remain affiliated with us and/or the Adviser. Further, we do not intend to separately maintain key person life insurance on any of these individuals.

The compensation we pay to the Adviser will be determined without independent assessment on our behalf, and these terms may be less advantageous to us than if such terms had been the subject of arm’s-length negotiations.

The Advisory Agreement will not be entered into on an arm’s-length basis with an unaffiliated third party. As a result, the form and amount of compensation we pay the Adviser may be less favorable to us than they might have been had an investment advisory agreement been entered into through arm’s-length transactions with an unaffiliated third party.

The Intermediary Manager’s influence on this offer gives it the ability to increase the fees payable to the Adviser.

The Adviser is paid a base management fee calculated as a percentage of our net assets and unrelated to net income or any other performance base or measure. The Intermediary Manager, an affiliate of the Adviser will be incentivized to raise more proceeds in this offering to increase our net assets, even if it would be difficult for us to efficiently deploy additional capital, which in turn would increase the base management fee payable to the Adviser.

 

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There may be trademark risk, as we do not own the Blackstone name.

We do not own the Blackstone name, but we are permitted to use it as part of our corporate name pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Use of the name by other parties or the termination of the Advisory Agreement may harm our business.

Risks Related to Business Development Companies

The requirement that we invest a sufficient portion of our assets in Qualifying Assets could preclude us from investing in accordance with our current business strategy; conversely, the failure to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in Qualifying Assets could result in our failure to maintain our status as a BDC.

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in section 55(a) of the 1940 Act described as “qualifying” assets, (“Qualifying Assets”) unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are Qualifying Assets. Therefore, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not Qualifying Assets. Conversely, if we fail to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in Qualifying Assets, we could lose our status as a BDC, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making additional investments in existing portfolio companies, which could result in the dilution of our position, or could require us to dispose of investments at an inopportune time to comply with the 1940 Act. If we were forced to sell non-qualifying investments in the portfolio for compliance purposes, the proceeds from such sale could be significantly less than the current value of such investments.

Failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.

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

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC will affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth.

As a result of the annual distribution requirement to qualify as a RIC, we may need to periodically access the capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments. We may issue “senior securities,” as defined under the 1940 Act, including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions only in amounts such that our asset coverage meets the threshold set forth in the 1940 Act immediately after each such issuance. The 1940 Act currently requires an asset coverage of at least 150% (i.e., the amount of debt may not exceed two-thirds of the value of our assets). Our ability to issue different types of securities is also limited. Compliance with these requirements may unfavorably limit our investment opportunities and reduce our ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which we can borrow and the rates at which we can lend. As a BDC, therefore, we intend to continuously issue equity at a rate more frequent than our privately- owned competitors, which may lead to greater shareholder dilution.

We expect to borrow for investment purposes. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test, which would prohibit us from paying distributions and could prevent us from qualifying as a RIC. If we cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our debt financing, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous.

Under the 1940 Act, we generally are prohibited from issuing or selling our shares at a price per share, after deducting selling commissions, that is below our NAV per share, which may be a disadvantage as compared with other public companies. We may, however, sell our shares, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our shares, at

 

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a price below the current NAV of our shares if our Board of Trustees, including our independent Trustees, determine that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders, and our shareholders, as well as those shareholders that are not affiliated with us, approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board of Trustees, closely approximates the fair value of such securities.

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

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates (including portfolio companies of Other Clients) without the prior approval of a majority of the independent members of our Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act and generally we will be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Board of Trustees. However, we may under certain circumstances purchase any such affiliate’s loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Adviser between our interests and the interests of such affiliate, in that the ability of the Adviser to recommend actions in our best interest may be limited. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or closely related times), without prior approval of our Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions (including certain co-investments) with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers, Trustees, investment advisers, sub-advisers or their affiliates. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any fund or any portfolio company of a fund managed by the Adviser, or entering into joint arrangements such as certain co-investments with these companies or funds without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

We have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC that allows us to engage in co-investment transactions with the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. However, while the terms of the exemptive relief require that the Adviser will be given the opportunity to cause us to participate in certain transactions originated by affiliates of the Adviser, the Adviser may determine that we not participate in those transactions and for certain other transactions (as set forth in guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees) the Adviser may not have the opportunity to cause us to participate.

We are uncertain of our sources for funding our future capital needs; if we cannot obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected.

The net proceeds from the sale of shares will be used for our investment opportunities, operating expenses and for payment of various fees and expenses such as base management fees, incentive fees and other expenses. Any working capital reserves we maintain may not be sufficient for investment purposes, and we may require debt or equity financing to operate. Accordingly, in the event that we develop a need for additional capital in the future for investments or for any other reason, these sources of funding may not be available to us. Consequently, if we cannot obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected. As a result, we would be less able to create and maintain a broad portfolio of investments and achieve our investment objective, which may negatively impact our results of operations and reduce our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

 

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

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. Under the 1940 Act, a “diversified” investment company is required to invest at least 75% of the value of its total assets in cash and cash items, government securities, securities of other investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the total assets of such company and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. As a non-diversified investment company, we are not subject to this requirement. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, or within a particular industry, our NAV may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company or to a general downturn in the economy. However, we will be subject to the diversification requirements applicable to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code.

Risks Related to Debt Financing

When we borrow money, the potential for loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. Borrowed money may also adversely affect the return on our assets, reduce cash available for distribution to our shareholders and result in losses.

The use of borrowings, also known as leverage, increases the volatility of investments by magnifying the potential for loss on invested equity capital. If we use leverage to partially finance our investments, through borrowing from banks and other lenders, you will experience increased risks of investing in our shares. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders. In addition, our shareholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the management or incentive fees payable to the Adviser.

We expect to use leverage to finance our investments. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Adviser’s and our Board of Trustees’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. There can be no assurance that leveraged financing will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. However, to the extent that we use leverage to finance our assets, our financing costs will reduce cash available for distributions to shareholders. Moreover, we may not be able to meet our financing obligations and, to the extent that we cannot, we risk the loss of some or all of our assets to liquidation or sale to satisfy the obligations. In such an event, we may be forced to sell assets at significantly depressed prices due to market conditions or otherwise, which may result in losses.

As a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred shares that we may issue in the future, of at least 150%. If this ratio were to fall below 150%, we could not incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations and investment activities. Moreover, our ability to make distributions to you may be significantly restricted or we may not be able to make any such distributions whatsoever. The amount of leverage that we will employ will be subject to oversight by our Board of Trustees, a majority of whom are independent Trustees with no material interests in such transactions.

Although borrowings by the Fund have the potential to enhance overall returns that exceed the Fund’s cost of funds, they will further diminish returns (or increase losses on capital) to the extent overall returns are less than the Fund’s cost of funds. In addition, borrowings by the Fund may be secured by the shareholders’

 

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investments as well as by the Fund’s assets and the documentation relating to such borrowing may provide that during the continuance of a default under such borrowing, the interests of the investors may be subordinated to such borrowing.

We may default under our credit facilities.

In the event we default under a credit facility or other borrowings, our business could be adversely affected as we may be forced to sell a portion of our investments quickly and prematurely at what may be disadvantageous prices to us in order to meet our outstanding payment obligations and/or support working capital requirements under such borrowing facility, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, following any such default, the agent for the lenders under such borrowing facility could assume control of the disposition of any or all of our assets, including the selection of such assets to be disposed and the timing of such disposition, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Provisions in a credit facility may limit our investment discretion.

A credit facility may be backed by all or a portion of our loans and securities on which the lenders will have a security interest. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instrument we enter into with lenders. We expect that any security interests we grant will be set forth in a pledge and security agreement and evidenced by the filing of financing statements by the agent for the lenders. In addition, we expect that the custodian for our securities serving as collateral for such loan would include in its electronic systems notices indicating the existence of such security interests and, following notice of occurrence of an event of default, if any, and during its continuance, will only accept transfer instructions with respect to any such securities from the lender or its designee. If we were to default under the terms of any debt instrument, the agent for the applicable lenders would be able to assume control of the timing of disposition of any or all of our assets securing such debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In addition, any security interests and/or negative covenants required by a credit facility may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing. In addition, if our borrowing base under a credit facility were to decrease, we may be required to secure additional assets in an amount sufficient to cure any borrowing base deficiency. In the event that all of our assets are secured at the time of such a borrowing base deficiency, we could be required to repay advances under a credit facility or make deposits to a collection account, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our ability to fund future investments and to make distributions.

In addition, we may be subject to limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, which may include restrictions on geographic and industry concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status, average life, collateral interests and investment ratings, as well as regulatory restrictions on leverage which may affect the amount of funding that may be obtained. There may also be certain requirements relating to portfolio performance, including required minimum portfolio yield and limitations on delinquencies and charge-offs, a violation of which could limit further advances and, in some cases, result in an event of default. An event of default under a credit facility could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. This could reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business.

Changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

Since we intend to use debt to finance a portion of our investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those

 

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funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates when we have debt outstanding, our cost of funds will increase, which could reduce our net investment income. We expect that our long-term fixed-rate investments will be financed primarily with equity and long-term debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. These activities may limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, we have limited experience in entering into hedging transactions, and we will initially have to purchase or develop such expertise.

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

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

To finance investments, we may securitize certain of our secured loans or other investments, including through the formation of one or more CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in such entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers. It is possible that an interest in any such CLO held by us may be considered a “non-qualifying” portfolio investment for purposes of the 1940 Act.

If we create a CLO, we will depend in part on distributions from the CLO’s assets out of its earnings and cash flows to enable us to make distributions to shareholders. The ability of a CLO to make distributions will be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt it issues. Also, a CLO may take actions that delay distributions in order to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the CLO may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of the CLO’s debt, which could impact our ability to receive distributions from the CLO. If we do not receive cash flow from any such CLO that is necessary to satisfy the annual distribution requirement for maintaining RIC status, and we are unable to obtain cash from other sources necessary to satisfy this requirement, we may not maintain our qualification as a RIC, which would have a material adverse effect on an investment in the shares.

In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force a CLO to sell certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to shareholders. To the extent that any losses are incurred by the CLO in respect of any collateral, such losses will be borne first by us as owner of equity interests in the CLO.

The manager for a CLO that we create may be the Fund, the Adviser or an affiliate, and such manager may be entitled to receive compensation for structuring and/or management services. To the extent the Adviser or an affiliate other than the Fund serves as manager and the Fund is obligated to compensate the Adviser or the affiliate for such services, we, the Adviser or the affiliate will implement offsetting arrangements to assure that we, and indirectly, our shareholders, pay no additional management fees to the Adviser or the affiliate in connection therewith. To the extent we serve as manager, we will waive any right to receive fees for such services from the Fund (and indirectly its shareholders) or any affiliate.

 

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Federal Income Tax Risks

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or to satisfy RIC distribution requirements.

To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, we must, among other things, meet annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements. If we do not qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions.

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

For federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as zero coupon securities, debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discount and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit our ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes.

Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may not qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

Some of our investments may be subject to corporate-level income tax.

We may invest in certain debt and equity investments through taxable subsidiaries and the taxable income of these taxable subsidiaries will be subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. We may invest in certain foreign debt and equity investments which could be subject to foreign taxes (such as income tax, withholding and value added taxes).

Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues.

The Fund expects to invest in debt securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, to preserve its status as a RIC and to distribute sufficient income to not become subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

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Legislative or regulatory tax changes could adversely affect investors.

At any time, the federal income tax laws governing RICs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. Any of those new laws, regulations or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect the taxation of us or our shareholders. Therefore, changes in tax laws, regulations or administrative interpretations or any amendments thereto could diminish the value of an investment in our shares or the value or the resale potential of our investments.

Risks Related to an Investment in the Shares

If we are unable to raise substantial funds, then we will be more limited in the number and type of investments we may make, our expenses may be higher relative to our total assets, and the value of your investment in us may be reduced in the event our assets under-perform.

Amounts that we raise may not be sufficient for us to purchase a broad portfolio of investments. To the extent that less than the maximum number of Common Shares is subscribed for, the opportunity for us to purchase a broad portfolio of investments may be decreased and the returns achieved on those investments may be reduced as a result of allocating all of our expenses among a smaller capital base. If we are unable to raise substantial funds, we may not achieve certain economies of scale and our expenses may represent a larger proportion of our total assets.

We may have difficulty sourcing investment opportunities.

We have not identified the potential investments for our portfolio that we will acquire after breaking escrow. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to locate a sufficient number of suitable investment opportunities to allow us to deploy all investments successfully. In addition, privately-negotiated investments in loans and illiquid securities of private middle market companies require substantial due diligence and structuring, and we cannot assure investors that we will achieve our anticipated investment pace. As a result, investors will be unable to evaluate any future portfolio company investments prior to purchasing our shares. Additionally, our Adviser will select our investments subsequent to this offering, and our shareholders will have no input with respect to such investment decisions. These factors increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our shares. To the extent we are unable to deploy all investments, our investment income and, in turn, our results of operations, will likely be materially adversely affected.

We may have difficulty paying distributions and the tax character of any distributions is uncertain.

We generally intend to distribute substantially all of our available earnings annually by paying distributions on a monthly basis, as determined by the Board of Trustees in its discretion. We cannot assure investors that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions (particularly during the early stages of our operations) or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this Registration Statement. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. In addition, if we enter into a credit facility or any other borrowing facility, for so long as such facility is outstanding, we anticipate that we may be required by its terms to use all payments of interest and principal that we receive from our current investments as well as any proceeds received from the sale of our current investments to repay amounts outstanding thereunder, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions.

Furthermore, the tax treatment and characterization of our distributions may vary significantly from time to time due to the nature of our investments. The ultimate tax characterization of our distributions made during a taxable year may not finally be determined until after the end of that taxable year. We may make distributions during a taxable year that exceed our investment company taxable income and net capital gains for that taxable year. In such a situation, the amount by which our total distributions exceed investment company taxable income

 

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and net capital gains generally would be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the shares, with any amounts exceeding such tax basis treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. A return of capital generally is a return of a shareholder’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from our investment activities. Moreover, we may pay all or a substantial portion of our distributions from the proceeds of the sale of our shares or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which could constitute a return of shareholders’ capital and will lower such shareholders’ tax basis in our shares, which may result in increased tax liability to shareholders when they sell such shares.

An investment in our shares will have limited liquidity.

Our shares constitute illiquid investments for which there is not, and will likely not be, a secondary market at any time prior to a public offering and listing of our shares on a national securities exchange. There can be no guarantee that we will conduct a public offering and list our shares on a national securities exchange. Investment in the Fund is suitable only for sophisticated investors and requires the financial ability and willingness to accept the high risks and lack of liquidity inherent in an investment in the Fund. Except in limited circumstances for legal or regulatory purposes, shareholders are not entitled to redeem their shares. Shareholders must be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in our shares for an extended period of time.

We may enter into side letters or similar arrangements.

The Fund and/or the Adviser may enter into side letters or other similar agreements with certain shareholders in connection with their subscription to the Fund without the approval of any other shareholder, which, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may have the effect of establishing rights with respect to such shareholder in a manner more favorable to such shareholder than those applicable to other shareholders. Such rights or terms in any such side letter or other similar agreement may include, without limitation, (i) the Fund’s or Adviser’s agreement to extend certain information rights or additional reporting to such shareholder, including, without limitation, to accommodate special regulatory or other circumstances of such shareholder; provided, that such rights are subject to Regulation FD promulgated by the SEC and any other applicable confidentiality restrictions, (ii) restrictions on, or special rights of such shareholder with respect to the activities of the Fund, (iii) the right to recommend a representative for nomination to the Board of Trustees or to appoint a board observer or any rights related thereto or (iv) other rights or terms necessary in light of particular legal, regulatory or public policy characteristics of a shareholder. Such side letters may permit such shareholders to take actions on the basis of information not available to other shareholders that do not have the benefit of such agreements. Any rights or terms established in a side letter with a shareholder will govern solely with respect to such shareholder (and any of such shareholder’s assignees or transferees if so specified in the side letter) and will not require the approval of any other shareholder. In addition, Blackstone and GSO have entered, and it can be expected that Blackstone and GSO will in the future enter, into agreements with investors involving an investor’s overall relationship with Blackstone or GSO, including one or more strategies in addition to the Fund’s strategy, with terms and conditions applicable solely to such investor and its investment in multiple Blackstone or GSO strategies that would not apply to any other investor’s investment in the Fund. See “Potential Conflicts of Interest—Blackstone and GSO Strategic Relationships.”

Certain investors will be subject to 1934 Act filing requirements.

Because our Common Shares will be registered under the 1934 Act, ownership information for any person who beneficially owns 5% or more of our Common Shares will have to be disclosed in a Schedule 13G or other filings with the SEC. Beneficial ownership for these purposes is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes having voting or investment power over the securities. In some circumstances, our shareholders who choose to reinvest their dividends may see their percentage stake in the Fund increased to more than 5%, thus triggering this filing requirement. Each shareholder is responsible for determining their filing obligations and preparing the filings. In addition, our shareholders who hold more than 10% of a class of our shares may be subject to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, which recaptures for the benefit of the Fund profits from the purchase and sale of registered stock (and securities convertible or exchangeable into such registered stock) within a six-month period.

 

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Special considerations for certain benefit plan investors.

We intend to conduct our affairs so that our assets should not be deemed to constitute “plan assets” under ERISA and the Plan Asset Regulations. In this regard, until such time as all classes of our Common Shares are considered “publicly-offered securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, we intend to limit investment in each class of our Common Shares by “benefit plan investors” to less than 25% of the total value of each class of our Common Shares (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations).

If, notwithstanding our intent, the assets of the Fund were deemed to be “plan assets” of any shareholder that is a “benefit plan investor” under the Plan Asset Regulations, this would result, among other things, in (i) the application of the prudence and other fiduciary responsibility standards of ERISA to investments made by the Fund, and (ii) the possibility that certain transactions in which the Fund might seek to engage could constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA and the Code. If a prohibited transaction occurs for which no exemption is available, the Adviser and/or any other fiduciary that has engaged in the prohibited transaction could be required to (i) restore to the “benefit plan investor” any profit realized on the transaction and (ii) reimburse the Covered Plan for any losses suffered by the “benefit plan investor” as a result of the investment. In addition, each disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) involved could be subject to an excise tax equal to 15% of the amount involved in the prohibited transaction for each year the transaction continues and, unless the transaction is corrected within statutorily required periods, to an additional tax of 100%. The Fiduciary of a “benefit plan investor” who decides to invest in the Fund could, under certain circumstances, be liable for prohibited transactions or other violations as a result of their investment in the Fund or as co-fiduciaries for actions taken by or on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser. With respect to a “benefit plan investor” that is an individual retirement account (an “IRA”) that invests in the Fund, the occurrence of a prohibited transaction involving the individual who established the IRA, or his or her beneficiaries, would cause the IRA to lose its tax-exempt status.

Until such time as all the classes of our Common Shares constitute “publicly traded securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, we have the power to (a) exclude any shareholder or potential shareholder from purchasing our Common Shares; (b) prohibit any redemption of our Common Shares; and (c) redeem some or all Common Shares held by any holder if, and to the extent that, our Board of Trustees determines that there is a substantial likelihood that such holder’s purchase, ownership or redemption of Common Shares would result in our assets to be characterized as “plan assets,” for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and all Common Shares of the Fund shall be subject to such terms and conditions.

Prospective investors should carefully review the matters discussed under “Restrictions on Share Ownership” and should consult with their own advisors as to the consequences of making an investment in the Fund.

No shareholder approval is required for certain mergers.

Our Board of Trustees may undertake to approve mergers between us and certain other funds or vehicles. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, such mergers will not require shareholder approval so you will not be given an opportunity to vote on these matters unless such mergers are reasonably anticipated to result in a material dilution of the NAV per share of the Fund. These mergers may involve funds managed by affiliates of GSO. The Board of Trustees may also convert the form and/or jurisdiction of organization, including to take advantage of laws that are more favorable to maintaining board control in the face of dissident shareholders.

Shareholders may experience dilution.

All distributions declared in cash payable to shareholders that are participants in our distribution reinvestment plan will generally be automatically reinvested in our Common Shares. As a result, shareholders that do not participate in our distribution reinvestment plan may experience dilution over time.

 

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Holders of our Common Shares will not have preemptive rights to any shares we issue in the future. Our charter allows us to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares. After you purchase Common Shares in this offering, our Board of Trustees may elect, without shareholder approval, to: (1) sell additional shares in this or future public offerings; (2) issue Common Shares or interests in any of our subsidiaries in private offerings; (3) issue Common Shares upon the exercise of the options we may grant to our independent directors or future employees; or (4) subject to applicable law, issue Common Shares in payment of an outstanding obligation to pay fees for services rendered to us. To the extent we issue additional Common Shares after your purchase in this offering, your percentage ownership interest in us will be diluted. Because of these and other reasons, our shareholders may experience substantial dilution in their percentage ownership of our shares or their interests in the underlying assets held by our subsidiaries.

Investing in our shares involves a high degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

The NAV of our shares may fluctuate significantly.

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

 

   

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

 

   

loss of RIC or BDC status;

 

   

changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

 

   

changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;

 

   

changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments;

 

   

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

 

   

departure of either of our adviser or certain of its respective key personnel;

 

   

general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

   

loss of a major funding source.

 

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ESTIMATED USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to (1) make investments in accordance with our investment strategy and policies, (2) reduce borrowings and repay indebtedness incurred under various financing agreements we may enter into and (3) fund repurchases under our share repurchase plan. Generally, our policy will be to pay distributions and operating expenses from cash flow from operations, however, we are not restricted from funding these items from proceeds from this offering or other sources and may choose to do so, particularly in the earlier part of this offering.

We will seek to invest the net proceeds received in this offering as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, and in any event generally within 60 days of each subscription closing. However, depending on market conditions and other factors, including the availability of investments that meet our investment objectives, we may be unable to invest such proceeds within the time period we anticipate. Pending such investment, we may have a greater allocation to syndicated loans or other liquid investments than we otherwise would or we may make investments in cash or cash equivalents (such as U.S. government securities or certain high quality debt instruments).

We estimate that we will incur approximately $6.87 million of offering expenses (excluding the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee) in connection with this offering, or approximately 0.14% of the gross proceeds, assuming maximum gross proceeds of $5,000,000,000. The Adviser has agreed to advance all of our organization and offering expenses on our behalf through the date on which we break escrow for this offering. Unless the Adviser elects to cover such expenses pursuant to the Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement we have entered into with the Adviser, we will be obligated to reimburse the Adviser for such advanced expenses upon breaking escrow for this offering. Any reimbursements will not exceed actual expenses incurred by the Adviser and its affiliates.

The following tables sets forth our estimate of how we intend to use the gross proceeds from this offering. Information is provided assuming that the Fund sells the maximum number of shares registered in this offering, or 200,000,000 shares. The amount of net proceeds may be more or less than the amount depicted in the table below depending on the public offering price of our shares and the actual number of shares we sell in this offering. The table below assumes that shares are sold at the current offering price of $25.00 per share. Such amount is subject to increase or decrease based upon our NAV per share.

The following tables present information about the net proceeds raised in this offering for each class, assuming that we sell the minimum offering amount of $100,000,000 and the maximum primary offering amount of $5,000,000,000. The tables assume that 1/3 of our gross offering proceeds are from the sale of Class S shares, 1/3 of our gross offering proceeds are from the sale of Class D shares and 1/3 of our gross offering proceeds are from the sale of Class I shares. The number of shares of each class sold and the relative proportions in which the classes of shares are sold are uncertain and may differ significantly from what is shown in the tables below. Because amounts in the following tables are estimates, they may not accurately reflect the actual receipt or use of the gross proceeds from this offering. Amounts expressed as a percentage of net proceeds or gross proceeds may be higher or lower due to rounding.

The following table presents information regarding the use of proceeds raised in this offering with respect to

Class S shares.

 

     Minimum Offering of
$33,333,333 in
Class S Shares
     Maximum Offering of
$1,666,666,667 in
Class S Shares
 

Gross Proceeds(1)

   $ 33,333,333        100    $ 1,666,666,667        100

Upfront Sales Load(2)

   $ —        —      $ —          —  

Organization and Offering Expenses(3)

   $ 887,584        2.66    $ 2,290,000        0.14
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Proceeds Available for Investment

   $ 32,445,749        97.34    $ 1,664,376,667        99.86
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents information regarding the use of proceeds raised in this offering with respect to Class D shares.

 

     Minimum Offering of
$33,333,333 in
Class D Shares
    Maximum Offering of
$1,666,666,667 in
Class D Shares
 

Gross Proceeds(1)

   $ 33,333,333        100   $ 1,666,666,667        100

Upfront Sales Load(2)

   $ —        —     $ —          —  

Organization and Offering Expenses(3)

   $ 887,584        2.66   $ 2,290,000        0.14
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Proceeds Available for Investment

   $ 32,445,749        97.34   $ 1,664,376,667        99.86
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents information regarding the use of proceeds raised in this offering with respect to Class I shares.

 

     Minimum Offering of
$33,333,333 in
Class I Shares
    Maximum Offering of
$1,666,666,667 in
Class I Shares
 

Gross Proceeds(1)

   $ 33,333,333        100   $ 1,666,666,667        100

Upfront Sales Load(2)

   $ —        —     $ —          —  

Organization and Offering Expenses(3)

   $ 887,584        2.66   $ 2,290,000        0.14
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Proceeds Available for Investment

   $ 32,445,749        97.34   $ 1,664,376,667        99.86
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

We intend to conduct a continuous offering of an unlimited number of Common Shares over an unlimited time period by filing a new registration statement prior to the end of the three-year period described in Rule 415 under the Securities Act; however, in certain states this offering is subject to annual extensions.

(2)

No upfront sales load will be paid with respect to Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares, however, if you buy Class S shares or Class D shares through certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to a 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares and 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares. Selling agents will not charge such fees on Class I shares. We will pay the following shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the Intermediary Manager, subject to FINRA limitations on underwriting compensation: (a) for Class S shares only, a shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee equal to 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV for the Class S shares and (b) for Class D shares only, a shareholder servicing fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV for the Class D shares, in each case, payable monthly. The total amount that will be paid over time for shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees depends on the average length of time for which shares remain outstanding, the term over which such amount is measured and the performance of our investments, and is not expected to be paid from sources other than cash flow from operating activities. We will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on the Class S shares and Class D shares on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) our merger or consolidation with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of this offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with this offering, including the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee and other underwriting compensation, is equal to 10% of the gross proceeds from our primary offering. In addition, as required by exemptive relief allowing us to offer multiple classes of shares, at the end of the month in which the Intermediary Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees paid with respect to any single share held in a shareholder’s account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such share (or a lower limit as determined by the Intermediary Manager or the applicable selling agent), we will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on either (i) each such share that would exceed such limit or (ii) all Class S shares and Class D shares in such shareholder’s account. We may modify this requirement if permitted by applicable exemptive relief. At the end of such month, the applicable Class S

 

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  shares or Class D shares in such shareholder’s account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such Class S or Class D shares. See “Plan of Distribution.”
(3)

The organization and offering expense numbers shown above represent our estimates of expenses to be incurred by us in connection with this offering and include estimated wholesaling expenses reimbursable by us. See “Plan of Distribution” for examples of the types of organization and offering expenses we may incur.

 

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PLAN OF OPERATION

The information in this section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a newly organized, externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Formed as a Delaware statutory trust on February 11, 2020, we are externally managed by the Adviser, which is responsible for sourcing potential investments, conducting due diligence on prospective investments, analyzing investment opportunities, structuring investments and monitoring our portfolio on an ongoing basis. Our Adviser is registered as investment adviser with the SEC. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under the Code.

Under our Advisory Agreement, we have agreed to pay the Adviser an annual management fee as well as an incentive fee based on our investment performance. Also, under the Administration Agreement, we have agreed to reimburse the Administrator for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including our allocable portion of the costs of compensation and related expenses of our chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

Our investment objectives are to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. Under normal circumstances, we will invest at least 80% of our total assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in private credit investments (loans, bonds and other credit instruments that are issued in private offerings or issued by private companies). If we change our 80% test, we will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ notice of such change. Once we have invested a substantial amount of proceeds from this offering, under normal circumstances we expect that the majority of our portfolio will be in Private Credit. To a lesser extent, we will also invest in Opportunistic Credit. We expect that the Opportunistic Credit investments will generally be liquid, and may be used for the purposes of maintaining liquidity for our share repurchase program and cash management, while also presenting an opportunity for attractive investment returns.

Most of our investments will be in private U.S. companies, but (subject to compliance with BDCs’ requirement to invest at least 70% of its assets in private U.S. companies), we also expect to invest to some extent in European and other non-U.S. companies, but do not expect to invest in emerging markets. Subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, we may invest in loans or other securities, the proceeds of which may refinance or otherwise repay debt or securities of companies whose debt is owned by other GSO funds. From time to time, we may co-invest with other GSO funds. See “Regulation—Exemptive Relief.”

To seek to enhance our returns, we intend to employ leverage as market conditions permit and at the discretion of the Adviser, but in no event will leverage employed exceed the limitations set forth in the 1940 Act, which currently allows us to borrow up to a 2:1 debt to equity ratio. We intend to use leverage in the form of borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and the issuance of debt securities. We may also use leverage in the form of the issuance of preferred shares, but do not currently intend to do so. In determining whether to borrow money, we will analyze the maturity, covenant package and rate structure of the proposed borrowings as well as the risks of such borrowings compared to our investment outlook. Any such leverage, if incurred, would be expected to increase the total capital available for investment by the Fund. See “Risk Factors—Risk Related to Debt Financing.” To finance investments, we may securitize certain of our secured

 

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loans or other investments, including through the formation of one or more CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Debt Financing—We may form one or more CLOs, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.”

See “Investment Objectives and Strategies” for more information about our investment strategies. Our investments are subject to a number of risks. See “Risk Factors.”

Revenues

We plan to generate revenue in the form of interest income on debt investments, capital gains, and dividend income from our equity investments in our portfolio companies. Our senior and subordinated debt investments are expected to bear interest at a fixed or floating rate. Interest on debt securities is generally payable quarterly or semiannually. In some cases, some of our investments may provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid PIK interest generally will become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment and other fees in connection with transactions. Original issue discounts and market discounts or premiums will be capitalized, and we will accrete or amortize such amounts as interest income. We will record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income. Dividend income, if any, will be recognized on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts.

Expenses

Except as specifically provided below, all investment professionals and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services to us, and the base compensation, bonus and benefits, and the routine overhead expenses, of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser. We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to:

1) investment advisory fees, including management fees and incentive fees, to the Adviser, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement;

2) the Fund’s allocable portion of compensation, overhead (including rent, office equipment and utilities) and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, including but not limited to: (i) the Fund’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs; (ii) investor relations, legal, operations and other non-investment professionals at the Administrator that perform duties for the Fund; and (iii) any internal audit group personnel of Blackstone or any of its affiliates; and

3) all other expenses of the Fund’s operations, administrations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:

(i) organization and offering expenses associated with this offering (including legal, accounting, printing, mailing, subscription processing and filing fees and expenses and other offering expenses, including costs associated with technology integration between the Fund’s systems and those of participating intermediaries, reasonable bona fide due diligence expenses of participating intermediaries supported by detailed and itemized invoices, costs in connection with preparing sales materials and other marketing expenses, design and website expenses, fees and expenses of the Fund’s escrow agent and transfer agent, fees to attend retail seminars sponsored by participating intermediaries and costs, expenses and reimbursements for travel, meals, accommodations, entertainment and other similar expenses related to meetings or events with prospective investors, intermediaries, registered investment advisors or financial or other advisors, but excluding the shareholder servicing fee);

(ii) all taxes, fees, costs, and expenses, retainers and/or other payments of accountants, legal counsel, advisors (including tax advisors), administrators, auditors (including with respect to any additional

 

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auditing required under The Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on Alternative Investment Fund Managers and any applicable legislation implemented by an EEA Member state in connection with such Directive (the “AIFMD”), investment bankers, administrative agents, paying agents, depositaries, custodians, trustees, sub-custodians, consultants (including individuals consulted through expert network consulting firms), engineers, senior advisors, industry experts, operating partners, deal sourcers (including personnel dedicated to but not employed by GSO or Blackstone), and other professionals (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the costs and charges allocable with respect to the provision of internal legal, tax, accounting, technology or other services and professionals related thereto (including secondees and temporary personnel or consultants that may be engaged on short- or long-term arrangements) as deemed appropriate by the Administrator, with the oversight of the Board of Trustees, where such internal personnel perform services that would be paid by the Fund if outside service providers provided the same services); fees, costs, and expenses herein include (x) costs, expenses and fees for hours spent by its in-house attorneys and tax advisors that provide transactional legal advice and/or services to the Fund or its portfolio companies on matters related to potential or actual investments and transactions and the ongoing operations of the Fund and (y) expenses and fees to provide administrative and accounting services to the Fund or its portfolio companies, and expenses, charges and/or related costs incurred directly by the Fund or affiliates in connection such services (including overhead related thereto), in each case, (I) that are specifically charged or specifically allocated or attributed by the Administrator, with the oversight of the Board of Trustees, to the Fund or its portfolio companies and (II) provided that any such amounts shall not be greater than what would be paid to an unaffiliated third party for substantially similar advice and/or services);

(iii) the cost of calculating the Fund’s net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;

(iv) the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the Common Shares and other securities;

(v) fees and expenses payable under any intermediary manager and selected intermediary agreements, if any;

(vi) interest and fees and expenses arising out of all borrowings, guarantees and other financings or derivative transactions (including interest, fees and related legal expenses) made or entered into by the Fund, including, but not limited to, the arranging thereof and related legal expenses;

(vii) all fees, costs and expenses of any loan servicers and other service providers and of any custodians, lenders, investment banks and other financing sources;

(viii) costs incurred in connection with the formation or maintenance of entities or vehicles to hold the Fund’s assets for tax or other purposes;

(ix) costs of derivatives and hedging;

(x) expenses, including travel, entertainment, lodging and meal expenses, incurred by the Adviser, or members of its investment team, or payable to third parties, in evaluating, developing, negotiating, structuring and performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies, including such expenses related to potential investments that were not consummated, and, if necessary, enforcing the Fund’s rights;

(xi) expenses (including the allocable portions of compensation and out-of-pocket expenses such as travel expenses) or an appropriate portion thereof of employees of the Adviser to the extent such expenses relate to attendance at meetings of the Board of Trustees or any committees thereof;

(xii) all fees, costs and expenses, if any, incurred by or on behalf of the Fund in developing, negotiating and structuring prospective or potential investments that are not ultimately made, including, without limitation any legal, tax, administrative, accounting, travel, meals, accommodations and entertainment, advisory, consulting and printing expenses, reverse termination fees and any liquidated damages, commitment fees that become payable in connection with any proposed investment that is not ultimately made, forfeited deposits or similar payments;

 

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(xiii) the allocated costs incurred by the Adviser and the Administrator in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it;

(xiv) all brokerage costs, hedging costs, prime brokerage fees, custodial expenses, agent bank and other bank service fees; private placement fees, commissions, appraisal fees, commitment fees and underwriting costs; costs and expenses of any lenders, investment banks and other financing sources, and other investment costs, fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with evaluating, making, holding, settling, clearing, monitoring or disposing of actual investments (including, without limitation, travel, meals, accommodations and entertainment expenses and any expenses related to attending trade association and/or industry meetings, conferences or similar meetings, any costs or expenses relating to currency conversion in the case of investments denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars) and expenses arising out of trade settlements (including any delayed compensation expenses);

(xv) investment costs, including all fees, costs and expenses incurred in sourcing, evaluating, developing, negotiating, structuring, trading (including trading errors), settling, monitoring and holding prospective or actual investments or investment strategies including, without limitation, any financing, legal, filing, auditing, tax, accounting, compliance, loan administration, travel, meals, accommodations and entertainment, advisory, consulting, engineering, data-related and other professional fees, costs and expenses in connection therewith (to the extent the Adviser is not reimbursed by a prospective or actual issuer of the applicable investment or other third parties or capitalized as part of the acquisition price of the transaction) and any fees, costs and expenses related to the organization or maintenance of any vehicle through which the Fund directly or indirectly participates in the acquisition, holding and/or disposition of investments or which otherwise facilitate the Fund’s investment activities, including without limitation any travel and accommodations expenses related to such vehicle and the salary and benefits of any personnel (including personnel of Adviser or its affiliates) reasonably necessary and/or

advisable for the maintenance and operation of such vehicle, or other overhead expenses (including any fees, costs and expenses associated with the leasing of office space (which may be made with one or more affiliates of Blackstone as lessor in connection therewith));

(xvi) transfer agent, dividend agent and custodial fees;

(xvii) fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

(xviii) federal and state registration fees, franchise fees, any stock exchange listing fees and fees payable to rating agencies;

(xix) independent trustees’ fees and expenses including reasonable travel, entertainment, lodging and meal expenses, and any legal counsel or other advisors retained by, or at the discretion or for the benefit of, the independent trustees;

(xx) costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records, costs of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 compliance and attestation and costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and other regulatory bodies and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration and exchange listing and the costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and any other applicable federal and state securities laws, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the foregoing;

(xxi) all fees, costs and expenses associated with the preparation and issuance of the Fund’s periodic reports and related statements (e.g., financial statements and tax returns) and other internal and third-party printing (including a flat service fee), publishing (including time spent performing such printing and publishing services) and reporting-related expenses (including other notices and communications) in respect of the Fund and its activities (including internal expenses, charges and/or related costs incurred, charged or specifically attributed or allocated by the Fund or the Adviser or its affiliates in connection with such provision of services thereby);

(xxii) the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders (including printing and mailing costs) and the costs of any shareholder or Trustee meetings;

 

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(xxiii) proxy voting expenses;

(xxiv) costs associated with an exchange listing;

(xxv) costs of registration rights granted to certain investors;

(xxvi) any taxes and/or tax-related interest, fees or other governmental charges (including any penalties incurred where the Adviser lacks sufficient information from third parties to file a timely and complete tax return) levied against the Fund and all expenses incurred in connection with any tax audit, investigation, litigation, settlement or review of the Fund and the amount of any judgments, fines, remediation or settlements paid in connection therewith;

(xxvii) all fees, costs and expenses of any litigation, arbitration or audit involving the Fund any vehicle or its portfolio companies and the amount of any judgments, assessments fines, remediations or settlements paid in connection therewith, Trustees and officers, liability or other insurance (including costs of title insurance) and indemnification (including advancement of any fees, costs or expenses to persons entitled to indemnification) or extraordinary expense or liability relating to the affairs of the Fund;

(xxviii) all fees, costs and expenses associated with the Fund’s information, obtaining and maintaining technology (including the costs of any professional service providers), hardware/software, data-related communication, market data and research (including news and quotation equipment and services and including costs allocated by the Adviser’s or its affiliates’ internal and third-party research group (which are generally based on time spent, assets under management, usage rates, proportionate holdings or a combination thereof or other reasonable methods determined by the Administrator) and expenses and fees (including compensation costs) charged or specifically attributed or allocated by Adviser and/or its affiliates for data-related services provided to the Fund and/or its portfolio companies (including in connection with prospective investments), each including expenses, charges, fees and/or related costs of an internal nature; provided, that any such expenses, charges or related costs shall not be greater than what would be paid to an unaffiliated third party for substantially similar services) reporting costs (which includes notices and other communications and internally allocated charges), and dues and expenses incurred in connection with membership in industry or trade organizations;

(xxix) the costs of specialty and custom software for monitoring risk, compliance and the overall portfolio, including any development costs incurred prior to the filing of the Fund’s election to be treated as a business development company;

(xxx) costs associated with individual or group shareholders;

(xxxi) fidelity bond, trustees and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

(xxxii) direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying and secretarial and other staff;

(xxxiii) all fees, costs and expenses of winding up and liquidating the Fund’s assets;

(xxxiv) extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification);

(xxxv) all fees, costs and expenses related to compliance-related matters (such as developing and implementing specific policies and procedures in order to comply with certain regulatory requirements) and regulatory filings; notices or disclosures related to the Fund’s activities (including, without limitation, expenses relating to the preparation and filing of filings required under the Securities Act, TIC Form SLT filings, Internal Revenue Service filings under FATCA and FBAR reporting requirements applicable to the Fund or reports to be filed with the CFTC, reports, disclosures, filings and notifications prepared in connection with the laws and/or regulations of jurisdictions in which the Fund engages in activities, including any notices, reports and/or filings required under the AIFMD, European Securities and Markets Authority and any related regulations, and other regulatory filings, notices or disclosures of the Adviser relating to the Fund and its affiliates relating to the Fund, and their

 

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activities) and/or other regulatory filings, notices or disclosures of the Adviser and its affiliates relating to the Fund including those pursuant to applicable disclosure laws and expenses relating to FOIA requests, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any expenses incurred for general compliance and regulatory matters that are not related to the Fund and its activities;

(xxxvi) costs and expenses (including travel) in connection with the diligence and oversight of the Fund’s service providers;

(xxxvii) costs and expenses, including travel, meals, accommodations, entertainment and other similar expenses, incurred by the Adviser or its affiliates for meetings with existing investors and any intermediaries, registered investment advisors, financial and other advisors representing such existing investors; and

(xxxviii) all other expenses incurred by the Administrator in connection with administering the Fund’s business.

With respect to (i) above, the Adviser has agreed to advance all of our organization and offering expenses on our behalf through the date on which we break escrow for this offering. Unless the Adviser elects to cover such expenses pursuant to the Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement we have entered into with the Adviser, we will be obligated to reimburse the Adviser for such advanced expenses upon breaking escrow for this offering. See “—Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement.” Any reimbursements will not exceed actual expenses incurred by the Adviser and its affiliates.

From time to time, the Adviser, the Administrator or their affiliates may pay third-party providers of goods or services. We will reimburse the Adviser, the Administrator or such affiliates thereof for any such amounts paid on our behalf. From time to time, the Adviser or the Administrator may defer or waive fees and/or rights to be reimbursed for expenses. All of the foregoing expenses will ultimately be borne by our shareholders, subject to the cap on organization and offering expenses described above.

Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement

We have entered into an Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement (the “Expense Support Agreement”) with the Adviser. The Adviser may elect to pay certain of our expenses on our behalf (each, an “Expense Payment”), provided that no portion of the payment will be used to pay any interest expense or distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees of the Fund. Any Expense Payment that the Adviser has committed to pay must be paid by the Adviser to us in any combination of cash or other immediately available funds no later than forty-five days after such commitment was made in writing, and/or offset against amounts due from us to the Adviser or its affiliates.

Following any calendar month in which Available Operating Funds (as defined below) exceed the cumulative distributions accrued to the Fund’s shareholders based on distributions declared with respect to record dates occurring in such calendar month (the amount of such excess being hereinafter referred to as “Excess Operating Funds”), we shall pay such Excess Operating Funds, or a portion thereof, to the Adviser until such time as all Expense Payments made by the Adviser to the Company within three years prior to the last business day of such calendar month have been reimbursed. Any payments required to be made by the Company shall be referred to herein as a “Reimbursement Payment.” Available Operating Funds means the sum of (i) our net investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gains reduced by net long-term capital losses), (ii) our net capital gains (including the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) and (iii) dividends and other distributions paid to us on account of investments in portfolio companies (to the extent such amounts listed in clause (iii) are not included under clauses (i) and (ii) above).

The Company’s obligation to make a Reimbursement Payment shall automatically become a liability of the Fund on the last business day of the applicable calendar month, except to the extent the Adviser has waived its right to receive such payment for the applicable month.

 

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Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

We expect to generate cash primarily from (i) the net proceeds of the this offering, (ii) cash flows from our operations, (iii) any financing arrangements we may enter into in the future and (iv) any future offerings of our equity or debt securities. Immediately after we meet our minimum offering requirement, gross subscription funds will total at least $100 million, which will be available to us immediately upon commencing operations. Once our minimum offering requirement has been met, we intend to sell our shares on a continuous basis at a per share price equal to the then-current NAV per share.

Our primary uses of cash will be for (i) investments in portfolio companies and other investments, (ii) the cost of operations (including paying the Adviser and the Administrator), (iii) cost of any borrowings or other financing arrangements and (iv) cash distributions to the holders of our shares.

Net Worth of Sponsors

The NASAA, in its Omnibus Guidelines Statement of Policy adopted on March 29, 1992 and as amended on May 7, 2007 and from time to time (the “Omnibus Guidelines”), requires that our affiliates and Adviser, or our Sponsor as defined under the Omnibus Guidelines, have an aggregate financial net worth, exclusive of home, automobiles and home furnishings, of the greater of either $100,000, or 5.0% of the first $20 million of both the gross amount of securities currently being offered in this offering and the gross amount of any originally issued direct participation program securities sold by our affiliates and sponsors within the past 12 months, plus 1.0% of all amounts in excess of the first $20 million. Based on these requirements, our Adviser and its affiliates, while not liable directly or indirectly for any indebtedness we may incur, have an aggregate financial net worth in excess of those amounts required by the Omnibus Guidelines Statement of Policy.

Critical Accounting Policies

This discussion of our expected operating plans is based upon our expected financial statements, which will be prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements will require our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. In addition to the discussion below, we will describe our critical accounting policies in the notes to our future financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

The Fund is required to report its investments for which current market values are not readily available at fair value. The Fund values its investments in accordance with FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the applicable measurement date. ASC 820 prioritizes the use of observable market prices derived from such prices over entity-specific inputs. Due to the inherent uncertainties of valuation, certain estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these investments existed, and these differences could be material. See “Determination of Net Asset Value” for more information on how we value our investments.

Revenue Recognition

Interest Income

Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the accretion of discounts and amortizations of premiums. Discounts from and premiums to par value on debt investments purchased are accreted/amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method. The amortized cost of debt investments represents the original cost, including loan origination fees and upfront fees received that are

 

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deemed to be an adjustment to yield, adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, if any. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment premiums, unamortized upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts are recorded as interest income in the current period.

PIK Income

The Fund may have loans in its portfolio that contain PIK provisions. PIK represents interest that is accrued and recorded as interest income at the contractual rates, increases the loan principal on the respective capitalization dates, and is generally due at maturity. Such income is included in interest income in the Fund’s statement of operations. If at any point the Fund believes PIK is not expected to be realized, the investment generating PIK will be placed on non-accrual status. When a PIK investment is placed on non-accrual status, the accrued, uncapitalized interest is generally reversed through interest income. To maintain the Fund’s status as a RIC, this non-cash source of income must be paid out to shareholders in the form of dividends, even though the Fund has not yet collected cash.

Dividend Income

Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly-traded portfolio companies.

Fee Income

The Fund may receive various fees in the ordinary course of business such as structuring, consent, waiver, amendment, syndication fees as well as fees for managerial assistance rendered by the Fund to the portfolio companies. Such fees are recognized as income when earned or the services are rendered.

Non-Accrual Income

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Additionally, any original issue discount and market discount are no longer accreted to interest income as of the date the loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid current and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. Management may make exceptions to this treatment and determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Distributions

To the extent that the Fund has taxable income available, the Fund intends to make monthly distributions to its shareholders. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the record date. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board of Trustees and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our tax treatment as a RIC, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our Board of Trustees may deem relevant from time to time.

Income Taxes

The Fund has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The Fund also intends to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code. So long as the Fund maintains its status as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate- level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its shareholders as dividends. Rather, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by the Fund would represent obligations of the Fund’s investors and would not be reflected in the financial statements of the Fund.

 

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The Fund evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reserved and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.

To qualify for and maintain qualification as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, to qualify for RIC tax treatment, the Fund must distribute to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” for that year (without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of its realized net short-term capital gains over its realized net long-term capital losses and (ii) its net tax-exempt income.

In addition, based on the excise tax distribution requirements, the Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on undistributed income unless the Fund distributes in a timely manner in each taxable year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in prior years. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by the Fund that is subject to corporate income tax is considered to have been distributed.

Contractual Obligations

We have entered into the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser to provide us with investment advisory services and the Administration Agreement with the Administrator to provide us with administrative services. Payments for investment advisory services under the Advisory Agreements and reimbursements under the Administration Agreement are described in “Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement.”

We intend to establish one or more credit facilities or enter into other financing arrangements to facilitate investments and the timely payment of our expenses. It is anticipated that any such credit facilities will bear interest at floating rates at to-be-determined spreads over LIBOR. We cannot assure shareholders that we will be able to enter into a credit facility on favorable terms or at all. In connection with a credit facility or other borrowings, lenders may require us to pledge assets, commitments and/or drawdowns (and the ability to enforce the payment thereof) and may ask to comply with positive or negative covenants that could have an effect on our operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than contractual commitments and other legal contingencies incurred in the normal course of our business, we do not expect to have any off-balance sheet financings or liabilities.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We will be subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. A rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to the variable rate investments we may hold and to declines in the value of any fixed rate investments we may hold. A rise in interest rates would also be expected to lead to higher cost on our floating rate borrowings. If deemed prudent, we may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to minimize our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.

 

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We plan to invest primarily in illiquid debt securities of private companies. Most of our investments will not have a readily available market price, and we will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by, and under the oversight of, the Board in accordance with our valuation policy. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments we make. See “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

We were formed on February 11, 2020, as a Delaware statutory trust. We were organized to invest primarily in originated loans and other securities, including syndicated loans, of private middle market U.S. companies.

After filing this Registration Statement, we will file an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated as soon as reasonably practical, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a BDC and a RIC, we will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements.

Our investment objectives are to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. We will seek to meet our investment objectives by:

 

   

utilizing the experience and expertise of the management team of the Adviser, along with the broader resources of GSO and Blackstone, in sourcing, evaluating and structuring transactions, subject to Blackstone’s policies and procedures regarding the management of conflicts of interest;

 

   

employing a defensive investment approach focused on long-term credit performance and principal protection, generally investing in loans with asset coverage ratios and interest coverage ratios that the Adviser believes provide substantial credit protection, and also seeking favorable financial protections, including, where the Adviser believes necessary, one or more financial maintenance covenants;

 

   

focusing on loans and securities of private U.S. companies, and to a lesser extent European and other non-U.S. companies, specifically middle market companies, which we define as companies with annual revenue of $50 million to $2.5 billion, at the time of investment. In many market environments, we believe such a focus offers an opportunity for superior risk-adjusted returns;

 

   

investing primarily in established, stable enterprises with positive cash flows;

 

   

maintaining rigorous portfolio monitoring in an attempt to anticipate and pre-empt negative credit events within our portfolio; and

 

   

utilizing the power and scale of the Blackstone and GSO platform to offer operational expertise to portfolio companies through the GSO Advantage program.

Our investment strategy is expected to capitalize on GSO’s scale and reputation in the market as an attractive financing partner to acquire our target investments at attractive pricing. We also expect to benefit from Blackstone’s reputation and ability to transact in scale with speed and certainty, and its long-standing and extensive relationships with private equity firms that require financing for their transactions.

Under normal circumstances, we will invest at least 80% of our total assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in private credit investments (loans, bonds and other credit instruments that are issued in private offerings or issued by private companies).

Once we have invested a substantial amount of proceeds from this offering, under normal circumstances we expect that the majority of our portfolio will be in Private Credit. To a lesser extent, we will also invest in Opportunistic Credit. We expect that the Opportunistic Credit investments will generally be liquid, and may be used for the purposes of maintaining liquidity for our share repurchase program and cash management, while also presenting an opportunity for attractive investment returns.

Most of our investments will be in private U.S. companies, but (subject to compliance with BDCs’ requirement to invest at least 70% of its assets in private U.S. companies), we also expect to invest to some extent in European and other non-U.S. companies, but we do not expect to invest in emerging markets. Subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, we may invest in loans or other securities, the proceeds of which may refinance or otherwise repay debt or securities of companies whose debt is owned by other GSO funds. From time to time, we may co-invest with other GSO funds. See “Regulation—Exemptive Relief.”

 

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As a BDC, at least 70% of our assets must be the type of “qualifying” assets listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, as described herein, which are generally privately-offered securities issued by U.S. private or thinly- traded companies. We may also invest up to 30% of our portfolio opportunistically in “non-qualifying” portfolio investments, such as investments in non-U.S. companies.

The loans in which we invest will generally pay floating interest rates based on a variable base rate. The senior secured loans, unitranche loans and senior secured bonds in which we will invest generally have stated terms of five to eight years, and the mezzanine, unsecured or subordinated debt investments that we may make will generally have stated terms of up to ten years, but the expected average life of such securities is generally between three and five years. However, there is no limit on the maturity or duration of any security we may hold in our portfolio. Loans and securities purchased in the secondary market will generally have shorter remaining terms to maturity than newly issued investments. We expect most of our debt investments will be unrated. Our debt investments may also be rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, and, in such case, generally will carry a rating below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or lower than “BBB-” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services). We expect that our unrated debt investments will generally have credit quality consistent with below investment grade securities. In addition, we may invest in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and will generally have the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and will generally not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or entities that sponsored the CLOs.

We may, but are not required to, enter into interest rate, foreign exchange or other derivative agreements to hedge interest rate, currency, credit or other risks, but we do not generally intend to enter into any such derivative agreements for speculative purposes. Any derivative agreements entered into for speculative purposes are not expected to be material to the Fund’s business or results of operations. These hedging activities, which will be in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, may include the use of futures, options and forward contracts. We will bear the costs incurred in connection with entering into, administering and settling any such derivative contracts. There can be no assurance any hedging strategy we employ will be successful.

To seek to enhance our returns, we intend to employ leverage as market conditions permit and at the discretion of the Adviser, but in no event will leverage employed exceed the limitations set forth in the 1940 Act; which currently allows us to borrow up to a 2:1 debt to equity ratio. We intend to use leverage in the form of borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and the issuance of debt securities. We may also use leverage in the form of the issuance of preferred shares, but do not currently intend to do so. In determining whether to borrow money, we will analyze the maturity, covenant package and rate structure of the proposed borrowings as well as the risks of such borrowings compared to our investment outlook. Any such leverage, if incurred, would be expected to increase the total capital available for investment by the Fund. See “Risk Factors—Risk Related to Debt Financing.”

We expect to pay regular monthly distributions commencing with the first full calendar quarter after the escrow period concludes. Any distributions we make will be at the discretion of our Board of Trustees, considering factors such as our earnings, cash flow, capital needs and general financial condition and the requirements of Delaware law. As a result, our distribution rates and payment frequency may vary from time to time.

Our investments are subject to a number of risks. See “Risk Factors.”

The Adviser and the Administrator

The Fund’s investment activities will be managed by GSO Asset Management LLC, an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act. Our Adviser will be responsible for originating prospective investments, conducting research and due diligence investigations on potential investments, analyzing investment opportunities, negotiating and structuring our investments and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.

 

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GSO Capital Partners LP, as our Administrator, will provide, or oversee the performance of, administrative and compliance services, including, but not limited to, maintaining financial records, overseeing the calculation of NAV, compliance monitoring (including diligence and oversight of our other service providers), preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC, preparing materials and coordinating meetings of our Board of Trustees, managing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others and providing office space, equipment and office services.

The Adviser is an affiliate of GSO and is led by substantially the same investment personnel as GSO. As such, our Adviser has access to the broader resources of GSO and Blackstone, subject to Blackstone’s policies and procedures regarding the management of conflicts of interest.

Blackstone is a leading global investment manager with total assets under management of $564 billion. Blackstone’s alternative asset management businesses include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, insurance, hedge fund solutions, non-investment grade credit, secondary private equity funds of funds, infrastructure and multi-asset class strategies. Blackstone also provides capital markets services. GSO is part of the credit platform of Blackstone. GSO’s asset management operation has aggregate assets under management of approximately $129 billion across multiple strategies within the leveraged finance marketplace, including loans, high yield bonds, distressed and mezzanine debt and private equity, including hedge funds. GSO has a global platform with approximately 356 employees based in offices in New York, Houston, London and Dublin, and satellite offices in Baltimore, San Francisco, Toronto, Frankfurt and Milan. Blackstone’s balance sheet is available here.

Our objective is to bring GSO’s leading credit investment platform to the non-exchange traded BDC industry.

Market Opportunity

We believe that there are and will continue to be significant investment opportunities in the targeted asset classes discussed above.

Attractive Opportunities in Senior Secured Loans

We believe that opportunities in senior secured loans are significant because of the strong defensive characteristics of this asset class. While there is inherent risk in investing in any securities, senior secured debt is on the top of the capital structure and thus has priority in payment among an issuer’s security holders (i.e. senior secured debt holders are due to receive payment before junior creditors and equity holders). Further, these investments are secured by the issuer’s assets, which may be collateralized in the event of a default, if necessary. Senior secured debt often has restrictive covenants for the purpose of additional principal protection and ensuring repayment before junior creditors (i.e. most types of unsecured bondholders, and other security holders) and preserving collateral to protect against credit deterioration.

Opportunity in Middle Market Private Companies

In addition to investing in senior secured loans generally, we believe that the market for lending to private companies, particularly middle market private companies within the United States, is underserved and presents a compelling investment opportunity. We believe that the following characteristics support our belief:

Large and Growing Target Market. Middle market companies represent a large and growing portion of the U.S. economy. According to the National Center for The Middle Market, there were nearly 200,000 middle market companies in the United States with annual revenues between $10 million and $1 billion, as of June 30, 2020 (see National Center for The Middle Market, 2Q 2020 Middle Market Indicator). Middle market companies have generated a significant number of investment opportunities for investment programs advised by GSO and its affiliates over the past several years, and we believe that this market segment will continue to produce significant investment opportunities for us.

 

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Limited Investment Competition. Despite the size of the market, we believe that regulatory changes and other factors have diminished the role of traditional financial institutions and certain other capital providers in providing financing to middle market companies. As tracked by S&P Capital IQ LCD, U.S. banks’ share of senior secured loans has declined from 33.1% in 1995 to 5.7% as of June 30, 2020. In addition, due to bank consolidation, the number of banks has also rapidly declined, furthering the lack of supply in middle market lending. As of March 31, 2020, there were approximately 4,437 banks in the U.S., which was only one-third of the number of banks in 1984 (see Federal Reserve Economic Data as of August 2020).

We also believe that lending and originating new loans to middle market companies, which are often private, generally requires a greater dedication of the lender’s time and resources compared to lending to larger companies, due in part to the smaller size of each investment and the often fragmented nature of information available from these companies. Further, we believe that many investment firms lack the breadth and scale necessary to identify investment opportunities, particularly in regards to directly originated investments in middle market companies, and thus attractive investment opportunities are often overlooked. In addition, middle market companies may require more active monitoring and participation on the lender’s part. We believe that many large financial organizations, which often have relatively high cost structures, are not suited to deal with these factors and instead emphasize services and transactions to larger corporate clients with a consequent reduction in the availability of financing to middle market companies.

Attractive Market Segment. We believe that the underserved nature of such a large segment of the market can at times create a significant opportunity for investment. In many environments, we believe that middle market companies are more likely to offer attractive economics in terms of transaction pricing, up-front and ongoing fees, prepayment penalties and security features in the form of stricter covenants and quality collateral than loans to larger companies. In addition, as compared to larger companies, middle market companies often have simpler capital structures and carry less leverage, thus aiding the structuring and negotiation process and allowing us greater flexibility in structuring favorable transactions. We believe that these factors will result in advantageous conditions in which to pursue our investment objectives of generating current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation.

Growing Opportunities in Europe. We believe the market for European direct lending provides attractive opportunities. In recent years, we have continued to see a growing number of corporate carve-outs and divestitures driven by pressure on European public companies from activists, streamlining of operations, and sustained pressure from European competition authorities. This creates a source of deal flow that we believe GSO is uniquely placed to execute. We further believe that the strong fundraising environment globally for private equity over the past few years will also continue to drive deal flow for European originated transactions. We anticipate that many of our opportunities to provide originated loans or other financing will be in connection with leveraged buy-outs by private equity firms. Private equity dry powder (uncalled capital commitments) currently stands at over $1 trillion, which means that these private equity firms have a large amount of capital available to conduct transactions, which we believe will create debt financing opportunities for us. Although we believe the alternative credit market in Europe is still somewhat less developed compared to its U.S. counterpart, acceptance of private capital in Europe has grown substantially in recent years. Across the U.S. and Europe, we believe GSO has the ability to take advantage of a dislocation in capital markets as a result of volatility by providing financing solutions, including anchoring loan syndications, originating loans where traditional banks are unwilling or unable to do so, or buying investments in the secondary market, all of which we may be able to do on more attractive terms in times of market disruption than would otherwise be available. This deployment of capital via a market dislocation strategy remains firmly within GSO’s investment philosophy—focusing on performing companies where GSO has enhanced access and a due diligence advantage

Competitive Strengths

GSO is a key player in the middle and upper-middle market direct lending space and in the private credit space more generally. GSO has experience scaling funds across its platform that invest throughout all parts of the

 

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capital structure. GSO strives to focus on transactions where it can differentiate itself from other providers of capital, targeting larger transactions and those where GSO can bring its expertise and experience in negotiating and structuring. We believe that GSO is one of the few investment management firms with the scale and platform to effectively manage a U.S. private credit investment strategy, offering investors the following potential competitive strengths:

Ability to Provide Scale, Differentiated Capital Solutions. We believe that the breadth and scale of GSO’s approximately $129 billion platform gives GSO a distinct competitive advantage in sourcing proprietary investment opportunities and provides GSO with a differentiated capability to invest in large, complex opportunities. GSO is invested in over 1,000 corporate issuers across its portfolios globally and has focused solely on the non-investment grade corporate credit market since its inception in 2005. GSO expects that in the current environment, in which committed capital from banks remains scarce, the ability to provide flexible, well- structured capital commitments in appropriate sizes will enable GSO to command more favorable terms for its investments. GSO believes that it occupies a differentiated position in the leveraged finance market, with investment activities that span a broad array of public and private market strategies. We believe this presence enables GSO to identify opportunities early and select those investments that GSO believes offer the most attractive risk-adjusted return profile. In addition, when banks are facing difficulties in syndicating new issues, GSO’s ability to serve as a large “anchor” investor can help facilitate the successful completion of a transaction. We believe the depth of the experience of GSO’s senior management team, together with the wider resources of the Investment Team, which is dedicated to sourcing, structuring, executing, monitoring and harvesting a broad range of private investments, will provide us with a significant competitive advantage in sourcing and analyzing what we believe to be attractive investment opportunities.

Leading Origination Platform with Strong Credit Expertise. GSO has a 76 person U.S. Direct Lending Investments and Portfolio Management Team (excluding Dwight Scott, GSO’s senior management) focused on the sourcing, structuring, execution, management and realization of performing credit investments (which includes those professionals who focus primarily on direct lending investments). Performing credit investments are credit investments whose obligors are able to timely and fully pay interest on their outstanding debt, and are not financially stressed or distressed, or considered to be at substantial risk of being financially stressed or distressed, at the time of investment. We believe that GSO’s strong reputation and longstanding relationships with corporate boards, management teams, leveraged buyout sponsors, financial advisors and intermediaries position GSO as a partner and counterparty of choice and provides us with superior sourcing capabilities. In GSO’s experience, these relationships help drive substantial proprietary deal flow and insight into investment opportunities.

GSO has a broad and diversified origination platform that we believe allows GSO to drive deal flow through various market cycles while maintaining quality control. Furthermore, GSO has established a reputation for providing creative, value-added solutions to address portfolio companies’ financing requirements and believes that the ability to “solve a problem” for a company can lead to attractive investment opportunities.

GSO seeks to generate investment opportunities through its direct origination channels and through syndicate and club deals (generally, investments made by a small group of investment firms). With respect to GSO’s origination channel, we seek to leverage the global presence of GSO to generate access to a substantial amount of directly originated transactions with attractive investment characteristics. We believe that the broad network of GSO provides a significant pipeline of investment opportunities for us. With respect to syndicate and club deals, GSO has built a network of relationships with commercial and investment banks, finance companies and other investment funds as a result of the long track record of its investment professionals in the leveraged finance marketplace. GSO also has a significant trading platform, which, we believe, allows us access to the secondary market for investment opportunities.

Value-Added Capital Provider and Partner Leveraging the GSO Advantage Program. GSO has established a reputation for providing creative, value-added solutions to address a company’s financing

 

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requirements and believes that our ability to “solve a program” for a company can lead to attractive investment opportunities. In addition, GSO has access to the significant resources of the Blackstone platform, including the Blackstone / GSO Advantage Program, which is a global platform that provides access to a range of cost saving, revenue generating and best practice sharing opportunities. Specifically, GSO Advantage provides (i) partnership and best practices for portfolio companies by offering invaluable access to industry and function experts both within the Blackstone organization (including the Blackstone Portfolio Operations team) and the network among portfolio companies; (ii) cross selling opportunities across Blackstone and GSO portfolio companies; (iii) industry knowledge via leadership summits and roundtables; and (iv) quarterly reports sharing meaningful insights from CEOs on business and economic trends. Finally, one of the most important benefits of the program is Blackstone’s GPO, which is a collective purchasing platform that leverages the scale and buying power of the $5 billion of average annual spending of Blackstone’s portfolio companies with strategic partners and vendors measured over the past ten years. Blackstone and GSO portfolio companies have generated significant cost savings through their use of the GPO, often from existing suppliers, on maintenance, repair, operations, back office, information technology, hardware, software, telecommunications, business insurance and human resources, among others. The benefits of working with Blackstone’s GPO can include improved pricing and terms, differentiated service, and ongoing service that drops straight to the bottom line.

Flexible Investment Approach. GSO believes that the ability to invest opportunistically throughout a capital structure provides a meaningful competitive advantage in sourcing transactions and enables the Fund to seek investments that provide the best risk/return proposition in any given transaction. GSO’s creativity and flexibility with regard to deal-structuring distinguishes it from other financing sources, including traditional mezzanine providers, whose investment mandates are typically more restrictive. Over time, GSO has demonstrated the ability to negotiate more favorable terms for its investments by providing creative structures that add value for an issuer. GSO will continue to seek to use this flexible investment approach to focus on principal preservation, while generating attractive returns throughout different economic and market cycles.

Long-Term Investment Horizon. Our long-term investment horizon gives us great flexibility, which we believe allows us to maximize returns on our investments. Unlike most private equity and venture capital funds, as well as many private debt funds, we will not be required to return capital to our shareholders once we exit a portfolio investment. We believe that freedom from such capital return requirements, which allows us to invest using a longer-term focus, provides us with a better opportunity to increase total returns on invested capital compared to other private company investment vehicles.

Disciplined Investment Process and Income-Oriented Investment Philosophy. GSO employs a rigorous investment process and defensive investment approach to evaluate all potential opportunities with a focus on long-term credit performance and principal protection. We believe GSO has generated attractive risk-adjusted returns in its investing activities throughout many economic and credit cycles by (i) maintaining its investment discipline; (ii) performing intensive credit work; (iii) carefully structuring transactions; and (iv) actively managing its portfolios. GSO’s investment approach involves a multi-stage selection process for each investment opportunity, as well as ongoing monitoring of each investment made, with particular emphasis on early detection of deteriorating credit conditions at portfolio companies which would result in adverse portfolio developments. This strategy is designed to maximize current income and minimize the risk of capital loss while maintaining the potential for long-term capital appreciation. Additionally, GSO’s senior investment professionals have dedicated their careers to the leveraged finance and private equity sectors and we believe that their experience in due diligence, credit analysis and ongoing management of investments is invaluable to the success of the U.S. direct lending investment strategy that we will employ. GSO targets businesses with leading market share positions, sustainable barriers to entry, high free cash flow generation, strong asset values, liquidity to withstand market cycles, favorable underlying industry trends, strong internal controls and high-quality management teams.

Strong Investment Track Record. GSO’s track record in private debt lending dates back to the inception of GSO. Since 2005, GSO has provided approximately $68 billion in capital in privately-originated transactions with over 120 different sponsors, through various funds and accounts advised or sub-advised by GSO. As it

 

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relates to the U.S. direct lending strategy, GSO has been originating in the strategy since inception, and has invested over $28 billion of capital specifically in U.S. middle market privately originated and anchor loans.

The Board of Trustees

Overall responsibility for the Fund’s oversight rests with the Board of Trustees. We have entered into the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser will manage the Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in our operations in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Fund’s bylaws and applicable provisions of state and other laws. The Adviser will keep the Board of Trustees well informed as to the Adviser’s activities on our behalf and our investment operations and provide the Board of Trustees information with additional information as the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, request. The Board of Trustees is currently composed of five members, three of whom are Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund or the Adviser as defined in the 1940 Act.

Investment Selection

When identifying prospective investment opportunities, the Adviser currently intends to rely on fundamental credit analysis in order to minimize the loss of the Fund’s capital. The Adviser expects to invest in companies possessing the following attributes, which it believes will help achieve our investment objective:

Leading, Defensible Market Positions. The Adviser intends to invest in companies that it believes have developed strong positions within their respective markets and exhibit the potential to maintain sufficient cash flows and profitability to service their obligations in a range of economic environments. The Adviser will seek companies that it believes possess advantages in scale, scope, customer loyalty, product pricing or product quality versus their competitors, thereby minimizing business risk and protecting profitability.

Stable Companies with Positive Cash Flow. The Adviser intends to invest in established, stable companies which have demonstrated a record of profitability and cash flows over several economic cycles. The Adviser believes such companies are well positioned to maintain consistent cash flow to service and repay their obligations and maintain growth in their businesses or market share. The Adviser does not intend to invest in start-up companies, companies in turnaround situations or companies with speculative business plans.

Proven Management Teams. The Adviser intends to focus on investments in which the target company has an experienced and high-quality management team with an established track record of success. The Adviser will typically require companies to have in place proper incentives to align management’s goals with the Fund’s goals.

Private Equity Sponsorship. Often the Adviser will seek to participate in transactions sponsored by what it believes to be high-quality private equity firms. The Adviser believes that a private equity sponsor’s willingness to invest significant sums of equity capital into a company is an implicit endorsement of the quality of the investment. Further, private equity sponsors of companies with significant investments at risk generally have the ability and a strong incentive to contribute additional capital in difficult economic times should operational issues arise, which could provide additional protections for our investments.

Diversification. The Adviser will seek to invest broadly among companies and industries, thereby potentially reducing the risk of a downturn in any one company or industry having a disproportionate impact on the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Viable Exit Strategy. In addition to payments of principal and interest, we expect the primary methods for the strategy to realize returns on our investments include refinancings, sales of portfolio companies, and in some cases initial public offerings and secondary offerings. While many debt instruments in which we will invest have stated

 

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maturities of five to eight years, virtually all are redeemed or sold prior to maturity. These instruments often have call protection that requires an issuer to pay a premium if it redeems in the early years of an investment. The Investment Team regularly reviews investments and related market conditions in order to determine if an opportunity exists to realize returns on a particular investment. We believe the ability to utilize the entire resources of GSO, including the public market traders and research analysts, allows the Adviser to gain access to current market information where the opportunity may exist to sell positions into the market at attractive prices.

Investment Process Overview

The investment professionals employed by GSO have spent their careers developing the resources necessary to invest in private companies. Our transaction process is highlighted below.

 

LOGO

Sourcing and Origination

In order to source transactions, the Adviser will utilize its significant access to transaction flow, along with its trading platform. The Adviser will seek to generate investment opportunities primarily through direct origination channels, and also through syndicate and club deals. With respect to GSO’s origination channel, the global presence of GSO generates access to a substantial amount of directly originated transactions with what we believe to be attractive investment characteristics. With respect to syndicate and club deals, GSO has built a network of relationships with commercial and investment banks, finance companies and other investment funds as a result of the long track record of its investment professionals in the leveraged finance marketplace. We believe that GSO’s strong reputation and longstanding relationships with its broad network will help drive substantial proprietary deal flow and provide a significant pipeline of investment opportunities for us.

Evaluation

Initial Review. The Investment Team will examine information furnished by the target company and external sources, including banks, advisors and rating agencies, if applicable, to determine whether the investment meets our basic investment criteria within the context of proper allocation of our portfolio among various issuers and industries, and offers an acceptable probability of attractive returns with identifiable downside risk. In the case of directly originated transactions, GSO conducts detailed due diligence investigations. For the majority of securities available on the secondary market, a comprehensive analysis is conducted and continuously maintained by a dedicated GSO research analyst, the results of which are available for the transaction team to review.

Credit Analysis/Due Diligence. Before undertaking an investment, the Investment Team will conduct a thorough and rigorous due diligence review of the opportunity to ensure the company fits our investment strategy, which may include:

 

   

a full operational analysis to identify the key risks and opportunities of the target’s business, including a detailed review of historical and projected financial results;

 

   

a detailed analysis of industry and customer dynamics, competitive position, regulatory, tax and legal matters;

 

   

on-site visits and customer and supplier reference calls, if deemed necessary;

 

   

background checks to further evaluate management and other key personnel;

 

   

a review by legal and accounting professionals, environmental or other industry consultants, if necessary;

 

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financial sponsor due diligence, including portfolio company and lender reference checks, if necessary; and

 

   

a review of management’s experience and track record.

Third parties will often be involved in the Adviser’s due diligence process, whether they are hired by the Adviser or by the lead sponsor in a transaction. Utilizing consultants to help evaluate a business and test an investment thesis is typically very beneficial. When possible, the Adviser will seek to structure transactions in such a way that our target companies are required to bear the costs of due diligence, including those costs related to any outside consulting work we may require.

The foregoing initial assessment is then followed by extensive credit analysis, including asset valuation, financial analysis, cash flow analysis and scenario analysis, legal and accounting review, and comparable credit and equity analyses. A thorough assessment of structure and leverage of a transaction and how the particular investment fits into the overall investment strategy of the portfolio is conducted. GSO’s typical diligence process for an originated investment opportunity spans two to six months, from the initial screen through final approval and funding. Depending on the deal, each investment team typically consists of three to four investment professionals, consisting of a portfolio manager, managing director, principal or vice president and associate and / or analyst.

GSO’s due diligence emphasizes the following key criteria to facilitate decisions by the Investment Committee (described below) on an investment:

 

   

Valuation: What is the intrinsic value of the business? How has the business historically generated returns on capital? Will these returns continue in the future? What growth opportunities does the business have, if any? And, most importantly, is the investment being purchased at a deep discount to long-term intrinsic value?

 

   

Return Hurdles: Is the investment expected to generate a rate of return that meets the Fund’s objectives?

 

   

Risk of Principal Loss & Risk/Reward: What is the expected recovery in a severe downside case? Does the expected upside appropriately compensate for risk of loss?

 

   

Company Analysis: Does the business have a reason to exist? Does it provide needed products and services? Does it have strong business characteristics such as high relative market share and a defensible niche?

 

   

Industry Analysis: What is the expected time and depth of cyclical downturn? Is the distress related to cyclical or secular issues? Is there a favorable industry structure with respect to customers, suppliers and regulation?

 

   

Due Diligence: Do we have sufficient information to make an informed investment decision?

 

   

Catalyst: What steps are required to complete a reorganization, eliminate financial distress, gain control and implement improved business strategies?

 

   

Exit Plan: Do we expect refinancings, a sale of the company, or other exit opportunities?

Investment Committee Process. The Investment Committee review process is multi-step and iterative, and occurs in parallel with the diligence and structuring of investments. The initial investment screening process involves an Investment Committee heads-up (the “Heads-Up”) review presentation by the portfolio manager and members of the investment team. The Heads-Up review involves the production of a short memo with a focus on the following diligence items: an early diligence review of the underlying business fundamentals; expected return potential; expected investment size; assessment of key risks; and an appropriate initial diligence plan. At this point in the decision-making process, the Investment Committee will decide whether or not the Investment Team should proceed with deeper diligence on the investment opportunity.

 

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Once in-depth diligence has begun, the investment team will present updates at the weekly Investment Committee meetings. The senior team reviews all activity for the prior week, with a focus on detailed updates of ongoing situations and in-depth review of all new investment opportunities. The type of diligence materials reviewed at these meetings for each company may include, but are not limited to:

 

   

Detailed historical financial performance

 

   

Financial models with detailed revenue drivers

 

   

This includes the construction of a base case, a downside case and specifically tailored cases. This process includes probability-weighted analysis and a range of outcomes analysis.

 

   

Quarterly liquidity analyses

 

   

Industry analysis incorporating internal and external work from research analysts and industry consultants

 

   

Competitive position and market share analysis

 

   

Customer analysis, including revenue, profitability and concentration risk

 

   

Pricing and volume analyses

 

   

Detailed fixed vs. variable cost analysis, and line item analysis of cost of goods sold as well as selling, general and administrative expenses

 

   

Public and private credit and equity comparable analysis

 

   

Accounting quality of earnings analysis

 

   

Legal due diligence

The ultimate results and findings of the investment analysis are compiled in comprehensive investment memoranda that are used as the basis to support the investment thesis and are utilized by the Investment Committee for final investment review and approval. Each investment requires the consent of the Investment Committee, which may emphasize the following key criteria (among others) in making a decision:

 

   

Company Analysis: Does the company meet the investment criteria defined by the “GSO Scorecard”?:

 

   

Leading market share position

 

   

Sustainable barriers to entry that drive pricing power

 

   

High-quality management team

 

   

Stable financials: strong free cash flow generation, high earnings before interest and tax margins

 

   

Conservative capital structure with underlying equity value

 

   

Liquidity to withstand market cycles

 

   

Industry Analysis: Is there a favorable industry structure with respect to customers, suppliers and regulation?

 

   

Due Diligence: Have we fully diligenced each of the investment criteria specified by the GSO Scorecard? Have we completely vetted each of the risk factors identified throughout the diligence and Investment Committee process?

 

   

Valuation: What is the intrinsic value of the business? How has the business historically generated returns on capital? Will these returns continue in the future? What growth opportunities does the business have, if any? Is there substantial equity value to support the capital structure?

 

   

Risk of Principal Loss & Risk/Reward: What is the expected recovery in a severe downside case? Does the expected upside appropriately compensate for risk of loss?

 

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Return Hurdles: Is the investment expected to generate a rate of return that meets the Fund’s objectives?

 

   

Exit Plan: Do we expect refinancings, a sale of the company, or other exit opportunities?

The Investment Committee utilizes a consensus-driven approach and currently consists of the following senior investment professionals: Dwight Scott, Brad Marshall, Steve Kuppenheimer, Rob Zable, Michael Zawadzki, Dan Smith, Rob Horn, Rob Petrini, Louis Salvatore and Paulo Eapen. Others who participate in the Investment Committee process include the members of the Investment Team responsible for sourcing, analyzing and conducting due diligence on the investment and other senior members of GSO. There are no representatives from other business groups of Blackstone involved in the Fund’s Investment Committee process.

Monitoring

Portfolio Monitoring. Active management of our investments is performed by the team responsible for making the initial investment. The Adviser believes that actively managing an investment allows the Investment Team to identify problems early and work with companies to develop constructive solutions when necessary. The Adviser will monitor our portfolio with a focus toward anticipating negative credit events. In seeking to maintain portfolio company performance and help to ensure a successful exit, the Adviser will work closely with, as applicable, the lead equity sponsor, loan syndicator, portfolio company management, consultants, advisers and other security holders to discuss financial position, compliance with covenants, financial requirements and execution of the company’s business plan. In addition, depending on the size, nature and performance of the transaction, we may occupy a seat or serve as an observer on a portfolio company’s board of directors or similar governing body.

Typically, GSO will receive financial reports detailing operating performance, sales volumes, margins, cash flows, financial position and other key operating metrics on a quarterly basis from portfolio companies. GSO will use this data, combined with due diligence gained through contact with the company’s customers, suppliers, competitors, market research and other methods, to conduct an ongoing, rigorous assessment of the company’s operating performance and prospects.

Watch List. Typically for its portfolio companies, GSO establishes at closing a number of reporting and management tools. These tools include regular reporting on portfolio composition and reporting, calls with CEOs and detailed reports and calls with senior management on a regular basis, and quarterly in-person board meetings and board presentations. All reports and presentations are designed with GSO input based on its past experience with private investments. These tools allow GSO to identify problems quickly and work to fix them before they impair an investment. In addition, GSO maintains a “watch list” for each business under-performing its expectations. GSO seeks to approach each situation with the view that working closely with senior management and the shareholders of the company on strategies to remedy problems will ultimately maximize value realization. When, in order to maximize our recovery, GSO is forced to take positions inconsistent with the company’s shareholders, GSO expects to act quickly to enforce its rights.

GSO strives to position itself to be able to identify and manage the process surrounding a troubled portfolio company. When companies under-perform, GSO generally increases its involvement in the business and works closely with senior management to develop plans to help get performance on track. GSO will request more information and will enhance our information quality so that we are aware of any developments. GSO’s Investment Committee process is designed to identify red flags of a potential opportunity early and to leverage the collective knowledge of its prior experiences. GSO believes that vetting all investments through its Investment Committee, which has deep expertise across industries, differentiates GSO and can help it avoid mistakes. Additionally, GSO may provide guidance on key management hires or supplement the portfolio company’s board with relevant industry people that GSO has worked with previously to engage more deeply in the operations of a portfolio company. Additionally, the GPO team can be leveraged to help reduce costs and augment key leadership positions.

 

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Default/Workout. An important element of GSO’s strategy is to attempt to structure investments in a manner such that GSO will control negotiations should an issuer violate covenants or need to restructure its balance sheet. GSO believes that this is typically achieved by ensuring that an investment is at or above the “fulcrum” security, if a restructuring were to occur. A fulcrum security is the security in a company’s capital structure that, if the company were to be liquidated, would be partially repaid. Generally, securities more senior than the fulcrum security would typically be fully repaid in such a liquidation and securities more junior than the fulcrum security would typically receive no recovery in a liquidation. If an investment should default, GSO believes it has ample resources necessary to take a company through a restructuring, as many of its investment professionals have restructuring backgrounds.

The GSO deal team, along with other creditors and outside counsel, will be responsible for monitoring any defaulting portfolio companies and driving the restructuring processes thereafter. The same Investment Team members who originate an investment remain actively involved, from sourcing through diligence, execution and ongoing management all the way to exit. In the case that an investment requires a heavy workout that results in a board seat and more operational involvement, GSO may dedicate or add a senior investment professional to solely focus on the workout situation. This individual will get involved and run the full workout process to allow the other deal team members to focus on new origination and other portfolio companies. Any investment undergoing a workout will also be discussed with portfolio management and the Investment Committee on a regular basis.

Valuation Process. Each quarter, we will value investments in our portfolio, and such values will be disclosed each quarter in reports filed with the SEC. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are recorded at such market quotations. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, a valuation committee appointed by the Board of Trustees will assist the Board of Trustees in determining the fair value of such investments in good faith, based on procedures adopted by and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees.

Managerial Assistance. As a BDC, we must offer, and provide upon request, significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies except where the Fund purchases securities of an issuer in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group makes available such managerial assistance. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance, including through the GSO Advantage program. The Adviser and the Administrator will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance. To the extent fees are paid for these services, we, rather than the Adviser, will retain any fees paid for such assistance.

Exit

In addition to payments of principal and interest, we expect the primary methods for the strategy to realize returns on its investments include refinancings, sales of portfolio companies, and in some cases initial public offerings and secondary offerings. While many debt securities in which we will invest have stated maturities of five to eight years, virtually all are redeemed or sold prior to maturity. These securities often have call protection that requires an issuer to pay a premium if it redeems in the early years of an investment. However, there is no assurance that our investments will achieve realization events as a result of refinancings, sales of portfolio companies or public offerings and these realization events will become more unlikely when conditions in the loan and capital markets have deteriorated.

The Investment Team regularly reviews investments and related market conditions in order to determine if an opportunity exists to realize returns on a particular investment. We believe the ability to utilize the entire resources of GSO, including the public market traders and research analysts, allows the Adviser to gain access to current market information where the opportunity may exist to sell positions into the market at attractive prices.

 

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Allocation of Investment Opportunities

General

GSO, including the Adviser, provides investment management services to other BDCs, registered investment companies, investment funds, client accounts and proprietary accounts that GSO may establish.

GSO will share any investment and sale opportunities with its other clients and the Fund in accordance with the Advisers Act and firm-wide allocation policies, which generally provide for sharing pro rata based on targeted acquisition size or targeted sale size. Subject to the Advisers Act and as further set forth in this prospectus, certain other clients may receive certain priority or other allocation rights with respect to certain investments, subject to various conditions set forth in such other clients’ respective governing agreements.

In addition, as a BDC regulated under the 1940 Act, the Fund is subject to certain limitations relating to co-investments and joint transactions with affiliates, which likely in certain circumstances limit the Fund’s ability to make investments or enter into other transactions alongside other clients.

Co-Investment Relief

The Adviser has received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits us, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. Pursuant to such order, the Fund’s Board of Trustees may establish Board Criteria clearly defining co-investment opportunities in which the Fund will have the opportunity to participate with one or more listed or private GSO BDCs, and other public or private GSO funds that target similar assets. If an investment falls within the Board Criteria, GSO must offer an opportunity for the GSO BDCs to participate. The GSO BDCs may determine to participate or not to participate, depending on whether GSO determines that the investment is appropriate for the GSO BDCs (e.g., based on investment strategy). The co-investment would generally be allocated to us, any other GSO BDCs (including Blackstone/GSO Secured Lending Fund) and the other GSO funds that target similar assets pro rata based on available capital in the applicable asset class. If the Adviser determines that such investment is not appropriate for us, the investment will not be allocated to us, but the Adviser will be required to report such investment and the rationale for its determination for us to not participate in the investment to the Board of Trustees at the next quarterly board meeting.

Competition

We will compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including private equity funds, mezzanine funds, performing and other credit funds, and funds that invest in CLOs, structured notes, derivatives and other types of collateralized securities and structured products), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested, including making investments in mid-sized private U.S. companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities in middle market private U.S. companies may intensify. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than we have. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms or structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms or structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in middle market private U.S. companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financial sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC.

 

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Non-Exchange Traded, Perpetual-Life BDC

The Fund is non-exchange traded, meaning its shares are not listed for trading on a stock exchange or other securities market and a perpetual-life BDC, meaning it is an investment vehicle of indefinite duration, whose common shares are intended to be sold by the BDC monthly on a continuous basis at a price generally equal to the BDC’s monthly NAV per share. In our perpetual-life structure, we may offer investors an opportunity to repurchase their shares on a quarterly basis, but we are not obligated to offer to repurchase any in any particular quarter in our discretion. We believe that our perpetual nature enables us to execute a patient and opportunistic strategy and be able to invest across different market environments. This may reduce the risk of the Fund being a forced seller of assets in market downturns compared to non-perpetual funds. While we may consider a liquidity event at any time in the future, we currently do not intend to undertake a liquidity event, and we are not obligated by our charter or otherwise to effect a liquidity event at any time.

Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the “JOBS Act.” As an emerging growth company, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and disclosure requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:

 

   

have an auditor attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

   

submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes pursuant to the “say on frequency” and “say on pay” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve compensation of certain executive officers) and the “say on golden parachute” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve golden parachute arrangements for certain executive officers in connection with mergers and certain other business combinations) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; or

 

   

disclose certain executive compensation related items, such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies. This means that an emerging growth company can delay adopting certain accounting standards until such standards are otherwise applicable to private companies.

We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of: (1) the last date of the fiscal year during which we had total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more; (2) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt; or (3) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined under Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

We do not believe that being an emerging growth company will have a significant impact on our business or this offering. As stated above, we have elected to opt in to the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards available to emerging growth companies. Also, because we are not a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer under Section 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, and will not be for so long as our Common Shares are not traded on a securities exchange, we will not be subject to auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act even once we are no longer an emerging growth company. In addition, so long as we are externally managed by the Adviser and we do not directly compensate our executive officers, or reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the salaries, bonuses, benefits and severance payments for persons who also serve as one of our executive officers or as an executive officer of the Adviser, we do not expect to include disclosures relating to executive compensation in our periodic reports or proxy

 

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statements and, as a result, do not expect to be required to seek shareholder approval of executive compensation and golden parachute compensation arrangements pursuant to Section 14A(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act.

Employees

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees of the Adviser or its affiliates pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Administrator or its affiliates pursuant to the Administration Agreement. Each of our executive officers described under “Management of the Fund” is employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. Our day-to-day investment operations will be managed by the Adviser. The services necessary for the sourcing and administration of our investment portfolio will be provided by investment professionals employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Investment Team will focus on origination, non-originated investments and transaction development and the ongoing monitoring of our investments. In addition, we will reimburse the Administrator for its costs, expenses and allocable portion of overhead, including compensation paid by the Administrator (or its affiliates) to the Fund’s chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs as well as other administrative personnel (based on the percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business and affairs of the Fund).

Regulation as a BDC

The following discussion is a general summary of the material prohibitions and descriptions governing BDCs generally. It does not purport to be a complete description of all of the laws and regulations affecting BDCs.

Qualifying Assets. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than Qualifying Assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, Qualifying Assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of Qualifying Assets relevant to our business are any of the following:

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

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

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

(c) satisfies any of the following:

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

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

(iii) is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies, including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the Eligible Portfolio Company; or

(iv) is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

(2) Securities of any Eligible Portfolio Company controlled by the Fund.

(3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy

 

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and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.

(4) Securities of an Eligible Portfolio Company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and the Fund already owns 60% of the outstanding equity of the Eligible Portfolio Company.

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

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

In addition, a BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

Significant Managerial Assistance. A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as Qualifying Assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group makes available such managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance.

Temporary Investments. Pending investment in other types of Qualifying Assets, as described above, our investments can consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which are referred to herein, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets would be Qualifying Assets.

Warrants. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC is subject to restrictions on the issuance, terms and amount of warrants, options or rights to purchase shares that it may have outstanding at any time. In particular, the amount of shares that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase shares cannot exceed 25% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares.

Leverage and Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio. We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our Common Shares if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, would at least equal 150% immediately after each such issuance. On August 24, 2020, our sole shareholder approved the adoption of this 150% threshold pursuant to Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act and such election became effective the following day. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we will be required to make provisions to prohibit any dividend distribution to our shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. We will also be permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes, which borrowings would not be considered senior securities.

We intend to establish one or more credit facilities and/or subscription facilities or enter into other financing arrangements to facilitate investments and the timely payment of our expenses. It is anticipated that any such credit facilities will bear interest at floating rates at to be determined spreads over LIBOR. We cannot assure shareholders that we will be able to enter into a credit facility. Shareholders will indirectly bear the costs

 

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associated with any borrowings under a credit facility or otherwise. In connection with a credit facility or other borrowings, lenders may require us to pledge assets, commitments and/or drawdowns (and the ability to enforce the payment thereof) and may ask to comply with positive or negative covenants that could have an effect on our operations. In addition, from time to time, our losses on leveraged investments may result in the liquidation of other investments held by us and may result in additional drawdowns to repay such amounts.

We may enter into a TRS agreement. A TRS is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying the TRS, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or securities indices during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate. A TRS effectively adds leverage to a portfolio by providing investment exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. Because of the unique structure of a TRS, a TRS often offers lower financing costs than are offered through more traditional borrowing arrangements. The Fund would typically have to post collateral to cover this potential obligation. To the extent the Fund segregates liquid assets with a value equal (on a daily mark-to-market basis) to its obligations under TRS transactions, enters into offsetting transactions or otherwise covers such TRS transactions in accordance with applicable SEC guidance, the leverage incurred through TRS will not be considered a borrowing for purposes of the Fund’s overall leverage limitation.

We may also create leverage by securitizing our assets (including in CLOs) and retaining the equity portion of the securitized vehicle. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Debt Financing—We may form one or more CLOs, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.” We may also from time to time make secured loans of our marginable securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions.

Code of Ethics. We and the Adviser have adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code are permitted to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. You may read and copy this code of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. You may also obtain copies of the codes of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

Affiliated Transactions. We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our Trustees who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. We have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits us, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Other. We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act, and be subject to the periodic reporting and related requirements of the 1934 Act.

We are also required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any Trustee or officer against any liability to our shareholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

We are also required to designate a chief compliance officer and to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation.

 

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We are not permitted to change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of such company’s shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Trustees

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Trustees. The responsibilities of the Board of Trustees include, among other things, the oversight of our investment activities, the quarterly valuation of our assets, oversight of our financing arrangements and corporate governance activities. Our Board of Trustees consists of five members, three of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund or of the Adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and are “independent,” as determined by our Board of Trustees. We refer to these individuals as our independent Trustees. Our Board of Trustees elects our executive officers, who serve at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.

Trustees

Information regarding the Board of Trustees is as follows:

 

Name

  Year of Birth    

Position

  Length of
Tim Served
   

Principal

Occupation

During Past
5 Years

  Number of
Portfolio
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director(1)
   

Other

Directorships

Held by

Director

Independent Trustees

           

Robert Bass

    1949     Trustee    
Since
2020
 
 
  Vice Chairman (2006-2012) and Partner (1982-2012) of Deloitte & Touche LLP.     2     Director, Groupon Inc. (2012-present); Director, Apex Tool Group, LLC (2014-present); Director, Redfin Corporation (2016-present); Director, Sims Metal Management (2013-2018); and Director, New Page Corporation (2013-2015).

Tracy Collins

    1963     Trustee    
Since
2020
 
 
  Independent finance professional and Chief Executive Officer of SmartFinance LLC (a Fintech startup) (2013-2017).     2     Director, KKR Financial (2006-2014).

Vicki L. Fuller

    1957     Trustee    
Since
2020
 
 
  Chief Investment Officer of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (2012-2018).     2     Director, The Williams Companies (2018-present); Director, Fidelity Equity and High Income Funds (2018–present); Treliant, LLC
(international multi-industry consulting firm) (2019-present).

 

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Name

  Year of Birth  

Position

  Length of
Tim Served
   

Principal

Occupation

During Past
5 Years

  Number of
Portfolio
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director(1)
   

Other

Directorships

Held by

Director

Interested Trustees

           

Brad Marshall

  1972   Trustee, Chairperson, and Chief Executive Officer    
Since
2020
 
 
  Mr. Marshall is a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. He is a senior portfolio manager in GSO’s Performing Credit Group and oversees GSO’s Direct Lending effort. Mr. Marshall is a member of GSO’s Performing Credit Investment Committee.     2     None.

Daniel H. Smith, Jr.

  1963   Trustee    
Since
2020
 
 
  Mr. Smith is a Senior Managing Director of GSO and is Head of GSO / Blackstone Debt Funds Management LLC.     6     None.

 

 

(1)

The “Fund Complex” consists of the Fund, the GSO Closed-End Funds (BGSL, BSL, BGX, BGB and BGFLX), as well as the Blackstone Real Estate Income Funds (Blackstone Real Estate Income Fund, Blackstone Real Estate Income Fund II and Blackstone Real Estate Income Master Fund), the Blackstone Alternative Alpha Funds (Blackstone Alternative Alpha Fund, Blackstone Alternative Alpha Fund II and Blackstone Alternative Alpha Master Fund) and Blackstone Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund.

The address for each trustee is c/o Blackstone Private Credit Fund, 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10154. While we do not intend to list our shares on any securities exchange, if any class of our shares is listed on a national securities exchange, our Board of Trustees will be divided into three classes of trustees serving staggered terms of three years each.

 

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Executive Officers Who are Not Trustees

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

 

Name

 

Year

of Birth

 

Position

 

Length of
Time
Served

 

Principal Occupation

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Portfolio
Companies
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Steve Kuppenheimer

  1970   Chief Financial Officer   Since 2020   Mr. Kuppenheimer is a Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group Inc. He is part of GSO’s Performing Credit Group focused on portfolio management and capital markets. Mr. Kuppenheimer was a Senior Managing Director at Stifel Financial where he served as Head of Principal Investing and Head of Debt Capital Markets from 2010 to 2015.   2

Robert Busch

  1982   Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer   Since 2020   Mr. Busch is a Senior Vice President of The Blackstone Group Inc. Before joining GSO, Mr. Busch worked previously at Fifth Street Asset Management from 2012 to 2018, where he was Senior Vice President of Finance and served as Controller of the firm’s two publicly traded business development companies and publicly traded alternative asset manager.   6

Marisa J. Beeney

  1970   Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary   Since 2020  

Ms. Beeney is a Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group Inc. and General

Counsel of GSO.

  6

The address for each executive officer is c/o Blackstone Private Credit Fund, 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10154.

Biographical Information

The following is information concerning the business experience of our Board of Trustees and executive officers. Our Trustees have been divided into two groups—interested Trustees and independent Trustees. Interested Trustees are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act.

Interested Trustees

Brad Marshall (Portfolio Manager), Trustee, Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Senior Managing Director of Blackstone and Co-Head of Performing Credit. Mr. Marshall is Co-head of GSO’s Performing Credit Platform and a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Mr. Marshall focuses on GSO’s Direct Lending effort and is a member of the performing credit investment committee. Mr. Marshall is a Trustee and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone / GSO Secured Lending Fund (“BGSL”). Before joining GSO in 2005, at its inception, Mr. Marshall worked in various roles at RBC, including fixed income research and business development within RBC’s private equity funds effort. Prior to RBC, Mr. Marshall helped develop a private equity funds business for TAL Global, a Canadian asset management division of CIBC, and prior to that, he co-founded a microchip verification software company where he served as chief financial officer. Mr. Marshall received an MBA from McGill University in Montreal and a BA (Honors) in Economics from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.

 

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Daniel H. Smith, Jr., Trustee, Senior Managing Director of Blackstone and Head of Liquid Credit Strategies. Mr. Smith is a Trustee of the Fund, a Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group Inc. and is Head of Liquid Credit Strategies unit, which includes various commingled credit funds, permanent capital vehicles, CLOs, closed-end funds and leveraged and unleveraged separately managed accounts (“SMAs”). Mr. Smith is also the Chief Executive Officer, Trustee and Chairman of Blackstone / GSO Senior Floating Rate Term Fund (“BSL”), Blackstone / GSO Long-Short Credit Income Fund (“BGX”), Blackstone / GSO Strategic Credit Fund (“BGB”), Blackstone / GSO Floating Rate Enhanced Income Fund (“BGFLX”). He is also a trustee of BGSL. Mr. Smith joined GSO from the Royal Bank of Canada in July 2005 where he was a Managing Partner and Co-Head of RBC Capital Market’s Alternative Investments Unit. Mr. Smith joined RBC in 2001 from Indosuez Capital, a division of Crédit Agricole Indosuez, where he was a Co-Head and Managing Director overseeing the firm’s debt investments business and merchant banking activities. Prior to Indosuez Capital, Mr. Smith was a Principal at Frye-Louis Capital Management in Chicago. He began his career in investment management in 1987 at Van Kampen American Capital (f/k/a Van Kampen Merritt), a mutual fund company in Chicago where he held a variety of positions including Co-Head of the firm’s high-yield investment group and head of the firm’s equity fund complex. Mr. Smith received a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Southern California and a Masters in Management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Independent Trustees

Robert Bass. Mr. Bass has served on the board of Groupon, Inc. since June 2012. He served as a Vice Chairman of Deloitte & Touche LLP from 2006 through June 2012, and was a Partner in Deloitte from 1982 through June 2012, where he specialized in e-commerce, mergers and acquisitions, SEC filings and related issues. At Deloitte, Mr. Bass was responsible for all services provided to Forstmann Little and its portfolio companies and was the advisory partner for Blackstone, DIRECTV, 24 Hour Fitness, McKesson, IMG and CSC. In addition, he has been an advisory partner for RR Donnelley, Automatic Data Processing, Community Health Systems, and Avis Budget. Mr. Bass has served on the board of directors of Sims Metal Management (ASX: SGM.AX) and as a member of the risk and audit committee from September 2013 to December 31, 2018, including as Chairman of the risk and audit committee from November 2014, the board of directors and as a member of the audit committee of Apex Tool Group, LLC since December 2014, including as Chairman of the audit committee since April 2015, the board of directors and as Chairman of the audit committee of New Page Corporation from January 2013 (emergence from chapter XI) to January 2015 (sale of the company), and the board of directors and as Chairman of the audit committee of Redfin Corporation (NASDAQ: RDFN) since October 2016. Mr. Bass is

a certified public accountant licensed in New York and Connecticut. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Bass brings to the Board a wealth of experience and knowledge of public company financial reporting and accounting, including with respect to companies in the e-commerce sector, and his experience at the highest levels of a Big Four accounting firm is an invaluable resource to the Board in its oversight of the Fund’s SEC filings, all of which make him well qualified to serve on our Board. Mr. Bass also serves on the board of trustees of BGSL.

Tracy Collins. Ms. Collins is an independent finance professional and most recently served as CEO to SmartFinance LLC (2013-2017), a Fintech startup purchased by MidFirst Bank in December of 2017. During her career in financial services, Ms. Collins worked as a Senior Managing Director (Partner) and Head of Asset-Backed Securities Research at Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. for six years and prior to that as a Managing Director (Partner) and Head of Asset-Backed Securities and Structured Products at Credit Suisse (formerly known as Credit Suisse First Boston) for nine years. During her tenure as a structured product specialist, Ms. Collins was consistently recognized as a “First Team All American Research Analyst.” Ms. Collins served as an independent director for KKR Financial from August 2006 to May 2014. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in the Plan II Honors Program. Ms. Collins has held numerous management positions and her broad experiences in the financial services sector provide her with skills and valuable insight in handling complex financial transactions and issues, all of which make her well qualified to serve on our Board. Ms. Collins’ spouse is the founder, managing partner and co-CIO of Good Hill Partners LP (“Good Hill”). Good Hill is a registered

 

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investment adviser that manages various types of collective investment vehicles and investment accounts. Affiliates of the Adviser (but not the Adviser) have invested on behalf of their clients in Good Hill-managed vehicles or accounts since 2010, and the amount of such investment is material to Good Hill. Ms. Collins also serves on the board of trustees of BGSL.

Vicki L. Fuller. Ms. Fuller has served as a Director of The Williams Companies, Inc. since 2018. Ms. Fuller joined the board of The Williams Companies, Inc. after retirement from the New York State Common Retirement Fund (“NYSCRF”) where she served as Chief Investment Officer beginning in August 2012. NYSCRF is the third largest public pension fund in the nation and holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. Prior to joining NYSCRF, Ms. Fuller spent 27 years in leadership positions at AllianceBernstein Holding L.P., which has approximately $500 billion in assets under management. She joined the company in 1993 from the Equitable Capital Management Corporation, which was acquired by Alliance Capital Management LP (in 2000, the company became AllianceBernstein LP after the company acquired Sanford C. Bernstein). In December 2019, Ms. Fuller was appointed to the board of directors of Treliant, LLC, an international multi-industry consulting firm specializing in regulatory requirements. In 2018, Ms. Fuller was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Fidelity Equity and High Income Funds. Ms. Fuller, who was inducted into the National Association of Securities Professionals Wall Street Hall of Fame, was named to Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s “Power 100” and received the Urban Technology Center’s Corporate Leadership Award. She has also been named one of the most powerful African Americans on Wall Street by Black Enterprise. Ms. Fuller’s skills, experience, and attributes include: executive leadership, public policy and government, securities and capital markets, financial and accounting, and diversity, all of which make her well qualified to serve on our Board. Ms. Fuller also serves on the board of trustees of BGSL.

Executive Officers Who are not Trustees

Steve Kuppenheimer (Portfolio Manager), Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kuppenheimer is a Portfolio Manager and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. He is part of GSO’s Performing Credit Group focused on portfolio management and capital markets. Mr. Kuppenheimer is a member of GSO’s Investment Committee and serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Blackstone / GSO Secured Lending Fund. Before joining GSO in 2015, Mr. Kuppenheimer was a Senior Managing Director at Stifel Financial where he served as Head of Principal Investing and Head of Debt Capital Markets from 2010 to 2015. Prior to Stifel, Mr. Kuppenheimer was founder and CEO of FSI Capital, an alternative asset management company focused on U.S. credit products. Previously, Mr. Kuppenheimer was head of CLOs and structured funds for Merrill Lynch. Mr. Kuppenheimer received a J.D., with Distinction, from Emory University School of Law and a B.A. from Colgate University with Honors in Philosophy. Mr. Kuppenheimer serves on the board of trustees for the George Jackson Academy.

Robert Busch, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Busch is the Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Fund and a Senior Vice President with GSO. Mr. Busch is the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of BSL, BGX, BGB and BGFLX and the Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of BGSL. Mr. Busch joined GSO in 2018. Mr. Busch worked previously at Fifth Street Asset Management from 2012 to 2018, where he was Senior Vice President Finance and served as Controller of the firm’s two publicly traded business development companies and publicly traded alternative asset manager. Prior to that, Mr. Busch was an Audit Manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP serving clients in various industries including alternative asset management and real estate. Mr. Busch is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business where he graduated cum laude.

Marisa J. Beeney, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. Ms. Beeney has been with GSO since 2007 and is a Senior Managing Director and General Counsel of GSO. As General Counsel, Ms. Beeney works on a variety of legal matters within GSO and oversees all legal and compliance issues.

 

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Ms. Beeney is the Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of BSL, BGX, BGB, BGFLX and BGSL. Before joining GSO, Ms. Beeney was an attorney at DLA Piper within the finance group. Prior to that, she worked at Latham & Watkins primarily on project finance and development transactions, as well as leveraged finance transactions, restructurings and certain structured credit products. Ms. Beeney holds a B.S. in Engineering from Cornell University, and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Boston University.

Communications with Trustees

Shareholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board of Trustees by mail. To communicate with the Board of Trustees, any individual Trustees or any group or committee of Trustees, correspondence should be addressed to the Board of Trustees or any such individual Trustees or group or committee of Trustees by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent c/o Blackstone Private Credit Fund, 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10154, Attention: Chief Compliance Officer.

Committees of the Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees currently has two committees: an audit committee and a nominating and governance committee. We do not have a compensation committee because our executive officers do not receive any direct compensation from us. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Fund is not required to hold annual meetings.

Audit Committee. The audit committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our Board of Trustees. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the audit committee. The primary function of the audit committee is to serve as an independent and objective party to assist the Board of Trustees in selecting, engaging and discharging our independent accountants, reviewing the plans, scope and results of the audit engagement with our independent accountants, approving professional services provided by our independent accountants (including compensation therefore), reviewing the independence of our independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting. The audit committee is presently composed of three persons, including Robert Bass, Tracy Collins and Vicki L. Fuller, all of whom are considered independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Robert Bass serves as the chair of the Audit Committee. Our Board of Trustees has determined that Robert Bass qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Each of the members of the audit committee meet the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and, in addition, is not an “interested person” of the Fund or of the Adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

A copy of the charter of the Audit Committee is available in print to any shareholder who requests it, and it will also be available on the Fund’s website at www.bcred.com.

Nominating and Governance Committee. The nominating and governance committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our Board of Trustees. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the nominating and governance committee, including making nominations for the appointment or election of independent Trustees. The nominating and governance committee consists of three persons, including Robert Bass, Tracy Collins and Vicki L. Fuller, all of whom are considered independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Tracy Collins serves as the chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees to the Board of Trustees recommended by a shareholder, if such shareholder complies with the advance notice provisions of our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a shareholder who wishes to nominate a person for election as a Trustee at a meeting of shareholders must deliver written notice to our Corporate Secretary. This notice must contain, as to each nominee, all of the information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement meeting the requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and certain other information set forth in the bylaws. In order to be eligible to be a nominee for election as a Trustee by a shareholder, such potential nominee must deliver to our Corporate Secretary a written questionnaire providing the requested information about the

 

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background and qualifications of such person and a written representation and agreement that such person is not and will not become a party to any voting agreements, any agreement or understanding with any person with respect to any compensation or indemnification in connection with service on the Board, and would be in compliance with all of our publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and share ownership and trading policies and guidelines.

A copy of charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee is available in print to any shareholder who requests it, and it will also be available on the Fund’s website at www.bcred.com.

Compensation of Trustees

Our Trustees who do not also serve in an executive officer capacity for us or the Adviser are entitled to receive annual cash retainer fees, fees for participating in the in-person board and committee meetings and annual fees for serving as a committee chairperson, determined based on our net assets as of the end of each fiscal quarter. These Trustees are Robert Bass, Tracy Collins and Vicki L. Fuller. Amounts payable under the arrangement are determined and paid quarterly in arrears as follows:

 

            Annual Committee
Chair
Cash Retainer
        

Annual Cash Retainer

   Board
Meeting
Fee
     Audit      Nominating
and
Governance
     Committee
Meeting Fee
 

$50,000 (NAV up to $1 billion)

   $ 2,500      $ 7,500        None      $ 1,000  

$75,000 (NAV $1 billion to $2 billion)

   $ 2,500      $ 7,500        None      $ 1,000  

$100,000 (NAV greater than $2 billion)

   $ 2,500      $ 7,500        None      $ 1,000  

We also reimburse each of the Trustees for all reasonable and authorized business expenses in accordance with our policies as in effect from time to time, including reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board meeting and each committee meeting not held concurrently with a board meeting.

We will not pay compensation to our Trustees who also serve in an executive officer capacity for us or the Adviser.

Staffing

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees of the Adviser, pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by our Adviser. In addition, we reimburse the Administrator for our allocable portion of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including our allocable portion of the cost of our officers and their respective staffs.

Compensation of Executive Officers

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

 

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Board Leadership Structure

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Trustees. Among other things, our Board of Trustees sets broad policies for us and approves the appointment of our investment adviser, administrator and officers. The role of our Board of Trustees, and of any individual Trustee, is one of oversight and not of management of our day-to-day affairs.

Under our bylaws, our Board of Trustees may designate one of our Trustees as chair to preside over meetings of our Board of Trustees and meetings of shareholders, and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by our Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has appointed Brad Marshall to serve in the role of chairperson of the Board of Trustees. The chairperson’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. The chairperson serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the Trustees. The chairperson also may perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board of Trustees from time to time. The Board of Trustees reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board of Trustees has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board of Trustees to exercise informed and independent judgment over the matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of Trustees and the full board in a manner that enhances effective oversight.

Our Board of Trustees believes that its leadership structure is the optimal structure for us at this time. Our Board of Trustees, which will review its leadership structure periodically as part of its annual self-assessment process, further believes that its structure is presently appropriate to enable it to exercise its oversight of us.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

Our Board of Trustees performs its risk oversight function primarily through (i) its standing committees, which report to the entire Board of Trustees and are comprised solely of independent Trustees, and (ii) active monitoring of our chief compliance officer and our compliance policies and procedures. Oversight of other risks is delegated to the committees.

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

We believe that the role of our Board of Trustees in risk oversight is effective and appropriate given the extensive regulation to which we are already subject as a BDC. As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements that control the levels of risk in our business and operations. For example, we are limited in our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates, including investing in any portfolio company in which one of our affiliates currently has an investment.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

GSO Asset Management LLC will serve as our investment adviser. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our Board of Trustees, the Adviser will manage the day-to-day operations of, and provide investment advisory and management services to, us.

Investment Personnel

Our senior staff of investment personnel currently consists of the members of the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee is currently comprised of Dwight Scott, Brad Marshall, Steve Kuppenheimer, Rob Zable, Michael Zawadzki, Rob Horn, Rob Petrini, Louis Salvatore, Dan Smith and Paulo Eapen.

The Adviser is currently staffed with approximately 356 employees, including the investment personnel noted above. In addition, the Adviser may retain additional investment personnel in the future based upon its needs.

The table below shows the dollar range of Common Shares owned by the portfolio managers as of September 28, 2020:

 

Name of Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in BCRED(1)
 

Brad Marshall

     None  

Steve Kuppenheimer

     None  

Rob Zable

     None  

Michael Zawadzki

     None  

 

(1)

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

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers

The portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund also manage other registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts, as indicated below. The following table identifies, as of June 30, 2020: (i) the number of other registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager; (ii) the total assets of such companies, vehicles and accounts; and (iii) the number and total assets of such companies, vehicles and accounts that are subject to an advisory fee based on performance.

Brad Marshall

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
     Assets of
Accounts
     Number of
Accounts
Subject to a
performance
Fee
     Assets
Subject to a
performance
Fee
 

Registered investment companies

     —          —          —          —    

Other pooled investment vehicles:

     2      $ 8.167 billion        2      $ 8.167 billion  

Other accounts

     6      $ 4.597 billion        6      $ 4.597 billion  

 

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Steve Kuppenheimer

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
     Assets of
Accounts
     Number of
Accounts
Subject to a
performance
Fee
     Assets
Subject to a
performance
Fee
 

Registered investment companies

    
—  
 
    
—  
 
     —          —    

Other pooled investment vehicles:

    
—  
 
    
—  
 
    
—  
 
    
—  
 

Other accounts

     3      $ 0.552 billion        3      $ 0.552 billion  

Rob Zable

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
     Assets of
Accounts
     Number of
Accounts
Subject to a
performance
Fee
     Assets
Subject to a
performance Fee
 

Registered investment companies

     4      $ 2.008 billion        —          —    

Other pooled investment vehicles:

     37      $ 20.071 billion        37      $ 20.071 billion  

Other accounts

     1      $ 0.240 billion        —         
—  
 

Michael Zawadzki

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
     Assets of
Accounts
     Number of
Accounts
Subject to a
performance
Fee
     Assets
Subject to a
performance
Fee
 

Registered investment companies

     —          —          —          —    

Other pooled investment vehicles:

     2      $ 6.117 billion        2      $ 6.117 billion  

Other accounts

     9      $ 3.291 billion        7      $ 2.583 billion  

The Adviser

Investment Committee

Investment opportunities and follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies will generally require the unanimous approval of the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee will meet regularly to consider our investments, direct our strategic initiatives and supervise the actions taken by the Adviser on our behalf. In addition, the Investment Committee reviews and determines whether to make prospective investments identified by the Adviser and monitors the performance of our investment portfolio. The day-to-day management of investments approved by the Investment Committees will be overseen by investment personnel.

All of the Investment Committee members have ownership and financial interests in, and may receive compensation and/or profit distributions from, the Adviser. None of the Investment Committee members receive any direct compensation from us. See “Control Persons and Principal Shareholders” for additional information about equity interests held by certain of these individuals.

Members of the Investment Committee Who Are Not Our Trustees or Executive Officers

Dwight Scott, Global Head of GSO, Senior Managing Director. Mr. Scott is the Global Head of GSO and Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Prior to his current role, Mr. Scott managed the energy investing activity at GSO, where he remains active. Before joining GSO in 2005, at its inception, Mr. Scott was an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of El Paso Corporation. Prior to joining El Paso, Mr. Scott served as a

 

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Managing Director in the energy investment banking practice of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Scott is currently a Director of GEP Haynesville. He is a member of the Wall Street for McCombs Board. Mr. Scott graduated from the University of North Carolina and the University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business.

Louis Salvatore, Senior Managing Director, Co-head of Performing Credit. Mr. Salvatore is Co-head of GSO’s Performing Credit platform and a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Mr. Salvatore is a Joint Portfolio Manager for GSO’s Capital Opportunities Funds and sits on the investment committee for GSO’s performing credit funds. He also sits on the Blackstone Insurance Solutions and Blackstone Total Alternatives Solution investment committees. Before joining GSO in 2005, at its inception, Mr. Salvatore was a Principal of DLJ Investment Partners, the mezzanine fund of CSFB’s Alternative Capital Division. Mr. Salvatore joined CSFB in 2000 when it acquired DLJ, where he was a member of the Merchant Banking Group. He had been a member of DLJ’s Leveraged Finance Group, specializing in corporate restructurings. Prior to that, he worked for Kidder Peabody. Mr. Salvatore is on the board of directors (either as a member or observer) of Acrisure LLC, Community Development Capital Group IV and Loar Group. Mr. Salvatore received a BA in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Robert Petrini, Senior Managing Director, Co-head of Performing Credit. Mr. Petrini is Co-head of GSO’s Performing Credit platform and a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Mr. Petrini is a Joint Portfolio Manager for GSO’s Capital Opportunities Funds and sits on the investment committees for GSO’s performing credit funds, distressed funds and energy funds. Before joining GSO in 2005, at its inception, Mr. Petrini was a Principal of DLJ Investment Partners, the mezzanine fund of CSFB’s Alternative Capital Division. Prior to that, Mr. Petrini was a member of DLJ’s Leveraged Finance Group specializing in financial sponsor transactions since 1997. Mr. Petrini graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Joseph Wharton and Benjamin Franklin Scholar.

Michael Zawadzki (Portfolio Manager), Senior Managing Director, Co-head of Energy. Mr. Zawadzki is Co-head of GSO’s Energy platform and a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Mr. Zawadzki sits on the investment committees for GSO’s energy funds, performing credit funds and distressed funds. Before joining GSO in 2006, Mr. Zawadzki was with Citigroup Private Equity, where he completed numerous private equity and subordinated debt investments. Previously, Mr. Zawadzki worked in the investment banking division of Salomon Smith Barney. Mr. Zawadzki serves on the board of directors (as a director or observer) of 3Bear Energy, Community Development Capital Group IV, Elevation Midstream, LLC, Sequel Energy Group, Sequel Energy Group II, Targa Badlands, Twin Eagle Resources Management and WPX Energy Mineral Partners, LP. Mr. Zawadzki graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Robert Horn, Senior Managing Director, Co-head of Energy. Mr. Horn is Co-head of GSO’s Energy platform and a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Mr. Horn sits on the investment committees for GSO’s energy funds, performing credit funds and distressed funds. Before joining GSO in 2005, Mr. Horn worked in Credit Suisse’s Global Energy Group, where he advised on high yield financings and merger and acquisition assignments for companies in the power and utilities sector. Mr. Horn serves on the board of directors of various companies involved in the upstream, midstream and oilfield service sectors, including Altus Power America, Inc., Compass Well Services, Delaware Basin Investment Group, GEP Haynesville, GulfTex Energy III, GulfTex Energy IV, Legacy Reserves, M5 Midstream, M6 Midstream, MR Italia, River Bend Oil and Gas, Sanchez UnSub, and Sierra Resources Partners. Mr. Horn graduated with academic honors from McGill University.

Paulo Eapen, Senior Managing Director, Head of Europe. Mr. Eapen is Head of GSO’s European business and a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Mr. Eapen sits on the investment committees for GSO’s performing credit funds and distressed funds. Mr. Eapen is focused on the origination and management of private credit and equity investments, spanning acquisitions and corporate refinancings. These investments include a wide variety of industries and geographies, primarily headquartered in Europe. Before joining GSO in 2007, Mr. Eapen was with Citigroup Private Equity and previously worked in M&A investment banking with Salomon Smith Barney.

 

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Mr. Eapen is on the boards (as a director or observer) of Accord BidCo, iAero Group, Cobham Mission Systems and Cobham Aviation Services UK, Curium Pharma and Morson Group. Additionally, Mr. Eapen is on the board of directors for the Ubuntu Education Fund, a charitable organization. Mr. Eapen has a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and is an Infantry Officer in the Singapore Armed Forces.

Robert Zable (Portfolio Manager), Senior Managing Director. Mr. Zable is a Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for GSO’s U.S. CLOs, closed-end funds, and high yield separately managed accounts. He is also a member of GSO’s LCS Management Committee and sits on LCS’s U.S. Syndicated Credit Investment Committee, Global Structured Credit Investment Committee, Global Dynamic Credit Asset Allocation Committee, and CLO Origination Committee. Prior to joining GSO Capital Partners in 2007, Mr. Zable was a Vice President at FriedbergMilstein LLC, where he was responsible for credit opportunity investments and junior capital origination and execution. Mr. Zable began his career at JP Morgan Securities Inc., where he focused on leveraged finance in New York and London. Mr. Zable received a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.B.A in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Other Members of the Portfolio Management Team

Brad Colman, Managing Director. Mr. Colman focuses on originating, analyzing, executing and monitoring credit investments across a diverse range of industries primarily for the Direct Lending business. Mr. Colman’s responsibilities also include acting as the Portfolio Manager for the GSO Diamond Fund, which focuses on senior and stretch senior loans to middle market issuers in the U.S. Before joining Blackstone in 2012, Mr. Colman worked as a Director in the Strategic Investments group at PartnerRe, a Senior Associate in the sponsor finance team at American Capital, and an Analyst in Merrill Lynch’s investment banking group. Mr. Colman graduated magna cum laude from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business with a BS in Finance, Accounting, and Operations.

Bradley Boggess, Managing Director. Mr. Boggess is a Managing Director with GSO Capital Partners and involved with portfolio management and monitoring. Since joining Blackstone in 2018, Mr. Boggess has been focused on the GSO Advantage program, which looks to bring Blackstone’s broad set of capabilities to bear for GSO’s portfolio companies. Prior to joining Blackstone, Mr. Boggess was Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of Hudson Advisors, the asset management affiliate of Lone Star Funds since 2011. He also previously led the asset management team for private equity investments at Hudson. Mr. Boggess served as Chairman of the Board of Continental Building Products (NYSE:CBPX) and on the Board of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group (NASDAQ:DFRG) and Forterra, PLC (LSE:FORT). Prior to Hudson he had various roles as a management consultant and restructuring advisor at AlixPartners, Ariba, and Accenture. Mr. Boggess was an Armor Officer in the United States Army and received a BS in Management from Tulane University.

Joseph McKnight, Managing Director. Mr. McKnight is a Managing Director with GSO Capital Partners focused on portfolio management and monitoring in the U.S. Direct Lending business. Mr. McKnight previously focused on mezzanine lending and private equity investments as part of GSO’s energy platform. Before joining GSO Capital in 2014, Mr. McKnight served as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, where he focused on private equity and proprietary direct investments in power generation and renewable energy within the firm’s J. Aron commodity division. He previously worked as an Associate in the Natural Resources private equity vertical at Apollo Management. Mr. McKnight received a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with academic honors.

Will Sirignano, Managing Director. Mr. Sirignano has been with GSO since 2012 and is involved in sourcing and managing public corporate credit investments across various products for GSO. Additionally, Mr. Sirignano focuses on the firm’s capital markets efforts. Before joining GSO, Mr. Sirignano worked at Karsch Capital Management as a Senior Research Analyst in the fund’s high-yield and distressed credit group from 2010 to 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Sirignano was a Credit Research Analyst for Satellite Asset Management. Mr. Sirignano began his career at Lehman Brothers in their Leveraged Finance Division. Mr. Sirignano received a BA in Economics and Legal Studies from Williams College.

 

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Teddy Desloge, Principal. Mr. Desloge focuses on origination, research and execution of opportunistic and liquid credit investments across a diverse range of industries, primarily supporting various vehicles within GSO’s Direct Lending strategy. Additionally, Mr. Desloge is a member of the portfolio management team for BGSL and the Fund. Before joining GSO in 2015, Mr. Desloge was an Associate at Gefinor Capital where he focused on research and execution of private credit investments. He started his career in the Leveraged Finance Group at Jefferies. Mr. Desloge graduated with a major in Economics from Hobart & William Smith Colleges.

 

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ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

GSO Asset Management LLC is located at 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10154. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our Board of Trustees and in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Adviser manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory services to us.

Advisory Agreement

The Adviser will provide management services to us pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for the following:

 

   

determining the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes in accordance with our investment objective, policies and restrictions;

 

   

identifying investment opportunities and making investment decisions for us, including negotiating the terms of investments in, and dispositions of, portfolio securities and other instruments on our behalf;

 

   

monitoring our investments;

 

   

performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;

 

   

exercising voting rights in respect of portfolio securities and other investments for us;

 

   

serving on, and exercising observer rights for, boards of directors and similar committees of our portfolio companies;

 

   

negotiating, obtaining and managing financing facilities and other forms of leverage; and

 

   

providing us with such other investment advisory and related services as we may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of capital.

The Adviser’s services under the Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities, and it intends to do so, so long as its services to us are not impaired.

Compensation of Adviser

We will pay the Adviser a fee for its services under the Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: a management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the management fee and the incentive fee will ultimately be borne by the shareholders.

Management Fee

The management fee is payable monthly in arrears at an annual rate of 1.25% of the value of our net assets as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the applicable month. For purposes of the Advisory Agreement, net assets means our total assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For the first calendar month in which we have operations, net assets will be measured as the beginning net assets as of the date on which the Fund breaks escrow. In addition, the Adviser has agreed to waive its management fee for the first six months following the date on which we break escrow for this offering. The longer an investor holds our Common Shares during this period, the longer such investor will receive the benefit of this management fee waiver period.

Incentive Fee

The incentive fee will consist of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the incentive fee is based on a percentage of our income and a portion is based on a percentage of our capital gains, each as described below.

 

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Incentive Fee Based on Income

The portion based on our income is based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns. “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns” means, as the context requires, either the dollar value of, or percentage rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediate preceding quarter from, interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses accrued for the quarter (including the management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement entered into between us and the Administrator, and any interest expense or fees on any credit facilities or outstanding debt and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred shares, but excluding the incentive fee and any distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees).

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns include, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns do not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. The impact of expense support payments and recoupments are also excluded from Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns.

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediate preceding quarter, is compared to a “hurdle rate” of return of 1.25% per quarter (5.0% annualized).

We will pay the Adviser an incentive fee quarterly in arrears with respect to our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

   

No incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns in any calendar quarter in which our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns do not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.25% per quarter (5.0% annualized);

 

   

100% of the dollar amount of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than a rate of return of 1.43% (5.72% annualized). We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 1.43%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide the Adviser with approximately 12.5% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 1.43% in any calendar quarter; and

 

   

12.5% of the dollar amount of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, if any, that exceed a rate of return of 1.43% (5.72% annualized). This reflects that once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 12.5% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns thereafter are allocated to the Adviser.

 

LOGO

Percentage of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

Allocated to Quarterly Incentive Fee

 

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These calculations are pro-rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter. You should be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates would make it easier for us to meet or exceed the incentive fee hurdle rate and may result in a substantial increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to the Adviser with respect to Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns. Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that we may pay an incentive fee in a calendar quarter in which we incur an overall loss taking into account capital account losses. For example, if we receive Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns in excess of the quarterly hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable incentive fee even if we have incurred a loss in that calendar quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses.

The Adviser has agreed to waive the incentive fee based on income for the first six months following the date on which we break escrow for this offering. The longer an investor holds our Common Shares during this period, the longer such investor will receive the benefit of this income based incentive fee waiver period.

Incentive Fee Based on Capital Gains

The second component of the incentive fee, the capital gains incentive fee, is payable at the end of each calendar year in arrears. The amount payable equals:

 

   

12.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the end of such calendar, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fee on capital gains as calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Each year, the fee paid for the capital gains incentive fee is net of the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gains incentive fee for all prior periods. We will accrue, but will not pay, a capital gains incentive fee with respect to unrealized appreciation because a capital gains incentive fee would be owed to the Adviser if we were to sell the relevant investment and realize a capital gain. In no event will the capital gains incentive fee payable pursuant to the Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act, including Section 205 thereof.

The fees that are payable under the Advisory Agreement for any partial period will be appropriately prorated.

Administration Agreement

Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will provide, or oversee the performance of, administrative and compliance services, including, but not limited to, maintaining financial records, overseeing the calculation of NAV, compliance monitoring (including diligence and oversight of our other service providers), preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC and other regulators, preparing materials and coordinating meetings of our Board of Trustees, managing the payment of expenses, the payment and receipt of funds for investments and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others and providing office space, equipment and office services. We will reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. Such reimbursement will include the Fund’s allocable portion of compensation, overhead (including rent, office equipment and utilities) and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, including but not limited to: (i) the Fund’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs; (ii) investor relations, legal, operations and other non-investment professionals at the Administrator that perform duties for the Fund; and (iii) any internal audit group personnel of Blackstone or any of its affiliates, subject to the limitations described in Advisory and Administration Agreements. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or

 

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to a third party and we will reimburse the Administrator for any services performed for us by such affiliate or third party. The Administrator intends to hire a sub-administrator to assist in the provision of administrative services. The sub-administrator will receive compensation for its sub-administrative services under a sub-administration agreement.

The amount of the reimbursement payable to the Administrator will be the lesser of (1) the Administrator’s actual costs incurred in providing such services and (2) the amount that we estimate we would be required to pay alternative service providers for comparable services in the same geographic location. The Administrator will be required to allocate the cost of such services to us based on factors such as assets, revenues, time allocations and/or other reasonable metrics. We will not reimburse the Administrator for any services for which it receives a separate fee, or for rent, depreciation, utilities, capital equipment or other administrative items allocated to a controlling person of the Administrator.

Certain Terms of the Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement

Each of the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement has been approved by the Board of Trustees. Unless earlier terminated as described below, each of the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date it first becomes effective and will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees or by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent Trustees. We may terminate the Advisory Agreement or the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice. The decision to terminate either agreement may be made by a majority of the Board of Trustees or the shareholders holding a majority of our outstanding voting securities, which means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities. In addition, without payment of any penalty, the Adviser may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 120 days’ written notice and the Administrator may terminate the Administration Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice. The Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations in the event of its assignment.

The Adviser and the Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission or any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement, respectively, relate, provided that the Adviser and the Administrator shall not be protected against any liability to the Fund or its shareholders to which the Adviser or Administrator would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations (“disabling conduct”). Each of the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement provide that, absent disabling conduct, each of our Adviser and our Administrator, as applicable, and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) will be entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our Adviser’s services under the Advisory Agreement and our Administrator’s services under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as adviser or administrator for us. The Adviser and the Administrator shall not be liable under their respective agreements with us or otherwise for any loss due to the mistake, action, inaction, negligence, dishonesty, fraud or bad faith of any broker or other agent; provided, that such broker or other agent shall have been selected, engaged or retained and monitored by the Adviser or the Administrator in good faith, unless such action or inaction was made by reason of disabling conduct, or in the case of a criminal action or proceeding, where the Adviser or Administrator had reasonable cause to believe its conduct was unlawful. In addition, we will not provide for indemnification of an Indemnified Party for any liability or loss suffered by such Indemnified Party, nor will we provide that an Indemnified Party be held harmless for any loss or liability suffered by us, unless: (1) we have determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in our best interest; (2) the Indemnified Party was acting on our behalf or performing services for us;

 

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(3) such liability or loss was not the result of negligence or misconduct, in the case that the Indemnified Party is the Adviser or Administrator, as applicable, an affiliate of the Adviser or Administrator or one of our officers; and (4) the indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of our net assets and not from our shareholders.

Payment of Our Expenses Under the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements

Except as specifically provided below, all investment professionals and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services to us, and the base compensation, bonus and benefits, and the routine overhead expenses, of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser. We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to:

1. investment advisory fees, including management fees and incentive fees, to the Adviser, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement;

2. the Fund’s allocable portion of compensation, overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, including but not limited to: (i) the Fund’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs; (ii) investor relations, legal, operations and other non-investment professionals at the Administrator that perform duties for the Fund; and (iii) any internal audit group personnel of Blackstone or any of its affiliates, subject to the limitations described in “Advisory and Administration Agreement—Administration Agreement”; and

3. all other expenses of the Fund’s operations and transactions, including those listed in “Plan of Operation—Expenses.”

From time to time, the Adviser, the Administrator or their affiliates may pay third-party providers of goods or services. We will reimburse the Adviser, the Administrator or such affiliates thereof for any such amounts paid on our behalf. From time to time, the Adviser or the Administrator may defer or waive fees and/or rights to be reimbursed for expenses. All of the foregoing expenses will ultimately be borne by our shareholders.

Costs and expenses of the Administrator and the Adviser that are eligible for reimbursement by the Fund will be reasonably allocated to the Fund on the basis of time spent, assets under management, usage rates, proportionate holdings, a combination thereof or other reasonable methods determined by the Administrator.

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Our Board, including our independent Trustees, approved the Advisory Agreement at a meeting held on August 21, 2020. In reaching a decision to approve the Advisory Agreement, the Board reviewed a significant amount of information and considered, among other things:

 

   

the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser;

 

   

the proposed investment advisory fee rates to be paid by the Fund to the Adviser;

 

   

the fee structures of comparable externally managed business development companies that engage in similar investing activities;

 

   

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

 

   

information about the services to be performed and the personnel who would be performing such services under the Advisory Agreement; and

 

   

the organizational capability and financial condition of the Adviser and its affiliates.

Based on the information reviewed and the discussion thereof, the Board, including a majority of the non-interested trustees, concluded that the investment advisory fee rates are reasonable in relation to the services to be provided and approved the Advisory Agreement as being in the best interests of our shareholders.

 

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Prohibited Activities

Our activities are subject to compliance with the 1940 Act. In addition, our Declaration of Trust prohibits the following activities among us, the Adviser and its affiliates:

 

   

We may not purchase or lease assets in which the Adviser or its affiliates has an interest unless (i) we disclose the terms of the transaction to our shareholders, the terms are reasonable to us and the price does not exceed the lesser of cost or fair market value, as determined by an independent expert or (ii) such purchase or lease of assets is consistent with the 1940 Act or an exemptive order under the 1940 Act issued to us by the SEC;

 

   

We may not invest in general partnerships or joint ventures with affiliates and non-affiliates unless certain conditions are met;

 

   

The Adviser and its affiliates may not acquire assets from us unless (i) approved by our shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter or (ii) such acquisition is consistent with the 1940 Act or an exemptive order under the 1940 Act issued to us by the SEC;

 

   

We may not lease assets to the Adviser or its affiliates unless we disclose the terms of the transaction to our shareholders and such terms are fair and reasonable to us;

 

   

We may not make any loans, credit facilities, credit agreements or otherwise to the Adviser or its affiliates except for the advancement of funds as permitted by our Declaration of Trust or unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC;

 

   

We may not acquire assets in exchange for our Common Shares;

 

   

We may not pay a commission or fee, either directly or indirectly to the Adviser or its affiliates, except as otherwise permitted by our Declaration of Trust, in connection with the reinvestment of cash flows from operations and available reserves or of the proceeds of the resale, exchange or refinancing of our assets;

 

   

The Adviser may not charge duplicate fees to us; and

 

   

The Adviser may not provide financing to us with a term in excess of 12 months.

In addition, in the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser agrees that its activities will at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state securities laws governing its operations and investments.

Compliance with the Omnibus Guidelines Published by NASAA

Rebates, Kickbacks and Reciprocal Arrangements

Our Declaration of Trust prohibits our Adviser from: (i) receiving or accepting any rebate, give-ups or similar arrangement that is prohibited under applicable federal or state securities laws, (ii) participating in any reciprocal business arrangement that would circumvent provisions of applicable federal or state securities laws governing conflicts of interest or investment restrictions or (iii) entering into any agreement, arrangement or understanding that would circumvent the restrictions against dealing with affiliates or promoters under applicable federal or state securities laws. In addition, our Adviser may not directly or indirectly pay or award any fees or commissions or other compensation to any person or entity engaged to sell our shares or give investment advice to a potential shareholder; provided, however, that our Adviser may pay a registered broker or other properly licensed agent sales commissions or other compensation (including cash compensation and non-cash compensation (as such terms are defined under FINRA Rule 2310)) for selling or distributing our Common Shares, including out of the Adviser’s own assets, including those amounts paid to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement.

Commingling

The Adviser may not permit our funds to be commingled with the funds of any other entity.

 

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POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Firm will be subject to certain conflicts of interest with respect to the services the Adviser and the Administrator provide to us. These conflicts will arise primarily from the Firm, in other activities that may conflict with our activities. You should be aware that individual conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of your interest. The foregoing list of conflicts does not purport to be a complete enumeration or explanation of the actual and potential conflicts involved in an investment in the Fund.

Performance Based Compensation and Management Fees. The existence of the incentive fees payable to GSO may create a greater incentive for GSO to make more speculative investments on behalf of the Fund, or to time the purchase or sale of investments in a manner motivated by the personal interests of GSO and/or Blackstone personnel. However, the fact that the hurdle rate for the incentive fee based on income is calculated on an aggregate basis each quarter and that realized and unrealized losses are netted against realized gains for the incentive fee based on capital gains should reduce the incentives for the Adviser to make more speculative investments or otherwise time the purchase or sale of investments.

In addition, the manner in which the Adviser’s entitlement to incentive fees is determined may result in a conflict between its interests and the interests of shareholders with respect to the sequence and timing of disposals of investments, as the Adviser may want to dispose of lower yielding investments in favor of higher yielding ones. With respect to the Adviser’s entitlement to incentive fees on capital gains, the Adviser may be incentivized to realize capital gains prior to a year end if such gains, net of realized and unrealized losses, would result in an incentive fee on capital gains.

The Firm’s Policies and Procedures. Because the Firm has many different asset management and advisory businesses, it is subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest, greater regulatory oversight and more legal and contractual restrictions than that to which it would be subject if it had just one line of business. Certain policies and procedures implemented by the Firm to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and address certain regulatory requirements and contractual restrictions, such as the Firm’s information wall policy, will from time to time reduce the synergies and collaboration across the Firm’s various businesses that the Fund expects to draw on for purposes of identifying, pursuing and managing attractive investment opportunities. For example, the Firm will come into possession of material non-public information with respect to companies, including companies in which the Fund has investments or is considering making investments. The information, which could be of benefit to the Fund, is likely to be restricted to those other businesses and otherwise be unavailable to the Fund. It is also possible that the Fund could be restricted from trading despite the fact that the Fund did not receive such information. Additionally, the Firm may restrict or otherwise limit the Fund and/or its portfolio companies from entering into agreements with, or related to, companies that either are advisory clients of the Firm or in which any fund of the Firm has invested or has considered making an investment. The Firm will from time to time restrict or otherwise limit the ability of the Fund and/or its portfolio companies to make investments in or otherwise engage in businesses or activities competitive with companies of other advisory clients of the Firm, either as a result of contractual restrictions or otherwise. Furthermore, there will be circumstances in which affiliates of the Firm (including Other Clients) may refrain from taking certain confidential information in order to avoid trading restrictions. Finally, the Firm has and will enter into one or more strategic relationships in certain regions or with respect to certain types of investments that, although possibly intended to provide greater opportunities for the Fund, may require the Fund to share such opportunities or otherwise limit the amount of an opportunity the Fund can otherwise take. There can be no assurance that additional restrictions will not be imposed that would further limit the ability of the Firm to share information internally.

Broad and Wide-Ranging Activities. The Firm engages in a broad spectrum of activities. In the ordinary course of its business activities, the Firm will engage in activities where the interests of certain divisions of the Firm or the interests of its clients will conflict with the interests of the shareholders in the Fund. Other present and future activities of the Firm will give rise to additional conflicts of interest. In the event that a conflict of interest arises, the Adviser will attempt to resolve such conflict in a fair and equitable manner. Subject to

 

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applicable law, including the 1940 Act, and the Board of Trustees’ oversight, the Adviser will have the power to resolve, or consent to the resolution of, conflicts of interest on behalf of the Fund. Investors should be aware that conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of the Fund’s interests. In addition, the Adviser may in certain situations choose to consult with or obtain the consent of the Board of Trustees with respect to any specific conflict of interest, including with respect to the approvals required under the 1940 Act, including Section 57(f), and the Advisers Act. The Fund may enter into joint transactions or cross-trades with clients or affiliates of the Adviser to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act and any applicable co-investment order from the SEC. Subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in loans or other securities, the proceeds of which may refinance or otherwise repay debt or securities of companies whose debt is owned by other GSO funds.

Allocation of Personnel. The Adviser and its members, officers and employees will devote as much of their time to the activities of the Fund as they deem necessary to conduct its business affairs in an appropriate manner. By the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Firm is not restricted from forming additional investment funds, from entering into other investment advisory relationships or from engaging in other business activities, even though such activities may be in competition with the Fund and/or may involve substantial time and resources of the Adviser. Firm personnel, including members of the investment committee, will work on other projects, serve on other committees and source potential investments for and otherwise assist the investment programs of Other Clients and their portfolio companies, including other investment programs to be developed in the future. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the members of the Adviser and its officers and employees will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Fund, but will be allocated between the business of the Fund and the management of the monies of such other advisees of the Adviser. Time spent on these other initiatives diverts attention from the activities of the Fund, which could negatively impact the Fund shareholders. Furthermore, GSO and GSO personnel derive financial benefit from these other activities, including fees and performance-based compensation. Firm personnel outside of GSO may share in the fees and performance-based compensation from the Fund; similarly, GSO personnel may share in the fees and performance-based compensation generated by Other Clients. These and other factors create conflicts of interest in the allocation of time by Firm personnel. GSO’s determination of the amount of time necessary to conduct the Fund’s activities will be conclusive, and shareholders rely on GSO’s judgment in this regard.

Outside Activities of Principals and Other Personnel and their Related Parties. Certain of the principals and employees of the Adviser may be subject to a variety of conflicts of interest relating to their responsibilities to the Fund. Other clients and their respective portfolio companies, and their outside business activities as members of investment or advisory committees or boards of directors of or advisors to investment funds, corporations, foundations or other organizations. Such positions create a conflict if such other entities have interests that are adverse to those of the Fund, including if such other entities compete with the Fund for investment opportunities or other resources. The other managed accounts and/or investment funds in which such individuals may become involved may have investment objectives that overlap with the Fund. Furthermore, certain principals and employees of the Adviser may have a greater financial interest in the performance of such other funds or accounts than the performance of the Fund. Such involvement may create conflicts of interest in making investments on behalf of the Fund and such other funds and accounts. Although such principals and employees will seek to limit any such conflicts in a manner that is in accordance with their fiduciary duties to the Fund, there can be no assurance they will be resolved favorably for the Fund. Also, Blackstone personnel, Firm employees, including employees of the Adviser, are generally permitted to invest in alternative investment funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge funds or other investment vehicles, including potential competitors of the Fund. Shareholders will not receive any benefit from any such investments, and the financial incentives of such Firm employees in such other investments could be greater than their financial incentives in relation to the Fund.

Additionally, certain employees and other professionals of the Firm have family members or relatives employed by such advisers and service providers (or their affiliates) or otherwise actively involved in industries and sectors in which the Fund invests, or have business, financial, personal or other relationships with companies

 

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in such industries and sectors (including the advisors and service providers described above) or other industries, which gives rise to potential or actual conflicts of interest. For example, such family members or relatives might be employees, officers, directors or owners of companies or assets that are actual or potential investments of the Fund or other counterparties of the Fund and its portfolio companies and/or assets. Moreover, in certain instances, the Fund or its portfolio companies may issue loans to or acquire securities from, or otherwise transact with, companies that are owned by such family members or relatives or in respect of which such family members or relatives have other involvement. These relationships may influence Blackstone, the Adviser and/or GSO in deciding whether to select or recommend such service providers to perform services for the Fund or portfolio companies (the cost of which will generally be borne directly or indirectly by the Fund or such portfolio companies, as applicable). Notwithstanding the foregoing, investment transactions relating to the Fund that require the use of a service provider will generally be allocated to service providers on the basis of best execution, the evaluation of which includes, among other considerations, such service provider’s provision of certain investment-related services and research that the Adviser believes to be of benefit to the Fund. To the extent that the Firm determines appropriate, conflict mitigation strategies may be put in place with respect to a particular circumstance, such as internal information barriers or recusal, disclosure or other steps determined appropriate by the Firm. The shareholders rely on the Firm to manage these conflicts in its sole discretion.

Secondments and Internships. Certain personnel of the Firm and its affiliates, including consultants, will, in certain circumstances, be seconded to one or more portfolio companies, vendors, service providers and vendors or shareholders or other investors of the Fund and Other Clients to provide services, including the sourcing of investments for the Fund or other parties. The salaries, benefits, overhead and other similar expenses for such personnel during the secondment could be borne by the Firm and its affiliates or the organization for which the personnel are working or both. In addition, personnel of portfolio companies, vendors and service providers (including law firms and accounting firms) and shareholders or other investors of the Fund and Other Clients will, in certain circumstances, be seconded to, serve internships at or otherwise provide consulting services to, the Firm, the Fund, Other Clients and portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients. While often the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies are the beneficiaries of these types of arrangements, the Firm is from time to time a beneficiary of these arrangements as well, including in circumstances where the vendor or service provider also provides services to the Fund, Other Clients, their portfolio companies or the Firm in the ordinary course. The Firm, the Fund, Other Clients or their portfolio companies could receive benefits from these arrangements at no cost, or alternatively could pay all or a portion of the fees, compensation or other expenses in respect of these arrangements. The management fee will not be reduced as a result of these arrangements or any fees, expense reimbursements or other costs related thereto and the Fund may not receive any benefit as a result of these arrangements. The personnel described above may provide services in respect of multiple matters, including in respect of matters related to the Firm, the Fund, Other Clients, portfolio companies, each of their respective affiliates and related parties, and the Firm will endeavor in good faith to allocate the costs of these arrangements, if any, to the Firm, the Fund, Other Clients, portfolio companies and other parties based on time spent by the personnel or another methodology the Firm deems appropriate in a particular circumstance.

Other Benefits. GSO and its personnel will receive certain intangible and/or other benefits, rebates and/or discounts and/or perquisites arising or resulting from their activities on behalf of the Fund, which will not reduce the management fee or incentive fees or otherwise be shared with the Fund, investors and/or portfolio companies. For example, airline travel or hotel stays incurred as Fund expenses, as set forth in the Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement (“Fund Expenses”), may result in “miles” or “points” or credit in loyalty/status programs, and such benefits and/or amounts will, whether or not de minimis or difficult to value, inure exclusively to GSO and/or such personnel (and not the Fund and/or portfolio companies) even though the cost of the underlying service is borne by the Fund and/or portfolio companies. GSO, its personnel, and other related persons also receive discounts on products and services provided by portfolio companies and/or customers or suppliers of such portfolio companies. Such other benefits or fees may give rise to conflicts of interest in connection with the Fund’s investment activities, and while the Adviser and GSO will seek to resolve any such conflicts in a fair and equitable manner, there is no assurance that any such conflicts will be resolved in favor of

 

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the Fund. (See also “—Portfolio Company Service Providers and Vendors” and “—Portfolio Company Relationships Generally” below.)

Senior Advisors, Industry Experts and Operating Partners. GSO may engage and retain strategic advisers, consultants, senior advisors, executive advisers, industry experts, operating partners, deal sourcers, consultants and other similar professionals (which may include former employees of Blackstone and/or GSO, as well as current employees of Blackstone’s and/or GSO’s portfolio companies) (“Senior and Other Advisors”) who are not employees or affiliates of GSO and who will, from time to time, receive payments from, or allocations of a profits interest with respect to, portfolio companies (as well as from GSO or the Fund). In particular, in some cases, consultants, including those with a “Senior Advisor” title, have been and will be engaged with the responsibility to source and recommend transactions to GSO or to undertake a build-up strategy to acquire and develop assets and businesses in a particular sector or involving a particularly strategy, potentially on a full-time and/or exclusive basis and notwithstanding any overlap with the responsibilities of GSO under the Advisory Agreement, the compensation to such consultants may be borne fully by the Fund and/or portfolio companies (with no reduction to management fee payable by the Fund) and not GSO. In such circumstances, such payments from, or allocations of a profits interest with respect to, portfolio companies and/or the Fund may, subject to applicable law, be treated as Fund Expenses and will not, even if they have the effect of reducing any retainers or minimum amounts otherwise payable by GSO, be deemed paid to or received by GSO, and such amounts will not reduce the management fees or incentive fees payable.

To the extent permitted by applicable law and/or any applicable SEC-granted exemptive or no-action relief, these Senior and Other Advisors often have the right or may be offered the ability to (i) co-invest alongside the Fund, including in the specific investments in which they are involved (and for which they may be entitled to receive performance-related incentive fees, which will reduce the Fund’s returns), (ii) otherwise participate in equity plans for management of any such portfolio company or (iii) invest directly in the Fund or in a vehicle controlled by the Fund subject to reduced or waived management fees and/or incentive fees, including after the termination of their engagement by or other status with the Firm. Such co-investment and/or participation generally will result in the Fund being allocated a smaller share of the applicable investment will not be considered as part of the Firm’s side-by-side co-investment rights. Such co-investment and/or participation may vary by transaction and such participation may, depending on its structure, reduce the Fund’s returns. Additionally, and notwithstanding the foregoing, these Senior and Other Advisors, as well as other Blackstone Clients, may be (or have the preferred right to be) investors in GSO’s portfolio companies (which, in some cases, may involve agreements to pay performance fees or allocate profits interests to such persons in connection with the Fund’s investment therein, which will reduce the Fund’s returns) and/or Other Clients. Such Senior and Other Advisors, as well as other Blackstone Clients, may also, subject to applicable law, have rights to co-invest with the Fund on a side-by-side basis, which rights are generally offered on a no-fee/no-carried interest basis and generally result in the Fund being allocated a smaller share of an investment than would otherwise be the case in the absence of such side-by-side participation.

The time, dedication and scope of work of, and the nature of the relationship with each of the Senior and Other Advisors vary considerably. In certain cases, they may provide the Adviser and/or GSO with industry- specific insights and feedback on investment themes, assist in transaction due diligence or make introductions to and provide reference checks on management teams. In other cases, they take on more extensive roles (and may be exclusive service providers to GSO) and serve as executives or directors on the boards of portfolio companies or contribute to the identification and origination of new investment opportunities. The Fund may rely on these Senior and Other Advisors to recommend GSO as a preferred investment partner, identify investments, source opportunities, and otherwise carry out its investment program, but there is no assurance that these advisers will continue to be involved with the Fund for any length of time. In certain instances, GSO has formal arrangements with these Senior and Other Advisors (which may or may not be terminable upon notice by any party), and in other cases the relationships are more informal. They are either compensated (including pursuant to retainers and expense reimbursement, and, in any event, pursuant to negotiated arrangements that will not be confirmed as being comparable to the market rates for such services) by GSO, the Fund, and/or portfolio companies or

 

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otherwise uncompensated unless and until an engagement with a portfolio company develops. In certain cases, they have certain attributes of GSO “employees” (e.g., they may have dedicated offices at GSO, receive administrative support from GSO personnel, participate in general meetings and events for GSO personnel, work on GSO matters as their primary or sole business activity, service GSO exclusively, have GSO-related e-mail addresses and/or business cards and participate in certain benefit arrangements typically reserved for GSO employees, etc.) even though they are not considered GSO employees, affiliates or personnel for purposes of the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and GSO. Some Senior and Other Advisors work only for the Fund and its portfolio companies, while others may have other clients. Senior and Other Advisors could have conflicts of interest between their work for the Fund and its portfolio companies, on the one hand, and themselves or other clients, on the other hand, and GSO is limited in its ability to monitor and mitigate these conflicts. GSO expects, where applicable, to allocate the costs of such Senior and Other Advisors to the Fund and/or applicable portfolio companies, and to the extent any such costs are allocated to the Fund, they would be treated as Fund Expenses. Payments or allocations to Senior and Other Advisors will not be reduced by the management fee, and can be expected to increase the overall costs and expenses borne indirectly by investors in the Fund. There can be no assurance that any of the Senior and Other Advisors, to the extent engaged, will continue to serve in such roles and/or continue their arrangements with GSO, the Fund and/or any portfolio companies for the duration of the relevant investments or throughout the term of the Fund.

As an example of the foregoing, in certain investments through platform arrangements, the Fund will from time to time enter into an arrangement with one or more individuals (who may be former personnel of the Firm or current or former personnel of portfolio companies of the Fund or Other Clients, may have experience or capability in sourcing or managing investments, and may form a management team) to undertake a build-up strategy to acquire and develop assets and businesses in a particular sector or involving a particular strategy. The services provided by such individuals or relevant portfolio company, as the case may be, could include the following with respect to investments: origination or sourcing, due diligence, evaluation, negotiation, servicing, development, management (including turnaround) and disposition. The individuals or relevant portfolio company could be compensated with a salary and equity incentive plan, including a portion of profits derived from the Fund or a portfolio company or asset of the Fund, or other long- term incentive plans. Compensation could also be based on assets under management, a waterfall similar to a carried interest, respectively, or other similar metric. The Fund could initially bear the cost of overhead (including rent, utilities, benefits, salary or retainers for the individuals or their affiliated entities) and the sourcing, diligence and analysis of investments, as well as the compensation for the individuals and entity undertaking the build-up strategy. Such expenses could be borne directly by the Fund as Fund Expenses (or Broken Deal Expense (as defined below), if applicable) or indirectly through expenditures by a portfolio company. None of the fees, costs or expenses described above will reduce the management fee.

In addition, the Adviser may engage third parties as Senior and Other Advisors (or in another similar capacity) in order to advise it with respect to existing investments, specific investment opportunities, and economic and industry trends. Such Senior and Other Advisors may receive reimbursement of reasonable related expenses by portfolio companies or the Fund and may have the opportunity to invest in a portion of the equity and/or debt available to the Fund for investment that would otherwise be taken by the Adviser and its affiliates. If such Senior and Other Advisors generate investment opportunities on the Fund’s behalf, such Senior and Other Advisors may receive special additional fees or allocations comparable to those received by a third party in an arm’s length transaction and such additional fees or allocations would be borne fully by the Fund and/or portfolio companies (with no reduction to management fees) and not GSO.

Multiple Firm Business Lines. The Firm has multiple business lines, including the Blackstone Capital Markets, which, subject to applicable law, Blackstone, GSO, the Fund, Other Clients, portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients and third parties may engage for debt and equity financings and to provide other investment banking, brokerage, investment advisory or other services. As a result of these activities, the Firm is subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest, greater regulatory oversight and more legal and contractual restrictions than if it had one line of business. For example, the Firm may come into possession of

 

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information that limits the Fund’s ability to engage in potential transactions. Similarly, other Firm businesses and their personnel may be prohibited by law or contract from sharing information with GSO that would be relevant to monitoring the Fund’s investments and other activities. Additionally, Blackstone, GSO or Other Clients can be expected to enter into covenants that restrict or otherwise limit the ability of the Fund or its portfolio companies and their affiliates to make investments in, or otherwise engage in, certain businesses or activities. For example, Other Clients could have granted exclusivity to a joint venture partner that limits the Fund and Other Clients from owning assets within a certain distance of any of the joint venture’s assets, or Blackstone, GSO or an Other Client could have entered into a non-compete in connection with a sale or other transaction. These types of restrictions may negatively impact the ability of the Fund to implement its investment program. (See also “—Other Blackstone and GSO Clients; Allocation of Investment Opportunities”). Finally, Blackstone and GSO personnel who are members of the investment team or investment committee may be excluded from participating in certain investment decisions due to conflicts involving other Firm businesses or for other reasons, in which case the Fund will not benefit from their experience. The shareholders will not receive a benefit from any fees earned by the Firm or their personnel from these other businesses.

Blackstone is under no obligation to decline any engagements or investments in order to make an investment opportunity available to the Fund. The Firm has long-term relationships with a significant number of corporations and their senior management. In determining whether to invest in a particular transaction on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser will consider those relationships and may decline to participate in a transaction as a result of one or more of such relationships (e.g., investments in a competitor of a client or other person with whom Blackstone has a relationship). The Fund may be forced to sell or hold existing investments as a result of investment banking relationships or other relationships that the Firm may have or transactions or investments the Firm may make or have made. (See “—Other Blackstone and GSO Clients; Allocation of Investment Opportunities” and “—Portfolio Company Relationships Generally.”) Subject to the 1940 Act and any applicable co-investment order issued by the SEC, the Fund may also co-invest with clients of the Firm in particular investment opportunities, and the relationship with such clients could influence the decisions made by the Adviser with respect to such investments. There can be no assurance that all potentially suitable investment opportunities that come to the attention of the Firm will be made available to the Fund.

Finally, Blackstone and other Blackstone Clients could acquire shares in the Fund in the secondary market. Blackstone and other Blackstone Clients would generally have greater information than counterparties in such transactions, and the existence of such business could produce conflicts, including in the valuation of the Fund’s Investments.

Minority Investments in Asset Management Firms. Blackstone and other Blackstone Clients, including Blackstone Strategic Capital Holdings (“BSCH”) and its related parties, regularly make minority investments in alternative asset management firms that are not affiliated with Blackstone, the Fund, other Blackstone Clients and their respective portfolio companies, and which may from time to time engage in similar investment transactions, including with respect to purchase and sale of investments, with these asset management firms and their sponsored funds and portfolio companies. Typically, the Blackstone related party with an interest in the asset management firm would be entitled to receive a share of carried interest/performance based incentive compensation and net fee income or revenue share generated by the various products, vehicles, funds and accounts managed by that third party asset management firm that are included in the transaction or activities of the third party asset management firm, or a subset of such activities such as transactions with a Blackstone related party. In addition, while such minority investments are generally structured so that Blackstone does not “control” such third party asset management firms, Blackstone may nonetheless be afforded certain governance rights in relation to such investments (typically in the nature of “protective” rights, negative control rights or anti-dilution arrangements, as well as certain reporting and consultation rights) that afford Blackstone the ability to influence the firm. Although Blackstone and other Blackstone Clients, including BSCH, do not intend to control such third party asset management firms, there can be no assurance that all third parties will similarly conclude that such investments are non-control investments or that, due to the provisions of the governing documents of such third party asset management firms or the interpretation of applicable law or regulations,

 

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investments by Blackstone and other Blackstone Clients, including BSCH, will not be deemed to have control elements for certain contractual, regulatory or other purposes. While such third party asset managers may not be affiliated with the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, Blackstone may, under certain circumstances, be in a position to influence the management and operations of such asset managers and the existence of its economic/ revenue sharing interest therein may give rise to conflicts of interest. Participation rights in a third party asset management firm (or other similar business), negotiated governance arrangements and/or the interpretation of applicable law or regulations could expose the investments of the Fund to claims by third parties in connection with such investments (as indirect owners of such asset management firms or similar businesses) that may have an adverse financial or reputational impact on the performance of the Fund. The Fund, its affiliates and their respective portfolio companies may from time to time engage in transactions with, and buy and sell investments from, any such third party asset managers and their sponsored funds and transactions and other commercial arrangements between such third party asset managers and the Fund and its portfolio companies are not subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. There can be no assurance that the terms of these transactions between parties related to Blackstone, on the one hand, and the Fund and its portfolio companies, on the other hand, will be at arm’s length or that Blackstone will not receive a benefit from such transactions, which can be expected to incentivize Blackstone to cause these transactions to occur. By executing a subscription agreement with respect to the Fund, each shareholder acknowledges these conflicts related to investments in and arrangements with other asset management firms, acknowledges that these conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of the Fund, agrees that shareholders will not be entitled to receive notice or disclosure of the terms or occurrence of either the investments in alternative asset management firms or transactions therewith, otherwise understands that shareholders will not receive any benefit from such transactions, consents to all such transactions and arrangements to the fullest extent permitted by law, and waives any claim against the Firm and releases the Firm from any liability arising from the existence of any such conflict of interest.

Data. The Firm receives or obtains various kinds of data and information from the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, including data and information relating to business operations, trends, budgets, customers and other metrics, some of which is sometimes referred to as “big data.” The Firm can be expected to be better able to anticipate macroeconomic and other trends, and otherwise develop investment themes, as a result of its access to (and rights regarding) this data and information from the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies. The Firm has entered and will continue to enter into information sharing and use arrangements with the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, related parties and service providers, which may give the Firm access to (and rights regarding) data that it would not otherwise obtain in the ordinary course. Although the Firm believes that these activities improve the Firm’s investment management activities on behalf of the Fund and Other Clients, information obtained from the Fund and its portfolio companies also provides material benefits to Blackstone, GSO or Other Clients without compensation or other benefit accruing to the Fund or shareholders. For example, information from a portfolio company in which the Fund holds an interest can be expected to enable the Firm to better understand a particular industry and execute trading and investment strategies in reliance on that understanding for Blackstone, GSO and Other Clients that do not own an interest in the portfolio company, without compensation or benefit to the Fund or its portfolio companies.

Furthermore, except for contractual obligations to third parties to maintain confidentiality of certain information, and regulatory limitations on the use of material nonpublic information, the Firm is generally free to use data and information from the Fund’s activities to assist in the pursuit of the Firm’s various other activities, including to trade for the benefit of the Firm and/or an Other Client. Any confidentiality obligations in the operative documents do not limit the Firm’s ability to do so. For example, the Firm’s ability to trade in securities of an issuer relating to a specific industry may, subject to applicable law, be enhanced by information of a portfolio company in the same or related industry. Such trading can be expected to provide a material benefit to the Firm without compensation or other benefit to the Fund or shareholders.

The sharing and use of “big data” and other information presents potential conflicts of interest and the shareholders acknowledge and agree that any benefits received by the Firm or its personnel (including fees, costs and expenses) will not reduce the management fees or incentive fees payable to the Adviser or otherwise be

 

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shared with the Fund or shareholders. As a result, the Adviser has an incentive to pursue investments that have data and information that can be utilized in a manner that benefits the Firm or Other Clients.

Data Management Services. Blackstone or an affiliate of Blackstone formed in the future may provide Data Management Services (as defined below) to portfolio companies and may also provide such services directly to the Fund and Other Clients (collectively, “Data Holders”). Such services may include assistance with obtaining, analyzing, curating, processing, packaging, organizing, mapping, holding, transforming, enhancing, marketing and selling such data (among other related data management and consulting services) for monetization through licensing or sale arrangements with third parties and, subject to applicable law and the limitations in the Advisory Agreement and any other applicable contractual limitations, with the Fund, Other Clients, portfolio companies and other Blackstone affiliates and associated entities (including funds in which Blackstone and Other Clients make investments, and portfolio companies thereof) (the “Data Management Services”). Where Blackstone believes appropriate, data from one Data Holder may be pooled with data from other Data Holders. Any revenues arising from such pooled data sets would be allocated between applicable Data Holders on a fair and reasonable basis as determined by GSO in its sole discretion, with GSO able to make corrective allocations should it determine subsequently that such corrections were necessary or advisable. Blackstone is expected to receive compensation for such Data Management Services, which may include a percentage of the revenues generated through any licensing or sale arrangements with respect to the relevant data, and which compensation may also include fees, royalties and cost and expense reimbursement (including start-up costs and allocable overhead associated with personnel working on relevant matters (including salaries, benefits and other similar expenses)), provided that any compensation amounts will not exceed market rates for such services as determined by GSO to be appropriate under the circumstances. Additionally, Blackstone may determine to share the products from such Data Management Services within Blackstone or its affiliates (including Other Clients or their portfolio companies) at no charge and, in such cases, the Data Holders would not receive any financial or other benefit from having provided such data to Blackstone. The potential receipt of such compensation by Blackstone could create incentives for the Firm to cause the Fund to invest in portfolio companies with a significant amount of data that it might not otherwise have invested in or on terms less favorable than it otherwise would have sought to obtain.

Blackstone and GSO Strategic Relationships. Blackstone and GSO have entered, and it can be expected that Blackstone and GSO in the future will enter, into strategic relationships with investors (and/or one or more of their affiliates) that involve an overall relationship with Blackstone or GSO that could incorporate one or more strategies in addition to the Fund’s strategy (“Strategic Relationships”), with terms and conditions applicable solely to such investor and its investment in multiple Blackstone or GSO strategies that would not apply to any other investor’s investment in the Fund. A Strategic Relationship often involves an investor agreeing to make a capital commitment to or investment in (as applicable) multiple Blackstone or GSO funds, one of which may include the Fund. Shareholders will not receive a copy of any agreement memorializing such a Strategic Relationship program (even if in the form of a side letter) and will be unable to elect in the “most-favored- nations” election process any rights or benefits afforded through a Strategic Relationship. Specific examples of such additional rights and benefits include, among others, specialized reporting, discounts on and/or reimbursement of management fees or carried interest, secondment of personnel from the investor to Blackstone or GSO (or vice versa), rights to participate in the investment review and evaluation process, as well as priority rights or targeted amounts for co-investments alongside GSO or Blackstone funds (including, without limitation, preferential or favorable allocation of co-investment and preferential terms and conditions related to co-investment or other participation in Blackstone or GSO funds (including in respect of any carried interest and/ or management fees to be charged with respect thereto, as well as any additional discounts or rebates with respect thereto or other penalties that may result if certain target co-investment allocations or other conditions under such arrangements are not achieved)). The co-investment that is part of a Strategic Relationship may include co-investment in investments made by the Fund. Blackstone, including its personnel (including GSO personnel), may receive compensation from Strategic Relationships and be incentivized to allocate investment opportunities away from the Fund to or source investment opportunities for Strategic Relationships. Strategic Relationships may therefore result in fewer co-investment opportunities (or reduced or no allocations) being made available to shareholders, subject to the 1940 Act.

 

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Portfolio Operations Group. Members of Blackstone’s Portfolio Operations group (the “Portfolio Operations”), who are Blackstone employees, are permitted to provide services to the Fund’s portfolio companies, and any payments made by such portfolio companies to Blackstone for reimbursement of the internal compensation costs for time spent on such portfolio companies will not reduce the management fee payable by the Fund. As a result, Blackstone may be incentivized to cause members of the Portfolio Operations group to spend more time on the Fund’s portfolio companies as compared to portfolio companies of Other Clients that do reduce the management fee offset. There can be no assurance that members of the Portfolio Operations group will be able to provide their services to portfolio companies and/or that any individuals within the Portfolio Operations group will remain employed by Blackstone through the term of the Fund.

Buying and Selling Investments or Assets from Certain Related Parties. The Fund and its portfolio companies may purchase investments or assets from or sell investments or assets to shareholders, other portfolio companies of the Fund, portfolio companies of Other Clients or their respective related parties. Purchases and sales of investments or assets between the Fund or its portfolio companies, on the one hand, and shareholders, other portfolio companies of the Fund, portfolio companies of Other Clients or their respective related parties, on the other hand, are not, unless required by applicable law, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees or any shareholder. These transactions involve conflicts of interest, as the Firm may receive fees and other benefits, directly or indirectly, from or otherwise have interests in both parties to the transaction, including different financial incentives Blackstone may have with respect to the parties to the transaction. For example, there can be no assurance that any investment or asset sold by the Fund to a shareholder, other portfolio companies of the Fund, portfolio company of Other Clients or any of their respective related parties will not be valued or allocated a sale price that is lower than might otherwise have been the case if such asset were sold to a third party rather than to a shareholder, portfolio company of Other Clients or any of their respective related parties. The Firm will not be required to solicit third party bids or obtain a third party valuation prior to causing the Fund or any of its portfolio companies to purchase or sell any asset or investment from or to a shareholder, other portfolio companies of the Fund, portfolio company of Other Clients or any of their respective related parties as provided above.

Blackstone’s Relationship with Pátria. Blackstone owns 40% of the equity interests in Pátria Investimentos Ltd. (“Pátria”), a leading Brazilian alternative asset manager and advisory firm. Pátria’s alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds and hedge funds (e.g., a multi-strategy fund and a long/short equity fund). Each of Blackstone’s and Pátria’s respective investment funds continues to pursue investment opportunities in accordance with its existing mandates. There may be overlap between the Fund’s investment program and Pátria’s investment activities and instances where appropriate investment opportunities will be shared with (or allocated to) Pátria. Therefore, there may be opportunities available to Pátria that are not shared with the Fund, and there may be opportunities available to the Fund that are shared with one or more Pátria funds. GSO generally expects, with respect to certain types of investments in Brazil otherwise suitable for the Fund, to permit such investments to be shared with and/or pursued by Pátria, which may be on a priority basis and may result in the Fund not participating in any such investments or participating therein to a lesser extent. In addition, the Fund may invest in companies or other entities in which Pátria sponsored investment funds have or are concurrently making a different investment (e.g., an equity investment vs. a debt investment) at the time of the Fund’s investment, and investment funds that have been or may be formed by Pátria may invest in different securities of companies or other entities in which the Fund has made an investment. In such situations, the Fund and such other Pátria sponsored investment funds (and therefore Blackstone through its indirect minority interest in Pátria) may have conflicting interests (e.g., over the terms of their respective investments).

Other Firm Businesses, Activities and Relationships. As part of its regular business, Blackstone provides a broad range of investment banking, advisory and other services. In addition, from time to time, the Firm will provide services in the future beyond those currently provided. Shareholders will not receive any benefit from any fees relating to such services.

 

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In the regular course of its capital markets, investment banking, real estate advisory and other businesses, Blackstone represents potential purchasers, sellers and other involved parties, including corporations, financial buyers, management, shareholders and institutions, with respect to transactions that could give rise to other transactions that are suitable for the Fund. In such a case, a Blackstone advisory client would typically require Blackstone to act exclusively on its behalf. Such advisory client requests may preclude all Blackstone-affiliated clients, including the Fund, from participating in related transactions that would otherwise be suitable. Blackstone will be under no obligation to decline any such engagements in order to make an investment opportunity available to the Fund. In connection with its capital markets, investment banking, advisory, real estate and other businesses, Blackstone comes into possession of information that limits its ability to engage in potential transactions. The Fund’s activities are expected to be constrained as a result of the inability of Blackstone personnel to use such information. For example, employees of Blackstone from time to time are prohibited by law or contract from sharing information with members of the Fund’s investment team. Additionally, there are expected to be circumstances in which one or more individuals associated with Blackstone affiliates (including clients) will be precluded from providing services related to the Fund’s activities because of certain confidential information available to those individuals or to other parts of Blackstone (e.g., trading may be restricted). Where Blackstone affiliates are engaged to find buyers or financing sources for potential sellers of assets, the seller may permit the Fund to act as a participant in such transactions (as a buyer or financing partner), which would raise certain conflicts of interest inherent in such a situation (including as to the negotiation of the purchase price).

The Fund may invest in securities of the same issuers as Other Clients, other investment vehicles, accounts and clients of the Firm and the Adviser. To the extent that the Fund holds interests that are different (or more senior or junior) than those held by such Other Clients, GSO may be presented with decisions involving circumstances where the interests of such Other Clients are in conflict with those of the Fund. Furthermore, it is possible the Fund’s interest may be subordinated or otherwise adversely affected by virtue of such Other Clients’ involvement and actions relating to its investment.

In addition, the 1940 Act may limit the Fund’s ability to undertake certain transactions with its affiliates that are registered under the 1940 Act or regulated as business development companies under the 1940 Act. As a result of these restrictions, the Fund may be prohibited from executing “joint” transactions with such affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times). These limitations may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Fund.

GSO has received an exemptive order that permits certain funds, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of GSO, and certain funds managed and controlled by GSO and its affiliates subject to certain terms and conditions. In addition, other present and future activities of the Firm and its affiliates (including GSO and the Adviser) will from time to time give rise to additional conflicts of interest relating to the Firm and its investment activities. In the event that any such conflict of interest arises, the Adviser will attempt to resolve such conflicts in a fair and equitable manner. Investors should be aware that, subject to applicable law, conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of the Fund’s interests.

Transactions with Clients of Blackstone Insurance Solutions. BIS is a business unit of Blackstone that is comprised of two affiliated registered investment advisers. BIS provides investment advisory services to insurers (including insurance companies that are owned, directly or indirectly, by Blackstone or Other Clients, in whole or in part). Actual or potential conflicts of interest may arise with respect to the relationship of the Fund and its portfolio companies with the funds, vehicles or accounts BIS advises or sub-advises, including accounts where an insurer participates in investments directly and there is no separate vehicle controlled by Blackstone (collectively, “BIS Clients”). BIS Clients have invested and are expected to continue investing in Other Clients and the Fund. BIS Clients may have investment objectives that overlap with those of the Fund or its portfolio companies, and such BIS Clients may invest, as permitted by applicable law and the Fund’s co-investment exemptive relief, alongside the Fund or such portfolio companies in certain investments, which will reduce the investment opportunities otherwise available to the Fund or such portfolio companies. BIS Clients will also

 

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participate in transactions related to the Fund and/or its portfolio companies (e.g., as originators, co-originators, counterparties or otherwise). Other transactions in which BIS Clients will participate include, without limitation, investments in debt or other securities issued by portfolio companies or other forms of financing to portfolio companies (including special purpose vehicles established by the Fund or such portfolio companies). When investing alongside the Fund or its portfolio companies or in other transactions related to the Fund or its portfolio companies, BIS Clients may or may not invest or divest at the same time or on the same terms as the Fund or the applicable portfolio companies. BIS Clients may also from time to time acquire investments and portfolio companies directly or indirectly from the Fund, as permitted by applicable law and the Fund’s co-investment exemptive relief. In circumstances where GSO determines in good faith that the conflict of interest is mitigated in whole or in part through various measures that Blackstone, GSO or the Adviser implements, the Adviser may determine to proceed with the applicable transaction (subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees and the applicable law to which the Fund is subject). In order to seek to mitigate any potential conflicts of interest with respect to such transactions (or other transactions involving BIS Clients), Blackstone may, in its discretion, involve independent members of the board of a portfolio company or a third party stakeholder in the transaction to negotiate price and terms on behalf of the BIS Clients or otherwise cause the BIS Clients to “follow the vote” thereof, and/or cause an independent client representative or other third party to approve the investment or otherwise represent the interests of one or more of the parties to the transaction. In addition, Blackstone or the Adviser may limit the percentage interest of the BIS Clients participating in such transaction, or obtain appropriate price quotes or other benchmarks, or, alternatively, a third-party price opinion or other document to support the reasonableness of the price and terms of the transaction. BIS will also from time to time require the applicable BIS Clients participating in a transaction to consent thereto (including in circumstances where the Adviser does not seek the consent of the Board of Trustees). There can be no assurance that any such measures or other measures that may be implemented by Blackstone will be effective at mitigating any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Allocation of Portfolios. The Firm may have an opportunity to acquire a portfolio or pool of assets, securities and instruments that it determines should be divided and allocated among the Fund and Other Clients. Such allocations generally would be based on the Firm’s assessment of the expected returns and risk profile of each of the assets. For example, some of the assets in a pool may have a return profile appropriate for us, while others may have a return profile not appropriate for the Fund but appropriate for Other Clients. Also, a pool may contain both debt and equity instruments that the Firm determines should be allocated to different funds. In all of these situations, the combined purchase price paid to a seller would be allocated among the multiple assets, securities and instruments in the pool and therefore, subject to applicable law and the conditions of the Fund’s co-investment relief, among the Fund and Other Clients acquiring any of the assets, securities and instruments. Similarly, there will likely be circumstances in which the Fund and Other Clients will sell assets in a single or related transactions to a buyer. In some cases a counterparty will require an allocation of value in the purchase or sale contract, though the Firm could determine such allocation of value is not accurate and should not be relied upon. The Firm will generally rely upon internal analysis to determine the ultimate allocation of value, though it could also obtain third party valuation reports. Regardless of the methodology for allocating value, the Firm will have conflicting duties to the Fund and Other Clients when they buy or sell assets together in a portfolio, including as a result of different financial incentives the Firm has with respect to different vehicles, most clearly when the fees and compensation, including performance-based compensation, earned from the different vehicles differ. There can be no assurance that an investment will not be valued or allocated a purchase price that is higher or lower than it might otherwise have been allocated if such investment were acquired or sold independently rather than as a component of a portfolio shared with Other Clients.

Other Affiliate Transactions and Investments in Different Levels of Capital Structure. From time to time, the Fund and the Other Clients may make investments at different levels of an issuer’s capital structure or otherwise in different classes of an issuer’s securities or loans, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act. Such investments may inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest between or among the various classes of securities or loans that may be held by such entities. To the extent the Fund holds securities or loans that are different (including with respect to their relative seniority) than those held by an Other Client,

 

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the Adviser and its affiliates may be presented with decisions when the interests of the funds are in conflict. For example, conflicts could arise where the Fund lends funds to a portfolio company while an Other Client invests in equity securities of such portfolio company. In this circumstance, for example, if such portfolio company were to go into bankruptcy, become insolvent or otherwise be unable to meet its payment obligations or comply with its debt covenants, conflicts of interest could arise between the holders of different types of securities or loans as to what actions the portfolio company should take. In addition, purchases or sales of securities or loans for the account of the Fund (particularly marketable securities) will be bunched or aggregated with orders for Other Clients, including other funds. It is frequently not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities sold, and the various prices may be averaged, which may be disadvantageous to the Fund. Further conflicts could arise after the Fund and Other Clients have made their respective initial investments. For example, if additional financing is necessary as a result of financial or other difficulties, it may not be in the best interests of the Fund to provide such additional financing. If the Other Clients were to lose their respective investments as a result of such difficulties, the ability of the Adviser to recommend actions in the best interests of the Fund might be impaired. Any applicable co-investment order issued by the SEC may restrict the Fund’s ability to participate in follow-on financings. GSO may in its discretion take steps to reduce the potential for adversity between the Fund and the Other Clients, including causing the Fund and/or such Other Clients to take certain actions that, in the absence of such conflict, it would not take. Such conflicts will be more difficult if the Fund and Other Clients hold significant or controlling interests in competing or different tranches of a portfolio company’s capital structure. In addition, there may be circumstances where GSO agrees to implement certain procedures to ameliorate conflicts of interest that may involve a forbearance of rights relating to the Fund or Other Clients, such as where GSO may cause the Fund or Other Clients to decline to exercise certain control- and/or foreclosure-related rights with respect to a portfolio company.

Further, the Fund is prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of affiliates (including portfolio companies of Other Clients) without the prior approval of a majority of the independent members of the Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities will be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act and generally the Fund will be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of the Board of Trustees. However, the Fund may under certain circumstances purchase any such affiliate’s loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Adviser between the Fund’s interests and the interests of such affiliate, in that the ability of the Adviser to recommend actions in the Fund’s best interest may be limited. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or closely related times), without prior approval of the Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC.

In addition, conflicts may arise in determining the amount of an investment, if any, to be allocated among potential investors and the respective terms thereof. There can be no assurance that any conflict will be resolved in favor of the Fund, and each shareholder acknowledges and agrees that in some cases, subject to applicable law, a decision by GSO to take any particular action could have the effect of benefiting an Other Client (and, incidentally, may also have the effect of benefiting GSO) and therefore may not have been in the best interests of, and may be adverse to, the Fund. There can be no assurance that the return on the Fund’s investment will be equivalent to or better than the returns obtained by the Other Clients participating in the transaction. The shareholders will not receive any benefit from fees paid to any affiliate of the Adviser from a portfolio company in which an Other Client also has an interest to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

Related Financing Counterparties. The Fund may invest in companies or other entities in which Other Clients make an investment in a different part of the capital structure (and vice versa) subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Fund’s co-investment order. The Adviser requests in the ordinary course proposals from lenders and other sources to provide financing to the Fund and its portfolio companies. GSO takes into account various facts and circumstances it deems relevant in selecting financing sources, including whether a potential lender has expressed an interest in evaluating debt financing opportunities, whether a potential lender has a history of participating in debt financing opportunities generally and with the Firm in particular, the size of the

 

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potential lender’s loan amount, the timing of the relevant cash requirement, the availability of other sources of financing, the creditworthiness of the lender, whether the potential lender has demonstrated a long-term or continuing commitment to the success of Blackstone, GSO and their funds, and such other factors that Blackstone and GSO deem relevant under the circumstances. The cost of debt alone is not determinative.

Although the Fund will generally be providing first lien financing to its portfolio companies, it is possible that shareholders, Other Clients, their portfolio companies, co-investors and other parties with material relationships with the Firm, such as shareholders of and lenders to the Firm and lenders to Other Clients and their portfolio companies (as well as Blackstone itself), could provide additional first lien financing to portfolio companies of the Fund, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Firm could have incentives to cause the Fund and its portfolio companies to accept less favorable financing terms from a shareholder, Other Clients, their portfolio companies, Blackstone, and other parties with material relationships with the Firm than it would from a third party. If the Fund or a portfolio company occupies a more senior position in the capital structure than a shareholder, Other Client, their portfolio companies and other parties with material relationships with Blackstone, Blackstone could have an incentive to cause the Fund or portfolio company to offer more favorable financing terms to such parties. In the case of a related party financing between the Fund or its portfolio companies, on the one hand, and Blackstone or Other Clients’ portfolio companies, on the other hand, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Adviser could, but is not obligated to, rely on a third party agent to confirm the terms offered by the counterparty are consistent with market terms, or the Adviser could instead rely on its own internal analysis, which the Adviser believes is often superior to third party analysis given the Firm’s scale in the market. If however any of the Firm, the Fund, an Other Client or any of their portfolio companies delegates to a third party, such as another member of a financing syndicate or a joint venture partner, the negotiation of the terms of the financing, the transaction will be assumed to be conducted on an arms-length basis, even though the participation of the Firm related vehicle impacts the market terms. For example, in the case of a loan extended to the Fund or a portfolio company by a financing syndicate in which an Other Client has agreed to participate on terms negotiated by a third party participant in the syndicate, it may have been necessary to offer better terms to the financing provider to fully subscribe the syndicate if the Other Client had not participated. It is also possible that the frequent participation of Other Clients in such syndicates could dampen interest among other potential financing providers, thereby lowering demand to participate in the syndicate and increasing the financing costs to the Fund. The Adviser does not believe either of these effects is significant, but no assurance can be given to shareholders that these effects will not be significant in any circumstance. Unless required by applicable law, the Adviser will not seek any consent or approvals from shareholders or the Board of Trustees in the case of any of these conflicts.

The Firm could cause actions adverse to the Fund to be taken for the benefit of Other Clients that have made an investment more senior in the capital structure of a portfolio company than the Fund (e.g., provide financing to a portfolio company, the equity of which is owned by the Fund) and, vice versa, actions may be taken for the benefit of the Fund and its portfolio companies that are adverse to Other Clients. The Firm could seek to implement procedures to mitigate conflicts of interest in these situations such as (i) a forbearance of rights, including some or all non-economic rights, by the Fund or relevant Other Client (or their respective portfolio companies, as the case may be) by, for example, agreeing to follow the vote of a third party in the same tranche of the capital structure, or otherwise deciding to recuse itself with respect to decisions on defaults, foreclosures, workouts, restructurings and other similar matters, (ii) causing the Fund or relevant Other Client (or their respective portfolio companies, as the case may be) to hold only a non-controlling interest in any such portfolio company, (iii) retaining a third party loan servicer, administrative agent or other agent to make decisions on behalf of the Fund or relevant Other Client (or their respective portfolio companies, as the case may be), or (iv) create groups of personnel within the Firm separated by information barriers (which may be temporary and limited purpose in nature), each of which would advise one of the clients that has a conflicting position with other clients. As an example, to the extent an Other Client holds an interest in a loan or security that is different (including with respect to relative seniority) than those held by the Fund or its portfolio companies, the Firm may decline to exercise, or delegate to a third party, certain control, foreclosure and other similar governance rights of the Other Client. In these cases, the Firm would generally act on behalf of one of its clients, though the other

 

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client would generally retain certain control rights, such as the right to consent to certain actions taken by the trustee or administrative or other agent of the investment, including a release, waiver, forgiveness or reduction of any claim for principal or interest; extension of maturity date or due date of any payment of any principal or interest; release or substitution of any material collateral; release, waiver, termination or modification of any material provision of any guaranty or indemnity; subordination of any lien; and release, waiver or permission with respect to any covenants.

In connection with negotiating loans and bank financings in respect of GSO-sponsored transactions, GSO will generally obtain the right to participate (for its own account or an Other Client) in a portion of the financings with respect to such GSO-sponsored transactions on the same terms negotiated by third parties with the Firm or other terms the Adviser determines to be consistent with the market. Although the Firm could rely on third parties to verify market terms, the Firm may nonetheless have influence on such third parties. No assurance can be given that negotiating with a third party, or verification of market terms by a third party, will ensure that the Fund and its portfolio companies receive market terms.

In addition, it is anticipated that in a bankruptcy proceeding the Fund’s interests will likely be subordinated or otherwise adverse to the interests of Other Clients with ownership positions that are more senior to those of the Fund. For example, an Other Client that has provided debt financing to an investment of the Fund may take actions for its benefit, particularly if the Fund’s Investment is in financial distress, which adversely impact the value of the Fund’s subordinated interests.

Although Other Clients can be expected to provide financing to the Fund and its portfolio companies subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, there can be no assurance that any Other Client will indeed provide any such financing with respect to any particular Investment. Participation by Other Clients in some but not all financings of the Fund and its portfolio companies may adversely impact the ability of the Fund and its portfolio companies to obtain financing from third parties when Other Clients do not participate, as it may serve as a negative signal to market participants.

Any financing provided by a shareholder or an affiliate to the Fund or a portfolio company is not an investment in the Fund.

Conflicting Fiduciary Duties to Debt Funds. Other Clients include funds and accounts that make investments in senior secured loans, distressed debt, subordinated debt, high-yield securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other debt instruments. As discussed above, it is expected that these Other Clients or investors therein will be offered the opportunity, subject to applicable law, to provide financing with respect to investments made by the Fund and its portfolio companies. The Firm owes a fiduciary duty to these Other Clients as well as to the Fund and will encounter conflicts in the exercise of these duties. For example, if an Other Client purchases high-yield securities or other debt instruments of a portfolio company of the Fund, or otherwise occupies a senior (or other different) position in the capital structure of an investment relative to the Fund, the Firm will encounter conflicts in providing advice to the Fund and to these Other Clients with regard to appropriate terms of such high-yield securities or other instruments, the enforcement of covenants, the terms of recapitalizations and the resolution of workouts or bankruptcies, among other matters. More commonly, the Fund could hold an investment that is senior in the capital structure, such as a debt instrument, to an Other Client. Although measures described above in “Related Financing Counterparties” above can mitigate these conflicts, they cannot completely eliminate them.

Similarly, certain Other Clients may invest in securities of publicly traded companies that are actual or potential investments of the Fund or its portfolio companies. The trading activities of those vehicles may differ from or be inconsistent with activities that are undertaken for the account of the Fund or its portfolio companies in any such securities or related securities. In addition, the Fund may not pursue an investment in a portfolio company otherwise within the investment mandate of the Fund as a result of such trading activities by Other Clients.

 

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Other Blackstone and GSO Clients; Allocation of Investment Opportunities. Certain inherent conflicts of interest arise from the fact that the Adviser, GSO and Blackstone provide investment management, advisory and sub-advisory services to the Fund and Other Clients.

Allocation Methodology Considerations

GSO will share any investment and sale opportunities with such Other Clients and the Fund in accordance with the Advisers Act, and Firm-wide allocation policies, which generally provide for sharing pro rata based on targeted acquisition size or targeted sale size.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, GSO may also consider the following factors in making any allocation determinations, and such factors may result in a different allocation of investment and/or sale opportunities: (i) the risk-return and target return profile of the proposed investment relative to the Fund’s and the Other Clients’ current risk profiles; (ii) the Fund’s and/or the Other Clients’ investment guidelines, restrictions, terms and objectives, including whether such objectives are considered solely in light of the specific investment under consideration or in the context of the respective portfolios’ overall holdings; (iii) the need to re-size risk in the Fund’s or the Other Clients’ portfolios (including the potential for the proposed investment to create an industry, sector or issuer imbalance in the Fund’s and Other Clients’ portfolios, as applicable) and taking into account any existing non-pro rata investment positions in the portfolio of the Fund and Other Clients; (iv) liquidity considerations of the Fund and the Other Clients, including during a ramp-up or wind-down of one or more of the Fund or such Other Clients, proximity to the end of the Fund’s or Other Clients’ specified term or investment period, any redemption/withdrawal requests, anticipated future contributions and available cash; (v) legal, tax, accounting, political, national security and other consequences; (vi) regulatory or contractual restrictions or consequences (including, without limitation, requirements under the 1940 Act and any related rules, orders, guidance or other authority applicable to the Fund or other registered investment companies, investment funds, client accounts and proprietary accounts that GSO may establish (other than the Fund) (collectively the “Other GSO Clients”); (vii) avoiding a de minimis or odd lot allocation; (viii) availability and degree of leverage and any requirements or other terms of any existing leverage facilities; (ix) the Fund’s or Other Clients’ investment focus on a classification attributable to an investment or issuer of an investment, including, without limitation, investment strategy, geography, industry or business sector; (x) the nature and extent of involvement in the transaction on the part of the respective teams of investment professionals dedicated to the Fund or such Other Clients; (xi) the management of any actual or potential conflict of interest; (xii) with respect to investments that are made available to GSO by counterparties pursuant to negotiated trading platforms (e.g., ISDA contracts), the absence of such relationships which may not be available to the Fund and all Other Clients; (xiii) available capital of the Fund and the Other Clients, (xiv) primary and permitted investment strategies and objectives of the Fund and the Other Clients, including, without limitation, with respect to Other Clients that expect to invest in or alongside other funds or across asset classes based on expected return (such as certain managed accounts with similar investment strategies and objectives), (xv) sourcing of the investment, (xvi) the specific nature (including size, type, amount, liquidity, holding period, anticipated maturity and minimum investment criteria) of the investment, (xvii) expected investment return, (xviii) expected cash characteristics (such as cash-on-cash yield, distribution rates or volatility of cash flows), (xix) capital expenditure required as part of the investment, (xx) portfolio diversification concerns (including, but not limited to, whether a particular fund already has its desired exposure to the investment, sector, industry, geographic region or markets in question), (xxi) relation to existing investments in a fund, if applicable (e.g., “follow on” to existing investment, joint venture or other partner to existing investment, or same security as existing investment), and (xxii) any other considerations deemed relevant by GSO in good faith.

GSO shall not have any obligation to present any investment opportunity (or portion of any investment opportunity) to the Fund if GSO determines in good faith that such opportunity (or portion thereof) should not be presented to the Fund for any one or a combination of the reasons specified above, or if GSO is otherwise restricted from presenting such investment opportunity to the Fund.

In addition, GSO has received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits certain existing and future funds regulated under the 1940 Act (each, a “Regulated Fund”), among other things, to co-invest with certain

 

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other persons, including certain affiliates of GSO, and certain funds managed and controlled by GSO and its affiliates, including the Fund, subject to certain terms and conditions. For so long as any privately negotiated investment opportunity falls within the investment criteria of one or more Regulated Funds, such investment opportunity shall also be offered to such Regulated Fund(s). In the event that the aggregate targeted investment sizes of the Fund and such Regulated Fund(s) exceed the amount of such investment opportunity, allocation of such investment opportunity to each of the Fund and such Regulated Fund(s) will be reduced proportionately based on their respective “available capital” as defined in the exemptive order, which may result in allocation to the Fund in an amount less than what it would otherwise have been if such Regulated Fund(s) did not participate in such investment opportunity. The exemptive order also restricts the ability of the Fund (or any other GSO Fund) from investing in any privately negotiated investment opportunity alongside a Regulated Fund except at the same time and on same terms. As a result, the Fund may be unable to make investments in different parts of the capital structure of the same issuer in which a Regulated Fund has invested or seeks to invest. The rules promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as well as any related guidance from the SEC and/or the terms of the exemptive order itself, are subject to change, and GSO could undertake to amend the exemptive order (subject to SEC approval), obtain additional exemptive relief, or otherwise be subject to other requirements in respect of co-investments involving the Fund and any Regulated Funds, any of which may impact the amount of any allocation made available to Regulated Funds and thereby affect (and potentially decrease) the allocation made to the Fund.

Moreover, with respect to GSO’s ability to allocate investment opportunities, including where such opportunities are within the common objectives and guidelines of the Fund and one or more Other Clients (which allocations are to be made on a basis that GSO believes in good faith to be fair and reasonable), GSO and Blackstone have established general guidelines and policies, which it may update from time to time, for determining how such allocations are to be made, which, among other things, set forth principles regarding what constitutes “debt” or “debt-like” investments, criteria for defining “control-oriented equity” or “infrastructure” investments, guidance regarding allocation for certain types of investments (e.g., distressed energy) and other matters. In addition, certain Other Clients may receive certain priority or other allocation rights with respect to certain investments, subject to various conditions set forth in such Other Clients’ respective governing agreements. The application of those guidelines and conditions may result in the Fund or Other Clients not participating (and/or not participating to the same extent) in certain investment opportunities in which they would have otherwise participated had the related allocations been determined without regard to such guidelines and conditions and based only on the circumstances of those particular investments. Additionally, investment opportunities sourced by GSO will be allocated in accordance with Blackstone’s and GSO’s allocation policies, which may provide that investment opportunities will be allocated in whole or in part to other business units of the Firm on a basis that Blackstone and GSO believe in good faith to be fair and reasonable, based on various factors, including the involvement of the respective teams from GSO and such other business units. It should also be noted that investment opportunities sourced by business units of the Firm other than GSO will be allocated in accordance with such business units’ allocation policies, which will result in such investment opportunities being allocated, in whole or in part, away from GSO, the Fund and Other GSO Clients.

When GSO determines not to pursue some or all of an investment opportunity for the Fund that would otherwise be within the Fund’s objectives and strategies, and Blackstone or GSO provides the opportunity or offers the opportunity to Other Clients, Blackstone or GSO, including their personnel (including GSO personnel), may receive compensation from the Other Clients, whether or not in respect of a particular investment, including an allocation of carried interest or referral fees, and any such compensation could be greater than amounts paid by the Fund to GSO. As a result, GSO (including GSO personnel who receive such compensation) could be incentivized to allocate investment opportunities away from the Fund to or source investment opportunities for Other Clients. In addition, in some cases Blackstone or GSO may earn greater fees when Other Clients participate alongside or instead of the Fund in an investment.

GSO makes good faith determinations for allocation decisions based on expectations that may prove inaccurate. Information unavailable to GSO, or circumstances not foreseen by GSO at the time of allocation, may

 

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cause an investment opportunity to yield a different return than expected. Conversely, an investment that GSO expects to be consistent with the Fund’s objectives may fail to achieve them.

The Adviser may, but will be under no obligation to, provide co-investment opportunities relating to investments made by the Fund to Fund shareholders, Other Clients, and investors of such Other Clients, subject to the Fund’s exemptive relief and the 1940 Act. Such co-investment opportunities may be offered to such parties in the Adviser’s subject to the Fund’s exemptive relief. From time to time, GSO may form one or more funds or accounts to co-invest in transactions with the Fund (or transactions alongside any of the Fund and one or more Other Clients). Furthermore, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that the Fund has received its target amount in respect of an investment opportunity, any remaining portion of such investment opportunity initially allocated to the Fund may be allocated to Other Clients or to co-investors in GSO’s discretion pursuant to the Fund’s exemptive relief.

Orders may be combined for the Fund and all other participating Other Clients, and if any order is not filled at the same price, they may be allocated on an average price basis. Similarly, if an order on behalf of more than one account cannot be fully executed under prevailing market conditions, securities may be allocated among the different accounts on a basis that GSO or its affiliates consider equitable.

Additionally, it can be expected that the Firm will, from time to time, enter into arrangements or strategic relationships with third parties, including other asset managers, financial firms or other businesses or companies, that, among other things, provide for referral, sourcing or sharing of investment opportunities. Blackstone or GSO may pay management fees and performance-based compensation in connection with such arrangements. Blackstone or GSO may also provide for or receive reimbursement of certain expenses incurred or received in connection with these arrangements, including diligence expenses and general overhead, administrative, deal sourcing and related corporate expenses. The amount of these rebates may relate to allocations of co-investment opportunities and increase if certain co-investment allocations are not made. While it is possible that the Fund will, along with the Firm itself, benefit from the existence of those arrangements and/or relationships, it is also possible that investment opportunities that would otherwise be presented to or made by the Fund would instead be referred (in whole or in part) to such third party, or, as indicated above, to other third parties, either as a contractual obligation or otherwise, resulting in fewer opportunities (or reduced allocations) being made available to the Fund and/or shareholders. This means that co-investment opportunities that are sourced by the

Fund may be allocated to investors that are not shareholders. For example, a firm with which the Firm has entered into a strategic relationship may be afforded with “first-call” rights on a particular category of investment opportunities, although there is not expected to be substantial overlap in the investment strategies and/or objectives between the Fund and any such firm. (See “—Blackstone’s Relationship with Pátria.”)

Certain Investments Inside the Fund’s Mandate that are not Pursued by the Fund. Under certain circumstances, Blackstone or GSO may determine not to pursue some or all of an investment opportunity within the Fund’s mandate, including without limitation, as a result of business, reputational or other reasons applicable to the Fund, Other Clients, their respective portfolio companies or Blackstone. In addition, GSO may determine that the Fund should not pursue some or all of an investment opportunity, including, by way of example and without limitation, because the Fund has already invested sufficient capital in the investment, sector, industry, geographic region or markets in question, as determined by GSO in its good faith discretion, or the investment is not appropriate for the Fund for other reasons as determined by GSO in its good faith reasonable sole discretion. In any such case Blackstone or GSO could, thereafter, offer such opportunity to other parties, including Other Clients or portfolio companies or limited partners or shareholders of the Fund or Other Clients, joint venture partners, related parties or third parties. Any such Other Clients may be advised by a different Blackstone or GSO business group with a different investment committee, which could determine an investment opportunity to be more attractive than GSO believes to be the case. In any event, there can be no assurance that GSO’s assessment will prove correct or that the performance of any investments actually pursued by the Fund will be comparable to any investment opportunities that are not pursued by the Fund. Blackstone and GSO, including their personnel, may receive compensation from any such party that makes the investment, including an

 

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allocation of carried interest or referral fees, and any such compensation could be greater than amounts paid by the Fund to GSO. In some cases, Blackstone or GSO earns greater fees when Other Clients participate alongside or instead of the Fund in an Investment.

Cross Transactions. Situations may arise where certain assets held by the Fund may be transferred to Other Clients and vice versa. Such transactions will be conducted in accordance with, and subject to, the Adviser’s contractual obligations to the Fund and applicable law, including the 1940 Act.

Co-Investment. The Fund will co-invest with its shareholders, limited partners and/or shareholders of the Other Clients, the Firm’s affiliates and other parties with whom GSO has a material relationship. The allocation of co-investment opportunities is entirely and solely in the discretion of GSO, subject to applicable law. In addition to participation by Senior and Other Advisors in specific transactions or investment opportunities, Senior and Other Advisors and/or other Firm employees may be permitted to participate in the Firm’s side-by-side co-investment rights. Such rights generally do not provide for a management fee or carried interest payable by participants therein and generally result in the Fund being allocated a smaller share of an investment than would otherwise be the case in the absence of such side-by-side. Furthermore, Other Clients will be permitted (or have a preferred right) to participate in the Firm’s side-by-side co-investment rights.

In certain circumstances, GSO will determine that a co-investment opportunity should be offered to one or more third parties (such investors, “Co-Investors”) and will maintain sole discretion with respect to which Co-Investors are offered any such opportunity. It is expected that many investors who may have expressed an interest in co-investment opportunities will not be allocated any co-investment opportunities or may receive a smaller amount of co-investment opportunities than the amount requested. Furthermore, co-investment offered by GSO will be on such terms and conditions (including with respect to management fees, performance-based compensation and related arrangements and/or other fees applicable to co-investors) as GSO determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion on a case-by-case basis, which may differ amongst co-investors with respect to the same co-investment. In addition, the performance of Other Clients co-investing with the Fund is not considered for purposes of calculating the carried interest payable by the Fund to the Adviser. Furthermore, the Fund and co-investors will often have different investment objectives and limitations, such as return objectives and maximum hold period. GSO, as a result, will have conflicting incentives in making decisions with respect to such opportunities. Even if the Fund and any such parties invest in the same securities on similar terms, conflicts of interest will still arise as a result of differing investment profiles of the investors, among other items.

 

   

General Co-Investment Considerations: There are expected to be circumstances where an amount that would otherwise have been invested by the Fund is instead allocated to co-investors (who may or may not be shareholders of the Fund or limited partners of Other Clients) or supplemental capital vehicles, and there is no guarantee that any shareholders will be offered any particular co-investment opportunity. Each co-investment opportunity (should any exist) is likely to be different, and allocation of each such opportunity will depend on the facts and circumstances specific to that unique situation (e.g., timing, industry, size, geography, asset class, projected holding period, exit strategy and counterparty). Different situations will require that the various facts and circumstances of each opportunity be weighted differently, as GSO deems relevant to such opportunity. Such factors are likely to include, among others, whether a co-investor adds strategic value, industry expertise or other similar synergies; whether a potential co-investor has expressed an interest in evaluating co-investment opportunities; whether a potential co-investor has an overall strategic relationship with the Firm; whether a potential co-investor has demonstrated a long-term and/or continuing commitment to the potential success of Blackstone, GSO, the Fund, Other Clients or other co-investments (including whether a potential co-investor will help establish, recognize, strengthen and/or cultivate relationships that may provide indirectly longer-term benefits to the Fund or Other Clients and their respective underlying portfolio companies, or whether the potential co-investor has significant capital under management by the Firm or intends to increase such amount); the ability of a potential co-investor to commit to a co-investment opportunity within the required timeframe of the particular transaction; GSO’s assessment of a potential co-investor’s ability to invest an amount of capital that fits the needs of the

 

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investment (taking into account the amount of capital needed as well as the maximum number of investors that can realistically participate in the transaction); whether the co-investor is considered “strategic” to the investment because it is able to offer the Fund certain benefits, including but not limited to, the ability to help consummate the investment, the ability to aid in operating or monitoring the portfolio company or the possession of certain expertise; the transparency, speed and predictability of the potential co-investor’s investment process; whether the Firm has previously expressed a general intention to seek to offer co-investment opportunities to such potential co-investor; whether a potential co-investor has the financial and operational resources and other relevant wherewithal to evaluate and participate in a co-investment opportunity; the familiarity the Firm has with the personnel and professionals of the investor in working together in investment contexts (which may include such potential co-investor’s history of investment in other Firm co-investment opportunities); the extent to which a potential co-investor has committed to an Other Client; the size of such potential co-investor’s interest to be held in the underlying portfolio company as a result of the Fund’s investment (which is likely to be based on the size of the potential co-investor’s capital commitment or investment in the Fund); the extent to which a potential co-investor has been provided a greater amount of co-investment opportunities relative to others; the ability of a potential co-investor to invest in potential add-on acquisitions for the portfolio company or participate in defensive investments; the likelihood that the potential co-investor would require governance rights that would complicate or jeopardize the transaction (or, alternatively, whether the investor would be willing to defer to the Firm and assume a more passive role in governing the portfolio company); any interests a potential co-investor may have in any competitors of the underlying portfolio company; the tax profile of the potential co-investor and the tax characteristics of the investment (including whether the potential co-investor would require particular structuring implementation or covenants that would not otherwise be required but for its participation or whether such co-investor’s participation is beneficial to the overall structuring of the investment); whether a potential co-investor’s participation in the transaction would subject the Fund and/or the portfolio company to additional regulatory requirements, review and/or scrutiny, including any necessary governmental approvals required to consummate the investment; the potential co-investor’s interaction with the potential management team of the portfolio company; whether the potential co-investor has any existing positions in the portfolio company (whether in the same security in which the Fund is investing or otherwise); whether there is any evidence to suggest that there is a heightened risk with respect to the potential co-investor maintaining confidentiality; whether the potential co-investor has demonstrated a long-term and/or continuing commitment to the potential success of the Fund, other affiliated funds and/or other co-investments, including the size of such commitment; whether the potential co-investor has any known investment policies and restrictions, guideline limitations or investment objectives that are relevant to the transaction, including the need for distributions; whether the expected holding period and risk-return profile of the investment is consistent with the stated goals of the investor; and such other factors as the Adviser deems relevant and believes to be appropriate under the circumstances. Furthermore, in connection with any such co-investment by third-party co-investors, the Adviser may establish one or more investment vehicles managed or advised by the Firm to facilitate such co-investors’ investment alongside the Fund. The factors listed in the foregoing sentence are neither presented in order of importance nor weighted, except that GSO has historically primarily relied upon the following two factors in making the determination to offer co-investment opportunities to co-investors: (i) whether the potential co-investor has demonstrated a long-term and/or continuing commitment to the potential success of the Fund (including whether a potential co-investor will help establish, recognize, strengthen and/or cultivate relationships that may provide indirectly longer-term benefits to the Fund or Other Clients and their respective underlying portfolio companies), other affiliated funds, and/or other co-investments, including the size of any such commitment and fee revenue or profits generated for the benefit of GSO or Blackstone as a result thereof and (ii) the ability of a potential co-investor to process a co-investment decision within the required timeline of the particular transaction. Except as otherwise described herein, co-investors generally will not share Broken Deal Expenses with the Fund and Other Clients, with the result that the Fund and such Other Clients will bear all such Broken Deal Expenses, and such expenses may be significant. However, the Adviser does not intend to offer any such co-investment opportunities to shareholders in their capacity as shareholders. GSO may (but is not required to) establish co-investment vehicles (including dedicated or “standing” co-

 

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investment vehicles) for one or more investors (including third party investors and investors in the Fund) in order to co-invest alongside the Fund in one or more future investments. The existence of these vehicles could reduce the opportunity for other shareholders to receive allocations of co-investment. In addition, the allocation of investments to Other Clients, including as described under “Other Blackstone and GSO Clients; Allocation of Investment Opportunities” herein, may result in fewer co-investment opportunities (or reduced allocations) being made available to shareholders.

 

   

Additional Potential Conflicts of Interest with respect to Co-Investment; Strategic Relationships Involving Co-Investment: In addition, the Adviser and/or its affiliates will in certain circumstances be incentivized to offer certain potential co-investors (including, by way of example, as a part of an overall strategic relationship with the Firm) opportunities to co-invest because the extent to which any such co-investor participates in (or is offered) co-investment opportunities may impact the amount of performance-based compensation and/or management fees or other fees paid by the co-investor. The amount of carried interest or expenses charged and/or management fees paid by the Fund may be less than or exceed such amounts charged or paid by co-investment vehicles pursuant to the terms of such vehicles’ partnership agreements and/or other agreements with co-investors, and such variation in the amount of fees and expenses may create an economic incentive for GSO to allocate a greater or lesser percentage of an investment opportunity to the Fund or such co-investment vehicles or co-investors, as the case may be. In addition, other terms of existing and future co-investment vehicles may differ materially, and in some instances may be more favorable to GSO, than the terms of the Fund, and such different terms may create an incentive for GSO to allocate a greater or lesser percentage of an investment opportunity to the Fund or such co-investment vehicles, as the case may be. Such incentives will from time to time give rise to conflicts of interest, and there can be no assurance that such conflicts of interest will be resolved in favor of the Fund. Accordingly, any investment opportunities that would have otherwise been offered or allocated, in whole or in part, to the Fund may be reduced and made available to co-investment vehicles. Co-investments may be offered by the Adviser on such terms and conditions as the Adviser determines in its discretion on a case-by-case basis.

Fund Co-Investment Opportunities. As a BDC regulated under the 1940 Act, the Fund is subject to certain limitations relating to co-investments and joint transactions with affiliates, which likely will in certain circumstances limit the Fund’s ability to make investments or enter into other transactions alongside the Other Clients. There can be no assurance that such regulatory restrictions will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to capitalize on attractive investment opportunities. However, subject to the 1940 Act and any applicable co-investment order issued by the SEC, the Fund may co-invest with Other Clients (including co-investment or other vehicles in which the Firm or its personnel invest and that co-invest with such Other Clients) in investments that are suitable for the Fund and one or more of such Other Clients. Even if the Fund and any such Other Clients and/or co-investment or other vehicles invest in the same securities, conflicts of interest may still arise.

We have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits us, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. Such order may restrict our ability to enter into follow-on investments or other transactions. Pursuant to such order, we may co-invest in a negotiated deal with certain affiliates of the Adviser or certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. We may also receive an allocation in such a deal alongside affiliates pursuant to other mechanisms to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

Investments in Portfolio Companies Alongside Other Clients. From time to time, the Fund will co-invest with Other Clients (including co-investment or other vehicles in which the Firm or its personnel invest and that co-invest with such Other Clients) in investments that are suitable for both the Fund and such Other Clients, as permitted by applicable law and/or any applicable SEC-granted order. Even if the Fund and any such Other Clients invest in the same securities or loans, conflicts of interest may still arise. For example, it is possible that as a result of legal, tax, regulatory, accounting, political, national security or other considerations, the terms of such investment (and divestment thereof) (including with respect to price and timing) for the Fund and such other

 

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funds and vehicles may not be the same. Additionally, the Fund and such Other Clients and/or vehicles will generally have different investment periods and/or investment objectives (including return profiles) and GSO, as a result, may have conflicting goals with respect to the price and timing of disposition opportunities. As such, subject to applicable law and any applicable order issued by the SEC, the Fund and/or such Other Clients may dispose of any such shared investment at different times and on different terms.

Firm Involvement in Financing of Third Party Dispositions by the Fund. The Fund may from time to time dispose of all or a portion of an investment by way of accepting a third-party purchaser’s bid where the Firm or one or more Other Clients is providing financing as part of such bid or acquisition of the investment or underlying assets thereof. This generally would include the circumstance where the Firm or one or more Other Clients is making commitments to provide financing at or prior to the time such third-party purchaser commits to purchase such investments or assets from the Fund. Such involvement of the Firm or one or more Other Clients as such a provider of debt financing in connection with the potential acquisition of portfolio investments by third parties from the Fund may give rise to potential or actual conflicts of interest.

Blackstone Europe. Blackstone, GSO and Other Clients may incorporate or otherwise organize, and one or more of its affiliates have incorporated or otherwise organized, one or more Luxembourg-based or Ireland-based entities (and in the future may organize other non-U.S. entities) that are the master holding companies or other structures through which the Fund and Other GSO Clients may principally invest into European investments (any such structure, “Blackstone Europe”) and that may be utilized by GSO. Blackstone Europe is expected to provide one or more of the following key service functions to the Fund and/or to the European-domiciled entities that are part of the investments of Other GSO Clients and may also be owned, directly or indirectly, by Other Clients or their affiliates. The key service functions expected to be provided by Blackstone Europe and its employees are: (i) domiciliation, (ii) account management, (iii) administration, (iv) accounting, (v) tax, regulatory and organizational compliance, (vi) transaction support services, and (vii) local office space, though other services may also be provided. If approved by the Board of Trustees, Blackstone Europe is expected to receive fees for such services at no greater than market rates deemed competitive by the Firm. The Firm will endeavor to allocate fees and expenses associated with Blackstone Europe fairly and equitably, which allocation is expected to involve certain subjective assumptions based on actual data pertaining to the services provided. The Adviser believes that this method will result in a fair and equitable allocation of expenses. Any such expenses attributable directly or indirectly to the Fund, including, without limitation, the Fund’s allocable portion of overhead expenses (including, for example, the salary and compensation of personnel of Blackstone Europe) and costs associated with the leasing of office space, will be treated as a Fund Expense and will not reduce the management fee or otherwise be shared with the Fund or the shareholders.

Self-Administration of the Fund. GSO and its affiliates expect to provide certain fund administration services to the Fund rather than engage or rely on a third party administrator to perform such services. The costs for providing these services are not included in the management fee under the Advisory Agreement and will be paid separately by the Fund. GSO also reserves the right to charge the Fund a reduced rate for these services, or to reduce or waive such charges entirely, subject to the 1940 Act. GSO’s ability to determine the reimbursement obligation from the Fund creates a conflict of interest. GSO addresses this conflict by reviewing its fund administration fee to ensure that it is comparable and fair with regard to equivalent services performed by a non-affiliated third party at a rate negotiated on an arm’s length basis. The Board of Trustees periodically reviews the reimbursement obligation.

Material, Non-Public Information. GSO will come into possession of confidential information with respect to an issuer. GSO may be restricted from buying, originating or selling securities, loans of, or derivatives with respect to, the issuer on behalf of the Fund until such time as the information becomes public or is no longer deemed material such that it would preclude the Fund from participating in an investment. Disclosure of such information to the Adviser’s personnel responsible for the affairs of the Fund will be on a need-to-know basis only, and the Fund may not be free to act for the Fund upon any such information. Therefore, the Fund may not have access to confidential information in the possession of GSO that might be relevant to an investment

 

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decision to be made for the Fund. In addition, GSO, in an effort to avoid buying or selling restrictions on behalf of the Fund or Other GSO Clients, may choose to forego an opportunity to receive (or elect not to receive) information that other market participants or counterparties, including those with the same positions in the issuer as the Fund, are eligible to receive or have received, even if possession of such information would otherwise be advantageous to the Fund.

In addition, affiliates of GSO within Blackstone may come into possession of confidential information with respect to an issuer. GSO may be restricted from buying, originating or selling securities, loans of, or derivatives with respect to, the issuer on behalf of the Fund if the Firm deemed such restriction appropriate. Disclosure of such information to the Adviser’s personnel responsible for the affairs of the Fund will be on a need-to-know basis only, and the Fund may not be free to act upon any such information. Therefore, the Fund may not have access to confidential information in the possession of the Firm that might be relevant to an investment decision to be made by the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund may not be able to initiate a transaction that it otherwise might have initiated and may not be able to sell an investment that it otherwise might have sold.

Break-up and other Similar Fees. Break-up or topping fees with respect to the Fund’s investments can be paid to GSO. Alternatively, the Fund could receive the break-up or topping fees directly. Break-up or topping fees paid to GSO or the Fund in connection with a transaction could be allocated, or not, to Other Clients or co-investment vehicles that invest (or are expected to invest) alongside the Fund, as determined by GSO to be appropriate in the circumstances. Generally, GSO would not allocate break-up or topping fees with respect to a potential investment to the Fund, an Other Client or co-investment vehicle unless such person would also share in Broken Deal Expenses related to the potential Investment. With respect to fees received by GSO relating to the Fund’s investments or from unconsummated transactions, shareholders will not receive the benefit of any fees relating to the Fund’s investments (including, without limitation, as described above). In the case of fees for services as a director of a portfolio company, the management fee will not be reduced to the extent any Firm personnel continues to serve as a director after the Fund has exited (or is in the process of exiting) the applicable portfolio company and/or following the termination of such employee’s employment with the Firm. For the avoidance of doubt, although the financial advisory and restructuring business of Blackstone has been spun out, to the extent any investment banking fees, consulting (including management consulting) fees, syndication fees, capital markets syndication and advisory fees (including underwriting fees), origination fees, servicing fees, healthcare consulting / brokerage fees, fees relating to group purchasing, financial advisory fees and similar fees for arranging acquisitions and other major financial restructurings, loan servicing and/or other types of insurance fees, operations fees, financing fees, fees for asset services, title insurance fees, and other similar fees and annual retainers (whether in cash or in kind) are received by Blackstone, such fees will not be required to be shared with the Fund or the shareholders and will not reduce the management fee payable by the Fund.

Broken Deal Expenses. Any expenses that may be incurred by the Fund for actual investments as described herein may also be incurred by the Fund with respect to broken deals (i.e., investments that are not consummated) (“Broken Deal Expenses”). GSO is not required to and in most circumstances will not seek reimbursement of Broken Deal Expenses (i.e., expenses incurred in pursuit of an investment that is not consummated) from third parties, including counterparties to the potential transaction or potential co-investors. Examples of such Broken Deal Expenses include, but are not limited to, reverse termination fees, extraordinary expenses such as litigation costs and judgments, travel and entertainment expenses incurred, costs of negotiating co-investment documentation, and legal, accounting, tax and other due diligence and pursuit costs and expenses. Any such Broken Deal Expenses could, in the sole discretion of GSO, be allocated solely to the Fund and not to Other Clients or co-investment vehicles that could have made the investment, even when the Other Client or co-investment vehicle commonly invests alongside the Fund in its investments or the Firm or Other Clients in their investments. In such cases, the Fund’s shares of expenses would increase. In the event Broken Deal Expenses are allocated to an Other Client or a co-investment vehicle, GSO may advance such fees and expenses without charging interest until paid by the Other Client or co-investment vehicle, as applicable.

Other Firm Business Activities. The Firm, Other Clients, their portfolio companies, and personnel and related parties of the foregoing will receive fees and compensation, including performance-based and other

 

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incentive fees, for products and services provided to the Fund and its portfolio companies, such as fees for asset and property management; investment management, underwriting, syndication or refinancing of a loan or investment; loan servicing; special servicing; administrative services; advisory services on purchase or sale of an asset or company; investment banking and capital markets services; placement agent services; fund administration; internal legal and tax planning services; information technology products and services; insurance procurement; brokerage; solutions and risk management services; data extraction and management products and services; and other products and services. Such parties will also provide products and services for fees to the Firm, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, and their personnel and related parties, as well as third parties. Through its Innovations group, Blackstone incubates businesses that can be expected to provide goods and services to the Fund (subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and applicable guidance) and Other Clients and their portfolio companies, as well as other Firm-related parties and third parties (the “Blackstone Innovations Group”). By contracting for a product or service from a business related to the Firm, the Fund and its portfolio companies would provide not only current income to the business and its stakeholders, but could also create significant enterprise value in them, which would not be shared with the Fund or shareholders and could benefit the Firm directly and indirectly. Also, the Firm, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, and their personnel and related parties may receive compensation or other benefits, such as through additional ownership interests or otherwise, directly related to the consumption of products and services by the Fund and its portfolio companies. The Fund and its portfolio companies will incur expense in negotiating for any such fees and services, which will be treated as Fund Expenses. In addition, the Firm may receive fees associated with capital invested by co-investors relating to investments in which the Fund participates or otherwise, in connection with a joint venture in which the Fund participates (subject to the 1940 Act) or otherwise with respect to assets or other interests retained by a seller or other commercial counterparty with respect to which the Firm performs services. Finally, the Firm and its personnel and related parties may also receive compensation in connection with referrals and related activities of such business incubated by the Blackstone Innovations Group.

The Fund will, as determined by GSO and as permitted by the governing fund documents, bear the cost of fund administration, in house legal, tax planning and other related services provided by Firm personnel and related parties to the Fund and its portfolio companies, including the allocation of their compensation and related overhead otherwise payable by the Firm, or pay for their services at market rates, as discussed above in “Self- Administration of the Fund.” Such allocations or charges can be based on any of the following methodologies: (i) requiring personnel to periodically record or allocate their historical time spent with respect to the Fund or the Firm approximating the proportion of certain personnel’s time spent with respect to the Fund, and in each case allocating their compensation and allocable overhead based on time spent, or charging their time spent at market rates, (ii) the assessment of an overall dollar amount (based on a fixed fee or percentage of assets under management) that the Firm believes represents a fair recoupment of expenses and a market rate for such services or (iii) any other similar methodology determined by the Firm to be appropriate under the circumstances. Certain Firm personnel will provide services to few, or only one, of the Fund and Other Clients, in which case the Firm could rely upon rough approximations of time spent by the employee for purposes of allocating the salary and overhead of the person if the market rate for services is clearly higher than allocable salary and overhead. However, any methodology (including the choice thereof) involves inherent conflicts and may result in incurrence of greater expenses by the Fund and its portfolio companies than would be the case if such services were provided by third parties.

GSO, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, and their affiliates, personnel and related parties could continue to receive fees, including performance-based or incentive fees, for the services described in the preceding paragraphs with respect to investments sold by the Fund or a portfolio company to a third party buyer after the sale is consummated. Such post-disposition involvement will give rise to potential or actual conflicts of interest, particularly in the sale process. Moreover, GSO, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, and their affiliates, personnel and related parties may acquire a stake in the relevant asset as part of the overall service relationship, at the time of the sale or thereafter.

 

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GSO does not have any obligation to ensure that fees for products and services contracted by the Fund or its portfolio companies are at market rates unless the counterparty is considered an affiliate of the Firm and given the breadth of the Firm’s investments and activities GSO may not be aware of every commercial arrangement between the Fund and its portfolio companies, on the one hand, and the Firm, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, and personnel and related parties of the foregoing, on the other hand.

Except as set forth above, the Fund and shareholders will not receive the benefit (e.g., through a reduction to the management fee or otherwise) of any fees or other compensation or benefit received by GSO, its affiliates or their personnel and related parties. (See also “—Service Providers, Vendors and Other Counterparties Generally” and “—Other Firm Business Activities.”)

Securities and Lending Activities. Blackstone, its affiliates and their related parties and personnel will from time to time participate in underwriting or lending syndicates with respect to current or potential portfolio companies, or may otherwise act as arrangers of financing, including with respect to the public offering and/or private placement of debt or equity securities issued by, or loan proceeds borrowed by the Fund and its portfolio companies, or otherwise in arranging financing (including loans) for such portfolio companies or advise on such transactions. Such underwritings or engagements may be on a firm commitment basis or may be on an uncommitted “best efforts” basis, and the underwriting or financing parties are under no duty to provide any commitment unless specifically set forth in the relevant contract. Blackstone may also provide placement or other similar services to purchasers or sellers of securities, including loans or instruments issued by portfolio companies. There may also be circumstances in which the Fund commits to purchase any portion of such issuance from the portfolio company that a Blackstone broker-dealer intends to syndicate to third parties. As a result thereof, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, Blackstone may receive commissions or other compensation, thereby creating a potential conflict of interest. This could include, by way of example, fees and/ or commissions for equity syndications to co-investment vehicles. In certain cases, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, a Blackstone broker-dealer will from time to time act as the managing underwriter or a member of the underwriting syndicate or broker for the Fund or its portfolio companies, or as dealer, broker or advisor to a counterparty to the Fund or a portfolio company and purchase securities from or sell securities to the Fund, Other Clients or portfolio companies of the Fund or Other Clients or advise on such transactions. Blackstone will also from time to time, on behalf of the Fund or other parties to a transaction involving the Fund or its portfolio companies, effect transactions, including transactions in the secondary markets that result in commissions or other compensation paid to Blackstone by the Fund or its portfolio companies or the counterparty to the transaction, thereby creating a potential conflict of interest. This could include, by way of example, fees and/or commissions for equity syndications to co-investment vehicles. Subject to applicable law, Blackstone will from time to time receive underwriting fees, discounts, placement commissions, loan modification or restructuring fees, servicing fees, capital markets advisory fees, lending arrangement fees, asset/property management fees, insurance (including title insurance) fees and consulting fees, monitoring fees, commitment fees, syndication fees, origination fees, organizational fees, operational fees, loan servicing fees, and financing and divestment fees (or, in each case, rebates in lieu of any such fees, whether in the form of purchase price discounts or otherwise, even in cases where Blackstone, an Other Client or its portfolio companies are purchasing debt) or other compensation with respect to the foregoing activities, which are not required to be shared with the Fund. In addition, the management fee with respect to a shareholder generally will not be reduced by such amounts. Therefore, Blackstone will from time to time have a potential conflict of interest regarding the Fund and the other parties to those transactions to the extent it receives commissions, discounts or other compensation from such other parties. The Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, will approve any transactions, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, in which a Blackstone broker-dealer acts as an underwriter, as broker for the Fund, or as dealer, broker or advisor, on the other side of a transaction with the Fund only where the Board of Trustees believes in good faith that such transactions are appropriate for the Fund and, by executing a subscription agreement for shares in the Fund, a shareholder consents to all such transactions, along with the other transactions involving conflicts of interest described herein, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

When Blackstone serves as underwriter with respect to securities of the Fund or its portfolio companies, the Fund and such portfolio companies could from time to time be subject to a “lock-up” period following the

 

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offering under applicable regulations during which time the Fund or portfolio company would be unable to sell any securities subject to the “lock-up.” This may prejudice the ability of the Fund and its portfolio companies to dispose of such securities at an opportune time. In addition, Blackstone Capital Markets may serve as underwriter in connection with the sale of securities by the Fund or its portfolio companies. Conflicts may arise because such engagement would result in Blackstone Capital Markets receiving selling commissions or other compensation in connection with such sale. (See also “—Portfolio Company Relationships Generally” below.)

Blackstone and GSO employees are generally permitted to invest in alternative investment funds, real estate funds, hedge funds or other investment vehicles, including potential competitors of the Fund. The Fund will not receive any benefit from any such investments.

PJT. On October 1, 2015, Blackstone spun off its financial and strategic advisory services, restructuring and reorganization advisory services, and its Park Hill fund placement businesses and combined these businesses with PJT Partners Inc. (“PJT”), an independent financial advisory firm founded by Paul J. Taubman. While the combined business operates independently from Blackstone and is not an affiliate thereof, it is expected that there will be substantial overlapping ownership between Blackstone and PJT for a considerable period of time going forward. Therefore, conflicts of interest will arise in connection with transactions between or involving the Fund and its portfolio companies, on the one hand, and PJT, on the other. The pre-existing relationship between Blackstone and its former personnel involved in financial and strategic advisory services at PJT, the overlapping ownership and co-investment and other continuing arrangements between PJT and Blackstone may influence GSO to select or recommend PJT to perform services for the Fund or its portfolio companies, the cost of which will generally be borne directly or indirectly by the Fund. Given that PJT is no longer an affiliate of Blackstone, GSO and its affiliates will be free to cause the Fund and portfolio companies to transact with PJT generally without restriction under the applicable governing documents, notwithstanding the relationship between Blackstone and PJT.

Portfolio Company Relationships Generally. The Fund’s portfolio companies are expected to be counterparties to or participants in agreements, transactions or other arrangements with portfolio companies of Other Clients for the provision of goods and services, purchase and sale of assets and other matters. Although the Firm may determine that such agreements, transactions or other arrangements are consistent with the requirements of such Other Clients’ offering and/or governing agreements, such agreements, transactions or other arrangements may not have otherwise been entered into but for the affiliation with GSO and/or Blackstone. These agreements, transactions or other agreements involve fees, commissions, servicing payments and/or discounts to GSO, any Blackstone affiliate (including personnel) or a portfolio company, none of which reduce the management fee payable by the Fund. For example, the Firm may cause, or offer the opportunity to, portfolio companies to enter into agreements regarding group procurement (such as the group purchasing organization), benefits management, purchase of title and/or other insurance policies (which may be pooled across portfolio companies and discounted due to scale) and other operational, administrative or management related matters from a third party or a Firm affiliate, and other similar operational initiatives that may result in commissions or similar payments, including related to a portion of the savings achieved by the portfolio company. Such agreements, transactions or other arrangements may be entered into without the consent or direct involvement of the Fund and/or such Other Client or the consent of the Board of Trustees and/or the shareholders of the Fund or such Other Client (including, without limitation, in the case of minority and/or non-controlling investments by the Fund in such portfolio companies or the sale of assets from one portfolio company to another) and/or such Other Client. In any such case, the Fund may not be involved in the negotiation process, and there can be no assurance that the terms of any such agreement, transaction or other arrangement will be as favorable to the Fund as otherwise would be the case if the counterparty were not related to the Firm.

In addition, it is possible that certain portfolio companies of Other Clients or companies in which Other Clients have an interest will compete with the Fund for one or more investment opportunities and/or engage in activities that may have adverse consequences on the Fund and/or its portfolio companies. As an example of the latter, the laws and regulations of certain jurisdictions (e.g., bankruptcy, environmental, consumer protection and/

 

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or labor laws) may not recognize the segregation of assets and liabilities as between separate entities and may permit recourse against the assets of not just the entity that has incurred the liabilities, but also the other entities that are under common control with, or part of the same economic group as, such entity. In such circumstances, the assets of the Fund and/or its portfolio companies may be used to satisfy the obligations or liabilities of one or more Other Clients, their portfolio companies and/or affiliates.

Certain portfolio companies may have established or invested in, or may in the future establish or invest in, vehicles that are managed exclusively by the portfolio company (and not the Fund or the Firm or any of its affiliates) and that invest in asset classes or industry sectors (such as cyber security) that fall within the Fund’s investment strategy. Such vehicles, which may not be considered affiliates of the Firm and would not be subject to the Firm’s policies and procedures, may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities. Portfolio companies and affiliates of the Firm may also establish other investment products, vehicles and platforms focusing on specific asset classes or industry sectors (such as reinsurance) that may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities (it being understood that such arrangements may give rise to conflicts of interest that may not necessarily be resolved in favor of the Fund). Portfolio companies and affiliates of the Firm may also establish other investment products, vehicles and platforms focusing on specific asset classes or industry sectors (such as reinsurance) that may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities (it being understood that such arrangements may give rise to conflicts of interest that may not necessarily be resolved in favor of the Fund). In addition, the Fund may hold non-controlling interests in certain portfolio companies and, as a result, such portfolio companies could engage in activities outside of the Fund’s control that may have adverse consequences on the Fund and/or its other portfolio companies.

In addition, the Firm has also entered into an investment management arrangement whereby it provides investment management services to Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company (a portfolio company of certain Other Clients), which will involve investments across a variety of asset classes (including investments that may otherwise be appropriate for the Fund), and in the future the Firm may enter into similar arrangements with other portfolio companies. Such arrangements may reduce the allocations of investments to the Fund, and the Firm may be incentivized to allocate investments away from the Fund to the counterparties to such investment management arrangements or other vehicles/accounts to the extent the economic arrangements related thereto are more favorable to the Firm relative to the terms of the Fund.

Further, portfolio companies with respect to which the Fund may elect members of the Board of Trustees may, as a result, subject the Fund and/or such directors to fiduciary obligations to make decisions that they believe to be in the best interests of any such portfolio company. Although in most cases the interests of the Fund and any such portfolio company will be aligned, this may not always be the case. This may create conflicts of interest between the relevant director’s obligations to any such portfolio company and its stakeholders, on the one hand, and the interests of the Fund, on the other hand. Although GSO will generally seek to minimize the impact of any such conflicts, there can be no assurance they will be resolved favorably for the Fund.

Portfolio Company Service Providers and Vendors. Subject to applicable law, the Fund, Other Clients, portfolio companies of each of the foregoing and GSO can be expected to engage portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients to provide some or all of the following services: (a) corporate support services (including, without limitation, accounts payable, accounting/audit (including valuation support services), account management, insurance, procurement, placement, brokerage, consulting, cash management, corporate secretarial services, domiciliation, data management, directorship services, finance/budget, human resources, information technology/systems support, internal compliance/KYC, judicial processes, legal, operational coordination (i.e., coordination with JV partners, property managers), risk management, reporting, tax, tax analysis and compliance (e.g., CIT and VAT compliance), transfer pricing and internal risk control, treasury and valuation services); (b) loan services (including, without limitation, monitoring, restructuring and work-out of performing, sub-performing and nonperforming loans, administrative services, and cash management); (c) management services (i.e., management by a portfolio company, Blackstone affiliate or third party (e.g., a third-party manager) of operational services); (d) operational services (i.e., general management of day to day operations); (e) risk

 

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management (tax and treasury); (f) insurance procurement, placement, brokerage and consulting services; and (g) other services. Similarly, GSO, Other Clients and their portfolio companies can be expected to engage portfolio companies of the Fund to provide some or all of these services. Some of the services performed by portfolio company service providers could also be performed by GSO from time to time and vice versa. Fees paid by the Fund or its portfolio companies to the other portfolio company service providers do not reduce the management fee payable by the Fund and are not otherwise shared with the Fund.

Portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients that can be expected to provide services to the Fund and its portfolio companies include, without limitation, the following, and may include additional portfolio companies that may be formed or acquired in the future:

BTIG. BTIG, LLC (“BTIG”) is a global financial services firm in which certain Blackstone entities own a strategic minority investment. BTIG provides institutional trading, investment banking, research and related brokerage services and may provide goods and services for the Fund or its portfolio companies.

Optiv. Optiv Security, Inc. is a portfolio company held by certain Blackstone private equity funds that provides a full slate of information security services and solutions and may provide goods and services for the Fund and its portfolio companies.

PSAV. PSAV, Inc. is a portfolio company held by certain Blackstone private equity funds that provides outsourced audiovisual services and event production and may provide goods and services for the Fund and its portfolio companies.

Refinitiv. On October 1, 2018, a consortium led by Blackstone announced that private equity funds managed by Blackstone had completed an acquisition of Thomson Reuters’ Financial & Risk business (“Refinitiv”). Refinitiv operates a pricing service that provides valuation services and may provide goods and services for the Fund and its portfolio companies.

Blackstone through one or more of its funds has committed to a minority investment in Kryalos, an operating partner in certain investments made by Other Clients, and expects that Kryalos will perform services after the investment has closed for the Fund and Other Clients and receive compensation as described below.

The Fund and its portfolio companies will compensate one or more of these service providers and vendors owned by the Fund or Other Clients, including through incentive based compensation payable to their management teams and other related parties. The incentive based compensation paid with respect to a portfolio company or asset of the Fund or Other Clients will vary from the incentive based compensation paid with respect to other portfolio companies and assets of the Fund and Other Clients; as a result the management team or other related parties can be expected to have greater incentives with respect to certain assets and portfolio companies relative to others, and the performance of certain assets and portfolio companies may provide incentives to retain management that also service other assets and portfolio companies. Some of these service providers and vendors owned or controlled by the Fund or Other Clients will charge the Fund and its portfolio companies for goods and services at rates generally consistent with those available in the market for similar goods and services. The discussion regarding the determination of market rates under “Firm Affiliated Service Providers” herein applies equally in respect of the fees and expenses of the portfolio company service providers, if charged at rates generally consistent with those available in the market. Other service providers and vendors owned and/or controlled by the Fund or Other Clients pass through expenses on a cost reimbursement, no-profit or break-even basis, in which case the service provider allocates costs and expenses directly associated with work performed for the benefit of the Fund and its portfolio companies to them, along with any related tax costs and an allocation of the service provider’s overhead, including any of the following: salaries, wages, benefits and travel expenses; marketing and advertising fees and expenses; legal, accounting and other professional fees and disbursements; office space and equipment; insurance premiums; technology expenditures, including hardware and software costs; costs to engage recruitment firms to hire employees; diligence expenses; one-time costs, including costs related to building-out and winding-down a portfolio company; taxes; and other operating and capital expenditures. Any of the foregoing costs, although allocated in a particular period, will, in certain circumstances,

 

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relate to activities occurring outside the period, and therefore the Fund could pay more than its pro rata portion of fees for services. The allocation of overhead among the entities and assets to which services are provided can be expected to be based on any of a number of different methodologies, including, without limitation, “cost” basis as described above, “time-allocation” basis, “per unit” basis, “per square footage” basis or “fixed percentage” basis. There can be no assurance that a different manner of allocation would result in the Fund and its portfolio companies bearing less or more costs and expenses. GSO will not always perform or obtain benchmarking analysis or third-party verification of expenses with respect to services provided on a cost reimbursement, no profit or break even basis. There can be no assurances that amounts charged by portfolio company service providers that are not controlled by the Fund or Other Clients will be consistent with market rates or that any benchmarking, verification or other analysis will be performed with respect to such charges. If benchmarking is performed, the related expenses will be borne by the Fund, Other Clients and their respective portfolio companies and will not reduce the management fee. A portfolio company service provider will, in certain circumstances, subcontract certain of its responsibilities to other portfolio companies. In such circumstances, the relevant subcontractor could invoice the portfolio company for fees (or in the case of a cost reimbursement arrangement, for allocable costs and expenses) in respect of the services provided by the subcontractor. The portfolio company, if charging on a cost reimbursement, no-profit or break-even basis, would in turn allocate those costs and expenses as it allocates other fees and expenses as described above. Similarly, Other Clients, their portfolio companies and GSO can be expected to engage portfolio companies of the Fund to provide services, and these portfolio companies will generally charge for services in the same manner described above, but the Fund and its portfolio companies generally will not be reimbursed for any costs (such as start-up costs) relating to such portfolio companies incurred prior to such engagement. Some of the services performed by these service providers could also be performed by GSO from time to time and vice versa. Fees paid by the Fund or its portfolio companies to these service providers do not the management fee payable to the Adviser.

Service Providers, Vendors and Other Counterparties Generally. Certain third party advisors and other service providers and vendors to the Fund and its portfolio companies (including accountants, administrators, lenders, bankers, brokers, attorneys, consultants, title agents and investment or commercial banking firms) are owned by the Firm, the Fund or Other Clients or provide goods or services to, or have other business, personal, financial or other relationships with, the Firm, the Other Clients and their respective portfolio companies and affiliates and personnel. Such advisors and service providers referred to above may be investors in the Fund, affiliates of the Adviser, sources of financing and investment opportunities or co-investors or commercial counterparties or entities in which the Firm and/or Other Clients have an investment, and payments by the Fund and/or such entities may indirectly benefit the Firm, the Other Clients and their respective portfolio companies or any affiliates or personnel. Also, advisors, lenders, investors, commercial counterparties, vendors and service providers (including any of their affiliates or personnel) to the Fund and its portfolio companies could have other commercial or personal relationships with the Firm, Other Clients and their respective portfolio companies, or any affiliates, personnel or family members of personnel of the foregoing. Although the Firm selects service providers and vendors it believes are most appropriate in the circumstances based on its knowledge of such service providers and vendors (which knowledge is generally greater in the case of service providers and vendors that have other relationships to the Firm), the relationship of service providers and vendors to the Firm as described above will influence the Firm in deciding whether to select, recommend or form such an advisor or service provider to perform services for the Fund, subject to applicable law, or a portfolio company, the cost of which will generally be borne directly or indirectly by the Fund and can be expected to incentivize the Firm to engage such service provider over a third party, utilize the services of such service providers and vendors more frequently than would be the case absent the conflict, or to pay such service providers and vendors higher fees or commissions than would be the case absent the conflict. The incentive could be created by current income and/or the generation of enterprise value in a service provider or vendor; the Firm can be expected to also have an incentive to invest in or create service providers and vendors to realize on these opportunities.

The Firm has a practice of not entering into any arrangements with advisors, vendors or service providers that provide lower rates or discounts to the Firm itself compared to those it enters into on behalf of the Fund and its portfolio companies for the same services. However, legal fees for unconsummated transactions are often

 

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charged at a discount rate, such that if the Fund and its portfolio companies consummate a higher percentage of transactions with a particular law firm than the Firm, the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, the shareholders could indirectly pay a higher net effective rate for the services of that law firm than the Firm, the Fund or Other Clients or their portfolio companies. Also, advisors, vendors and service providers often charge different rates or have different arrangements for different types of services. For example, advisors, vendors and service providers often charge fees based on the complexity of the matter as well as the expertise and time required to handle it. Therefore, to the extent the types of services used by the Fund and its portfolio companies are different from those used by the Firm, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, and their affiliates and personnel, the Fund and its portfolio companies can be expected to pay different amounts or rates than those paid by such other persons. Similarly, the Firm, the Fund, the Other Clients and their portfolio companies and affiliates can be expected to enter into agreements or other arrangements with vendors and other similar counterparties (whether such counterparties are affiliated or unaffiliated with the Firm) from time to time whereby such counterparty will, in certain circumstances, charge lower rates (or no fee) or provide discounts or rebates for such counterparty’s products or services depending on the volume of transactions in the aggregate or other factors.

Subject to applicable law, the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies are expected to enter into joint ventures with third parties to which the service providers and vendors described above will provide services. In some of these cases, the third party joint venture partner may negotiate to not pay its pro rata share of fees, costs and expenses to be allocated as described above, in which case the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies that also use the services of the portfolio company service provider will, directly or indirectly, pay the difference, or the portfolio company service provider will bear a loss equal to the difference.

The Firm may, from time to time, encourage service providers to funds and investments to use, at market rates and/or on arm’s length terms, the Firm-affiliated service providers in connection with the business of the Fund, portfolio companies, and unaffiliated entities. This practice provides an indirect benefit to the Firm in the form of added business for the Firm-affiliated service providers.

Certain portfolio companies that provide services to the Fund, Other Clients and/or portfolio companies or assets of the Fund and/or Other Clients may be transferred between and among the Fund and/or Other Clients (where the Fund may be a seller or a buyer in any such transfer) for minimal or no consideration (based on a third party valuation confirming the same). Such transfers may give rise to actual or potential conflicts of interest for GSO.

Firm Affiliated Service Providers. Certain of the Fund’s, the Firm’s and/or portfolio companies’ advisers and other service providers, or their affiliates (including accountants, administrators, lenders, bankers, brokers, attorneys, consultants, and investment or commercial banking firms) also provide goods or services to, or have business, personal, financial or other relationships with, the Firm, its affiliates and portfolio companies. Such advisers and service providers (or their affiliates) may be investors in the Fund, affiliates of the Firm, sources of investment opportunities, co-investors, commercial counterparties and/or portfolio companies in which the Firm and/or the Fund has an investment. Accordingly, payments by the Fund and/or such entities may indirectly benefit the Fund and/or its affiliates, including the Firm and Other Clients. No fees charged by these service providers and vendors will reduce the management fees payable to the Adviser. Furthermore, the Firm, the Other Clients and their portfolio companies and their affiliates and related parties will use the services of these Firm affiliates, including at different rates. Although the Firm believes the services provided by its affiliates are equal or better than those of third parties, the Firm directly benefits from the engagement of these affiliates, and there is therefore an inherent conflict of interest such as those described above.

Because the Firm has many different businesses, including the Blackstone Capital Markets, which Blackstone investment teams and portfolio companies may engage to provide underwriting and capital market advisory services, it is subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest, greater regulatory oversight and more legal and contractual restrictions than that to which it would be subject if it had just one line

 

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of business. To the extent Blackstone determines appropriate, conflict mitigation strategies may be put in place with respect to a particular circumstance, such as internal information barriers or recusal, disclosure or other steps determined appropriate by the Adviser. Service providers affiliated with the Firm, which are generally expected to receive competitive market rate fees (as determined by the Adviser or its affiliates) with respect to certain Investments, include:

 

   

BPM. Blackstone Property Management is a Blackstone affiliate that may provide property management, leasing oversight, corporate services (including accounting and reporting), development and construction management, and transaction support services to any of the Fund’s investment properties primarily located in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.

 

   

Equity Healthcare. Equity Healthcare LLC (“Equity Healthcare”) is a Blackstone affiliate that negotiates with providers of standard administrative services for health benefit plans and other related services for cost discounts, quality of service monitoring, data services and clinical consulting. Because of the combined purchasing power of its client participants, which include unaffiliated third parties, Equity Healthcare is able to negotiate pricing terms that are believed to be more favorable than those that the portfolio companies could obtain on an individual basis. The fees received by Equity Healthcare in connection with services provided to investments will not reduce the management fee payable by the Fund.

 

   

LNLS. Blackstone wholly owns a leading national title agency, Lexington National Land Services (“LNLS”), a title agent company. LNLS may act as an agent for one or more underwriters in issuing title policies and/or providing support services in connection with investments by the Fund, Other Clients and third parties. LNLS focuses on transactions in rate-regulated U.S. states where the cost of title insurance is non-negotiable. LNLS will not perform services in nonregulated U.S. states for the Fund and Other Clients unless (i) in the context of a portfolio transaction that includes assets in rate- regulated U.S. states, (ii) as part of a syndicate of title insurance companies where the rate is negotiated by other insurers or their agents, (iii) when a third party is paying all or a material portion of the premium or (iv) when providing only support services to the underwriter and not negotiating the title policy or issuing it to the insured. LNLS earns fees, which would have otherwise been paid to third parties, by providing title agency services and facilitating the placement of title insurance with underwriters. Blackstone receives distributions from LNLS in connection with investments by the Fund based on its equity interest in LNLS. In each case, there will be no related reduction in management fees. As a result, while Blackstone believes that venture will provide services at or better than those provided by third parties (even in jurisdictions where insurance rates are regulated), there is an inherent conflict of interest that would incentivize Blackstone to engage LNLS over a third party.

 

   

Refinitiv. See “—Portfolio Company Service Providers and Vendors.”

Certain Blackstone-affiliated service providers and their respective personnel will receive a management promote, an incentive fee and other performance-based compensation in respect of investments, sales or other transaction volume. Furthermore, Blackstone-affiliated service providers may charge costs and expenses based on allocable overhead associated with personnel working on relevant matters (including salaries, benefits and other similar expenses).

In connection with such relationships, GSO and, if required by applicable law, the Board of Trustees, will make determinations of competitive market rates based on its consideration of a number of factors, which are generally expected to include GSO’s experience with non-affiliated service providers, benchmarking data and other methodologies determined by GSO to be appropriate under the circumstances (i.e., rates that fall within a range that GSO has determined is reflective of rates in the applicable market and certain similar markets, though not necessarily equal to or lower than the median rate of comparable firms). In respect of benchmarking, while GSO often obtains benchmarking data regarding the rates charged or quoted by third parties for services similar to those provided by GSO affiliates in the applicable market or certain similar markets, relevant comparisons may not be available for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, as a result of a lack of a substantial

 

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market of providers or users of such services or the confidential or bespoke nature of such services (e.g., different assets may receive different services). In addition, benchmarking data is based on general market and broad industry overviews, rather than determined on an asset by asset basis. As a result, benchmarking data does not take into account specific characteristics of individual assets then invested in by the Fund (such as location or size), or the particular characteristics of services provided. For these reasons, such market comparisons may not result in precise market terms for comparable services. Expenses to obtain benchmarking data will be borne by the Fund, Other Clients and their respective portfolio companies and will not reduce the management fee. Finally, in certain circumstances GSO may determine that third party benchmarking is unnecessary, either because the price for a particular good or service is mandated by law (e.g., title insurance in rate regulated states) or because GSO has access to adequate market data to make the determination without reference to third party benchmarking. For example, certain portfolio companies may enter into an employer health program arrangement or similar arrangements with Equity Healthcare, a Blackstone affiliate that negotiates with providers of standard administrative services and insurance carriers for health benefit plans and other related services for cost discounts, quality of service monitoring, data services and clinical consulting. Because of the combined purchasing power of its client participants, Equity Healthcare is able to negotiate pricing terms from providers that are believed to be more favorable than the companies could obtain for themselves on an individual basis. The payments made to Blackstone in connection with Equity Healthcare, group purchasing, insurance and benefits management will not reduce the management fee payable to the Adviser.

Portfolio company service providers described in this section are generally owned by one or more Blackstone funds. In certain instances a similar company could be owned by Blackstone directly. Blackstone could cause a transfer of ownership of one of these service providers from an Other Client to the Fund. The transfer of a portfolio company service provider between the Fund and an Other Client (where the Fund may be a seller or a buyer in any such transfer) will generally be consummated for minimal or no consideration. The Adviser may, but is not required to, obtain a third party valuation confirming the same, and if it does, the Adviser may rely on such valuation.

Advisers and service providers, or their affiliates, often charge different rates, including below-market or no fee, or have different arrangements for different types of services. With respect to service providers, for example, the fee for a given type of work may vary depending on the complexity of the matter as well as the expertise required and demands placed on the service provider. Therefore, to the extent the types of services used by the Fund and/or portfolio companies differ from those used by the Firm and its affiliates (including personnel), GSO and/or Blackstone or their respective affiliates (including personnel) may pay different amounts or rates than those paid by the Fund and/or portfolio companies. However, GSO and its affiliates have a longstanding practice of not entering into any arrangements with advisers or service providers that could provide for lower rates or discounts than those available to the Fund, Other Clients and/or portfolio companies for the same services. Furthermore, advisers and service providers may provide services exclusively to the Firm and its affiliates, including the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies, although such advisers and service providers would not be considered employees of Blackstone or GSO. Similarly, Blackstone, GSO, each of their respective affiliates, the Fund, the Other Clients and/or their portfolio companies, may enter into agreements or other arrangements with vendors and other similar counterparties (whether such counterparties are affiliated or unaffiliated with the Firm) from time to time whereby such counterparty may charge lower rates (or no fee) and/ or provide discounts or rebates for such counterparty’s products and/or services depending on certain factors, including volume of transactions entered into with such counterparty by the Firm, its affiliates, the Fund, the Other Clients and their portfolio companies in the aggregate.

In addition, investment banks or other financial institutions, as well as Blackstone employees, may also be investors in the Fund. These institutions and employees are a potential source of information and ideas that could benefit the Fund. Blackstone has procedures in place reasonably designed to prevent the inappropriate use of such information by the Fund.

Transactions with Portfolio Companies. The Firm and portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients provide products and services to or otherwise contract with the Fund and its portfolio companies, among others.

 

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In the alternative, the Firm may form a joint venture with such a company to implement such referral arrangement. For example, such arrangements may include the establishment of a joint venture or other business arrangement between the Firm, on the one hand, and a portfolio company of the Fund, portfolio company of an Other Client or third party, on the other hand, pursuant to which the joint venture or business provides services (including, without limitation, corporate support services, loan management services, management services, operational services, risk management services, data management services, consulting services, brokerage services, insurance procurement, placement, brokerage and consulting services, and other services) to portfolio companies of the Fund (and portfolio companies of Other Clients) that are referred to the joint venture or business by the Firm. The Firm, the Fund and Other Clients and their respective portfolio companies and personnel and related parties of the foregoing may make referrals or introductions to portfolio companies of the Fund or Other Clients in an effort, in part, to increase the customer base of such companies or businesses (and therefore the value of the investment held by the Fund or Other Client, which would also benefit the Firm financially through its participation in such joint venture or business) or because such referrals or introductions may result in financial benefits, such as additional equity ownership and/or milestones benefitting the referring or introducing party that are tied or related to participation by the portfolio companies of the Fund and/or of Other Clients, accruing to the party making the introduction. The Fund and the shareholders will not share in any fees, economics, equity or other benefits accruing to the Firm, Other Clients and their portfolio companies as a result of the introduction of the Fund and its portfolio companies. Moreover, payments made to the Firm in connection with such arrangements will not reduce the management fee payable to the Adviser. There may, however, be instances in which the applicable arrangements provide that the Fund or its portfolio companies share in some or all of any resulting financial incentives (including, in some cases, equity ownership) based on structures and allocation methodologies determined in the sole discretion of the Firm. Conversely, where the Fund or one of its portfolio companies is the referring or introducing party, rather than receiving all of the financial incentives (including, in some cases, additional equity ownership) for similar types of referrals and/or introductions, such financial incentives (including, in some cases, equity ownership) may be similarly shared with the participating Other Clients or their respective portfolio companies.

The Firm may also enter into commercial relationships with third party companies, including those in which the Fund considered making an investment (but ultimately chose not to pursue). For example, the Firm may enter into an introducer engagement with such company, pursuant to which the Firm introduces the company to unaffiliated third parties (which may include current and former portfolio companies and portfolio companies of Other Clients and/or their respective employees) in exchange for a fee from, or equity interest in, such company. Even though the Firm may benefit financially from this commercial relationship, the Firm will be under no obligation to reimburse the Fund for Broken Deal Expenses incurred in connection with its consideration of the prospective investment and such arrangements will not be subject to the management fee payable to the Adviser and otherwise described herein.

Additionally, the Firm or an affiliate thereof will from time to time hold equity or other investments in companies or businesses that provide services to or otherwise contract with portfolio companies. Blackstone and GSO have in the past entered (and can be expected in the future to enter) into relationships with companies in the information technology, corporate services and related industries whereby Blackstone acquires an equity or similar interest in such company. In connection with such relationships, Blackstone and/or GSO may also make referrals and/or introductions to portfolio companies (which may result in financial incentives (including additional equity ownership) and/or milestones benefitting Blackstone and/or GSO that are tied or related to participation by portfolio companies). Such joint venture or business could use data obtained from portfolio companies of the Fund and/or portfolio companies of Other Clients. (See “—Data.”) These arrangements may be entered into without the consent or direct involvement of the Fund. The Fund and the shareholders will not share in any fees or economics accruing to Blackstone and/or GSO as a result of these relationships and/or participation by portfolio companies.

With respect to transactions or agreements with portfolio companies (including, for the avoidance of doubt, long-term incentive plans), at times if officers unrelated to the Firm have not yet been appointed to represent a

 

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portfolio company, the Firm may negotiate and execute agreements between the Firm and/or the Fund on the one hand, and the portfolio company or its affiliates, on the other hand, without arm’s length representation of the portfolio company, which could entail a conflict of interest in relation to efforts to enter into terms that are arm’s length. Among the measures the Firm may use to mitigate such conflicts are to involve outside counsel to review and advise on such agreements and provide insights into commercially reasonable terms, or establish separate groups with information barriers within the Firm to advise on each side of the negotiation.

Related Party Leasing. Subject to applicable law, the Fund and its portfolio companies may lease property to or from Blackstone, Other Clients and their portfolio companies and affiliates and other related parties. The leases are generally expected to be at market rates. Blackstone may confirm market rates by reference to other leases it is aware of in the market, which Blackstone expects to be generally indicative of market given the scale of Blackstone’s real estate business. Blackstone will nonetheless have conflicts of interest in making these determinations. There can be no assurance that the Fund and its portfolio companies will lease to or from any such related parties on terms as favorable to the Fund and its portfolio companies as would apply if the counterparties were unrelated.

Cross-Guarantees and Cross-Collateralization. While GSO generally seeks to use reasonable efforts to avoid cross-guarantees and other similar arrangements, a counterparty, lender or other participant in any transaction to be pursued by the Fund (other than alternative investment vehicles) and/or the Other Clients may require or prefer facing only one fund entity or group of entities, which may result in any of the Fund, such Other Clients, the portfolio companies, such Other Clients’ portfolio companies and/or other vehicles being jointly and severally liable for such applicable obligation (subject to any limitations set forth in the applicable partnership agreements or other governing documents thereof), which in each case may result in the Fund, such Other Clients, such portfolio companies, and/or vehicles entering into a back-to-back or other similar reimbursement agreement, subject to applicable law. In such situation, better financing terms may be available through a cross- collateralized arrangement, but it is not expected that any of the Fund or such Other Clients or vehicles would be compensated (or provide compensation to the other) for being primarily liable vis-à-vis such third party counterparty. Also, it is expected that cross-collateralization will generally occur at portfolio companies rather than the Fund for obligations that are not recourse to the Fund except in limited circumstances such as “bad boy” events. Any cross-collateralization arrangements with Other Clients could result in the Fund losing its interests in otherwise performing investments due to poorly performing or non-performing investments of Other Clients in the collateral pool.

Similarly, a lender could require that it face only one portfolio company of the Fund and Other Clients, even though multiple portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients benefit from the lending, which will typically result in (i) the portfolio company facing the lender being solely liable with respect to the entire obligation, and therefore being required to contribute amounts in respect of the shortfall attributable to other portfolio companies, and (ii) portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients being jointly and severally liable for the full amount of the obligation, liable on a cross-collateralized basis or liable for an equity cushion (which cushion amount may vary depending upon the type of financing or refinancing (e.g., cushions for refinancings may be smaller)). The portfolio companies of the Fund and Other Clients benefiting from a financing may enter into a back-to-back or other similar reimbursement agreements to ensure no portfolio company bears more than its pro rata portion of the debt and related obligations. It is not expected that the portfolio companies would be compensated (or provide compensation to other portfolio companies) for being primarily liable, or jointly liable, for other portfolio companies pro rata share of any financing.

Joint Venture Partners. The Fund will from time to time enter into one or more joint venture arrangements with third party joint venture partners. Investments made with joint venture partners will often involve performance-based compensation and other fees payable to such joint venture partners, as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion. The joint venture partners could provide services similar to those provided by the Adviser to the Fund. Yet, no compensation or fees paid to the joint venture partners would reduce the management fees payable by the Fund. Additional conflicts would arise if a joint venture partner is related to the

 

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Firm in any way, such as a limited partner investor in, lender to, a shareholder of, or a service provider to the Firm, the Fund, Other Clients, or their respective portfolio companies, or any affiliate, personnel, officer or agent of any of the foregoing.

Group Procurement; Discounts. The Fund (subject to applicable law) and certain portfolio companies will enter into agreements regarding group procurement (such as CoreTrust, an independent group purchasing organization), benefits management, purchase of title and/or other insurance policies (which may include brokerage and/or placement thereof, and will from time to time be pooled across portfolio companies and discounted due to scale, including through sharing of deductibles and other forms of shared risk retention) from a third party or an affiliate of GSO and/or Blackstone, and other operational, administrative or management related initiatives. The Firm will allocate the cost of these various services and products purchased on a group basis among the Fund, Other Clients and their portfolio companies. Some of these arrangements result in commissions, discounts, rebates or similar payments to GSO and/or Blackstone or their affiliates (including personnel), or Other Clients and their portfolio companies, including as a result of transactions entered into by the Fund and its portfolio companies and/or related to a portion of the savings achieved by the portfolio companies. Such commissions or payment will not reduce the management fee. The Firm may also receive consulting or other fees from the parties to these group procurement arrangements. To the extent that a portfolio company of an Other Client is providing such a service, such portfolio company and such Other Client will benefit. Further, the benefits received by a particular portfolio company providing the service may be greater than those received by the Fund and its portfolio companies receiving the service. Conflicts exist in the allocation of the costs and benefits of these arrangements, and shareholders rely on the Adviser to handle them in its sole discretion.

Diverse Shareholder Group. The Fund’s shareholders are expected to be based in a wide variety of jurisdictions and take a wide variety of forms. The shareholders may have conflicting investment, tax and other interests with respect to their investments in the Fund and with respect to the interests of investors in other investment vehicles managed or advised by the Adviser and GSO that may participate in the same investments as the Fund. The conflicting interests of individual shareholders with respect to other shareholders and relative to investors in other investment vehicles would generally relate to or arise from, among other things, the nature of investments made by the Fund and such other partnerships, the structuring or the acquisition of investments and the timing of disposition of investments. As a consequence, conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the decisions made by the Adviser or GSO, including with respect to the nature or structuring of investments that may be more beneficial for one investor than for another investor, especially with respect to investors’ individual tax situations. In addition, the Fund may make investments that may have a negative impact on related investments made by the shareholders in separate transactions. In selecting and structuring investments appropriate for the Fund, the Adviser or GSO will consider the investment and tax objectives of the Fund and the shareholders (and those of investors in other investment vehicles managed or advised by the Adviser or GSO) as a whole, not the investment, tax or other objectives of any shareholder individually.

In addition, certain shareholders also may be investors in Other Clients, including supplemental capital vehicles and co-investment vehicles that may invest alongside the Fund in one or more investments, consistent with applicable law and/or any applicable SEC-granted order. Shareholders also may include affiliates of the Firm, such as Other Clients, affiliates of portfolio companies of the Fund or Other Clients, charities, foundations or other entities or programs associated with Firm personnel and/or current or former Firm employees, the Firm’s senior advisors and/or operating partners and any affiliates, funds or persons may also invest in the Fund through the vehicles established in connection with the Firm’s side-by-side co-investment rights, subject to applicable law, in each case, without being subject to management fees, and shareholders will not be afforded the benefits of such arrangements. Some of the foregoing Firm related parties are sponsors of feeder vehicles that could invest in the Fund as shareholders. The Firm related sponsors of feeder vehicles generally charge their investors additional fees, including performance based fees, which could provide the Firm current income and increase the value of its ownership position in them. The Firm will therefore have incentives to refer potential investors to these feeder vehicles. All of these Firm related shareholders will have equivalent rights to vote and withhold consents as

 

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nonrelated shareholders. Nonetheless, the Firm may have the ability to influence, directly or indirectly, these Firm related shareholders.

It is also possible that the Fund or its portfolio companies will be a counterparty (such counterparties dealt with on an arm’s-length basis) or participant in agreements, transactions or other arrangements with a shareholder or an affiliate of a shareholder. Such transactions may include agreements to pay performance fees to operating partners, a management team and other related persons in connection with the Fund’s investment therein, which will reduce the Fund’s returns. Such shareholders described in the previous sentences may therefore have different information about the Firm and the Fund than shareholders not similarly positioned. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise in dealing with any such shareholders, and the Adviser and its affiliates may not be motivated to act solely in accordance with its interests relating to the Fund. Similar information disparity may occur as a result of shareholders monitoring their investments in vehicles such as the Fund differently. For example, certain shareholders may periodically request from the Adviser information regarding the Fund, its investments and/or portfolio companies that is not otherwise set forth in (or has yet to be set forth) in the reporting and other information required to be delivered to all shareholders. In such circumstances, the Adviser may provide such information to such shareholders, subject to applicable law and regulations. Unless required by applicable law, the Adviser will not be obligated to affirmatively provide such information to all shareholders (although the Adviser will generally provide the same information upon request and treat shareholders equally in that regard). As a result, certain shareholders may have more information about the Fund than other shareholders, and, unless required by applicable law, the Adviser will have no duty to ensure all shareholders seek, obtain or process the same information regarding the Fund, its investments and/or portfolio companies. Therefore, certain shareholders may be able to take actions on the basis of such information which, in the absence of such information, other shareholders do not take. Furthermore, at certain times the Firm may be restricted from disclosing to the shareholders material non-public information regarding any assets in which the Fund invests, particularly those investments in which an Other Client or portfolio company that is publicly registered co-invests with the Fund. In addition, investment banks or other financial institutions, as well as Firm personnel, may also be shareholders. These institutions and personnel are a potential source of information and ideas that could benefit the Fund, and may receive information about the Fund and its portfolio companies in their capacity as a service provider or vendor to the Fund and its portfolio companies.

Possible Future Activities. The Firm and its affiliates may expand the range of services that it provides over time. Except as provided herein, the Firm and its affiliates will not be restricted in the scope of its business or in the performance of any such services (whether now offered or undertaken in the future) even if such activities could give rise to conflicts of interest, and whether or not such conflicts are described herein. The Firm and its affiliates have, and will continue to develop, relationships with a significant number of companies, financial sponsors and their senior managers, including relationships with clients who may hold or may have held investments similar to those intended to be made by the Fund. These clients may themselves represent appropriate investment opportunities for the Fund or may compete with the Fund for investment opportunities.

Restrictions Arising under the Securities Laws. The Firm’s activities and the activities of Other Clients (including the holding of securities positions or having one of its employees on the board of directors of a portfolio company) could result in securities law restrictions on transactions in securities held by the Fund, affect the prices of such securities or the ability of such entities to purchase, retain or dispose of such investments, or otherwise create conflicts of interest, any of which could have an adverse impact on the performance of the Fund and thus the return to the shareholders.

The 1940 Act may limit the Fund’s ability to undertake certain transactions with or alongside its affiliates that are registered under the 1940 Act. As a result of these restrictions, the Fund may be prohibited from executing “joint” transactions with the Fund’s 1940 Act registered affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times) or buying investments from, or selling them to, Other Clients. These limitations may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Fund.

 

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We have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits us, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Shareholders’ Outside Activities. A shareholder shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in activities in addition to those relating to the Fund, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Fund and its portfolio companies, and may engage in transactions with, and provide services to, the Fund or its portfolio companies (which may include providing leverage or other financing to the Fund or its portfolio companies as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion). None of the Fund, any shareholder or any other person shall have any rights by virtue of the Fund’s operative documents in any business ventures of any shareholder. The shareholder, and in certain cases the Adviser, will have conflicting loyalties in these situations.

Insurance. The Adviser will cause the Fund to purchase, and/or bear premiums, fees, costs and expenses (including any expenses or fees of insurance brokers) for insurance to insure the Fund and the Board of Trustees against liability in connection with the activities of the Fund. This includes a portion of any premiums, fees, costs and expenses for one or more “umbrella,” group or other insurance policies maintained by the Firm that cover the Fund and one or more of the Other Clients, the Adviser, GSO and/or Blackstone (including their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, independent client representative (if any) and other indemnified parties). The Adviser will make judgments about the allocation of premiums, fees, costs and expenses for such “umbrella,” group or other insurance policies among the Fund, one or more Other Clients, the Adviser, GSO and/or Blackstone on a fair and reasonable basis, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

Additional Potential Conflicts of Interest. The officers, directors, members, managers, employees and personnel of the Adviser may trade in securities for their own accounts, subject to restrictions and reporting requirements as may be required by law or the Firm’s policies, or otherwise determined from time to time by the Adviser. In addition, certain Other Clients may be subject to the 1940 Act or other regulations that, due to the role of the Firm, could restrict the ability of the Fund to buy investments from, to sell investments to or to invest in the same securities as, such Other Clients. Such regulations may have the effect of limiting the investment opportunities available to the Fund. In addition, as a consequence of Blackstone’s status as a public company, the officers, directors, members, managers and personnel of the Adviser may take into account certain considerations and other factors in connection with the management of the business and affairs of the Fund and its affiliates that would not necessarily be taken into account if Blackstone were not a public company. The directors of Blackstone have fiduciary duties to shareholders of the public company that may conflict with their duties to the Fund. Finally, although the Firm believes its positive reputation in the marketplace provides benefit to the Fund and Other Clients, the Adviser could decline to undertake investment activity or transact with a counterparty on behalf of the Fund for reputational reasons, and this decision could result in the Fund foregoing a profit or suffering a loss.

The foregoing list of conflicts does not purport to be a complete enumeration or explanation of the actual and potential conflicts involved in an investment in the Fund. Prospective investors should read this Registration Statement and consult with their own advisors before deciding whether to invest in the Fund. In addition, as the Fund’s investment program develops and changes over time, an investment in the Fund may be subject to additional and different actual and potential conflicts. Although the various conflicts discussed herein are generally described separately, prospective investors should consider the potential effects of the interplay of multiple conflicts.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth, as of September 28, 2020, information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Shares at the time of the satisfaction of the minimum offering requirement by:

 

   

each person known to us to be expected to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common Shares;

 

   

each of our Trustees and each executive officers; and

 

   

all of our Trustees and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. There are no Common Shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the offering.

 

     Shares Beneficially
Owned
 
Name and Address    Number      Percentage  

Interested Trustees

     

Brad Marshall

     —          —    

Daniel H. Smith, Jr.

     —          —    

Independent Trustees(1)

     

Robert Bass

     —          —    

Tracy Collins

     —          —    

Vicki L. Fuller

     —          —    

Executive Officers

     

who are not Trustees (1)

     

Steve Kuppenheimer

     —          —    

Robert Busch

     —          —    

Marisa J. Beeney

     —          —    

Other

     

Blackstone BDC Holdings LLC(2)

     60        100

All officers and Trustees as a group (8 persons)

     —          —    

 

*

Less than 1%.

(1)

The address for all of the Fund’s officers and Trustees is c/o GSO Asset Management LLC, 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10154.

(2)

The address for Blackstone BDC Holdings LLC (f/k/a Blackstone BGSL Holdings LLC) is c/o BDC Holdings LLC, 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10154.

The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities as if September 28, 2020.

 

Name and Address    Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in BCRED(1)(2)(3)
     Aggregate Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities in the
Fund Complex(1)(3)
 

Interested Trustees

     

Brad Marshall

     —          Over $100,000  

Daniel H. Smith, Jr.

     —          Over $100,000  

Independent Trustees(1)

     

Robert Bass

     —          $50,001-$100,000  

Tracy Collins

     —          None  

Vicki L. Fuller

     —          None  

 

(1)

Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(2)

The dollar range of equities securities expected to be beneficially owned by our Trustees is based on the initial public offering price of $25.00 per share.

(3)

The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned are: none, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000 or over $100,000.

 

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DISTRIBUTIONS

We expect to pay regular monthly distributions commencing with the first full calendar quarter after the escrow period concludes. Any distributions we make will be at the discretion of our Board of Trustees, considering factors such as our earnings, cash flow, capital needs and general financial condition and the requirements of Delaware law. As a result, our distribution rates and payment frequency may vary from time to time.

Our Board of Trustees’ discretion as to the payment of distributions will be directed, in substantial part, by its determination to cause us to comply with the RIC requirements. To maintain our treatment as a RIC, we generally are required to make aggregate annual distributions to our shareholders of at least 90% of our net investment income. See “Description of our Shares” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

The per share amount of distributions on Class S, Class D and Class I shares generally differ because of different class-specific shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees that are deducted from the gross distributions for each share class. Specifically, distributions on Class S shares will be lower than Class D shares, and Class D shares will be lower than Class I shares because we are required to pay higher ongoing shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees with respect to the Class S shares (compared to Class D shares and Class I shares) and we are required to pay higher ongoing shareholder servicing fees with respect to Class D shares (compared to Class I shares).

There is no assurance we will pay distributions in any particular amount, if at all. We may fund any distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital or offering proceeds, and we have no limits on the amounts we may pay from such sources. The extent to which we pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations will depend on various factors, including the level of participation in our distribution reinvestment plan, how quickly we invest the proceeds from this and any future offering and the performance of our investments. Funding distributions from the sales of assets, borrowings, return of capital or proceeds of this offering will result in us having less funds available to acquire investments. As a result, the return you realize on your investment may be reduced. Doing so may also negatively impact our ability to generate cash flows. Likewise, funding distributions from the sale of additional securities will dilute your interest in us on a percentage basis and may impact the value of your investment especially if we sell these securities at prices less than the price you paid for your shares. We believe the likelihood that we pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations will be higher in the early stages of the offering.

From time to time, we may also pay special interim distributions in the form of cash or Common Shares at the discretion of our Board of Trustees.

We have not established limits on the amount of funds we may use from any available sources to make distributions. There can be no assurance that we will achieve the performance necessary to sustain our distributions or that we will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all. The Adviser and its affiliates have no obligation to waive advisory fees or otherwise reimburse expenses in future periods. See “Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement.”

Consistent with the Code, shareholders will be notified of the source of our distributions. Our distributions may exceed our earnings and profits, especially during the period before we have substantially invested the proceeds from this offering. As a result, a portion of the distributions we make may represent a return of capital for tax purposes. The tax basis of shares must be reduced by the amount of any return of capital distributions, which will result in an increase in the amount of any taxable gain (or a reduction in any deductible loss) on the sale of shares.

For a period of time following commencement of this offering, which time period may be significant, we expect substantial portions of our distributions may be funded indirectly through the reimbursement of certain

 

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expenses by the Adviser and its affiliates, including through the waiver of certain investment advisory fees by the Adviser, that are subject to conditional reimbursement by us within three years. Any such distributions funded through expense reimbursements or waivers of advisory fees are not based on our investment performance, and can only be sustained if we achieve positive investment performance in future periods and/or the Adviser or its affiliates continues to advance such expenses or waive such fees. Our future reimbursement of amounts advanced or waived by the Adviser and its affiliates will reduce the distributions that you would otherwise receive in the future. Other than as set forth in this prospectus, the Adviser and its affiliates have no obligation to advance expenses or waive advisory fees.

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under the Code. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment, we must distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (net ordinary taxable income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses), if any, to our shareholders. A RIC may satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by actually distributing dividends (other than capital gain dividends) during the taxable year. In addition, a RIC may, in certain cases, satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends relating to a taxable year after the close of such taxable year under the “spillback dividend” provisions of Subchapter M. If a RIC makes a spillback dividend, the amounts will be included in a shareholder’s gross income for the year in which the spillback dividend is paid.

We currently intend to distribute net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of net short- term capital losses), if any, at least annually out of the assets legally available for such distributions. However, we may decide in the future to retain such capital gains for investment and elect to treat such gains as deemed distributions to you. If this happens, you will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if you had received an actual distribution of the capital gains that we retain and reinvested the net after tax proceeds in us. In this situation, you would be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

If we issue senior securities, we may be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

We have adopted a distribution reinvestment plan pursuant to which you may elect to have the full amount of your cash distributions reinvested in additional Common Shares. See “Distribution Reinvestment Plan.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR SHARES

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

General

The terms of the Declaration of Trust authorize an unlimited number of Common Shares of any class, par value $0.01 per share, of which 60 shares were outstanding as of September 28, 2020, and an unlimited number of shares of preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board of Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued Common Shares into one or more classes or series of Common Shares or preferred shares by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, or limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of the shares. There is currently no market for our Common Shares, and we can offer no assurances that a market for our shares will develop in the future. We do not intend for the shares offered under this prospectus to be listed on any national securities exchange. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our shares. No shares have been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under the terms of our Declaration of Trust, shareholders shall be entitled to the same limited liability extended to shareholders of private Delaware for profit corporations formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law, 8 Del. C. § 100, et. seq. Our Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to us by reason of being a shareholder, nor shall any shareholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any person in connection with the Fund’s assets or the affairs of the Fund by reason of being a shareholder.

None of our shares are subject to further calls or to assessments, sinking fund provisions, obligations of the Fund or potential liabilities associated with ownership of the security (not including investment risks). In addition, except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of any class or series of Common Shares, no shareholder shall be entitled to exercise appraisal rights in connection with any transaction.

Outstanding Securities

 

Title of Class

   Amount
Authorized
     Amount Held
by Company
for its
Account
     Amount
Outstanding
as of
September 28,
2020
 

Class S

     Unlimited        —          0  

Class D

     Unlimited        —          0  

Class I

     Unlimited        —          60  

Common Shares

Under the terms of our Declaration of Trust, all Common Shares will have equal rights as to voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Dividends and distributions may be paid to the holders of our Common Shares if, as and when authorized by our Board of Trustees and declared by us out of funds legally available therefore. Except as may be provided by our Board of Trustees in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares, our Common Shares will have no preemptive, exchange, conversion, appraisal or redemption rights and will be freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract and except that, in order to avoid the possibility that our assets could be treated as “plan assets,” we may require any person proposing to acquire Common Shares to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is a benefit plan investor or a controlling person, restrict or prohibit transfers of such shares or redeem any outstanding shares for such price

 

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and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our Common Shares would be entitled to share pro rata in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred shares, if any preferred shares are outstanding at such time. Subject to the rights of holders of any other class or series of shares, each share of our Common Shares will be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of Trustees. Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares, and subject to the express terms of any class or series of preferred shares, the holders of our Common Shares will possess exclusive voting power. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Subject to the special rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred shares to elect Trustees, each Trustee will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast with respect to such Trustee’s election except in the case of a “contested election” (as defined in our bylaws), in which case Trustees will be elected by a majority of the votes cast in the contested election of Trustees. Pursuant to our Declaration of Trust, our Board of Trustees may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect trustees.

Class S Shares

No upfront selling commissions are paid for sales of any Class S shares, however, if you purchase Class S shares from certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares.

We pay the Intermediary Manager selling commissions over time as a shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee with respect to our outstanding Class S shares equal to 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV of our outstanding Class S shares, including any Class S shares issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan. The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees are paid monthly in arrears. The Intermediary Manager reallows (pays) all or a portion of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to participating brokers and servicing brokers for ongoing shareholder services performed by such brokers, and will waive shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the extent a broker is not eligible to receive it for failure to provide such services.

Class D Shares

No upfront selling commissions are paid for sales of any Class D shares, however, if you purchase Class D shares from certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares.

We pay the Intermediary Manager selling commissions over time as a shareholder servicing fee with respect to our outstanding Class D shares equal to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV of all our outstanding Class D shares, including any Class D shares issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan. The shareholder servicing fees are paid monthly in arrears. The Intermediary Manager reallows (pays) all or a portion of the shareholder servicing fees to participating brokers and servicing brokers for ongoing shareholder services performed by such brokers, and will waive shareholder servicing fees to the extent a broker is not eligible to receive it for failure to provide such services.

Class D shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class D shares, (2) through participating brokers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class D shares, (3) through transaction/ brokerage platforms at participating brokers, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers or (6) by other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus.

 

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Class I Shares

No upfront selling commissions or shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees are paid for sales of any Class I shares and financial intermediaries will not charge you transaction or other such fees on Class I Shares.

Class I shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class I shares, (2) by endowments, foundations, pension funds and other institutional investors, (3) through participating brokers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class I shares, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) by our executive officers and trustees and their immediate family members, as well as officers and employees of the Adviser, Blackstone, GSO or other affiliates and their immediate family members, and joint venture partners, consultants and other service providers or (6) by other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. In certain cases, where a holder of Class S or Class D shares exits a relationship with a participating broker for this offering and does not enter into a new relationship with a participating broker for this offering, such holder’s shares may be exchanged into an equivalent NAV amount of Class I shares.

Other Terms of Common Shares

We will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on the Class S shares and Class D shares on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) our merger or consolidation with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of this offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with this offering, including the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee and other underwriting compensation, is equal to 10% of the gross proceeds from our primary offering. In addition, as required by exemptive relief allowing us to offer multiple classes of shares, at the end of the month in which the Intermediary Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees paid with respect to any single share held in a shareholder’s account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such share (or a lower limit as determined by the Intermediary Manager or the applicable selling agent), we will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on either (i) each such share that would exceed such limit or (ii) all Class S shares and Class D shares in such shareholder’s account. We may modify this requirement if permitted by applicable exemptive relief. At the end of such month, the applicable Class S shares or Class D shares in such shareholder’s account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such Class S or Class D shares. In addition, immediately before any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each Class S share and Class D share will automatically convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares) with an equivalent NAV as such share.

Preferred Shares

This offering does not include an offering of preferred shares. However, under the terms of the Declaration of Trust, our Board of Trustees may authorize us to issue preferred shares in one or more classes or series without shareholder approval, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees has the power to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series of preferred shares. We do not currently anticipate issuing preferred shares in the near future. In the event we issue preferred shares, we will make any required disclosure to shareholders. We will not offer preferred shares to the Adviser or our affiliates except on the same terms as offered to all other shareholders.

Preferred shares could be issued with terms that would adversely affect the shareholders, provided that we may not issue any preferred shares that would limit or subordinate the voting rights of holders of our Common Shares. Preferred shares could also be used as an anti-takeover device through the issuance of shares of a class or series of preferred shares with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control. Every issuance of preferred shares will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that: (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to common shares and before any purchase of common shares is

 

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made, such preferred shares together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred shares, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class voting separately to elect two Trustees at all times and to elect a majority of the Trustees if distributions on such preferred shares are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred shares (as determined in accordance with the 1940 Act) voting together as a separate class. For example, the vote of such holders of preferred shares would be required to approve a proposal involving a plan of reorganization adversely affecting such securities.

The issuance of any preferred shares must be approved by a majority of our independent Trustees not otherwise interested in the transaction, who will have access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or to independent legal counsel.

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

Delaware law permits a Delaware statutory trust to include in its declaration of trust a provision to indemnify and hold harmless any trustee or beneficial owner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. Our Declaration of Trust provides that our Trustees will not be liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a trustee to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our Declaration of Trust provides for the indemnification of any person to the full extent permitted, and in the manner provided, by Delaware law. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify certain persons for any liability to which such persons would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Pursuant to our Declaration of Trust and subject to certain exceptions described therein, we will indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any individual who is a present or former Trustee or officer of the Fund and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (ii) any individual who, while a Trustee or officer of the Fund and at the request of the Fund, serves or has served as a trustee, officer, partner or trustee of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity (each such person, an “Indemnitee”), in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not provide indemnification for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by an Indemnitee unless (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations, (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against the Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

We will not indemnify an Indemnitee against any liability or loss suffered by such Indemnitee unless (i) the Fund determines in good faith that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interest of the Fund, (ii) the Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Fund, (iii) such liability or loss was not the result of (A) negligence or misconduct, in the case that the party seeking indemnification is a Trustee (other than an independent Trustee), officer, employee, controlling person or agent of the Company, or (B) gross negligence or willful misconduct, in the case that the party seeking indemnification is an independent Trustee, and (iv) such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of assets of the Fund and not from the shareholders.

In addition, the Declaration of Trust permits the Fund to advance reasonable expenses to an Indemnitee, and we will do so in advance of final disposition of a proceeding (a) if the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with

 

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respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Fund, (b) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a shareholder or, if by a shareholder of the Fund acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement and (c) upon the Fund’s receipt of (i) a written affirmation by the trustee or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Fund and (ii) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Fund, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Delaware Law and Certain Declaration of Trust Provisions

Organization and Duration

We were formed in Delaware on February 11, 2020, and will remain in existence until dissolved in accordance with our Declaration of Trust or pursuant to Delaware law.

Purpose

Under the Declaration of Trust, we are permitted to engage in any business activity that lawfully may be conducted by a statutory trust organized under Delaware law and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon us pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity.

Our Declaration of Trust contains provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. Our Board of Trustees may, without shareholder action, authorize the issuance of shares in one or more classes or series, including preferred shares; our Board of Trustees may, without shareholder action, amend our Declaration of Trust to increase the number of our Common Shares, of any class or series, that we will have authority to issue; and our Declaration of Trust provides that, while we do not intend to list our shares on any securities exchange, if any class of our shares is listed on a national securities exchange, our Board of Trustees will be divided into three classes of Trustees serving staggered terms of three years each. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our Board of Trustees. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

Sales and Leases to the Fund

Our Declaration of Trust provides that, unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, except as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, we may not purchase or lease assets in which the Adviser or any of its affiliates have an interest unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) the transaction is fully disclosed to the shareholders in a prospectus or in a periodic report; and (b) the assets are sold or leased upon terms that are reasonable to us and at a price not to exceed the lesser of cost or fair market value as determined by an independent expert. However, the Adviser may purchase assets in its own name (and assume loans in connection) and temporarily hold title, for the purposes of facilitating the acquisition of the assets, the borrowing of money, obtaining financing for us, or the completion of construction of the assets, so long as all of the following conditions are met: (i) the assets are purchased by us at a price no greater than the cost of the assets to the Adviser; (ii) all income generated by, and the expenses associated with, the assets so acquired will be treated as belonging to us; and (iii) there are no other benefits arising out of such transaction to the Adviser apart from compensation otherwise permitted by the Omnibus Guidelines, as adopted by the NASAA.

Sales and Leases to our Adviser, Trustees or Affiliates

Our Declaration of Trust provides that, unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, we may not sell assets to the Adviser or any of its affiliates unless such sale is

 

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approved by the holders of a majority of our outstanding Common Shares. Our Declaration of Trust also provides that we may not lease assets to the Adviser or any affiliate thereof unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) the transaction is fully disclosed to the shareholders in a prospectus or in a periodic report; and (b) the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable to us.

Loans

Our Declaration of Trust provides that, unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, except for the advancement of indemnification funds, no loans, credit facilities, credit agreements or otherwise may be made by us to the Adviser or any of its affiliates.

Commissions on Financing, Refinancing or Reinvestment

Our Declaration of Trust provides that, unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, we generally may not pay, directly or indirectly, a commission or fee to the Adviser or any of its affiliates in connection with the reinvestment of cash available for distribution, available reserves, or the proceeds of the resale, exchange or refinancing of assets.

Lending Practices

Our Declaration of Trust provides that, with respect to financing made available to us by the Adviser, the Adviser may not receive interest in excess of the lesser of the Adviser’s cost of funds or the amounts that would be charged by unrelated lending institutions on comparable loans for the same purpose. The Adviser may not impose a prepayment charge or penalty in connection with such financing and the Adviser may not receive points or other financing charges. In addition, the Adviser will be prohibited from providing financing to us with a term in excess of 12 months.

Number of Trustees; Vacancies; Removal

Our Declaration of Trust provides that the number of Trustees will be set by our Board of Trustees in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire Board of Trustees may at any time increase or decrease the number of Trustees. Our Declaration of Trust provides that the number of Trustees generally may not be less than one. Except as otherwise required by applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and as may be provided by our Board of Trustees in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred shares, pursuant to an election under our Declaration of Trust, any and all vacancies on our Board of Trustees may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees in office, even if the remaining Trustees do not constitute a quorum, and any Trustee elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the Trustee for whom the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualified, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Independent Trustees will nominate replacements for any vacancies among the independent Trustees’ positions.

Our Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee may be removed only for cause and only by a majority of the remaining Trustees (or in the case of the removal of a Trustee that is not an interested person, a majority of the remaining Trustees that are not interested persons).

We have a total of five members of our Board of Trustees, three of whom are independent Trustees. Our Declaration of Trust provides that a majority of our Board of Trustees must be independent Trustees except for a period of up to 60 days after the death, removal or resignation of an independent Trustee pending the election of his or her successor. Each Trustee will hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. While we do not intend to list our shares on any securities exchange, if any class of our shares is listed on a national securities exchange, our Board of Trustees will be divided into three classes of Trustees serving staggered terms of three years each.

 

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Action by Shareholders

Our bylaws provide that shareholder action can be taken only at a special meeting of shareholders or by unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting. The shareholders will only have voting rights as required by the 1940 Act or as otherwise provided for in the Declaration of Trust. Under our Declaration of Trust and bylaws, the Fund is not required to hold annual meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Trustees and certain of our officers, and will be limited to the purposes for any such special meeting set forth in the notice thereof. In addition, our Declaration of Trust provides that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the shareholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of shareholders will be called by the secretary of the Declaration of Trust upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast 10% or more of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. Any special meeting called by such shareholders is required to be held not less than ten nor more than 60 days after we are provided notice by such shareholders of the request for a special meeting. These provisions will have the effect of significantly reducing the ability of shareholders being able to have proposals considered at a meeting of shareholders.

With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Trustees at a special meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by the Board of Trustees or (3) provided that the Board of Trustees has determined that Trustees will be elected at the meeting, by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the Declaration of Trust.

Our Declaration of Trust also provides that, subject to the provisions of any class or series of shares then outstanding and the mandatory provisions of any applicable laws or regulations or other provisions of the Declaration of Trust, the following actions may be taken by the shareholders, without concurrence by our Board of Trustees or the Adviser, upon a vote by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote to:

 

   

modify the Declaration of Trust;

 

   

remove the Adviser or appoint a new investment adviser;

 

   

dissolve the Fund; or

 

   

sell all or substantially all of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business.

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

Our Adviser may not, without the approval of a vote by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such matters:

 

   

amend the investment advisory agreement except for amendments that would not adversely affect the rights of our shareholders;

 

   

except as otherwise permitted under the Advisory Agreement, voluntarily withdraw as our investment adviser unless such withdrawal would not affect our tax status and would not materially adversely affect our shareholders;

 

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appoint a new investment adviser (other than a sub-adviser pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and applicable law);

 

   

sell all or substantially all of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business; or

 

   

cause the merger or similar reorganization of the Fund.

Amendment of the Declaration of Trust and Bylaws

Our Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders are entitled to vote upon a proposed amendment to the Declaration of Trust if the amendment would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares held by such shareholders so as to affect them adversely. Approval of any such amendment requires at least a majority of the votes cast by such shareholders at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. In addition, amendments to our Declaration of Trust to make our Common Shares a “redeemable security” or to convert the Fund, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company each must be approved by (a) the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter prior to the occurrence of a listing of any class of our shares on a national securities exchange and (b) the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter upon and following the occurrence of a listing of any class of our shares on a national securities exchange.

Our Declaration of Trust provides that our Board of Trustees has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws. Except as described above and for certain provisions of our Declaration of Trust relating to shareholder voting and the removal of trustees, our Declaration of Trust provides that our Board of Trustees may amend our Declaration of Trust without any vote of our shareholders.

Actions by the Board Related to Merger, Conversion, Reorganization or Dissolution

The Board of Trustees may, without the approval of holders of our outstanding shares, approve a merger, conversion, consolidation or other reorganization of the Fund, provided that the resulting entity is a business development company under the 1940 Act. The Fund will not permit the Adviser to cause any other form of merger or other reorganization of the Fund without the affirmative vote by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote on the matter. The Fund may be dissolved at any time, without the approval of holders of our outstanding shares, upon affirmative vote by a majority of the Trustees.

Derivative Actions

No person, other than a Trustee, who is not a shareholder shall be entitled to bring any derivative action, suit or other proceeding on behalf of the Fund. No shareholder may maintain a derivative action on behalf of the Fund unless holders of at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares join in the bringing of such action.

In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute, a shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Fund only if the following conditions are met: (i) the shareholder or shareholders must make a pre-suit demand upon the Board of Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Board of Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed; and a demand on the Board of Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, is composed of Board of Trustees who are not “independent Trustees” (as that term is defined in the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute); and (ii) unless a demand is not required under clause (i) above, the Board of Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim; and the Board of Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Fund for the expense

 

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of any such advisors in the event that the Board of Trustees determine not to bring such action. For purposes of this paragraph, the Board of Trustees may designate a committee of one or more Trustees to consider a shareholder demand.

Exclusive Delaware Jurisdiction

Each Trustee, each officer and each person legally or beneficially owning a share or an interest in a share of the Fund (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise), to the fullest extent permitted by law, including Section 3804(e) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute, (i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs (or similar) doctrine or arising out of or relating in any way to the Fund, the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute or the Declaration of Trust (including, without limitation, any claims, suits, actions or proceedings to interpret, apply or enforce (A) the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, (B) the duties (including fiduciary duties), obligations or liabilities of the Fund to the shareholders or the Board of Trustees, or of officers or the Board of Trustees to the Fund, to the shareholders or each other, (C) the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Fund, the officers, the Board of Trustees or the shareholders, (D) any provision of the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute or other laws of the State of Delaware pertaining to trusts made applicable to the Fund pursuant to Section 3809 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute or (E) any other instrument, document, agreement or certificate contemplated by any provision of the Delaware Statutory Trust Statute or the Declaration of Trust relating in any way to the Fund (regardless, in each case, of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings (x) sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, (y) are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds or (z) are derivative or direct claims)), shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction, (ii) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding, (iii) irrevocably agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such courts or any other court to which proceedings in such courts may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper, (iv) consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, nothing in clause (iv) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law and (v) irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding.

Restrictions on Roll-Up Transactions

In connection with a proposed “roll-up transaction,” which, in general terms, is any transaction involving the acquisition, merger, conversion or consolidation, directly or indirectly, of us and the issuance of securities of an entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of the roll-up transaction, we will obtain an appraisal of all of our properties from an independent expert. In order to qualify as an independent expert for this purpose, the person or entity must have no material current or prior business or personal relationship with us and must be engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of assets of the type held by us, who is qualified to perform such work. Our assets will be appraised on a consistent basis, and the appraisal will be based on the evaluation of all relevant information and will indicate the value of our assets as of a date immediately prior to the announcement of the proposed roll-up transaction. The appraisal will assume an orderly liquidation of our assets over a 12-month period. The terms of the engagement of such independent expert will clearly state that the engagement is for our benefit and the benefit of our shareholders. We will include a summary of the appraisal, indicating all material assumptions underlying the appraisal, in a report to the shareholders in connection with the proposed roll-up transaction. If the appraisal will be included in a prospectus used to offer the securities of the roll-up entity, the appraisal will be filed with the SEC and the states as an exhibit to the registration statement for the offering.

 

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In connection with a proposed roll-up transaction, the person sponsoring the roll-up transaction must offer to the shareholders who vote against the proposal a choice of:

 

   

accepting the securities of the entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of the roll-up transaction offered in the proposed roll-up transaction; or

 

   

one of the following:

 

   

remaining as shareholders and preserving their interests in us on the same terms and conditions as existed previously; or

 

   

receiving cash in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the appraised value of our net assets.

We are prohibited from participating in any proposed roll-up transaction:

 

   

which would result in shareholders having voting rights in the entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of the roll-up transaction that are less than those provided in the charter, including rights with respect to the election and removal of directors, annual and special meetings, amendments to the charter and our dissolution;

 

   

which includes provisions that would operate as a material impediment to, or frustration of, the accumulation of Common Shares by any purchaser of the securities of the entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of the roll-up transaction, except to the minimum extent necessary to preserve the tax status of such entity, or which would limit the ability of an investor to exercise the voting rights of its securities of the entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of the roll-up transaction on the basis of the number of shares held by that investor;

 

   

in which shareholders’ rights to access to records of the entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of the roll-up transaction will be less than those provided in the charter;

 

   

in which we would bear any of the costs of the roll-up transaction if the shareholders reject the roll-up transaction; or

 

   

unless the organizational documents of the entity that would survive the roll-up transaction provide that neither its adviser nor its intermediary-manager may vote or consent on matters submitted to its shareholders regarding the removal of its adviser or any transaction between it and its adviser or any of its affiliates.

Access to Records

Any shareholder will be permitted access to all of our records to which they are entitled under applicable law at all reasonable times and may inspect and copy any of them for a reasonable copying charge. Inspection of our records by the office or agency administering the securities laws of a jurisdiction will be provided upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours. An alphabetical list of the names, addresses and business telephone numbers of our shareholders, along with the number of Common Shares held by each of them, will be maintained as part of our books and records and will be available for inspection by any shareholder or the shareholder’s designated agent at our office. The shareholder list will be updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in the information contained therein. A copy of the list will be mailed to any shareholder who requests the list within ten days of the request. A shareholder may request a copy of the shareholder list for any proper and legitimate purpose, including, without limitation, in connection with matters relating to voting rights and the exercise of shareholder rights under federal proxy laws. A shareholder requesting a list will be required to pay reasonable costs of postage and duplication. Such copy of the stockholder list shall be printed in alphabetical order, on white paper, and in readily readable type size (no smaller than 10 point font).

A shareholder may also request access to any other corporate records. If a proper request for the shareholder list or any other corporate records is not honored, then the requesting shareholder will be entitled to recover certain costs incurred in compelling the production of the list or other requested corporate records as well as

 

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actual damages suffered by reason of the refusal or failure to produce the list. However, a shareholder will not have the right to, and we may require a requesting shareholder to represent that it will not, secure the shareholder list or other information for the purpose of selling or using the list for a commercial purpose not related to the requesting shareholder’s interest in our affairs. We may also require that such shareholder sign a confidentiality agreement in connection with the request.

Reports to Shareholders

Within 60 days after each fiscal quarter, we will distribute our quarterly report on Form 10-Q to all shareholders of record. In addition, we will distribute our annual report on Form 10-K to all shareholders within 120 days after the end of each calendar year, which must contain, among other things, a breakdown of the expenses reimbursed by us to the Adviser. These reports will also be available on our website at www.bcred.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Subject to availability, you may authorize us to provide prospectuses, prospectus supplements, annual reports and other information, or documents, electronically by so indicating on your subscription agreement, or by sending us instructions in writing in a form acceptable to us to receive such documents electronically. Unless you elect in writing to receive documents electronically, all documents will be provided in paper form by mail. You must have internet access to use electronic delivery. While we impose no additional charge for this service, there may be potential costs associated with electronic delivery, such as on-line charges. Documents will be available on our website. You may access and print all documents provided through this service. As documents become available, we will notify you of this by sending you an e-mail message that will include instructions on how to retrieve the document. If our e-mail notification is returned to us as “undeliverable,” we will contact you to obtain your updated e-mail address. If we are unable to obtain a valid e-mail address for you, we will resume sending a paper copy by regular U.S. mail to your address of record. You may revoke your consent for electronic delivery at any time and we will resume sending you a paper copy of all required documents. However, in order for us to be properly notified, your revocation must be given to us a reasonable time before electronic delivery has commenced. We will provide you with paper copies at any time upon request. Such request will not constitute revocation of your consent to receive required documents electronically.

Conflict with the 1940 Act

Our Declaration of Trust provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of Delaware law, or any provision of our Declaration of Trust conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

We expect to determine our NAV for each class of shares each month as of the last day of each calendar month. The NAV per share for each class of shares is determined by dividing the value of total assets attributable to the class minus liabilities attributable to the class by the total number of Common Shares outstanding of the class at the date as of which the determination is made.

We conduct the valuation of our investments, upon which our NAV is based, at all times consistent with GAAP and the 1940 Act. We value our investments in accordance with ASC 820, which defines fair value as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the applicable measurement date. ASC 820 prioritizes the use of observable market prices derived from such prices over entity-specific inputs. Due to the inherent uncertainties of valuation, certain estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these investments existed, and these differences could be material.

Investments for which market quotations are readily available will typically be valued at those market quotations. To validate market quotations, we will utilize a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Where it is possible to obtain reliable, independent market quotations from a third party vendor, we will use these quotations to determine the value of our investments. We utilize mid-market pricing (i.e. mid-point of average bid and ask prices) to value these investments. The Adviser obtains these market quotations from independent pricing services, if available; otherwise from at least two principal market makers or primary market dealers. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, the Adviser regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to independent pricing services or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the valuation procedures. The Adviser does not adjust the prices unless it has a reason to believe market quotations are not reflective of the fair value of an investment.

Where prices or inputs are not available, or, in the judgment of the Adviser, not reliable, valuation approaches based on the facts and circumstances of the particular investment will be utilized. Securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available, as will be the case for a substantial portion of our investments, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by, and under the oversight of, the Board of Trustees, based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, the Audit Committee and independent valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board of Trustees to review our investments. These valuation approaches involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the investments or market and the investments’ complexity. Our Board of Trustees may modify our valuation procedures from time to time.

With respect to the quarterly valuation of investments, we undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter in connection with determining the fair value of our investments for which reliable market quotations are not readily available as of the last calendar day of each quarter, which includes, among other procedures, the following:

 

   

The valuation process begins with each investment being preliminarily valued by the Adviser’s valuation team in conjunction with the Adviser’s investment professionals responsible for each portfolio investment;

 

   

In addition, independent valuation firms engaged by the Board of Trustees prepare quarter-end valuations of such investments except de minimis investments, as determined by the Adviser. The independent valuation firms provide a final range of values on such investments to the Board of Trustees and the Adviser. The independent valuation firms also provide analyses to support their valuation methodology and calculations;

 

   

The Adviser’s Valuation Committee reviews each valuation recommendation to confirm they have been calculated in accordance with the valuation policy and compares such valuations to the independent valuation firms’ valuation ranges to ensure the Adviser’s valuations are reasonable;

 

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The Valuation Committee makes valuation recommendations to the Audit Committee;

 

   

The Audit Committee reviews the valuation recommendations made by the Adviser’s Valuation Committee, including the independent valuation firms’ quarterly valuations, and once approved, recommends them for approval by the Board of Trustees; and

 

   

The Board of Trustees reviews the valuation recommendations of the Audit Committee and determines the fair value of each investment in the portfolio in good faith based on the input of the Audit Committee, the Adviser’s Valuation Committee and, where applicable, the independent valuation firms or other external service providers.

When we determine our NAV as of the last day of a month that is not also the last day of a calendar quarter, we intend to update the value of securities with reliable market quotations to the most recent market quotation. For securities without reliable market quotations, the Adviser’s valuation team will generally value such assets at the most recent quarterly valuation unless the Adviser determines that a significant observable change has occurred since the most recent quarter end with respect to the investment (which determination may be as a result of a material event at a portfolio company, material change in market spreads, secondary market transaction in the securities of an investment or otherwise). If the Adviser’s valuation team determines such a change has occurred with respect to one or more investments, the Adviser’s valuation team will determine whether to update the value for each relevant investment, using positive assurance from an independent valuation firm where applicable in accordance with our valuation policy, pursuant to authority delegated by the Board of Trustees.

As part of the valuation process, we will take into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of our investments for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, many of which are loans, including and in combination, as relevant, of: (i) the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company, (ii) the nature and realizable value of any collateral, (iii) the portfolio company’s ability to make payments based on its earnings and cash flow, (iv) the markets in which the portfolio company does business, (v) a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to any similar publicly traded securities, and (vi) overall changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity or debt sale occurs, the Board of Trustees or its delegates will consider whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates its valuation.

Our most recently determined NAV per share for each class of shares will be available on our website: www.bcred.com. We will report our NAV per share as of the last day of each month on our website within 20 business days of the last day of each month.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

We are offering a maximum of $5,000,000,000 in Common Shares pursuant to this prospectus on a “best efforts” basis through Blackstone Securities Partners L.P., the Intermediary Manager, a registered broker-dealer affiliated with the Adviser. Because this is a “best efforts” offering, the Intermediary Manager must only use its best efforts to sell the shares, which means that no underwriter, broker or other person will be obligated to purchase any shares. The Intermediary Manager is headquartered at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154. We are offering a minimum of $100,000,000. See “ —Escrow Arrangement.”

The shares are being offered on a “best efforts” basis, which means generally that the Intermediary Manager is required to use only its best efforts to sell the shares and it has no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the shares. The Fund intends that the Common Shares offered pursuant to this prospectus will not be listed on any national securities exchange, and neither the Intermediary Manager nor the participating brokers intend to act as market-makers with respect to our Common Shares. Because no public market is expected for the shares, shareholders will likely have limited ability to sell their shares until there is a liquidity event for the Fund.

We are offering to the public three classes of Common Shares: Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares. We are offering to sell any combination of share classes with a dollar value up to the maximum offering amount. All investors must meet the suitability standards discussed in the section of this prospectus entitled “Suitability Standards.” The share classes have different ongoing shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees.

Class S shares are available through brokerage and transactional-based accounts. Class D shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class D shares, (2) through participating brokers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class D shares, (3) through transaction/brokerage platforms at participating brokers, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers or (6) other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. Class I shares are generally available for purchase in this offering only (1) through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class I shares, (2) by endowments, foundations, pension funds and other institutional investors, (3) through participating brokers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class I shares, (4) through certain registered investment advisers, (5) by our executive officers and trustees and their immediate family members, as well as officers and employees of the Adviser, Blackstone, GSO or other affiliates and their immediate family members, and joint venture partners, consultants and other service providers or (6) other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. In certain cases, where a holder of Class S or Class D shares exits a relationship with a participating broker for this offering and does not enter into a new relationship with a participating broker for this offering, such holder’s shares may be exchanged into an equivalent NAV amount of Class I shares. We may also offer Class I shares to certain feeder vehicles primarily created to hold our Class I shares, which in turn offer interests in themselves to investors; we expect to conduct such offerings pursuant to exceptions to registration under the Securities Act and not as a part of this offering. Such feeder vehicles may have additional costs and expenses, which would be disclosed in connection with the offering of their interests. We may also offer Class I shares to other investment vehicles. The minimum initial investment for Class I shares is $1,000,000, unless waived by the Intermediary Manager. If you are eligible to purchase all three classes of shares, then in most cases you should purchase Class I shares because participating brokers will not charge transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, on Class I shares and Class I shares have no shareholder servicing or distribution fees, which will reduce the NAV or distributions of the other share classes. However, Class I shares will not receive shareholder services. Before making your investment decision, please consult with your investment adviser regarding your account type and the classes of Common Shares you may be eligible to purchase. Neither the Intermediary Manager nor its affiliates will directly or indirectly compensate any person engaged as an investment advisor or bank trust department by a potential investor as an inducement for such investment advisor or bank trust department to advise favorably for an investment in us.

 

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The number of shares we have registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is the number that we reasonably expect to be offered and sold within two years from the initial effective date of the registration statement. Under applicable SEC rules, we may extend this offering one additional year if all of the shares we have registered are not yet sold within two years. With the filing of a registration statement for a subsequent offering, we may also be able to extend this offering beyond three years until the follow-on registration statement is declared effective. Pursuant to this prospectus, we are offering to the public all of the shares that we have registered. Although we have registered a fixed dollar amount of our shares, we intend effectively to conduct a continuous offering of an unlimited number of Common Shares over an unlimited time period by filing a new registration statement prior to the end of the three-year period described in Rule 415. In such a circumstance, the issuer may also choose to enlarge the continuous offering by including on such new registration statement a further amount of securities, in addition to any unsold securities covered by the earlier registration statement.

This offering must be registered in every state in which we offer or sell shares. Generally, such registrations are for a period of one year. Thus, we may have to stop selling shares in any state in which our registration is not renewed or otherwise extended annually. We reserve the right to terminate this offering at any time and to extend our offering term to the extent permissible under applicable law.

Purchase Price

During the escrow period, the per share purchase price for the class of share being purchased will be $25.00. After the close of the escrow period, shares will be sold at the then-current NAV per share, as described in “Determination of Net Asset Value.” Each class of shares may have a different NAV per share because shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees differ with respect to each class.

Escrow Arrangement

We will take purchase orders and hold investors’ funds in an interest-bearing escrow account until we receive purchase orders for at least $100 million (excluding any shares purchased by our Adviser, its affiliates and our Trustees and officers but including any shares purchased in any private offerings), and our Board of Trustees has authorized the release of the escrowed purchase order proceeds to us so that we can commence operations. Even if we receive purchase orders for $100 million, our Board of Trustees may elect to wait a substantial amount of time before authorizing, or may elect not to authorize, the release of the escrowed proceeds. If we do not raise the minimum amount and commence operations by [            ], 2021 (one year following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part), this offering will be terminated and our escrow agent will promptly send you a full refund of your investment with interest and without deduction for escrow expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may elect to withdraw your purchase order and request a full refund of your investment with interest and without deduction for escrow expenses at any time before the escrowed funds are released to us. If we break escrow for this offering and commence operations, interest earned on funds in escrow will be released to our account and constitute part of our net assets. Our escrow agent is UMB Bank, N.A., 928 Grand Blvd, 12th Floor, Corporate Trust & Escrow Services, Kansas City, MO 64106.

Underwriting Compensation

We entered into a Intermediary Manager Agreement with the Intermediary Manager, pursuant to which the Intermediary Manager agreed to, among other things, manage our relationships with third-party brokers engaged by the Intermediary Manager to participate in the distribution of Common Shares, which we refer to as “participating brokers,” and financial advisors. The Intermediary Manager also coordinates our marketing and distribution efforts with participating brokers and their registered representatives with respect to communications related to the terms of the offering, our investment strategies, material aspects of our operations and subscription procedures. We will not pay referral or similar fees to any accountants, attorneys or other persons in connection with the distribution of our shares.

 

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Upfront Sales Loads

Class S, Class D and Class I Shares. No upfront sales load will be paid with respect to Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares, however, if you buy Class S shares or Class D shares through certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to a 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares and 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares. Selling agents will not charge such fees on Class I shares.

Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees — Class S and Class D

The following table shows the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees we pay the Intermediary Manager with respect to the Class S, Class D and Class I on an annualized basis as a percentage of our NAV for such class. The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees will be paid monthly in arrears, calculated using the NAV of the applicable class as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month.

 

     Shareholder
Servicing and/or
Distribution

Fee as a %
of NAV
 

Class S shares

     0.85

Class D shares

     0.25

Class I shares

     —  

Subject to FINRA and other limitations on underwriting compensation described in “—Limitations on Underwriting Compensation” below, we will pay a shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee equal to 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV for the Class S shares and a shareholder servicing fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV for the Class D shares, in each case, payable monthly.

The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees will be paid monthly in arrears. The Intermediary Manager will reallow (pay) all or a portion of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to participating brokers and servicing brokers for ongoing shareholder services performed by such brokers, and will waive shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the extent a broker is not eligible to receive it for failure to provide such services. Because the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees with respect to Class S shares and Class D shares are calculated based on the aggregate NAV for all of the outstanding shares of each such class, it reduces the NAV with respect to all shares of each such class, including shares issued under our distribution reinvestment plan.

Eligibility to receive the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee is conditioned on a broker providing the following ongoing services with respect to the Class S or Class D shares: assistance with recordkeeping, answering investor inquiries regarding us, including regarding distribution payments and reinvestments, helping investors understand their investments upon their request, and assistance with share repurchase requests. If the applicable broker is not eligible to receive the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee due to failure to provide these services, the Intermediary Manager will waive the shareholder servicing fee and/or distribution that broker would have otherwise been eligible to receive. The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees are ongoing fees that are not paid at the time of purchase.

Other Compensation

We or the Adviser may also pay directly, or reimburse the Intermediary Manager if the Intermediary Manager pays on our behalf, any organization and offering expenses (other than any upfront selling commissions and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees).

 

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Limitations on Underwriting Compensation

We will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on the Class S shares and Class D shares on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) our merger or consolidation with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of this offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with this offering, including the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee and other underwriting compensation, is equal to 10% of the gross proceeds from our primary offering.

In addition, as required by exemptive relief allowing us to offer multiple classes of shares, at the end of the month in which the Intermediary Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees paid with respect to any single share held in a shareholder’s account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such share (or a lower limit as determined by the Intermediary Manager or the applicable selling agent), we will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on either (i) each such share that would exceed such limit or (ii) all Class S shares and Class D shares in such shareholder’s account. We may modify this requirement if permitted by applicable exemptive relief. At the end of such month, the applicable Class S shares or Class D shares in such shareholder’s account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such Class S or Class D shares.

This offering is being made in compliance with FINRA Rule 2310. Under the rules of FINRA, all items of underwriting compensation, including any upfront selling commissions, Intermediary Manager fees, reimbursement fees for bona fide due diligence expenses, training and education expenses, non-transaction based compensation paid to registered persons associated with the Intermediary Manager in connection with the wholesaling of our offering and all other forms of underwriting compensation, will not exceed 10% of the gross offering proceeds (excluding shares purchased through our distribution reinvestment plan).

Term of the Intermediary Manager Agreement

Either party may terminate the Intermediary Manager Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party or immediately upon notice to the other party in the event such other party failed to comply with a material provision of the Intermediary Manager Agreement. Our obligations under the Intermediary Manager Agreement to pay the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees with respect to the Class S and Class D shares distributed in this offering as described therein shall survive termination of the agreement until such shares are no longer outstanding (including such shares that have been converted into Class I shares, as described above).

Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law and our charter, we will indemnify the participating brokers and the Intermediary Manager against some civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, and liabilities arising from an untrue statement of material fact contained in, or omission to state a material fact in, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, blue sky applications or approved sales literature.

Supplemental Sales Material

In addition to this prospectus, we will use sales material in connection with the offering of shares, although only when accompanied by or preceded by the delivery of this prospectus. Some or all of the sales material may not be available in certain jurisdictions. This sales material may include information relating to this offering, the past performance of the Adviser and its affiliates, property brochures and articles and publications concerning real estate. In addition, the sales material may contain quotes from various publications without obtaining the consent of the author or the publication for use of the quoted material in the sales material.

We are offering shares only by means of this prospectus. Although the information contained in the sales material will not conflict with any of the information contained in this prospectus, the sales material does not

 

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purport to be complete and should not be considered as a part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or as incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the registration statement, or as forming the basis of the offering of the Common Shares.

Share Distribution Channels and Special Discounts

We expect our Intermediary Manager to use multiple distribution channels to sell our shares. These channels may charge different brokerage fees for purchases of our shares. Our Intermediary Manager is expected to engage participating brokers in connection with the sale of the shares of this offering in accordance with participating broker agreements.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Cayman Islands

This is not an offer to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for interests, and applications originating from the Cayman Islands will only be accepted from Cayman Islands exempted companies, trusts registered as exempted in the Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands exempted limited partnerships, or companies incorporated in other jurisdictions and registered as foreign corporations in the Cayman Islands or limited partnerships formed in other jurisdictions and registered as foreign limited partnerships in the Cayman Islands.

 

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

You may buy or request that we repurchase Common Shares through your financial advisor, a participating broker or other financial intermediary that has a selling agreement with the Intermediary Manager. Because an investment in our Common Shares involves many considerations, your financial advisor or other financial intermediary may help you with this decision. Due to the illiquid nature of investments in originated loans, our Common Shares are only suitable as a long-term investment. Because there is no public market for our shares, shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares if we choose to repurchase only some, or even none, of the shares in a particular quarter, or if our Board of Trustees modifies, suspends or terminates share repurchase program.

Investors who meet the suitability standards described herein may purchase Common Shares. See “Suitability Standards” in this prospectus. Investors seeking to purchase Common Shares must proceed as follows:

 

   

Read this entire prospectus and any appendices and supplements accompanying this prospectus.

 

   

Complete the execution copy of the subscription agreement. A specimen copy of the subscription agreement, including instructions for completing it, is included in this prospectus as Appendix A. Subscription agreements may be executed manually or by electronic signature except where the use of such electronic signature has not been approved by the Intermediary Manager. Should you execute the subscription agreement electronically, your electronic signature, whether digital or encrypted, included in the subscription agreement is intended to authenticate the subscription agreement and to have the same force and effect as a manual signature.

 

   

Deliver a check, submit a wire transfer, instruct your broker to make payment from your brokerage account or otherwise deliver funds for the full purchase price of the Common Shares being subscribed for along with the completed subscription agreement to the participating broker. During the escrow period, checks should be made payable, or wire transfers directed, to “UMB Bank, N.A., as Escrow Agent for Blackstone Private Credit Fund.” After the escrow period, checks should be made payable, or wire transfers directed, to “Blackstone Private Credit Fund.” For Class S and Class D shares, after you have satisfied the applicable minimum purchase requirement of $2,500, additional purchases must be in increments of $500. For Class I shares, after you have satisfied the applicable minimum purchase requirement of $1,000,000, additional purchases must be in increments of $500, unless such minimums are waived by the Intermediary Manager. The minimum subsequent investment does not apply to purchases made under our distribution reinvestment plan.

 

   

By executing the subscription agreement and paying the total purchase price for the Common Shares subscribed for, each investor attests that he or she meets the suitability standards as stated in the subscription agreement and agrees to be bound by all of its terms. Certain participating brokers may require additional documentation.

A sale of the shares to a subscriber may not be completed until at least five business days after the subscriber receives our final prospectus. Subscriptions to purchase our Common Shares may be made on an ongoing basis, but investors may only purchase our Common Shares pursuant to accepted subscription orders as of the first day of each month (based on the NAV per share as determined as of the previous day, being the last day of the preceding month), and to be accepted, a subscription request must be made with a completed and executed subscription agreement in good order, including satisfying any additional requirements imposed by the subscriber’s broker, and payment of the full purchase price of our Common Shares being subscribed at least five business days prior to the first day of the month (unless waived by the Intermediary Manager). During the escrow period, the per share purchase price for our Common Shares will be $25.00.

For example, if you wish to subscribe for Common Shares in October, your subscription request must be received in good order at least five business days before November 1. Notice of each share transaction will be

 

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furnished to shareholders (or their financial representatives) as soon as practicable but not later than seven business days after the Fund’s NAV as of October 31 is determined and credited to the shareholder’s account, together with information relevant for personal and tax records. While a shareholder will not know our NAV applicable on the effective date of the share purchase, our NAV applicable to a purchase of shares will be available generally within 20 business days after the effective date of the share purchase; at that time, the number of shares based on that NAV and each shareholder’s purchase will be determined and shares are credited to the shareholder’s account as of the effective date of the share purchase. In this example, if accepted, your subscription would be effective on the first calendar day of November.

If for any reason we reject the subscription, or if the subscription request is canceled before it is accepted or withdrawn as described below, we will return the subscription agreement and the related funds, without interest or deduction, within ten business days after such rejection, cancellation or withdrawal.

Common Shares purchased by a fiduciary or custodial account will be registered in the name of the fiduciary account and not in the name of the beneficiary. If you place an order to buy shares and your payment is not received and collected, your purchase may be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees we have incurred.

You have the option of placing a transfer on death (TOD), designation on your shares purchased in this offering. A TOD designation transfers the ownership of the shares to your designated beneficiary upon your death. This designation may only be made by individuals, not entities, who are the sole or joint owners with right to survivorship of the shares. If you would like to place a TOD designation on your shares, you must check the TOD box on the subscription agreement and you must complete and return a TOD form, which you may obtain from your financial advisor, in order to effect the designation.

Purchase Price

During the escrow period, the per share purchase price for the class of share being purchased will be $25.00. After the close of the escrow period, shares will be sold at the then-current NAV per share, as described in “Determination of Net Asset Value.” Each class of shares may have a different NAV per share because shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees differ with respect to each class.

If you participate in our distribution reinvestment plan, the cash distributions attributable to the class of shares that you purchase in our primary offering will be automatically invested in additional shares of the same class. The purchase price for shares purchased under our distribution reinvestment plan will be equal to the most recent available NAV per share for such shares at the time the distribution is payable.

We will generally adhere to the following procedures relating to purchases of Common Shares in this continuous offering:

 

   

On each business day, our transfer agent will collect purchase orders. Notwithstanding the submission of an initial purchase order, we can reject purchase orders for any reason, even if a prospective investor meets the minimum suitability requirements outlined in our prospectus. Investors may only purchase our Common Shares pursuant to accepted subscription orders as of the first day of each month (based on the NAV per share as determined as of the previous day, being the last day of the preceding month), and to be accepted, a subscription request must be made with a completed and executed subscription agreement in good order and payment of the full purchase price of our Common Shares being subscribed at least five business days prior to the first day of the month. If a purchase order is received less than five business days prior to the first day of the month, unless waived by the Intermediary Manager, the purchase order will be executed in the next month’s closing at the transaction price applicable to that month. As a result of this process, the price per share at which your order is executed may be different than the price per share for the month in which you submitted your purchase order.

 

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Generally, within 20 business days after the first calendar day of each month, we will determine our NAV per share for each share class as of the last calendar day of the immediately preceding month, which will be the purchase price for shares purchased with that effective date.

 

   

Completed subscription requests will not be accepted by us before two business days before the first calendar day of each month.

 

   

Subscribers are not committed to purchase shares at the time their subscription orders are submitted and any subscription may be canceled at any time before the time it has been accepted as described in the previous sentence. You may withdraw your purchase request by notifying the transfer agent, through your financial intermediary or directly on our toll-free, automated telephone line, 844-702-1299.

 

   

You will receive a confirmation statement of each new transaction in your account as soon as practicable but generally not later than seven business days after the shareholder transactions are settled when the applicable NAV per share is determined. The confirmation statement will include information on how to obtain information we have filed with the SEC and made publicly available on our website, www.bcred.com, including supplements to the prospectus.

Our NAV may vary significantly from one month to the next. Through our website at www.bcred.com, you will have information about the most recently available NAV per share.

In contrast to securities traded on an exchange or over-the-counter, where the price often fluctuates as a result of, among other things, the supply and demand of securities in the trading market, our NAV will be calculated once monthly using our valuation methodology, and the price at which we sell new shares and repurchase outstanding shares will not change depending on the level of demand by investors or the volume of requests for repurchases.

 

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SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

We do not intend to list our shares on a securities exchange and we do not expect there to be a public market for our shares. As a result, if you purchase our Common Shares, your ability to sell your shares will be limited.

Beginning no later than the first full calendar quarter from the date on which we break escrow for this offering, and at the discretion of our Board of Trustees, we intend to commence a share repurchase program in which we intend to repurchase, in each quarter, up to 5% of our Common Shares outstanding (either by number of shares or aggregate NAV) as of the close of the previous calendar quarter. Our Board of Trustees may amend, suspend or terminate the share repurchase program if it deems such action to be in our best interest and the best interest of our shareholders. As a result, share repurchases may not be available each quarter. We intend to conduct such repurchase offers in accordance with the requirements of Rule 13e-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act. All shares purchased by us pursuant to the terms of each tender offer will be retired and thereafter will be authorized and unissued shares.

Under our share repurchase plan, to the extent we offer to repurchase shares in any particular quarter, we expect to repurchase shares pursuant to tender offers on or around the last business day of that quarter using a purchase price equal to the NAV per share as of the last calendar day of the applicable quarter, except that shares that have not been outstanding for at least one year will be repurchased at 98% of such NAV (an “Early Repurchase Deduction”). The one-year holding period is measured as of the subscription closing date immediately following the prospective repurchase date. The Early Repurchase Deduction may be waived in the case of repurchase requests arising from the death, divorce or qualified disability of the holder. The Early Repurchase Deduction will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of remaining shareholders.

You may tender all of the Common Shares that you own. There is no repurchase priority for a shareholder under the circumstances of death or disability of such shareholder.

In the event the amount of shares tendered exceeds the repurchase offer amount, shares will be repurchased on a pro rata basis. All unsatisfied repurchase requests must be resubmitted in the next quarterly tender offer, or upon the recommencement of the share repurchase plan, as applicable. We will have no obligation to repurchase shares, including if the repurchase would violate the restrictions on distributions under federal law or Delaware law. The limitations and restrictions described above may prevent us from accommodating all repurchase requests made in any quarter. Our share repurchase program has many limitations, including the limitations described above, and should not in any way be viewed as the equivalent of a secondary market.

We will offer to repurchase shares on such terms as may be determined by our Board of Trustees in its complete and absolute discretion unless, in the judgment of our independent Trustees, such repurchases would not be in the best interests of our shareholders or would violate applicable law. There is no assurance that our board will exercise its discretion to offer to repurchase shares or that there will be sufficient funds available to accommodate all of our shareholders’ requests for repurchase. As a result, we may repurchase less than the full amount of shares that you request to have repurchased. If we do not repurchase the full amount of your shares that you have requested to be repurchased, or we determine not to make repurchases of our shares, you will likely not be able to dispose of your shares, even if we under-perform. Any periodic repurchase offers will be subject in part to our available cash and compliance with the RIC qualification and diversification rules and the 1940 Act. Shareholders will not pay a fee to us in connection with our repurchase of shares under the share repurchase program.

The Fund will repurchase shares from shareholders pursuant to written tenders on terms and conditions that the Board of Trustees determines to be fair to the Fund and to all shareholders. When the Board of Trustees determines that the Fund will repurchase shares, notice will be provided to shareholders describing the terms of the offer, containing information shareholders should consider in deciding whether to participate in the repurchase opportunity and containing information on how to participate. Shareholders deciding whether to

 

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tender their shares during the period that a repurchase offer is open may obtain the Fund’s most recent NAV per share on our website at: www.bcred.com. However, our repurchase offers will generally use the NAV on or around the last business day of a calendar quarter, which will not be available until after the expiration of the applicable tender offer, so you will not know the exact price of shares in the tender offer when you make your decision whether to tender your shares.

Repurchases of shares from shareholders by the Fund will be paid in cash promptly after the determination of the relevant NAV per share is finalized. Repurchases will be effective after receipt and acceptance by the Fund of eligible written tenders of shares from shareholders by the applicable repurchase offer deadline. The Fund does not impose any charges in connection with repurchases of shares. All shares purchased by us pursuant to the terms of each tender offer will be retired and thereafter will be authorized and unissued shares.

The majority of our assets will consist of instruments that cannot generally be readily liquidated without impacting our ability to realize full value upon their disposition. Therefore, we may not always have sufficient liquid resources to make repurchase offers. In order to provide liquidity for share repurchases, we intend to generally maintain under normal circumstances an allocation to syndicated loans and other liquid investments. We may fund repurchase requests from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital or offering proceeds, and we have no limits on the amounts we may pay from such sources. Should making repurchase offers, in our judgment, place an undue burden on our liquidity, adversely affect our operations or risk having an adverse impact on the company as a whole, or should we otherwise determine that investing our liquid assets in originated loans or other illiquid investments rather than repurchasing our shares is in the best interests of the Fund as a whole, then we may choose to offer to repurchase fewer shares than described above, or none at all.

In the event that any shareholder fails to maintain the minimum balance of $500 of our shares, we may repurchase all of the shares held by that shareholder at the repurchase price in effect on the date we determine that the shareholder has failed to meet the minimum balance, less any Early Repurchase Deduction. Minimum account repurchases will apply even in the event that the failure to meet the minimum balance is caused solely by a decline in our NAV. Minimum account repurchases are subject to Early Repurchase Deduction.

Payment for repurchased shares may require us to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than our Adviser would otherwise have caused these holdings to be liquidated, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase our investment-related expenses as a result of higher portfolio turnover rates. Our Adviser intends to take measures, subject to policies as may be established by our Board of Trustees, to attempt to avoid or minimize potential losses and expenses resulting from the repurchase of shares.

 

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DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN

We have adopted a distribution reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends declared by the Board of Trustees on behalf of our shareholders who do not elect to receive their dividends in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board of Trustees authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our shareholders who have not opted out of our distribution reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares as described below, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. Distributions on fractional shares will be credited to each participating shareholder’s account to three decimal places.

No action is required on the part of a registered shareholder to have his, her or its cash dividend or other distribution reinvested in our shares, except shareholders in certain states. Shareholders can elect to “opt out” of the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan in their subscription agreements (other than Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington investors and clients of certain participating brokers that do not permit automatic enrollment in our distribution reinvestment plan). Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington investors and clients of certain participating brokers that do not permit automatic enrollment in our distribution reinvestment plan will automatically receive their distributions in cash unless they elect to have their cash distributions reinvested in additional Common Shares.

If any shareholder initially elects not to participate, they may later become a participant by subsequently completing and executing an enrollment form or any distribution authorization form as may be available from the Fund or the DST Systems Inc. (the “Plan Administrator”). Participation in the distribution reinvestment plan will begin with the next distribution payable after acceptance of a participant’s subscription, enrollment or authorization. Shares will be purchased under the distribution reinvestment plan as of the first calendar day of the month following the record date of the distribution.

If a shareholder seeks to terminate its participation in the distribution reinvestment plan, notice of termination must be received by the Plan Administrator five business days in advance of the first calendar day of the next month in order for a shareholder’s termination to be effective for such month. Any transfer of shares by a participant to a non-participant will terminate participation in the distribution reinvestment plan with respect to the transferred shares. If a participant elects to tender its Common Shares in full, any Shares issued to the participant under the Plan subsequent to the expiration of the tender offer will be considered part of the participant’s prior tender, and participant’s participation in the Plan will be terminated as of the valuation date of the applicable tender offer. Any distributions to be paid to such shareholder on or after such date will be paid in cash on the scheduled distribution payment date.

If you elect to opt out of the distribution reinvestment plan, you will receive any distributions we declare in cash. There will be no upfront selling commissions or Intermediary Manager fees charged to you if you participate in the distribution reinvestment plan. We will pay the Plan Administrator fees under the distribution reinvestment plan. If your shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary, you may change your election by notifying your broker or other financial intermediary of your election.

Any purchases of our shares pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan are dependent on the continued registration of our securities or the availability of an exemption from registration in the recipient’s home state.

The purchase price for shares purchased under our distribution reinvestment plan will be equal to the most recent available NAV per share for such shares at the time the distribution is payable. Common Shares issued pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan will have the same voting rights as the Common Shares offered pursuant to this prospectus.

See our Distribution Reinvestment Plan, which is filed as an exhibit to our registration statement for this offering, for more information.

 

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REGULATION

The following discussion is a general summary of the material prohibitions and descriptions governing BDCs generally. It does not purport to be a complete description of all of the laws and regulations affecting BDCs.

Qualifying Assets

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

 

  (1)

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

 

  (a)

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

 

  (b)

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

 

  (c)

satisfies any of the following:

 

  (i)

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

 

  (ii)

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

 

  (iii)

is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the Eligible Portfolio Company; or

 

  (iv)

is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

 

  (2)

Securities of any Eligible Portfolio Company controlled by the Fund.

 

  (3)

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

 

  (4)

Securities of an Eligible Portfolio Company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and the Fund already owns 60% of the outstanding equity of the Eligible Portfolio Company.

 

  (5)

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

 

  (6)

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

In addition, a BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

 

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Significant Managerial Assistance 

A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as Qualifying Assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its trustees, officers or employees, offers to provide and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance.

Temporary Investments

Pending investment in other types of Qualifying Assets, as described above, our investments can consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which are referred to herein, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets would be Qualifying Assets.

Warrants 

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC is subject to restrictions on the issuance, terms and amount of warrants, options or rights to purchase shares that it may have outstanding at any time. In particular, the amount of shares that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase shares cannot exceed 25% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares.

Leverage and Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our Common Shares if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, would at least equal 150% immediately after each such issuance. On August 24, 2020, our sole shareholder approved the adoption of this 150% threshold pursuant to Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act and such election became effective the following day. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we will be required to make provisions to prohibit any dividend distribution to our shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. We will also be permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes, which borrowings would not be considered senior securities.

We intend to establish one or more credit facilities and/or subscription facilities or enter into other financing arrangements to facilitate investments and the timely payment of our expenses. It is anticipated that any such credit facilities will bear interest at floating rates at to be determined spreads over LIBOR. We cannot assure shareholders that we will be able to enter into a credit facility. Shareholders will indirectly bear the costs associated with any borrowings under a credit facility or otherwise. In connection with a credit facility or other borrowings, lenders may require us to pledge assets, commitments and/or drawdowns (and the ability to enforce the payment thereof) and may ask to comply with positive or negative covenants that could have an effect on our operations. In addition, from time to time, our losses on leveraged investments may result in the liquidation of other investments held by us and may result in additional drawdowns to repay such amounts.

We may enter into a total return swap agreement. A TRS is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying the TRS,

 

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which may include a specified security, basket of securities or securities indices during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate. A TRS effectively adds leverage to a portfolio by providing investment exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. Because of the unique structure of a TRS, a TRS often offers lower financing costs than are offered through more traditional borrowing arrangements. The Fund would typically have to post collateral to cover this potential obligation. To the extent the Fund segregates liquid assets with a value equal (on a daily mark-to-market basis) to its obligations under TRS transactions, enters into offsetting transactions or otherwise covers such TRS transactions in accordance with applicable SEC guidance, the leverage incurred through TRS will not be considered a borrowing for purposes of the Fund’s overall leverage limitation.

We may also create leverage by securitizing our assets (including in CLOs) and retaining the equity portion of the securitized vehicle. We may also from time to time make secured loans of our marginable securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions.

Code of Ethics

We and the Adviser have adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code are permitted to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. You may read and copy this code of ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. You may also obtain copies of the codes of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

Affiliated Transactions

We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our trustees who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. We have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits us, among other things, to co-invest with certain other persons, including certain affiliates of the Adviser and certain funds managed and controlled by the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are set forth below. The guidelines will be reviewed periodically by the Adviser, and, accordingly, are subject to change.

As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, has a duty to monitor corporate events and to vote proxies, as well as a duty to cast votes in the best interest of clients and not subrogate client interests to its own interests. Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act places specific requirements on registered investment advisers with proxy voting authority.

Proxy Policies

The Adviser’s policies and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that the Adviser votes proxies in the best interest of the Fund and addresses how it will resolve any conflict of interest that may arise when voting proxies and, in so doing, to maximize the value of the investments made by the Fund, taking into consideration the Fund’s investment horizons and other relevant factors. It will review on a case-by-case basis each proposal

 

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submitted for a shareholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by its clients. Although the Adviser will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on its clients’ portfolio securities, it may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.

Decisions on how to vote a proxy generally are made by the Adviser. The Investment Committee and the members of the Investment Team covering the applicable security often have the most intimate knowledge of both a company’s operations and the potential impact of a proxy vote’s outcome. Decisions are based on a number of factors which may vary depending on a proxy’s subject matter, but are guided by the general policies described in the proxy policy. In addition, the Adviser may determine not to vote a proxy after consideration of the vote’s expected benefit to clients and the cost of voting the proxy. To ensure that its vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, the Adviser will require the members of the Investment Committee to disclose any personal conflicts of interest they may have with respect to overseeing a Fund’s investment in a particular company.

Proxy Voting Records

You may obtain information, without charge, regarding how we voted proxies with respect to our portfolio securities by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Chief Compliance Officer, GSO Asset Management LLC, 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10154.

Other

We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act, and be subject to the periodic reporting and related requirements of the 1934 Act.

We are also required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any trustee or officer against any liability to our shareholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

We are also required to designate a chief compliance officer and to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation.

We are not permitted to change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of such company’s shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company.

Our internet address is www.bcred.com. We make available free of charge on our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statement and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and the purchase, ownership and disposition of our shares. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to shareholders in light of their particular circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion applies only to U.S. shareholders that hold our shares as capital assets. A U.S. shareholder is an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a U.S. corporation, a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court in the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person, or any estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source. This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). This discussion does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to special classes of taxpayers including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, investors in pass-through entities, U.S. shareholders whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark to market treatment, or persons that will hold our shares as a position in a “straddle,” “hedge” or as part of a “constructive sale” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion does not address the application of the Medicare tax on net investment income or the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax, or any tax consequences attributable to persons being required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to our shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of our shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country or other taxing jurisdiction.

Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company

The Fund intends to elect to be treated, and intends to qualify each taxable year thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

To qualify for the favorable tax treatment accorded to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must, among other things: (1) have an election in effect to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year; (2) have filed with its return for the taxable year an election to be a RIC or have made such election for a previous taxable year; (3) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies; and (b) net income derived from an interest in certain publicly-traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each, a “Qualified Publicly-Traded Partnership”); and (4) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year of the Fund (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities and securities of other RICs, and other securities for purposes of this calculation limited, in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly-Traded Partnerships (described in 3(b) above).

As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but determined without regard to the deduction for dividends

 

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paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes in each taxable year to its shareholders, provided that it distributes at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income and its net tax-exempt income for such taxable year. Generally, the Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gains, if any.

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year and (iii) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. For these purposes, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains on which it paid U.S. federal income tax.

A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of any calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income (including distributions of net capital gain), even if such income were distributed to its shareholders, and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as “qualified dividend income” in the case of individual and other non-corporate shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a RIC.

While the Fund generally intends to qualify as a RIC for each taxable year, it is possible that as we ramp up our portfolio we may not satisfy the diversification requirements described above, and thus may not qualify as a RIC, for the short taxable year from the date on which we break escrow for this offering . In such case, however, we anticipate that the associated tax liability would not be material, and that such non-compliance would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, although there can be no assurance in this regard. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund qualifies as a RIC for each taxable year.

Distributions

Distributions to shareholders by the Fund of ordinary income (including “market discount” realized by the Fund on the sale of debt securities), and of net short-term capital gains, if any, realized by the Fund will generally be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions, if any, of net capital gains properly reported as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has owned our shares. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will be treated by a shareholder as a return of capital which will be applied against and reduce the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, the excess will be treated by the shareholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the shares. Distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations or for the reduced rates applicable to certain qualified dividend income received by non-corporate shareholders.

Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional shares pursuant to the distribution reinvestment plan. Shareholders receiving

 

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distributions in the form of additional shares will generally be treated as receiving a distribution in the amount of the fair market value of the distributed shares. The additional shares received by a shareholder pursuant to the distribution reinvestment plan will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares were credited to the shareholder’s account.

The Fund may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such case, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders, who will be treated as if each received a distribution of his pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will (i) be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain and (iii) increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

The Internal Revenue Service currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income and capital gains) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, if the Fund issues preferred shares, the Fund intends to allocate capital gain dividends, if any, between its common shares and preferred shares in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class with respect to such tax year. Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares will receive a report as to the NAV of those shares.

Sale or Exchange of Shares

Upon the sale or other disposition of our shares (except pursuant to a repurchase by the Fund, as described below), a shareholder will generally realize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold. Such gain or loss will be long- term or short-term, depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. Generally, a shareholder’s gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. For non-corporate taxpayers, long-term capital gains are currently eligible for reduced rates of taxation.

No loss will be allowed on the sale or other disposition of shares if the owner acquires (including pursuant to the distribution reinvestment plan) or enters into a contract or option to acquire securities that are substantially identical to such shares within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the securities acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Losses realized by a shareholder on the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less are treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gain received (or amounts designated as undistributed capital gains) with respect to such shares.

From time to time, the Fund may offer to repurchase its outstanding shares. Shareholders who tender all shares of the Fund held, or considered to be held, by them will be treated as having sold their shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss. If a shareholder tenders fewer than all of its shares or fewer than all shares tendered are repurchased, such shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon the tender of its shares. In such a case, there is a risk that non-tendering shareholders, and shareholders who tender some but not all of their shares or fewer than all of whose shares are repurchased, in each case whose percentage interests in the Fund increase as a result of such tender, will be treated as having received a taxable distribution from the Fund. The extent of such risk will vary depending upon the particular circumstances of the tender offer, and in particular whether such offer is a single and isolated event or is part of a plan for periodically redeeming shares of the Fund.

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Internal Revenue Service Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current

 

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guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Nature of the Fund’s Investments

Certain of the Fund’s hedging and derivatives transactions are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above.

These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders and the Fund’s status as a RIC. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions.

Below Investment Grade Instruments

The Fund expects to invest in debt securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, to preserve its status as a RIC and to distribute sufficient income to not become subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Original Issue Discount

For federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as zero coupon securities, debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may not qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

Market Discount

In general, the Fund will be treated as having acquired a security with market discount if its stated redemption price at maturity (or, in the case of a security issued with original issue discount, its revised issue

 

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price) exceeds the Fund’s initial tax basis in the security by more than a statutory de minimis amount. The Fund will be required to treat any principal payments on, or any gain derived from the disposition of, any securities acquired with market discount as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount, unless the Fund makes an election to accrue market discount on a current basis. If this election is not made, all or a portion of any deduction for interest expense incurred to purchase or carry a market discount security may be deferred until the Fund sells or otherwise disposes of such security.

Currency Fluctuations

Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, certain foreign currency options or futures contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.

Foreign Taxes

The Fund’s investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes. In that case, the Fund’s yield on those securities would be decreased. Shareholders will generally not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

Preferred Shares or Borrowings

If the Fund utilizes leverage through the issuance of preferred shares or borrowings, it may be restricted by certain covenants with respect to the declaration of, and payment of, dividends on shares in certain circumstances. Limits on the Fund’s payments of dividends on shares may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements described above, and may, therefore, jeopardize the Fund’s qualification for taxation as a RIC and possibly subject the Fund to the 4% excise tax. The Fund will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to make dividend payments.

Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to withhold from all distributions and redemption proceeds payable to U.S. shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. This backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Foreign Shareholders

U.S. taxation of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “foreign shareholder”), depends on whether the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder.

If the income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. However, dividends paid by the Fund that are “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” will generally be exempt from such

 

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withholding, in each case to the extent the Fund properly reports such dividends to shareholders. For these purposes, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the source if received directly by a foreign shareholder, and that satisfy certain other requirements. A foreign shareholder whose income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares. However, a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements will nevertheless be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% on such capital gain dividends, undistributed capital gains and sale or exchange gains.

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income, any capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations. Foreign corporate shareholders may also be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.

The Fund may be required to withhold from distributions that are otherwise exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless the foreign shareholder certifies his or her foreign status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption.

The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

Additional Withholding Requirements

Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as “FATCA”), a 30% United States federal withholding tax may apply to any dividends that the Fund pays to (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the Code), whether such foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its United States “account” holders (as specifically defined in the Code) and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity, whether such nonfinancial foreign entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such entity provides a certification that the beneficial owner of the payment does not have any substantial United States owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each such substantial United States owner and certain other specified requirements are met. In certain cases, the relevant foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from, or be deemed to be in compliance with, these rules. In addition, foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding FATCA and whether it may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of our shares.

Other Taxation

Shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their distributions from the Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

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RESTRICTIONS ON SHARE OWNERSHIP

Each prospective investor that is, or is acting on behalf of, any (i) “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA, (ii) “plan” described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code, subject to Section 4975 of the Code (including for e.g., IRA and a “Keogh” plan), (iii) plan, account or other arrangement that is subject to provisions under any Similar Laws, or (iv) entity whose underlying assets are considered to include the assets of any of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), pursuant to ERISA or otherwise (each of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) referred to herein as a “Plan”), must independently determine that our Common Shares are an appropriate investment, taking into account its obligations under ERISA, the Code and applicable Similar Laws.

In contemplating an investment in the Fund, each fiduciary of the Plan who is responsible for making such an investment should carefully consider, taking into account the facts and circumstances of the Plan, whether such investment is consistent with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary’s duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws. Furthermore, absent an exemption, the fiduciaries of a Plan should not invest in the Fund with the assets of any Plan if the Advisor or any of its affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to such assets of the Plan.

In contemplating an investment in the Fund, fiduciaries of Plans that is a Benefit Plan Investor (defined below) subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code should also carefully consider the definition of the term “plan assets” in ERISA and the Plan Asset Regulations. Under ERISA and the Plan Asset Regulations, when a Benefit Plan Investor invests in an equity interest of an entity that is neither a “publicly-offered security” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) nor a security issued by an investment company registered under the 1940 Act, the Benefit Plan Investors’s assets include both the equity interest and an undivided interest in each of the entity’s underlying assets, unless it is established that the entity is an “operating company” or that equity participation in the entity by “benefit plan investors” (“Benefit Plan Investors”) is not “significant” (each within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations). The term “Benefit Plan Investor” is defined in the Plan Asset Regulations to include (a) any employee benefit plan (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to the provisions of Title I of ERISA, (b) any plan described in section 4975(e)(1) of the Code subject to Section 4975 of the Code, and (c) any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of such an employee benefit plan’s or plan’s investment in the entity.

Under the Plan Asset Regulations, equity participation in an entity by Benefit Plan Investors is “significant” on any date if, immediately after the most recent acquisition of any equity interest in the entity, 25% or more of the total value of any class of equity interests is held by Benefit Plan Investors. For purposes of this determination, the value of equity interests held by a person (other than a Benefit Plan Investor) who has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of the entity or that provides investment advice for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets (or any affiliate of such a person) is disregarded (each such person, a “Controlling Person”).

If the assets of the Fund were deemed to be “plan assets” under the Plan Asset Regulations, this would result, among other things, in (i) the application of the prudence and other fiduciary responsibility standards of ERISA to investments made by the Fund, and (ii) the possibility that certain transactions in which the Fund might seek to engage could constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA and the Code. If a prohibited transaction occurs for which no exemption is available, the Adviser and/or any other fiduciary that has engaged in the prohibited transaction could be required to (i) restore to the Covered Plan any profit realized on the transaction and (ii) reimburse the Benefit Plan Investor for any losses suffered by the Benefit Plan Investor as a result of the investment. In addition, each disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) involved could be subject to an excise tax equal to 15% of the amount involved in the prohibited transaction for each year the transaction continues and, unless the transaction is corrected within statutorily required periods, to an additional tax of 100%. Fiduciaries of Benefit Plan Investors who decide to invest in the Fund could, under

 

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certain circumstances, be liable for prohibited transactions or other violations as a result of their investment in the Fund or as co-fiduciaries for actions taken by or on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser. With respect to an IRA that invests in the Fund, the occurrence of a prohibited transaction involving the individual who established the IRA, or his or her beneficiaries, would cause the IRA to lose its tax-exempt status.

Accordingly, for so long as any class of our Common Shares are not considered “publicly-offered securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, the Fund intends to limit Benefit Plan Investor investments in each class of our Common Shares to less than 25%, disregarding equity interests held by Controlling Persons, within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations. In this respect, in order to avoid the possibility that our assets could be treated as “plan assets,” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, until such time as each class of our Common Shares constitutes “publicly-offered securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations we may require any person proposing to acquire Common Shares to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is a Benefit Plan Investor or a Controlling Person and (ii) we will have the power to (a) exclude any shareholder or potential shareholder from purchasing Common Shares; (b) prohibit any redemption of Common Shares; and (c) redeem some or all Common Shares held by any holder if, and to the extent that, our Board of Trustees determines that there is a substantial likelihood that such holder’s purchase, ownership or redemption of Common Shares would result in our assets to be characterized as plan assets, for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and all Common Shares of the Fund shall be subject to such terms and conditions.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DISTRIBUTION PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

Our securities are held under a custody agreement by State Street Bank and Trust Company. The address of the custodian is 100 Summer Street, Floor 5, Boston, MA 02110. DST Systems, Inc. will act as our transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of our transfer agent is 1055 Broadway, 7th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

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

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The financial statements for Blackstone Private Credit Fund included in this prospectus as of August 18, 2020 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and have been so included in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares have been passed upon for the Fund by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Washington, DC, acts as counsel to the Fund.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

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

We are required to file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

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Investor Data Privacy Notice

1. Why are you seeing this notice?

 

   

You may need to provide Personal Data to us as part of your investment into a fund or other investment vehicle (collectively, each a Fund) managed or advised by investment advisers that are subsidiaries of The Blackstone Group Inc. or its affiliates (and, where applicable, the general partner of the relevant Fund) (collectively, Blackstone).

 

   

We want you to understand how and why we use, store and otherwise process your Personal Data when you deal with us or our relevant affiliates (including under applicable data protection laws). If this notice (the “Data Privacy Notice”) has been made available to you, you may have certain rights with respect to your Personal Data under applicable data protection laws (including as described in this Data Privacy Notice).

 

   

Personal Data” has the meaning given to it under data protection laws that apply to our processing of your personal information, and includes any information that relates to, describes, identifies or can be used, directly or indirectly, to identify an individual (such as name, address, date of birth, personal identification numbers, sensitive personal information, and economic information).

 

   

We ask that investors promptly provide the information contained in this Data Privacy Notice to any individuals whose Personal Data they provide to the Fund or its affiliates in connection with ‘know your client’/anti-money laundering requests or otherwise.

Please read the information below carefully. It explains how and why Personal Data is processed by us.

2. Who is providing this notice?

Blackstone is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Blackstone is a global financial services firm with offices, operations and entities globally, including as described at this link: https://www.blackstone.com/privacy#appendixA.

 

   

For transparency, the Blackstone entities on whose behalf this privacy statement is made are: (i) the Fund; and (ii) where applicable, the Blackstone general partner and/or investment adviser of the relevant Fund, in each case, with which you contract, transact or otherwise share Personal Data (together, the Fund Parties).

 

   

Where we use the terms ”we”, ”us” and ”our” in this Data Privacy Notice, we are referring to the Fund and the Fund Parties.

 

   

Please consult your subscription documents, private placement memorandum or other offering documentation provided to you by or on behalf of the Fund Parties which will further specify the entities and contact details of the Fund Parties relevant to our relationship with you.

 

   

We welcome investors and their representatives to contact us if they have any queries with respect to the Fund Parties (in particular, which Fund Parties are relevant to their relationship with Blackstone). If you have any queries, our contact details are below.

When you provide us with your Personal Data, each Fund Party that decides how and why Personal Data is processed acts as a ”data controller.” In simple terms, this means that the Fund Party makes certain decisions on how to use and protect your Personal Data – but only to the extent that we have informed you about the use or are otherwise permitted by law.

Where your Personal Data is processed by an entity controlled by, or under common control with, the Blackstone entity/ies managing a Fund for its own purposes, this entity will also be a data controller.

 

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3. What Personal Data do we collect about you?

The types of Personal Data that we collect and share depends on the product or service you have with us and the nature of your investment.

The Personal Data collected about you will help us to provide you with a better service and facilitate our business relationship.

We may combine Personal Data that you provide to us with Personal Data that we collect from you, or about you from other sources, in some circumstances. This will include Personal Data collected in an online or offline context.

As a result of our relationship with you as an investor, in the past 12 months we may have collected Personal Data concerning you in the following categories:

 

a)

Identifiers (e.g., real name, alias, postal address, email address, social security or driver’s license number, government ID, signature, telephone number, education, employment, employment history, financial information, including tax-related information/codes and bank account details, information used for monitoring and background checks to comply with laws and regulations, including ’know your client’, anti-money laundering, and sanctions checks, and other contact information);

 

b)

Sensitive/protected characteristic information (e.g., age/date of birth, nationality, citizenship, country of residence, gender, and other information used to comply with laws and regulations);

 

c)

Commercial information (e.g., assets, income, transaction and investment history, accounts at other institutions, information concerning source of funds and any applicable restrictions on your investment such as political exposure or sanctions);

 

d)

Internet or other network activity (e.g., browsing or search history, information regarding interaction with an internet website, application, or advertisement, online identifiers such as cookies);

 

e)

Sensory and surveillance data (e.g., recordings of telephone calls where permitted or required by law, video surveillance recordings, and other records of your interactions with us or our service providers, including electronic communications);

 

f)

Professional or employment-related information (e.g., current or past job history); and

 

g)

Inferences drawn from other personal information (e.g., profiles reflecting preferences and trends, based on information such as assets, investment experience, risk tolerance, investment activity, and transaction history).

 

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4. Where do we obtain your Personal Data?

We collect, and have collected, Personal Data about you from a number of sources, including from you directly:

 

   

 

WHAT

 

  

 

HOW

 

1  

Personal Data
that you give us

  

•  from the forms and any associated documentation that you complete when subscribing for an investment, shares and/or opening an account with us. This can include information about your name, address, date of birth, passport details or other national identifier, driving licence, your national insurance or social security number and income, employment information and details about your investment or retirement portfolio(s)

 

•  when you provide it to us in correspondence and conversations, including electronic communications such as email and telephone calls

 

•  when you make transactions with respect to the Fund

 

•  when you interact with our online platforms and websites (such as bxaccess.com)

 

•  when you purchase securities from us and/or tell us where to send money

 

•  from cookies, web beacons, and similar interactions when you or your devices access our sites

2  

Personal Data that we obtain from others

  

We obtain Personal data from:

 

•  publicly available and accessible directories and sources

 

•  bankruptcy registers

 

•  tax authorities, including those that are based outside the territory in which you are located or domiciled, including the Cayman Islands, the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Economic Area (EEA), if you are subject to tax in another jurisdiction

 

•  governmental and competent regulatory authorities to whom we have regulatory obligations

 

•  credit agencies

 

•  fraud prevention and detection agencies/organisations

 

•  transaction counterparties

 

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5. Why do we process your Personal Data?

We may process or disclose your Personal Data for the following reasons:

 

    

 

WHY

 

  

 

HOW

 

1  

Contract

  

It is necessary to perform our contract with you to:

 

•  administer, manage and set up your investor account(s) to allow you to purchase your holding (of shares) in our Funds

 

•  meet the resulting contractual obligations we have to you

 

•  facilitate the continuation or termination of the contractual relationship between you and the Fund

 

•  facilitate the transfer of funds, and administering and facilitating any other transaction, between you and the Fund

 

2  

Compliance with law

  

It is necessary for compliance with an applicable legal or regulatory obligation to which we are subject, in order to:

 

•  undertake our client and investor due diligence, and on-boarding checks

 

•  carry out verification, ‘know your client’, terrorist financing, sanctions, and anti-money laundering checks

 

•  verify the identity and addresses of our investors (and, if applicable, their beneficial owners)

 

•  comply with requests from regulatory, governmental, tax and law enforcement authorities

 

•  carry out surveillance and investigations

 

•  carry out audit checks

 

•  maintain statutory registers

 

•  prevent and detect fraud

 

•  comply with sanctions requirements

 

   
3  

Legitimate interests

  

For our legitimate interests or those of a third party (such as a transaction counterparty or lender) to:

 

•  manage and administer your holding in any funds in which you are invested, and any related accounts on an ongoing basis

 

•  assess and process any applications or requests made by you

 

•  open, maintain or close accounts in connection with your investment in, or withdrawal from, the Fund scheme

 

•  send updates, information and notices or otherwise correspond with you in connection with your investment in the Fund scheme

 

•  address or investigate any complaints, claims, proceedings or disputes

 

•  provide you with, and inform you about, our investment products and services

 

•  monitor and improve our relationships with investors

 

•  comply with applicable regulatory obligations, including anti-money laundering, sanctions and ‘know your client’ checks

 

 

 

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WHY

 

  

 

HOW

 

    

 

•  assist our transaction counterparties to comply with their regulatory and legal obligations (including anti-money laundering, ‘know your client’ and sanctions checks)

 

•  manage our risk and operations

 

•  comply with our accounting and tax reporting requirements

 

•  comply with our audit requirements

 

•  assist with internal compliance with our policies and processes

 

•  ensure appropriate group management and governance

 

•  keep our internal records

 

•  prepare reports on incidents / accidents

 

•  protect our business against fraud, breach of confidence, theft of proprietary materials, and other financial or business crimes (to the extent that this is not required of us by law)

 

•  analyse and manage commercial risks

 

•  seek professional advice, including legal advice

 

•  enable any actual or proposed assignee or transferee, participant or sub-participant of the partnership’s or Fund vehicles’ rights or obligations to evaluate proposed transactions

 

•  facilitate business asset transactions involving the Fund partnership or Fund-related vehicles

 

•  monitor communications to/from us using our systems

 

•  protect the security and integrity of our information technology systems

 

•  manage our financing arrangements with our financiers and financing transaction counterparties, including payment providers, intermediaries, and correspondent/agent banks

 

We only rely on these interests where we have considered that, on balance, the legitimate interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms.

Monitoring as described at (3) above

We monitor communications where the law requires us to do so. We will also monitor where we are required to do so to comply with our regulatory rules and practices and, where we are permitted to do so, to protect our business and the security of our systems.

 

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6. Who we share your Personal Data with

Your Personal Data will be shared with:

 

    

 

WHO

 

  

 

WHY

 

 

Fund Associates

  

We share your Personal Data with our associates, related parties and members of our group. This is:

 

•  to manage our relationship with you

 

•  for the legitimate interests of a third party in carrying out anti-money laundering and compliance checks required of them under applicable laws and regulations

 

•  for the purposes set out in this Data Privacy Notice

     
   

Fund Managers, Depositories, Administrators, Custodians, Investment Advisers

  

•  delivering the services you require

 

•  managing your investment

 

•  supporting and administering investment-related activities

 

•  complying with applicable investment, anti-money laundering and other laws and regulations

   
 

Tax Authorities

  

•  to comply with applicable laws and regulations

 

•  where required or requested by tax authorities in the territory in which you are located or domiciled (in particular, Cayman Island or UK/EEA tax authorities) who, in turn, may share your Personal Data with foreign tax authorities

 

•  where required or requested by foreign tax authorities, including outside of the territory in which you are located or domiciled (including outside the Cayman Islands or UK/EEA)

     
   

Service Providers

  

•  delivering and facilitating the services needed to support our business relationship with you

 

•  supporting and administering investment-related activities

 

•  where disclosure to the service provider is considered necessary to support Blackstone with the purposes described in section 5 of this Data Privacy Notice

   
   

Financing Counterparties, Lenders, Correspondent and Agent Banks

  

•  assisting these transaction counterparties with regulatory checks, such as ‘know your client’ and anti-money laundering procedures

 

•  sourcing credit for Fund-related entities in the course of our transactions and fund life cycles

   
 

Our Lawyers, Auditors and other Professional Advisers

  

•  providing you with investment-related services

 

•  to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements

 

In exceptional circumstances, we will share your Personal Data with:

 

   

competent regulatory, prosecuting and other governmental agencies or litigation counterparties, in any country or territory; and

 

   

other organisations and agencies – where we are required to do so by law.

For California residents, in the preceding 12 months, we may have disclosed Personal Data listed in any of the categories in section 3 above for a business purpose (in particular, as described in this section).

 

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We have not sold Personal Data in the 12 months preceding the date of this Data Privacy Notice.

7. Do you have to provide us with this Personal Data?

Where we collect Personal Data from you, we will indicate if:

 

   

provision of the Personal Data is necessary for our compliance with a legal obligation; or

 

   

it is purely voluntary and there are no implications for you if you do not wish to provide us with it.

Unless otherwise indicated, you should assume that we require the Personal Data for business and/or compliance purposes.

Some of the Personal Data that we request is necessary for us to perform our contract with you and if you do not wish to provide us with this Personal Data, it will affect our ability to provide our services to you and manage your investment.

8. Sending your Personal Data internationally

We will transfer your Personal Data between different countries to our affiliates and group members, members of the Fund’s partnership, transaction counterparties, and third party service providers. These countries may not have similarly strict data protection and privacy laws and will include those countries in which our affiliates and service providers operate (and may include, for example, transfers from the UK/EEA or Cayman Islands to a jurisdiction outside of such territory).

Where we transfer Personal Data to other members of our group, our service providers or another third party recipient from one country to another, we will ensure that our arrangements with them are governed by data transfer agreements or appropriate safeguards, designed to ensure that your Personal Data is protected as required under applicable data protection law (including, where appropriate, under an agreement on terms approved for this purpose by the European Commission or by obtaining your consent).

Please contact us if you would like to know more about these agreements or receive a copy of them. Please see below for our contact details.

9. Consent – and your right to withdraw it

We do not generally rely on obtaining your consent to process your Personal Data. If we do, you have the right to withdraw this consent at any time. Please contact us or send us an email at PrivacyQueries@Blackstone.com at any time if you wish to do so.

10. Retention and deletion of your Personal Data

We keep your Personal Data for as long as it is required by us for our legitimate business purposes, to perform our contractual obligations or, where longer, such longer period as is required or permitted by law or regulatory obligations which apply to us.

We will generally:

 

   

retain Personal Data about you throughout the life cycle of any investment you are involved in; and

 

   

retain some Personal Data after your relationship with us ends.

As a general principle, we do not retain your Personal Data for longer than we need it.

We will usually delete your Personal Data (at the latest) after you cease to be an investor in any fund and there is no longer any legal/regulatory requirement, or business purpose, for retaining your Personal Data.

 

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11. Your rights

You may, subject to certain limitations, have data protection rights depending on the data protection laws that apply to our processing of your Personal Data, including the right to:

 

   

access your Personal Data, and some related information, including the purpose for processing the Personal Data, the categories of recipients of that Personal Data to the extent that it has been transferred internationally, and, where the Personal Data has not been collected directly from you, the source (the “category information”)

 

   

restrict the use of your Personal Data in certain circumstances

 

   

have incomplete or inaccurate Personal Data corrected

 

   

ask us to stop processing your Personal Data

 

   

require us to delete your Personal Data in some limited circumstances

You also have the right in some circumstances to request us to ”port” your Personal Data in a portable, re-usable format to other organisations (where this is possible).

California residents may also request certain information about our disclosure of Personal Data during the prior year, including category information (as defined above).

We review and verify requests to protect your Personal Data, and will action data protection requests fairly and in accordance with applicable data protection laws and principles.

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us (details below).

12. Concerns or queries

We take your concerns very seriously. We encourage you to bring it to our attention if you have any concerns about our processing of your Personal Data.

This Data Privacy Notice was drafted with simplicity and clarity in mind. We are, of course, happy to provide any further information or explanation needed. Our contact details are below.

Please also contact us via any of the below contact methods if you have a disability and require an alternative format of this Data Privacy Notice.

If you want to make a complaint, you can also contact the body regulating data protection in your country, where you live or work, or the location where the data protection issue arose. In particular:

 

    

 

Country

 

  

 

Supervisory Authority

 

   
   

Cayman

Islands

   Cayman Islands Ombudsman (available at: https://ombudsman.ky)
   

European

Union

   A list of the EU data protection authorities and contact details is available by clicking this link: http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/article29/item-detail.cfm?item_id=612080
   
   

United

Kingdom

   Information Commissioner’s Office (available at: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/)

 

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13. Contact us

Please contact us if you have any questions about this Data Privacy Notice or the Personal Data we hold about you.

Contact us by email or access our web form at PrivacyQueries@Blackstone.com.

Contact us in writing using this address:

 

Address   

For EU/UK related queries:

40 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5AL, United Kingdom

All other queries:

345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154

14. Changes to this Data Privacy Notice

We keep this Data Privacy Notice under regular review. Please check regularly for any updates at our investor portal (www.bxaccess.com).

This Data Privacy Notice was updated in January 2020.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of August 18, 2020

     F-3  

Notes to Financial Statement

     F-4  

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholder and the Board of Trustees of Blackstone Private Credit Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statement

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Blackstone Private Credit Fund (the “Company”) as of August 18, 2020 and the related notes (referred to as the “financial statement”). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 18, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

August 26, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

    

As of

August 18, 2020

 

Assets

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,500  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,500  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)

     —    

Net Assets

  

Common shares, $0.01 par value; unlimited shares authorized; 60 shares issued and outstanding

   $ 15  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,485  
  

 

 

 

Total net assets

   $ 1,500  

Net asset value per share

   $ 25.00  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

Note 1: Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Blackstone Private Credit Fund (“BCRED” or the “Company”), is a Delaware statutory trust formed on February 11, 2020. The Company was formed primarily to originate loans and other securities, including broadly syndicated loans, of private middle market U.S. companies. The Company is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company is externally managed by GSO Asset Management LLC (the “Adviser”). The Adviser is an affiliate of GSO Capital Partners LP (the “Administrator” and, collectively with its affiliates in the credit-focused business of The Blackstone Group Inc., “GSO,” which, for the avoidance of doubt, excludes Harvest Fund Advisors LLC and Blackstone Insurance Solutions), the credit-focused business of The Blackstone Group Inc. (“Blackstone”). The Company intends to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually thereafter, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As of August 18, 2020, the Company had not commenced its investing activities.

The Company’s investment objectives are to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. The Company seeks to meet its investment objectives by focusing primarily on loans and securities of private U.S. companies, specifically middle market companies, which BCRED defines as companies with annual revenue of $50 million to $2.5 billion, at the time of investment. The Company will generally invest at least 80% of its total assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in private credit investments (loans, bonds and other credit instruments that are issued in private offerings or issued by private companies). Once the Company has invested a substantial amount of proceeds from this offering, under normal circumstances the Company expects that the majority of its portfolio will be in privately originated and privately negotiated investments, predominantly direct lending to U.S. middle market companies through (i) first lien senior secured and unitranche loans (generally with total investment sizes less than $300 million, which criteria may change from time to time) and (ii) second lien, unsecured, subordinated or mezzanine loans and structured credit (generally with total investment sizes less than $100 million, which criteria may change from time to time), as well as broadly syndicated loans (for which the Company may serve as an anchor investor), club deals (generally investments made by a small group of investment firms) and other debt and equity securities (collectively, “Private Credit”). To a lesser extent, the Company will also dynamically invest in publicly traded securities of large corporate issuers (“Opportunistic Credit”). The Company expects that the Opportunistic Credit investments will generally be liquid, and may be used for the purposes of maintaining liquidity for our share repurchase program and cash management, while also presenting an opportunity for attractive investment returns.

On August 18, 2020, an affiliate of the Adviser purchased 60 shares of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest at $25.00 per share.

Basis of Presentation

The financial statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The Company’s first fiscal period will end on December 31, 2020.

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

 

Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statement in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement. Such estimates could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Organization and Offering Expenses

Organization and offering costs will only be borne by the Company if the Company breaks escrow for its initial offering, at which time, costs associated with the organization of the Company will be expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the offering of common shares of the Company will be capitalized as deferred offering expenses and included as prepaid and other assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and amortized over a twelve-month period from incurrence. Refer to “Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies” for additional details.

Income Taxes

The Company intends to elect to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The Company also intends to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code as soon as reasonably practicable. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its shareholders as dividends. Rather, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by BCRED would represent obligations of the Company’s investors and would not be reflected in the financial statements of the Company.

The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reserved and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.

To qualify for and maintain qualification as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, to qualify for RIC tax treatment, the Company must distribute to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” for that year, which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of its realized net short-term capital gains over its realized net long-term capital losses.

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

 

In addition, based on the excise tax distribution requirements, the Company is subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on undistributed income unless the Company distributes in a timely manner in each taxable year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in prior years. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by the Company that is subject to corporate income tax is considered to have been distributed.

New Accounting Standards

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

Note 3. Agreements and Related Party Transactions

Investment Advisory Agreement

The Company intends to enter into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser will manage BCRED on a day-to-day basis. The Adviser is responsible for originating prospective investments, conducting research and due diligence investigations on potential investments, analyzing investment opportunities, negotiating and structuring the Company’s investments and monitoring its investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.

The Company will pay the Adviser a fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: a management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the management fee and the incentive fee will ultimately be borne by the shareholders. No base management or incentive fees will be paid to the Adviser until the commencement of investment activities.

Base Management Fee

The management fee will be payable monthly in arrears at an annual rate of 1.25% of the value of the Company’s net assets as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month. For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, net assets means the Company’s total net assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For the first calendar month in which the Company has operations, net assets will be measured as the beginning net assets as of the date on which the Company breaks escrow for the initial offering.

Incentive Fees

The incentive fee will consist of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the incentive fee is based on a percentage of income and a portion is based on a percentage of capital gains, each as described below.

(i) Income based incentive fee

The portion based on our income is based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns. “Pre- Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns” means, as the context requires, either the dollar value of, or percentage rate of return on the value of net assets at the end of the immediate preceding quarter from, interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

 

that are received from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses accrued for the quarter (including the management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement entered into between the Company and the Administrator, and any interest expense or fees on any credit facilities or outstanding debt and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred shares, but excluding the incentive fee and any distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns include, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that has not yet been received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns do not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. The impact of expense support payments and recoupments are also excluded from Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediate preceding quarter, is compared to a “hurdle rate” of return of 1.25% per quarter (5.0% annualized).

The Company will pay its Adviser an income based incentive fee with respect to the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

   

No incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns in any calendar quarter in which Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns do not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.25% per quarter (5.0% annualized);

 

   

100% of the dollar amount of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than a rate of return of 1.43% (5.72% annualized). This “catch-up” portion is meant to provide the Adviser with approximately 12.5% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 1.43% in any calendar quarter; and

 

   

12.5% of the dollar amount of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, if any, that exceed a rate of return of 1.43% (5.72% annualized). This reflects that once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 12.5% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns thereafter are allocated to the Adviser.

(ii) Capital gains based incentive fee

The second part of the incentive fee will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year in an amount equal to 12.5% of realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees.

Administration Agreement

The Company intends to enter into an Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with the Administrator. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will provide, or oversee the performance of, administrative and compliance services, including, but not limited to, maintaining financial records, overseeing the calculation of NAV, compliance monitoring (including diligence and oversight of other service providers), preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), preparing materials and coordinating meetings of the Company’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), managing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others and providing office space, equipment and office services. The Company will

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

 

reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. Such reimbursement will include the Company’s allocable portion of compensation, overhead (including rent, office equipment and utilities) and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, including but not limited to: (i) the Company’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs; (ii) investor relations, legal, operations and other non-investment professionals at the Administrator that perform duties for the Fund; and (iii) any internal audit group personnel of Blackstone or any of its affiliates, subject to the limitations described in Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or to a third party and the Company will reimburse the Administrator for any services performed by such affiliate or third party. The Administrator intends to hire a sub-administrator to assist in the provision of administrative services. The sub-administrator will receive compensation for its sub-administrative services under a sub-administration agreement.

Sub-Administration Agreement

The Administrator intends to enter into entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company.

Certain Terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement

Each of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were approved by the Company’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), both of which, will be effective on or before the date the SEC declares the registration statement for the Company’s initial offering effective. Unless earlier terminated as described below, each of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date it first becomes effective and will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent trustees. The Company may terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement or the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations.

Dealer Manager Agreement

The Company intends to enter into a Dealer Manager Agreement (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”) with Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (the “Dealer Manager”), an affiliate of the Adviser. Under the terms of the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Dealer Manager will serve as the dealer manager for the Company’s public offering of its common shares. The Dealer Manager will be entitled to receive distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees monthly in arrears at an annual rate of 0.85% of the value of the Company’s net assets attributable to Class S shares as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month. The Dealer Manager will be entitled to receive distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees monthly in arrears at an annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the Company’s net assets attributable to Class D shares as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month. No distribution and/or shareholding servicing fees will be paid with respect to Class I. The distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees will be payable to the Dealer Manager, but the Dealer Manager anticipates that all or a portion of the shareholder servicing fees will be retained by, or reallowed (paid) to, participating broker-dealers.

The Company will cease paying the distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees on the Class S shares and Class D shares on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) a merger or

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

 

consolidation with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of this offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with the offering, including the distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees and other underwriting compensation, is equal to 10% of the gross proceeds from the primary offering. In addition, the Company will cease paying the distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees on any Class S share and Class D share in a shareholder’s account at the end of the month in which the Dealer Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total brokerage commissions and distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees paid with respect to any such share held by such shareholder within such account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such share. At the end of such month, each such Class S share or Class D share will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such share.

The Dealer Manager is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

The Dealer Manager Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Company’s trustees who are not “interested persons”, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Company’s distribution plan or the Dealer Manager Agreement or by vote a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, on not more than 60 days’ written notice to the Dealer Manager or the Adviser. The Dealer Manager Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.

Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement

The Company intends to enter into an Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement (the “Expense Support Agreement”) with the Adviser. The Adviser may elect to pay certain expenses (each, an “Expense Payment”), provided that no portion of the payment will be used to pay any interest or distributions and/or shareholder servicing fees of the Company. Any Expense Payment that the Adviser has committed to pay must be paid by the Adviser to the Company in any combination of cash or other immediately available funds no later than forty-five days after such commitment was made in writing, and/or offset against amounts due from the Company to the Adviser or its affiliates.

Following any calendar month in which Available Operating Funds (as defined below) exceed the cumulative distributions accrued to the Company’s shareholders based on distributions declared with respect to record dates occurring in such calendar month (the amount of such excess being hereinafter referred to as “Excess Operating Funds”), the Company shall pay such Excess Operating Funds, or a portion thereof, to the Adviser until such time as all Expense Payments made by the Adviser to the Company within three years prior to the last business day of such calendar month have been reimbursed. Any payments required to be made by the Company shall be referred to herein as a “Reimbursement Payment.” “Available Operating Funds” means the sum of (i) net investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gains reduced by net long-term capital losses), (ii) net capital gains (including the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) and (iii) dividends and other distributions paid on account of investments in portfolio companies (to the extent such amounts listed in clause (iii) are not included under clauses (i) and (ii) above).

The Company’s obligation to make a Reimbursement Payment shall automatically become a liability of the Company on the last business day of the applicable calendar month, except to the extent the Adviser has waived its right to receive such payment for the applicable month.

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

 

Note 4. Share Repurchase Program

Beginning no later than the first full calendar quarter from the date on which the Company breaks escrow for the initial offering of its common shares, and at the discretion of the Board, the Company intends to commence a share repurchase program in which the Company intends to repurchase, in each quarter, up to 5% of the NAV of the Company’s common shares outstanding as of the close of the previous calendar quarter. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the share repurchase program if it deems such action to be in the best interest of shareholders. As a result, share repurchases may not be available each quarter. The Company intends to conduct such repurchase offers in accordance with the requirements of Rule 13e-4 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act. All shares purchased pursuant to the terms of each tender offer will be retired and thereafter will be authorized and unissued shares.

Under the share repurchase plan, to the extent the Company offers to repurchase shares in any particular quarter, it is expected to repurchase shares pursuant to tender offers as of the last calendar day of that quarter using a purchase price equal to the NAV per share as of the last calendar day of the applicable quarter, except that shares that have not been outstanding for at least one year will be repurchased at 98% of such NAV (an “Early Repurchase Deduction”). The one-year holding period is measured as of the subscription closing date immediately following the prospective repurchase date. The Early Repurchase Deduction may be waived in the case of repurchase requests arising from the death, divorce or qualified disability of the holder. The Early Repurchase Deduction will be retained by the Company for the benefit of remaining shareholders.

Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies

The Adviser has agreed to bear all of the Company’s organization and offering expenses through the date on which the Company breaks escrow for the initial offering of its common shares. The Company will be obligated to reimburse the Adviser for such advanced expenses upon breaking escrow for this offering. The total organization and offering costs incurred through August 18, 2020 were $546,859.

Note 6. Net Assets

In connection with its formation, the Company has the authority to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest at $0.01 per share par value. On August 18, 2020, an affiliate of the Adviser purchased 60 shares of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest at $25.00 per share.

The Company intends to offer on a continuous basis up to $5,000,000,000 of common shares of beneficial interest. The Company expects to offer to sell any combination of three classes of common shares, Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares, with a dollar value up to the maximum offering amount. The share classes have different ongoing distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees. Until the release of proceeds from escrow, the per share purchase price for common shares in the primary offering will be $25.00 per share. Thereafter, the purchase price per share for each class of common shares will equal the net asset value (“NAV”) per share, as of the effective date of the monthly share purchase date. The Dealer Manager will use its best efforts to sell shares, but is not obligated to purchase or sell any specific amount of shares in the offering.

The Company will accept purchase orders and hold investors’ funds in an interest-bearing escrow account until the Company receives purchase orders for at least $100.0 million, excluding shares purchased by the Adviser, its affiliates and trustees and officers, in any combination of purchases of Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares, and the Company’s Board has authorized the release of funds in the escrow account.

 

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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Notes to Financial Statement

 

Note 7. Subsequent Events

The Company’s management evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the financial statement. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in, or would be required to be recognized in, the financial statement as of August 18, 2020 except as discussed below.

On August 24, 2020, the Company’s sole shareholder approved the adoption of a leverage threshold to permit the Company to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to the common shares if the Company’s asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, would at least equal 150% immediately after each such issuance, pursuant to Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, and such election became effective the following day.

 

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APPENDIX A: FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

NOT FOR EXECUTION

 

LOGO                          

    Subscription Agreement for Shares of

        Blackstone Private Credit Fund

  

 

1.    Your Investment

A. Investment Information

 

          Investment Amount $                                  
   B. Investment Method   
  ☐ By mail:        Please make checks payable to UMB BANK, N.A., AS ESCROW AGENT FOR BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND and attach to this agreement.*
  ☐ By wire:    Please wire funds according to the instructions below.
     Name: UMB BANK, N.A., AS ESCROW AGENT FOR BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND
     Bank Name: UMB Bank NA
     ABA: 101000695
     DDA: 98 7233 5783
  ☐ Broker / Financial advisor will make payment on your behalf
   * Cash, cashier’s checks/official bank checks, temporary checks, foreign checks, money orders, third party checks, or travelers checks are not accepted.
C. Share Class Selection   

  Share Class S

  

            Share Class D **             Share Class I **

  
  

    (Theminimum investment is $2,500)    (The minimum investment is $2,500)     (The minimum investment is $1,000,000 (unless waived))

   ** Available for certain fee-based wrap accounts and other eligible investors as disclosed in the prospectus, as amended and supplemented.

 

2.    Ownership Type (Select only one)

 

      A. Taxable Accounts    B. Non-Taxable Accounts
   
      Brokerage Account Number                                                  Custodian Account Number                             
   
    

☐  Individual or Joint Tenant With Rights of  Survivorship

           ☐ IRA (Custodian Signature Required)
    

 

☐      Transfer on Death (Optional Designation. Not Available for Louisiana Residents. See Section 3C.)

 

☐  Tenants in Common

 

☐  Community Property

  

 

        ☐ Roth IRA (Custodian Signature Required)

 

        ☐ SEP IRA (Custodian Signature Required)

 

        ☐ Rollover IRA (Custodian Signature Required)

 

    

 

☐  Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minors

         Stateof                                                                       

 

         Dateof Birth                                                               

 

☐  Trust (Include Certification of Investment Powers Form or 1st and Last page of Trust Documents)

 

     

        ☐Beneficial IRA

 

        ☐ Pension Plan (Include Certification of Investment Powers Form)

 

       

        ☐ Other                                                         

 

       

 

C. Custodian Information (To Be Completed By Custodian)

    

 

☐  C Corporation

 

☐  S Corporation

 

☐  Profit-Sharing Plan

 

☐  Non-Profit Organization

 

☐  Limited Liability Corporation

 

☐  Corporation / Partnership / Other (Corporate Resolution or Partnership Agreement Required)

 

     

 

Custodian Name                                                                  

 

Custodian Tax ID #                                                              

 

        Custodian Phone #                                                              
         
           Custodian Stamp Here
       
       
           

 

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D. Entity Name – Retirement Plan / Trust / Corporation / Partnership / Other

Trustee(s) and/or authorized signatory(s) information MUST be provided in Sections 3A and 3B

 

 

  

 

    

 

    

 

Entity Name

         Tax ID Number                Date of Formation              Exemptions

    (See Form W-9 instructions at www.irs.gov)

 

Entity Address (Legal Address. Required)

        

Entity Type (Select one. Required)

 

     

☐ Retirement Plan         ☐ Trust        ☐ S-Corp        

   ☐ C-Corp        ☐ LLC        ☐ Partnership   Exempt payee code (if any)                             

☐ Other                                         

   Jurisdiction (if Non-U.S.)                           
   (Attach a completed applicable Form W-8)  
Exemption from FATCA reporting code (if any)                                     

 

3.    Investor Information

 

A. Investor Name (Investor / Trustee / Executor / Authorized Signatory Information)

 

Residential street address MUST be provided. See Section 4 if mailing address is different than residential street address

 

 

First Name        

 

  

(MI)

 

      

Last Name

 

 

         Gender

 

        

Social Security Number / Tax ID

 

      

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

 

         

Daytime Phone Number

 

 

        

Residential Street Address

 

      

City

 

             State          Zip Code           

Email Address

 

                                        
 

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, please specify your country of citizenship (required):

 

☐ Resident Alien

      ☐ Non-Resident Alien (Attach a completed Form W-8BEN, Rev. J)  

Country of Citizenship                                   

  

Please specify if you are a Blackstone employee/officer/director/affiliate (required):

 

    ☐ Blackstone Employee

  ☐ Blackstone Officer or Director   
☐    Immediate Family Member of Blackstone Officer or Director       ☐ Blackstone Affiliate          ☐ Not Applicable  

 

B. Co-Investor Name (Co-Investor / Co-Trustee / Co-Authorized Signatory Information, if applicable)

 

First Name        

 

  

(MI)

 

      

Last Name

 

 

         Gender

 

        

Social Security Number / Tax ID

 

      

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

 

         

Daytime Phone Number

 

 

        

Residential Street Address

 

      

City

 

             State          Zip Code           

Email Address

 

                                        
 

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, please specify your country of citizenship (required):

 

☐ Resident Alien

   ☐ Non-Resident Alien (Attach a completed Form W-8BEN, Rev. July 2017)  

Country of Citizenship                                   

  

Please specify if you are a Blackstone employee/officer/director/affiliate (required):

 

    ☐ Blackstone Employee

      ☐ Blackstone Officer or Director   
☐    Immediate Family Member of Blackstone Officer or Director       ☐ Blackstone Affiliate        ☐ Not Applicable         

 

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C. Transfer on Death Beneficiary Information (Individual or Joint Account with rights of survivorship only. Not available for Louisiana residents. Beneficiary date of birth required. Whole percentages only; must equal 100%.)

 

           

First Name

  (MI)    Last Name     SSN      Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)   

☐  Primary

            

☐  Secondary        %

           

First Name

  (MI)    Last Name     SSN      Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)   

☐  Primary

            

☐  Secondary        %

           

First Name

  (MI)    Last Name     SSN      Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)   

☐  Primary

            

☐  Secondary        %

           

First Name

  (MI)    Last Name     SSN      Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)   

☐  Primary

            

☐  Secondary        %

Custodian/Guardian for a minor Beneficiary (required, cannot be same as Investor or Co-Investor):                            

D. ERISA Plan Asset Regulations

All investors are required to complete Appendix B attached hereto.

 

4.    Contact Information (If different than provided in Section 3A)

 

                             

Mailing Address

 

    

 

City

 

 

 

    

 

State

 

 

 

   ZipCode

 

 

5.    Select How You Want to Receive Your Distributions (Please Read Entire Section and Select only one)

You are automatically enrolled in our Distribution Reinvestment Plan, unless you are a resident of ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, IDAHO, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, NEBRASKA, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, OREGON, VERMONT OR WASHINGTON.

If you ARE a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont or Washington, you are not automatically enrolled in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan. Please check here if you wish to enroll in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan. You will automatically receive cash distributions unless you elect to enroll in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan.

☐ If you are not a resident of the states listed above, you are automatically enrolled in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan; please check here if you DO NOT wish to be enrolled in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan and complete the Cash Distribution Information section below.

ONLY complete the following information if you do not wish to enroll in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan. For custodial held accounts, if you elect cash distributions the funds must be sent to the custodian.

 

A.  ☐  Check mailed to street address in 3A (only available for non-custodial investors).

 

B.  ☐  Check mailed to secondary address in 3B (only available for non-custodial investors).

 

C.  ☐  Direct Deposit by ACH (only available for non-custodial investors). PLEASE ATTACH A PRE-VOIDED CHECK

 

D.    Check mailed to Third party Financial Institution (complete section below)

I authorize Blackstone Private Credit Fund or its agent to deposit my distribution into my checking or savings account. This authority will remain in force until I notify Blackstone Private Credit Fund in writing to cancel it. In the event that Blackstone Private Credit Fund deposits funds erroneously into my account, they are authorized to debit my account for an amount not to exceed the amount of the erroneous deposit.

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Financial Institution Name

 

  

Mailing Address

 

  

City

 

  

State

 

  

ZipCode

 

 

Your Bank’s ABA Routing Number

  

 

Your Bank Account Number

  

 

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6.    Broker / Financial Advisor Information (Required Information. All fields must be completed.)

The Financial Advisor must sign below to complete the order. The Financial Advisor hereby warrants that he/she is duly licensed and may lawfully sell shares in the state designated as the investor’s legal residence.

 

Broker

 

       

Financial Advisor Name

 

    

Advisor Mailing Address

 

              

City

 

  

State

 

        Zip Code

 

Financial Advisor Number

 

  

Branch Number

 

        Telephone Number

 

E-mail Address

 

       

Fax Number

 

    

Operations Contact Name

 

       

Operations Contact Email Address

 

Please note that unless previously agreed to in writing by Blackstone Private Credit Fund, all sales of securities must be made through a Broker, including when an RIA has introduced the sale. In all cases, Section 6 must be completed.

The undersigned confirm(s), which confirmation is made on behalf of the Broker with respect to sales of securities made through a Broker, that they (i) have reasonable grounds to believe that the information and representations concerning the investor identified herein are true, correct and complete in all respects; (ii) have discussed such investor’s prospective purchase of shares with such investor; (iii) have advised such investor of all pertinent facts with regard to the lack of liquidity and marketability of the shares; (iv) have delivered or made available a current prospectus and related supplements, if any, to such investor; (v) have reasonable grounds to believe that the investor is purchasing these shares for his or her own account; (vi) have reasonable grounds to believe that the purchase of shares is a suitable investment for such investor, that such investor meets the suitability standards applicable to such investor set forth in the prospectus and related supplements, if any, and that such investor is in a financial position to enable such investor to realize the benefits of such an investment and to suffer any loss that may occur with respect thereto; and (vii) have advised such investor that the shares have not been registered and are not expected to be registered under the laws of any country or jurisdiction outside of the United States except as otherwise described in the prospectus. The undersigned Broker, Financial Advisor or Financial Representative listed in Section 6 further represents and certifies that, in connection with this subscription for shares, he/she has complied with and has followed all applicable policies and procedures of his or her firm relating to, and performed functions required by, federal and state securities laws, rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to Rule 151-1 (“Regulation Best Interest”) and FINRA rules and regulations including, but not limited to Know Your Customer, Suitability and PATRIOT Act (Anti Money Laundering, Customer Identification) as required by its relationship with the investor(s) identified on this document.

THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND ALL RIGHTS HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

If you do not have another broker-dealer or other financial intermediary introducing you to Blackstone Private Credit Fund, then Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (“BSP”) may be deemed to act as your broker of record in connection with any investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund. BSP is not a full-service broker-dealer and may not provide the kinds of financial services that you might expect from another financial intermediary, such as holding securities in an account. If BSP is your broker-dealer of record, then your shares will be held in your name on the books of Blackstone Private Credit Fund. BSP will not monitor your investments, and has not and will not make any recommendation regarding your investments. If you want to receive financial advice regarding a prospective investment in the shares, contact your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary.

 

X                          X           
                         
    Financial Advisor Signature     Date     

Branch Manager Signature

(If required by Broker)

     Date

 

7.    Electronic Delivery Form (Optional)

Instead of receiving paper copies of the prospectus, prospectus supplements, annual reports, proxy statements, and other stockholder communications and reports, you may elect to receive electronic delivery of stockholder communications from Blackstone Private Credit Fund. If you would like to consent to electronic delivery, including pursuant to email, please check the box below for this election.

We encourage you to reduce printing and mailing costs and to conserve natural resources by electing to receive electronic delivery of stockholder communications and statement notifications. By consenting below to electronically receive stockholder communications, including your account-specific information, you authorize said offering(s) to either (i) email stockholder communications to you directly or (ii) make them available on our website and notify you by email when and where such documents are available.

You will not receive paper copies of these electronic materials unless specifically requested, the delivery of electronic materials is prohibited or we, in our sole discretion, elect to send paper copies of the materials.

 

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By consenting to electronic access, you will be responsible for certain costs, such as your customary internet service provider charges, and may be required to download software in connection with access to these materials. You understand this electronic delivery program may be changed or discontinued and that the terms of this agreement may be amended at any time. You understand that there are possible risks associated with electronic delivery such as emails not transmitting, links failing to function properly and system failure of online service providers, and that there is no warranty or guarantee given concerning the transmissions of email, the availability of the website, or information on it, other than as required by law.

 

I consent to electronic delivery

 

     

 

 

E-mail Address

If blank, the email provided in Section 4 or Section 3A will be used.

 

8.    Subscriber Signatures

Blackstone Private Credit Fund is required by law to obtain, verify and record certain personal information from you or persons on your behalf in order to establish the account. Required information includes name, date of birth, permanent residential address and social security/taxpayer identification number. We may also ask to see other identifying documents. If you do not provide the information, Blackstone Private Credit Fund may not be able to open your account. By signing the Subscription Agreement, you agree to provide this information and confirm that this information is true and correct. If we are unable to verify your identity, or that of another person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or if we believe we have identified potentially criminal activity, we reserve the right to take action as we deem appropriate which may include closing your account.

Please separately initial each of the representations below. Except in the case of fiduciary accounts, you may not grant any person a power of attorney to make the representations on your behalf. In order to induce Blackstone Private Credit Fund to accept this subscription, I hereby represent and warrant to you as follows:

 

8.a. Please Note: All Items in this section 8.a. must be read and initialed

 

    
    Primary
Investor
Initials
         Co-Investor
Initials
 

(i)  I have received the prospectus (as amended or supplemented) for Blackstone Private Credit Fund at least five business days prior to the date hereof.

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

  Initials

 

      

 

Initials

 

 

 

(ii)  I have (A) a minimum net worth (not including home, home furnishings and personal automobiles) of at least $250,000, or (B) a minimum net worth (as previously described) of at least $70,000 and a minimum annual gross income of at least $70,000.

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

  Initials

 

      

 

Initials

 

 

 

(iii) In addition to the general suitability requirements described above, I meet the higher suitability requirements, if any, imposed by my state of primary residence as set forth in the prospectus under “SUITABILITY STANDARDS.”

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

  Initials

 

      

 

Initials

 

 

 

(iv) If I am an entity that was formed for the purpose of purchasing shares, each individual that owns an interest in such entity meets the general suitability requirements described above.

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

  Initials

 

      

 

Initials

 

 

 

(v)   I acknowledge that there is no public market for the shares, shares of this offering are not liquid and appropriate only as a long-term investment.

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

  Initials

 

      

 

Initials

 

 

 

(vi) I acknowledge that the shares have not been registered and are not expected to be registered under the laws of any country or jurisdiction outside of the United States except as otherwise described in the prospectus.

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

  Initials

 

      

 

Initials

 

 

 

(vii)  I am purchasing the shares for my own account, or if I am purchasing shares on behalf of a trust or other entity of which I am a trustee or authorized agent, I have due authority to execute this subscription agreement and do hereby legally bind the trust or other entity of which I am trustee or authorized agent.

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Initials

 

    

 

 

 

 

Initials

 

 

 

 

(viii) I acknowledge that Blackstone Private Credit Fund may enter into transactions with Blackstone affiliates that involve conflicts of interest as described in the prospectus.

      

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

  Initials

 

      

 

Initials

 

 

 

 

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    Primary
Investor
Initials
       Co-Investor
Initials

(ix) I acknowledge that subscriptions must be submitted at least five business days prior to first day of each month my investment will be executed as of the first day of the applicable month at the NAV per share as of the day preceding day. I acknowledge that I will not know the NAV per share at which my investment will be executed at the time I subscribe and the NAV per share will generally be made available at www.bcred.com as of the last day of each month within 20 business days of the last day of each month.

      

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

(x)   I acknowledge that my subscription request will not be accepted any earlier than two business days before the first calendar day of each month. I acknowledge that I am not committed to purchase shares at the time my subscription order is submitted and I may cancel my subscription at any time before the time it has been accepted as described in the previous sentence. I understand that I may withdraw my purchase request by notifying the transfer agent, through my financial intermediary or directly on Blackstone Private Credit Fund’s toll-free, automated telephone line, 844-702-1299.

      

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

8.b. If you live in any of the following states, please complete Appendix A to Blackstone Private Credit Fund Subscription Agreement: Alabama, California, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Vermont

 

      

In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, the minimum standards in Appendix A shall be met by the beneficiary, the fiduciary, account, or, by the donor or grantor, who directly or indirectly supplies the funds to purchase the shares if the donor or grantor is the fiduciary.

If you do not have another broker-dealer or other financial intermediary introducing you to Blackstone Private Credit Fund, then BSP may be deemed to be acting as your broker-dealer of record in connection with any investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund. For important information in this respect, see Section 6 above. I declare that the information supplied in this Subscription Agreement is true and correct and may be relied upon by Blackstone Private Credit Fund. I acknowledge that the Broker / Financial Advisor (Broker / Financial Advisor of record) indicated in Section 6 of this Subscription Agreement and its designated clearing agent, if any, will have full access to my account information, including the number of shares I own, tax information (including the Form 1099) and redemption information. Investors may change the Broker / Financial Advisor of record at any time by contacting Blackstone Private Credit Fund Investor Relations at the number indicated below.

SUBSTITUTE IRS FORM W-9 CERTIFICATIONS (required for U.S. investors):

Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

(1)

The number shown on this Subscription Agreement is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and

(2)

I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and

(3)

I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (including a resident alien) (defined in IRS Form W-9); and

(4)

The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.

Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return.

The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provision of this document other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding.

 

X                          X           
                         
      Signature of Investor     Date     

  Signature of Co-Investor or Custodian

  (If applicable)

     Date

(MUST BE SIGNED BY CUSTODIAN OR TRUSTEE IF PLAN IS ADMINISTERED BY A THIRD PARTY)

 

9.   Miscellaneous

If investors participating in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan or making subsequent purchases of shares of Blackstone Private Credit Fund experience a material adverse change in their financial condition or can no longer make the representations or warranties set forth in Section 8 above, they are asked to promptly notify Blackstone Private Credit Fund and the Broker in writing. The Broker may notify Blackstone Private Credit Fund if an investor participating in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan can no longer make the representations or warranties set forth in Section 8 above, and Blackstone Private Credit Fund may rely on such notification to terminate such investor’s participation in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan.

 

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No sale of shares may be completed until at least five business days after you receive the final prospectus. To be accepted, a subscription request must be made with a completed and executed subscription agreement in good order and payment of the full purchase price at least five business prior to the first calendar day of the month (unless waived). You will receive a written confirmation of your purchase.

All items on the Subscription Agreement must be completed in order for your subscription to be processed. Subscribers are encouraged to read the prospectus in its entirety for a complete explanation of an investment in the shares of Blackstone Private Credit Fund.

Return the completed Subscription Agreement to:

 

  UMB Bank N.A.   
    
  Blackstone Private Credit Fund   
  928 Grand Blvd   
  Kansas City, MO 64106   

Blackstone Private Credit Fund Investor Relations: 844-702-1299

 

Appendix A

For purposes of determining whether you satisfy the standards below, your net worth is calculated excluding the value of your home, home furnishings and automobiles, and, unless otherwise indicated, “liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable investments.

Investors in the following states have the additional suitability standards as set forth below.

 

    Primary
Investor
Initials
       Co-Investor
Initials
If I am an Alabama resident, in addition to the suitability standards set forth above, an investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund will only be sold to me if I have a liquid net worth of at least 10 times my investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund and its affiliates.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 


If I am a California resident, in addition to the suitability standards set forth above, I must have either (a) a liquid net worth of $350,000 and annual gross income of $65,000 or (b) a liquid net worth of $500,000. Additionally, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in Blackstone Private Credit Fund.
      

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am an Idaho resident, I must have either (a) a liquid net worth of $85,000 and annual gross income of $85,000 or (b) a liquid net worth of $300,000. Additionally, the total investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund shall not exceed 10% of my liquid net worth.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am an Iowa resident, I (i) have either (a) an annual gross income of at least $100,000 and a net worth of at least $100,000, or (b) a net worth of at least $350,000 (net worth should be determined exclusive of home, auto and home furnishings); and (ii) limit my aggregate investment in this offering and in the securities of other non-traded business development companies to 10% of my liquid net worth (liquid net worth should be determined as that portion of net worth that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities).           
  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Kansas resident, I understand that it is recommended by the Office of the Securities Commissioner that I limit my total investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund’s securities and other non-traded business development companies to not more than 10% of my liquid net worth. For these purposes, liquid net worth shall be defined as that portion of total net worth (total assets minus total liabilities) that is comprised of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Kentucky resident, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in Blackstone Private Credit Fund or its affiliates. “Liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth that is comprised of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Maine resident, I acknowledge that it is recommended by the Maine Office of Securities that my aggregate investment in this offering and other similar direct participation investments not exceed 10% of my liquid net worth. For this purpose, “liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Massachusetts resident, in addition to the suitability standards set forth above, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in Blackstone Private Credit Fund and in other illiquid direct participation programs.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

 

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    Primary
Investor
Initials
       Co-Investor
Initials
If I am a Missouri resident, in addition to the suitability standards set forth above, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in Blackstone Private Credit Fund.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Nebraska resident, I must have (i) either (a) an annual gross income of at least $70,000 and a net worth of at least $70,000, or (b) a net worth of at least $250,000; and (ii) I must limit my aggregate investment in this offering and the securities of other business development companies to 10% of such investor’s net worth. Investors who are accredited investors as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 are not subject to the foregoing investment concentration limit.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a New Jersey resident, (1) I have either (a) a minimum liquid net worth of at least $100,000 and a minimum annual gross income of not less than $85,000, or (b) a minimum liquid net worth of $350,000. For these purposes, “liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth (total assets exclusive of home, home furnishings, and automobiles, minus total liabilities) that consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities. In addition, my total investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund, its affiliates and other non-publicly traded direct investment programs (including real estate investment trusts, business development companies, oil and gas programs, equipment leasing programs and commodity pools, but excluding unregistered, federally and state exempt private offerings) may not exceed 10% of my liquid net worth, and (2) I acknowledge that although GSO Asset Management LLC (the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to Blackstone Private Credit Fund, will advance all organization and offering expenses of Blackstone Private Credit Fund, and may elect to pay certain of Blackstone Private Credit Fund’s expenses, Blackstone Private Credit Fund is obligated to reimburse the Adviser, and this will reduce the returns available to investors.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a New Mexico resident, in addition to the general suitability standards listed above, I may not invest, and I may not accept from an investor more than ten percent (10%) of my liquid net worth in shares of Blackstone Private Credit Fund, its affiliates and in other non-traded business development companies. Liquid net worth is defined as that portion of net worth which consists of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a North Dakota resident, I have a net worth of at least ten times my investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund.

      

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am an Ohio resident, it is unsuitable to invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in the issuer, affiliates of the issuer, and in any other non-traded business development company. “Liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth (total assets exclusive of primary residence, home furnishings and automobiles minus, total liabilities) comprised of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am an Oklahoma resident, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in Blackstone Private Credit Fund.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials
If I am an Oregon resident, in addition to the suitability standards set forth above, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth. Liquid net worth is defined as net worth excluding the value of the investor’s home, home furnishings and automobile.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Pennsylvania resident, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in Blackstone Private Credit Fund.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials
If I am a Puerto Rico resident, I may not invest more than 10% of my liquid net worth in Blackstone Private Credit Fund, its affiliates and other non-traded real estate investment programs. For these purposes, “liquid net worth” is defined as that portion of net worth (total assets exclusive of primary residence, home furnishings and automobiles minus total liabilities) consisting of cash, cash equivalents and readily marketable securities.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Tennessee resident, I must have a liquid net worth of at least ten times my investment in Blackstone Private Credit Fund.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

If I am a Vermont resident and I am an accredited investor in Vermont, as defined in 17 C.F.R. § 230.501, I may invest freely in this offering. In addition to the suitability standards described above, if I am non-accredited Vermont investors, I may not purchase an amount in this offering that exceeds 10% of my liquid net worth. For these purposes, “liquid net worth” is defined as an investor’s total assets (not including home, home furnishings or automobiles) minus total liabilities.       

 

         

 

  Initials

 

     Initials

 

 

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Appendix B: Additional Questionnaire

Instructions: All purchasers please complete this Appendix B in its entirety.

1.    Are you a “benefit plan investor” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations1 or will you use the assets of a “benefit plan investor”2 to invest in Blackstone Private Credit Fund?

☐            Yes                          No

2.    If Question (1) above is “yes” please indicate what percentage of the purchaser’s assets invested in Blackstone Private Credit Fund are considered to be the assets of “benefit plan investors” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations:

            %

3.    If you are investing the assets of an insurance company general account please indicate what percentage of the insurance company general account’s assets invested in Blackstone Private Credit Fund are the assets of “benefit plan investors” within the meaning of Section 401(c)(1)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder?

            %

4.    Please indicate if you are “Controlling Person” defined as: (i) a person (including an entity), other than a “benefit plan investor” who has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of Blackstone Private Credit Fund, a person who provides investment advice for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets, or any “affiliate” of such a person. An “affiliate” of a person includes any person, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” with respect to a person other than an individual, means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of such person.

☐            Yes                          No

 

1 

Plan Asset Regulations” means the regulations issued by the United States Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as the same may be amended from time to time.

2 

The term “benefit plan investor” includes, for e.g.: (i) an “employee benefit plan” as defined in section 3(3) of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), that is subject to Title I of ERISA (such as employee welfare benefit plans (generally, plans that provide for health, medical or other welfare benefits) and employee pension benefit plans (generally, plans that provide for retirement or pension income)); (ii) “plans” described in section 4975(e)(1) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), that is subject to section 4975 of the Code (including, for e.g., an “individual retirement account”, an “individual retirement annuity”, a “Keogh” plan, a pension plan, an Archer MSA described in section 220(d) of the Code, a Coverdell education savings account described in section 530 of the Code and a health savings account described in section 223(d) of the Code) and (iii) an entity that is, or whose assets would be deemed to constitute the assets of, one or more “employee benefit plans” or “plans” (such as for e.g., a master trust or a plan assets fund) under ERISA or the Plan Asset Regulations.

 

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APPENDIX B: SUPPLEMENTAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION OF THE ADVISER

The Fund is a recently organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no operating history that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The performance information presented below is for funds and accounts currently or previously advised or sub-advised by the Adviser or its affiliates that have investment strategies that are substantially similar to the investment strategies of the Fund (“Similar Accounts”). Performance information is presented for funds and accounts that invest primarily in secured debt investments with a focus on originated transactions, including first and/or second lien senior secured loans and unitranche loans and, to a lesser extent, in subordinated and junior loans and other debt or equity instruments. The Similar Accounts represent all funds and accounts managed by Adviser or its affiliates that have substantially similar investment strategies to the investment strategies of the Fund.

This supplemental performance information is provided to illustrate the past performance of the Adviser and its affiliates, in managing funds and accounts with investment strategies that are substantially similar to the investment strategies of the Fund.

The performance of the Similar Accounts presented below is not the performance record of the Fund and should not be considered a substitute for the Fund’s own performance. Past returns are not indicative of future performance.

Certain of the Similar Accounts are not subject to investment limitations, leverage restrictions, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed on business development companies by the 1940 Act and RICs under the Code. If these accounts were operated as business development companies and/or RICs their returns might have been lower. The fees and expenses of the Fund may be higher than those of certain of the Similar Accounts. Had the Similar Accounts’ performance reflected the anticipated fees and expenses of the Fund, their performance may have been lower. In addition, although the Similar Accounts have substantially similar investment strategies to the investment strategies of the Fund, the Fund will not always make the same investments as any Similar Accounts, and, therefore, the investment performance of the Fund will differ from the investment performance of the Similar Accounts. For certain of the Similar Accounts, affiliates of the Adviser act or acted as a non-discretionary investment adviser or sub-adviser. Thus, while these affiliates of the Adviser propose or proposed investment opportunities to the advisers or investors of such accounts for investment, such advisers or investors have or had investment discretion to approve or reject such investment recommendations.

The following table sets forth the historical “net” and “gross” annualized total returns of the Similar Accounts for periods ending June 30, 2020.

Similar Accounts*

 

      1 year    3 year    5 year    10 year    Since Inception
(January 2009)

Net

   1.6%    5.0%    5.9%    8.3%    10.5%

Gross

   3.8%    9.3%    11.2%    14.5%    17.5%

*Performance presented for the Similar Accounts excludes the three month period ended June 30, 2018, during which the Adviser and its affiliates did not advise or sub-advise any Similar Accounts, except for certain sub-advised funds for which the resignation of the Adviser’s affiliates had already been announced but did not become effective until April 9, 2018.

Returns for periods over one year are annualized. The Similar Accounts include unitized and non-unitized funds with returns for unitized funds calculated on a total return basis and returns for separately managed accounts and non-unitized funds calculated on an internal rate of return basis. Annualized returns for the Similar Accounts are calculated by geometrically linking weighted fund quarterly returns. The historical performance presented above does not reflect the impact of any sales load, transaction or other fees, distribution fees or servicing fees.


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Net” returns are presented after management fees, distribution fees, organizational expenses, fund expenses, and performance-based compensation but before any taxes or tax withholding incurred by investors. “Gross” returns are returns presented before management fees, organizational expenses, fund expenses, performance-based compensation and taxes and tax withholding incurred by investors, which in the aggregate are expected to be substantial.


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Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Maximum Offering of $5,000,000,000 in Common Shares

Minimum Offering of $100,000,000

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. No intermediary, salesperson or other person is authorized to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus and supplemental literature authorized by Blackstone Private Credit Fund and referred to in this prospectus, and, if given or made, such information and representations must not be relied upon. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of these securities. You should not assume that the delivery of this prospectus or that any sale made pursuant to this prospectus implies that the information contained in this prospectus will remain fully accurate and correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this prospectus.

            , 2020

 

 

 


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PART C

Other Information

Item 25. Financial Statements And Exhibits

 

  (1)

Financial Statements

The following financial statements of Blackstone Private Credit Fund are included in Part A of this Registration Statement.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of August 18, 2020

     F-3  

Notes to Financial Statement

     F-4  

 

  (2)

Exhibits

 

(a)(1)

Declaration of Trust of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(a)(2)

Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant*

 

(b)

Bylaws of the Registrant*

 

(d)

Form of Subscription Agreement (included in the Prospectus as Appendix A)

 

(e)

Form of Distribution Reinvestment Plan*

 

(g)

Form of Advisory Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(h)(1)

Form of Intermediary Manager Agreement*

 

(h)(2)

Form of Selected Intermediary Agreement*

 

(h)(3)

Form of Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan of the Registrant*

 

(j)

Form of Custodian Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(k)(1)

Form of Administration Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(k)(2)

Form of Escrow Agreement*

 

(k)(3)

Form of Agency Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(3) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(k)(4)

Form of Multi-Class Plan*

 

(k)(5)

Form of Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement by and among the Registrant and Adviser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(5) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

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(l)

Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.*

 

(n)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

 

(p)

Subscription Agreement for Seed Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(r)(1)

Code of Ethics of the Fund (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (r)(1) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(r)(2)

Code of Ethics of the Adviser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (r)(2) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

(s)

Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (s) to the Pre-Effective Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-248432), filed on August 26, 2020)

 

*

Filed herewith.

 

Item 26.

Marketing Arrangements

The information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” in this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 27.

Other Expenses Of Issuance And Distribution

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 649,000

FINRA filing fee

   $ 225,500  

Legal

   $ 2,968,000  

Printing

   $ 713,000  

Accounting

   $ 70,000  

Blue Sky Expenses

   $ 342,815  

Advertising and sales literature

   $ 706,000  

Due Diligence

   $ 318,000  

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

   $ 877,685  

Total

   $ 6,870,000  

 

Item 28.

Persons Controlled By Or Under Common Control

Immediately prior to this offering, Blackstone BDC Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, will own 100% of the outstanding common shares of the Registrant. Following the completion of this offering, Blackstone BDC Holdings LLC’s share ownership is expected to represent less than 1% of the Registrant’s outstanding common shares. See “Control Persons and Principal Shareholders” in the Prospectus contained herein.

 

Item 29.

Number Of Holders Of Securities

The following table sets forth the number of record holders of the Registrant’s common shares at September 28, 2020.

 

Title of Class

   Number of
Record
Holders
 

Common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value

     1  

 

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Item 30.

Indemnification

The information contained under the heading “Description of our Shares.” “Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement” and “Plan of Distribution—Indemnification” in this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of an action suit or proceeding) is asserted by a Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is again public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Prior to breaking escrow, the Registrant expects to obtain liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees 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.

 

Item 31.

Business and Other Connections of Adviser

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which GSO Asset Management LLC, and each managing director, director or executive officer of GSO Asset Management LLC, is or has been, during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the section entitled “Management of the Fund.” Additional information regarding GSO Asset Management LLC and its officers and managing member is set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. 801-113393), and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 32.

Location of Accounts and Records

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

 

  (1)

the Registrant;

 

  (2)

the transfer agent;

 

  (3)

the Custodian;

 

  (4)

the Adviser; and

 

  (5)

the Administrator.

 

Item 33.

Management Services

Not Applicable.

 

Item 34.

Undertakings

We hereby undertake:

(1) 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;

 

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(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

(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.

(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(3) 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;

(4) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C 17 CFR 230.430C: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act 17 CFR 230.497(b), (c), (d) or (e) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act 17 CFR 230.430A, will be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; and

(5) 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 an 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 17 CFR 230.497;

(ii) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act 17 CFR 230.482 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.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Registrant has caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on the 30th day of September 2020.

 

BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND
By:   /s/ Brad Marshall
Name:   Brad Marshall
Title:   Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacity and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ Brad Marshall

Brad Marshall

  Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee (Principal Executive Officer)   September 30, 2020

/s/ Steve Kuppenheimer

Steve Kuppenheimer

  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   September 30, 2020

/s/ Robert Busch

Robert Busch

  Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   September 30, 2020

/s/ Daniel H. Smith, Jr.*

Daniel H. Smith, Jr.

  Trustee   September 30, 2020

/s/ Robert Bass*

Robert Bass

  Trustee   September 30, 2020

/s/ Tracy Collins*

Tracy Collins

  Trustee   September 30, 2020

/s/ Vicki L. Fuller*

Vicki L. Fuller

  Trustee   September 30, 2020

 

*By:  

/s/ Brad Marshall

  Brad Marshall
  As Agent or Attorney-in-Fact

September 30, 2020

The original powers of attorney authorizing Brad Marshall, Steve Kuppenheimer, Robert Busch and Marisa J. Beeney to execute the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, for the trustees of the Registrant on whose behalf this Amendment is filed have been executed and filed as an Exhibit hereto.

Exhibit (a)(2)

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND

September 30, 2020

* * * * * * * * * *

ARTICLE I

NAME; DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Name. The name of the statutory trust is Blackstone Private Credit Fund (the “Company”). So far as may be practicable, the business of the Company shall be conducted and transacted under that name, which name (and the word “Company” whenever used in this Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”), except where the context otherwise requires) shall refer to the Board of Trustees (as defined herein) collectively but not individually or personally and shall not refer to the Shareholders or to any officers, employees or agents of the Company or of such Trustees. Under circumstances in which the Trustees determine that the use of the name “Blackstone Private Credit Fund” is not practicable, they may use any other designation or name for the Company, subject to applicable law. Any name change shall become effective upon the execution by a majority of the then Trustees of an instrument setting forth the new name and the filing of a certificate of amendment pursuant to Section 3810(b) of the Statutory Trust Act (as defined below). Any such instrument shall not require the approval of the Shareholders, but shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust.

Section 1.2 Definitions. As used in this Declaration of Trust, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Acquisition Expenses” means expenses, including but not limited to legal fees and expenses, travel and communication expenses, costs regarding determination of creditworthiness and due diligence on prospective portfolio holding companies, non-refundable option payments on assets not acquired, accounting fees and expenses, and miscellaneous expenses relating to the purchase or acquisition of assets, whether or not acquired.

Acquisition Fees” means any and all fees and commissions, exclusive of Acquisition Expenses, paid by any Person to any other Person (including any fees or commissions paid by or to any Affiliate of the Company or the Adviser) in connection with the initial purchase or acquisition of assets by the Company. Included in the computation of such fees or commissions shall be any commission, selection fee, supervision fee, financing fee, non-recurring management fee or any fee of a similar nature, however designated.

Administrator” means GSO Capital Partners LP, any Person to whom the Administrator subcontracts any and all such services and any successor to an Administrator who enters into an administrative services agreement with the Company or who subcontracts with a successor Administrator.

Adviser” means GSO Asset Management LLC or an affiliated successor in interest thereto, any Person to whom the Adviser subcontracts any and all such services pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement and any successor to an Adviser who enters into an Advisory Agreement with the Company or who subcontracts with a successor Adviser. If the Adviser no longer serves as the investment adviser to the Company, the rights of the Adviser in this Declaration of Trust will become the rights of the Trustees.

Advisory Agreement” means that certain investment advisory agreement between the Company and the Adviser named therein pursuant to which the Adviser will act as the adviser to the Company and provide investment advisory, investment management and other specified services to the Company, including any sub-advisory agreement.


Affiliate” or “Affiliated” means (subject to the limits under the 1940 Act or an exemptive order from the SEC, as each may be applicable) with respect to any specified Person:

(a) any other Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with the power to vote, ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of such specified Person;

(b) any other Person ten percent (10%) or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with the power to vote, by such specified Person;

(c) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such specified Person;

(d) any officer, director, trustee, partner, copartner or employee of such specified Person; and

(e) if such specified Person is an investment company, any investment adviser thereof or any member of an advisory board thereof.

assessment” means an additional amount of capital that may be mandatorily required of, or paid voluntarily by, a Shareholder beyond his or her subscription commitment excluding deferred payments.

Benefit Plan Investor” means a benefit plan investor as defined in the Plan Asset Regulations.

Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company, as the same are in effect and may be amended from time to time.

capital contribution” means the total investment, including the original investment and amounts reinvested pursuant to a distribution reinvestment plan in a program by a participant, or by all participants, as the case may be. Unless otherwise specified, capital contributions shall be deemed to include principal amounts to be received on account of deferred payments.

cash available for distribution” means Cash Flow plus cash funds available for distribution from Company reserves less amounts set aside for restoration or creation of reserves.

Cash Flow” means Company cash funds provided from operations, without deduction for depreciation, but after deducting cash funds used to pay all other expenses, debt payments, capital improvements and replacements. Cash withdrawn from reserves is not Cash Flow.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Code shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended, and any successor provision thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations as in effect from time to time.

Common Shares” means the common Shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company that may be issued from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Declaration of Trust and applicable law, as described in Article V hereof, including any class or series of Common Shares.

Controlling Person” shall mean (subject to the limits under the 1940 Act or an exemptive order from the SEC, as each may be applicable), all Persons, whatever their titles, who perform functions for the Sponsor similar to those of: (a) chairman or member of the board of directors; (b) executive officers; and (c) those holding ten percent or more equity interest in the Sponsor or a Person having the power to direct or cause the direction of the Sponsor, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

 

2


Covered Security” the term “Covered Security” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Act.

Delaware Trustee” has the meaning ascribed to it in Article III hereof and includes any successor Delaware Trustees appointed in accordance with Section 3.3, but that any reference to “Trustee” or “Board of Trustees” in this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Company shall not be deemed to include or refer to the Delaware Trustee.

DGCL” means Delaware General Corporation Law, 8 Del. C. § 100, et. seq., as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto.

ERISA” The term “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

“ERISA Controlling Person” The term “ERISA Controlling Person” means a Person (other than a Benefit Plan Investor) who has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of the Company or who provides investment advice for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets, or any affiliate of such a Person within the meaning of 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101(f)(3).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Front End Fees” means fees and expenses paid by any party for any services rendered to organize the Company and to acquire assets for the Company, including Organization and Offering Expenses, Acquisition Fees, Acquisition Expenses, and any other similar fees, however designated by the Board.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America from time to time or such other accounting basis mandated by the SEC.

Independent Expert” means a Person with no material current or prior business or personal relationship with the Sponsor, who is engaged to a substantial extent in the business of rendering opinions regarding the value of assets of the type held by the Company, and who is qualified to perform such work.

Independent Trustee” means a Trustee who is not an Interested Person.

Interested Person” means a Person who is an “interested person” as that term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

Investment in program assets” means the amount of capital contributions actually paid or allocated to the purchase or development of assets acquired by the program (including working capital reserves allocable thereto, except that working capital reserves in excess of three percent shall not be included) and other cash payments such as interest and taxes, but excluding front-end fees.

Liquidity Event” means a Listing or any merger, reorganization, business combination, share exchange, acquisition by any Person or related group of Persons of beneficial ownership of all or substantially all of the Shares of the Company in one or more related transactions, or similar transaction involving the Company pursuant to which the Shareholders receive for their Shares, as full or partial consideration, cash, Listed or non- Listed equity Securities or combination thereof: (a) a Listing; (b) a sale or merger in a transaction that provides Shareholders with cash and/or securities of a publicly traded company; or (c) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for cash or other consideration.

Listing” means the listing of the Common Shares (or any successor thereof) on a national securities exchange or national securities association registered with the SEC or the receipt by the Shareholders of Securities that are approved for trading on a national securities exchange or national securities association registered with the SEC in exchange for the Common Shares. The term “Listed” shall have the correlative meaning. With regard to the Common Shares, upon commencement of trading of the Common Shares on a national securities exchange or national securities association registered with the SEC, the Common Shares shall be deemed Listed.

 

3


Net Asset Value” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 5.5 hereof.

Net Worth” means the excess of total assets over total liabilities as determined by GAAP.

Omnibus Guidelines” means the Omnibus Guidelines Statement of Policy adopted by the North American Securities Administrators Association on March 29, 1992 and as amended on May 7, 2007 and from time to time.

Organization and Offering Expenses” means any and all costs and expenses incurred by and to be paid from the assets of the Company in connection with and in preparing for the formation, qualification and registration of the Company, and the marketing and distribution of shares, including, without limitation, total underwriting and brokerage discounts and commissions (including fees of the underwriters’ attorneys), expenses for printing, engraving, amending, supplementing, mailing and distributing costs, salaries of employees while engaged in sales activity, telephone and other telecommunications costs, all advertising and marketing expenses (including the costs related to investor and broker-dealer sales meetings), charges of transfer agents, registrars, trustees, escrow agents or holders, depositories, experts, fees, expenses and taxes related to the filing, registration and qualification of the sale of the shares under federal and state laws, including taxes and fees and accountants’ and attorneys’ fees.

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust joint venture, limited liability company or other entity or association.

Plan Asset Regulation” means 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101, as modified by section 3(42) of ERISA.

Publicly Offered Securities” means publicly offered securities as defined in 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101(b)(2) or any successor regulation thereto.

Roll-Up Entity means a partnership, trust, corporation, or similar entity that would be created or would survive after the successful completion of a proposed Roll-Up Transaction.

Roll-Up Transaction means a transaction involving the acquisition, merger, conversion or consolidation either directly or indirectly of the Company and the issuance of securities of a Roll-Up Entity to the Shareholders. Such term does not include:

(a) a transaction involving Securities of the Company that have been Listed for at least twelve (12) months; or

(b) a transaction involving the conversion to another corporate form or to a trust or association form of only the Company, if, as a consequence of the transaction, there will be no significant adverse change in any of the following:

(i) Shareholders’ voting rights;

(ii) the term of existence of the Company;

(iii) Adviser compensation; or

(iv) the Company’s investment objective.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

4


Securities” means Common Shares, any other Shares or other evidences of equity or beneficial or other interests, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in, temporary or interim certificates for, receipts for, guarantees of, or warrants, options or rights to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing if and only if any such item is treated as a “security” under the Exchange Act, or applicable state securities laws.

Shareholders” means the registered holders of the Company’s Shares.

Shares” means the unit of beneficial interest in the trust estate of the Company.

specified asset program” means a program where, at the time a securities registration is ordered effective, at least 75% of the net proceeds from the sale of program interests are allocable to the purchase, construction, renovation, or improvement of individually identified assets or assets that provide a reasonably objective basis in conformity with the Guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to allow the issuance of prospective financial statements. Reserves shall not be included in the 75%.

Sponsor” means any person directly or indirectly instrumental in organizing, wholly or in part, a program or any person who will control, manage or participate in the management of a program, and any affiliate of such person. Not included is any person whose only relation with the program is that of an independent manager of a portion of program assets, and whose only compensation is as such. “Sponsor” does not include wholly independent third parties such as attorneys, accountants, and underwriters whose only compensation is for professional services rendered in connection with the offering of program interests. A person may also be deemed a Sponsor of the program by:

(a) taking the initiative, directly or indirectly, in founding or organizing the business or enterprise of the program, either alone or in conjunction with one or more other persons;

(b) receiving a material participation in the program in connection with the founding or organizing of the business of the program, in consideration of services or property, or both services and property;

(c) having a substantial number of relationships and contacts with the program;

(d) possessing significant rights to control program properties;

(e) receiving fees for providing services to the program which are paid on a basis that is not customary in the industry; or

(f) providing goods or services to the program on a basis which was not negotiated at arm’s length with the program.

Statutory Trust Act” means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. C. § 3801, et seq., as such act may be amended from time to time.

Trustees,” “Board of Trustees” or “Board” means, collectively, the individuals named in Section 4.1 of this Declaration of Trust so long as they continue in office and all other individuals who have been duly elected and qualify as Trustees of the Company hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, any references to “Trustee” or “Board of Trustee” or “Board” in this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Company shall not be deemed to include or refer to the Delaware Trustee.

ARTICLE II

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The Company is a Delaware statutory trust within the meaning of the Statutory Trust Act, existing pursuant to this Declaration of Trust and the Company’s certificate of trust filed with the Delaware Secretary of State’s office on February 11, 2020 (which filing is hereby ratified), each as may be amended or amended and restated from time to time.

 

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The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which trusts may be organized under the Statutory Trust Act as now or hereafter in force, including to conduct, operate and carry on the business of a non-diversified closed-end investment company operating as a business development company, as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act, subject to making an election therefor under the 1940 Act, and to carry on such other business as the Trustees may from time to time determine pursuant to their authority under this Declaration of Trust. In furtherance of the foregoing, it shall be the purpose of the Company to do everything necessary, suitable, convenient or proper for the conduct, promotion and attainment of any businesses and purposes which at any time may be incidental or may appear conducive or expedient for the accomplishment of the business of a business development company regulated under the 1940 Act and which may be engaged in or carried on by a trust organized under the Statutory Trust Act, and in connection therewith the Company shall have the power and authority to engage in the foregoing and may exercise all of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware upon a Delaware statutory trust. The Company may not, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as such term is defined under Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, of the Company entitled to vote on the matter, change the nature of the Company’s business so that the Company ceases to be, or withdraws the Company’s election to be, treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act.

Legal title to all of the assets of the Company shall be vested in the Company as a separate legal entity except that the Trustees shall have power to cause legal title to any assets of the Company to be held in the name of any other Person as nominee, custodian or pledgee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine, provided that such arrangement is permitted by the 1940 Act and the interest of the Company therein is appropriately protected.

ARTICLE III

DELAWARE TRUSTEE

Section 3.1 Appointment. Pursuant to Section 3807 of the Statutory Trust Act, the trustee of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association (the “Delaware Trustee”). The address of the principal office of Wilmington Trust, National Association is 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890.

Section 3.2 Concerning the Delaware Trustee.

(a) The Delaware Trustee is appointed to serve as the trustee of the Company in the State of Delaware for the sole purpose of satisfying the requirement pursuant to Section 3807(a) of the Statutory Trust Act that the Company have at least one trustee which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware. The Company shall have at least one other trustee (other than the Delaware Trustee) to perform all obligations and duties other than fulfilling the Company’s obligations pursuant to Section 3807(a) of the Statutory Trust Act.

(b) The duties of the Delaware Trustee shall be limited to (i) accepting legal process served on the Company in the State of Delaware and (ii) the execution of any certificates required to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State which the Delaware Trustee is required to execute under Section 3811 of the Statutory Trust Act. Except for the purpose of the foregoing sentence, the Delaware Trustee shall not be deemed a trustee, shall not be a member of the Board of Trustees and shall have no management responsibilities or owe any fiduciary duties to the Company or the Shareholders. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the Delaware Trustee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company or the Shareholders, it is hereby understood and agreed by the other parties hereto that such duties and liabilities are replaced by the duties and liabilities of the Delaware Trustee expressly set forth in this Declaration of Trust. The Delaware Trustee shall have no liability for the acts or omissions of any other Person, including, without limitation, the Trustees and the Adviser.

(c) The Delaware Trustee may be removed by the Trustees upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Delaware Trustee. The Delaware Trustee may resign upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Trustees. No resignation or removal of the Delaware Trustee shall be effective except upon the appointment of a successor Delaware Trustee appointed by the Trustees or a court of competent jurisdiction. If no successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed within such 30 day period, the Delaware Trustee may, at the expense of the Trust, petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Delaware Trustee.

 

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(d) Any Person into which the Delaware Trustee may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Delaware Trustee shall be a party, or any Person which succeeds to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Delaware Trustee, shall be the successor Delaware Trustee under this Declaration of Trust without the execution, delivery or filing of any paper or instrument or further act to be done on the part of the parties hereto, except as may be required by applicable law.

(e) The Delaware Trustee shall be entitled to all of the same rights, protections, indemnities and immunities under this Declaration of Trust and with respect to the Company and the Shareholders as the Trustees. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Declaration of Trust which adversely affects the Delaware Trustee shall be effective against it without its prior written consent.

(f) The Delaware Trustee shall not be liable for supervising or monitoring the performance and the duties and obligations of any other Person, including, without limitation, the Trustees, the Administrator or the Adviser or the Company under this Declaration of Trust or any related document.

(g) The Delaware Trustee shall not be personally liable under any circumstances, except for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence. In particular, but not by way of limitation: (i) the Delaware Trustee shall not be personally liable for any error of judgment made in good faith; (ii) no provision of this Declaration of Trust shall require the Delaware Trustee to expend or risk its personal funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its rights or powers hereunder, if the Delaware Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the payment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured or provided to it; (iii) under no circumstances shall the Delaware Trustee be personally liable for any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or indebtedness of the Trust; (iv) the Delaware Trustee shall not be personally responsible for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration of Trust or for the due execution hereof by any other party hereto; (v) the Delaware Trustee shall incur no liability to anyone in acting upon any signature, instrument, notice, resolution, request, consent, order, certificate, report, opinion, bond or other document or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and reasonably believed by it to be signed by the proper party or parties. The Delaware Trustee may accept a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors or other governing body of any corporate party as conclusive evidence that such resolution has been duly adopted by such body and that the same is in full force and effect. As to any fact or matter the manner of ascertainment of which is not specifically prescribed herein, the Delaware Trustee may for all purposes hereof rely on a certificate or resolution, signed by a Trustee or an officer of the Company as to such fact or matter, and such certificate shall constitute full protection to the Delaware Trustee for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in reliance thereon; (vi) in the exercise or administration of the Company hereunder, the Delaware Trustee (A) may act directly or through agents or attorneys pursuant to agreements entered into with any of them, and the Delaware Trustee shall not be liable for the default or misconduct of such agents or attorneys if such agents or attorneys shall have been selected by the Delaware Trustee in good faith and (B) may consult with counsel, accountants and other skilled persons to be selected by it in good faith and employed by it, and it shall not be liable for anything done, suffered or omitted in good faith by it in accordance with the advice or opinion of any such counsel, accountants or other skilled persons; (vii) in accepting and performing its express duties hereunder the Delaware Trustee acts solely as Delaware Trustee hereunder and not in its individual capacity, and all persons having any claim against the Delaware Trustee by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Declaration of Trust shall look only to the Company for payment or satisfaction thereof; and (viii) the Delaware Trustee shall incur no liability if, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation thereunder, or by any force majeure event, including but not limited to natural disaster, act of war or terrorism, or other circumstances beyond its reasonable control, the Delaware Trustee shall be prevented or forbidden from doing or performing any act or thing which the terms of this Declaration of Trust provide shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Declaration of Trust.

(h) In the event of the appointment of a successor Delaware Trustee, such successor shall cause an amendment to the certificate of trust of the Company to be filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in accordance with Section 3810 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, indicating the change of the Delaware Trustee’s identity.

 

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Section 3.3 Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses; Indemnity. The Company hereby agrees to (i) compensate the Delaware Trustee in accordance with a separate fee agreement with the Delaware Trustee, (ii) reimburse the Delaware Trustee for all reasonable expenses relating to the services of the Delaware Trustee (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and other advisers retained by the Delaware Trustee) and (iii) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Delaware Trustee, and its employees, agents, officers and trustees (the “Indemnified DE Trustee Parties”) from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, demands, assessments, judgments, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, taxes, and expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and including costs of enforcement of an Indemnified DE Trustee Party’s rights hereunder(collectively, “Expenses”), to the extent that such Expenses arise out of or are imposed upon or asserted at any time against such Indemnified DE Trustee Parties with respect to the performance of any duties contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or from the services provided or functions performed by the Delaware Trustee; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to indemnify any Indemnified DE Trustee Parties for any Expenses which are a result of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnified DE Trustee Parties. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Expenses to be incurred by any Indemnified DE Trustee Parties shall, from time to time, be advanced by, or on behalf of, the Company prior to the final disposition of any matter upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by, or on behalf of, such Indemnified DE Trustee Parties to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnified DE Trustee Parties are not entitled to be indemnified under this Declaration of Trust.

ARTICLE IV

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

COMPANY AND OF THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES

Section 4.1 Number of Trustees. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees (not including the Delaware Trustee). The Board of Trustees shall have full, exclusive and absolute power, control and authority over the Company’s assets and over the business of the Company to the same extent as a board of directors of a Delaware corporation. The Board of Trustees may take any actions as in its sole judgment and discretion are necessary or desirable to conduct the business of the Company. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws, each Trustee and officer of the Company shall have duties including fiduciary duties (and liability therefore) identical to those of directors and officers of a private corporation for profit organized under the DGCL and shall not have any other duties, including any fiduciary duties, except for fiduciary duties identical to those of directors and officers of a private corporation for profit organized under the DGCL. The number of Trustees of the Company is five (5), which number may be increased or decreased from time to time only by the Trustees pursuant to the Bylaws, but shall never be less than one (1), except for a period of up to sixty (60) days after the death, removal or resignation of a Trustee pending the election of such Trustee’s successor. The names of the initial Trustees are as follows: Brad Marshall, Daniel H. Smith Jr., Robert Bass, Tracy Collins and Vicki L. Fuller.

A majority of the Board of Trustees shall be Independent Trustees, except for a period of up to sixty (60) days or such longer period permitted by law, after the death, removal or resignation of an Independent Trustee pending the election of such Independent Trustee’s successor by the remaining Trustees.

Subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, in order that any and all vacancies on the Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees in office, even if the remaining Trustees do not constitute a quorum, and any Trustee elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the trusteeship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualified. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election or removal of Trustees. Trustees shall be elected by a plurality of votes.

Section 4.2 Classes of Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective upon and following the occurrence of a Listing of any class of the Company’s Shares, if any: the Board of Trustees shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible, and the term of office of Trustees of one class shall expire at each annual meeting of Shareholders, and in all cases as to each Trustee such term shall extend until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his or earlier resignation,

 

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removal from office, death or incapacity. Additional trusteeships resulting from an increase in number of Trustees shall be apportioned among the classes as equally as possible. The initial term of office of Trustees of Class I shall expire at the Company’s next annual meeting of Shareholders; the initial term of office of Trustees of Class II shall expire at the Company’s second annual meeting of Shareholders following the occurrence of a Listing of any class of the Company’s Shares, if any; and the initial term of office of Trustees of Class III shall expire at the Company’s third annual meeting of Shareholders following the occurrence of a Listing of any class of the Company’s Shares, if any. Following such initial terms, at each annual meeting of Shareholders, a number of Trustees equal to the number of Trustee of the class whose term expires at the time of such meeting (or, if less, the number of Trustee properly nominated and qualified for election) shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of Shareholders after their election. Each Trustee may be reelected to an unlimited number of succeeding terms in accordance with these provisions.

If the Board of Trustees is classified, at each annual election, Trustees chosen to succeed those whose terms then expire shall be of the same class as the Trustees they succeed, unless by reason of any intervening changes in the authorized number of Trustees, the Board of Trustees shall designate one or more trusteeships whose term then expires as trusteeships of another class in order to more nearly achieve equality of number of Trustees among the classes.

Notwithstanding the rule that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number of Trustees as possible, in the event of any change in the authorized number of Trustees, each Trustee then continuing to serve as such shall nevertheless continue as a Trustee of the class of which such Trustee is a member until the expiration of his or her current term, or his or her prior death, resignation or removal. If any newly created trusteeship may, consistently with the rule that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number of Trustees as possible, be allocated to any class, the Board of Trustees shall allocate it to that of the available class whose term of office is due to expire at the earliest date following such allocation.

The voting procedures and the number of votes required to elect a Trustee shall be as set forth in the Bylaws, which may be amended by the Board.

Section 4.3 Shareholder Voting. Except as provided in Article II, Section 4.9, Section 6.2, Section 6.3, Section 10.2, Section 11.1 and Section 13.2 of this Declaration of Trust, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting any particular action to be approved by the affirmative vote of the Shareholders of the Company entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable and approved by the Board of Trustees, and approved by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present. All shares of all classes shall vote together as a single class provided that: (a) as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any class is required by the 1940 Act or any orders issued thereunder, such requirement as to a separate vote by that class shall apply in lieu of a general vote of all classes; (b) in the event that separate voting requirements apply with respect to one or more classes, then subject to subparagraph (c), the shares of all other classes not entitled to a separate vote shall vote together as a single class; and (c) as to any matter which in the judgment of the Board (which judgment shall be conclusive) does not affect the interest of a particular class, such class shall not be entitled to any vote and only the holders of shares of the one or more affected classes shall be entitled to vote. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws to the contrary, for such matters that require the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of the Company under the 1940 Act, such majority vote shall be determined as set forth in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act. The provisions of this Section 4.3 shall be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act and other applicable statutes or regulations.

Section 4.4 Quorum. The determination of whether a quorum has been established for a meeting of the Company’s Shareholders shall be as set forth in the Bylaws.

Section 4.5 Preemptive Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares or as may otherwise be provided by contract approved by the Board, no Shareholder shall, as such Shareholder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares of the Company or any other Security of the Company that it may issue or sell.

 

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Section 4.6 Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of any class or series of Shares, no Shareholder shall be entitled to exercise appraisal rights in connection with any transaction.

Section 4.7 Determinations by the Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Trustees consistent with this Declaration of Trust shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Company and every Shareholder: (i) the amount of the net income of the Company for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption or repurchase of its Shares or the payment of other distributions on its Shares; (ii) the amount of stated capital, capital surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; (iii) the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); (iv) any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares of the Company; (v) the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Company or any Shares of the Company; (vi) any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Company; or (vii) any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Company or required or permitted by applicable law, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board provided, however, that any determination by the Board as to any of the preceding matters shall not render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination and no Trustee shall be liable for making or failing to make such a determination.

Section 4.8 Sole Discretion; Good Faith; Corporate Opportunities of Adviser.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of Trust or otherwise applicable law, whenever in this Declaration of Trust the Trustees are permitted or required to make a decision:

(i) in their “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority, the Trustees shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as they desire, including their own interest, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Company or any other Person; or

(ii) in their “good faith” or under another express standard, the Trustees shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard.

(b) Unless expressly provided otherwise herein or in the Company’s offering document (as may be amended from time to time), the Adviser and any Affiliate of the Adviser may engage in or possess an interest in other profit-seeking or business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, whether or not such ventures are competitive with the Company and the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine. To the extent that the Adviser acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Company, it shall not have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Company, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable co-investment order issued by the Commission, and the Adviser shall not be liable to the Company or to the Shareholders for breach of any fiduciary or other duty by reason of the fact that the Adviser pursues or acquires for, or directs such opportunity to, another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Company. Neither the Company nor any Shareholder shall have any rights or obligations by virtue of this Declaration of Trust or the trust relationship created hereby in or to such independent ventures or the income or profits or losses derived therefrom, and the pursuit of such ventures, even if competitive with the activities of the Company, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper.

Section 4.9 Resignation and Removal of Trustees. Any of the Trustees may resign their trust (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by such Trustee and delivered or mailed to the Trustees or the Chairman, if any, and such resignation shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the instrument. Any Trustee, or the entire Board, may be removed from office at any time

 

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(provided the aggregate number of Trustees after such removal shall not be less than the minimum number required by Section 4.1 hereof) only for cause and only by a majority of the remaining Trustees (or in the case of the removal of a Trustee that is not an Interested Person a majority of the remaining Trustees that are not Interested Persons). Upon the resignation or removal of a Trustee, each such resigning or removed Trustee shall execute and deliver such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require for the purpose of conveying to the Company or the remaining Trustees any Company property held in the name of such resigning or removed Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death of any Trustee, such Trustee’s legal representative shall execute and deliver on such Trustee’s behalf such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require as provided in the preceding sentence. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following the effective date of his resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of a removal.

Section 4.10 Business Combination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of Trust or any contrary provision of law, the Board of Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, cause the Company to convert into or merge, reorganize or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations or other business entities, provided that the resulting entity is a business development company under the 1940 Act. Approval of any agreement or applicable certificate of merger, reorganization, consolidation or conversion or certificate may be signed by a majority of the Board of Trustees or an authorized officer of the Company. In accordance with Section 3815(f) of the Statutory Trust Act, but subject to Section 6.2 of this Declaration of Trust, such approval and approval from the Board will effect an amendment to this Declaration of Trust and/or effect the adoption of a new declaration of trust of the Company or change the name of the Company if the Company is the surviving or resulting entity in the merger or consolidation.

Section 4.11 Special Meetings. A majority of the Independent Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer may call a special meeting of the Shareholders.

Section 4.12 Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and each Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock association, corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other than a Delaware statutory trust. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association.

Section 4.13 Trustee Action by Written Consent. Any action which may be taken by Trustees by vote may be taken without a meeting if that number of the Trustees, or members of a committee, as the case may be, required for approval of such action at a meeting of the Trustees or of such committee consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Trustees. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Trustees.

Section 4.14 Officers. The Trustees shall elect a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer and may elect a Chairman who shall serve at the pleasure of the Trustees or until their successors are elected. The Trustees may elect or appoint or may authorize the Chairman, if any, or Chief Executive Officer to appoint such other officers or agents with such powers as the Trustees may deem to be advisable. A Chairman shall, and the Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer may, but need not, be a Trustee. All officers shall owe to the Company and its Shareholders the same fiduciary duties (and only such fiduciary duties) as owed by officers of corporations to such corporations and their stockholders under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Section 4.15 Principal Transactions. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and the Omnibus Guidelines, the Trustees may, on behalf of the Company, buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Company to, any Trustee or officer of the Company or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any Affiliate of the Company, investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, distributor or transfer agent for the Company or with any Interested Person of such Affiliate or other person; and the Company may employ any such Affiliate or other person, or firm or company in which such Affiliate or other person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment advisor, investment sub-advisor, distributor, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, custodian or in any other capacity upon customary terms.

 

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Section 4.16 Subsidiaries. Without approval or vote by Shareholders, the Trustees may cause to be organized or assist in organizing one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships, associations or other organizations to take over all of the Company’s property or to carry on any business in which the Company shall directly or indirectly have any interest and to sell, convey, and transfer all or a portion of the Company’s property to any such corporation, trust, limited liability company, association or organization in exchange for the shares or securities thereof, or otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the shares or securities of and enter into any contracts with any such corporation, trust, limited liability company, partnership, association or organization, or any corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or organization in which the Company holds or is about to acquire shares or any other interests.

Section 4.17 Delegation. The Trustees shall have the power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers, employees or agents of the Company the doing of such things, including any matters set forth in this Declaration of Trust, and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Company or the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may deem expedient. The Trustees may designate one or more committees which shall have all or such lesser portion of the authority of the entire Board of Trustees as the Trustees shall determine from time to time except to the extent action by the entire Board of Trustees or particular Trustees is required by the 1940 Act.

ARTICLE V

SHARES

Section 5.1 Authorized Shares. The beneficial interest in the Company shall at all times be divided into an unlimited number of Shares. The Shares of the Company shall initially consist of Common Shares, with such par value as may be authorized from time to time by the Trustees in their sole discretion without Shareholder approval. All Common Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable when issued. Mandatory assessments of Common Shares shall be prohibited and the Company shall not make any mandatory assessment against any Shareholder beyond such Shareholder’s subscription commitment. Any different classes or series shall be established and designated, and the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between the different classes shall be fixed and determined, by the Trustees without Shareholder approval. The Trustees may create a class of preferred shares (the “Preferred Shares”) which may be divided into one or more series of Preferred Shares and with such par value as may be authorized from time to time by the Trustees in their sole discretion without Shareholder approval. The Company is authorized to offer and issue an unlimited number of Common Shares and an unlimited number of Preferred Shares.

Section 5.2 Authorization by Board of Share Issuance. The Board of Trustees may authorize the issuance from time to time Shares of the Company of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a split of Shares or dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws.

Section 5.3 Classification or Reclassification by the Board. As contemplated by Section 5.1, the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between any classes of Common Shares and any potential Preferred Shares shall be fixed and determined by the Trustees; provided, that all Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Company or of any series shall be identical to all other Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Company or of the same series, as the case may be, except that, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, there may be variations between different classes as to allocation of expenses, rights of redemption, special and relative rights and preferences as to dividends and distributions and on liquidation, conversion rights, and conditions under which the several classes shall have separate voting rights. All of the outstanding Common Shares as of the date hereof issued to the sole initial shareholder shall be classified as Class I Shares with such terms as set forth in the initial prospectus of the Company, as thereafter subsequently modified from time to time. Any class of Preferred Shares shall have such rights and preferences and priorities over the Common Shares as may be established by the terms thereof; provided that the Company may not issue any shares of preferred shares that would limit or subordinate the voting rights of holders of Common Shares as set forth in the Omnibus Guidelines unless required by the 1940 Act.

 

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The following provisions shall be applicable to any division of Shares of the Company into one or more classes or series:

(a) All provisions herein relating to the Shares, or any class or series of Shares of the Company, including common and preferred shares, shall apply equally to each class of Shares of the Company or of any series of the Company, except as the context requires otherwise.

(b) The number of Shares of each class that may be issued shall be unlimited. The Trustees may classify or reclassify any Shares or any class of any Shares into one or more other classes that may be established and designated from time to time. The Company may purchase and hold Shares as treasury shares, reissue such treasury shares for such consideration and on such terms as the Trustees may determine, or cancel any Shares of any class acquired by the Company at the Trustees’ discretion from time to time.

(c) Liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves related to the distribution of, and other identified expenses that should properly be allocated to, the Shares of a particular class or series within the class may be charged to and borne solely by such class or series, and the bearing of expenses solely by a class of shares or series may be appropriately reflected (in a manner determined by the Trustees) and cause differences in the net asset value attributable to, and the dividend, redemption and liquidation rights of, the Shares of different classes or series. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees in their reasonable judgment shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all classes for all purposes.

(d) The establishment and designation of any class or series of Shares shall be effective upon resolution by a majority of the Trustees, adopting a resolution which sets forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of such class or series. Each such resolution shall be incorporated herein by reference upon adoption. The Trustees may, by resolution of a majority of the Trustees, abolish any class or series and the establishment and designation thereof. To the extent the provisions set forth in such resolution conflict with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust with respect to any such rights and privileges of the class or series of Shares, such resolutions shall control.

Section 5.4 Dividends and Distributions.

(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration of Trust, the holders of each class or series of Shares shall be entitled to dividends and distributions in such amounts and at such times as may be determined by the Board, and the dividends and distributions paid with respect to the various classes or series of Shares may vary among such classes or series. Expenses related to the distribution of, and other identified expenses that properly should be allocated to the shares of, a particular class or series may be appropriately reflected (in a manner determined by the Board, in its discretion) and cause a difference in the Net Asset Value attributable to, and the dividend, redemption and liquidation rights of, the shares of each such class or series of Shares.

(b) The Trustees may always retain from the net profits such amount as they may deem necessary to pay the debts or expenses of the Company or to meet obligations of the Company, or as they otherwise may deem desirable to use in the conduct of its affairs or to retain for future requirements or extensions of the business. Normally, such amount shall not be less than 1% of the offering proceeds of the Company.

(c) From time to time and not less than quarterly, the Company shall review the Company’s accounts to determine whether cash distributions are appropriate. The Company may, subject to authorization by the Board of Trustees, distribute to the Shareholders funds received by the Company that the Board of Trustees deems unnecessary to retain in the Company. The Board may authorize the Company to declare and pay to Shareholders such dividends or distributions, in cash or other assets of the Company or in Securities of the Company or from any other source, as the Board in its discretion shall determine. The Board shall endeavor to authorize the Company to declare and pay such dividends and distributions: (i) as shall be necessary for the Company to qualify as a “Regulated Investment Company” under the Code and a business development company under the 1940 Act, and (ii) to the extent that the Board deems it unnecessary for the Company to retain funds received by it; provided, however, that in each case Shareholders shall have no right to any dividend or distribution unless and until authorized by the Board and declared by the Company. Distributions pursuant to this Section 5.4 may be among the

 

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Shareholders of record of the applicable class or series of Shares at the time of declaring a distribution or among the Shareholders of record at such later date as the Trustees shall determine and specify. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of shares at the time outstanding. The receipt by any Person in whose name any shares are registered on the records of the Company or by his or her duly authorized agent shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends or distributions payable or deliverable in respect of such shares and from all liability to see to the application thereof. Distributions in kind shall not be permitted, except for distributions of readily marketable Securities, distributions of cash from a liquidating trust established for the dissolution of the Company and the liquidation of its assets in accordance with the terms of this Declaration of Trust or distributions in which: (i) the Board advises each Shareholder of the risks associated with direct ownership of the property, (ii) the Board offers each Shareholder the election of receiving such in-kind distributions, and (iii) in-kind distributions are made only to those Shareholders that accept such offer.

(d) Inasmuch as the computation of net income and gains for Federal income tax purposes may vary from the computation thereof on the books, the above provisions shall be interpreted to give the Trustees the power in their discretion to distribute for any fiscal year as ordinary dividends and as capital gains distributions, respectively, additional amounts sufficient to enable the Company to avoid or reduce liability for taxes.

(e) If a declaration of dividends or distributions is made pursuant to this Section then (i) at any time prior to the related payment date, the Board may, in its sole discretion, rescind such declaration or change each of the record date and payment date to a later date or dates (in each case for a period of not greater than 180 days after each of the record date and payment date theretofore in effect and provided the payment date as so changed is not more than 60 days after the record date as so changed).

(f) In no event, however, shall funds be advanced or borrowed for purpose of distributions, if the amount of such distributions would exceed the Company’s accrued and received revenues for the previous four quarters, less paid and accrued operating costs with respect to such revenues and costs shall be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. Cash distributions from the Company to the Sponsor shall only be made in conjunction with distributions to Shareholders and only out of funds properly allocated to the Sponsor’s account.

Section 5.5 Proportionate Rights. All shares of each particular class shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets attributable to the class (subject to the liabilities of that class), and each share of any particular class shall be equal to each other share of that class. The Board of Trustees may, from time to time, divide or combine the shares of any particular class into a greater or lesser number of shares of that class without thereby changing the proportionate interest in the assets attributable to that class or in any way affecting the rights of holders of shares of any other class.

Section 5.6 Distributions in Liquidation. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Declaration of Trust, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of all classes of Shares of the Company shall be entitled, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company (as such liability may affect one or more of the classes and series of Shares of the Company), to share ratably in the remaining net assets of the Company.

Section 5.7 Deferred Payments. The Company shall not have authority to make arrangements for deferred payments on account of the purchase price of shares of the Company’s Shares unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) such arrangements are warranted by the Company’s investment objectives; (b) the period of deferred payments coincides with the anticipated cash needs of the Company; (c) the deferred payments shall be evidenced by a promissory note of the Shareholder, which note shall be with recourse, shall not be negotiable, shall be assignable only subject to defenses of the maker and shall not contain a provision authorizing a confession of judgment; and (d) selling commissions and Front End Fees paid upon deferred payments are payable when payment is made on the note. The Company shall not sell or assign the deferred obligation notes at a discount. In the event of default in the payment of deferred payments by a Shareholder, the Shareholder may be subjected to a reasonable penalty.

 

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Section 5.8 Fractional Shares. The Company shall have authority to issue fractional shares. Any fractional Shares shall carry proportionately all of the rights of a whole share, including, without limitation, the right to vote and the right to receive dividends and other distributions.

Section 5.9 Declaration of Trust and Bylaws. All persons who shall acquire Shares in the Company shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws.

Section 5.10 Redemptions. Holders of Shares of the Company shall not be entitled to require the Company to repurchase or redeem Shares of the Company.

Section 5.11 Disclosure of Holding. The holders of Shares or other securities of the Company shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares or other securities of the Company as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Code, the 1940 Act or other applicable laws or regulations, or to comply with the requirements of any other taxing or regulatory authority.

Section 5.12 Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in, Shares, including Shares in fractional denominations, and, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property. The Trustees may establish, from time to time, a program or programs by which the Company voluntarily repurchases Shares from the Shareholders; provided, however, that such repurchases do not impair the capital or operations of the Company.

Section 5.13 Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article V, the Trustees may prescribe, in their absolute discretion except as may be required by the 1940 Act, such other bases and times for determining the per share asset value of the Company’s Shares or net income, or the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions as they may deem necessary or desirable for any reason, including to enable the Company to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act, federal securities laws, state securities laws, or any securities exchange or association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any order of exemption issued by the SEC, all as in effect now or hereafter amended or modified.

Section 5.14 ERISA Restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if and to the extent that any class of Shares do not constitute Publicly Offered Securities, in order to avoid the possibility that the underlying assets of the Company could be treated as assets of Benefit Plan Investor pursuant to the Plan Asset Regulation, the Company, at the direction of the Board of Trustees or any duly-authorized committee of the Board, or, if authorized by the Board, any officer of the Company or the Adviser on behalf of the Company, shall have the power to (1) require any Person proposing to acquire Shares to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is (i) a Benefit Plan Investor, or (ii) an ERISA Controlling Person, (2) exclude any shareholder or potential shareholder from purchasing our Common Shares (3) prohibit any repurchase of Shares to any Person, and (4) repurchase any or all outstanding Shares held by a Shareholder for such price and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by or at the direction of the Board.

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS; CERTAIN EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS

Section 6.1 Amendments Generally. Subject to Section 6.2, the Board of Trustees reserves the right, without any vote of Shareholders, from time to time to make any amendment to this Declaration of Trust, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in this Declaration of Trust, of any outstanding Shares, provided, however, that if any amendment or new addition to this Declaration of Trust adversely affects the rights of Shareholders, such amendment or addition must be approved by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Shares of the Company entitled to vote thereon. All rights and powers conferred by this Declaration of Trust on Shareholders, Trustees and officers are granted subject to this reservation.

 

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Section 6.2 Approval of Certain Declaration of Trust Amendments. The affirmative vote of the Shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds (2/3) of all Shares of the Company entitled to vote on the matter shall be necessary to effect:

(a) Any amendment to this Declaration of Trust to make the Common Shares a “redeemable security” or to convert the Company, whether by merger or otherwise, from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act), except that if the Company’s Shares are not Covered Securities, the affirmative vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Shares of the Company entitled to vote on the matter shall be necessary to effect such amendment or addition; and

(b) Any amendment to Section 4.3, 4.9, Section 6.1 or this Section 6.2.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, if the Board of Trustees approve a proposal or amendment pursuant to this Section 6.2 by a vote of at least two-thirds of such Board of Trustees (excluding the Delaware Trustee), then only the affirmative vote of the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Shares of the Company entitled to vote thereon shall be required to approve such matter.

Section 6.3 Approval of Certain Amendments to Bylaws. The Board of Trustees shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of the Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

Section 6.4 Amendments in Connection with an Exchange Listing. In connection with the occurrence of a Listing of any class of the Company’s Shares, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustees may, without the approval or vote of the Shareholders, amend or supplement this Declaration in any manner, including, without limitation to reclassify the Board of Trustees, to permit annual meetings of Shareholders, to impose advance notice provisions for the bringing of Shareholder nominations or proposals, to eliminate the suitability requirements of Section 11.5, to impose super-majority approval for certain types of transactions and to otherwise add or modify provisions that may be deemed to adverse to Shareholders, including those provisions of Section 11.1 and this Article VI.

Section 6.5 Execution of Amendments. Upon obtaining such approvals required by this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws and without further action or execution by any other Person, including the Delaware Trustee or any Shareholder, (i) any amendment to this Declaration of Trust may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the requisite members of the Board of Trustees, and (ii) the Delaware Trustee and the Shareholders shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment of this Declaration of Trust; provided, however, the Delaware Trustee’s written consent shall be required for any amendment that would affect the Delaware Trustee.

ARTICLE VII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION AND

ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

Section 7.1 Limitation of Shareholder Liability. Shareholders shall be entitled to the same limited liability extended to Shareholders of private Delaware for profit corporations formed under the DGCL. No Shareholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Company by reason of being a Shareholder, nor shall any Shareholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the Company’s assets or the affairs of the Company by reason of being a Shareholder.

Section 7.2 Limitation of Trustee and Officer Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, subject to any limitation set forth under the federal securities laws, or in this Article VII, no Trustee or officer of the Company shall be liable to the Company or its Shareholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 7.2, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 7.2, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act that occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption. The Company may not incur the cost of that portion of liability insurance which insures the Adviser for any liability as to which the Adviser is prohibited from being indemnified.

 

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Section 7.3 Indemnification.

(a) Each Person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact:

(i) that he or she is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, Controlling Person or agent of the Company, or

(ii) that he or she, being at the time a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (collectively, “another enterprise” or “other enterprise”), whether either in case (i) or in case (ii) the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or inaction (x) in an official capacity as a Trustee, officer, employee, Controlling Person or agent of the Company, or as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of such other enterprise, or (y) in any other capacity related to the Company or such other enterprise while so serving as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent not prohibited by Delaware law and subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, from and against all liability, loss, judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and amounts paid in settlement and including costs of enforcement of enforcement of rights under this Section) (collectively, “Liability and Losses”) actually incurred or suffered by such Person in connection therewith. The Persons indemnified hereunder are hereinafter referred to as “Indemnitees.” Such indemnification as to such alleged action or inaction shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has after such alleged action or inaction ceased to be a Trustee, officer, employee, Controlling Person or agent of the Company, or director, officer, employee or agent of another enterprise; and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The right to indemnification conferred under this Article VII: (A) shall be a contract right; (B) shall not be affected adversely as to any Indemnitee by any amendment or repeal of this Declaration of Trust with respect to any action or inaction occurring prior to such amendment or repeal; and (C) shall vest immediately upon election or appointment of such Indemnitee.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall not provide any indemnification of an Indemnitee pursuant to paragraph (a) above, unless all of the following conditions are met:

(i) The Indemnitee has determined, in good faith, that any course of conduct of such Indemnitee giving rise to the Liability and Losses was in the best interests of the Company.

(ii) The Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company.

(iii) Such Liability and Losses were not the result of (1) negligence or misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is a Trustee (other than an Independent Trustee), officer, employee, Controlling Person or agent of the Company, or (2) gross negligence or willful misconduct, in the case that the Indemnitee is an Independent Trustee.

(iv) Such indemnification is recoverable only out of the net assets of the Company and not from the Shareholders.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company shall not provide any indemnification of an Indemnitee pursuant to paragraph (a) above for any Liability and Losses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such Indemnitee unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the Indemnitee, (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the Indemnitee or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the

 

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claims against the Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

Section 7.4 Payment of Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of final disposition of a proceeding if all of the following are satisfied: (i) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee provides the Company with written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by Section 7.3 hereof, (iii) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a Shareholder or, if by a Shareholder of the Company acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement, and (iv) the Indemnitee provides the Company with a written agreement to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Company, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined by final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

Section 7.5 Limitations to Indemnification. The provisions of this Article VII shall be subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act.

Section 7.6 Express Exculpatory Clauses in Instruments. Neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Company shall be liable under any written instrument creating an obligation of the Company by reason of their being Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Company, and all Persons shall look solely to the Company’s net assets for the payment of any claim under or for the performance of that instrument. The omission of the foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such instrument and shall not render any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable thereunder to any third party, nor shall the Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the Company be liable to anyone as a result of such omission.

Section 7.7 Non-exclusivity. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or authorized by this Article VII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights, by indemnification or otherwise, to which any Indemnitee may be entitled under the Bylaws, a resolution of Shareholders or Trustees, an agreement or otherwise.

Section 7.8 No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall, as such, be obligated to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties hereunder.

Section 7.9 No Duty of Investigation; No Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the Trustees or with any officer, employee or agent of the Company shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract, undertaking, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Company, and every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Company shall be conclusively taken to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration of Trust or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Company. The Trustees may maintain insurance for the protection of the Company’s property, the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940 Act.

Section 7.10 Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or employee of the Company shall, in the performance of its duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Company, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Company by any of the Company’s officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor, selected dealer, accountant, appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Company, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

ADVISER, ADMINISTRATOR AND CUSTODIAN; DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS

Section 8.1 Supervision of Adviser and Administrator.

(a) Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Board of Trustees may exercise broad discretion in allowing the Adviser and, if applicable, an Administrator, to administer and regulate the operations of the Company, to act as agent for the Company, to execute documents on behalf of the Company and to make executive decisions that conform to general policies and principles established by the Board. The Board shall monitor the Adviser, or if any, the Administrator, to assure that the administrative procedures, operations and programs of the Company are in the best interests of the Shareholders and are fulfilled and that (i) the expenses incurred are reasonable in light of the investment performance of the Company, its net assets and its net income, (ii) all Front End Fees shall be reasonable and shall not exceed eighteen percent (18%) of the gross proceeds of any offering, regardless of the source of payment, and (iii) the percentage of gross proceeds of any offering committed to investment shall be at least eighty-two percent (82%). All items of compensation to underwriters or dealers, including, but not limited to, selling commissions, expenses, rights of first refusal, consulting fees, finders’ fees and all other items of compensation of any kind or description paid by the Company, directly or indirectly, shall be taken into consideration in computing the amount of allowable Front End Fees.

(b) The Board of Trustees is responsible for determining that compensation paid to the Adviser is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and the investment performance of the Company and that the provisions of the Advisory Agreement are being carried out. The Board may consider all factors that they deem relevant in making these determinations. So long as the Company is a business development company under the 1940 Act, compensation to the Adviser shall be considered presumptively reasonable if the incentive fee is limited to the participation in net gains allowed by the 1940 Act.

Section 8.2 Fiduciary Obligations of Adviser. The Advisory Agreement shall provide that the Adviser has a fiduciary responsibility for the safekeeping and use of all funds and assets of the Company, whether or not in the Company’s immediate possession or control, and that the Adviser shall not employ, or permit another to employ, such funds or assets in any manner except for the exclusive benefit of the Company. The Company shall not permit any Shareholder to contract away any fiduciary obligation owed by the Adviser under common law.

Section 8.3 Experience of Adviser. The Board of Trustees shall determine the sufficiency and adequacy of the relevant experience and qualifications for the officers of the Company given the business objective of the Company. The Board shall determine whether any Adviser possesses sufficient qualifications to perform the advisory function for the Company and whether the compensation provided for in its contract with the Company is justified.

Section 8.4 Termination of Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement shall provide that it is terminable (a) by the Company upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser: (i) upon the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote on the matter (as “majority” is defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act) or (ii) by the vote of the Independent Trustees; or (b) by the Adviser upon not less than one hundred twenty (120) days’ written notice to the Company, in each case without cause or penalty. In the event of termination, the Adviser will cooperate with the Company and the Board in making an orderly transition of the advisory function. In addition, if the Company elects to continue its operations following termination of the Advisory Agreement by the Adviser, the Adviser shall pay all direct expenses incurred as a direct result of its withdrawal. Upon termination of the Advisory Agreement, the Company shall pay the Adviser all amounts then accrued but unpaid to the Adviser. The method of payment must be fair and protect the solvency and liquidity of the Company.

Section 8.5 Organization and Offering Expenses Limitation. Unless otherwise provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Company shall reimburse the Adviser and its Affiliates for Organization and Offering Expenses incurred by the Adviser or its Affiliates; provided, however, that the total amount of all Organization and Offering Expenses shall be reasonable, as determined by the Board, and shall be included in Front End Fees for purposes of the limit on such Front End Fees set forth in Section 8.1.

 

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Section 8.6 Acquisition Fees. The Company may pay the Adviser and/or its Affiliates fees for the review and evaluation of potential investments; provided, however, that the Board of Trustees shall conclude that the total of all Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses shall be reasonable.

Section 8.7 Reimbursement of Adviser. The Company shall not reimburse the Adviser or its Affiliates for services for which the Adviser or its Affiliates are entitled to compensation in the form of a separate fee. Excluded from the allowable reimbursement shall be: (a) rent or depreciation, utilities, capital equipment, other administrative items of the Adviser; and (b) salaries, fringe benefits, travel expenses and other administrative items incurred or allocated to any Controlling Person of the Adviser.

Section 8.8 Reimbursement of Administrator. In the event the Company executes an agreement for the provision of administrative services, the Company may reimburse the Administrator, at the end of each fiscal quarter, for all expenses of the Company incurred by the Administrator as well as the actual cost of goods and services used for or by the Company and obtained from entities not Affiliated with the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration of Trust, the Administrator may be reimbursed for the administrative services necessary for the prudent operation of the Company performed by it on behalf of the Company; provided, however, the reimbursement shall be an amount equal to the lower of the Administrator’s actual cost or the amount the Company would be required to pay third parties for the provision of comparable administrative services in the same geographic location; and provided, further, that such costs are reasonably allocated to the Company on the basis of assets, revenues, time records or other method conforming with generally accepted accounting principles. Except as otherwise provided herein, no reimbursement shall be permitted for services for which the Administrator is entitled to compensation by way of a separate fee.

Section 8.9 Custodians

(a) The Trustees may employ a custodian or custodians meeting the qualifications for custodians for portfolio securities of investment companies contained in the 1940 Act, as custodian with respect to the assets of the Company. Any custodian shall have authority as agent of the Company as determined by the custodian agreement or agreements, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements, if any, as may be contained in the Bylaws of the Company and the 1940 Act, including without limitation authority:

(i) to hold the securities owned by the Company and deliver the same upon written order;

(ii) to receive any receipt for any moneys due to the Company and deposit the same in its own banking department (if a bank) or elsewhere as the Trustees may direct;

(iii) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;

(iv) if authorized by the Trustees, to keep the books and accounts of the Company and furnish clerical and accounting services; and

(v) if authorized to do so by the Trustees, to compute the net income or net asset value of the Company;

all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the Trustees and the custodian.

The Trustees may also authorize each custodian to employ one or more sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the custodian and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such sub-custodian shall meet the qualifications for custodians contained in the 1940 Act.

(b) Subject to such rules, regulations and orders as the SEC may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Company in a system for the central handling of securities established by a national securities exchange or a national securities association registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or such other Person as may be permitted by the SEC, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act, pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class of any

 

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issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only upon the order of the Company.

Section 8.10 Distribution Arrangements. Subject to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Trustees may retain underwriters, distributors and/or placement agents to sell Shares and other securities of the Company. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more contracts, providing for the sale of securities of the Company, whereby the Company may either agree to sell such securities to the other party to the contract or appoint such other party its sales agent for such securities. In either case, the contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VIII or the Bylaws; and such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of securities of the Company by such other party as principal or as agent of the Company and may provide that such other party may enter into selected dealer agreements and servicing and similar agreements to further the purposes of the distribution or repurchase of the securities of the Company.

ARTICLE IX

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND LIMITATIONS

Section 9.1 Investment Objective. The Company’s investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. The Trustees shall have power with respect to the Company to manage, conduct, operate and carry on the business of a business development company. The Independent Trustees shall review the investment policies of the Company with sufficient frequency (not less often than annually) to determine that the policies being followed by the Company are in the best interests of its Shareholders. Each such determination and the basis therefor shall be set forth in the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Trustees.

Section 9.2 Investments, Generally. All transactions entered into by the Company shall be consistent with the investment permissions and limitations as established for business development companies under the 1940 Act, including any applicable exemptive orders that have been or may be issued in the future by the SEC.

Section 9.3 Investments in Programs. For purposes of this Section, “Program” shall be defined as a limited or general partnership, joint venture, unincorporated association or similar organization, other than a corporation, formed and operated for the primary purpose of investment in and the operation of or gain from and interest in the assets to be acquired by such entity. A Program shall not include (and nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall prevent) investments by the Company directly in a master fund in a master/feeder fund structure permissible under the 1940 Act. A Program shall not include an Eligible Portfolio Company as defined by the 1940 Act.

(a) The Company shall not invest in Programs with non-Affiliates that own and operate specific assets, unless the Company, alone or together with any publicly registered Affiliate of the Company meeting the requirements of subsection (b) below, acquires a controlling interest in such a Program, but in no event shall the Adviser be entitled to duplicate fees; provided, however that the foregoing is not intended to prevent the Company from carrying out its business of investing and reinvesting its assets in Securities of other issuers. For purposes of this Section, “controlling interest” means an equity interest possessing the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Program, including the authority to: (i) review all contracts entered into by the Program that will have a material effect on its business or assets; (ii) cause a sale or refinancing of the assets or its interest therein subject, in certain cases where required by the Program agreement, to limits as to time, minimum amounts and/or a right of first refusal by the Program or consent of the Program; (iii) approve budgets and major capital expenditures, subject to a stated minimum amount; (iv) veto any sale or refinancing of the assets, or alternatively, to receive a specified preference on sale or refinancing proceeds; and (v) exercise a right of first refusal on any desired sale or refinancing by the Program of its interest in the assets, except for transfer to an Affiliate of the Program.

(b) The Company shall have the authority to invest in Programs with other publicly registered Affiliates of the Company if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the Affiliate and the Company have substantially identical investment objectives; (ii) there are no duplicate fees to the Adviser; (iii) the compensation payable by the Program to the Adviser in each Company that invests in such Program is substantially identical; (iv) each of the Company and the Affiliate has a right of first refusal to buy if the other party wishes to sell assets held in the joint

 

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venture; (v) the investment of each of the Company and its Affiliate is on substantially the same terms and conditions; and (vi) any prospectus of the Company in use or proposed to be used when such an investment has been made or is contemplated discloses the potential risk of impasse on joint venture decisions since neither the Company nor its Affiliate controls the Program, and the potential risk that while the Company or its Affiliate may have the right to buy the assets from the Program, it may not have the resources to do so.

(c) The Company shall have the authority to invest in Programs with Affiliates other than publicly registered Affiliates of the Company only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the investment is necessary to relieve the Adviser from any commitment to purchase the assets entered into in compliance with Section 10.1 prior to the closing of the offering period of the Company; (ii) there are no duplicate fees to the Adviser; (iii) the investment of each entity is on substantially the same terms and conditions; (iv) the Company has a right of first refusal to buy if the Adviser wishes to sell assets held in the joint venture; and (v) any prospectus of the Company in use or proposed to be used when such an investment has been made or is contemplated discloses the potential risk of impasse on joint venture decisions.

(d) The Company may be structured to conduct operations through separate single-purpose entities managed by the Adviser (multi-tier arrangements); provided, that the terms of any such arrangements do not result in the circumvention of any of the requirements or prohibitions contained herein or under applicable federal or state securities laws. Any agreements regarding such arrangements shall accompany any prospectus of the Company, if such agreement is then available, and the terms of such agreement shall contain provisions assuring that all of the following restrictions apply: (i) there will be no duplication or increase in Organization and Offering Expenses, fees payable to the Adviser, program expenses or other fees and costs; (ii) there will be no substantive alteration in the fiduciary and contractual relationship between the Adviser, the Company and the Shareholders; and (iii) there will be no diminishment in the voting rights of the Shareholders.

(e) Other than as specifically permitted in subsections (b), (c) and (d) above, the Company shall not invest in Programs with Affiliates.

(f) Unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, the Company shall be permitted to invest in general partnership interests of limited partnership Programs only if the Company, alone or together with any publicly registered Affiliate of the Company meeting the requirements of subsection (b) above, acquires a “controlling interest” as defined in subsection (a) above, the Adviser is not entitled to any duplicate fees, no additional compensation beyond that permitted under applicable law is paid to the Adviser, and the limited partnership Program agreement or other applicable agreement complies with this Section 9.3(f).

Section 9.4 Other Goods or Services.

(a) The Company may accept other goods or other services provided by the Adviser in connection with the operation of assets, provided that: (i) the Adviser determines such self-dealing arrangement is in the best interest of the Company; (ii) the terms pursuant to which all such goods or services are provided to the Company by the Adviser shall be embodied in a written contract, the material terms of which must be fully disclosed to the Shareholders; (iii) the written contract may only be modified by vote of a majority of then outstanding Shares and (iv) the contract shall contain a clause allowing termination without penalty on sixty (60) days’ prior notice. Without limitation to the foregoing, arrangements to provide such goods or other services must meet all of the following criteria: (X) the Adviser must be independently engaged in the business of providing such goods or services to persons other than its Affiliates and at least thirty-three percent (33%) of the Adviser’s associated gross revenues must come from persons other than its Affiliates; (Y) the compensation, price or fee charged for providing such goods or services must be comparable and competitive with the compensation, price or fee charged by persons other than the Adviser in the same geographic location who provide comparable goods or services which could reasonably be made available to the Company; and (Z) except in extraordinary circumstances, the compensation and other material terms of the arrangement must be fully disclosed to the Shareholders. Extraordinary circumstances are limited to instances when immediate action is required and the goods or services are not immediately available from persons other than the Adviser.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing subsection (a)(X), if the Adviser is not engaged in the business to the extent required by such clause, the Adviser may provide to the Company other goods or other services if all of the

 

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following additional conditions are met: (i) the Adviser can demonstrate the capacity and capability to provide such goods or services on a competitive basis; (ii) the goods or services are provided at the lesser of cost or the competitive rate charged by persons other than the Adviser in the same geographic location who are in the business of providing comparable goods or services; (iii) the cost is limited to the reasonable necessary and actual expenses incurred by the Adviser on behalf of the Company in providing such goods or services, exclusive of expenses of the type which may not be reimbursed under applicable federal or state securities laws; and (iv) expenses are allocated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and are made subject to any special audit required by applicable federal and state securities laws.

Section 9.5 Borrowing Money or Utilizing Leverage. The Trustees shall have the power to cause the Company to borrow money or otherwise obtain credit or utilize leverage to the maximum extent permitted by law or regulation as such may be needed from time to time and to secure the same by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the assets of the Company, including the lending of portfolio securities, and to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation, contract or engagement of any other person, firm, association or corporation. In addition and notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of Trust, the Company is hereby authorized to borrow funds, incur indebtedness and guarantee obligations of any Person, and in connection therewith, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Trustees, on behalf of the Company, are hereby authorized to pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, assign, transfer or grant security interests in or other liens on (i) the Shareholders’ subscription agreements and the Shareholders’ obligations to make capital contributions thereunder and hereunder, and (ii) any other assets, rights or remedies of the Company or of the Trustees hereunder or under the subscription agreements, including without limitation, the right to issue capital call notices and to exercise remedies upon a default by a Shareholder in the payment of its capital contributions and the right to receive capital contributions and other payments, subject to the terms hereof and thereof. Notwithstanding any provision in this Declaration of Trust, (i) the Company may borrow funds, incur indebtedness and enter into guarantees together with one or more Persons on a joint and several basis or on any other basis that the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, determines is fair and reasonable to the Company, and (ii) in connection with any borrowing, indebtedness or guarantee by the Company, all capital contributions shall be payable to the account of the Company designated by the Board of Trustees, which may be pledged to any lender or other credit party of the Company. All rights granted to a lender pursuant to this Section 9.5 shall apply to its agents and its successors and permitted assigns.

ARTICLE X

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Section 10.1 Sales and Leases to Company. Unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, the Company shall not purchase or lease assets in which the Adviser or any Affiliate thereof has an interest unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) the transaction is fully disclosed to the Shareholders either in a prospectus or periodic report filed with the SEC or otherwise; and (b) the assets are sold or leased upon terms that are reasonable to the Company and at a price not to exceed the lesser of cost or fair market value as determined by an Independent Expert. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.1, the Adviser may purchase assets in its own name (and assume loans in connection therewith) and temporarily hold title thereto, for the purposes of facilitating the acquisition of the assets, the borrowing of money, obtaining financing for the Company, or the completion of construction of the assets, provided that all of the following conditions are met: (i) the assets are purchased by the Company at a price no greater than the cost of the assets to the Adviser; (ii) all income generated by, and the expenses associated with, the assets so acquired shall be treated as belonging to the Company; and (iii) there are no other benefits arising out of such transaction to the Adviser.

Section 10.2 Sales and Leases to the Adviser, Trustees or Affiliates. Unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, the Company shall not sell assets to the Adviser or any Affiliate thereof unless such sale is duly approved by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the Company. The Company shall not lease assets to the Adviser or any Trustee or Affiliate thereof unless all of the following conditions are met: (i) the transaction is fully disclosed to the Shareholders either in a periodic report filed with the SEC or otherwise; and (ii) the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable to the Company.

 

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Section 10.3 Loans. Unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC and except for the advancement of funds pursuant to Sections 7.3 and 7.4, no loans, credit facilities, credit agreements or otherwise shall be made by the Company to the Adviser or any Affiliate thereof.

Section 10.4 Commissions on Financing, Refinancing or Reinvestment. Unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, the Company shall not pay, directly or indirectly, a commission or fee to the Adviser or any Affiliate thereof (except as otherwise specified in this Article X) in connection with the reinvestment of cash available for distribution and available reserves or of the proceeds of the resale, exchange or refinancing of assets.

Section 10.5 Rebates, Kickbacks and Reciprocal Arrangements. The Company shall cause the Adviser to agree that it shall not receive or accept any rebate or give-ups or similar arrangement that is prohibited under applicable federal or state securities laws. The Company shall cause the Adviser to agree that it shall not participate in any reciprocal business arrangement that would circumvent provisions of applicable federal or state securities laws governing conflicts of interest or investment restrictions, or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding that would circumvent the restrictions against dealing with affiliates or promoters under applicable federal or state securities laws. The Company shall cause the Adviser to agree that it shall not directly or indirectly pay or award any fees or commissions or other compensation to any Person engaged to sell Shares or give investment advice to a potential Shareholder; provided, however, that this Section 10.5 shall not prohibit the payment to a registered broker-dealer or other properly licensed agent of sales commissions or other compensation (including cash compensation and non-cash compensation (as such terms are defined under FINRA Rule 2310)) for selling or distributing Shares, including out of the Adviser’s own assets, including those amounts paid to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement.

Section 10.6 Exchanges. The Company may not acquire assets in exchange for Shares of the Company without approval of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees with consideration to an independent appraisal of such assets.

Section 10.7 Other Transactions. Unless otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act or applicable guidance or exemptive relief of the SEC, the Company shall not engage in any other transaction with the Adviser or a Trustee or Affiliate thereof unless: (a) such transaction complies with all applicable law and (b) a majority of the Trustees (including a majority of the Independent Trustees) not otherwise interested in such transaction approve such transaction as fair and reasonable to the Company and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company than those available from non-Affiliated third parties.

Section 10.8 Lending Practices. On financings made available to the Company by the Adviser, the Adviser may not receive interest in excess of the lesser of the Adviser’s cost of funds or the amounts that would be charged by unrelated lending institutions on comparable loans for the same purpose. The Adviser shall not impose a prepayment charge or penalty in connection with such financings and the Adviser shall not receive points or other financing charges. The Adviser shall be prohibited from providing permanent financing for the Company. For purposes of this Section 10.8, “permanent financing” shall mean any financing with a term in excess of twelve (12) months.

ARTICLE XI

SHAREHOLDERS

Section 11.1 Certain Voting Rights of Shareholders.

(a) Subject to the provisions of any class or series of shares then outstanding and the mandatory provisions of any applicable laws or regulations and subject to the other provisions of this Declaration of Trust (including Section 6.2), the following actions may be taken by the Shareholders, without concurrence by the Board of Trustees, upon a vote by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Shares of the Company entitled to vote on the matters:

(i) modify this Declaration of Trust in accordance with Article VI hereof;

 

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(ii) remove the Adviser and appoint a new Adviser pursuant to the procedures in Section 8.4; or

(iii) sell all or substantially all of the Company’ assets other than in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

(b) Without the approval of Shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, or such other approval as may be required under the mandatory provisions of any applicable laws or regulations, or other provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the Company shall not permit the Adviser to:

(i) modify this Declaration of Trust except for amendments which do not adversely affect the rights of Shareholders;

(ii) appoint a new Adviser (other than a sub-adviser pursuant to the terms of an Advisory Agreement and applicable law);

(iii) sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than in the ordinary course of the Company’s business or as otherwise permitted by law; or

(iv) except as permitted under the Advisory Agreement, voluntarily withdraw as the Adviser unless such withdrawal would not affect the tax status of the Company and would not materially adversely affect the Shareholders.

Section 11.2 Voting Limitations on Shares Held by the Adviser, Trustees and Affiliates. With respect to shares owned by the Adviser, any Trustees, or any of their respective Affiliates, neither the Adviser, nor such Trustee(s), nor any of their Affiliates may vote or consent on matters submitted to the Shareholders regarding the removal of the Adviser, such Trustee(s) or any of their Affiliates or any transaction between the Company and any of them. In determining the requisite percentage in interest of shares necessary to approve a matter on which the Adviser, such Trustee(s) and any of their Affiliates may not vote or consent, any shares owned by any of them shall not be included.

Section 11.3 Right of Inspection.

(a) Any Shareholder with proper purpose may: (i) in person or by agent, on written request, inspect and obtain copies at all reasonable times the Company’s books and records and ledger; and (ii) present to any officer of the Company or its resident agent a written request for a statement of its affairs.

(b) Any Shareholder with proper purpose may: (i) in person or by agent, on written request, inspect and copy at all reasonable times the books and records and ledger of the Company; (ii) present to any officer or resident agent of the Company a written request for a statement of its affairs; and (iii) in the event the Company does not maintain the original or a duplicate ledger at its principal office, present to any officer or resident agent of the Company a written request for the Shareholder List. As used in this Section 11.3, the term “Shareholder List” means an alphabetical list of names, addresses and business telephone numbers of the Shareholders of the Company along with the number of equity shares held by each of them.

(c) A copy of the Shareholder List, requested in accordance with this Section, shall be mailed within ten (10) days of the request and shall be printed in alphabetical order, on white paper, and in readily readable type size (no smaller than 10 point font). The Shareholder List shall be updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in the information contained therein.

(d) The Company may impose a reasonable charge for expenses incurred in reproduction pursuant to the Shareholder request. A holder of Common Shares may request a copy of the Shareholder List in connection with matters relating to Shareholders’ voting rights, the exercise of Shareholder rights under federal proxy laws or for any other proper and legitimate purpose. Each Shareholder who receives a copy of the Shareholder List shall keep such list confidential and shall sign a confidentiality agreement to the effect that such Shareholder will keep the Shareholder List confidential and share such list only with its employees, representatives or agents who agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of the Shareholder List.

 

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(e) If the Adviser or Trustees neglect or refuse to exhibit, produce or mail a copy of the Shareholder List as requested, the Adviser and the Trustees shall be liable to any Shareholder requesting the list for the costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by that Shareholder for compelling the production of the Shareholder List, and for actual damages suffered by any Shareholder by reason of such refusal or neglect. It shall be a defense that the actual purpose and reason for the requests for inspection or for a copy of the Shareholder List is to secure such list of Shareholders or other information for the purpose of selling such list or copies thereof, or of using the same for a commercial purpose other than in the interest of the applicant as a Shareholder relative to the affairs of the Company. The Company may require the Shareholder requesting the Shareholder List to represent that the list is not requested for a commercial purpose unrelated to the Shareholder’s interest in the Company. The remedies provided hereunder to Shareholders requesting copies of the Shareholder List are in addition, to and shall not in any way limit, other remedies available to Shareholders under federal law, or the laws of any state.

Section 11.4 Shareholder Reports.

(a) The Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, shall take reasonable steps to insure that the Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered or made available by any reasonable means, including an electronic medium, to each Shareholder as of a record date after the end of the fiscal year within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the fiscal year to which it relates an annual report for each fiscal year ending after the commencement of the Company’s initial public offering that shall include: (i) financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP that are audited and reported on by independent certified public accountants; (ii) a report of the activities of the Company during the period covered by the report; and (iii) where forecasts have been provided to the Shareholders, a table comparing the forecasts previously provided with the actual results during the period covered by the report; and (iv) a report setting forth distributions to Shareholders for the period covered thereby and separately identifying distributions from: (A) Cash Flow from operations during the period; (B) Cash Flow from operations during a prior period which have been held as reserves; (C) proceeds from disposition of assets of the Company; and (D) reserves from the gross proceeds. Such annual report must also contain a breakdown of the costs reimbursed to the Adviser.

(b) The Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the Company shall cause to be prepared and filed, as well as delivered or made available to Shareholders, within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company, a Form 10-Q if required under the Exchange Act.

(c) The Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered or made available within seventy-five (75) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company to each Person who was at any time during such fiscal year a Shareholder all information necessary for the preparation of the Shareholders’ federal income tax returns.

(d) If capital stock has been purchased on a deferred payment basis, on which there remains an unpaid balance during any period covered by any report required by subsections (a) and (b) above; then such report shall contain a detailed statement of the status of all deferred payments, actions taken by the Company in response to any defaults, and a discussion and analysis of the impact on capital requirements of the Company.

(e) The Board of Trustees shall cause the Company, upon request from any state official or agency or official administering the securities laws of such state (a “State Administrator”), to submit to such State Administrator the reports and statements required to be distributed to Shareholders pursuant to this Section 11.4.

Section 11.5 Suitability of Shareholders.

(a) Investor Suitability Standards. During any public offering of its Shares and until the earlier of a Liquidity Event or the date the Company is no longer subject to the Omnibus Guidelines, the Company and those selling shares on its behalf shall, with respect to share offers and sales in which they are broker of record, assure that such shares are offered and sold pursuant only to prospective investors who, in each case, meet the income and Net Worth “Suitability Standards” as specified in the Company’s prospectus for the Shares (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the Omnibus Guidelines.

 

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(b) The Sponsor or each Person selling Common Shares on behalf of the Company shall make this determination on the basis of information it has obtained from a prospective Shareholder. Relevant information for this purpose will include at least the age, investment objectives, investment experience, income, net worth, financial situation and other investments of the prospective Shareholder, as well as any other pertinent factors.

(c) The Sponsor or each Person selling Common Shares on behalf of the Company shall maintain records of the information used to determine that an investment in Common Shares is suitable and appropriate for a Shareholder. The Sponsor or each Person selling Common Shares on behalf of the Company shall maintain these records for at least six years.

Section 11.6 Other Agreements. Consistent with applicable law (including the 1940 Act), the Company, the Adviser and/or Affiliates of the Adviser may negotiate agreements (“Side Letters”) with certain Shareholders that will result in different investment terms than the terms applicable to other Shareholders and that may have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering or supplementing the terms of, this Declaration of Trust or disclosure contained in any offering document of the Shares. As a result of such Side Letters, certain Shareholders may receive additional benefits which other Shareholders will not receive. Unless agreed otherwise in the Side Letter, in general, the Company, the Adviser and affiliates of the Adviser will not be required to notify any or all of the other Shareholders of any such Side Letters or any of the rights and/or terms or provisions thereof, nor will the Company, the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser be required to offer such additional and/or different rights and/or terms to any or all of the other Shareholders. The Company, the Adviser and/or affiliates of the Adviser may enter into such Side Letters with any Shareholder as each may determine in its sole discretion at any time. The other Shareholders will have no recourse against the Company, the Trustees, the Adviser and/or any of their affiliates in the event certain investors receive additional and/or different rights and/or terms as a result of Side Letters. Any such exceptions or departures contained in any Side Letter with a Shareholder shall govern with respect to such Shareholder notwithstanding the provisions of the Declaration of Trust (including with respect to amendments to this Declaration of Trust) or any applicable subscription agreements

ARTICLE XII

ROLL-UP TRANSACTIONS

Section 12.1 Roll-up Transactions. In connection with any proposed Roll-Up Transaction, an appraisal of all of the Company’s assets shall be obtained from a competent Independent Expert. The Company’s assets shall be appraised on a consistent basis, and the appraisal shall be based on the evaluation of all relevant information and shall indicate the value of the assets as of a date immediately prior to the announcement of the proposed Roll-Up Transaction. The appraisal shall assume an orderly liquidation of the assets over a twelve-month period. The terms of the engagement of the Independent Expert shall clearly state that the engagement is for the benefit of the Company and the Shareholders. A summary of the appraisal, indicating all material assumptions underlying the appraisal, shall be included in a report to Shareholders in connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction. In connection with a proposed Roll-Up Transaction, the Person sponsoring the Roll-Up Transaction shall offer to Shareholders who vote against the proposed Roll-Up Transaction the choice of:

(a) accepting the securities of a Roll-Up Entity offered in the proposed Roll-Up Transaction; or

(b) one of the following:

(i) remaining as Shareholders and preserving their interests therein on the same terms and conditions as existed previously; or

(ii) receiving cash in an amount equal to the Shareholder’s pro rata share of the appraised value of the net assets of the Company.

 

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The Company is prohibited from participating in any proposed Roll-Up Transaction:

(a) that would result in the Shareholders having voting rights in a Roll-Up Entity that are less than the democracy and other voting rights provided for in Sections 11.1, 11.2 and 13.4 hereof or Section 3(b) of Article II of our Bylaws;

(b) that includes provisions that would operate as a material impediment to, or frustration of, the accumulation of capital stock by any purchaser of the securities of the Roll-Up Entity (except to the minimum extent necessary to preserve the tax status of the Roll-Up Entity), or which would limit the ability of an investor to exercise the voting rights of its securities of the Roll-Up Entity on the basis of the capital stock held by that investor;

(c) in which investor’s rights to access of records of the Roll-Up Entity will be less than those described in Section 11.3 hereof; or

(d) in which any of the costs of the Roll-Up Transaction would be borne by the Company if the Roll-Up Transaction is rejected by the Shareholders.

ARTICLE XIII

DURATION OF THE COMPANY

Section 13.1 Duration of the Company. The Company shall continue perpetually unless terminated pursuant to the provisions contained herein or pursuant to any applicable provision of the Statutory Trust Act.

Section 13.2 Dissolution by the Trustees. The Company may be dissolved at any time upon affirmative vote by a majority of the Trustees. Shareholders of the Company shall not be entitled to vote on the dissolution or plan of liquidation of the Trust under this Article XIII except to the extent required by the 1940 Act.

Section 13.3 Dissolution by Shareholder Vote. The Company may be dissolved at any time, without the necessity for concurrence by the Board, upon affirmative vote by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on the matter.

Section 13.3 Liquidation. Upon dissolution of the Company, the Board of Trustees shall cause the Company to liquidate and wind-up in a manner consistent with Section 3808 of the Statutory Trust Act, including the distribution to the Shareholders of any assets of the Company. Upon dissolution and the completion of the winding up of the affairs of the Company, the Company shall be terminated by the executing and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware by one or more Trustees of a certificate of cancellation of the certificate of trust of the Company.

Section 13.4 Merger or Other Reorganization of the Company. Except for mergers or other reorganization of the Company permissible under Section 4.10, the Company may not permit the Adviser to cause the merger or other reorganization of the Company without the affirmative vote by the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Shares of the Company entitled to vote on the matter.

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 14.1 Construction and Governing Law.

(a) This Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws, in combination, shall constitute the governing instrument of the Company, however to the extent that any provision of the Bylaws conflicts with this Declaration of Trust, the terms of this Declaration of Trust shall control. This Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws, and the rights and obligations of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the Statutory Trust Act and the laws of the State of Delaware.

(b) reserved

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Shareholders and the Trustees of the Company shall be deemed to have waived any non-mandatory rights of beneficial owners or trustees under the Statutory Trust Act or

 

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general trust law; and that the Company, the Shareholders, and the Trustees (including the Delaware Trustee) shall not be subject to any applicable provisions of law pertaining to trusts that, in a manner inconsistent with the express terms of this Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, relate to or regulate (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the acquisition, holding or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents or employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling, storage or other manner of holding or investing trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or powers of trustees, which are inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of Trustees as set forth or referenced in this Declaration of Trust.

(d) Sections 3540 and 3561 of Title 12 of the Statutory Trust Act shall not apply to the Company.

Section 14.2 Conflicts of Law. To the extent that any provision of the Statutory Trust Act or any provision of this Declaration of Trust or Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act shall control; provided, however, that such conflict shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any, the invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.

Section 14.3 Derivative Actions.

(a) No person, other than a Trustee, who is not a Shareholder shall be entitled to bring any derivative action, suit or other proceeding on behalf of the Company. No Shareholder may maintain a derivative action on behalf of the Company unless holders of at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares join in the bringing of such action.

(b) In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Statutory Trust Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Company only if the following conditions are met: (i) the Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed; and a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, is composed of Trustees who are not “independent trustees” (as that term is defined in the Statutory Trust Act); and (ii) unless a demand is not required under clause (i) of this paragraph, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim; and the Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Company for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

Section 14.4 Direct Actions. To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the Shareholders’ right to bring direct actions against the Company and/or its Trustees is eliminated, except for a direct action to enforce an individual Shareholder right to vote or a direct action to enforce an individual Shareholder’s rights under Sections 3805(e) or 3819 of the Statutory Trust Act. To the extent such right cannot be eliminated to this extent as a matter of Delaware law, then the conditions required for the bringing of a derivative action pursuant to Section 14.3 of this Declaration of Trust and Section 3816 of the Statutory Trust Act shall be equally applicable to bringing a direct action.

Section 14.5 Exclusive Delaware Jurisdiction. Each Trustee, each officer, each Shareholder and each Person beneficially owning an interest in a share of the Company (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise), to the fullest extent permitted by law,

 

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including Section 3804(e) of the Statutory Trust Act, (i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings arising out of or relating in any way to the Company or its business and affairs, the Statutory Trust Act, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws or asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs (or similar) doctrine (including, without limitation, any claims, suits, actions or proceedings to interpret, apply or enforce (A) the provisions of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, or (B) the duties (including fiduciary duties), obligations or liabilities of the Company to the Shareholders or the Trustees, or of officers or the Trustees to the Company, to the Shareholders or each other, or (C) the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Company, the officers, the Trustees or the Shareholders, or (D) any provision of the Statutory Trust Act or other laws of the State of Delaware pertaining to trusts made applicable to the Company pursuant to Section 3809 of the Statutory Trust Act, or (E) any other instrument, document, agreement or certificate contemplated by any provision of the Statutory Trust Act, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws relating in any way to the Company or (F) the federal securities laws of the United States, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, or the securities or antifraud laws of any international, national, state, provincial, territorial, local or other governmental or regulatory authority, including, in each case, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (regardless, in every case, of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings (x) sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, (y) are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or (z) are derivative or direct claims)), shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction, (ii) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding, (iii) irrevocably agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such courts or any other court to which proceedings in such courts may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper, (iv) consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, nothing in clause (iv) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law, and (v) irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding. In the event that any claim, suit, action or proceeding is commenced outside of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in contravention of this Section 14.5, all reasonable and documented out of pocket fees, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs, incurred by the prevailing party in such claim, suit, action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the non-prevailing party.

Section 14.6 Agreement to be Bound. EVERY PERSON, BY VIRTUE OF HAVING BECOME A SHAREHOLDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS DECLARATION OF TRUST AND THE BYLAWS, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE EXPRESSLY ASSENTED AND AGREED TO THE TERMS OF, AND SHALL BE BOUND BY, THIS DECLARATION OF TRUST AND THE BYLAWS.

Section 14.7 Delivery by Electronic Transmission or Otherwise. Any notice, proxy, vote, consent, report, instrument or writing of any kind or any signature referenced in, or contemplated by, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws may, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, be given, granted or otherwise delivered by electronic transmission (within the meaning of the Statutory Trust Act), including via the internet, or in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Declaration to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

/s/ Brad Marshall

Brad Marshall, as Trustee

/s/ Daniel H. Smith, Jr.

Daniel H. Smith, Jr., as Trustee

/s/ Robert Bass

Robert Bass, as Trustee

/s/ Tracy Collins

Tracy Collins, as Trustee

/s/ Vicki L. Fuller

Vicki L. Fuller, as Trustee


Wilmington Trust, National Association, as
Delaware Trustee
By:  

/s/ David B. Young                    

  Name:   David B. Young
  Title:   Vice President

Exhibit (b)

BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I.

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of Blackstone Private Credit Fund (the “Company”) in the State of Delaware shall be located at such place as the Board of Trustees of the Company (the “Trustees” or the “Board”) may designate from time to time.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The principal executive office of the Company is at 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY. The Company may have additional offices at such places as the Board may from time to time determine or the business of the Company may require.

ARTICLE II.

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Company or at such other place as shall be set by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of shareholders shall not be required in any year in which the election of Trustees is not required to be held under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “1940 Act”). The failure to hold an annual meeting shall not invalidate the Company’s existence or affect any otherwise valid corporate act of the Company.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.

(a) General. The (i) chairman of the Board, (ii) chief executive officer, (iii) president, or (iv) a majority of the Board may call a special meeting of the shareholders. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, the secretary of the Company shall call a special meeting of shareholders upon the written request of the shareholders entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

(b) Shareholder Requested Special Meetings.

(1) Any shareholder of record seeking to have shareholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board to fix a record date to determine the shareholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date


Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more shareholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such shareholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such shareholder that must be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Trustees in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or as otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice and subject to Delaware Statutory Trust Act, as amended from time to time, (the “DSTA”), the Board may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten (10) days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board. If the Board, within ten (10) days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth (10th) day after the first date on which the Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

(2) In order for any shareholder to request a special meeting, one or more written requests for a special meeting signed by shareholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) of all of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Request”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to the matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), shall bear the date of signature of each such shareholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, shall set forth the name and address, as they appear in the Company’s books, of each shareholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed) and the class, series and number of all shares of the Company which are owned by each such shareholder, and the nominee holder for, and number of, shares owned beneficially but not of record, shall be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and shall be received by the secretary within sixty (60) days after the Request Record Date (the “Special Meeting Request Deadline”). Any requesting shareholder may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation or the Special Meeting Request).

(3) If the Special Meeting Percentage is met by the Special Meeting Request Deadline, the secretary shall inform the requesting shareholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice of meeting (including the Company’s proxy materials).    The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon shareholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by this subsection, the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the mailing of any notice of the meeting.

(4) Except as provided in the next sentence, any special meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Trustees, whoever has called the meeting. In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of shareholders (a “Shareholder Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Trustees; provided, however,


that the date of any Shareholder Requested Meeting shall be not more than ninety (90) days after the secretary gives notice for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board fails to designate, within ten (10) days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a shareholder requested meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m. local time on the ninetieth (90th) day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such ninetieth (90th) day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board fails to designate a place for a shareholder requested meeting within ten (10) days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Company. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Trustees may consider such factors as the Trustees deem relevant within the good faith exercise of business judgment, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for meeting and any plan of the Board to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any shareholder requested meeting, the Board shall fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date not later than thirty (30) days after the Delivery Date. The Board of Trustees may revoke the notice for any Shareholder Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting shareholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

(5) If written revocations of requests for the special meeting have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that shareholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting to the secretary, the secretary shall: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been mailed, refrain from mailing the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been mailed and if the Secretary first sends to all requesting shareholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the secretary’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting, revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten (10) days before the commencement of the meeting. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

(6) The Board, the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer or the president may appoint independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Company for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported request shall be deemed to have been delivered to the secretary until the earlier of (i) five (5) Business Days after receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Company that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this subsection (5) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Company or any shareholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five (5) Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).


(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Section 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS.

(a) Method of Delivery; Minimum Contents; Waiver. Written or printed notice of the purpose or purposes, in the case of a special meeting, and of the time and place of every meeting of the shareholders shall be given by the secretary of the Company to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting and to each other shareholder entitled to notice of the meeting, by: (i) presenting the notice to such shareholder personally, (ii) placing the notice in the mail, (iii) delivering the notice by overnight delivery service, (iv) transmitting the notice by electronic mail or any other electronic means, or (v) any other means permitted by Delaware law, at least ten (10) days, but not more than ninety (90) days, prior to the date designated for the meeting, addressed to each shareholder at such shareholder’s address appearing on the records of the Company or supplied by the shareholder to the Company for the purpose of notice. The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise maybe required by statute or these Bylaws, the purpose for which the meeting is called. The notice of any meeting of shareholders may be accompanied by a form of proxy approved by the Board in favor of the actions or persons as the Board may select. Notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be deemed waived by any shareholder who attends the meeting in person or by proxy or who before or after the meeting submits a signed waiver of notice that is filed with the records of the meeting.

(b) Scope of Notice. Except as provided in Article II, Section 11, any business of the Company may be transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders without being specifically designated in the notice of such meeting, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of shareholders except as specifically designated in the notice of such meeting.

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of shareholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment, by the chairman of the board, if any, or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting: the chief executive officer, the president, if any, any vice president, the secretary, the treasurer or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the shareholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of the shareholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to shareholders of record of the Company, their duly


authorized proxies or other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to shareholders of record of the Company entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies or other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (e) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (f) removing any shareholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; and (g) recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and place announced at the meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of shareholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. QUORUM. At any meeting of shareholders, the presence in person or by proxy of the shareholders of the Company holding one third of the outstanding shares of the Company (without regard to class or series) shall constitute a quorum, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes of capital shares of the Company, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of the Company’s capital shares holding one third of the outstanding shares of such class shall constitute a quorum. This Section 6 shall not affect any requirement under any applicable law, any other provisions of these Bylaws or the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Company, as further amended or restated from time to time (the “Declaration of Trust”), for the vote necessary for the adoption of any measure. If such quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the shareholders, then the chairman of the meeting or the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to a date not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the original record date without further notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

Section 7. VOTING. A plurality of all votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a Trustee, provided that, in the case where the number of nominees for the trusteeships (or, if applicable, the trusteeships of a particular class of trustees) exceeds the number of such trustees to be elected (a “Contested Election”), a majority of all votes cast shall be required to elect such nominee, provided that if a sufficient number of votes to elect a trustee are not cast in such Contested Election, the incumbent Trustee, if any, shall retain their position. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are Trustees to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or Article III of these Bylaws. Unless otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, each outstanding share owned of record on the applicable record date, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders.


Section 8. PROXIES. A shareholder may vote the shares owned of record by the shareholder, either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s duly authorized agent as permitted by law. Such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Company before or at the meeting.

Section 9. VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Shares of the Company registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, a general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such share pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such share. Any fiduciary may vote shares registered in his or her name as such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

Shares of the Company directly owned by it or its subsidiaries shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a shareholder may certify in writing to the Company that any shares registered in the name of the shareholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the shareholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of shareholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the shares transfer books, the time after the record date or closing of the shares transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Company; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the shareholder of record of the specified shares in place of the shareholder who makes the certification.

Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board in advance of any meeting of shareholders, or the chairman of the meeting at any meeting of shareholders, may, but need not, appoint one or more individual inspectors or one or more entities that designate individuals as inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, as defined in this Article II, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, and determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. Each such report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by him or her or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.


Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDER NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEES AND OTHER SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS.

(a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders. To the extent that the Company shall hold an annual meeting of its shareholders:

(1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at an annual meeting of shareholders (i) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) by any shareholder of the Company who was a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

(2) For nominations of individuals for election to the Board or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (iii) of subsection (a)(1) of this Section 11, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Company and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Company not less than one hundred twenty (120) days nor more than one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the notice for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the mailing of the notice for the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than thirty (30) days from the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the notice for the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the date of mailing of the notice for such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of mailing of the notice for such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of mailing of the notice for such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above. Such shareholder’s notice shall set forth: (i) as to each individual whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Trustee, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Trustees, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor regulations) under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Trustee if elected ) and whether such shareholder believes any such individual is, or is not, an Interested Person (as such term is defined in the Declaration of Trust) of the Company and information regarding such individual that is sufficient, in the discretion of the Board or any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Company, to make such determination: (ii) as to any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person (as defined below) and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (iii) as to the shareholder giving the notice, any Shareholder Associated Person and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Company’s books, of any Shareholder Associated Person and of such beneficial owner and the class and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder, Shareholder Associated Person and such beneficial owner.


(3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 11(a)(2) to the contrary, in the event that the number of Trustees to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for Trustee or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Company at least one hundred thirty (130) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Company.

(4) For purposes of this Section 11, “Shareholder Associated Person” of any shareholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner (as defined in the Declaration of Trust) of shares of the Company owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Shareholder Associated Person. For purposes of this Section 11, “control” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2 of the 1940 Act.

(b) Special Meetings of Shareholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected (i) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) provided that the Board has determined that Trustees shall be elected at such special meeting, by any shareholder of the Company who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Company calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board, any such shareholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a Trustee as specified in the Company’s notice of meeting, if the shareholder’s notice required by subsection (a)(2) of this Section 11 shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Company not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.


(c) General.

(1) Upon written request by the secretary or the Board or any committee thereof, any shareholder proposing a nominee for election as a Trustee or any proposal for other business at a meeting of shareholders shall provide, within five (5) Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board or any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Company, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 11. If a shareholder fails to provide such written verification within such period, the information as to which written verification was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election as Trustees, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

(3) For purposes of this Section 11, (a) the “date of mailing of the notice” shall mean the date of the proxy statement for the solicitation of proxies for election of Trustees and (b) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press Business Wire, PR Newswire or comparable news service or (ii) in a document publicly filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Exchange Act or the 1940 Act.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a shareholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, nor the right of the Company to omit a proposal from, the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act.

Section 12. VOTING BY BALLOT. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.

ARTICLE III.

TRUSTEES

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of its Board. The Board may designate a chairman of the Board, who may also be an officer of the Company, and who will have such powers and duties as determined by the Board from time to time.

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board may establish, increase or decrease the number of Trustees, provided that the number thereof shall never be fewer than one, and further provided that the tenure of office of a Trustee shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of Trustees. A majority of Trustees shall be Independent Trustees (for purposes of these Bylaws, as such term is defined in the Declaration of Trust).


Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of shareholders, if any, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held from time to time at such places and times as provided by the Board by resolution, without notice other than such resolution.

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the Trustees then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board called by them. The Board may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board, without notice other than such resolution.

Section 5. NOTICE. Meetings of the Trustees may be held without call or notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Trustees need be stated in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, and no notice need be given of action proposed to be taken by unanimous written consent.

Section 6. QUORUM. Any time there is more than one Trustee, a quorum for all meetings of the Trustees shall be one-third, but not less than two, of the Trustees. Unless provided otherwise in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws and except as required under the 1940 Act, any action of the Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Trustees present (a quorum being present) or without a meeting by written consent of a majority of the Trustees. Any committee of the Trustees, including an executive committee, if any, may act with or without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of any such committee shall be one-third, but not less than two, of the members thereof. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of any such committee may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the members present (a quorum being present) or without a meeting by written consent as provided in Section 10. With respect to actions of the Trustees and any committee of the Trustees, Trustees who are Interested Persons in any action to be taken may be counted for quorum purposes under this Section and shall be entitled to vote to the extent not prohibited by the 1940 Act. The Trustees present at a meeting which has been duly called and convened may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Trustees to leave less than a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING. The action of the majority of the Trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum, as defined in Section 6 of this Article III, is present shall be the action of the Board, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable statute or the Declaration of Trust. If enough Trustees have withdrawn from a meeting to leave less than a quorum, as defined in Section 6 of this Article III, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of the Trustees still present at such meeting shall be the action of the Board, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable statute or the Declaration of Trust.


Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board, the chairman of the Board or, in the absence of the chairman, the chief executive officer shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and the chief executive officer, the president, if any, or in the absence of the president, a Trustee chosen by a majority of the Trustees present shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Company, or in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the chairman, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Trustees may participate in a meeting, and any committee member of any committee established by the Board pursuant to Article IV, by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time; provided however, this Section 9 does not apply to any action of the Trustees pursuant to the 1940 Act, that requires the vote of the Trustees to be cast in person at a meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. WRITTEN CONSENT BY TRUSTEES Any action which may be taken by Trustees by vote may be taken without a meeting if that number of the Trustees, or members of a committee, as the case may be, required for approval of such action at a meeting of the Trustees or of such committee consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Trustees. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Trustees; provided however, this Section 10 does not apply to any action of the Trustees pursuant to the 1940 Act that requires the vote of the Trustees to be cast in person at a meeting.

Section 11. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the Trustees cease to be Trustees, such event shall not terminate the Company or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining Trustees hereunder, if any. Subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred shares, (a) any vacancy on the Board may be filled only by a majority of the remaining Trustees, even if the remaining Trustees do not constitute a quorum, as defined in Section 6 of this Article III, and (b) any Trustee elected to fill a vacancy shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified.

Section 12. COMPENSATION. The Trustees shall have power to pay reasonable compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as Trustees. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of all officers, employees and Trustees. The Trustees may pay themselves such compensation for special services, including legal, underwriting, syndicating and brokerage services, as they in good faith may deem reasonable and reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred by themselves on behalf of the Trust.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Trustees from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 13. LOSS OF DEPOSITS. No Trustee shall be liable for any loss which may occur by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other institution with whom moneys or stock have been deposited.

Section 14. SURETY BONDS. Unless required by law, no Trustee shall be obligated to give any bond or    surety or other security for the performance of any of his or her duties.


Section 15. RELIANCE. Each Trustee, officer, employee and agent of the Company shall, in the performance of his duties with respect to the Company, be fully justified and protected with regard to any act or failure to act in reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Company, upon an opinion of counsel or upon reports made to the Company by any of its officers or employees or by the advisers, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants selected by the Trustees or officers of the Company, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee. Each Trustee, officer, employee and agent of the Company shall also otherwise be entitled to the benefit of Section 3806(k) of the Delaware Statutory Trust.

Section 16. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. The Trustees shall have no responsibility to devote their full time to the affairs of the Company. Any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Company, in his personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to or in addition to those of or relating to the Company, subject to the adoption of any policies relating to such interests and activities adopted by the Trustees and applicable law.

ARTICLE IV.

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board may, by resolution passed by a    majority of the whole Board, appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Governance Committee and an Independent Trustees (as such term is defined in the Declaration of Trust) Committee of the Board, and other committees the Board shall determine from time to time to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, each of which shall be composed of one or more Trustees , who will serve at the pleasure of the Board. Each such committee shall be composed entirely of Trustees who are not Interested Persons of the Company.

Section 2. POWERS. The Board may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. MEETINGS. Each committee, if deemed advisable by the Board, shall have a written charter. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board. A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of such committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two (2) members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another Trustee to act in the place of such absent member. Each committee may fix rules of procedures for its business. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings.


Section 4. VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies, to designate alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee. Subject to the power of the Board, the members of the committee shall have the power to fill any vacancies on the committee.

ARTICLE V.

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Company shall include a chief executive officer and/or a president, a secretary, a treasurer and/or chief financial officer and to the extent that Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act applies, a chief compliance officer and an anti-money laundering officer, and may include one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief investment officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Company shall be elected annually by the Board at the first meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of shareholders and initially at the organizational meeting of the Company, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until death, resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two (2) or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person although any person holding more than one office in the company may not act in more than one capacity to execute, acknowledge or verify an instrument required by law to be executed, acknowledged or verified by more than one officer. In their discretion, the Trustees may leave unfilled any office except that of the chief executive officer, the president, the treasurer, the secretary and the chief compliance officer. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Company and such officer or agent.

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Company may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority of the whole Board if in its judgment the best interests of the Company would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Company may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Board, the chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or, if the time when it shall become effective is specified therein, at such later time specified in the notice of resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Company. In addition, the termination or resignation of the chief compliance officer shall be effected in accordance with Rule 38a-1(4) under the 1940 Act.

Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board for the balance of the term.


Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board may designate a chief executive officer from among its Board or elected officers. In the absence of such designation, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Company. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Company, as determined by the Board, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Company. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed, and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.

Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer, under the direction of the chief executive officer, shall have the responsibilities and perform the duties incident to the office of chief operating officer, including general management authority and responsibility for the day-to- day implementation of the policies of the Company and such other responsibilities and duties prescribed by the Board or the chief executive officer from time to time.

Section 6. CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER. The Board may designate a chief investment officer. The chief investment officer shall have the responsibilities and duties incident to the office of chief investment officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the chief executive officer or the president.

Section 7. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties incident to the office of chief financial officer and such other duties as may be prescribed as set forth by the Board, the chief executive officer or the president.

Section 8. CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER; ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING OFFICER. The Board shall designate a chief compliance officer to the extent required by, and consistent with the requirements of, the 1940 Act. The chief compliance officer, who shall also serve as the anti-money laundering officer and subject to the direction of, and reporting to, the Board, shall be responsible for the oversight of the Company’s compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and other applicable regulatory requirements. The designation, compensation and removal of the chief compliance officer must be approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Company. The chief compliance officer shall perform such executive, supervisory and management functions and duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board, the chief executive officer or the president.

Section 9. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a designation of a chief executive officer by the Board, the president shall be the chief executive officer. He or she may sign with the secretary or any other proper officer of the Company authorized by the Board, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Company, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed, and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.


Section 10. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the chief executive officer, president, the chief operating officer, or in the event of a vacancy in all such offices, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the chief executive officer and the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the president or by the Board. The Board may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president or as vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

Section 11. SECRETARY. The secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders,    the Board and committees of the Board in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Company; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such shareholder; (e) have general charge of the shares transfer books of the Company; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the chief executive officer, the president or by the Board.

Section 12. TREASURER. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Company. In the absence of a designation of a treasurer by the Board, then the chief financial officer shall be responsible for the duties of the treasurer specified in this Section 12. The treasurer shall be responsible for: (a) the custody of the funds and securities of the Company; (b) the keeping of full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company; and (c) the depositing of all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Board.

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board, at the regular meetings of the Board or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Company. The treasurer shall, if required by the Board, give bonds for the faithful performance of his duties in such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board.

Section 13. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURER. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board. The assistant treasurers shall, if required by the Board, give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties in such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board.


ARTICLE VI.

CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Company and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Company when authorized or ratified by action of the Board and executed by an authorized person.

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Company shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Company in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Company not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Company in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board may designate.

Section 4. NO EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO SELL. The Company shall not grant any exclusive right to sell, or exclusive employment to sell, any assets of the Company.

Section 5. COMMINGLING OF ASSETS. The funds of the Company shall not be

commingled with the funds of any other person and the Company funds will be protected from the claims of affiliated companies.

ARTICLE VII.

SHARES

Section 1. CERTIFICATES. The Company will not issue share certificates. A shareholder’s investment in the company will be recorded on the books of the Company. A shareholder wishing to transfer his or her Shares will be required to send a completed and executed form to the Company, such form to be provided upon a shareholder’s request.

Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of shares shall be made on the books of the Company, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Trustees or any officer of the Company may prescribe.

The Company shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any shares as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of shares will be subject in all respects to the Declaration of Trust of the Company and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.


Section 3. NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER. Upon issuance or transfer of shares in the Company, the Company shall send the shareholder a written statement that reflects such investment or transfer containing such information, at a minimum, as required by law. The Company, alternatively, may furnish notice that a full statement of the information contained in the foregoing sentence will be provided to any shareholder upon request and without charge.

Section 4. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS OR FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten (10) days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of shareholders of record is to be held or taken.

In the context of fixing a record date, the Board may provide that the shares transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not longer than twenty (20) days. If the shares transfer books are closed for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.

If no record date is fixed and the shares transfer books are not closed for the determination of shareholders, (a) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of meeting is mailed or the thirtieth (30th) day before the meeting, whichever is the closer date to the meeting; and (b) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or an allotment of any other rights shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Trustees , declaring the dividend or allotment of rights, is adopted.

When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, except when (i) the determination has been made through the closing of the transfer books and the stated period of closing has expired or (ii) the meeting is adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the record date fixed for the original meeting, in either of which case a new record date shall be determined as set forth herein.

Section 5. SHARES LEDGER. The Company shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate share ledger containing the name and address of each shareholder and the number of shares of each class held by such shareholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL SHARES; ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The Board may issue fractional shares or provide for the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as they may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the Board may issue units consisting of different securities of the Company. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Company, except that the Board may provide that for a specified period securities of the Company issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Company only in such unit.


ARTICLE VIII.

ACCOUNTING YEAR

The fiscal year of the Company shall end on December 31 of each fiscal year, and may thereafter be changed by duly adopted resolution of the Board from time to time.

ARTICLE IX.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the shares of the Company may be authorized by the Board, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust of the Company. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or shares of the Company, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Company available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Company or for such other purpose as the Board shall determine to be in the best interest of the Company, and the Board may modify or abolish any such reserve.

ARTICLE X.

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL. The Board may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Company.    The Board may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Company is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Company.

ARTICLE XI.

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice is required to be given pursuant to the Declaration of Trust of the Company or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.


ARTICLE XII.

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT

If and to the extent that any provision of the DSTA, or any provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, then the applicable provision of the 1940 Act shall control; provided, however, that such conflict shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of these Bylaws or the Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action take or omitted prior to such determination.

ARTICLE XIII.

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws not inconsistent with the Declaration of Trust. To the extent any provisions of the Bylaws conflict with the Declaration of Trust, the Declaration of Trust shall control.

Adopted: September 30, 2020

Exhibit (e)

DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN

Effective ___, 2020

This Distribution Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) is adopted by Blackstone Private Credit Fund (the “Fund”).

 

  1.

Distribution Reinvestment. As agent for the shareholders (the “Shareholders”) of the Fund who (i) purchase Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest (collectively the “Shares”) pursuant to the Fund’s continuous public offering (the “Offering”), or (ii) purchase Shares pursuant to any future offering of the Fund, and who do not opt out of participating in the Plan (or, in the case of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington investors and clients of participating broker-dealers that do not permit automatic enrollment in the Plan, who opt to participate in the Plan) (the “Participants”), the Fund will apply all dividends and other distributions declared and paid in respect of the Shares held by each Participant and attributable to the class of Shares purchased by such Participant (the “Distributions”), including Distributions paid with respect to any full or fractional Shares acquired under the Plan, to the purchase of additional Shares of the same class for such Participant.

 

  2.

Effective Date. The effective date of this Plan shall be the date that the minimum offering requirements are met in connection with the Offering and the escrowed subscription proceeds are released to the Fund.

 

  3.

Procedure for Participation. Any Shareholder (unless such Shareholder is a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont or Washington or is a client of a participating broker-dealer that does not permit automatic enrollment in the Plan) who has received a Prospectus, as contained in the Fund’s registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), will automatically become a Participant unless they elect not to become a Participant by noting such election on their subscription agreement. Any Shareholder who is a resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont or Washington or is a client of a participating broker-dealer that does not permit automatic enrollment in the Plan who has received a Prospectus, as contained in the Fund’s registration statement filed with the SEC, will become a Participant if they elect to become a Participant by noting such election on their subscription agreement. If any Shareholder initially elects not to be a Participant, they may later become a Participant by subsequently completing and executing an enrollment form or any appropriate authorization form as may be available from the Fund or DST Systems, Inc. (the “Plan Administrator”). Participation in the Plan will begin with the next Distribution payable after acceptance of a Participant’s subscription, enrollment or authorization. Shares will be purchased under the Plan as of the first calendar day of the month (the “Purchase Date”) following the record date of the Distribution.

 

1


  4.

Suitability. Each Participant is requested to promptly notify the Fund in writing if the Participant experiences a material change in his or her financial condition, including the failure to meet the income, net worth and investment concentration standards imposed by such Participant’s state of residence and set forth in the Fund’s most recent prospectus. For the avoidance of doubt, this request in no way shifts to the Participant the responsibility of the Fund’s sponsor, or any other person selling shares on behalf of the Fund to the Participant to make every reasonable effort to determine that the purchase of Shares is a suitable and appropriate investment based on information provided by such Participant.

 

  5.

Purchase of Shares.

 

  a.

The Fund shall use newly-issued shares of its Shares to implement the Plan. The number of newly-issued shares to be issued to a Shareholder shall be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such Shareholder by a price equal to the net asset value as of the Purchase Date. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan will have the same voting rights as Shares issued pursuant to the Offering. The Fund shall pay the Plan Administrator’s fees under the Plan.

 

  b.

No upfront selling commissions will be payable with respect to shares purchased pursuant to the Plan, but such shares will be subject to ongoing distributor and/or shareholder servicing fees. Participants in the Plan may purchase fractional Shares so that 100% of the Distributions will be used to acquire Shares.

 

  6.

Notice. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given by any provision of this Plan shall be in writing and addressed to Blackstone Private Credit Fund, c/o DST Systems, Inc. if to the Plan Administrator, or such other addresses as may be specified by written notice to all Participants. Notices to a Participant may be given by letter addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s last address of record with the Fund. Each Participant shall notify the Fund promptly in writing of any change of address.

 

  7.

Taxes. THE REINVESTMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS DOES NOT RELIEVE A PARTICIPANT OF ANY INCOME TAX LIABILITY THAT MAY BE PAYABLE ON THE DISTRIBUTIONS. INFORMATION REGARDING POTENTIAL TAX INCOME LIABILITY OF PARTICIPANTS MAY BE FOUND IN THE PUBLIC FILINGS MADE BY THE FUND WITH THE SEC.

 

  8.

Share Certificates. The ownership of the Shares purchased through the Plan will be in book-entry form unless and until the Fund issues certificates for its outstanding Shares.

 

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  9.

Termination by Participant. A Participant may terminate participation in the Plan at any time, without penalty, by delivering notice to the Plan Administrator. Such notice must be received by the Plan Administrator five business days in advance of the first calendar day of the next month in order for a Participant’s termination to be effective for such month. Any transfer of Shares by a Participant to a non-Participant will terminate participation in the Plan with respect to the transferred Shares. If a participant elects to tender its Common Shares in full, any Shares issued to the participant under the Plan subsequent to the expiration of the tender offer will be considered part of the participant’s prior tender, and participant’s participation in the Plan will be terminated as of the valuation date of the applicable tender offer. Any distributions to be paid to such shareholder on or after such date will be paid in cash on the scheduled distribution payment date. If a Participant terminates Plan participation, the Fund may, at its option, ensure that the terminating Participant’s account will reflect the whole number of shares in such Participant’s account and provide a check for the cash value of any fractional share in such account. Upon termination of Plan participation for any reason, future Distributions will be distributed to the Shareholder in cash.

 

  10.

Amendment, Suspension or Termination by the Fund. The Board of Trustees may by majority vote amend any aspect of the Plan; provided that the Plan cannot be amended to eliminate a Participant’s right to terminate participation in the Plan and that notice of any material amendment must be provided to Participants at least 10 business days prior to the effective date of that amendment. The Board of Trustees may by majority vote suspend or terminate the Plan for any reason upon 10 business days’ written notice to the Participants.

 

  11.

Liability of the Fund. The Fund shall not be liable for any act done in good faith, or for any good faith omission to act, including, without limitation, any claims or liability (i) arising out of failure to terminate a Participant’s account upon such Participant’s death prior to timely receipt of notice in writing of such death or (ii) with respect to the time and the prices at which Shares are purchased or sold for a Participant’s account. To the extent that indemnification may apply to liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of a particular state, the Fund has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC and certain state securities commissioners, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and, therefore, unenforceable.

 

  12.

Applicable Law. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

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Exhibit (h)(1)

INTERMEDIARY MANAGER AGREEMENT

[    ], 2020

Blackstone Securities Partners L.P.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

This Intermediary Manager Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Blackstone Private Credit Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Company”) and Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (the “Intermediary Manager”).

The Company has filed one or more registration statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that are listed on Schedule 1 to this Agreement (each, a “Registration Statement”), which Schedule 1 may be amended from time to time with the written consent of the Company and the Intermediary Manager. In this Agreement, unless explicitly stated otherwise, “the Registration Statement” means, at any given time, each of the registration statements listed on Schedule 1, as such Schedule 1 may be amended from time to time, as each such registration statement is finally amended and revised at the effective date of the registration statement (including at the effective date of any post-effective amendment thereto).

Each Registration Statement shall register an ongoing offering (each, an “Offering”) of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Shares”), which may consist of Class S, Class D and/or Class I shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”). In this Agreement, unless explicitly stated otherwise, “the Offering” means each Offering covered by a Registration Statement and “Shares” means the Shares being offered in the Offering.

The Offering is and shall be comprised of a maximum amount of Shares set forth in the Prospectus (as defined in Section 1.a. below) that will be issued and sold to the public at the public offering prices per Share set forth in the Prospectus pursuant to a primary offering (the “Primary Shares”). The Company will also issue shares pursuant to its distribution reinvestment plan (the “DRIP Shares”). In connection with the Offering, the minimum purchase by any one person shall be as set forth in the Prospectus (except as otherwise indicated in any letter or memorandum from the Company to the Intermediary Manager).

In this Agreement, unless explicitly stated otherwise, any references to the Registration Statement, the Offering, the Shares or the Prospectus with respect to each other shall mean only those that are all related to the same Registration Statement.

The Company is offering to the public three classes of Shares, Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares. The differences between the classes of Shares and the eligibility requirements for each class are described in detail in the Prospectus. The Shares are to be offered and sold to the public as described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus. Except as otherwise agreed by the Company and the Intermediary Manager, Shares sold through the Intermediary Manager are to be sold through the Intermediary Manager, as the Intermediary Manager, and the brokers (each a “Broker” and collectively, the “Brokers”) with whom the Intermediary Manager has entered into or will enter into a selected intermediary agreement related to the distribution of Shares substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit “A” or such other form as approved by the Company (each a “Selected Intermediary Agreement”) at a purchase price equal to the Company’s then-current net asset value (“NAV”) per share applicable to the class of Shares being purchased. For shareholders who participate in the Company’s distribution reinvestment plan, the cash distributions attributable to the class of Shares that each shareholder owns will be automatically invested in additional shares of the same class. The DRIP Shares are to be issued and sold to shareholders of the Company at a purchase price equal to the most recent available NAV per share for such shares at the time the distribution is payable.


Terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Prospectus. Now, therefore, the Company hereby agrees with the Intermediary Manager as follows:

1.    Representations and Warranties of the Company: The Company represents and warrants to the Intermediary Manager and each Broker participating in an Offering, with respect to such Offering, as applicable, that:

a.    A Registration Statement with respect to the Shares has been prepared by the Company in accordance with applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and the applicable rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the SEC promulgated thereunder, covering the Shares. Copies of such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto have been or will be delivered to the Intermediary Manager. The prospectus contained therein, as finally amended and revised at the effective date of the Registration Statement (including at the effective date of any post-effective amendment thereto), is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus,” except that if the prospectus or prospectus supplement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act shall differ from the Prospectus on file at the Effective Date, the term “Prospectus” shall also include such prospectus or prospectus supplement filed pursuant to Rule 497. “Effective Date” means the applicable date upon which the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto is or was first declared effective by the SEC. “Filing Date” means the applicable date upon which the initial Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto is filed with the SEC.

b.    The Company has been duly and validly organized and formed as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware, with the power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus.

c.    As of the Effective Date or Filing Date, as applicable, the Registration Statement and Prospectus complied or will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations. The Registration Statement, as of the applicable Effective Date, does not and will not contain any untrue statements of material facts or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Prospectus as of the applicable Filing Date, does not and will not contain any untrue statements of material facts or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided, however, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.c. will not extend to such statements contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or Prospectus as are primarily within the knowledge of the Intermediary Manager or any of the Brokers and are based upon information furnished by the Intermediary Manager in writing to the Company specifically for inclusion therein.

d.    The Company intends to use the funds received from the sale of the Shares as set forth in the Prospectus.

e.    No consent, approval, authorization or other order of any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution or delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares, except such as may be required under the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) or applicable state securities laws.

f.    Unless otherwise described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company at law or in equity or before or by any federal or state commission, regulatory body or administrative agency or other governmental body, domestic or foreign, which will have a material adverse effect on the business or property of the Company.

g.    The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and compliance with the terms of this Agreement by the Company will not conflict with or constitute a default under any charter, by-law, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, rule, regulation, writ, injunction or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company, except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity and/or contribution provisions contained in Section 4 of this Agreement may be limited under applicable securities laws.

h.    The Company has full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby, except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity and/or contribution provisions contained in Section 4 of this Agreement may be limited under applicable securities laws.

 

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i.    At the time of the issuance of the Shares, the Shares will have been duly authorized and, when issued and sold as contemplated by the Prospectus and the Company’s charter, as amended and supplemented, and upon payment therefor as provided by the Prospectus and this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

j.    The Company has filed all material federal, state and foreign income tax returns, which have been required to be filed, on or before the due date (taking into account all extensions of time to file) and has paid or provided for the payment of all taxes indicated by said returns and all assessments received by the Company to the extent that such taxes or assessments have become due, except where the Company is contesting such assessments in good faith.

k.    The financial statements of the Company included in the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the date indicated and the results of its operations for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

l.    Upon the commencement of the Offering, the Company will be a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the 1940 Act, and has not withdrawn such election, and the SEC has not ordered that such election be withdrawn nor to the Company’s knowledge have proceedings to effectuate such withdrawal been initiated or threatened by the SEC.

m.    Any and all printed sales literature or other materials which have been approved in advance in writing by the Company and appropriate regulatory agencies for use in the Offering (“Authorized Sales Materials”) prepared by the Company and any of its affiliates (excluding the Intermediary Manager) specifically for use with potential investors in connection with the Offering, when used in conjunction with the Prospectus, did not at the time provided for use, and, as to later provided materials, will not at the time provided for use, include any untrue statement of a material fact nor did they at the time provided for use, or, as to later provided materials, will they, omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when read in conjunction with the Prospectus, not misleading. If at any time any event occurs which is known to the Company as a result of which such Authorized Sales Materials when used in conjunction with the Prospectus would include an untrue statement of a material fact or, in view of the circumstances under which they were made, omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, the Company will notify the Intermediary Manager thereof.

n.     Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) no person is serving or acting as an officer, director or investment adviser of the Company, except in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder, and (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, no director of the Company is an “affiliated person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Intermediary Manager.

o.    The issuance and sale of the Shares have been duly authorized by the Company, and, when issued and duly delivered against payment therefor as contemplated by this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

2.    Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the Intermediary Manager that:

a.    It will, at no expense to the Intermediary Manager, furnish the Intermediary Manager with such number of printed copies of the Registration Statement, including all amendments and exhibits thereto, as the Intermediary Manager may reasonably request. It will similarly furnish to the Intermediary Manager and others designated by the Intermediary Manager as many copies of the following documents as the Intermediary

 

3


Manager may reasonably request: (a) the Prospectus in preliminary and final form and every form of supplemental or amended prospectus; (b) this Agreement; and (c) any other Authorized Sales Materials (provided that the use of said Authorized Sales Materials has been first approved for use by all appropriate regulatory agencies).

b.    It will furnish such proper information and execute and file such documents as may be necessary for the Company to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Intermediary Manager may reasonably designate and will file and make in each year such statements and reports as may be required. The Company will furnish to the Intermediary Manager upon request a copy of such papers filed by the Company in connection with any such qualification.

c.    It will: (a) use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective; (b) furnish copies of any proposed amendment or supplement of the Registration Statement or Prospectus to the Intermediary Manager; (c) file every amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that may be required by the SEC; and (d) if at any time the SEC shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it will promptly notify the Intermediary Manager and, to the extent the Company determines such action is in the best interests of the Company, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting of such order.

d.    If at any time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act any event occurs as a result of which, in the opinion of either the Company or the Intermediary Manager, the Prospectus would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in view of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Intermediary Manager thereof (unless the information shall have been received from the Intermediary Manager) and will effect the preparation of an amended or supplemental Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission. The Company will then promptly prepare such amended or supplemental Prospectus or Prospectuses as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.

e.    It will disclose a per share estimated value of the Shares and related information in accordance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 2310(b)(5).

3.    Obligations and Compensation of Intermediary Manager

a.    The Company hereby appoints the Intermediary Manager as its agent and principal distributor for the purpose of selling for cash to the public up to the maximum amount of Shares set forth in the Prospectus (subject to the Company’s right of reallocation, as described in the Prospectus) through Brokers, all of whom shall be members of FINRA. The Intermediary Manager hereby accepts such agency and distributorship and agrees to use its best efforts to sell the Shares on said terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus with respect to each Offering and any additional terms or conditions specified in Schedule 2 to this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time. The Intermediary Manager represents to the Company that it is a member in good standing of FINRA and that it and its employees and representatives have all required licenses and registrations to act under this Agreement. With respect to the Intermediary Manager’s participation in the distribution of the Shares in the Offering, the Intermediary Manager agrees to comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and all other state or federal laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Offering and the sale of Shares, all applicable state securities or blue sky laws and regulations, and the rules of FINRA applicable to the Offering, from time to time in effect, including, without limitation, FINRA Rules 2040, 2111, 2310, 5110 and 5141.

b.    Promptly after the initial Effective Date of the Registration Statement, the Intermediary Manager and the Brokers shall commence the offering of the Shares in the Offering for cash to the public in jurisdictions in which the Shares are registered or qualified for sale or in which such offering is otherwise permitted. The Intermediary Manager and the Brokers will immediately suspend or terminate offering of the Shares upon request of the Company at any time and will resume offering the Shares upon subsequent request of the Company.

 

4


c.    Subject to circumstances described in or otherwise provided in this Agreement and under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus, which may be amended and restated from time to time, the Company will pay to the Intermediary Manager Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees in connection with sales of Class S Primary Shares, and sales of certain Class D Primary Shares (the “Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee”) and the Intermediary Manager may permit Brokers to charge transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, all as described in Schedule 2 to this Agreement . The applicable Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees payable to the Intermediary Manager will be paid substantially concurrently with the execution by the Company of orders submitted by purchasers of Class S Primary Shares and Class D Primary Shares, as applicable, and all or a portion of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees may be reallowed by the Intermediary Manager to the Brokers who sold the Class S Primary Shares and Class D Primary Shares giving rise to such shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees, as described more fully in the Selected Intermediary Agreement entered into with each such Broker.

d.    Except as may be provided in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the Prospectus, which may be amended and restated from time to time, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3.e. below, the Company will pay to the Intermediary Manager a Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees with respect to sales of Class S and Class D shares as described in Schedule 2 to this Agreement. The Company will pay the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee to the Intermediary Manager monthly in arrears. The Intermediary Manager may reallow all or a portion of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee to any Brokers who sold the Class S or Class D Shares giving rise to a portion of such Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee to the extent the Selected Intermediary Agreement with such Broker provides for such a reallowance and such Broker is in compliance with the terms of such Selected Intermediary Agreement related to such reallowance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the terms of the Prospectus, at such time as the Broker who sold the Class S or Class D Shares giving rise to a portion of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee is no longer the intermediary of record with respect to such Class S or Class D Shares or the Broker no longer satisfies any or all of the conditions in its Selected Intermediary Agreement for the receipt of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee, then Broker’s entitlement to the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees related to such Class S and/or Class D shares, as applicable, shall cease in, and Broker shall not receive the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee for, that month or any portion thereof (i.e., Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees are payable with respect to an entire month without any proration). Intermediary transfers will be made effective as of the start of the first business day of a month.

Thereafter, such Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee may be reallowed to the then-current intermediary of record of the Class S and/or Class D shares, as applicable, if any such interemediary of record has been designated (the “Servicing Broker”), to the extent such Servicing Broker has entered into a Selected Intermediary Agreement or similar agreement with the Intermediary Manager (“Servicing Agreement”), such Selected Intermediary Agreement or Servicing Agreement with the Servicing Broker provides for such reallowance and the Servicing Broker is in compliance with the terms of such agreement related to such reallowance. In this regard, all determinations will be made by the Intermediary Manager in good faith in its sole discretion. The Broker is not entitled to any Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee with respect to Class I shares. The Intermediary Manager may also reallow some or all of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee to other intermediaries who provide services with respect to the Shares (who shall be considered additional Servicing Brokers) pursuant to a Servicing Agreement with the Intermediary Manager to the extent such Servicing Agreement provides for such reallowance and such additional Servicing Broker is in compliance with the terms of such agreement related to such reallowance, in accordance with the terms of such Servicing Agreement.

e.    Unless otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, at the end of the month in which the Intermediary Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, and Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees paid with respect to any single share held in a shareholder’s account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such share (or a lower limit as determined by the Intermediary Manager or the applicable Broker), the Intermediary Manager shall cease receiving the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee on either (i) each such share that would exceed such limit or (ii) all Class S shares and Class D shares in such shareholder’s account, in the Intermediary Manager’s discretion. At the end of such month, the applicable Class S shares or Class D shares in such shareholder’s account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such Class S or Class D shares. In addition,

 

5


the Intermediary Manager will cease receiving the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee on Class S shares and Class D shares in connection with an Offering (i.e., pursuant to the Registration Statement for such Offering) upon the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of such Offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with such Offering, including selling commissions, Intermediary Manager fees, the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee and other underwriting compensation, is equal to ten percent (10%) of the gross proceeds from Primary Shares sold in such Offering, as determined in good faith by the Intermediary Manager in its sole discretion. For purposes of this Agreement, the portion of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee accruing with respect to Class S and Class D shares of the Company’s common shares issued (publicly or privately) by the Company during the term of a particular Offering, and not issued pursuant to a prior Offering, shall be underwriting compensation with respect to such particular Offering and not with respect to any other Offering.

f.    The terms of any reallowance of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee shall be set forth in the Selected Intermediary Agreement or Servicing Agreement entered into with the Brokers or Servicing Brokers, as applicable. The Company will not be liable or responsible to any Broker or Servicing Broker for any reallowance of Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee to such Broker or Servicing Broker, it being the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Intermediary Manager for payment of Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee to Brokers and Servicing Brokers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Company, the Company may act as agent of the Intermediary Manager by making direct payment of Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees to Brokers on behalf of the Intermediary Manager without incurring any liability. Further, the Company is not responsible for any transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, charged by Brokers.

g.    In addition to the other items of underwriting compensation set forth in this Section 3, the Company and/or the Adviser shall reimburse the Intermediary Manager for all items of underwriting compensation referenced in the Prospectus, to the extent the Prospectus indicates that they will be paid by the Company or the Advisor, as applicable, and to the extent permitted pursuant to prevailing rules and regulations of FINRA.

h.    In addition to reimbursement as provided under Section 3.g, and subject to prevailing rules and regulations of FINRA, the Company shall also pay directly or reimburse the Intermediary Manager for reasonable bona fide due diligence expenses incurred by any Broker as described in the Prospectus. The Intermediary Manager shall obtain from any Broker and provide to the Company a detailed and itemized invoice for any such due diligence expenses. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no payments or reimbursements made by the Company with respect to a particular Offering hereunder shall cause total organization and offering expenses, defined under Omnibus Guidelines (as defined in Section 4.a. below) and FINRA rules, to exceed 10% and 15%, respectively, of gross proceeds from such Offering.

i.    The Intermediary Manager represents that it will comply fully with all applicable currency reporting, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and anti-terrorist laws and regulations, and any other applicable laws, rules, regulations and interpretations of any other applicable regulatory or self-regulatory body.

j.    (i) The Intermediary Manager has in place internal controls, policies, and procedures (“AML Program”) that are reasonably designed to detect, identify, and report illegal activity, including money laundering and further represents that it has implemented, complies with and will comply with anti-money laundering policies and procedures that satisfy and will continue to satisfy the requirements of applicable anti-money laundering and “know your customer” laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the U.S. International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and the U.S. Trading with the Enemy Act, as each may be amended from time to time. (ii) The Intermediary Manager’s AML Program, at a minimum; (1) designates a compliance office to administer and oversee the AML Program; (2) provides ongoing employee training; (3) includes an independent audit function to test the effectiveness of the Program; (4) establishes internal policies, procedures, and controls that are tailored to its particular business;

 

6


(5) includes a Customer Identification Program (“CIP”) consistent with the rules under Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”); (6) provides for the filing of all necessary anti-money laundering reports including, but not limited to, suspicious activity reports and (7) provides for screening Clients against the Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) list and any other government list that is or becomes required under the USA Patriot Act. The Intermediary Manager acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible for monitoring and complying with anti-money laundering and CIP requirements applicable to all shareholders. (iii) The Intermediary Manager represents and warrants that it has policies, procedures and internal controls in place that are reasonably designed to comply with the UK Bribery Act, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (“FCPA”), and, where applicable, legislation enacted by member States and signatories implementing the OECD Convention Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials, or any similar statute, rule or policy applicable in any jurisdiction in which Broker engages in any activity hereunder (collectively, the “Anti-Corruption Laws”). The Intermediary Manager represents and warrants that it has, and will maintain at all times during the term of this Agreement, policies, procedures, and internal controls in place that are reasonably designed to comply with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, including applicable provisions of the FCPA.

k.    The Intermediary Manager represents and warrants to the Company and each person and firm that signs the Registration Statement that the information under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus and all other information furnished to the Company by the Intermediary Manager in writing expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

l.    The Intermediary Manager and all Brokers will offer and sell the Shares at the public offering prices per share as determined in accordance with the Prospectus.

4.    Indemnification.

a.    To the extent permitted by the Company’s charter, Section 17(h) and Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act, the provisions of Article II.G of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. Omnibus Guidelines Statement of Policy adopted on March 29, 1992 and as amended on May 7, 2007 and from time to time (the “Omnibus Guidelines”), and subject to the limitations below, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Brokers and the Intermediary Manager, their officers and directors and each person, if any, who controls such Broker or Intermediary Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (the “Indemnified Persons”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (“Losses”), joint or several, to which such Indemnified Persons may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) any untrue statement of a material fact contained (i) in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any post-effective amendment or supplement to either or (ii) in any blue sky application or other document executed by the Company or on its behalf specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all of the Shares for sale under the securities laws of any jurisdiction or based upon written information furnished by the Company under the securities laws thereof (any such application, document or information being hereinafter called a “Blue Sky Application”) or (iii) in any Authorized Sales Materials, or (b) the omission to state in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any post-effective amendment or supplement to either or in any Blue Sky Application or Authorized Sales Materials a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company will reimburse the Intermediary Manager and each Indemnified Person of the Intermediary Manager for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Intermediary Manager or such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending such Loss.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.a., the Company may not indemnify or hold harmless the Intermediary Manager, any Broker or any of their affiliates in any manner that would be inconsistent with the provisions to Article II.G of the Omnibus Guidelines. In particular, but without limitation, the Company may not indemnify or hold harmless the Intermediary Manager, any Broker or any of their affiliates for liabilities arising from or out of a violation of state or federal securities laws, unless one or more of the following conditions are met:

(i)    There has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations;

 

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(ii)    Such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(iii)    A court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against the indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which the securities were offered as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

Further notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.a., the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Loss or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished (x) to the Company by the Intermediary Manager or (y) to the Company or the Intermediary Manager by or on behalf of any Broker specifically for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any post-effective amendment or supplement, any Blue Sky Application or any Authorized Sales Materials, and, further, the Company will not be liable for the portion of any Loss in any such case if it is determined that such Broker or the Intermediary Manager was at fault in connection with such portion of the Loss, expense or action.

The foregoing indemnity agreement of this Section 4.a. is subject to the further condition that, insofar as it relates to any untrue statement or omission made in the Prospectus (or amendment or supplement thereto) that was eliminated or remedied in any subsequent amendment or supplement thereto, such indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of an Indemnified Party from whom the person asserting any Losses purchased the Shares that are the subject thereof, if a copy of the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented was not sent or given to such person at or prior to the time the subscription of such person was accepted by the Company, but only if a copy of the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented had been supplied to the Intermediary Manager or the Broker prior to such acceptance.

b.    The Intermediary Manager will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers and directors (including any person named in the Registration Statement, with his consent, as about to become a director), each other person who has signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (the “Company Indemnified Persons”), from and against any Losses to which any of the Company Indemnified Persons may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) any untrue statement of a material fact contained (i) in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any post-effective amendment or supplement to either or (ii) in any Blue Sky Application or (iii) in any Authorized Sales Materials; or (b) the omission to state in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any post-effective amendment or supplement to either or in any Blue Sky Application or Authorized Sales Materials a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that clauses (a) and (b) apply, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Intermediary Manager specifically for use with reference to the Intermediary Manager in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any post-effective amendment or supplement to either or in preparation of any Blue Sky Application or Authorized Sales Materials; or (c) any use of sales literature not authorized or approved by the Company or any use of “broker-dealer use only” materials with members of the public by the Intermediary Manager in the offer and sale of the Shares or any use of sales literature in a particular jurisdiction if such material bears a legend denoting that it is not to be used in connection with the sale of Shares to members of the public in such jurisdiction; or (d) any untrue statement made by the Intermediary Manager or its representatives or agents or omission to state a fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares; or (e) any material violation of this Agreement; or (f) any failure to comply with applicable laws governing privacy issues, money laundering abatement and anti-terrorist financing efforts, including applicable rules of the SEC, FINRA and the USA Patriot Act; or (g) any other failure to comply with applicable rules of FINRA or federal or state securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated

 

8


thereunder; provided further that the Intermediary Manager’s obligation to indemnify the Company shall be limited to the extent of any fees earned and retained by the Intermediary Manager (excluding any fees re-allowed to Brokers) pursuant to this Agreement. The Intermediary Manager will reimburse the aforesaid parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending such Loss, expense or action. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Intermediary Manager may otherwise have.

c.    Each Broker severally will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Intermediary Manager, each of their officers and directors (including any person named in the Registration Statement, with his consent, as about to become a director), each other person who has signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Intermediary Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (the “Broker Indemnified Persons”) from and against any Losses to which a Broker Indemnified Person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) any untrue statement of a material fact contained (i) in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any post-effective amendment or supplement to either or (ii) in any Blue Sky Application or (iii) in any Authorized Sales Materials; or (b) the omission to state in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any post-effective amendment or supplement to either or in any Blue Sky Application or Authorized Sales Materials a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that clauses (a) and (b) apply, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Intermediary Manager by or on behalf of the Broker specifically for use with reference to the Broker in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any post-effective amendment or supplement either or in preparation of any Blue Sky Application or Authorized Sales Materials; or (c) any use of sales literature not authorized or approved by the Company or any use of “broker-dealer use only” materials with members of the public by the Broker in the offer and sale of the Shares or any use of sales literature in a particular jurisdiction if such material bears a legend denoting that it is not to be used in connection with the sale of Shares to members of the public in such jurisdiction; or (d) any untrue statement made by the Broker or its representatives or agents or omission to state a fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares; or (e) any material violation of this Agreement or the Selected Intermediary Agreement entered into between the Intermediary Manager and the Broker; or (f) any failure or alleged failure to comply with all applicable laws, including, without limitation, laws governing privacy issues, money laundering abatement and anti-terrorist financing efforts, including applicable rules of the SEC, FINRA and the USA Patriot Act; or (g) any other failure or alleged failure to comply with applicable rules of FINRA or federal or state securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Each such Broker will reimburse each Broker Indemnified Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss, expense or action. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that such Broker may otherwise have.

d.    Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 4 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 4, notify in writing the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof. The failure of an indemnified party to so notify the indemnifying party will relieve the indemnifying party from any liability under this Section 4 as to the particular item for which indemnification is then being sought, but not from any other liability that it may have to any indemnified party. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to participate in the defense thereof, with separate counsel. Such participation shall not relieve such indemnifying party of the obligation to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable legal and other expenses (subject to Section 4.e.) incurred by such indemnified party in defending itself, except for such expenses incurred after the indemnifying party has deposited funds sufficient to effect the settlement, with prejudice, of the claim in respect of which indemnity is sought. Any such indemnifying party shall not be liable to any such indemnified party on account of any settlement of any claim or action effected without the consent of such indemnifying party. Any indemnified party shall not be bound to perform or refrain from performing any act pursuant to the terms of any settlement of any claim or action effected without the consent of such indemnified party

 

9


e.    The indemnifying party shall pay all legal fees and expenses of the indemnified party in the defense of such claims or actions; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be obliged to pay legal expenses and fees to more than one law firm in connection with the defense of similar claims arising out of the same alleged acts or omissions giving rise to such claims notwithstanding that such actions or claims are alleged or brought by one or more parties against more than one indemnified party. If such claims or actions are alleged or brought against more than one indemnified party, then the indemnifying party shall only be obliged to reimburse the expenses and fees of the one law firm that has been selected by a majority of the indemnified parties against which such action is finally brought; and in the event a majority of such indemnified parties are unable to agree on which law firm for which expenses or fees will be reimbursable by the indemnifying party, then payment shall be made to the first law firm of record representing an indemnified party against the action or claim. Such law firm shall be paid only to the extent of services performed by such law firm and no reimbursement shall be payable to such law firm on account of legal services performed by another law firm.

f.    The indemnity agreements contained in this Section 4 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Broker, or any person controlling any Broker or by or on behalf of the Company, the Intermediary Manager or any officer or director thereof, or by or on behalf of any person controlling the Company or the Intermediary Manager, (b) delivery of any Shares and payment therefor, and (c) any termination of this Agreement. A successor of any Broker or of any of the parties to this Agreement, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity agreements contained in this Section 4.

5.    Survival of Provisions.

a.    The respective agreements, representations and warranties of the Company and the Intermediary Manager set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Intermediary Manager or any Broker or any person controlling the Intermediary Manager or any Broker or by or on behalf of the Company or any person controlling the Company, and (b) the acceptance of any payment for the Shares.

b.    The respective agreements of the Company and the Intermediary Manager set forth in Sections 3.c. through 3.h. and Sections 4 through 14 of this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any termination of this Agreement.

6.    Applicable Law. This Agreement was executed and delivered in, and its validity, interpretation and construction shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York; provided however, that causes of action for violations of federal or state securities laws shall not be governed by this Section. Venue for any action brought hereunder shall lie exclusively in New York, New York.

7.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart, when executed and delivered, shall be an original contract, but all counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

8.    Successors and Amendment.

a.    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Intermediary Manager and the Company and their respective successors. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give to any other person any right, remedy or claim, except as otherwise specifically provided herein. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Brokers to the extent set forth in Sections 1 and 4 hereof.

b.    This Agreement may be amended by the written agreement of the Intermediary Manager and the Company.

c.    Schedule 1 may be amended from time to time with the written consent of the Company and the Intermediary Manager. However, the addition or removal of Registration Statements from Schedule 1 shall only apply prospectively and shall not affect the respective agreements, representations and warranties of the

 

10


Company and the Intermediary Manager prior to such amendments to Schedule 1. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge and agree that, upon the removal of a Registration Statement from Schedule 1, the representations, warranties and covenants in Sections 1 and 2 shall no longer continue to be made with respect to the Offering, the Shares or the Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement.

9.    Term and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above and shall remain in force until the first anniversary of its effective date and shall thereafter continue in effect from year to year, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the board of trustees of the Company, including the vote of a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, of the Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Company’s Distribution and Servicing Plan (the “Plan”) or any agreements entered into in connection with the Plan (including this Agreement), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose. Any party to this Agreement shall have the right to terminate this Agreement on 60 days’ written notice or immediately upon notice to the other party in the event that such other party shall have failed to comply with any material provision hereof. The Agreement also may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Company’s trustees who are not “interested persons”, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Company’s distribution plan or this Agreement or by vote a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, on not more than 60 days’ written notice to the Intermediary Manager or the Adviser. This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, (a) the Company shall pay to the Intermediary Manager all earned but unpaid compensation and reimbursement for all incurred, accountable compensation to which the Intermediary Manager is or becomes entitled under Section 3 pursuant to the requirements of that Section 3 at such times as such amounts become payable pursuant to the terms of such Section 3, offset by any losses suffered by the Company or any officer or director of the Company arising from the Intermediary Manager’s breach of this Agreement or an action that would otherwise give rise to an indemnification claim against the Intermediary Manager under Section 4.b. herein, and (b) the Intermediary Manager shall promptly deliver to the Company all records and documents in its possession that relate to the Offering other than as required by law to be retained by the Intermediary Manager. Intermediary Manager shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company to accomplish an orderly transfer of management of the Offering to a party designated by the Company.

10.    Confirmation. The Company hereby agrees and assumes the duty to confirm on its behalf and on behalf of Brokers who sell the Shares all orders for purchase of Shares accepted by the Company. Such confirmations will comply with the rules of the SEC and FINRA, and will comply with applicable laws of such other jurisdictions to the extent the Company is advised of such laws in writing by the Intermediary Manager.

11.    Prospectus and Authorized Sales Materials. Intermediary Manager agrees that it is not authorized or permitted to give and will not give, any information or make any representation concerning the Shares except as set forth in the Prospectus and any Authorized Sales Materials. The Intermediary Manager further agrees (a) not to deliver any Authorized Sales Materials to any investor or prospective investor, to any intermediary that has not entered into a Selected Intermediary Agreement or Servicing Agreement, or to any representatives or other associated persons of such an intermediary, unless it is accompanied or preceded by the Prospectus as amended and supplemented, (b) not to show or give to any investor or prospective investor or reproduce any material or writing that is supplied to it by the Company and marked “broker only”, “dealer only” or otherwise bearing a legend denoting that it is not to be used in connection with the sale of Shares to members of the public and (c) not to show or give to any investor or prospective investor in a particular jurisdiction (and will similarly require Brokers pursuant to the Selected Intermediary Agreement) any material or writing that is supplied to it by the Company if such material bears a legend denoting that it is not to be used in connection with the sale of Shares to members of the public in such jurisdiction. Intermediary Manager, in its agreements with Brokers, will include requirements and obligations of the Brokers similar to those imposed upon the Intermediary Manager pursuant to this section.

12.    Suitability of Investors. The Intermediary Manager, in its agreements with Brokers, will require that the Brokers offer Shares only to persons who meet the financial qualifications set forth in the Prospectus or in any suitability letter or memorandum sent to it by the Company and will only make offers to persons in the jurisdictions in which it is advised in writing that the Shares are qualified for sale or that such qualification is not required. In offering Shares, the Intermediary Manager, in its agreements with Brokers, will require that the Broker comply with

 

11


the provisions of all applicable rules and regulations relating to suitability of investors, including, without limitation, the provisions of Exchange Act Rule 15l-1 (“Regulation Best Interest”) and Article III of the Omnibus Guidelines and applicable laws of the jurisdiction of which such investor is a resident. The Intermediary Manager, in its agreements with Brokers, will require that the Brokers shall sell Shares only to those persons who are eligible to purchase such shares as described in the Prospectus and only through those Brokers who are authorized to sell such shares. The Intermediary Manager, in its agreements with the Brokers, shall require the Brokers to maintain, for at least six years, a record of the information obtained to determine that an investor meets the financial qualification and suitability standards imposed on the offer and sale of the Shares.

13.    Submission of Orders. The Intermediary Manager will require in its agreements with each Broker that each Broker comply with the submission of orders procedures set forth in the form of Selected Intermediary Agreement attached as Exhibit “A” to this Agreement. To the extent the Intermediary Manager is involved in the distribution process other than through a Broker, the Intermediary Manager will comply with such submission of orders procedures, and will require each person desiring to purchase Shares in the Offering to complete and execute a subscription agreement in the form filed as an appendix to the Prospectus (a “Subscription Agreement”) in the form provided by the Company to the Intermediary Manager for use in connection with the Offering and to deliver to the Intermediary Manager or as otherwise directed by the Intermediary Manager such completed and executed Subscription Agreement together with a check or wire transfer (“instrument of payment”) in the amount of such person’s purchase, which must be at least the minimum purchase amount set forth in the Prospectus. Subscription Agreements and instruments of payment will be transmitted by the Intermediary Manager to the escrow agent described in the Prospectus and Subscription Agreement for any Offering in which there is a minimum offering contingency described in the Prospectus (“Minimum Offering”) that has not yet been satisfied or, after any such Minimum Offering is satisfied or if no such Minimum Offering is applicable to an Offering, to the Company, as soon as practicable, but in any event by the end of the second business day following receipt by the Intermediary Manager. If the Intermediary Manager receives a Subscription Agreement or instrument of payment not conforming to the instructions set forth in the form of Selected Intermediary Agreement, the Intermediary Manager shall return such Subscription Agreement and instrument of payment directly to such subscriber not later than the end of the next business day following its receipt. Instruments of payment of rejected subscribers will be promptly returned to such subscribers.

14.    Notice. Notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement shall be delivered via (i) hand, (ii) first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (iii) a nationally recognized overnight courier or (iv) electronic mail. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:

 

If to the Intermediary Manager:     Blackstone Securities Partners L.P.
    Attn: Evan Clandorf
    345 Park Avenue, 10th Floor
    New York, New York 10154
    Email: evan.clandorf@blackstone.com
If to the Company:     Blackstone Private Credit Fund
    Attn: Steve Flantsbaum
    345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
    New York, New York 10154
    Email: steve.flantsbaum@blackstone.com

 

12


If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement between us as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,
BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Accepted and agreed to as of
the date first above written:
BLACKSTONE SECURITIES PARTNERS L.P.
By:  

 

Name:  

Title:

 

13


Schedule 1

Registration Statement(s)

1.    Registration Statement on Form N-2, Registration No. 377-03049 and 812-15114.


Schedule 2

Compensation

I.    Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees

The Company will pay to the Intermediary Manager Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees in amounts of (a) up to 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV for the Class S shares as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month and (b) up to 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV for the Class D shares as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month, in each case, payable monthly. The Company will not pay to the Intermediary Manager any Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees in respect of the purchase of any Class I shares.

II.    Intermediary Manager Fees

The Company will not pay to the Intermediary Manager any Intermediary Manager fees in respect of the purchase of any Class S shares, Class D shares, Class I shares or DRIP Shares.

III.    Brokerage Transaction Fees

The Intermediary Manager is authorized to enter into arrangements that allow the Broker to charge a transaction or other fee, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, on sales of Shares, to the extent the Prospectus discloses that such transaction or other fees may be charged for the relevant class of Shares. The Intermediary Manager will require the Broker to represent that Broker is acting solely as an agent for its customers with respect to their purchase or sale of Shares and is not acting for Broker’s own account. Any transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, charged by Broker in connection with its sale of Shares will be charged in a manner consistent with the Prospectus and applicable law and FINRA rules. Purchases and sales of such shares may only be executed as purchases or repurchases between the customer and the Company. Broker shall not execute trades of shares between customers.


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF SELECTED INTERMEDIARY AGREEMENT

 

16

Exhibit (h)(2)

SELECTED INTERMEDIARY AGREEMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Blackstone Securities Partners L.P., as the intermediary manager (“Intermediary Manager”) for Blackstone Private Credit Fund (the “Company”), a Delaware statutory trust, invites you (the “Broker”) to participate in the distribution of common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Shares”) subject to the following terms:

 

  I.

Intermediary Manager Agreement

The Intermediary Manager has entered into an Amended and Restated Intermediary Manager Agreement (the “Intermediary Manager Agreement”) with the Company dated [    ], 2020, attached hereto as Exhibit “A.” Except as otherwise specifically stated herein, all terms used in this Agreement have the meanings provided in the Intermediary Manager Agreement.

As described in the Intermediary Manager Agreement, the Company has filed one or more registration statements with the SEC that are listed on Schedule 1 to the Intermediary Manager Agreement (each, a “Registration Statement”), which Schedule 1 may be amended from time to time with the written consent of the Company and the Intermediary Manager. Any new Registration Statement will be added to Schedule 1 upon its initial effectiveness with the SEC. Each Registration Statement shall register an ongoing offering (each, an “Offering”) of Common Shares, which may consist of Class S, Class D and/or Class I shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) or additional share classes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any new Registration Statement is added to Schedule 1 to the Intermediary Manager Agreement, the Intermediary Manager will give the Broker written notice of such addition. Schedule 1 to the Intermediary Manager Agreement may be amended from time to time with the written consent of the Company and the Intermediary Manager. However, the addition or removal of Registration Statements from Schedule 1 to the Intermediary Manager Agreement shall only apply prospectively and shall not affect the respective agreements, representations and warranties of the Company, the Intermediary Manager and the Broker prior to such amendments to Schedule 1 to the Intermediary Manager Agreement. It is possible that more than one Registration Statement may be listed on Schedule 1 during times of transition from one Registration Statement to another, during which time offers or sales may be made pursuant to either Registration Statement. In such event, the Intermediary Manager shall (a) communicate to the Broker details about the transition from one Registration Statement to the next, including when sales may be made pursuant to the most recent Registration Statement and when sales will cease pursuant to the older Registration Statement and (b) provide the Broker with sufficient copies of the appropriate Prospectus and other offering materials in order to continue to make offers and sales throughout such transition period.

In this Agreement, unless explicitly stated otherwise, “the Registration Statement” means, at any given time, each of the registration statements listed on Schedule 1 to the Intermediary Manager Agreement, as such Schedule 1 to the Intermediary Manager Agreement may be amended from time to time, as each such registration statement is finally amended and revised at the effective date of the registration statement (including at the effective date of any post-effective amendment thereto). In this Agreement, unless explicitly stated otherwise, “the Offering” means, at any given time, an offering covered by a Registration Statement and “Shares” means the Shares being offered in an Offering. In this Agreement, unless explicitly stated otherwise, any references to the Registration Statement, the Offering, the Shares or the Prospectus with respect to each other shall mean only those that are all related to the same Registration Statement.


By your acceptance of this Agreement, you will become one of the Brokers referred to in the Intermediary Manager Agreement between the Company and the Intermediary Manager and will be entitled and subject to the indemnification provisions contained in the Intermediary Manager Agreement, including the provisions of Section 4 of the Intermediary Manager Agreement wherein the Brokers severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Intermediary Manager and each officer and director thereof, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Intermediary Manager within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Broker acknowledges that the Intermediary Manager’s liability for the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee is limited solely to the proceeds of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee receivable from the Company, and Broker hereby waives any and all rights to receive any reallowance of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee due until such time as the Intermediary Manager is in receipt of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee from the Company.

The Broker hereby agrees to use its best efforts to sell the Shares for cash on the terms and conditions stated in the Prospectus. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to make the Broker an employee, agent, representative or partner of the Intermediary Manager or of the Company, and the Broker is not authorized to act for the Intermediary Manager or the Company or to make any representations on their behalf except as set forth in the Prospectus and in the Authorized Sales Materials.

 

  II.

Submission of Orders

Each person desiring to purchase Shares in the Offering will be required to complete and execute a Subscription Agreement and to deliver to the Broker such completed and executed Subscription Agreement together with a check or wire transfer (“instrument of payment”) in the amount of such person’s purchase, which must be at least the minimum purchase amount set forth in the Prospectus. Those persons who purchase Shares will be instructed by the Broker to make their instruments of payment payable to or for the benefit of “Blackstone Private Credit Fund.” Purchase orders which include (i) instruments of payment received by the Company at least five (5) business days prior to the first calendar day of the month and (ii) a completed and executed Subscription Agreement in good order received by the Company at least five (5) business days prior to the first calendar day of the month (unless waived by the Intermediary Manager) will be executed as of the first calendar day of the month (based on the NAV per share as determined as of the previous day, being the last day of the preceding month). Any tender offer requests must be made in accordance with the applicable procedures described in the Company’s Registration Statement, the Company’s Share Repurchase Program described in the Registration Statement (the “Plan”), and applicable law, rules and regulations. The parties acknowledge and agree that a tender offer is not received in “good order” unless the tender offer and all required documentation is complete and received by the Company’s transfer agent by the applicable tender offer deadline described in the Company’s tender offer documents or otherwise specified by the Company in writing.

If the Broker receives a Subscription Agreement or instrument of payment not conforming to the foregoing instructions, the Broker shall return such Subscription Agreement and instrument of payment directly to such subscriber not later than the end of the next business day following its receipt. Subscription Agreements and instruments of payment received by the Broker which conform to the foregoing instructions shall be transmitted for deposit pursuant to one of the methods described in this Section II. Transmittal of received investor funds will be made in accordance with the following procedures:

 

  (i)

Where, pursuant to the Broker’s internal supervisory procedures, internal supervisory review is conducted at the same location at which Subscription Agreements and instruments of payment are received from subscribers, Subscription Agreements and instruments of payment will be transmitted by the

 

2


  end of the next business day following receipt by the Broker for deposit to the Company or its agent as set forth in the Subscription Agreement or as otherwise directed by the Company.

 

  (ii)

Where, pursuant to the Broker’s internal supervisory procedures, final internal supervisory review is conducted at a different location, Subscription Agreements and instruments of payment will be transmitted by the end of the next business day following receipt by the Broker to the office of the Broker conducting such final internal supervisory review (the “Final Review Office”). The Final Review Office will in turn, by the end of the next business day following receipt by the Final Review Office, transmit such Subscription Agreements and instruments of payment for deposit to the Company or its agent as set forth in the Subscription Agreement or as otherwise directed by the Company.

 

  III.

Pricing

Except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus, which may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the Primary Shares shall generally be offered to the public at a purchase price payable in cash equal to the Company’s then-current net asset value (“NAV”) per share applicable to the class of Shares being purchased (as calculated in accordance with the procedures described in the Prospectus). Broker may also charge transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in connection with the sale of Shares as described in Schedule I attached hereto. For shareholders who participate in the Company’s distribution reinvestment plan (“DRIP”), the cash distributions attributable to the class of shares that each shareholder owns will be automatically re-invested in additional shares of the same class. The DRIP Shares will be issued and sold to shareholders of the Company at a purchase price equal to the most recent available NAV per share for such shares at the time the distribution is payable. Except as otherwise indicated in the Prospectus or in any letter or memorandum sent to the Broker by the Company or the Intermediary Manager, (a) a minimum initial purchase of $2,500 in Class S shares and Class D shares is required, and additional investments of such shares may be made in cash in minimal increments of at least $500 in such Shares, and (b) a minimum initial purchase of $1,000,000 in Class I Shares is required, and additional investments may be made in cash in minimal increments of at least $500 in Class I Shares unless such minimums are waived by the Intermediary Manager. The Shares are nonassessable.

 

  IV.

Brokers’ Compensation

Except as may be provided in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the Prospectus, which may be amended or supplemented from time to time, as compensation for completed sales and ongoing shareholder services rendered by Broker hereunder, Broker is entitled, on the terms and subject to the conditions herein, to the compensation set forth on Schedule I hereto.

 

  V.

Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Broker

In addition to the representations and warranties found elsewhere in this Agreement, Broker represents, warrants and agrees that:

 

  (i)

It is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state, commonwealth or other jurisdiction in which Broker is organized.

 

  (ii)

It is empowered under applicable laws and by Broker’s organizational documents to enter into this Agreement and perform all activities and services of the Broker

 

3


  provided for herein and that there are no impediments, prior or existing, or regulatory, self-regulatory, administrative, civil or criminal matters affecting Broker’s ability to perform under this Agreement.

 

  (iii)

The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement; the incurrence of the obligations set forth herein; and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, will not constitute a breach of, or default under, any agreement or instrument by which Broker is bound, or to which any of its assets are subject, or any order, rule, or regulation applicable to it of any court, governmental body, or administrative agency having jurisdiction over it.

 

  (iv)

All requisite actions have been taken to authorize Broker to enter into and perform this Agreement.

 

  (v)

It shall notify Intermediary Manager, promptly in writing, of any written claim or complaint or any enforcement action or other proceeding with respect to Shares offered hereunder against Broker or its principals, affiliates, officers, directors, employees or agents, or any person who controls Broker, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act.

 

  (vi)

Except for those jurisdictions listed on Schedule III hereto, Broker will not offer, sell or distribute Shares, or otherwise make any such Shares available, in any jurisdiction outside of the United States or United States territories unless the Broker receives prior written consent from Intermediary Manager.

 

  (vii)

Broker acknowledges that the Intermediary Manager will enter into similar agreements with other broker-dealers, which does not require the consent of Broker.

 

  (viii)

Broker represents that it is a broker-dealer registered with FINRA and (effective August 20, 2017) subject to FINRA Rule 2030 (“Rule 2030”). Broker represents that it has policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Rule 2030 and is currently in compliance with Rule 2030. Moreover, Broker represents that neither it nor any of its Covered Associates (i.e., any (i) general partner, managing member or executive officer of Broker, as well as any person with a similar status or function, (ii) any associated person of Broker who engages in distribution or solicitation activities with a government entity, (iii) any associated person of Broker who supervises, directly or indirectly, the government entity distribution or solicitation activities of a person in (ii) above, and (iv) any political action committee controlled by Broker or one of its Covered Associates) has made, directly or indirectly, any contributions that prohibit Broker from engaging in solicitation activities for compensation under Rule 2030 (a “Triggering Contribution”). Broker hereby agrees that neither it nor its Covered Associates will make a Triggering Contribution or violate Rule 2030 while engaged hereunder. If Broker breaches this provision and becomes aware of a Triggering Contribution or a violation of Rule 2030, it shall promptly provide written notice to the Intermediary Manager of the nature of the ban or violation.

 

  (ix)

Broker represents that Broker is acting solely as an agent for its customers with respect to their purchase or sale of Shares and is not acting for Broker’s own

 

4


  account. Any transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, charged by Broker in connection with its sale of Shares will be charged in a manner consistent with the Prospectus and applicable law and FINRA rules.

 

  (x)

Broker further represents, warrants and covenants that neither Broker, nor any person associated with Broker, shall offer or sell Shares in any jurisdiction except to investors who satisfy the investor suitability standards and minimum investment requirements under the most restrictive of the following: (a) applicable provisions described in the Prospectus, including minimum income and net worth standards; (b) applicable laws of the jurisdiction of which such investor is a resident; (c) applicable provisions of Regulation Best Interest; or (d) applicable FINRA rules. The Intermediary Manager agrees to ensure that, in recommending the purchase, sale or exchange of Shares to an investor, Broker, or a person associated with the Broker, shall have reasonable grounds to believe, on the basis of information obtained from the investor (and thereafter maintained in the manner and for the period required by the SEC, any state securities commission, FINRA or the Company) concerning his or her age, investment objectives, other investments, financial situation and needs and any other information known to the Broker, or person associated with the Broker, that (i) the investor can reasonably benefit from an investment in the Shares based on the investor’s overall investment objectives and portfolio structure, (ii) the investor is able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on the investor’s overall financial situation and (iii) the investor has an apparent understanding of (A) the fundamental risks of the investment, (B) the risk that the investor may lose his or her entire investment in the Shares, (C) the lack of liquidity of the Shares, (D) the background and qualifications of the Advisor or the persons responsible for directing and managing the Company and (E) the tax consequences of an investment in the Shares. In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, the suitability standards must be met by the person who directly or indirectly supplied the funds for the purchase of the Shares or by the beneficiary of such fiduciary account. The Broker further represents, warrants and covenants that the Broker, or a person associated with the Broker, will make every reasonable effort to determine the suitability and appropriateness of an investment in Shares of each proposed investor by reviewing documents and records disclosing the basis upon which the determination as to suitability was reached as to each purchaser of Shares pursuant to a subscription solicited by the Broker, whether such documents and records relate to accounts which have been closed, accounts which are currently maintained or accounts hereafter established.

 

  VI.

Right to Reject Orders or Cancel Sales

All orders, whether initial or additional, are subject to acceptance by and shall only become effective upon confirmation by the Company, which reserves the right to reject any order for any reason or no reason including, without limitation, orders not accompanied by an executed Subscription Agreement in good order or without the required instrument of payment in full payment for the Shares. Issuance and delivery of the Shares will be made only after actual receipt of payment therefor. If any check is not paid upon presentment, or if the Company is not in actual receipt of clearinghouse funds or cash, certified or cashier’s check or the equivalent in payment for the Shares, the Company reserves the right to cancel the sale without notice.

 

5


  VII.

Prospectus and Authorized Sales Materials; Compliance with Laws

Broker is not authorized or permitted to give and will not give, any information or make any representation concerning the Shares except as set forth in the Prospectus and any Authorized Sales Materials. The Intermediary Manager will supply Broker with a link to its publicly accessible website (www.bcred.com) where the Broker may obtain the Prospectus, any supplements thereto and any amended Prospectus, as well as any Authorized Sales Materials, for delivery to investors. Broker agrees that it shall have delivered (i) to each investor to whom an offer to sell the Shares is made, as of the time of such offer, a copy of the Prospectus and all supplements thereto and any amended Prospectus that have then been made available to the Broker by the Intermediary Manager and (ii) to each investor that subscribes for an order to purchase Shares, as of the time the Company accepts such investor’s order to purchase the Shares within the timeframes described in the Prospectus, a copy of the Prospectus and all supplements thereto and any amended Prospectus that have then been made available to the Broker by the Intermediary Manager. The Broker agrees that it will not send or give any supplement to the Prospectus or any Authorized Sales Materials to an investor unless it has previously sent or given a Prospectus and all previous supplements thereto and any amended Prospectus to that investor or has simultaneously sent or given a Prospectus and all previous supplements thereto and any amended Prospectus with such supplement to the Prospectus or Authorized Sales Materials. The Broker agrees that it will not show or give to any investor or prospective investor or reproduce any material or writing which is supplied to it by the Intermediary Manager and marked “broker only”, “dealer only” or otherwise bearing a legend denoting that it is not to be used in connection with the sale of Shares to members of the public. The Broker agrees that it will not show or give to any investor or prospective investor in a particular jurisdiction any material or writing that is supplied to it by the Intermediary Manager if such material bears a legend denoting that it is not to be used in connection with the sale of Shares to members of the public in such jurisdiction. Broker agrees that it will not use in connection with the offer or sale of Shares any material or writing which relates to another company supplied to it by the Company or the Intermediary Manager bearing a legend which states that such material may not be used in connection with the offer or sale of any securities other than the company to which it relates. The Broker further agrees that it will not use in connection with the offer or sale of Shares any materials or writings which have not been previously approved by the Intermediary Manager or the Company in writing. The Broker agrees, if the Intermediary Manager so requests, to furnish a copy of any final Prospectuses required for compliance with the provisions of Rule 15c2-8 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Regardless of the termination of this Agreement, the Broker will deliver a Prospectus in transactions in the Shares for a period of ninety (90) days from the effective date of the Registration Statement or such longer period as may be required by the Exchange Act.

On becoming a Broker, and in offering and selling Shares, the Broker agrees to comply with all the applicable requirements imposed upon it under (a) the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated under both such acts, (b) all applicable state securities laws and regulations as from time to time in effect, (c) any other state, federal, foreign and other laws and regulations applicable to the Offering, the sale of Shares or the activities of the Broker pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation the privacy standards and requirements of state and federal laws, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, as amended (“GLBA”), and the laws governing money laundering abatement and anti-terrorist financing efforts, including the applicable rules of the SEC and FINRA, the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the USA Patriot Act, and regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Asset Control at the Department of the Treasury, and (d) this Agreement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented. Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement or the payment of any amount to the Broker, the Broker agrees to pay the Broker’s proportionate share of any claim, demand or liability asserted against the Broker and the other Brokers on the basis that such Brokers or any of them constitute an association, unincorporated business or other separate entity, including in each case such Broker’s proportionate share of any expenses incurred in defending against any such claim, demand or liability.

 

6


Broker and the Intermediary Manager further agree to the following terms:

 

  (i)

Broker agrees that it (1) will maintain written policies and procedures covering the delivery of electronic offering documents and the use of electronic signatures, (2) will comply with all applicable SEC rules and guidelines pertaining to electronic delivery of the Prospectus and Authorized Sales Materials and electronic signature of the Subscription Agreement, (3) will comply with all of the applicable requirements set forth in the NASAA Statement of Policy Regarding Use of Electronic Offering Documents and Electronic Signatures (the “Statement of Policy”), (4) will comply with such requirements in every U.S. jurisdiction irrespective of whether the jurisdiction has adopted the Statement of Policy, (5) acknowledges that it is acting as an agent of the Company only with respect to the delivery of the Prospectus and Authorized Sales Materials electronically, the administration of the subscription process and the obtainment of electronic signatures and only to the extent its actions are in compliance with the Statement of Policy and the Intermediary Agreement and (6) will also comply, as applicable, with The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act and any other applicable law.

 

  (ii)

In consideration of the foregoing, the Intermediary Manager hereby agrees that it will not reject a subscription on account of an electronic signature if such signature was obtained in the manner set forth in this Section 7.e.

 

  VIII.

License and Association Membership

The Broker’s acceptance of this Agreement constitutes a representation to the Company and the Intermediary Manager that the Broker is a properly registered or licensed broker-dealer, duly authorized to sell Shares under federal and state securities laws and regulations, and foreign laws (including the laws of the jurisdictions listed on Schedule III), if applicable, and in all states or jurisdictions where it offers or sells Shares, and that it is a member in good standing of FINRA. This Agreement shall automatically terminate if the Broker ceases to be a member in good standing of FINRA. The Broker agrees to notify the Intermediary Manager immediately if the Broker ceases to be a member in good standing of FINRA. The Broker also hereby agrees to abide by the Rules of FINRA, including FINRA Rules 2040, 2111, 2121, 2310, 5110 and 5141.

 

  IX.

Limitation of Offer; Suitability

The Broker will offer Shares (both at the time of an initial subscription and at the time of any additional subscription, including initial enrollments and increased participations in the DRIP) only to persons who meet the financial qualifications and suitability standards set forth in the Prospectus or in any suitability letter or memorandum sent to it by the Company or the Intermediary Manager and will only make offers to persons in the jurisdictions in which it is advised in writing by the Intermediary Manager that the Shares are qualified for sale or that such qualification is not required and in which the Broker has all required licenses and registrations to offer Shares in such jurisdictions (including the jurisdictions listed on Schedule III). In offering Shares, the Broker will comply with the provisions of the Rules set forth in the FINRA Manual, Exchange Act Rule 15l-1 (“Regulation Best Interest”), as well as all other applicable rules and regulations relating to suitability of investors, including without limitation, the provisions of Article III.C and Article III.E of the Omnibus Guidelines Statement of Policy of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (the “NASAA Guidelines”) adopted on March 29, 1992 and as amended on May 7, 2007. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to relieve the Broker of its suitability obligations under Regulation Best Interest, FINRA Rule 2111 or FINRA Rule 2310.

 

7


The Broker further represents, warrants and covenants that neither Broker, nor any person associated with the Broker, shall offer or sell Shares in any jurisdiction except to investors who satisfy the investor suitability standards and minimum investment requirements under the most restrictive of the following: (a) applicable provisions described in the Prospectus, including minimum income and net worth standards; (b) applicable laws of the jurisdiction of which such investor is a resident; (c) applicable provisions of Regulation Best Interest; or (d) applicable FINRA rules. The Broker agrees to ensure that, in recommending the purchase, sale or exchange of Shares to an investor, the Broker, or a person associated with the Broker, shall have reasonable grounds to believe, on the basis of information obtained from the investor (and thereafter maintained in the manner and for the period required by the SEC, any state securities commission, FINRA or the Company) concerning his or her age, investment objectives, other investments, financial situation and needs and any other information known to the Broker, or person associated with the Broker, that (i) the investor can reasonably benefit from an investment in the Shares based on the investor’s overall investment objectives and portfolio structure, (ii) the investor is able to bear the economic risk of the investment based on the investor’s overall financial situation and (iii) the investor has an apparent understanding of (A) the fundamental risks of the investment, (B) the risk that the investor may lose his or her entire investment in the Shares, (C) the lack of liquidity of the Shares, (D) the background and qualifications of the Adviser or the persons responsible for directing and managing the Company and (E) the tax consequences of an investment in the Shares. In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts, the suitability standards must be met by the person who directly or indirectly supplied the funds for the purchase of the Shares or by the beneficiary of such fiduciary account. The Broker further represents, warrants and covenants that the Broker, or a person associated with the Broker, will make every reasonable effort to determine the suitability and appropriateness of an investment in Shares of each proposed investor by reviewing documents and records disclosing the basis upon which the determination as to suitability was reached as to each purchaser of Shares pursuant to a subscription solicited by the Broker, whether such documents and records relate to accounts which have been closed, accounts which are currently maintained or accounts hereafter established.

The Broker will sell Class S shares, Class D shares and Class I shares only to the extent approved by the Intermediary Manager as set forth on Schedule I to this Agreement, and to the extent approved to sell Class D shares and Class I shares pursuant to this Agreement, sell such shares only to those persons who are eligible to purchase Class D shares and Class I shares as described in the Prospectus. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to impose upon the Company or the Intermediary Manager the responsibility of assuring that prospective investors meet the suitability standards in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Prospectus. Broker shall not purchase any Shares for a discretionary account without obtaining the prior written approval of Broker’s customer and such customer’s completed and executed Subscription Agreement. The Broker agrees to comply with the record-keeping requirements imposed by (a) federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, (b) the applicable rules of FINRA, and (c) the NASAA Guidelines, including the requirement to maintain records (the “Suitability Records”) of the information used to determine that an investment in Shares is suitable and appropriate for each subscriber for a period of six (6) years from the date of the sale of the Shares. The Broker further agrees to make the Suitability Records available to the Intermediary Manager and the Company upon request and to make them available to representatives of the SEC and FINRA and applicable state securities administrators upon the Broker’s receipt of a subpoena or other appropriate document request from such agency.

[Any relevant jurisdictional selling restrictions to be added as applicable.]

The Broker further represents that it understands that the Shares have not been registered and are not expected to be registered under the laws of any country or jurisdiction outside of the United States except as otherwise described in the Prospectus.

 

8


  X.

Disclosure Review; Confidentiality of Information

The Broker agrees that it shall have reasonable grounds to believe, based on the information made available to it through the Prospectus or other materials, that all material facts are adequately and accurately disclosed in the Prospectus and provide a basis for evaluating the Shares. In making this determination, the Broker shall evaluate, at a minimum, items of compensation, physical properties, tax aspects, financial stability and experience of the sponsor, conflicts of interest and risk factors, and appraisals and other pertinent reports. If the Broker relies upon the results of any inquiry conducted by another member or members of FINRA, the Broker shall have reasonable grounds to believe that such inquiry was conducted with due care, that the member or members conducting or directing the inquiry consented to the disclosure of the results of the inquiry and that the person who participated in or conducted the inquiry is not the Intermediary Manager or a sponsor or an affiliate of the sponsor of the Company.

It is anticipated that (i) the Broker and Broker’s officers, directors, managers, employees, owners, members, partners, home office diligence personnel or other agents of the Broker that are conducting a due diligence inquiry on behalf of the Broker and (ii) persons or committees, as the case may be, responsible for determining whether the Broker will participate in the Offering ((i) and (ii) are collectively, the “Diligence Representatives”) either have previously or will in the future have access to certain Confidential Information (defined below) pertaining to the Company, the Intermediary Manager, the Advisor, or their respective affiliates. For purposes hereof, “Confidential Information” shall mean and include: (i) trade secrets concerning the business and affairs of the Company, the Intermediary Manager, the Advisor, or their respective affiliates; (ii) confidential data, know-how, current and planned research and development, current and planned methods and processes, marketing lists or strategies, slide presentations, business plans, however documented, belonging to the Company, the Intermediary Manager, the Advisor, or their respective affiliates; (iii) information concerning the business and affairs of the Company, the Intermediary Manager, the Advisor, or their respective affiliates (including, without limitation, historical financial statements, financial projections and budgets, investment-related information, models, budgets, plans, and market studies, however documented; (iv) any information marked or designated “Confidential—For Due Diligence Purposes Only”; and (v) any notes, analysis, compilations, studies, summaries and other material containing or based, in whole or in part, on any information included in the foregoing. The Broker agrees to keep, and to cause its Diligence Representatives to keep, all such Confidential Information strictly confidential and to not use, distribute or copy the same except in connection with the Broker’s due diligence inquiry. The Broker agrees to not disclose, and to cause its Diligence Representatives not to disclose, such Confidential Information to the public, or to the Broker’s sales staff, financial advisors, or any person involved in selling efforts related to the Offering or to any other third party and agrees not to use the Confidential Information in any manner in the offer and sale of the Shares. The Broker further agrees to use all reasonable precautions necessary to preserve the confidentiality of such Confidential Information, including, but not limited to (a) limiting access to such information to persons who have a need to know such information only for the purpose of the Broker’s due diligence inquiry and (b) informing each recipient of such Confidential Information of the Broker’s confidentiality obligation. The Broker acknowledges that Broker or its Diligence Representatives may previously have received Confidential Information in connection with preliminary due diligence on the Company, and agrees that the foregoing restrictions shall apply to any such previously received Confidential Information. The Broker acknowledges that Broker or its Diligence Representatives may in the future receive Confidential Information either in individual or collective meetings or telephone calls with the Company, and agrees that the foregoing restrictions shall apply to any Confidential Information received in the future through any source or medium. The Broker acknowledges the restrictions and limitations of Regulation F-D promulgated by the SEC and agrees that the foregoing restrictions are necessary and appropriate in order for the Company to comply therewith.

 

9


Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information may be disclosed (a) if approved in writing for disclosure by the Company or the Intermediary Manager, (b) pursuant to a subpoena or as required by law, or (c) as required by regulation, rule, order or request of any governing or self-regulatory organization (including the SEC or FINRA), provided that the Broker shall notify the Intermediary Manager in advance if practicable under the circumstances of any attempt to obtain Confidential Information pursuant to provisions (b) and (c).

 

  XI.

Broker’s Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Rules and Regulations

The Broker hereby represents that it has complied and will comply with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act and the implementing rules and regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with broker/Brokers’ anti-money laundering obligations. The Broker hereby represents that it has adopted and implemented, and will maintain a written anti-money laundering compliance program (“AML Program”) including, without limitation, anti-money laundering policies and procedures relating to customer identification in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including federal and state securities laws, applicable rules of FINRA, and the USA Patriot Act and the implementing rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In accordance with these applicable laws and regulations and its AML Program, Broker agrees to verify the identity of its new customers; to maintain customer records; and to check the names of new customers against government watch lists, including the Office of Foreign Asset Control’s (OFAC) list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Additionally, Broker will monitor account activity to identify patterns of unusual size or volume, geographic factors and any other “red flags” described in the USA Patriot Act as potential signals of money laundering or terrorist financing. Broker will submit to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network any required suspicious activity reports about such activity and further will disclose such activity to applicable federal and state law enforcement when required by law. Upon request by the Intermediary Manager at any time, the Broker hereby agrees to furnish (a) a copy of its AML Program to the Intermediary Manager for review, and (b) a copy of the findings and any remedial actions taken in connection with the Broker’s most recent independent testing of its AML Program. The Broker agrees to notify the Intermediary Manager immediately if the Broker is subject to a FINRA disclosure event or fine from FINRA related to its AML Program.

 

  XII.

Privacy

The Broker agrees as follows:

The Broker agrees to abide by and comply in all respects with (a) the privacy standards and requirements of the GLBA and applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, (b) the privacy standards and requirements of any other applicable federal or state law, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended (“FCRA”), and (c) its own internal privacy policies and procedures, each as may be amended from time to time.

The parties hereto acknowledge that from time to time, Broker may share with the Company and the Company may share with Broker nonpublic personal information (as defined under the GLBA) of customers of Broker. This nonpublic personal information may include, but is not limited to a customer’s name, address, telephone number, social security number, account information and personal financial information. Broker shall only be granted access to such nonpublic personal information of each of its customers that pertains to the period or periods during which Broker served as the broker of record for such customer’s account. Broker, the Intermediary Manager and the Company shall not disclose nonpublic personal information of any customers who have opted out of such disclosures, except (a) to service providers (when necessary and as permitted under the GLBA), (b) to carry out the purposes for which one party discloses such nonpublic personal information to another party under this Agreement (when necessary

 

10


and as permitted under the GLBA), or (c) as otherwise required by applicable law. Any nonpublic personal information that one party receives from another party shall be subject to the limitations on usage described in this Section XII. Except as expressly permitted under the FCRA, Broker agrees that it shall not disclose any information that would be considered a “consumer report” under the FCRA.

Broker shall be responsible for determining which customers have opted out of the disclosure of nonpublic personal information by periodically reviewing and, if necessary, retrieving a list of such customers (the “List”) to identify customers that have exercised their opt-out rights. In the event Broker, the Intermediary Manager or the Company expects to use or disclose nonpublic personal information of any customer for purposes other than as set forth in this Section XII, it must first consult the List to determine whether the affected customer has exercised his or her opt-out rights. The use or disclosure of any nonpublic personal information of any customer that is identified on the List as having opted out of such disclosures, except as set forth in this Section XII, shall be prohibited.

Broker shall implement commercially reasonable measures in compliance with industry best practices designed: (a) to assure the security and confidentiality of nonpublic personal information of all customers; (b) to protect such information against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; (c) to protect against unauthorized access to, or use of, such information that could result in material harm to any customer; (d) to protect against unauthorized disclosure of such information to unaffiliated third parties; and (e) to otherwise ensure its compliance with all applicable privacy standards and requirements of federal or state law (including, but not limited to, the GLBA), and any other applicable legal or regulatory requirements. Broker further agrees to cause all its agents, representatives, affiliates, subcontractors, or any other party to whom Broker provides access to or discloses nonpublic personal information of customers to implement appropriate measures designed to meet the objectives set forth in this Section XII.

 

  XIII.

Broker’s Undertaking to Not Facilitate a Secondary Market in the Shares

The Broker acknowledges that there is no public trading market for the Shares and that there are limits on the ownership, transferability and repurchase of the Shares, which significantly limit the liquidity of an investment in the Shares. The Broker also acknowledges that the Plan provides only a limited opportunity for investors to have their Shares purchased by the Company and that the Company’s board of trustees may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan at any time in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The Broker hereby agrees that so long as the Company is offering Shares under a Registration Statement filed with the SEC and the Company has not listed the Shares on a national securities exchange, the Broker will not engage in any action or transaction that would facilitate or otherwise create the appearance of a secondary market in the Shares without the prior written approval of the Intermediary Manager.

 

  XIV.

Arbitration

Any dispute, controversy or claim arising between the parties relating to this Agreement (whether such dispute arises under any federal, state or local statute or regulation, or at common law), shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration administered in accordance with the then current commercial arbitration rules of FINRA in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including the governing law provisions of this Agreement and pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1 – 16). The parties will request that the arbitrator or arbitration panel (“Arbitrator”) issue written findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Arbitrator shall not be empowered to make any award or render any judgment for punitive damages, and the Arbitrator shall be required to follow applicable law in construing this Agreement, making awards, and rendering judgments. The decision of the arbitration panel shall be final

 

11


and binding, and judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered by any court having jurisdiction. All arbitration hearings will be held at the New York City FINRA District Office or at another mutually agreed upon site. The parties may agree on a single arbitrator, or, if the parties cannot so agree, each party will have the right to choose one arbitrator, and the selected arbitrators will choose a third arbitrator. Each arbitrator must have experience and education that qualify him or her to competently address the specific issues to be designated for arbitration. Notwithstanding the preceding, no party will be prevented from immediately seeking provisional remedies in courts of competent jurisdiction, including but not limited to, temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, but such remedies will not be sought as a means to avoid or stay arbitration.

 

  XV.

Termination

The Broker will suspend or terminate its offer and sale of Shares upon the request of the Company or the Intermediary Manager at any time and will resume its offer and sale of Shares hereunder upon subsequent request of the Company or the Intermediary Manager. Any party may terminate this Agreement by written notice. Such termination shall be effective forty-eight (48) hours after the mailing of such notice. This Agreement is the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, if any, between the parties hereto.

This Agreement may be amended at any time by the Intermediary Manager by written notice to the Broker, and any such amendment shall be deemed accepted by the Broker upon placement of an order for sale of Shares by such Broker’s customer after the Broker has received such notice.

This Agreement also may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Company’s trustees who are not “interested persons”, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Company’s distribution plan or this Agreement or by vote a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, on not more than 60 days’ written notice to the Intermediary Manager or the Adviser. This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.

The respective agreements and obligations of the Intermediary Manager and Broker set forth in Sections IV, VI, VII, and XIII through XIX of this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement.

 

  XVI.

Use of Company and Blackstone Names

Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Intermediary Manager of any consent that would otherwise be required under this Agreement or applicable law prior to the use of Broker of the name or identifying marks of the Company, the Intermediary Manager, “GSO” or “Blackstone” (or any combination or derivation thereof, including any name adopted in the future). The Intermediary Manager reserves the right to withdraw its consent to the use of the Company’s name at any time and to request to review any materials generated by the Broker that use the Company’s or Blackstone’s name or mark. Any such consent is expressly subject to the continuation of this Agreement and shall terminate with the termination of this Agreement as provided herein.

 

  XVII.

Notice

Notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement shall be delivered via (i) hand, (ii) first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (iii) a nationally recognized overnight courier, or (iv) electronic mail. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:

 

12


  If to the Intermediary Manager:   

Blackstone Securities Partners L.P.

Attn: Evan Clandorf

345 Park Avenue, 10th Floor

New York, New York 10154

Email: evan.clandorf@blackstone.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

 

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Attn: Steve Flantsbaum

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, New York 10154

Email: steve.flantsbaum@blackstone.com

  If to the Advisor:   

GSO Asset Management LLC

Attn: Steve Flantsbaum

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, New York, 10154

Email: steve.flantsbaum@ blackstone.com

  If to the Company:   

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Attn: Steve Flantsbaum

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, New York 10154

Email: steve.flantsbaum@blackstone.com

  If to Broker:    To the address specified by the Broker herein.

 

  XVIII.

Attorney’s Fees and Applicable Law

In any action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement or to secure damages for its breach, the prevailing party shall recover its costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of New York and shall take effect when signed by the Broker and countersigned by the Intermediary Manager. Venue for any action (including arbitration) shall lie exclusively in New York, New York.

 

  XIX.

No Partnership

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to constitute the Broker as an employee, agent or representative of, or in association with or in partnership with, the Intermediary Manager, the Company or the other Brokers; instead, this Agreement shall only constitute the Broker as a Broker authorized by the Intermediary Manager to sell the Shares according to the terms set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented and in this Agreement.

 

  XX.

Changes; Amendments

Except as specifically provided in this Section XX, this Agreement may be changed or amended only by written instrument signed by all parties.

 

13


In the event of a change in law, regulation or other regulatory guidance which affects this Agreement, Broker authorizes the Intermediary Manager to amend this Agreement in order to comply with the requirements of any such law, regulation or other regulatory guidance. Broker agrees that such amendment shall automatically become effective upon the execution of the first transaction Broker or its Customer executes with the Company thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the amendment (or sooner, if required to comply with applicable law and that the amendment shall not require the signature of Broker in order to be effective).

 

  XXI.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement (including any Schedules and Exhibits hereto) are the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior agreements, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.

 

  XXII.

Successors and Assigns

No party shall assign this Agreement or any right, interest or benefit under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Intermediary Manager, the Advisor and Broker and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

  XXIII.

Severability.

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision was omitted.

 

  XXIV.

Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart, when executed and delivered, shall be an original contract, but all counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement, including all exhibits. Each party may execute this Agreement by applying an electronic signature using DocuSign or any similar electronic signature program and acknowledges, agrees and confirms that the use of such an electronic signature program (a) shall result in a reliable and valid delivery of such party’s signature to this Agreement; and (b) shall constitute reasonable steps on the part of the other party to this Agreement to verify the reliability of such signature.

 

14


THE INTERMEDIARY MANAGER:
BLACKSTONE SECURITIES PARTNERS L.P.

 

Date:

 

 

15


We have read the foregoing Agreement and we hereby accept and agree to the terms and conditions therein set forth. We hereby represent that the list below of jurisdictions in which we are registered or licensed as a broker or Broker and are fully authorized to sell securities is true and correct, and we agree to advise you of any change in such list during the term of this Agreement.

 

1.

IDENTITY OF BROKER:

 

Company Name:  

 

Type of entity:  

 

  (Corporation, Partnership or Proprietorship)
Organized in the State of:  

 

 

Licensed as broker-dealer in all States:    Yes   

 

 

   No   

 

 

  

 

If no, list all States licensed as broker-dealer:  

 

 

 

Tax ID #:  

 

 

2.

Person to receive notices delivered pursuant to the Selected Intermediary Agreement.

 

Name:  

 

Company:  

 

Address:  

 

City, State and Zip:  

 

Telephone:  

 

Fax:  

 

Email:

 

 

 

16


AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY THE BROKER:

 

 

 

  (Broker’s Firm Name)
By:  

 

  Signature
Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Date:  

 

 

17


SCHEDULE I

ADDENDUM

TO

SELECTED INTERMEDIARY AGREEMENT WITH

BLACKSTONE SECURITIES PARTNERS L.P.

 

 

 

Name of Broker:  

 

The following reflects the transaction or other fee arrangements and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees as agreed upon between Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (the “Intermediary Manager”) and Broker, effective as of the effective date of the Selected Broker Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Intermediary Manager and Broker in connection with the offering of Shares of Blackstone Private Credit Fund (the “Company”). Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Agreement.

Brokerage Transaction Fee

Broker may charge a transaction or other fee, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, on sales of Shares, as set forth in “Share Class Election” below, to the extent the Prospectus discloses that such brokerage commissions or fees may be charged for the relevant class of Shares. Broker represents that Broker is acting solely as an agent for its customers with respect to their purchase or sale of Shares and is not acting for Broker’s own account. Any transaction or other fee, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, charged by Broker in connection with its sale of Shares will be charged in a manner consistent with the Prospectus and applicable law and FINRA rules. Purchases and sales of such Shares may only be executed as purchases or repurchases between the customer and the Fund. Broker shall not execute trades of Shares between customers.

Terms and Conditions of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fees.

The payment of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee to Broker is subject to terms and conditions set forth herein and the Prospectus as may be amended or supplemented from time to time. If Broker elects to sell Class S shares and/or Class D shares, eligibility to receive the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee with respect to the Class S shares and/or Class D shares, as applicable, sold by the Broker is conditioned upon the Broker acting as broker of record with respect to such Shares and complying with the requirements set forth below, including providing shareholder and account maintenance services with respect to such Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, such services are non-distribution services, other than those primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares.

(i) the existence of an effective Selected Intermediary Agreement or ongoing Servicing Agreement between the Intermediary Manager and the Broker, and

(ii) the provision of the following services with respect to the Class S shares and/or Class D shares, as applicable, by the Broker:

1. assistance with recordkeeping, including maintaining records for and on behalf of Broker’s customers reflecting transactions and balances of Shares owned,

 

18


2. answering investor inquiries regarding the Company, including distribution payments and reinvestments,

3. helping investors understand their investments upon their request, and

4. tender offer requests.

The Broker hereby represents by its acceptance of each payment of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee that it complies with each of the above requirements and is providing the above-described services.

Subject to the conditions described herein, the Intermediary Manager will reallow to Broker the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee in an amount described below, on Class S shares or Class D shares, as applicable, sold by Broker. To the extent payable, the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee will be payable monthly in arrears as provided in the Prospectus. All determinations regarding the total amount and rate of reallowance of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee, the Broker’s compliance with the listed conditions, and/or the portion retained by the Intermediary Manager will be made by the Intermediary Manager in its sole discretion.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the terms of the Prospectus, at such time as the Broker is no longer the intermediary of record with respect to such Class S or Class D shares or the Broker no longer satisfies any or all of the conditions set forth above, then Broker’s entitlement to the S shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee related to such Class S and/or Class D shares, as applicable, shall cease in, and Broker shall not receive the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee for, that month or any portion thereof (i.e., shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees are payable with respect to an entire month without any proration). Intermediary transfers will be made effective as of the start of the first business day of a month.

Thereafter, such shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee may be reallowed to the then-current intermediaries of record of the Class S and/or Class D shares, as applicable, if any such intermediary of record has been designated (the “Servicing Broker”), to the extent such Servicing Broker has entered into a Selected Intermediary Agreement or similar agreement with the Intermediary Manager (“Servicing Agreement”) and such Selected Intermediary Agreement or Servicing Agreement with the Servicing Broker provides for such reallowance. In this regard, all determinations will be made by the Intermediary Manager in good faith in its sole discretion. The Broker is not entitled to any shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee with respect to Class I shares. The Intermediary Manager may also reallow some or all of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee to other intermediaries who provide services with respect to the Shares (who shall be considered additional Servicing Brokers) pursuant to a Servicing Agreement with the Intermediary Manager to the extent such Servicing Agreement provides for such reallowance and such additional Servicing Broker is in compliance with the terms of such agreement related to such reallowance, in accordance with the terms of such Servicing Agreement.

Unless otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, at the end of the month in which the Intermediary Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees paid with respect to any single share held in a shareholder’s account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such share (or a lower limit as determined by the Intermediary Manager or Broker), the Intermediary Manager shall cease receiving the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on either (i) each such share that would exceed such limit or (ii) all Class S shares and Class D shares in such shareholder’s account, in the Intermediary Manager’s discretion. At the end of such month, the applicable Class S shares or Class D shares in such shareholder’s account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such Class S or Class D shares.

 

19


In addition, the Company and the Intermediary Manager will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on Class S shares and Class D shares in connection with an Offering upon the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of such Offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with such Offering, including transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee and other underwriting compensation, is equal to ten percent (10%) of the gross proceeds from Primary Shares sold in such Offering. For purposes of this Schedule I, the portion of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee accruing with respect to Class S and Class D shares of the Company’s common shares issued (publicly or privately) by the Company during the term of a particular Offering, and not issued pursuant to a prior Offering, shall be underwriting compensation with respect to such particular Offering and not with respect to any other Offering.

General

Shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees due to the Broker pursuant to this Agreement will be paid to the Broker within 30 days after receipt by the Intermediary Manager. The Broker, in its sole discretion, may authorize Intermediary Manager to deposit shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees or other payments due to it pursuant to this Agreement directly to its bank account. If the Broker so elects, the Broker shall provide such deposit authorization and instructions in Schedule II to this Agreement.

The parties hereby agree that the foregoing shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee are not in excess of the usual and customary distributors’ or sellers’ commission received in the sale of securities similar to the Primary Shares, that the Broker’s interest in the Offering is limited to such shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee from the Intermediary Manager and the Broker’s indemnity referred to in Section 4 of the Intermediary Manager Agreement, and that the Company is not liable or responsible for the direct payment of such shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee to the Broker.

Except as otherwise described under “Brokerage Transaction Fee” above, the Broker waives any and all rights to receive compensation, including the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee, until it is paid to and received by the Intermediary Manager. Broker acknowledges and agrees that, if the Company pays shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the Intermediary Manager, the Company is relieved of any obligation for shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to Broker. The Company may rely on and use the preceding acknowledgement as a defense against any claim by Broker for shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees the Company pays to Intermediary Manager but that Intermediary Manager fails to remit to Broker. The Broker affirms that the Intermediary Manager’s liability for the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee is limited solely to the proceeds of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee receivable from the Company and Broker hereby waives any and all rights to receive any reallowance of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee due until such time as the Intermediary Manager is in receipt of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee from the Company. Notwithstanding the above, Broker affirms that, to the extent that Broker retains transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, as described above under “Brokerage Transaction Fee,” neither the Company nor the Intermediary Manager shall have liability for such brokerage commission or other transaction based fee payable to the Broker, and the Broker is solely responsible for retaining the brokerage commissions or other similar transaction based fees due to the Broker from the subscription funds received by the Broker from its customers for the purchase of Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

20


Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Broker will not be entitled to receive any transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, or shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee which would cause the aggregate amount of transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, transaction based fees, shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees and other forms of underwriting compensation (as defined in accordance with applicable FINRA rules) paid from any source in connection with this Offering to exceed ten percent (10.0%) of the gross proceeds raised from the sale of Shares in the Offering.

Broker shall furnish Intermediary Manager and the Company with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Company with respect to the fees paid to Broker pursuant to this Schedule A, and Broker shall notify Intermediary Manager if Broker is not eligible to receive transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees at the time of purchase.

Due Diligence

In addition, as set forth in the Prospectus, the Intermediary Manager or, in certain cases at the option of the Company, the Company, will pay or reimburse the Broker for reasonable bona fide due diligence expenses incurred by the Broker in connection with the Offering. Such due diligence expenses may include customary travel, lodging, meals and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Broker and its personnel when visiting the Company’s offices verify information relating to the Company. The Broker shall provide a detailed and itemized invoice for any such due diligence expenses and shall obtain the prior written approval from the Intermediary Manager for such expenses, and no such expenses shall be reimbursed absent a detailed and itemized invoice being sent to USInvoices@Blackstone.com and to the attention of Blackstone Global Strategic Partners at PWS-NY-GlobalStrategicPartners@Blackstone.com. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such payment will be made if such payment would cause the aggregate of such reimbursements to Broker and other brokers, together with all other organization and offering expenses, defined under Omnibus Guidelines and FINRA rules, to exceed ten percent (10%) and fifteen percent (15%) of the Company’s gross proceeds from the Offering. All such reimbursements will be made in accordance with, and subject to the restrictions and limitations imposed under the Prospectus, FINRA rules and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

21


Share Class Election

CHECK EACH APPLICABLE BOX BELOW IF THE BROKER ELECTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LISTED SHARE CLASS

 

☐  Class S Shares    ☐  Class D Shares    ☐  Class I Shares   

The following reflects the transaction or other fee, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, arrangement and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee as agreed upon between the Intermediary Manager and the Broker for the applicable Share Class.

 

 

   (Initials)    No upfront selling commission but intermediaries may charge transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, up to 3.5% of the NAV per Class S share sold in the Offering    By initialing here, the Broker hereby agrees to the terms of the Agreement and this Schedule I with respect to the Class S shares.
     

 

   (Initials)    Shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee of 0.85% per annum of the aggregate NAV of outstanding Class S shares as of the beginning of the first calendar day of each month    By initialing here, the Broker agrees to the terms of eligibility for the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee set forth in this Schedule I with respect to Class S shares. Should the Broker choose to opt out of this provision, it will not be eligible to receive the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee with respect to Class S shares and initialing is not necessary. The Broker represents by its acceptance of each payment of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee that it complies with each of the above requirements.
     

 

   (Initials)    No upfront selling commission but intermediaries may charge transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, up to 1.5% of the NAV per Class D share sold in the Offering    By initialing here, the Broker hereby agrees to the terms of the Agreement and this Schedule I with respect to the Class D shares.
     

 

   (Initials)    Shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee of 0.25% per annum of the aggregate NAV of outstanding Class D shares as of the beginning of the first calendar day of each month    By initialing here, the Broker agrees to the terms of eligibility for the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee set forth in this Schedule I with respect to Class D shares. Should the Broker choose to opt out of this provision, it will not be eligible to receive the shareholder servicing and/or

 

22


                            distribution fee with respect to Class D shares and initialing is not necessary. The Broker represents by its acceptance of each payment of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee that it complies with each of the above requirements.

 

23


WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Addendum to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

“INTERMEDIARY MANAGER”
BLACKSTONE SECURITIES PARTNERS L.P.
         By:  

 

    Name:  

 

    Title:  

 

 

“BROKER”

 

(Print Name of Broker)
         By:  
 

 

    Name:
   

 

    Title:
   

 

 

24


SCHEDULE II

TO

SELECTED INTERMEDIARY AGREEMENT WITH

BLACKSTONE SECURITIES PARTNERS L.P.

 

 

NAME OF ISSUER: BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND

NAME OF BROKER:                    

SCHEDULE TO AGREEMENT DATED:                    

Broker hereby authorizes the Intermediary Manager or its agent to deposit shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee and other payments due to it pursuant to the Selected Intermediary Agreement to its bank account specified below. This authority will remain in force until Broker notifies the Intermediary Manager in writing to cancel it. In the event that the Intermediary Manager deposits funds erroneously into Broker’s account, the Intermediary Manager is authorized to debit the account with no prior notice to Broker for an amount not to exceed the amount of the erroneous deposit.

Bank Name:                    

Bank Address:                    

Bank Routing Number:                    

Account Number:                    

 

“BROKER”

 

(Print Name of Broker)
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

  Date:  

 


SCHEDULE III

TO

SELECTED INTERMEDIARY AGREEMENT WITH

BLACKSTONE SECURITIES PARTNERS L.P.

 

 

[To come]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Addendum to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

“INTERMEDIARY MANAGER”
BLACKSTONE SECURITIES PARTNERS L.P.
         By:  

 

    Name:  

 

    Title:  

 

 

“BROKER”

 

(Print Name of Broker)
         By:  
 

 

    Name:
   

 

    Title:
   

 

Exhibit (h)(3)

BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING PLAN

[                    ], 2020

This Distribution and Servicing Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted on a voluntary basis in conformity with Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), by Blackstone Private Credit Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), with respect to its classes of shares of beneficial interest (each, a “Class”) listed on Appendix A, as amended from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

1.

Distribution Fee and Shareholder Servicing Fee

a.    The Fund may pay to Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (the “Distributor”), in its capacity as principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares of beneficial interest, with respect to and at the expense of each Class listed on Appendix A, a fee for (i) distribution and sales support services (the “Distribution Fee”), as applicable, and/or (ii) shareholder services (the “Servicing Fee”), and each as more fully described below (together, the “Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee”), such fee to be paid at the rate per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of each applicable month of the Class specified with respect to such Class under the column “Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee” on Appendix A. The Distribution Fee under the Plan will be used primarily to compensate the Distributor for such services provided in connection with the offering and sale of shares of the applicable Class, and to reimburse the Distributor for related expenses incurred, including payments by the Distributor to compensate or reimburse brokers, other financial institutions or other industry professionals (collectively, “Selling Agents”), for distribution services and sales support services provided and related expenses incurred by such Selling Agents. Payments of the Distribution Fee on behalf of a particular Class must be in consideration of services rendered for or on behalf of such Class. However, joint distribution or sales support financing with respect to the shares of the Class (which financing may also involve other investment portfolios or companies that are affiliated persons of such a person, or affiliated persons of the Distributor) are permitted in accordance with applicable law. Payments of the Servicing Fee will be used to compensate the Distributor for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts services provided to shareholders in the related Class and to reimburse the Distributor for related expenses incurred, including payments by the Distributor to compensate or reimburse brokers, dealers, other financial institutions or other industry professionals. Payments of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee may be made without regard to expenses actually incurred.

 

2.

Calculation and Payment of Fees

The amount of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee payable with respect to each Class listed on Appendix A will be calculated at the rate per annum of the aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first calendar day of each applicable month, payable monthly in arrears, at the applicable annual rates indicated on Appendix A. The Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee will be calculated and paid separately for each Class.


3.

Approval of Plan

The Plan will become effective, as to any Class (including any Class not currently listed on Appendix A), upon its approval by (a) a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan (“Qualified Trustees”), pursuant to a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval of the Plan, and (b) with respect to Section 1 of the Plan only, if the Plan is adopted for a Class after any public offering of shares of the Class or the sale of shares of the Class to persons who are not affiliated persons of the Fund, affiliated persons of such persons, promoters of the Fund, or affiliated persons of such promoters, a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Class.

 

4.

Continuance of the Plan

The Plan will continue in effect with respect to a Class for one year from the date of execution, and from year to year thereafter indefinitely so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Fund’s Board of Trustees in the manner described in Section 3(a) above.

 

5.

Implementation

All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan with respect to any Class shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan with respect to any Class shall provide: (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by a majority vote of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant Class, on not more than 60 days’ written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

For the purposes of this Agreement, the “affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares” of a Fund means the affirmative vote, at a duly called and held meeting of shareholders of the Fund, (a) of the holders of 67% or more of the shares of the Fund present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at the meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or by proxy or (b) of the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at the meeting, whichever is less. For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms “interested person” and “assignment” have their respective meanings defined in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to the Rules and Regulations under the 1940 Act and any applicable guidance or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff; and the term “approve at least annually” will be construed in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations under the 1940 Act and any applicable guidance or interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.

 

2


6.

Termination

This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to the shares of any Class by vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees, or by a majority vote of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant Class.

 

7.

Amendments

The Plan may not be amended with respect to any Class so as to increase materially the amount of the Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee described in Section 1 above with respect to such Class without approval in the manner described in Section 3(a) above, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in Section 3(a) above.

 

8.

Selection of Certain Trustees

While the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Fund’s Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund will be at the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

 

9.

Written Reports

While the Plan is in effect, the Fund’s Board of Trustees will receive, and the Trustees will review, at least quarterly, written reports complying with the requirements of the Rule, which set out the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which those expenditures were made.

 

10.

Preservation of Materials

The Fund will preserve copies of the Plan, any agreement relating to the Plan and any report made pursuant to Section 9 above, for a period of not less than six years (the first two years in an easily accessible place) from the date of the Plan, agreement or report.

 

11.

Delaware Statutory Trust

A copy of the Certificate of Trust of the Fund is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Fund as Trustees and this Agreement has not been executed by such Trustee in his individual capacity and that the obligations of or arising out of this Plan are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund individually but are binding only upon the Fund and the assets and property of the Fund, or upon the assets belonging to the series or attributable to the class of the Fund, for the benefit of which the Trustees have caused this Plan to be executed.

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has executed this Plan as of the date first above written on behalf of each Class listed on Appendix A.

 

BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND
By:      

 

  Name:
  Title:


APPENDIX A TO DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING PLAN

BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND

 

Class of Shares of Beneficial Interest

   Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee

Class I Shares

   N/A    

Class S Shares

   0.85%

Class D Shares

   0.25%

 

Agreed to and accepted as of [                    ], 2020.
BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit (k)(2)

FORM OF ESCROW AGREEMENT

THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (this “Escrow Agreement”), dated as of August __, 2020, is entered into by and among Blackstone Private Credit Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), Blackstone Securities Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, as dealer manager for the Fund (the “Dealer Manager”), and UMB Bank, N.A., as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is registering for sale in a public offering (the “Offering”) a maximum of $5,000,000,000 in shares of its shares of beneficial interest, $25.00 par value per share, consisting of Class D common shares, Class I common shares and Class S common shares (collectively, the “Shares”), pursuant to the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 377-03049), as amended from time to time;

WHEREAS, the Dealer Manager has been engaged by the Fund to offer and sell the Shares on a best-efforts basis in the Offering through a network of participating broker-dealers (the “Dealers”);

WHEREAS, the Fund and the Dealer Manager desire to establish an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) as further described herein and to deposit funds contributed by subscribers subscribing to purchase Shares (“Subscribers”) with the Escrow Agent in the Escrow Account, to be held for the benefit of the Subscribers and the Fund until such time as subscriptions for the Minimum Amount (as defined below) has been deposited into the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement;

WHEREAS, DST Systems, Inc. (the “Processing Agent”) has been engaged to receive, examine for “good order” and facilitate subscriptions into the Escrow Account as further described herein and to act as record keeper, maintaining on behalf of the Escrow Agent the ownership records for the Escrow Account; and

WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent is willing to accept appointment as escrow agent upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.

Escrow of Subscriber Funds.

(a) On or before the commencement of the Offering, the Fund shall establish the Escrow Account with the Escrow Agent, which shall be entitled “UMB Bank, N.A., as Escrow Agent for Blackstone Private Credit Fund” All funds received from Subscribers in payment for the Shares (“Subscriber Funds”) which comply with the instructions set forth in Section 2(a) will be delivered to the Escrow Agent promptly following the day upon which such Subscriber Funds are received by the Processing Agent and such subscription is accepted by the Fund, and shall, upon receipt of good and collected funds by the Escrow Agent, be retained in the Escrow Account for the benefit of the Subscribers and the Fund by the Escrow Agent and invested as stated below. Subscriber Funds also may be wired directly to the Escrow Account using wire instructions provided by the Escrow Agent. Such Subscriber Funds shall be retained in the Escrow Account by the Escrow Agent and invested as set forth in Section 8 and shall be deposited within one (1) business day of receipt. The Subscriber Funds shall not be held by the Dealer Manager at any time.

(b) Escrow Agent shall have no duty to make any disbursement, investment or other use of Subscriber Funds until and unless it has good and collected funds. In the event that any checks deposited in the Escrow Account are returned or prove uncollectible after the funds represented thereby have been released by the Escrow Agent, then the Fund shall promptly reimburse the Escrow Agent for any and all reasonable costs incurred for such, upon request, and the Escrow Agent shall deliver the returned checks to

 


the Fund. The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty or responsibility to enforce collection of any check delivered to it hereunder. The Escrow Agent reserves the right to deny, suspend or terminate participation by a Subscriber to the extent the Escrow Agent deems it advisable or necessary to comply with applicable laws.

 

2.

Operation of the Escrow.

(a) Until such time as the Fund has received subscriptions for Shares resulting in gross subscription proceeds equal to the Minimum Offering (as defined below) and the funds in the Escrow Account are disbursed from the Escrow Account in accordance with Section 2(b) hereof, Subscribers will be instructed to make checks, wires, or payments from the Subscriber’s broker (“Instruments of Payment”), as applicable, for subscriptions payable to the order of “UMB Bank, N.A., as Escrow Agent for Blackstone Private Credit Fund”. Completed subscription agreements and Instruments of Payment for the purchase price shall be remitted to the address designated for the receipt of such agreements and Instruments of Payment. Any Instruments of Payment made payable to a party other than the Escrow Agent shall be returned to the Fund or the Dealer who submitted such Instrument of Payment. When the Dealer’s internal supervisory procedures are conducted at the site at which the Instruments of Payment and the Subscription Materials (as defined below) are initially received by the Dealer, by the end of the next business day after receipt of any Instruments of Payment and Subscription Materials, the Dealer will send to the Escrow Agent such Instruments of Payment along with each Subscriber’s name, address, executed IRS Form W-9, number and class of Shares purchased and purchase price remitted and any other subscription documentation (the “Subscription Materials”). When the Dealer’s internal supervisory procedures are conducted at a different location (the “Final Review Office”), the Dealer shall transmit the Instruments of Payment and the Subscription Materials to the Final Review Office by the end of the next business day after receipt of any Instruments of Payment and Subscription Materials, and then the Final Review Office will, by the end of the next business day following its receipt of the Instruments of Payment and the Subscription Materials, forward the Instruments of Payment and the Subscription Materials to the Escrow Agent. To the extent that subscription agreements and payments are remitted by the Processing Agent, the Fund, the Dealer Manager or a Dealer, the Processing Agent, the Fund, the Dealer Manager or a Dealer, as applicable, will furnish to the Escrow Agent a list detailing information regarding such subscriptions as set forth in Exhibit A. The Processing Agent will promptly deliver all monies received in good order from Subscribers (or from the Fund, the Dealer Manager or Dealers transmitting monies and subscriptions from Subscribers) for the payment of Shares to the Escrow Agent for deposit in the Escrow Account. Deposits shall be held in the Escrow Account until such funds are disbursed in accordance with Section 2. Prior to disbursement of the funds deposited in the Escrow Account, such funds shall not be subject to claims by creditors of the Fund or any of its affiliates. If any of the Instruments of Payment are returned to the Escrow Agent for nonpayment prior to the satisfaction of the Minimum Amount, the Escrow Agent shall promptly notify the Processing Agent and the Fund in writing via mail, email or facsimile of such nonpayment, and the Escrow Agent is authorized to debit the Escrow Account, as applicable, in the amount of such returned payment as well as any interest earned on the amount of such payment and the Processing Agent shall delete the appropriate account from the records maintained by the Processing Agent. The Processing Agent will maintain a written account of each sale, which account shall set forth, among other things, the following information: (i) the Subscriber’s name and address, (ii) the number and class of Shares purchased by such Subscriber, and (iii) the amount paid by such Subscriber for such Shares. Prior to the satisfaction of the Minimum Amount, neither the Fund nor the Dealer Manager will be entitled to any funds received into the Escrow Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the satisfaction of the Minimum Amount, upon the written request of a Subscriber (which may be delivered by the Fund or Dealer Manager) to withdraw their purchase order and request a full refund, the Escrow Agent shall disburse directly to such Subscriber the principal amount of the subscription payment from such Subscriber received by the Escrow Agent plus any interest accrued thereon.

 

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(b) If at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below), the subscription proceeds received by the Escrow Agent are equal to or greater than $100,000,000, excluding Shares purchased by the Fund’s sponsor, its affiliates and the Fund’s officers and trustees (“Minimum Amount”), the Fund, at a time determined by the Fund’s board of trustees, shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a written instruction from an officer of the Fund stating that the Minimum Amount has been timely raised and authorizing the delivery of all Subscriber Funds in the Escrow Account to the Fund. Thereafter, the Escrow Agent shall (i) promptly disburse to the Fund, by check or wire transfer, the funds in the Escrow Account representing the principal amount of the gross subscription payments from Subscribers received by the Escrow Agent and (ii) within five (5) business days after the first business day of the succeeding month, disburse to such Subscribers any interest accrued thereon; provided, however, that the Escrow Agent shall not disburse those funds of a Subscriber whose subscription has been rejected or rescinded of which the Escrow Agent has been notified in writing by the Fund, or otherwise in accordance with the Fund’s written request.

(c) After the satisfaction of the provisions of this Section 2 with respect to the disbursement of funds, in the event that the Fund receives subscriptions made payable to the Escrow Agent, subscription proceeds may continue to be received in the Escrow Account, but to the extent that the process shall not be subject to escrow due to the Fund reaching the Minimum Amount, the proceeds shall not be subject to this Escrow Agreement, and at the written instruction of the Fund to the Escrow Agent, shall be disbursed as directed by the Fund. The terms of this Section 2(c) shall survive the assignment or termination of this Escrow Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

(d) If, as of the close of business on the one year anniversary of the commencement of the Offering (the “Expiration Date”), the funds in the Escrow Account do not equal or exceed the Minimum Amount, within ten (10) days following the Expiration Date, the Escrow Agent shall promptly return directly to each Subscriber (i) by check or wire transfer, the Subscriber Funds deposited in the Escrow Account on behalf of such Subscriber (unless earlier disbursed in accordance with this Escrow Agreement), or (ii) the Instruments of Payment delivered to the Escrow Agent with respect to such Subscriber’s subscription if such Instrument of Payment has not been processed for collection prior to such time, in either case, together with any interest income thereon. Notwithstanding the above, in the event the Escrow Agent has not received an executed IRS Form W-9 at such time for each Subscriber, the Escrow Agent and shall remit an amount to the Subscribers in accordance with the provisions hereof, withholding the applicable percentage for backup withholding required by the Internal Revenue Code, as then in effect, from any interest income on subscription proceeds attributable to each Subscriber for whom the Escrow Agent does not possess an executed IRS Form W-9.    However, the Escrow Agent shall not be required to remit any payments until the Escrow Agent has collected funds represented by such payments.

 

3.

Identity of Subscribers.

The Fund, Processing Agent or the Dealer Manager shall furnish to the Escrow Agent with each delivery of an Instrument of Payment, a list of the Subscribers who have paid for the Shares showing the name, address, tax identification number, amount and class of Shares subscribed for and the amount paid and deposited with the Escrow Agent. This information comprising the identity of Subscribers shall be provided to the Escrow Agent in the format set forth on Exhibit A to this Escrow Agreement (the “List of Subscribers”). All Subscriber Funds so deposited shall not be subject to any liens or charges by the Fund, the Dealer Manager or the Escrow Agent, or judgments or creditors’ claims against the Fund, until released to the Fund as hereinafter provided. The Fund understands and agrees that the Fund shall not be entitled to any Subscriber Funds on deposit in the Escrow Account and no such funds shall become the property of the Fund except when released to the Fund pursuant to this Escrow Agreement. The Fund, the Dealer Manager and the Escrow Agent will treat all Subscriber information as confidential. The Escrow Agent shall not be required to accept any funds from Subscribers that are not accompanied by the information on the List of Subscribers.

 

3


4.

Rejected Subscriptions.

In the event the Escrow Agent receives written notice from the Fund or the Dealer Manager that the Fund or Dealer Manager has rejected a Subscriber’s subscription, the Escrow Agent shall pay directly to the applicable Subscriber, within ten (10) business days after receiving notice of the rejection, by first class United States Mail at the address appearing on the List of Subscribers, or at such other address or wire instructions as are furnished to the Escrow Agent by the Subscriber in writing, all collected sums paid by the Subscriber for Shares and received by the Escrow Agent, together with all interest earned thereon.

 

5.

Term of Escrow.

Unless otherwise provided in this Escrow Agreement, final termination of this Escrow Agreement shall occur on the earliest of the date that (a) all funds held in the Escrow Account are distributed either to the Fund or to Subscribers and the Fund has informed the Escrow Agent in writing to close the Escrow Account, (b) all funds held in the Escrow Account are distributed to a successor escrow agent upon written instructions from the Fund or (c) the Escrow Agent receives written notice from the Fund or the Dealer Manager that the Fund terminated the Offering and any funds held in the Escrow Account are distributed in accordance with this Escrow Agreement. After the termination of this Escrow Agreement, the Fund and the Dealer Manager shall not deposit, and the Escrow Agent shall not accept, any additional amounts representing payments by prospective Subscribers.

 

6.

Duty and Limitation on Liability of the Escrow Agent.

(a) The Escrow Agent’s rights and responsibilities shall be governed solely by this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall at all times comply with applicable securities or other laws in performing its duties pursuant to this Escrow Agreement provided the Escrow Agent shall be deemed in compliance with the foregoing and protected in relying upon the written direction of the Fund and shall have no independent obligation to evaluate whether an act or omission complies with applicable securities or other laws. Neither the Offering documents, nor any other agreement or document shall govern the Escrow Agent even if such other agreement or document is referred to herein, is deposited with, or is otherwise known to, the Escrow Agent.

(b) The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to determine whether the Fund or the Dealer Manager is complying with the requirements of the Offering or applicable securities or other laws in tendering the Subscriber Funds to the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for, or be required to enforce, any of the terms or conditions of any Offering document or other agreement between the Fund or the Dealer Manager and any other party.

(c) The Escrow Agent may conclusively rely upon and shall be fully protected in acting upon any statement, certificate, notice, request, consent, order, opinion or advice of counsel, or other document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty or liability to verify any such statement, certificate, notice, request, consent, order or other document. Upon or before the execution of this Escrow Agreement, the Fund and the Dealer Manager shall deliver to the Escrow Agent authorized signers’ lists in the form of Exhibit B to this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice of demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Escrow Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto. The

 

4


Escrow Agent shall not be responsible, may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected, indemnified and held harmless by the Fund and by the Dealer Manager, acting severally but not jointly, for the sufficiency or accuracy of the form of, or the execution, validity, value or genuineness of any document or property received, held or delivered by it hereunder, or of the signature or endorsement thereon, or for any description therein; nor shall the Escrow Agent be responsible or liable in any respect on account of the identity, authority or rights of the persons executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver any document, property or this Escrow Agreement.

(d) The Escrow Agent shall be under no obligation to institute and/or defend any action, suit or proceeding in connection with this Escrow Agreement unless first indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction pursuant to the terms herein.

(e) The Escrow Agent may consult outside counsel of its own choice with respect to any question arising under this Escrow Agreement and the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted in good faith upon the advice of such counsel.

(f) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct was the primary cause of loss.

(g) The Escrow Agent is acting solely as escrow agent hereunder and owes no duties, covenants or obligations, fiduciary or otherwise, to any person by reason of this Escrow Agreement, except as otherwise explicitly set forth in this Escrow Agreement, and no implied duties, covenants or obligations, fiduciary or otherwise shall be read into this Escrow Agreement against the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty to enforce any obligation of any person, other than as provided herein. The Escrow Agent shall be under no liability to anyone by reason of any failure on the part of any party hereto or any maker, endorser or other signatory of any document or any other person to perform such person’s obligations under any such document. The Escrow Agent is not responsible or liable in any manner for the sufficiency, correctness, genuineness or validity of this Escrow Agreement or with respect to the form of execution of the same. The Escrow Agent shall keep strictly confidential all information sent to it unless such material is required to be disclosed pursuant to any applicable law, regulation, judicial or administrative order, decree or subpoena, or request by a regulatory organization having authority pursuant to the law. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith, and in the exercise of its own best judgment.

(h) In the event of any disagreement between any of the parties to this Escrow Agreement, or between any of them and any other person, including any Subscriber, resulting in adverse or conflicting claims or demands being made in connection with the matters covered by this Escrow Agreement, or in the event that the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to what action it should take hereunder, the Escrow Agent may, at its option, refuse to comply with any claims or demands on it, or refuse to take any other action hereunder, so long as such disagreement continues or such doubt exists, and in any such event, the Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable in any way or to any person for its failure or refusal to act, and the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to continue so to refrain from acting until (i) the rights of all interested parties shall have been fully and finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) all differences shall have been adjudged and all doubt resolved by agreement among all of the interested persons, and the Escrow Agent shall have been notified thereof in writing signed by all such persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Escrow Agent may in its discretion obey the order, judgment, decree or levy of any court, with jurisdiction, and the Escrow Agent is hereby authorized in its sole discretion to comply with and obey any such orders, judgments, decrees or levies. In the event that the Escrow Agent shall become involved in any arbitration or litigation relating to the Subscriber Funds, the Escrow Agent is authorized to comply with any decision reached through such arbitration or litigation.

 

5


(i) In the event that any controversy should arise with respect to this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall have the right, at its option, to institute an interpleader action in any court of competent jurisdiction to determine the rights of the parties.

(j) IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ESCROW AGENT BE LIABLE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF THE ESCROW AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES OR DAMAGES AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION.

(k) The parties agree that the Escrow Agent had no role in the preparation of the Offering documents, has not reviewed any such documents, and makes no representations or warranties with respect to the information contained therein or omitted therefrom.

(l) The Escrow Agent shall have no obligation, duty or liability with respect to compliance with any federal or state securities, disclosure or tax laws concerning the Offering documents or the issuance, offering or sale of the Shares.

(m) The Escrow Agent shall have no duty or obligation to monitor the application and use of the Subscriber Funds once transferred to the Fund, that being the sole obligation and responsibility of the Fund.

 

7.

Escrow Agent’s Fee.

The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to compensation for its services as stated in the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit C, which compensation shall be paid by the Fund or any of its affiliates. The fee agreed upon for the services rendered hereunder is intended as full compensation for the Escrow Agent’s services as contemplated by this Escrow Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that the conditions for the disbursement of funds under this Escrow Agreement are not fulfilled, or the Escrow Agent renders any material service not contemplated in this Escrow Agreement with the Fund’s consent, or there is any assignment of interest in the subject matter of this Escrow Agreement, or any material modification hereof with the Fund’s consent, or if any material controversy arises hereunder, or the Escrow Agent is made a party to any litigation relating to this Escrow Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, then the Escrow Agent shall be reasonably compensated for such extraordinary services and reimbursed for all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, occasioned by any delay, controversy, litigation or event, and the same shall be paid by the Fund or any of its affiliates. The Fund’s obligations under this Section 7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent and the assignment or termination of this Escrow Agreement.

 

8.

Investment of Subscriber Funds; Income Allocation and Reporting.

(a) The Escrow Agent shall promptly invest the Subscriber Funds, including any and all interest and investment income, in accordance with the written instructions provided to the Escrow Agent and signed by the Fund. In the absence of written investment instructions from the Fund, the Escrow Agent shall deposit and invest the Subscriber Funds, including any and all interest and investment income, in UMB Money Market Special, a UMB money market deposit account. Any interest received by the Escrow Agent with respect to the Subscriber Funds, including reinvested interest shall become part of the Subscriber Funds, and shall be disbursed pursuant to this Escrow Agreement. The Fund agrees that, for tax reporting purposes, all interest or other taxable income earned on the Subscriber Funds in any tax year shall be taxable to the to the person or entity receiving the interest or other taxable income. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, funds in the Escrow Account may only be invested in “Short Term Investments” in compliance with Rule 15c2-4 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

6


(b) The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to sell or redeem any such investments as the Escrow Agent deems necessary to make any payments or distributions required under this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss which may result from any investment or sale of investment made pursuant to this Escrow Agreement. The parties acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is not providing investment supervision, recommendations, or advice.

(c) At any time pursuant to this Escrow Agreement interest income earned on Subscriber Funds deposited in the Escrow Account (“Escrow Income”) is to be paid to a Subscriber, the Escrow Agent shall promptly provide directly to such Subscriber the amount of Escrow Income payable to such Subscriber; provided that the Escrow Agent is in possession of such Subscriber’s executed IRS Form W-9. In the event an executed IRS Form W-9 is not received for each Subscriber the Escrow Agent shall have no obligation to return Escrow Income to any Subscriber until after it has received an executed and valid IRS Form W-9 executed by the Subscriber and shall remit an amount to the Subscribers in accordance with the provisions hereof, withholding the applicable percentage for backup withholding required by the Internal Revenue Code, as then in effect, from any Escrow Income attributable to those Subscribers for whom the Escrow Agent does not possess an executed IRS Form W-9. Escrow Income shall be remitted to Subscribers at the address provided by the Dealer Manager or the Fund to the Escrow Agent, which the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and without any deductions for escrow expenses.

(d) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and against any and all taxes, additions for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses that may be assessed against the Escrow Agent on or with respect to the Subscriber Funds unless any such tax, addition for late payment, interest, penalties and other expenses shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct. The terms of this paragraph shall survive the assignment or termination of this Escrow Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

9. Notices.

All notices, requests, demands, and other communications under this Escrow Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given, (b) on the business day of transmission if sent by facsimile to the facsimile number given below, with written confirmation of receipt, (c) on the business day after delivery to Federal Express or similar overnight courier or the Express Mail service maintained by the United States Postal Service, or (d) on the fifth business day after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given, by first class mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid, and properly addressed, return receipt requested, to the party as follows, provided, however, that notice to the Escrow Agent will be deemed given upon receipt by the Escrow Agent:

 

If to the Fund:   

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, New York 10154

Attn: Steve Flantsbaum, Kaci Twist Openshaw

steve.flantsbaum@blackstone.com

kaci.twist@blackstone.com

 

7


If to Dealer Manager:   

Blackstone Securities Partners L.P.

345 Park Avenue, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10154

Attn: Evan Clandorf

If to Escrow Agent:   

UMB Bank, N.A.

928 Grand Blvd, 12th Floor

Kansas City, MO 64106

Attn: Lara Stevens

Phone: (816) 860-3017

Facsimile: (816) 860-3029

Email: escrows@umb.com

Any party may change its address for purposes of this Section 9 by giving the other party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

 

10.

Indemnification of Escrow Agent.

The Fund and the Dealer Manager hereby severally but not jointly indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Escrow Agent from and against, any and all loss, liability, cost, damage and expense, including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses, which the Escrow Agent may suffer or incur by reason of any action, claim or proceeding brought against the Escrow Agent arising out of or relating in any way to this Escrow Agreement or any transaction to which this Escrow Agreement relates unless such loss, liability, cost, damage or expense is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by the negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. The terms of this Section 10 shall survive the assignment or termination of this Escrow Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

 

11.

Resignation.

The Escrow Agent may resign upon sixty (60) calendar days’ advance written notice to the Fund. In the event of any such resignation, a successor escrow agent, which shall be a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States of America, shall be appointed by the Fund. Any such successor escrow agent shall deliver to the Fund a written instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon shall succeed to all the rights and duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder and shall be entitled to receive the Subscriber Funds from the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall promptly pay the Subscription Amounts in the Escrow Account, including interest thereon, to the successor escrow agent.    If a successor escrow agent is not appointed within the sixty (60) calendar day period following such notice, the Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction to name a successor escrow agent or interplead the Subscriber Funds with such court, whereupon the Escrow Agent’s duties hereunder shall terminate.

 

12.

Removal.

The Escrow Agent may be removed by the Fund at any time by written notice provided to the Escrow Agent, which instrument shall become effective on the date specified in such written notice. The removal of the Escrow Agent shall not deprive the Escrow Agent of its compensation earned prior to such removal. In the event of any such removal, a successor escrow agent, which shall be a bank or trust

 

8


company organized under the laws of the United States of America, shall be appointed by the Fund. Any such successor escrow agent shall deliver to the Fund a written instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon shall succeed to all the rights and duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder and shall be entitled to receive the Subscriber Funds from the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall promptly pay the Subscriber Funds in the Escrow Account, including interest thereon, to the successor escrow agent. If a successor escrow agent is not appointed by the Fund within the thirty (30) day period following such notice, the Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction to name a successor escrow agent.

 

13.

Maintenance of Records.

The Escrow Agent shall maintain accurate records of all transactions hereunder. Promptly after the termination of this Escrow Agreement, and as may from time to time be reasonably requested by the Fund before such termination, the Escrow Agent shall provide the Fund with a copy of such records, certified by the Escrow Agent to be a complete and accurate account of all transactions hereunder. The authorized representatives of the Fund and the Dealer Manager shall also have access to the Escrow Agent’s books and records to the extent relating to its duties hereunder, during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to the Escrow Agent.

 

14.

Successors and Assigns.

Except as otherwise provided in this Escrow Agreement, no party hereto shall assign this Escrow Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto and any such attempted assignment without such prior written consent shall be void and of no force and effect. This Escrow Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto. Any corporation or association into which the Escrow Agent may be converted or merged, or with which it may be consolidated, or to which it may sell or transfer all or substantially all of its corporate trust business and assets in whole or in part, or any corporation or association resulting from any such conversion, sale, merger, consolidation or transfer to which the Escrow Agent is a party, shall be and become the successor escrow agent under this Escrow Agreement and shall have and succeed to the rights, powers, duties, immunities and privileges as its predecessor, without the execution or filing of any instrument or paper or the performance any further act.

 

15.

Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

This Escrow Agreement shall be construed, performed, and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof. Each party hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction and venue of any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York.

 

16.

Severability.

In the event that any part of this Escrow Agreement is declared by any court or other judicial or administrative body to be null, void, or unenforceable, said provision shall survive to the extent it is not so declared, and all of the other provisions of this Escrow Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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17.

Amendments; Waivers.

This Escrow Agreement may be amended or modified, and any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties, or conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. Any waiver by any party of any condition, or of the breach of any provision, term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Escrow Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall not be deemed to be nor construed as further or continuing waiver of any such condition, or of the breach of any other provision, term, covenant, representation, or warranty of this Escrow Agreement. The Fund and the Dealer Manager agree that any requested waiver, modification or amendment of this Escrow Agreement shall be consistent with the terms of the Offering.

 

18.

Entire Agreement.

This Escrow Agreement contains the entire understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the escrow contemplated hereby and supersedes and replaces all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, with regard to such escrow.

 

19.

References to Escrow Agent.

No printed or other matter in any language (including, without limitation, the Offering document, any supplement or amendment relating thereto, notices, reports and promotional material) which mentions the Escrow Agent’s name or the rights, powers, or duties of the Escrow Agent shall be issued by the Fund or the Dealer Manager, or on the Fund’s or Dealer Manager’s behalf unless the Escrow Agent shall first have given its specific written consent thereto.

 

20.

Section Headings.

The section headings in this Escrow Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Escrow Agreement.

 

21.

Counterparts.

This Escrow Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute the same instrument.

 

22.

Electronic Transactions.

The parties hereto agree that the transactions described herein may be conducted and related documents may be stored by electronic means. Copies, telecopies, facsimiles, electronic files and other reproductions of original executed documents shall be deemed to be authentic and valid counterparts of such original documents for all purposes, including the filing of any claim, action or suit in the appropriate court of law.

 

23.

Patriot Act Compliance; Tax Matters.

Pursuant to the subscription agreement completed by Subscribers, the Fund and the Dealer Manager agree to provide the Escrow Agent completed IRS Forms W-9 (or IRS Forms W-8, in the case of non-U.S. persons) and other forms and documents that the Escrow Agent may reasonably request (collectively, “Tax Reporting Documentation”) at the time of execution of this Escrow Agreement and any information reasonably requested by the Escrow Agent to comply with the USA Patriot Act of 2001, and Bank Secrecy Act, as amended from time to time. The parties hereto understand that if such Tax Reporting Documentation is not so certified to the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent may be required by the Internal Revenue Code, as it may be amended from time to time, to withhold a portion of any interest or other income earned on the investment of monies or other property held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Escrow Agreement. The Fund shall be treated as the owner of the Subscriber Funds for federal and state income tax purposes and

 

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the Fund will report all income, if any, that is earned on, or derived from, the Subscriber Funds as its income, in such proportions, in the taxable year or years in which such income is properly includible and pay any taxes attributable thereto. The Escrow Agent, or its agent, shall complete an OFAC search, in compliance with its policy and procedures, of each Payment Instrument and shall inform the Fund if a Payment Instrument fails the OFAC search.

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Escrow Agreement to be executed the day and year first set forth above.

 

Blackstone Private Credit Fund
 

Name:

Title:

Blackstone Securities Partners L.P., as Dealer Manager
 

Name:

Title:

UMB BANK, N.A., as Escrow Agent
 

Name: Lara L. Stevens

Title: Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS

Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement dated [ ], 2020 by and between Blackstone Private Credit Fund (the “Fund”), Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (the “Dealer Manager”) and UMB Bank, N.A., as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), the following investors have paid money for the purchase of the Shares in the Fund and the money has been deposited with the Escrow Agent:

 

1.

Name of Subscriber:

Address:

Tax Identification Number:

Amount and class of Securities subscribed for:

Amount of money paid and deposited with Escrow Agent:

 

2.

Name of Subscriber:

Address:

Tax Identification Number:

Amount and class of Securities subscribed for:

Amount of money paid and deposited with Escrow Agent:

 

13


EXHIBIT B

CERTIFICATE AS TO AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES

[To be provided]

The specimen signatures shown below are the specimen signatures of the individuals who have been designated as Authorized Representatives of, and are authorized to initiate and approve transactions of all types for the above-mentioned account on behalf of Blackstone Private Credit Fund

 

Name/Title

 

Specimen Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

Exhibit (k)(4)

BLACKSTONE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND

MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN

[                    ], 2020

This Multiple Class Plan (this “Plan”) is adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), by Blackstone Private Credit Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company;

WHEREAS, the Fund intends to rely on exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits it to issue multiple classes of shares, and one of the conditions of this relief is that the Fund must comply with the provisions of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act as though such rule applied to closed-end investment companies;

WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund (the “Shares”) are divided into one or more separate classes;

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to adopt this Plan in order that the Fund may issue multiple classes of Shares (each, a “Class”); and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”, and each member, a “Trustee”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Fund (the “Independent Trustees”), in considering whether the Fund should adopt and implement this Plan, has evaluated such information and considered such pertinent factors as it deemed necessary to undertake an informed evaluation of this Plan and determination as to whether this Plan should be adopted and implemented, and has determined that the adoption and implementation of this Plan, including the expense allocation contemplated herein, are in the best interests of each Class individually, as well as the best interests of the Fund;

NOW THEREFORE, the Fund adopts this Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, on the following terms and conditions:

1.    The effective date of this Plan (the “Effective Date”) shall be the date upon which the Fund has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to more than one Class.

2.    The Fund may issue Shares in one or more Classes, as set forth in Exhibit A. Shares so issued will have the rights and preferences set forth in the Fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and bylaws (each as amended from time to time), any applicable resolutions adopted by the Board from time to time and the Fund’s then current registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Classes.


3.    Shares issued in Classes will be issued subject to, and in accordance with, the terms of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, including, without limitation:

(a)    each Class will have a different arrangement for shareholder services or the distribution of Shares or both, and will pay all of the expenses of that arrangement, as set forth in Exhibit A;

(b)    each Class may pay a different share of other expenses, not including advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the Fund’s assets, if these expenses are actually incurred in a different amount by that Class, or if the Class receives services of a different kind or to a different degree than other Classes;

(c)    each Class will have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its arrangement;

(d)    each Class will have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one Class differ from the interests of any other Class;

(e)    except as otherwise permitted under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, each Class will have the same rights and obligations as each other Class; and

(f)    Shares of one Class may be exchanged, at the shareholder’s option, for Shares of another class of the Fund (an “intra-Fund exchange”), if and to the extent an applicable intra-Fund exchange privilege is disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus as from time to time in effect (together with the Fund’s statement of additional information as from time to time in effect, the “Prospectus”) and subject to the terms and conditions (including the imposition or waiver of any sales load, repurchase fee or early withdrawal charge) set forth in the Prospectus, provided that the shareholder requesting the intra-Fund exchange meets the eligibility requirements of the Class into which such shareholder seeks to exchange.

4.    Nothing in this Plan will be deemed to require the Fund to take any action contrary to its Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust or bylaws, each as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Board of the responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Fund.

5.    This Plan will continue in effect indefinitely unless terminated by a vote of the Board.

6.    This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board, provided that any material amendment of this Plan will be effective only upon approval by a vote of the Board, and a majority of the Independent Trustees.

7.    This Plan will be construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

8.    If any provision of this Plan is held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Plan will not be affected thereby.

 

2


EXHIBIT A

Classes as of [                    ], 2020

 

Class   

Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee 

(calculated per annum as a percent of the
aggregate NAV as of the beginning of the first
calendar day of each applicable month)

Class I

   N/A    

Class S

   0.85%

Class D

   0.25%

 

3

Exhibit (l)

[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger, PA]

September 30, 2020

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, New York 10154

 

  Re:

Blackstone Private Credit Fund

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Delaware counsel for Blackstone Private Credit Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), in connection with the matters set forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.

We have examined and relied upon such records, documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions expressed below, including the following documents:

 

  (a)

The certificate of trust of the Trust, as filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”) on February 11, 2020 (the “Certificate of Trust”);

 

  (b)

The Declaration of Trust, dated as of February 11, 2020, as amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of September 30, 2020 by the trustees of the trust named therein (as so amended and restated, the “Trust Agreement”);

 

  (c)

The By-Laws of the Trust, dated as of September 30, 2020 (the “By-Laws”);

 

  (d)

A certificate of the secretary of the Trust, dated the date hereof, and attaching copies of resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees (the forgoing are collectively referred to as the “Resolutions” and, together with the Trust Agreement and the By-Laws, are collectively referred to as the “Trust Documents”);

 

  (e)

The Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form N-2, as amended, including a preliminary prospectus (and the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein) dated September 30, 2020


Blackstone Private Credit Fund

September 30, 2020

Page 2

 

  (the “Prospectus”), with respect to the issuance of Class S, Class D and Class I common shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), filed by the Trust with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; and

 

  (f)

A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated September 30, 2020, obtained from the Secretary of State.

Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used as defined in the Trust Documents.

As to various questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied upon the representations made in the foregoing documents and upon certificates of officers of the Trust.

With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Trust Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties thereto with respect to the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the formation, operation and termination of the Trust, and that the Trust Documents and the Certificate of Trust are in full force and effect and will not be amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid existence in good standing of each party to the documents examined by us under the laws of the jurisdiction governing its organization or formation, (iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties (other than the Trust) to the documents examined by us has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents, (v) except to the extent provided in paragraph 2 below, the due authorization, execution and delivery by all parties thereto of all documents examined by us, (vi) the payment by each Person to whom a Share has been or is to be issued by the Trust (collectively, the “Shareholders”) for such Share, in accordance with the Trust Documents and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Shares will be issued and sold to the Shareholders in accordance with the Trust Documents and as contemplated by the Registration Statement. We have not participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement (other than this opinion) and assume no responsibility for its contents except for this opinion.

This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder which are currently in effect.


Blackstone Private Credit Fund

September 30, 2020

Page 3

 

Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.    The Trust has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. § 3801, et. seq.

2.    The Shares of the Trust have been duly authorized and, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable beneficial interests in the Trust.

We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.

 

JWP/JM3

Exhibit (n)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated August 26, 2020 relating to the financial statement of Blackstone Private Credit Fund, and to the reference to us under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

September 30, 2020