As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2020
File No. 000-56201
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 2 to
FORM 10
GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware | 83-0531326 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or registration) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX | 77002 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(713) 493-2020
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
with copies to:
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth, Esq. KA Credit Advisors, LLC 811 Main Street, 14th Floor Houston, TX 77002 (713) 493-2020 |
David A. Hearth, Esq. Vadim Avdeychik, Esq. Paul Hastings LLP 101 California Street, 48th Floor San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 856-7000 |
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ (do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☒ |
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 13(a) of the Exchange A. ☐
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Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC is filing this registration statement on Form 10 (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), on a voluntary basis in order to permit it to file an election to be regulated as a business development company (a BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and to provide current public information to the investment community and comply with applicable requirements for the possible future quotation or listing of its securities on a national securities exchange or the future quotation or listing of its securities on any other public trading market.
In this Registration Statement, except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms we, us, our, and the Company refer to Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc., a Delaware corporation for the periods after its conversion to a Delaware corporation and to Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for the periods prior to its conversion to a Delaware corporation described elsewhere in this Registration Statement. We refer to KA Credit Advisors, LLC, our investment adviser, as our Advisor. The Advisor also serves as our administrator (the Administrator). We refer generally to Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., an affiliate of the Advisor, as Kayne Anderson. The term stockholders refers to holders of our common stock, $.01 par value per share (Common Stock).
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the JOBS Act). As a result, we are eligible to take advantage of certain reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies including, but not limited to, not being subject to the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). See Item 1A. Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Our Business and StructureWe are an emerging growth company, and we do not know if such status will make our shares less attractive to investors.
Upon the effective date of this Registration Statement (the Effective Date), we will be subject to the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, including the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, which will require us to file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. We will also be required to comply with all other obligations of the Exchange Act applicable to issuers filing registration statements pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains an internet website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains the reports mentioned in this section.
Shortly after the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will file an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Upon filing of such election, we will become subject to the 1940 Act requirements applicable to BDCs.
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The shares are not currently listed on an exchange, and it is uncertain whether they will be listed or whether a secondary market will develop. |
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An investment in the Company may not be suitable for investors who may need the money they invest in a specified time frame. |
Any investors in our initial private offering will be required to be accredited investors as defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act. The criteria required of Regulation D may not apply to investors in subsequent offerings.
This Registration Statement contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our company, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs and our assumptions. Words such as anticipates, expects, intends, plans, will, may, continue, believes, seeks, estimates, would, could, should, targets, projects, and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including:
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the impact of the novel strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19 on the global economy, our industry, our business and our targeted investments; |
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an economic downturn, such as the downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our portfolio companies ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies; |
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an economic downturn, such as the downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, could disproportionately impact the companies which we intend to target for investment, potentially causing us to experience a decrease in investment opportunities and diminished demand for capital from these companies; |
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an economic downturn could also impact availability and pricing of our financing; |
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a contraction in credit available to us and/or our inability to access the equity markets; |
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interest rate volatility, including volatility associated with the decommissioning of LIBOR, could adversely affect our results, particularly since we intend to use leverage as a part of our investment strategy; |
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our future operating results; |
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our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies; |
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actual and potential conflicts of interest with our Advisor and its affiliates; |
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risk associated with possible disruptions in our operations or the economy generally; |
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our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties; |
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the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its effect on the industries in which we invest; |
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the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives; |
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the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments; |
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the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital; |
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the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies; |
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the general economy, and its impact on the industries in which we invest, and political trends and other external factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic; |
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uncertainty surrounding the financial and political stability of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and China, including the effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic; |
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the ability of our Advisor to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments; |
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the speculative and illiquid nature of our investments; |
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the ability of our Advisor and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals; |
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the ability of our Advisor to continue to effectively manage our business due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; |
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the loss of key personnel; |
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the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes; |
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our ability to qualify and maintain our qualification as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and as a BDC under the 1940 Act; and |
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the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify under Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. |
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Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this Registration Statement should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in the section entitled Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Registration Statement. Moreover, we assume no duty and do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and projections contained in this Registration Statement are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 21E of the Exchange Act.
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Investing in our Shares involves a number of significant risks. You should carefully consider information found in the section entitled Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. Some of the risks involved in investing in our Shares include:
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We are a new company and we are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any business with a limited operating history, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of our Shares could decline substantially. |
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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. |
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We intend to finance our investments with borrowed money. Our inability to access leverage in a timely fashion may inhibit our ability to make timely investments. |
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Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital exposes us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage. |
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There is no public market for our Shares, nor can we give any assurance that one will develop in the future. |
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We may not complete a liquidity event within a specific time period, if at all, and, as a result, investment in our Shares is not suitable if you require short-term liquidity with respect to your investment in us. |
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Because you will be unable to sell your Shares until we complete a liquidity event, you will be unable to reduce your exposure in a market downturn. |
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We generally will not control the business operations of our portfolio companies and, due to the illiquid nature of our holdings in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies. |
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The collateral securing our first-lien debt may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to value, and may become subordinated to the claims of other creditors. |
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Our investments in second-lien and subordinate loans generally will be subordinated to senior loans and will either have junior security interests or be unsecured, which may result in greater risk and loss of principal. |
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Some of the loans in which we may invest may be covenant-lite loans, which may have a greater risk of loss as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants. |
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An investment strategy focused primarily on privately held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies. |
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There is no public market or active secondary market for many of the investments that we intend to make and hold and as a result, these investments may be deemed illiquid. |
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Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry. |
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We may make investments in highly levered companies. Price declines in the corporate leveraged loan market may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation and the incurrence of realized losses. |
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The amount of any distributions we may make on our Shares is uncertain. We may not be able to pay you distributions, or be able to sustain distributions at any particular level, and our distributions per share, if any, may not grow over time, and our distributions per share may be reduced. |
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If the current period of capital market disruption and instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic continues for an extended period of time, there is a risk that you may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital. |
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To the extent original issue discount (OID), and payment-in-kind (PIK), interest income constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with the deferred receipt of the cash representing such income. |
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The Advisor and its affiliates, including our officers and some of our directors, may face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us and our affiliates, which could result in increased risk-taking by us. |
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Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships with private equity sponsors, financial intermediaries, direct lending institutions and other counterparties that are active in our markets. Any inability of the Advisor to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business. |
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The Advisor may frequently be required to make investment analyses and decisions on an expedited basis in order to take advantage of investment opportunities, and our Advisor may not have knowledge of all circumstances that could impact an investment by the Company. |
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Our management and incentive fee structure may create incentives for the Advisor that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders and may induce the Advisor to make speculative investments. |
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If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy. |
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Efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act would adversely affect us and the value of our Shares. |
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We are highly dependent on information systems, and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the value of our Shares and our ability to pay distributions. |
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ITEM 1. |
BUSINESS |
We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. In addition, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. We were formed as a Delaware limited liability company in May 2018. We were formed to make investments in middle-market companies and expect to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. Prior to our election to be regulated as a BDC, we will complete a conversion under which Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. will succeed to the business of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC.
Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through debt investments in middle-market companies. For the purposes of this Registration Statement, middle-market companies refers to U.S.-based companies that, in general, generate between $10 million and $150 million of annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA. We refer to companies that generate between $10 million and $50 million of annual EBITDA as core middle-market companies and companies that generate between $50 million and $150 million of annual EBITDA as upper middle-market companies.
We intend to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in first lien senior secured, unitranche and split-lien loans to privately held middle-market companies. These middle-market companies, in many cases, have a private equity firm that owns the majority of their equity and controls the companies. First lien senior secured, unitranche loans and split-lien term loans, also referred to in this Registration Statement as senior secured loans, typically pay interest on a floating rate basis, generally calculated as a premium over a benchmark, typically the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, or, after 2021, acceptable alternatives to LIBOR. Similar to first lien senior secured loans, unitranche loans typically have a first lien on all assets of the borrower, but provide leverage at levels similar to a combination of first lien and second lien and/or subordinated loans. Depending on market conditions, we expect that between 80% and 90% of our portfolio (including investments purchased with proceeds from borrowings) will be invested in first lien senior secured, unitranche and split-lien term loans. We expect that most of these investments will be in core middle market companies, with the remainder in upper middle market companies. The remaining 10% to 20% of our portfolio will be invested in higher-yielding investments, including, but not limited to, second lien loans, last-out or subordinated loans, non-investment grade broadly syndicated first and second lien loans (commonly referred to as leveraged loans), high-yield bonds, structured products (including CLO liabilities), real estate related debt securities, equity securities purchased in conjunction with debt investments and other opportunistic investments (collectively Opportunistic Middle Market Investments).
Our typical investment commitment is expected to be up to $50 million, although we expect that the size of our investments may increase as our business grows. We generally expect to make these investments alongside other Kayne Anderson managed funds and separately managed accounts pursuant to exemptive relief received from the SEC (see Other on page 20). While we intend to invest primarily in middle-market companies, we may also invest in larger or smaller companies. The issuers in which we intend to invest will typically be highly leveraged, and, in the majority of cases, will not be rated by any credit ratings agency. If these investments were rated, we believe such issuers would be rated below investment grade. Securities that are rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as high yield securities or junk bonds and have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Furthermore, a portion of our investments is expected to be in loans considered covenant-lite securities (primarily our loans to upper middle-market companies and our Opportunistic Middle Market Investments).
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As discussed below, our Advisor is an affiliate of Kayne Anderson. We intend to implement our investment objective by (1) accessing the established loan sourcing channels developed by Kayne Anderson, which includes an extensive network of private equity firms, other middle-market lenders, financial advisors and intermediaries, and experienced management teams, (2) selecting investments within our middle-market company focus, (3) implementing Kayne Andersons middle market private credit teams disciplined underwriting process, which includes reviewing environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, and (4) drawing upon the experience and resources of our Advisors investment team and the broader Kayne Anderson network.
The members of the Advisors investment team are experienced middle-market investors. The Advisors investment team has been focused on the middle-market since the 1980s. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson, certain of the Advisors lead investment team members founded and managed Dymas Capital Management, a middle-market, senior lending business, that was an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. Additionally, members of the Advisors investment team previously worked together at GE Capital and Heller Financial as senior investment professionals. The Advisors investment team has experience in all aspects of private credit financing, including sourcing, credit analysis, due diligence, negotiation and execution of documentation, portfolio management and restructuring. Our investment philosophy emphasizes the preservation of capital through a strong credit orientation and a disciplined investment process. We intend to utilize the thorough and systematic approach to investing and build upon the lending processes developed and historically employed by the Advisors investment team.
We expect to conduct private offerings of our Common Stock to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). At the closing of any private offering, each investor will make a capital commitment (a Capital Commitment) to purchase shares of our Common Stock (Shares) pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us. Investors will be required to fund drawdowns to purchase Shares up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments each time we deliver a notice to the investors. We anticipate commencing our loan origination and investment activities contemporaneously with the initial drawdown from investors in the private offering. Following the initial closing of the private offering (the Initial Closing) and prior to any Liquidity Event (as defined below), our investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings of the private offering. See Item 1. Business The Private Offering. A Liquidity Event is defined as (a) an initial public offering of our Shares (the Initial Public Offering) or the listing of our Shares on an exchange (together with the Initial Public Offering, an Exchange Listing), (b) the sale of the Company or (c) a disposition of the Companys investments and distribution of the net proceeds (after repayment of borrowed funds or other forms of leverage) to the Companys investors.
Shortly after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and the Formation Transactions (as defined below), we intend to file with the SEC an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we must comply with certain regulatory requirements. See Item 1. Business Regulation as a Business Development Company and Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Formation Transactions
Prior to our election to be regulated as a BDC, we intend to acquire our initial portfolio of investments by purchasing a portion of the portfolio of middle market loans held by an affiliate of our Advisor (the Warehousing Entity). This initial acquisition and all related transactions are referred to as the Formation Transactions.
Kayne Anderson established and manages the Warehousing Entity. In addition, Kayne Anderson owns 100% of the equity in the Warehousing Entity. At the time of formation, we expect to purchase $80 - $100 million of securities from the Warehousing Entity. We anticipate purchasing between 15-20 securities from the Warehouse Entity. These securities are loans with an average maturity date of five years that were made during the 2018-2019 timeframe (Warehouse Portfolio). Of these loans, the Warehouse Entitys average position size is $6 million, the largest being a $13 million loan and the smallest holding being a $1 million loan. All of the loans are senior secured and the borrowers are middle and upper middle market companies. We expect that there will be no material differences between the underwriting standards used by Kayne Anderson to originate or purchase the Warehouse Portfolio and the underwriting standards described in this registration statement that will be employed by the Advisor on behalf of the Company going forward.
We intend to fund our purchase of the Warehouse Portfolio with cash from the Initial Closing and, potentially, borrowings under a credit facility.
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The Advisor is responsible for the selection of the portion of the loan portfolio to be acquired by us. The loans will be selected based on our investment objective and investment strategy. The purchase price to be paid by us for the Warehouse Portfolio will be determined by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors, which consists of a majority of independent directors pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act, will review and pre-approve the Formation Transactions, including the review and approval of the loan portfolio being acquired.
The Advisor
Our investment activities are managed by our Advisor, an investment advisor that is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), under an investment advisory agreement between us and the Advisor (the Investment Advisory Agreement). Our Advisor is responsible for originating prospective investments, conducting research and due diligence investigations on potential investments, analyzing investment opportunities, negotiating and structuring investments and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. While we do not have any employees, the Advisor and its affiliates have a team of approximately 50 investment professionals who are primarily focused on private credit investments and liquid credit investments. The investment team is supported by a team of finance, legal, compliance, operations and administrative professionals.
The Advisors investment committee has overall responsibility for evaluating and approving the Companys investments, and its portfolio allocations, subject to the oversight of our Board of Directors. The investment committee review process is intended to bring the diverse experience and perspectives of the investment committee members to the analysis and consideration of every investment. The investment committee currently consists of Michael J. Levitt, Chief Executive Officer of Kayne Anderson; Terrence J. Quinn, Vice Chairman of Kayne Anderson; Paul S. Blank, Chief Operating Officer of Kayne Anderson; James C. Baker, Head of Public Retail Funds at Kayne Anderson; Douglas L. Goodwillie, Co-Head of Private Credit at Kayne Anderson; Kenneth B. Leonard, Co-Head of Private Credit at Kayne Anderson; John Y. Eanes, Head of Liquid Credit at Kayne Anderson; and Jon Levinson, Head of Opportunistic Credit at Kayne Anderson. The investment committee also determines appropriate investment sizing and mandates ongoing monitoring requirements. Douglas L. Goodwillie and Kenneth B. Leonard, each a Co-Chief Investment Officer of the Company, are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Companys portfolio.
In addition to reviewing investments, the investment committee meetings serve as a forum to discuss credit views and outlooks. The investment committee also reviews potential transactions and deal flow on a regular basis. Members of the deal team are encouraged to share information and views on credit with the committee early in their analysis. We believe this process improves the quality of the analysis and enables deal team members to work more efficiently.
The Administrator
Our Advisor also serves as our administrator. Pursuant to an administration agreement (the Administration Agreement), our Administrator is responsible for providing or overseeing the performance of, our required administrative services and professional services rendered by others, which will include (but not limited to), accounting, payment of our expenses, legal, compliance, operations, technology and investor relations, preparation and filing of our tax returns, and preparation of financial reports provided to our stockholders and filed with the SEC. See Item 1. Business Administration Agreement below for a discussion of the expenses (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) that we expect to reimburse to the Administrator.
About Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
Kayne Anderson is the managing member of our Advisor.
Founded in 1984, Kayne Anderson is a leading alternative investment management firm which is registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act, focused on infrastructure, real estate, credit and private equity. Kayne Andersons investment philosophy is to pursue niches, with an emphasis on cash flow, where its knowledge and sourcing advantages enable it to deliver above average, risk-adjusted investment returns. As responsible stewards of capital, Kayne Andersons investment philosophy extends to promoting responsible investment practices and sustainable business practices to create long-term value for its investors.
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As of June 30, 2020, investment vehicles managed or advised by Kayne Anderson had approximately $30 billion in assets under management for institutional investors, family offices, high net worth and retail clients. Kayne Anderson has over 350 employees located across five office across the U.S. The firm has approximately 160 investment professionals, 50 of which are dedicated to credit investing.
Kayne Andersons credit platform operates various fund vehicles that pursue investment opportunities across several investment strategies. As of June 30, 2020, the platform managed approximately $13 billion in credit assets across three main strategies:
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middle-market private credit (targeting senior secured loans, unitranche loans and opportunistic credit investments), |
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liquid credit (investing in broadly syndicated leveraged loans and high yield bonds), and |
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real estate private credit (targeting debt investments secured by real estate assets). |
This integrated and scaled platform combines direct origination, strong fundamental credit analysis and relative-value perspective.
Market Opportunity
The universe of middle market companies consists of nearly 200,000 potential borrowers that we believe will continue to require access to debt capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. Further, there is a large amount of uninvested capital held by private equity funds focused on investing in middle market businesses. We expect these private equity firms will continue to pursue acquisitions and to seek to fund a portion of these transactions with debt.
We believe there is an opportunity for capital providers such as us to increase their market share of loans made to middle market companies as regulatory and structural changes in the lending market have reduced the amount of capital banks and other traditional sources of debt capital are willing to lend to middle market companies. Additionally, these types of companies are generally limited in their ability to access the institutional leverage loan and high yield markets due to challenging size and liquidity requirements imposed by these institutional investors.
We believe that these market dynamics create opportunities for us to make investments with attractive risk-adjusted rates of return. In addition to commanding higher pricing, principally due to illiquidity, directly negotiated middle market financings generally provide for more favorable terms to lenders than broadly syndicated loans, including more conservative leverage ratios, stronger covenants and reporting packages, better call protection, and more restrictive change-of-control provisions. These market dynamics have become even more favorable as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the fundamentals for many middle market companies have not been materially impacted by the pandemic, many potential lenders are conserving capital and unable to make new loans at this time due to the need for capital required to support their existing undrawn commitments and manage leverage levels. We believe the Company is well positioned to capitalize on these market conditions.
The credit investments that we expect to hold in our portfolio will generate what we believe are attractive yields, make quarterly interest payments to holders and will often rank ahead of other debt instruments in the borrowers capital structure. The vast majority of our credit investments are expected to be floating rate loans, providing a natural hedge against inflation if interest rates increase. As a result of Kayne Andersons middle-market private credit teams focus on lending to businesses that we believe to exhibit limited cyclicality, we believe that operating results for the Companys portfolio investments will have minimal correlation to price changes in the broader equity markets. This lack of correlation to the broader markets, combined with attractive yields on senior debt investments are two of the primary reasons we find private credit investments to be compelling for our portfolio.
Private Offering
Our initial private offering of Shares is expected to be conducted in reliance on Regulation D under the Securities Act (Regulation D). Any investors in our initial private offering will be required to be accredited investors as defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act. The criteria required of Regulation D may not apply to investors in subsequent offerings.
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We expect to enter into separate subscription agreements with investors for this initial private offering. Each investor will make a Capital Commitment to purchase Shares pursuant to a subscription agreement (the Subscription Agreement). Investors will be required to make capital contributions to purchase Shares each time we deliver a drawdown notice in an aggregate amount not to exceed their respective Capital Commitments. All purchases will generally be made pro rata in accordance with the investors Capital Commitments, at a per-Share price as determined by our Board of Directors as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter or such other date as determined by the Board prior to the date of the applicable drawdown notice. The per-Share price will be at least equal to net asset value, or NAV, per share in accordance with the limitations under Section 23 of the 1940 Act.
Our Initial Closing is expected to occur immediately prior to our election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Additional closings are expected to occur from time to time as determined by us. We are targeting $500 million in commitments at this time (the Initial Capital Raise), and we expect to complete this offering prior to November 30, 2021. We reserve the right to conduct additional offerings of securities in the future. In the event that we enter into a Subscription Agreement with one or more investors after the Initial Closing, each such investor will be required to make purchases of Shares (each, a Catch-up Purchase) on one or more dates to be determined by us. The aggregate purchase price of any Catch-up Purchase will be equal to an amount necessary to ensure that, upon payment of the aggregate purchase price, such investor will have contributed the same percentage of its Capital Commitment to us as all investors whose subscriptions were accepted at previous closings. Catch-up Purchases will be made at a per-Share price as determined by our Board of Directors as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter or such other date as determined by the Board prior to the date of the applicable drawdown notice, or such other date as may be required to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In order to more fairly allocate organizational expenses among all of our stockholders, investors subscribing after the initial drawdown will be required to pay a price per Share above net asset value reflecting a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the total amount of our organizational and other expenses.
In addition to all legal remedies available to us, failure by an investor to purchase additional Shares when requested will result in that investor being subject to certain default provisions. Defaulting investors may also forfeit their right to participate in purchasing additional Shares on any future drawdown date or otherwise participate in any future investments in our Shares. A detailed explanation of the default provisions is set out in the Subscription Agreement and can also be found in Item 2. Financial Information, under Failure by an Investor to Purchase Additional Shares when Required.
Commitment Period
Upon the earlier of (a) the conclusion of the three-year period after completion of the Initial Capital Raise or (b) an Exchange Listing (the Commitment Period), investors will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional Shares with respect to a Capital Commitment. If we have not otherwise completed an Exchange Listing within three years of the Initial Capital Raise, we may, subject to shareholder approval, extend the Commitment Period by an additional two years. During the Commitment Period, no investor will be permitted to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of its Shares or Capital Commitment unless we provide our prior written consent and the transfer is otherwise made in accordance with applicable law.
Once we have completed the Exchange Listing, each investor will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional Shares with respect to a Capital Commitment. If we have not otherwise completed an Exchange Listing and the Commitment Period has ended (including extensions, if any), each investor will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional Shares with respect to a Capital Commitment, except to the extent necessary to (a) pay our expenses, including management fees, any amounts that may become due under any borrowings or other financings or similar obligations and any other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in each case to the extent they relate to the Commitment Period, (b) complete investments in any transactions for which there are binding written agreements as of the end of the Commitment Period (including investments that are funded in phases), (c) fund follow-on investments made in existing portfolio companies that, in the aggregate, do not exceed 20% of total commitments, (d) fund obligations under any guarantee or indemnity made by us during the Commitment Period and/or (e) fund any defaulted commitments.
As part of certain credit facilities, the right to make capital calls of stockholders may be pledged as collateral to a lender, which will be able to call for capital contributions upon the occurrence of an event of default under such credit facility. To the extent such an event of default does occur, stockholders could therefore be required to fund any shortfall up to their remaining Capital Commitments, without regard to the underlying value of their investment.
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Liquidity Event
Our term is perpetual. However, we intend to seek an Exchange Listing within three to five years of completion of our Initial Capital Raise. If we have not consummated an Exchange Listing or some other type of Liquidity Event within five years of our Initial Capital Raise, our Board of Directors (to the extent consistent with its fiduciary duties and subject to any necessary stockholder approvals and applicable requirements of the 1940 Act) will direct the Company to cease making new investments and will direct the Advisor to commence the orderly disposition of investments (the Wind Down Period). The Company shall be allowed to make follow-on investments during the Wind Down Period if such investments are approved by our Board of Directors, subject to the 20% limit that applies after the Commitment Period. Existing investments will be disposed of (and the proceeds of such dispositions promptly distributed to the Companys investors or used to satisfy any amounts owed under any borrowed funds or other forms of leverage) in an orderly manner (the Company Liquidation). If any investments made by the Company are also investments made by any other investment account managed by the Advisor or any affiliate of the Advisor, such investments shall be disposed of at the same time and on the same terms as such other investment account.
Shareholder Agreements
We will enter into several agreements (collectively, the Shareholder Agreements) with investors who participate in our private offering during our Initial Capital Raise (each an Initial Investor).
The Initial Investors will have certain governance and registration rights under the Shareholder Agreements. The key rights and benefits are outlined below. The Initial Investors will be granted the right to invest in our investment advisor.
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The Subscription Agreement. |
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The Company will enter into a registration rights agreement with the Initial Investors which provides for the registration of such investor shares. |
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in governments around the world implementing a broad suite of measures to help control the spread of the virus, including quarantines, travel restrictions and business curtailments and other measures. In March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Shortly thereafter, the President of the United States declared a National Emergency throughout the United States attributable to such outbreak. The outbreak has become increasingly widespread in the United States, and the rapid spread of COVID-19 resulted in governmental authorities imposing restrictions on travel and the temporary closure of many corporate offices, retail stores, restaurants, fitness clubs and manufacturing facilities and factories in affected jurisdictions.
We cannot predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its duration in the United States and worldwide, the effectiveness of governmental responses designed to mitigate strain to businesses and the economy and the magnitude of the economic impact of the outbreak, including with respect to the travel restrictions, business closures and other quarantine measures imposed on service providers and other individuals by various local, state, and federal governmental authorities, as well as non-U.S. governmental authorities. While many countries, as well as most states in the United States, have begun to lift travel restrictions, business closures and other quarantine measures with a view to reopening their economies, recurring COVID-19 outbreaks have led to the re-introduction of such restrictions in certain states in the United States and globally and could continue to lead to the re-introduction of such restrictions elsewhere.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kayne Anderson instituted a work from home policy until it is deemed safe to return to the office. As a result, nearly all of Kayne Andersons employees are working remotely. Our systems and infrastructure have continued to support our business operations.
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For further information about the risks associated with COVID-19, see Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We intend to elect to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. As a BDC, we will generally be prohibited from acquiring assets other than qualifying assets, unless, after giving effect to any acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Qualifying assets generally include securities of eligible portfolio companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less from the time of investment. Under the rules of the 1940 Act, eligible portfolio companies include (1) private U.S. operating companies, (2) public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Stock Market) or registered under the Exchange Act, and (3) public U.S. operating companies having a market capitalization of less than $250 million. Public U.S. operating companies whose securities are quoted on the over-the-counter bulletin board and through OTC Markets Group Inc. are not listed on a national securities exchange and therefore are eligible portfolio companies.
We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, commencing upon our election to be treated as a BDC. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any investment company taxable income (as defined below) or net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends if we meet certain source of income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. We intend to timely distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income for each year, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment and, depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following year and pay an applicable U.S. federal excise tax.
Risk Management
Broad Diversification. We intend to diversify our investments by company, asset type, investment size, industry and geography within the U.S. Furthermore, we must meet certain diversification tests in order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes (the Diversification Tests). See Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Hedging. We may hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and to applicable CFTC regulations. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in benefits of such changes with respect to our portfolio of investments. The Advisor will claim relief from CFTC registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator with respect to our operations, with the result that we will be limited in our ability to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts or engage in swap transactions. Specifically, we will be subject to strict limitations on using such derivatives other than for hedging purposes, whereby the use of derivatives not used solely for hedging purposes is generally limited to situations where (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions do not exceed five percent of the liquidation value of our portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts we have entered into; or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of such derivatives does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of our portfolio.
Administration Agreement
We will enter into an Administration Agreement with our Advisor, which will serve as our Administrator and will provide or oversee the performance of our required administrative services and professional services rendered by others, which will include (but not limited to), accounting, payment of our expenses, legal, compliance, operations, technology and investor relations, preparation and filing of our tax returns, and preparation of financial reports provided to our stockholders and filed with the SEC.
We reimburse the Administrator for its costs and expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including our allocable portion of office facilities, overhead, and compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and their respective staff who provide services to us. As we reimburse the Administrator for its expenses, we will indirectly bear such cost. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party with 60 days written notice.
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Our Administrator intends to engage U.S. Bank Global Fund Services under a sub-administration agreement to assist the Administrator in performing certain of its administrative duties. The Administrator may enter into additional sub-administration agreements with third-parties to perform other administrative and professional services on behalf of the Administrator.
Investment Advisory Agreement
We will enter into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Advisor. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Advisor, we will pay our Advisor a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components a base management fee and an incentive fee. Our Advisor may, from time-to-time, grant waivers on our obligations, including waivers of the base management fee and/or incentive fee, under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party with 60 days written notice.
Base Management Fee
Prior to an Exchange Listing, the base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 0.90% of the fair market value of our investments including, in each case, assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, but excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase. After an Exchange Listing, the base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of the fair market value of our investments. However, following an Exchange Listing, if borrowed funds or other forms of leverage utilized to finance our investments is greater than a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.0x, the base management fee will be 1.00% of the fair market value of the portion of our investments financed with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage above a 1.0x debt-to-equity ratio.
For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the base management fee will be payable quarterly in arrears and calculated based on the average value, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, of our fair market value of investments, including, in each case, assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, but excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase. Base management fees for any partial quarter will be appropriately pro-rated.
Incentive Fee
We will also pay the Advisor an incentive fee. The incentive fee will consist of two partsan incentive fee on income and an incentive fee on capital gains. Described in more detail below, these components of the incentive fee will be largely independent of each other with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not.
Incentive Fee on Income
The incentive fee based on income (the income incentive fee) is determined and paid quarterly in arrears in cash. Our quarterly pre-incentive fee net investment income (as defined below) must exceed a preferred return of 1.50% of the Companys NAV (6.0% annualized but not compounded) (the Hurdle Amount) in order for us to receive an income incentive fee. The income incentive fee is calculated as follows:
Prior to an Exchange Listing:
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no income incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the Hurdle Amount (1.50% of the Companys NAV). |
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100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.50% of the Companys NAV until the Adviser has received 10% of the total pre-incentive fee net income for that calendar quarter (the Pre IPO Catch-up Provision). Pursuant to the Pre IPO Catch-up Provision, when pre-incentive fee net investment income equals 1.6667% in a calendar quarter, the income incentive fee payable to the Adviser equals 10% of pre-incentive fee net investment income. |
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10% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.6667% of the Companys NAV. |
After an Exchange Listing (beginning in the first full quarter after the Exchange Listing):
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no income incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the Hurdle Amount (1.50% of the Companys NAV). |
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100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.50% of the Companys NAV until the Adviser has received 15% of the total pre-incentive fee net income for that calendar quarter (the Post IPO Catch-up Provision). Pursuant to the Post IPO Catch-up Provision, when pre-incentive fee net investment income equals 1.7647% in a calendar quarter, the income incentive fee payable to the Adviser equals 15% of pre-incentive fee net investment income. |
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15% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.7647% of the Companys NAV. |
The following are graphical representations of the calculation of the income incentive fee:
Quarterly Incentive Fee on
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
Prior to an Exchange Listing
(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
|
0% | 1.50% | 1.6667% | |||||
Quarterly Incentive Fee |
f 0% g |
f 100% g | f 10% g |
Quarterly Incentive Fee on
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
Subsequent to an Exchange Listing
(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
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0% | 1.50% |
1.7647% |
|||||
Quarterly Incentive Fee |
f 0% g | f 100% g | f 15% g |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income is defined as interest income, dividend income and any other cash or non-cash income accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter, including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding debt or preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any expense support payments and/or any reimbursement by us of expense support payments, nor any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.
If market interest rates rise, we may be able to invest our funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase our pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier for the Advisor to surpass the Hurdle Amount and receive an incentive fee on such net investment income. Payment-in-kind (PIK) interest and original issue discount (OID), both of which are non-cash, will also increase our pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier to surpass the Hurdle Amount. Our pre-incentive fee net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our total assets (other than cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) used to calculate the base management fee.
Incentive Fee on Capital Gains
The incentive fee on capital gains (the capital gain incentive fee) will be calculated and payable in arrears in cash as follows:
Prior to an Exchange Listing:
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10.0% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from formation through (a) the day before an Exchange Listing, (b) upon consummation of a Liquidity Event or (c) upon the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, 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. For the purpose of computing the capital gain incentive fee, the calculation methodology will look through derivative financial instruments or swaps as if we owned the reference assets directly. |
After an Exchange Listing:
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15.0% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from formation through the end of a given calendar year or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, 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. |
Payment of Incentive Fees
Prior to an Exchange Listing, any incentive fees earned by the Advisor shall accrue as earned but only become payable in cash to the Advisor upon consummation of an Exchange Listing. To the extent the Company does not complete an Exchange Listing, the incentive fees will be payable to the Advisor (a) upon consummation of a sale of the Company or (b) once substantially all the proceeds from a Company Liquidation payable to the Companys stockholders have been distributed to such stockholders.
Fees and Expenses
The table below provides information about the Companys estimated annual operating expenses during the next twelve (12) months, expressed as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common stock. We have assumed that we will not conduct an Exchange Listing in the next twelve months. The percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary.
Base Management Fee |
1.80% | (1) | ||
Incentive Fee |
% | (2) | ||
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds |
3.50% | (3) | ||
Other Expenses |
0.75% | (4) | ||
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Total Annual Expenses |
6.05% |
(1) |
Amount assumes that we have $500 million of average total assets during the next twelve months. |
(2) |
For purpose of this table, we have assumed no realized gains and pre-incentive fee net investment income of 5% on net assets during the next twelve months. Based on these assumptions, no incentive fee would be earned during the period. |
(3) |
We intend to borrow funds to make investments. The costs associated with any outstanding borrowings are indirectly borne by our investors. The table assumes borrowings of $250 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.50% during the next twelve months. |
(4) |
Other expenses include, but are not limited to, accounting, legal and auditing fees, as well as the reimbursement of the compensation of administrative expenses and fees payable to our directors who do not also serve in an executive officer capacity for us or the Advisor. The amount presented in the table reflects estimated amounts we expect to pay during the next twelve months. |
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 our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that: (1) we have indebtedness, equal to 100% of our average net assets, (2) that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above, (3) that the annual return on investments before fees and expenses is 5.0%, (4) that we have average net assets for the next twelve months of operations equal to $250 million, and (5) that all shares are issued at the same price per share.
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||||||||||
5% annual return from investment income |
$ | 60 | $ | 181 | $ | 302 | $ | 605 | ||||||||
5% annual return from capital gains |
$ | 70 | $ | 211 | $ | 352 | $ | 705 |
While the example assumes 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 5.0%. This example should not be considered a representation of your future expenses.
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Investment Valuation
We will conduct the valuation of our investments consistent with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Our investments will be valued no less frequently than quarterly, in accordance with the terms of Topic 820 of the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Standards Codification, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures (ASC 820).
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. For some assets and liabilities, observable market transactions or market information might be available. For other assets and liabilities, observable market transactions and market information might not be available. However, the objective of a fair value measurement in both cases is the same to estimate the price when an orderly transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).
ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which ranks the observability of inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instruments and their specific characteristics. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three broad categories.
Level 1 Valuations based on quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets traded on a national exchange to which the Company has access at the date of measurement.
Level 2 Valuations based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers.
Level 3 Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Companys own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.
Traded Investments (Level 1 or Level 2)
Investments for which market quotations are readily available will typically be valued at those market quotations. Traded investments such as corporate bonds, preferred stock, bank notes, loans or loan participations are valued by using the bid price provided by an independent pricing service, by an independent broker, the agent bank, syndicate bank or principal market maker. When price quotes for investments are not available, or such prices are stale or do not represent fair value in the judgment of our Advisor, fair market value will be determined using our valuation process for investments that are privately issued or otherwise restricted as to resale.
We may also invest, to a lesser extent, in equity securities purchased in conjunction with debt investments. While we anticipate these equity securities to be issued by privately held companies, we may hold equity securities that are publicly traded. Equity securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ)
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are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities admitted to trade on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Equity securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities admitted to trading on the NASDAQ, are valued at the closing bid prices.
Non-Traded Investments (Level 3)
Investments that are privately issued or otherwise restricted as to resale, as well as any security for which (a) reliable market quotations are not available in the judgment of our Advisor, or (b) the independent pricing service or independent broker does not provide prices or provides a price that in the judgment of our Advisor is stale or does not represent fair value, shall each be valued in a manner that most fairly reflects fair value of the security on the valuation date. We expect that a significant majority of our investments will be Level 3 investments. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the following valuation process is used for our Level 3 investments:
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Investment Team Valuation. The applicable investments are valued by senior professionals of Kayne Anderson who are responsible for the portfolio investments. The value of each portfolio company or investment will be initially reviewed by the investment professionals responsible for such portfolio company or investment and, for non-traded investments (i.e., illiquid securities/instruments), a standardized template designed to approximate fair market value based on observable market inputs, updated credit statistics and unobservable inputs will be used to determine a preliminary value. The investments will be valued no less frequently than quarterly, with new investments valued at the time such investment was made. |
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Investment Team Valuation Documentation. Preliminary valuation conclusions will be determined by our executive officers. Such valuation and supporting documentation is submitted to the Audit Committee (a committee of our Board) and our Board on a quarterly basis. |
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Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets to consider the valuations submitted by our executive officers at the end of each quarter. Between meetings of the Audit Committee, our executive officers are authorized to make valuation determinations. All valuation determinations of the Audit Committee are subject to ratification by our Board at its next regular meeting. |
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Valuation Firm. Quarterly, a third-party valuation firm engaged by our Board reviews the valuation methodologies and calculations employed for each of our investments that we have placed on the watch list and approximately 25% of our remaining investments. The third-party valuation firm will review all of the Level 3 investments at least once per year, on a rolling twelve-month basis. We expect the quarterly report issued by the third-party valuation firm will assist the Board in determining the fair values of the investments reviewed. |
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Board Determination. Our Board meets quarterly to consider the valuations provided by our executive officers and the Audit Committee and ratify valuations for the applicable investments. Our Board considers the report provided by the third-party valuation firm in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio investments. |
The Board of Directors will be ultimately responsible for the determination, in good faith, of the fair value of our portfolio investments.
Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our financial statements will express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.
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Regulation as a Business Development Company
General
A BDC is a specialized investment vehicle that elects to be regulated under the 1940 Act as an investment company, but is generally subject to less onerous requirements than other registered investment companies under a regime designed to encourage lending to U.S.-based small and mid-sized businesses. Unlike many similar types of investment vehicles that are restricted to being private entities, the stock of a BDC is permitted to trade in the public equity markets. BDCs are also eligible to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. A RIC typically does not incur significant entity-level income taxes, because it is generally entitled to deduct distributions made to its stockholders.
Potential Advantages of a BDC Compared to Other Institutional Investment Vehicles
The advantages of the BDC structure derive from two characteristics:
First, a BDC is permitted to become a publicly traded company. This provides a BDC with access to an additional source of capital and offers investors the potential to monetize their investment through the sale of shares in an active public stock market. Many BDCs trade on either the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market. However, we do not intend to list our Shares, at least initially, on any national exchange.
In contrast, many investment vehicles utilized by institutional investors are required to be private vehicles. Investors in such vehicles can transfer their interests only under strict rules designed to ensure that private status is maintained. This may have the effect of limiting the liquidity of those interests and result in a discount when they trade in the secondary market. Typically, these investment vehicles are designed for a medium-term (ten year) life, and the timing of return of capital from these vehicles typically depends upon the investment activity of the vehicle.
On the other hand, in a BDC, once a public market develops and lock-ups pursuant to any subscription agreements in respect of the Shares expire, an investor is free to sell shares and control the timing of any capital return. The timing and pricing of any Exchange Listing and subsequent trading price of our Shares will depend on market conditions and our Advisors investment performance. Prior to an Exchange Listing, our Shares will be subject to certain transfer restrictions. Following an Exchange Listing, our investors may be restricted from selling or disposing of their Shares by applicable securities laws, contractually by a lock-up agreement with the underwriters of the Exchange Listing and contractually through restrictions contained in the subscription agreement in respect of our Shares.
Second, as a BDC, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code. A RIC typically does not incur significant entity-level income taxes, because it is entitled to deduct distributions made to its stockholders in computing its income subject to entity-level taxation. As a result, a BDC that has elected to be a RIC does not incur any U.S. federal income tax so long as the BDC continuously maintains its registration in accordance with the 1940 Act, at least 90% of the BDCs gross income each taxable year consists of certain types of qualifying investment income, the BDC satisfies certain asset composition requirements at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, and if the BDC distributes all of its taxable income (including net realized capital gains, if any) to its stockholders on a current basis. The rules applicable to our qualification as a RIC for tax purposes are complex and involve significant practical and technical issues. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes or are unable to maintain our qualification for any reason, then we would become subject to regular corporate income tax, which would have a material adverse effect on the amount of after-tax income available for distribution to our stockholders. See Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Distributions by a BDC generally are treated as dividends or capital gains for U.S. tax purposes, and generally are subject to U.S. income or withholding tax unless the stockholder receiving the dividend qualifies for an exemption from U.S. tax, or the distribution is subject to one of the special look-through rules. Distributions paid out of net capital gains can qualify for a reduced rate of taxation in the hands of an individual U.S. stockholder and an exemption from U.S. tax in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder. Additionally, a U.S. pension fund that owns shares in a BDC generally is not required to take account of indebtedness incurred at the level of the BDC in determining whether dividends received from a BDC constitute unrelated debt-financed income. Finally, a non-U.S. investor in a BDC generally does not need to take account of activities conducted by the BDC in determining whether such non-U.S. investor is engaged in the conduct of a business in the United States. See Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
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The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates (including any investment advisors or investment sub-advisors), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors of a BDC be persons other than interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that a BDC may not change the nature of its business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw its election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of its outstanding voting securities as defined by the 1940 Act.
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 BDCs total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:
(1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:
(a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;
(b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and
(c) satisfies either of the following:
(i) does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or has any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange subject to a $250 million market capitalization maximum; or
(ii) is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC, the BDC actually exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of the eligible portfolio company, and, as a result, the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company.
(2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company which we control.
(3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities, was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.
(4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.
(5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.
(6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.
We may invest up to 30% of our portfolio opportunistically in non-qualifying assets.
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Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies
In addition, 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 in (1), (2) or (3) 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 significant managerial assistance. However, when a BDC purchases securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.
Temporary Investments
Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets.
Senior Securities and Indebtedness
We will be permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our Shares if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. As defined in the 1940 Act, asset coverage of 150% means that for every $100 of net assets we hold, we may raise $200 from borrowing and issuing senior securities. We currently intend to target asset coverage of 200% to 180% (which equates to a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.0x to 1.25x), but may alter this target based on market conditions. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. Regulations governing our operations as a BDC will affect our ability to raise, and the method of raising, additional capital, which may expose us to risks.
Code of Ethics
We and our Advisor have adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the joint code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the codes requirements. You may review or download the codes of ethics from the SECs Edgar database as part of our filings under www.sec.gov, or by written request to the following: Chief Compliance Officer, Kayne Anderson, 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to our Advisor. A summary of the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of our Advisor are set forth below. These policies and procedures will be reviewed periodically by our Advisor and, subsequent to our election to be regulated as a BDC, our non-interested directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change. For purposes of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures described below, we our and us refers to our Advisor.
An investment advisor registered under the Advisers Act has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, we recognize that we must vote the Companys securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
These policies and procedures for voting proxies for our investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.
We will vote proxies relating to our portfolio securities in what we believe to be the best interest of our stockholders. To ensure that our vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, we will require that: (1) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to our chief compliance officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (2) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.
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You may obtain information about how we voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: KA Credit Advisors, LLC, 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX 77002, Attention: Chief Compliance Officer.
Privacy Principles
We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our investors and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our stockholders or a former stockholder to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service stockholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).
We restrict access to non-public personal information about our stockholders to employees of our Advisor and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. We will maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our stockholders.
Other
We generally intend to make investments alongside certain entities and accounts advised by our Advisor and its affiliates. Under the 1940 Act, we are prohibited from knowingly participating in certain joint transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of the independent directors and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC. However, we generally intend to make investments alongside affiliated entities and accounts pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC to us, our Advisor, and certain of our affiliates on January 7, 2020. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, and subject to certain conditions, we are permitted to co-invest in the same security with our affiliates in a manner that is consistent with our investment objective, investment strategy, regulatory consideration and other relevant factors. See Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Co-Investment Opportunities. If opportunities arise that would otherwise be appropriate for us and an affiliate to purchase different securities in the same issuer, our Advisor will need to decide which account will proceed with such investment. Our Advisors investment allocation policy incorporates the conditions of exemptive relief to seek to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable.
We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.
We will be required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we will be prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such persons office.
We and our Advisor will each be required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and designate a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, imposes a variety of regulatory requirements on companies with a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. For example:
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pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Exchange Act our principal executive officer and principal financial officer must certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports; |
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pursuant to Item 307 under Regulation S-K under the Securities Act our periodic reports must disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures; |
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pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our management must prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and (once we cease to be an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, or if later, for the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC as a public company) must obtain an audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting performed by its independent registered public accounting firm; and |
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pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. |
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated under such act. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we comply with that act in the future.
JOBS Act
We currently are and expect to remain an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the JOBS Act), until the earliest of:
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the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of an Exchange Listing occurs; |
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the end of the fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues first exceed $1.07 billion; |
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the date on which we have, during the prior three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; and |
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the last day of a fiscal year in which we (1) have an aggregate worldwide market value of our Shares held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more, computed at the end of each fiscal year as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and (2) have been an Exchange Act reporting company for at least one year (and filed at least one annual report under the Exchange Act). |
Under the JOBS Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank), we are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which would require that our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, until such time as we cease to be an emerging growth company and become an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. This may increase the risk that material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting go undetected.
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have made an irrevocable election not to take advantage of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards. We therefore are subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
Commodities Exchange Act
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the SEC have issued final rules establishing that certain swap transactions are subject to CFTC regulation. Engaging in such swap transactions may cause us to fall within the definition of commodity pool under the Commodity Exchange Act and related CFTC regulations. The Advisor will rely on an exclusion from the definition of a CPO under CFTC Rule 4.5 because of our limited trading in commodity interests, and the Advisor will operate us as if we were not registered as a CPO, so that unlike a registered CPO, with respect to us, the Advisor is not required to deliver a Disclosure Document or an Annual Report (as those terms are used in the CFTCs rules) to shareholders.
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Reporting Obligations
We will furnish our shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. We are filing this Registration Statement with the SEC voluntarily with the intention of establishing the Company as a reporting company under the 1934 Act. Subsequent to the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will be required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the 1934 Act.
We intend to make available on our website (www.kaynebdc.com) our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K. Shareholders and the public may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Information on the operation of the SECs public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090 or (800) SEC-0330. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and the information contained on our website is not a part of this registration statement.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in our Shares. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, we have not described certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including persons who hold our common stock as part of a straddle or hedging, integrated or constructive sale transaction, stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, brokers or dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect to mark-to-market their securities holdings, pension plans and trusts, persons that have a functional currency (as defined in Section 985 of the Code) other than the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, personal holding companies, persons who acquire an interest in the Company in connection with the performance of services and financial institutions. Such persons should consult with their own tax advisers as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock, which may differ substantially from those described herein. This summary assumes that investors hold our Shares as capital assets (within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code).
The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of the filing of this Registration Statement and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, regarding any offering of our securities. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets. For purposes of this discussion, references to dividends are to dividends within the meaning of the U.S. federal income tax laws and associated regulations and may include amounts subject to treatment as a return of capital under section 19(a) of the 1940 Act. A return of capital distribution is a return to stockholders of a portion of their original investment in the Company and does not represent income or capital gains.
A U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our Shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
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a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust if either a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a U.S. person prior to that date, and has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person. |
A non-U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our Shares that is not a U.S. stockholder.
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If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective investor that is a partner in a partnership that will hold Shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares.
Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our Shares will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty, and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.
Election to Be Taxed as a RIC
We intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, dividends of an amount at least equal to 90% of our investment company taxable income, which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses and determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid (the Annual Distribution Requirement). Although not required for us to maintain our RIC tax status, in order to preclude the imposition of a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax imposed on RICs, we must distribute to our stockholders in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of the excess (if any) of our realized capital gains over our realized capital losses, or capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses), generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) the sum of any net ordinary income plus capital gains net income for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we paid no federal income tax (the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement).
Taxation as a RIC
If we:
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qualify as a RIC; and |
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satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement; |
then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain, defined as net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, we distribute to stockholders. As a RIC, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on any net income or net capital gain not distributed as dividends to our stockholders.
In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:
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qualify to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year; |
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derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities, and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends and other permitted RIC income) (the 90% Income Test); and |
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diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: |
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at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and |
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no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer or of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. |
We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or 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 PIK interest and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received the corresponding cash amount.
We may invest in partnerships, including qualified publicly traded partnerships, which may result in our being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or other tax liabilities.
In addition, as a RIC, we are subject to ordinary income and capital gain distribution requirements under U.S. federal excise tax rules for each calendar year. If we do not meet the required distributions, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on the undistributed amount. The failure to meet U.S. federal excise tax distribution requirements will not cause us to lose our RIC status. Although we currently intend to make sufficient distributions each taxable year to satisfy the U.S. federal excise tax requirements, under certain circumstances, we may choose to retain taxable income or capital gains in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year in an amount less than what would trigger payments of federal income tax under Subchapter M of the Code. We may then be required to pay a 4% excise tax on such income or capital gains.
A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its investment company taxable income. If our deductible expenses in a given taxable year exceed our investment company taxable income, we may incur a net operating loss for that taxable year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent taxable years and such net operating losses do not pass through to its stockholders. In addition, deductible expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. A RIC may not use any net capital losses (that is, the excess of realized capital losses over realized capital gains) to offset its investment company taxable income, but may carry forward such net capital losses, and use them to offset future capital gains, indefinitely. Due to these limits on deductibility of expenses and net capital losses, we may for tax purposes have aggregate taxable income for several taxable years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to our stockholders even if such taxable income is greater than the net income we actually earn during those taxable years.
Any underwriting fees paid by us with respect to our own stock are not deductible. We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the OID 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 OID accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the taxable year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. Furthermore, a portfolio company in which we hold equity or debt instruments may face financial difficulty that requires us to work out, modify, or otherwise restructure such equity or debt instruments. Any such restructuring could, depending upon the terms of the restructuring, cause us to incur unusable or nondeductible losses or recognize future non-cash taxable income.
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Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as non-qualified dividend income, (2) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as ineligible for such treatment, (3) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (4) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (5) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (6) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (7) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (8) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (9) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test. We intend to monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of these provisions and prevent our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC.
Gain or loss realized by us from warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long term or short term, depending on how long we held a particular warrant.
Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain asset coverage tests are met. See Item 1. Business Regulation as a Business Development Company Senior Securities. Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our qualification as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.
Some of the income and fees that we may recognize, such as fees for providing managerial assistance, certain fees earned with respect to our investments, income recognized in a work-out or restructuring of a portfolio investment, or income recognized from an equity investment in an operating partnership, will not satisfy the 90% Income Test. In order to manage the risk that such income and fees might disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, we may be required to recognize such income and fees indirectly through one or more entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such corporations will be required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees.
Failure to Qualify as a RIC
If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC and are unable to cure the failure, for example, by disposing of certain investments quickly or raising additional capital to prevent the loss of RIC status, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. The Code provides some relief from RIC disqualification due to failures to comply with the 90% Income Test and the Diversification Tests, although there may be additional taxes due in such cases. We cannot assure you that we would qualify for any such relief should we fail the 90% Income Test or the Diversification Tests.
Should failure occur, not only would all our taxable income be subject to tax at regular corporate rates, we would not be able to deduct dividend distributions to stockholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, certain corporate stockholders would be eligible to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to such dividends and non-corporate stockholders would generally be able to treat such dividends as qualified dividend income, which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholders tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. If we fail to qualify as a RIC, we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five taxable years.
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The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC and have satisfied the Annual Distribution Requirement for each taxable year.
Taxation of U.S. Stockholders
Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our investment company taxable income (which is, generally, our net ordinary income plus net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. To the extent such distributions paid by us to non-corporate stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations and if certain holding period requirements are met, such distributions generally will be treated as qualified dividend income and generally eligible for a maximum U.S. federal tax rate of either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual stockholders income exceeds certain threshold amounts, and if other applicable requirements are met, such distributions generally will be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction to the extent such dividends have been paid by a U.S. corporation. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the preferential maximum U.S. federal tax rate applicable to non-corporate stockholders as well as will not be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction.
Distributions of our net capital gains (which is generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly reported by us as capital gain dividends will be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gains (currently generally at a maximum rate of either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual stockholders income exceeds certain threshold amounts) in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. stockholders holding period for his, her or its Shares and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholders adjusted tax basis in such stockholders Shares and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder. Stockholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional Shares purchased in the market should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the stockholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive, and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount. Stockholders receiving dividends in newly issued Shares will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the value of the shares received and should have a cost basis of such amount.
Although we currently intend to distribute any net capital gains at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our net capital gains but designate the retained amount as a deemed distribution. In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include their share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to their allocable share of the tax paid on the deemed distribution by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholders tax basis for their Shares. Since we expect to pay tax on any retained net capital gains at our regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. stockholders other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a stockholders liability for U.S. federal income tax. A stockholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a deemed distribution.
For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any tax year and (2) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that tax year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following tax year as if it had been paid during the tax year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the tax year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. stockholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which the dividend was declared.
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As a RIC, we are subject to alternative minimum tax, also referred to as AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between us and our U.S. Shareholders and this may affect the U.S. Shareholders AMT liabilities. Although regulations explaining the precise method of apportionment have not yet been issued, it would be reasonable to apportion such items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each U.S. Shareholder bear to our taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction). We intend to use this apportionment method unless the IRS issues further guidance or a different method for a particular item is warranted under the circumstances.
With respect to the reinvestment of dividends, if a U.S. Shareholder owns shares of our common stock registered in its own name, the U.S. Shareholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock unless the U.S. Shareholder opts out of the reinvestment of dividends by delivering a written notice to our dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. Any distributions reinvested will nevertheless remain taxable to the U.S. Shareholder. The U.S. Shareholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional shares of our common stock purchased through the reinvestment equal to the amount of the reinvested distribution. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. Shareholders account.
If an investor purchases Shares shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the Shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though it represents a return of their investment.
A stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of their Shares. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held their Shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it would be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of Shares may be disallowed if other Shares are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of Shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss.
In general, individual U.S. stockholders are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of either 15% or 20% (depending on whether the individual U.S. stockholders income exceeds certain threshold amounts) on their net capital gain, i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gain over realized net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including a long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our Shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum federal income tax rate on ordinary taxable income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 35% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate stockholders incurring net capital losses for a tax year (i.e., net capital losses in excess of net capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each tax year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent tax years as provided in the Code. Corporate stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a tax year, but may carry back such losses for three tax years or carry forward such losses for five tax years.
We will send to each of our U.S. stockholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholders taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the U.S. federal tax status of each calendar years distributions generally will be reported to the IRS. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholders particular situation. Dividends distributed by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the lower tax rates applicable to certain qualified dividends.
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Until and unless we are treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company (within the meaning of Section 67 of the Code) as a result of either (1) Shares and our preferred stock collectively being held by at least 500 persons at all times during a taxable year or (2) Shares being treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for any taxable year, for purposes of computing the taxable income of U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates, (1) our earnings will be computed without taking into account such U.S. stockholders allocable shares of the management and incentive fees paid to our investment advisor and certain of our other expenses, (2) each such U.S. stockholder will be treated as having received or accrued a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholders allocable share of these fees and expenses for such taxable year, (3) each such U.S. stockholder will be treated as having paid or incurred such U.S. stockholders allocable share of these fees and expenses for the calendar year and (4) each such U.S. stockholders allocable share of these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions by such U.S. stockholder. Miscellaneous itemized deductions are generally not deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate through 2025 and beginning in 2026 deductible only to the extent that the aggregate of such U.S. stockholders miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds 2% of such U.S. stockholders adjusted gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Miscellaneous itemized deductions are not deductible at any time for purposes of the alternative minimum tax for individuals and will be subject an annual cap for income tax purposes for individuals beginning in 2026.
Backup withholding, currently at a rate of 24%, may be applicable to all taxable distributions to any non-corporate U.S. stockholder (1) who fails to furnish us with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us that such stockholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individuals taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholders U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such stockholder to a refund, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.
If a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to Shares of $2 million or more for an individual stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate stockholder, the stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, stockholders of a RIC are not exempted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their specific circumstances.
A U.S. Shareholder that is a tax-exempt organization for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation may nevertheless be subject to taxation to the extent that it is considered to derive unrelated business taxable income (UBTI). The direct conduct by a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder of the activities we propose to conduct could give rise to UBTI. However, a BDC is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its business activities generally will not be attributed to its shareholders for purposes of determining their treatment under current law. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder generally should not be subject to U.S. taxation solely as a result of the shareholders ownership of our common stock and receipt of dividends with respect to such common stock. Moreover, under current law, if we incur indebtedness, such indebtedness will not be attributed to a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder should not be treated as earning income from debt-financed property and dividends we pay should not be treated as unrelated debt-financed income solely as a result of indebtedness that we incur. Legislation has been introduced in Congress in the past, and may be introduced again in the future, which would change the treatment of blocker investment vehicles interposed between tax-exempt investors and non-qualifying investments if enacted. In the event that any such proposals were to be adopted and applied to BDCs, the treatment of dividends payable to tax-exempt investors could be adversely affected. In addition, special rules would apply if we were to invest in certain real estate mortgage investment conduits, which we do not currently plan to do, that could result in a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder recognizing income that would be treated as UBTI.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from us and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of our shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such persons modified adjusted gross income (in the case of an individual) or adjusted gross income (in the case of an estate or trust) exceed certain threshold amounts.
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Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
The following discussion only applies to certain non-U.S. stockholders. Whether an investment in the Shares is appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that persons particular circumstances. An investment in the Shares by a non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in our Shares.
Subject to the discussion below, distributions of our investment company taxable income to non-U.S. stockholders (including interest income, net short-term capital gain or foreign-source dividend and interest income, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to non-U.S. stockholders directly) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder, in which case the distributions will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. In that case, we will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Special certification requirements apply to a non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors.
Certain properly reported dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder generally are exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (1) are paid in respect of our qualified net interest income (generally, our U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which we are at least a 10% stockholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (2) are paid in connection with our qualified short-term capital gains (generally, the excess of our net short-term capital gain over our long-term capital loss for a tax year) as well as if certain other requirements are satisfied. Nevertheless, it should be noted that in the case of shares of our stock held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld U.S. federal income tax even if we reported the payment as an interest-related dividend or short-term capital gain dividend. Moreover, depending on the circumstances, we may report all, some or none of our potentially eligible dividends as derived from such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains, or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.
Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gains to a non-U.S. stockholder, and gains realized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our Shares, will not be subject to federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. stockholder in the United States or, in the case of an individual non-U.S. stockholder, the stockholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the year of the sale or capital gain dividend and certain other conditions are met.
If we distribute our net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions (which we may do in the future), a non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholders allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. stockholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return. For a corporate non-U.S. stockholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains realized upon the sale of our Shares that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty).
A non-U.S. stockholder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with a U.S. nonresident withholding tax certification (e.g., an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.
Withholding of U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) is required by the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, provisions of the Code with respect to payments of dividends and (effective January 1, 2019) certain capital gain dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Stockholders may be requested to provide additional information to enable the applicable withholding agent to determine whether withholding is required.
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An investment in shares by a non-U.S. person may also be subject to U.S. federal estate tax. Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax, U.S. federal estate tax, withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning or disposing of our Shares.
ITEM 1A. |
RISK FACTORS |
Investing in our Shares involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our Shares, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. The risks set out 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, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our NAV could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors described below are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
We are a new company with no operating history.
We were formed in May 2018 and we expect to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective, that we will not qualify or maintain our qualification to be treated as a RIC, and that the value of your investment could decline substantially.
The 1940 Act and the Code impose numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs and RICs that do not apply to certain of the other investment vehicles managed by our Advisor and its affiliates. BDCs are required, for example, to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of U.S. private or thinly traded public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt instruments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. Moreover, qualification for taxation as a RIC requires satisfaction of source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. Our Advisor has a limited operating history under these constraints, which may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and has disrupted financial activity in the areas in which we or our portfolio companies operate.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous deaths, adversely impacted global commercial activity and contributed to significant volatility in certain equity and debt markets. The global impact of the outbreak is rapidly evolving, and many countries have reacted by instituting quarantines, prohibitions on travel and the closure of offices, businesses, schools, retail stores and other public venues. Businesses are also implementing similar precautionary measures. Such measures, as well as the general uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19, have created significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity and are having a particularly adverse impact on transportation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and other industries, including industries in which certain of our portfolio companies operate.
The impact of COVID-19 has led to significant volatility in the global public equity markets and it is uncertain how long this volatility will continue. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the potential impacts, including the length and duration of a global economic recession, are uncertain and difficult to assess.
Disruptions in the capital markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 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. Further, these events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and have a material negative impact on our and our portfolio companies operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.
Global economic, political and market conditions may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our revenue growth and profitability.
The current worldwide financial markets situation, as well as various social and political tensions in the United States and around the world (including wars and other forms of conflict, terrorist acts, security operations and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and global health epidemics), may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long term effects on the United States and worldwide financial markets, and may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. For example, the outbreak in December 2019 of COVID-19, continues to adversely impact global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. We monitor developments and seek to make investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
The global capital markets are currently in a period of severe disruption, instability and economic uncertainty. These conditions have materially adversely affected debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world and could materially adversely affect our business.
The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the global outbreak of COVID-19 that began in December 2019, as evidenced by the volatility in global stock markets as a result of, among other things, uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the fluctuating price of commodities such as oil. Despite actions of the U.S. federal government and foreign governments, these events have contributed to worsening general economic conditions that are materially and adversely impacting the broader financial and credit markets and reducing the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole. These conditions could continue for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future.
Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the COVID-19 can be controlled and abated and when and how the economy may be reopened. As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.
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Significant changes in the capital markets, such as the disruption in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and have a material negative impact on our and our targeted portfolio companies operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.
We intend to use debt to finance our investments and changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital and net investment income. In addition, the interest rates that extend beyond 2021 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes.
We intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred stock to make investments. As a result, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or distributions on such debt securities or preferred stock and the rate at which we invest these funds. In addition, we anticipate that many of our debt investments and borrowings will have floating interest rates that reset on a periodic basis, and many of our investments will be subject to interest rate floors. As a result, a significant change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds will increase because we expect that the interest rates on the majority of amounts we borrow will be floating, which could reduce our net investment income to the extent any of our debt investments have fixed interest rates. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and applicable commodities laws. These activities may limit our ability to benefit from lower interest rates with respect to hedged borrowings. 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.
You should also be aware that a rise in the general level of interest rates typically will lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments, which may increase the amount of incentive fees payable to our Advisor. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our Shares less attractive if we are not able to increase our distribution rate, which could reduce the value of our Shares.
On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear if at that time whether LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC), 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 Treasury securities called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). The ARRC has identified the SOFR as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions. In addition, on March 25, 2020, the FCA reaffirmed the central assumption that firms cannot rely on LIBOR being published after the end of 2021. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 may adversely impact the timing of transition planning of many firms, and the FCA will continue to assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on transition timelines and update the marketplace as soon as possible.
Although SOFR appears to be the preferred replacement rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, at this time, whether or not SOFR attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement remains a question and the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain, including whether the COVID-19 pandemic will have further effect on LIBOR transition plans. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted. The elimination of LIBOR or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us or on our overall financial condition or results of operations. In addition, if LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate the credit agreements extending beyond 2021 with our portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate, in order to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established, which may have an adverse effect on our overall financial condition or results of operations. Following the replacement of LIBOR, some or all of these credit agreements may bear interest a lower interest rate, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Moreover, if LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate certain terms of our credit facilities. If we are unable to do so, amounts drawn under our credit facilities may bear interest at a higher rate, which would increase the cost of our borrowings and, in turn, affect our results of operations.
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We depend upon our Advisor for our success and upon their access to the investment professionals and partners of Kayne Anderson and its affiliates.
Our portfolio is subject to management risk because it is actively managed. Our Advisor applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for us, but there can be no guarantee that they will produce the desired results.
We depend upon Kayne Andersons key personnel for our future success and upon their access to certain individuals and investment opportunities to execute on our investment objective. In particular, we depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of our portfolio managers, who evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments. These individuals manage a number of investment vehicles on behalf of Kayne Anderson and, as a result, do not devote all of their time to managing us, which could negatively impact our performance. Furthermore, these individuals do not have long-term employment contracts with Kayne Anderson, although they do have equity interests and other financial incentives to remain with Kayne Anderson. We also depend on the senior management of Kayne Anderson. The departure of any of our portfolio managers or the senior management of Kayne Anderson could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. In addition, we can offer no assurance that our Advisor will remain our investment advisor or that we will continue to have access to Kayne Andersons industry contacts and deal flow.
Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships with private equity sponsors, financial intermediaries, direct lending institutions and other counterparties that are active in our markets. Any inability of the Advisor to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
We depend upon the Advisors and its affiliates relationships with private equity sponsors, financial intermediaries, direct lending institutions and other counterparties that are active in our markets, and we intend to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If the Advisor fails to maintain such relationships, or to develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the principals of the Advisor and its affiliates have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.
We may not replicate the historical results achieved by other entities managed or sponsored by members of the Advisors investment committee, or by the Advisors or its affiliates.
Our investments may differ from those of existing accounts that are or have been sponsored or managed by members of the Advisors investment committee, the Advisor or affiliates of the Advisor. With the exception of our Formation Transaction, investors in our securities are not acquiring an interest in any accounts that are sponsored or managed by members of the Advisors investment committee, the Advisor or affiliates of the Advisor. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, we may consider co-investing in portfolio investments with other accounts sponsored or managed by members of the Advisors investment committee, the Advisor or its affiliates. Any such investments are subject to regulatory limitations and approvals by directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act. We can offer no assurance, however, that we will obtain such approvals or develop opportunities that comply with such limitations. We also cannot assure you that we will replicate the historical results achieved for other Kayne Anderson funds by members of the investment committee, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by them in prior periods. Additionally, all or a portion of the prior results may have been achieved in particular market conditions which may never be repeated. Moreover, current or future market volatility and regulatory uncertainty may have an adverse impact on our future performance.
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Our financial condition and results of operation depend on our ability to manage future growth effectively.
Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our ability to grow, which depends, in turn, on the Advisors ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment selection criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of the Advisors structuring of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and our access to financing on acceptable terms. The management team of the Advisor has substantial responsibilities under our Investment Management Agreement. We can offer no assurance that any current or future employees of the Advisor will contribute effectively to the work of, or remain associated with, the Advisor. We caution you that the principals of our Advisor or Administrator may also be called upon to provide and currently do provide managerial assistance to portfolio companies and other investment vehicles, including other BDCs, which are managed by the Advisor. Such demands on their time may distract them or slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Advisor may frequently be required to make investment analyses and decisions on an expedited basis in order to take advantage of investment opportunities, and our Advisor may not have knowledge of all circumstances that could impact an investment by the Company.
Investment analyses and decisions by the Advisor may frequently be required to be undertaken on an expedited basis to take advantage of investment opportunities, and the Advisor may not have knowledge of all circumstances that could adversely affect an investment by us. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our due diligence processes will uncover all relevant facts that would be material to an investment decision. Before making an investment, we will assess the strength of the underlying assets and other factors that we believe are material to the performance of the investment. In making the assessment and otherwise conducting customary due diligence, we will rely on the resources available to it and, in some cases, an investigation by third parties. This process is particularly important and highly subjective.
Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows depend on our ability to manage our business effectively.
Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our ability to manage our business and to grow. This depends, in turn, on the Advisors ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objective on a cost-effective basis depends upon the Advisors execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and, to a lesser extent, our access to financing on acceptable terms. The Advisor has substantial responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement, as well as responsibilities in connection with the management of other accounts sponsored or managed by the Advisor, members of the Advisors investment committee or Kayne Anderson and its affiliates. The personnel of the Administrator and its affiliates may be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These activities may distract them or slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our business and our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
There are significant potential conflicts of interest that could affect our investment returns.
As a result of our arrangements with the Advisor and its affiliates and the Advisors investment committee, there may be times when the Advisor or such persons have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict of interest.
Conflicts related to obligations the Advisors investment committee, the Advisor or its affiliates have to other clients and conflicts related to fees and expenses of such other clients.
The members of the Advisors investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do or of accounts sponsored or managed by the Advisor or its affiliates. The Advisor and its affiliates currently manage, and may in the future have, other clients with similar or competing investment objectives. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. Our investment objective may overlap with the investment objectives of such affiliated accounts. For example, the Advisor
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currently manages several private funds, some of which may seek additional capital from time to time, that are pursuing an investment strategy similar to ours, and we may compete with these and other accounts sponsored or managed by the Advisor and its affiliates for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, those individuals may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and other accounts advised by or affiliated with the Advisor. Certain of these accounts may provide for higher management or incentive fees, greater expense reimbursements or overhead allocations, or permit the Advisor and its affiliates to receive higher origination and other transaction fees, all of which may contribute to this conflict of interest and create an incentive for the Advisor to favor such other accounts. For example, the 1940 Act restricts the Advisor and its affiliates from receiving more than a 1% fee in connection with loans that we acquire, or originate, a limitation that does not exist for certain other accounts. The Advisor seeks to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy. However, we can offer no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable to us.
The Advisors investment professionals are engaged in other investment activity on behalf of other clients.
Certain investment professionals who are involved in our activities remain responsible for the investment activities of other clients and investment vehicles managed by the Advisor and its affiliates, and they will devote time to the management of such investments and other newly created client portfolios (whether in the form of funds, separate accounts or other vehicles), as well as their own investments. In addition, in connection with the management of investments for other funds, separate accounts and other vehicles, members of Kayne Anderson and its affiliates may serve on the boards of directors of or advise companies which may compete with our portfolio investments. Moreover, these other funds, separate accounts and other vehicles managed by Kayne Anderson and its affiliates may pursue investment opportunities that may also be suitable for us.
The Advisors investment committee, the Advisor or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.
Principals of the Advisor and its affiliates and members of the Advisors investment committee may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest, the securities of which are purchased or sold on our behalf. In the event that material nonpublic information is obtained with respect to such companies, or we become subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on us.
Our management and incentive fee structure may create incentives for the Advisor that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders and may induce the Advisor to make speculative investments.
In the course of our investing activities, we pay management and incentive fees to the Advisor. The base management fee is based on the fair market value of investments including, in each case, assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, but excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase, and the incentive fee is computed and paid on income, which also includes leverage. As a result, investors in our Shares will invest on a gross basis and receive distributions on a net basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. Because these fees are based on our fair market value of investments, the Advisor benefits when we incur debt or use leverage. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor or our stockholders.
Additionally, the incentive fee payable by us to the Advisor may create an incentive for the Advisor to cause us to realize capital gains or losses that may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. Under the incentive fee structure, the Advisor benefits when we recognize capital gains and, because the Advisor determines when an investment is sold, the Advisor controls the timing of the recognition of such capital gains. Our Board of Directors is charged with protecting our stockholders interests by monitoring how the Advisor addresses these and other conflicts of interest associated with its management services and compensation.
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The part of the management and incentive fees payable to Advisor that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends, zero coupon securities, and other deferred interest instruments and may create an incentive for the Advisor to make investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. This fee structure may be considered to give rise to a conflict of interest for the Advisor to the extent that it may encourage the Advisor to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest. Under these investments, we will accrue the interest over the life of the investment, but we will not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our investment fee, however, includes accrued interest. The Advisor may have an incentive to invest in deferred interest securities in circumstances where it would not have done so but for the opportunity to continue to earn the fees even when the issuers of the deferred interest securities would not be able to make actual cash payments to us on such securities. This risk could be increased because the Advisor is not obligated to reimburse us for any fees received even if we subsequently incur losses or never receive in cash the deferred income that was previously accrued.
The valuation process for certain of our portfolio holdings creates a conflict of interest.
The majority of our portfolio investments are expected to be made in the form of securities that are not publicly traded and for which no market quotations are readily available. As a result, our Board of Directors will determine the fair value of these securities in good faith. In addition, in connection with that determination, investment professionals from the Advisor may provide our Board of Directors with portfolio company valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. The participation of the Advisors investment professionals in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest as the Advisors base management fee is based, in part, on our fair market value of investments including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase, and our incentive fees will be based, in part, on unrealized gains and losses.
Conflicts related to other arrangements with the Advisor or its affiliates.
We have entered into a license agreement with the Advisor under which the Advisor has granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name Kayne Anderson. See Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence License Agreement. In addition, we reimburse the Administrator for its costs and expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including our allocable portion of office facilities, overhead, and compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and their respective staff who provide services to us. As we reimburse the Administrator for its expenses, we will indirectly bear such cost. These arrangements create conflicts of interest that our Board of Directors must monitor.
The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were not negotiated on an arms-length basis and may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.
The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement were negotiated between related parties. Consequently, their terms, including fees payable to the Advisor, may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party. For example, certain accounts managed by the Advisor have lower management, incentive or other fees than those charged under the Investment Advisory Agreement and/or a reduced ability to recover expenses and overhead than may be recovered by the Administrator under the Administration Agreement. In addition, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights and remedies under these agreements because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with the Advisor, the Administrator and their respective affiliates. Any such decision, however, would breach our fiduciary obligations to our stockholders.
We generally may make investments that could give rise to a conflict of interest and our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates will be restricted.
We, along with our Advisor and certain of its affiliates, have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to invest alongside certain entities and accounts advised by the Advisor and its affiliates subject to certain conditions.
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We intend to invest alongside our Advisors and/or its affiliates other clients, in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with applicable law and SEC staff interpretations, guidance and exemptive relief orders. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, and subject to certain conditions, we are permitted to co-investment in the same security with our affiliates in a manner that is consistent with our investment objective, investment strategy, regulatory consideration and other relevant factors. If opportunities arise that would otherwise be appropriate for use and an affiliate to purchase different securities in the same issuer, our Advisor will need to decide which account will proceed with such investment. Our Advisors investment allocation policy incorporates the conditions of exemptive relief to seek to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable. However, although the Advisor endeavors to fairly allocate investment opportunities in the long-run, we can offer no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.
We do not expect to invest in, or hold securities of, companies that are controlled by our affiliates other clients. However, our affiliates other clients may invest in, and gain control over, one of our portfolio companies. If our affiliates other client or clients gain control over one of our portfolio companies, this may create conflicts of interest and subject us to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act. As a result of these conflicts and restrictions our Advisor may be unable to implement our investment strategies as effectively as they could have in the absence of such conflicts or restrictions. For example, as a result of a conflict or restriction, our Advisor may be unable to engage in certain transactions that they would otherwise pursue. In order to avoid these conflicts and restrictions, our Advisor may choose to exit these investments prematurely and, as a result, we may forgo positive returns associated with such investments. In addition, to the extent that another client holds a different class of securities than us as a result of such transactions, our interests may not be aligned. Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates may be restricted.
In situations where co-investment with affiliates other clients is not permitted under the 1940 Act and related rules, existing or future staff guidance, or the terms and conditions of exemptive relief that have been granted to our Advisor and its affiliates by the SEC, our Advisor will need to decide which client or clients will proceed with the investment. Generally, we will not have an entitlement to make a co-investment in these circumstances and, to the extent that another client elects to proceed with the investment, we will not be permitted to participate. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will be unable to invest in any issuer in which an affiliates other client holds a controlling interest. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
We will be prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of a majority of our independent directors 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 we will generally be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such affiliate on a principal basis, absent the prior approval of our Board of Directors and, in some cases, the SEC. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain joint transactions with certain of our affiliates, which in certain circumstances could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times to the extent the transaction involves a joint investment), without prior approval of our Board of Directors 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 persons affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates.
The SEC has interpreted the BDC regulations governing transactions with affiliates to prohibit certain joint transactions involving entities that share a common investment advisor. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any portfolio company that is controlled by a fund managed by the Advisor or their respective affiliates except under certain circumstances or without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
The recommendations given to us by our Advisor may differ from those rendered to their other clients.
Our Advisor and its affiliates may give advice and recommend securities to other clients which may differ from advice given to, or securities recommended or bought for, us even though such other clients investment objectives may be similar to ours.
Our Shares are illiquid investments for which there is not a secondary market.
Our Shares are illiquid investments for which there is not a secondary market.
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We do not know at this time what circumstances will exist in the future and therefore we do not know what factors our Board of Directors will consider in contemplating an Exchange Listing or other Liquidity Event in the future. As a result, even if we do complete a Liquidity Event, you may not receive a return of all of your invested capital. If we do not successfully complete a Liquidity Event, liquidity for your Shares may be limited to participation in a tender offer, which we do not currently intend to conduct.
Even if we undertake an Exchange Listing, we cannot assure you a public trading market will develop or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. Shares of companies offered in an initial public offering often trade at a discount to the initial offering price due to underwriting discounts and related offering expenses. Also, shares of closed-end investment companies and BDCs frequently trade at a discount from their NAV. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per Share may decline. We cannot predict whether our Shares, if listed on a national securities exchange, will trade at, above or below NAV.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.
There will be competition for investments from numerous other potential investors, many of which will have significant financial resources. As a result, there can be no guarantee that a sufficient quantity of suitable investment opportunities for us will be found, that investments on favorable terms can be negotiated, or that we will be able to fully realize the value of our investments. Competition for investments may have the effect of increasing our costs and expenses or otherwise decreasing returns generated on underlying investments, thereby reducing our investment returns.
A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we plan to make. We will compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, we believe some of our competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than we do. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to qualify and maintain our qualification as a RIC. As a result of this competition, we may from time to time not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities, and we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.
With respect to the investments we make, we do not seek to compete based primarily on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that will be lower than the rates we offer. With respect to all investments, we may lose some investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income, lower yields and increased risk of credit loss. Although our Advisor allocates opportunities in accordance with its allocation policy, allocations to other accounts managed or sponsored by our Advisor or its affiliates reduce the amount and frequency of opportunities available to us and may not be in the best interests of us and our stockholders.
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We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC.
In order to qualify, and maintain qualification, as a RIC under the Code, we must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. The distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of our investment company taxable income, which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of our net short-term capital gains in excess of our net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to our stockholders on an annual basis. We are subject, to the extent we use debt financing, to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to be subject to tax as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of our qualification as a RIC. Because a significant portion of our investments are in private or thinly traded public companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate-level income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distributions to stockholders and the amount of our distributions and the amount of funds available for new investments. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders. See Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Taxation as a RIC.
We may be subject to risks that may arise in connection with the rules under ERISA related to investment by ERISA Plans.
We intend to operate so that we will be an appropriate investment for employee benefit plans subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). We will use reasonable efforts to conduct the Companys affairs so that the assets of the Company will not be deemed to be plan assets for purposes of ERISA. In this regard, prior to the completion of an Exchange Listing, we may be operated as an annual venture capital operating company, under the ERISA rules in order to avoid our assets being treated as plan assets for purposes of ERISA. Accordingly, there may be constraints on our ability to make or dispose of investments at optimal times (or to make certain investments at all).
We may need to raise additional capital to grow because we must distribute most of our income.
We may need additional capital to fund new investments and grow our portfolio of investments. We intend to access the capital markets periodically to issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital. Unfavorable economic conditions could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. In addition, we will be required to distribute each taxable year an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, or investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to our stockholders to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. As a result, these earnings are not available to fund new investments. An inability to access the capital markets successfully could limit our ability to grow our business and execute our business strategy fully and could decrease our earnings, if any, which may have an adverse effect on the value of our securities. If we are not able to raise capital and are at or near our targeted leverage ratios, we may receive smaller allocations, if any, on new investment opportunities under the Advisors allocation policy.
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before, or without, receiving cash representing such income.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as the accretion of OID. This may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan and in other circumstances, or through contracted PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such OID, which could be significant relative to our overall investment activities or increases in loan balances as a result of contracted PIK arrangements, is included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we do not receive in cash.
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That part of the incentive fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero coupon securities. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible, and the Advisor will have no obligation to refund any fees it received in respect of such accrued income.
Since in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the requirement in a given taxable year to distribute to our stockholders dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes an amount at least equal to 90% of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to our stockholders to qualify and maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. In such a case, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain such cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thus be subject to corporate-level income tax. See Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Taxation as a RIC.
If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company, as defined in the Code, U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates will be taxed as though they received a distribution of some of our expenses.
We do not expect to be treated initially as a publicly offered regulated investment company. Until and unless we are treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company as a result of either (1) our Shares and our preferred stock collectively being held by at least 500 persons at all times during a taxable year, (2) our Shares being continuously offered pursuant to a public offering (within the meaning of Section 4 of the Securities Act) or (3) our Shares being treated as regularly traded on an established securities market, each U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate will be treated as having received a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholders allocable share of the management and incentive fees paid to our investment advisor and certain of our other expenses for the calendar year, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. stockholder. Miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate only to the extent that the aggregate of such U.S. stockholders miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds 2% of such U.S. stockholders adjusted gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under the Code. See Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Taxation of U.S. Stockholders.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital exposes us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.
We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as senior securities, up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are currently permitted to issue senior securities, including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions, only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% of gross assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities, if certain requirements are met. If we fail to comply with certain disclosure requirements, our asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act would be 200%, which would decrease the amount of leverage we are able to incur.
Nevertheless, if the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this ratio. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to holders of our Shares. If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. In addition, if the value of the Companys assets decreases, leverage will cause the Companys net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage or with lower leverage. Similarly, any decrease in the Companys revenue would cause its net income to decline more sharply than it would have if the Company had not borrowed or had borrowed less.
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In the absence of an event of default, no person or entity from which we borrow money has a veto right or voting power over our ability to set policy, make investment decisions or adopt investment strategies. If we issue preferred stock, which is another form of leverage, the preferred stock would rank senior to Common Stock in our capital structure, preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and might have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of our common stockholders, and the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our Common Stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our common stockholders. Holders of our Common Stock will directly or indirectly bear all of the costs associated with offering and servicing any preferred stock that we issue. In addition, any interests of preferred stockholders may not necessarily align with the interests of holders of our Shares and the rights of holders of shares of preferred stock to receive distributions would be senior to those of holders of Shares. We do not, however, anticipate issuing preferred stock in the next 12 months.
We are not generally able to issue and sell our Common Stock at a price below NAV per share. We may, however, sell our Common Stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our Common Stock, at a price below the then-current NAV per share of our Common Stock if our Board of Directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and if our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board of Directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing Common Stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our Common Stock, then the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time will decrease, and holders of our Common Stock might experience dilution.
We intend to finance our investments with borrowed money, which will magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and may increase the risk of investing in us.
The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Advisors and our Board of Directors assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us. For example, due to the interplay of the 1940 Act restrictions on principal and joint transactions and the U.S. risk retention rules adopted pursuant to Section 941 of Dodd-Frank, as a BDC we are currently unable to enter into any securitization transactions. We cannot assure you that the SEC or any other regulatory authority will modify such regulations or provide administrative guidance that would permit us to enter into securitizations, whether on a timely basis or at all. We may issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Lenders of these senior securities will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and we would expect such lenders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default. 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 instruments we may enter into with lenders. In addition, under the terms of any credit facility or other debt instrument we enter into, we are likely to be required by its terms to use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument before applying such net proceeds to any other uses. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause our NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating our equity stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in our net investment income will cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make distributions on our Common Stock or any outstanding preferred stock. Our ability to service our debt depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Our common stockholders 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 base management fee payable to the Advisor.
As a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future. The current asset coverage ratio applicable to the Company is 150%. If this ratio were to decline below the then applicable minimum asset coverage ratio, we would be unable to incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions in amounts sufficient to maintain our status as a RIC, or at all.
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Investors in our Shares may fail to fund their Capital Commitments when due.
We call only a limited amount of Capital Commitments from investors in the private offering of our Shares upon each drawdown notice. The timing of drawdowns may be difficult to predict, requiring each investor to maintain sufficient liquidity until its Capital Commitments to purchase Shares are fully funded. We may not call an investors entire Capital Commitment prior to the expiration of such investors commitment period.
Although the Advisor will seek to manage our cash balances so that they are not significantly larger than needed for our investments and other obligations, the Advisors ability to manage cash balances may be affected by changes in the timing of investment closings, our access to leverage, defaults by investors in our Shares, late payments of drawdown purchases and other factors.
In addition, there is no assurance that all investors will satisfy their respective Capital Commitments. To the extent that one or more investors does not satisfy its or their Capital Commitments when due or at all, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including an inability to fund our investment obligations, make appropriate distributions to our stockholders or to continue to satisfy applicable regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act. If an investor fails to satisfy any part of its Capital Commitment when due, other stockholders who have an outstanding Capital Commitment may be required to fund such Capital Commitment sooner than they otherwise would have absent such default. We cannot assure you that we will recover the full amount of the Capital Commitment of any defaulting investor.
Our ability to invest in public companies may be limited in certain circumstances.
To maintain our status as a BDC, we are not permitted to acquire any assets other than qualifying assets specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Subject to certain exceptions for follow-on investments and investments in distressed companies, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national securities exchange may be treated as qualifying assets only if such issuer has a common equity market capitalization that is less than $250.0 million at the time of such investment.
We may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which are another form of leverage.
We may enter into reverse repurchase agreements as part of our management of our temporary investment portfolio. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, we will effectively pledge our assets as collateral to secure a short-term loan. Generally, the other party to the agreement makes the loan in an amount equal to a percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral. At the maturity of the reverse repurchase agreement, we will be required to repay the loan and correspondingly receive back our collateral. While used as collateral, the assets continue to pay principal and interest which are for the benefit of us.
Our use of reverse repurchase agreements, if any, involves many of the same risks involved in our use of leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities. There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that we have sold but remain obligated to purchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by us may decline. If a buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, we may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, we would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of such agreements at settlement are less than the fair value of the underlying securities being pledged. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, our NAV would decline, and, in some cases, we may be worse off than if we had not used such agreements.
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While we currently have no intention to do so, our ability to enter into transactions involving derivatives and financial commitment transactions may be limited.
In November 2020, the SEC adopted a rulemaking regarding the ability of a BDC (or a registered investment company) to use derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations. Under the newly adopted rules, BDCs that use derivatives will be subject to a value-at-risk (VaR) leverage limit, a derivatives risk management program and testing requirements and requirements related to board reporting. These new requirements will apply unless the BDC qualifies as a limited derivatives user, as defined under the adopted rules. Under the new rule, a BDC may enter into an unfunded commitment agreement that is not a derivatives transaction, such as an agreement to provide financing to a portfolio company, if the BDC has, among other things, a reasonable belief, at the time it enters into such an agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all of its unfunded commitment agreements, in each case as it becomes due. Collectively, these requirements may limit our ability to use derivatives and/or enter into certain other financial contracts.
Adverse developments in the credit markets may impair our ability to enter into new debt financing arrangements.
Following the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010, many commercial banks and other financial institutions stopped lending or significantly curtailed their lending activity. In addition, in an effort to stem losses and reduce their exposure to segments of the economy deemed to be high risk, some financial institutions limited routine refinancing and loan modification transactions and even reviewed the terms of existing facilities to identify bases for accelerating the maturity of existing lending facilities. To the extent these circumstances arise again in the future, it may be difficult for us to finance the growth of our investments on acceptable economic terms, or at all and one or more of our leverage facilities could be accelerated by the lenders.
If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.
As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than qualifying assets unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. See Item 1. Business Regulation Qualifying Assets.
In the future, we believe that most of our investments will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDCs. As a result of such violation, specific rules under the 1940 Act could prevent us, for example, from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inappropriate times in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it could be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. We may not be able to find a buyer for such investments and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. Any such outcomes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Failure to qualify as a BDC would decrease our operating flexibility.
If we do not maintain our status as a BDC, we would be subject to regulation as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end investment company, we would be subject to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act which would significantly decrease our operating flexibility.
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The majority of our portfolio investments are recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors and, as a result, there may be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
The majority of our portfolio investments take the form of securities for which no market quotations are readily available. The fair value of securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of our securities. As discussed in more detail under Item 2. Financial Information Discussion of Managements Expected Operating Plans Critical Accounting Policies, most, if not all, of our investments (other than cash and cash equivalents) are classified as Level 3 under ASC Topic 820. This means that our portfolio valuations are based on unobservable inputs and our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. Inputs into the determination of fair value of our portfolio investments require significant management judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which may include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information.
Our Level 3 investments will typically consist of instruments for which a liquid trading market does not exist. The fair value of these instruments may not be readily determinable. We will value these instruments in accordance with valuation procedures adopted by our Board. We intend to use the services of an independent valuation firm to review the fair value of certain instruments prepared by our Advisor. At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment for which a market quote is not readily available will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm. The types of factors that the Board of Directors may consider in fair value pricing of our investments include, where relevant: the nature and realizable value of any collateral; the companys ability to make interest payments, amortization payments (if any) and other fixed charges; the companys historical and projected financial results; the markets in which the company does business; the estimated enterprise value of the company based on comparisons to publicly-traded securities, on discounted cash flows and other valuation methodologies; changes in the interest rate environments and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made; and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of non-traded instruments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The determination of fair value by our Board may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a liquid trading market for these instruments existed. Our net asset value (NAV) could be adversely affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.
We adjust quarterly (or as otherwise may be required by the 1940 Act in connection with the issuance of our shares) the valuation of our portfolio to reflect our Board of Directors determination of the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in our consolidated statement of operations as net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.
New or modified laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.
We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws at the U.S. federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may change from time to time, including as the result of interpretive guidance or other directives from the U.S. President and others in the executive branch, and new laws, regulations and interpretations may also come into effect. Any such new or changed laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business. In particular, Dodd-Frank impacts many aspects of the financial services industry, and it requires the development and adoption of many implementing regulations over the next several years. The effects of Dodd-Frank on the financial services industry will depend, in large part, upon the extent to which regulators exercise the authority granted to them and the approaches taken in implementing regulations. President Trump has indicated that he may seek to amend or repeal portions of Dodd-Frank, among other federal laws, which may create regulatory uncertainty in the near term. While the impact of Dodd-Frank on us and our portfolio companies may not be known for an extended period of time, Dodd-Frank, including future rules implementing its provisions and the interpretation of those rules, along with other legislative and regulatory proposals directed at the financial services industry or affecting taxation that are proposed or pending in the U.S. Congress, may negatively impact the operations, cash flows
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or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In addition, if we do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could lose any licenses that we then hold for the conduct of our business and may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties.
Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations, including those associated with RICs, may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities or result in the imposition of corporate-level taxes on us. Such changes could result in material differences to our strategies and plans and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of the Advisor to other types of investments in which the Advisor may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment. If we invest in commodity interests in the future, the Advisor may determine not to use investment strategies that trigger additional regulation by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, or may determine to operate subject to CFTC regulation, if applicable. If we or the Advisor were to operate subject to CFTC regulation, we may incur additional expenses and would be subject to additional regulation.
In addition, certain regulations applicable to debt securitizations implementing credit risk retention requirements that have taken effect or will take effect in both the U.S. and in Europe may adversely affect or prevent us from entering into any future securitization transaction. The impact of these risk retention rules on the loan securitization market are uncertain, and such rules may cause an increase in our cost of funds under or may prevent us from completing any future securitization transactions. On October 21, 2014, U.S. risk retention rules adopted pursuant to Section 941 of Dodd-Frank, or the U.S. Risk Retention Rules, were issued. The U.S. Risk Retention Rules require the sponsor (directly or through a majority-owned affiliate) of a debt securitization subject to such rules, such as collateralized loan obligations, in the absence of an exemption, to retain an economic interest in the credit risk of the assets being securitized in the form of an eligible horizontal residual interest, an eligible vertical interest, or a combination thereof, in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Risk Retention Rules. The U.S. Risk Retention Rules became effective December 24, 2016. Given the more attractive financing costs associated with these types of debt securitization as opposed to other types of financing available (such as traditional senior secured facilities), this would, in turn, increase our financing costs. Any associated increase in financing costs would ultimately be borne by our common stockholders.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes significant changes to the U.S. income tax rules applicable to both individuals and entities, including corporations. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes provisions that, among other things, reduce the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, introduce a capital investment deduction, limit the interest deduction, limit the use of net operating losses to offset future taxable income, repeal the corporate AMT and make extensive changes to the U.S. international tax system. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also authorizes the IRS to issue regulations with respect to the new provisions. Among other things, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may limit the ability of borrowers to fully deduct interest expense. This could potentially affect the loan market, for example by impacting the demand for loans available from us or the terms of such loans. The changes to interest deductibility, utility of net operating losses and other provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could also in certain circumstances increase the U.S. tax burden on our portfolio assets which, in turn, could negatively impact their ability to service their interest expense obligations to us.
On May 24, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which leaves the architecture and core features of Dodd-Frank intact but significantly recalibrates applicability thresholds, revises various post-crisis regulatory requirements, and provides targeted regulatory relief to certain financial institutions. Among the most significant of its amendments to Dodd-Frank are a substantial increase in the $50 billion asset threshold to $250 billion for automatic regulation of BHCs as systemically important financial institutions an exemption from the Volcker Rule for insured depository institutions with less than $10 billion in consolidated assets and lower levels of trading assets and liabilities, as well as amendments to the liquidity leverage ratio and supplementary leverage ratio requirements. On May 30, 2018, the Federal Reserve Board voted to consider changes to the Volcker Rule that would loosen compliance requirements for all banks. The effect of this change and any further rules or regulations are and could be complex and far-reaching, and the change and any future laws or regulations or changes thereto could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Over the last several years, there also has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether any regulation will be implemented or what form it will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Uncertainty resulting from the U.S. political climate could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election is uncertain and could result in meaningful changes to legal, tax and regulatory regimes in which we and our portfolio companies operate. Any significant changes in economic or tax policy and/or government programs could have a material adverse impact on us and on our investments.
Our Board of Directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.
Our Board of Directors has the authority, except as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act, to modify or waive our investment objective and certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current investment objective, operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results and the price value of our Common Stock. Nevertheless, any such changes could adversely affect our business and impair our ability to make distributions.
Provisions of the DGCL and of our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our Shares.
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the DGCL), contains provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. Our charter and bylaws will contain provisions that limit liability and provide for indemnification of our directors and officers. These provisions and others which we may adopt also may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management. We will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, the application of which is subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. This section generally prohibits us from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock, either individually or together with their affiliates, unless our directors or stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. Our Board of Directors will adopt a resolution exempting from Section 203 of the DGCL any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our Board of Directors, including approval by a majority of our directors who are not interested persons. If our Board of Directors does not adopt, or adopts but later repeals such resolution exempting business combinations, or if our Board of Directors does not approve a business combination, Section 203 of the DGCL may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.
We also will adopt measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our charter that classify our Board of Directors in three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and provisions of our charter authorizing our Board to classify or reclassify shares of our preferred stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, and to amend our charter, without stockholder approval, to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions in our charter and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control in circumstances that could give our stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium of the NAV of our Shares.
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The Advisor can resign on 60 days notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
The Advisor has the right to resign under the Investment Advisory Agreement at any time upon not less than 60 days written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If the Advisor resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment advisor or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the value of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by the Advisor and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Administrator can resign on 60 days notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
The Administrator has the right to resign under the Administration Agreement at any time upon not less than 60 days written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If the Administrator resigns, we may not be able to find a new administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the value of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and administrative activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a service provider or individuals with the expertise possessed by the Administrator. Even if we are able to retain a comparable service provider or individuals to perform such services, whether internal or external, their integration into our business and lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are an emerging growth company, and we do not know if such status will make our shares less attractive to investors.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, until the earliest of:
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the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of any initial public offer of Shares; |
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the year in which our total annual gross revenues first exceed $1.07 billion; |
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the date on which we have, during the prior three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; and |
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the last day of a fiscal year in which we (1) have an aggregate worldwide market value of our Shares held by non-affiliates of $700 million or more, computed at the end of each fiscal year as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and (2) have been a reporting company under the Exchange Act for at least one year (and filed at least one annual report under the Exchange Act). |
Although we are still evaluating the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of some or all of the reduced regulatory and disclosure requirements permitted by the JOBS Act and, as a result, some investors may consider our Shares less attractive.
We will incur significant costs as a result of being registered under the Exchange Act.
We will incur legal, accounting and other expenses, including costs associated with the periodic reporting requirements applicable to a company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules implemented by the SEC.
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Efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act would adversely affect us and the value of our Shares.
Upon effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will be required to comply with certain requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC but will not have to comply with certain requirements until we have been registered under the Exchange Act for a specified period of time or cease to be an emerging growth company. Upon registering our Shares under the Exchange Act, we will be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, and our management will be required to report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to review on an annual basis our internal control over financial reporting, and on a quarterly and annual basis to evaluate and disclose changes in our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, we expect to incur significant additional expenses that may negatively impact our financial performance and our ability to make distributions. This process will also result in a diversion of managements time and attention. We do not know when our evaluation, testing and remediation actions will be completed or its impact on our operations. In addition, we may be unable to ensure that the process is effective or that our internal control over financial reporting is or will be effective. In the event that we are unable to come into and maintain compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules, we and the value of our securities would be adversely affected.
We are highly dependent on information systems, and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the value of our Shares and our ability to pay distributions.
Our business depends on the communications and information systems of our Advisor and its affiliates. These systems are subject to potential attacks, including through adverse events that threaten the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources (i.e., cyber incidents). Cyber hacking could also cause significant disruption and harm to the companies in which we invest. The U.S. government has issued warnings that certain essential assets, specifically those related to energy and infrastructure, including exploration and production facilities, pipelines and transmission and distribution facilities, might be specific targets of terrorist activity. Additionally, digital and network technologies (collectively, cyber networks) might be at risk of cyberattacks that could potentially seek unauthorized access to digital systems for purposes such as misappropriating sensitive information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Cyberattacks might potentially be carried out by persons using techniques that could range from efforts to electronically circumvent network security or overwhelm websites to intelligence gathering and social engineering functions aimed at obtaining information necessary to gain access. These attacks could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption and result in disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships, any of which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the value of our securities and our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by the Advisor and third-party service providers.
We and many of our third-party service providers are currently impacted by quarantines and similar measures being enacted by governments in response to COVID-19, which are obstructing the regular functioning of business workforces (including requiring employees to work from external locations and their homes). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kayne Anderson has instituted a work from home policy until it is deemed safe to return to the office. Such a policy of an extended period of remote working could strain our technology resources and introduce operational risks, including heightened cybersecurity risks and other risks described above. Remote working environments may be less secure and more susceptible to hacking attacks, including phishing and social engineering attempts that seek to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Uncertainties resulting from the United Kingdoms decision to leave the European Union could adversely affect financial markets and, as a result, our business.
The decision made in the United Kingdom referendum to leave the European Union has led to volatility in global financial markets, and in particular in the markets of the United Kingdom and across Europe, and may also lead to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in the United Kingdom and Europe.
The United Kingdom and European Union announced in March 2018 an agreement in principle to transitional provisions under which European Union law would remain in force in the United Kingdom until the end of December 2020, but this remains subject to the successful conclusion of an agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. In the absence of such an agreement there would be no transitional provisions and the United Kingdom would exit the European Union and the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union would be based on the World Trade Organization rules (a hard Brexit). On October 28, 2019, the United Kingdom came to an agreement with the European Union to delay the deadline for withdrawal; however, the United Kingdom parliament did not approve the withdrawal agreement by January 31, 2020 and there was a hard Brexit on that date. The United Kingdom and European Union are striving to conclude a withdrawal agreement under which European Union law would continue to apply in the United Kingdom during a transition period lasting until December 31, 2020. However, there is a real possibility that an agreement will not be reached prior to the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union. Businesses are increasingly preparing for such a disorderly Brexit, and the consequences for European businesses could be severe. While it is not currently possible to determine the extent of the impact a hard Brexit may have on financial markets and as a result, our investments, certain measures are being proposed and/or will be introduced, at the European Union level or at the member state level, which are designed to minimize disruption in the financial markets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the extent and process by which the United Kingdom will exit the European Union, and the longer term economic, legal, political and social framework to be put in place between the United Kingdom and the European Union are unclear at this stage and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the United Kingdom and in wider European markets for some time.
In particular, the decision made in the United Kingdom referendum may lead to a call for similar referenda in other European jurisdictions which may cause increased economic volatility and uncertainty in the European and global markets. This volatility and uncertainty may have an adverse effect on the economy generally and on our ability, and the ability of our portfolio companies, to execute respective strategies and to receive attractive returns.
Risks Relating to Our Investments
Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.
Many of our portfolio companies in which we may invest are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may experience declines in revenue, and in turn, declines in cash flows during these periods and be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods and the portion of our investments that are considered to be non-performing is likely to increase. Adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic
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slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing our investments and harm our operating results.
A portfolio companys failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio companys ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms 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 borrowers business or exercise control over a borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lenders liability claim, including as a result of actions taken if we render managerial assistance to the borrower.
Limitations of investment due diligence expose us to investment risk.
Our due diligence may not reveal all of a portfolio companys liabilities and may not reveal other weaknesses in its business. We can offer no assurance that our due diligence processes will uncover all relevant facts that would be material to an investment decision. Before making an investment in, or a loan to, a company, the Advisor will assess the strength and skills of a companys management and other factors that it believes are material to the performance of the investment.
In making the assessment and otherwise conducting customary due diligence, the Advisor will rely on the resources available to it and, in some cases, an investigation by third parties. This process is particularly important and highly subjective with respect to newly organized entities because there may be little or no information publicly available about the entities.
We may make investments in, or loans to, companies which are not subject to public company reporting requirements including requirements regarding preparation of financial statements and our portfolio companies may utilize divergent reporting standards that may make it difficult for the Advisor to accurately assess the prior performance of a portfolio company. We will, therefore, depend upon the compliance by investment companies with their contractual reporting obligations. As a result, the evaluation of potential investments and our ability to perform due diligence on, and effectively monitor investments, may be impeded, and we may not realize the returns which we expect on any particular investment. In the event of fraud by any company in which we invest or with respect to which we make a loan, we may suffer a partial or total loss of the amounts invested in that company.
Our debt investments may be risky and we could lose all or part of our investments.
The debt that we invest in is typically not initially rated by any rating agency, but we believe that if such investments were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than Baa3 by Moodys Investors Service, lower than BBB- by Fitch Ratings or lower than BBB- by Standard & Poors Ratings Services), which under the guidelines established by these entities is an indication of having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Bonds that are rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as high yield bonds or junk bonds. Therefore, our investments may result in an above average amount of risk and volatility or loss of principal.
Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.
A portfolio companys failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize such companys ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms 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 borrowers business or exercise control over a borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lenders liability claim, including as a result of actions taken if we render managerial assistance to the borrower. Moreover, some of the loans in which we may invest may be covenant-lite loans. We use the term covenant-lite loans to refer generally to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, covenant-lite loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrowers financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in covenant-lite loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.
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We may invest in highly leveraged companies, which could cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
Investment in leveraged companies involves a number of significant risks. Leveraged companies in which we invest may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold. Such developments may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees that we may have obtained in connection with our investment. Smaller leveraged companies also may have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance their expansion or maintain their competitive position.
We may hold the debt securities of leveraged companies that may, due to the significant volatility of such companies, enter into bankruptcy proceedings.
Leveraged companies may experience bankruptcy or similar financial distress. The bankruptcy process has a number of significant inherent risks. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may adversely and permanently affect the issuer. If the proceeding is converted to a liquidation, the value of the issuer may not equal the liquidation value that was believed to exist at the time of the investment. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is also difficult to predict, and a creditors return on investment can be adversely affected by delays until the plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs of a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtors estate prior to any return to creditors. Because the standards for classification of claims under bankruptcy law are vague, our influence with respect to the class of securities or other obligations we own may be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in the same class or by different classification and treatment. In the early stages of the bankruptcy process, it is often difficult to estimate the extent of, or even to identify, any contingent claims that might be made. In addition, certain claims that have priority by law (for example, claims for taxes) may be substantial.
Depending on the facts and circumstances of our investments and the extent of our involvement in the management of a portfolio company, upon the bankruptcy of a portfolio company, a bankruptcy court may recharacterize our debt investments as equity interests and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. This could occur even though we may have structured our investment as senior debt.
Our investments in private middle-market companies are risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Investment in private middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we rely on the ability of the Advisors investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If the Advisor is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, it may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. Middle-market companies generally have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. Middle-market companies may have limited financial resources, may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs 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
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reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment. In addition, such companies typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns. Additionally, middle-market companies are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons. Therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us. Middle-market companies also may be parties to litigation and may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence. In addition, our executive officers, directors and the Advisor may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies.
Subordinated liens on collateral securing debt investments that we will 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 in portfolio companies will be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio companys obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the debt. 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 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 portfolio companys 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 companys 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 us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured 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 our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors claims against the portfolio companys remaining assets, if any.
The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing any junior priority loans we make in our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that senior obligations are outstanding, we may forfeit certain rights with respect to the collateral to the holders of these senior obligations. These rights may include the right to commence enforcement proceedings against the collateral, the right to control the conduct of such enforcement proceedings, the right to approve amendments to collateral documents, the right to release liens on the collateral and the right to waive past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if as a result our rights as junior lenders are adversely affected.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We may invest in companies that are experiencing financial difficulties, which difficulties may never be overcome. Our investments will be illiquid in most cases, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to realize on such investments in a timely manner. A substantial portion of our investments in leveraged companies are and will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than more broadly traded public securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises.
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In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments. We may also face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we, the Advisor or any of its affiliates have material nonpublic information regarding such portfolio company.
In addition, we generally expect to invest in securities, instruments and assets that are not, and are not expected to become, publicly traded. We will generally not be able to sell securities publicly unless the sale is registered under applicable securities laws, or unless an exemption from such registration requirements is available.
In certain cases, we may also be prohibited by contract from selling an investment for a period of time or otherwise be restricted from disposing of the investment. Furthermore, certain types of investments expected to be made may require a substantial length of time to realize a return or fully liquidate.
Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our NAV through increased net unrealized depreciation.
As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments:
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the enterprise value of the portfolio company; |
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the nature and realizable value of any collateral; |
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the companys ability to make interest payments, amortization payments (if any) and other fixed charges; |
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call features, put features and other relevant terms of the debt security; |
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the companys historical and projected financial results; |
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the markets in which the portfolio company does business; and |
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changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future and other relevant factors. |
When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation. We record decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments as unrealized depreciation. Declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets may result in significant net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio may reduce our NAV by increasing net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer additional unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our prospective portfolio companies may prepay loans, which may reduce our yields if capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.
The loans in our investment portfolio may be prepaid at any time, generally with little advance notice. Whether a loan is prepaid will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that allow such company the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. As market conditions change, we do not know when, and if, prepayment may be possible for each portfolio company. In some cases, the prepayment of a loan may reduce our achievable yield if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Our investments in portfolio companies may expose us to environmental risks.
We may invest in companies engaged in the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management or development of real properties that may contain hazardous or toxic substances, and, therefore, may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other costs, including governmental fines and liabilities for injuries to persons and property. The existence of any such material environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flow and share price of any such portfolio company. As a result, our investment performance could suffer substantially.
There can be no guarantee that all costs and risks regarding compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be identified. New and more stringent environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and permit requirements or stricter interpretations of current laws or regulations could impose substantial additional costs on portfolio investment or potential investments. Compliance with such current or future environmental requirements does not ensure that the operations of the portfolio investments will not cause injury to the environment or to people under all circumstances or that the portfolio investments will not be required to incur additional unforeseen environmental expenditures. Moreover, failure to comply with any such requirements could have a material adverse effect on an investment, and we can offer no assurance that the portfolio investments will at all times comply with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and permit requirements.
Our prospective portfolio companies may be unable to repay or refinance outstanding principal on their loans at or prior to maturity, and rising interest rates may make it more difficult for portfolio companies to make periodic payments on their loans.
The portfolio companies in which we expect to invest may be unable to repay or refinance outstanding principal on their loans at or prior to maturity. This risk and the risk of default is increased to the extent that the loan documents do not require the portfolio companies to pay down the outstanding principal of such debt prior to maturity. In addition, if general interest rates rise, there is a risk that our portfolio companies will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their loan documents with us. Rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. Any failure of one or more portfolio companies to repay or refinance its debt at or prior to maturity or the inability of one or more portfolio companies to make ongoing payments following an increase in contractual interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have not yet identified the portfolio company investments we will acquire.
We have not yet identified potential investments for our portfolio (with the exception of the securities to be acquired in the Formation Transactions) that we will acquire with the proceeds of any sales of our securities or repayments of investments currently in our portfolio. Privately negotiated investments in illiquid securities or private middle-market companies require substantial due diligence and structuring, and we cannot assure you that we will achieve our anticipated investment pace or that we will find sufficient suitable investment opportunities to deploy all Capital Commitments successfully. The Advisor selects all of our investments, and our stockholders will have no input with respect to such investment decisions. These factors increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our securities. Until such appropriate investment opportunities can be found, we may also invest the net proceeds in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. We expect these temporary investments to earn yields substantially lower than the income that we expect to receive in respect of our targeted investment types. As a result, any distributions we make during this period may be substantially smaller than the distributions that we expect to pay when our portfolio is fully invested.
We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.
We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our 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 markets assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond our asset diversification requirements as a RIC under the Code, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies.
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Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.
Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly and adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, while we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. For example, although we may classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as health market or business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets, some of our portfolio companies may principally provide software products or services, which exposes us to downturns in that sector. As a result, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.
Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.
Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as follow-on investments, in seeking to:
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increase or maintain in whole or in part our position as a creditor or equity ownership percentage in a portfolio company; |
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exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or |
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preserve or enhance the value of our investment. |
We have discretion to make follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. Failure on our part to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful portfolio company. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our level of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because of regulatory or other considerations. Our ability to make follow-on investments may also be limited by the Advisors allocation policy.
Because we generally do not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.
To the extent that we do not hold controlling equity interests in portfolio companies, we will have a limited ability to protect our position in such portfolio companies. We may also co-invest with third parties through partnerships, joint ventures or other entities. Such investments may involve risks in connection with such third-party involvement, including the possibility that a third-party co-investor may have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours or may be in a position to take (or block) action in a manner contrary to our investment objective. In those circumstances where such third parties involve a management group, such third parties may receive compensation arrangements relating to such investments, including incentive compensation arrangements.
There is no assurance that portfolio company management will be able to operate their companies in accordance with our expectations.
The day-to-day operations of each portfolio company in which we invest will be the responsibility of that portfolio companys management team. Although we will be responsible for monitoring the performance of each investment and generally intends to invest in portfolio companies operated by strong management, there can be no assurance that the existing management team, or any successor, will be able to operate any such portfolio company in accordance with our expectations. There can be no assurance that a portfolio company will be successful in retaining key members of its management team, the loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on us. Although we generally intend to invest in companies with strong management, there can be no assurance that the existing management of such companies will continue to operate a company successfully.
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Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies and such portfolio companies may not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations to us.
We may invest a portion of our capital in second lien and subordinated loans issued by our portfolio companies. Our portfolio companies may have, or be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. Such subordinated investments are subject to greater risk of default than senior obligations as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions. If we make a subordinated investment in a portfolio company, the portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity ratio may create increased risks that its operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service all of its debt obligations. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the securities in which we invest. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event of and during the continuance of a default under such debt. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying senior creditors, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us where we are junior creditor. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
Additionally, certain loans that we make to portfolio companies may be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio companys obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by 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 sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio companys remaining assets, if any.
We may make unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on a portfolio companys collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio companys obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured loan obligations after payment in full of all loans secured by collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors claims against the portfolio companys remaining assets, if any.
The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing any junior priority loans we make to our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under a typical 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:
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the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; |
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the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; |
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the approval of amendments to collateral documents; |
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releases of liens on the collateral; and |
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waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. |
We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights as junior lenders are adversely affected.
The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.
A significant portion of our investments will involve private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in private securities, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately result in funding obligations that we must satisfy through our return of distributions previously made to us.
The Advisors and Administrators liability is limited, and we have agreed to indemnify each against certain liabilities, which may lead them to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services called for under that agreement, and it is not responsible for any action of our Board of Directors in following or declining to follow the Advisors advice or recommendations. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor, its officers, members, personnel and any person controlling or controlled by the Advisor are not liable to us, any subsidiary of ours, our directors, our stockholders or any subsidiarys stockholders or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of the Advisors duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify the Advisor and each of its officers, directors, members, managers and employees from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Investment Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of such persons duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. Similarly, the Administrator and certain specified parties providing administrative services pursuant to the relevant agreement are not liable to us or our stockholders for, and we have agreed to indemnify them for, any claims or losses arising out of the good faith performance of their duties or obligations, except those liabilities resulting primarily attributable to gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of the Administrators duties. These protections may lead the Advisor or the Administrator to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
We may be subject to risks under hedging transactions.
We may engage in hedging transactions to the limited extent such transactions are permitted under the 1940 Act and applicable commodities laws. Engaging in hedging transactions would entail additional risks to our stockholders. We could, for example, use instruments such as interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors.
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In each such case, we generally would seek to hedge against fluctuations of the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions would not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of the positions declined. However, such hedging could establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions could also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions increased. Moreover, it might not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that was so generally anticipated that we would not be able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Use of a hedging transaction could involve counterparty credit risk.
The success of any hedging transactions we may enter into will depend on our ability to correctly predict movements in interest rates. Therefore, while we may enter into hedging transactions to seek to reduce interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in interest rates could result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged could vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we might not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between the hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation could prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. Our ability to engage in hedging transactions may also be adversely affected by rules adopted by the CFTC.
We may not realize gains from our equity investments.
When we invest in one-stop, second lien and subordinated loans, we may acquire warrants or other equity securities of portfolio companies as well. We may also invest in equity securities directly. To the extent we hold equity investments, we will seek to dispose of them and realize gains upon our disposition of them. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and may decline in value. As a result, 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.
To the extent that we borrow money, the potential for gain or 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 to service our debt or for distribution to our stockholders, and result in losses.
The use of borrowings, also known as leverage, increases the volatility of investments by magnifying the potential for gain or loss on invested equity capital. Since we use leverage to partially finance our investments, through borrowing from banks and other lenders, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging will cause NAV to decline more sharply than it otherwise would if we had not borrowed and employed leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed and employed leverage. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to service our debt or make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, our stockholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the management or incentive fees payable to our Advisor.
The amount of leverage that we employ depends on our Advisors and our Board of Directors assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We can offer 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 servicing our debt or distributions to stockholders. 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.
If the ratio of our total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities falls below the minimum asset coverage ratio applicable to the Company, which is currently 150%, we cannot incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to service our debt or make distributions.
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Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
There is no public market for our Shares, and we do not expect there to be a market for our Shares.
There is no existing trading market for our Shares, and no market for our Shares may develop in the future. If developed, any such market may not be sustained. In the absence of a trading market, holders of our Shares may be unable to liquidate an investment in our shares.
Our Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
There are restrictions on the ability of holders of our Common Stock to transfer shares in excess of the restrictions typically associated with a private offering of securities under Regulation D and other exemptions from registration under the Securities Act, and these additional restrictions could further limit the liquidity of an investment in our Shares and the price at which holders may be able to sell the shares.
We are relying on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and state securities laws in offering our Shares pursuant to the Subscription Agreements. As such, absent an effective registration statement covering our Common Stock, such shares may be resold only in transactions that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and with our prior consent. Our Common Stock will have limited transferability which could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the Company that might involve a premium price for our securities or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
If the current period of capital market disruption and instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic continues for an extended period of time, there is a risk that you may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital.
We intend to make periodic distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. 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, including the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. If we declare a distribution and if more stockholders opt to receive cash distributions rather than participate in our dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), we may be forced to sell some of our investments in order to make cash distribution payments. To the extent we make distributions to stockholders that include a return of capital, such portion of the distribution essentially constitutes a return of the stockholders investment. Although such return of capital may not be taxable, such distributions may increase an investors tax liability for capital gains upon the future sale of our Common Stock. A return of capital distribution may cause a stockholder to recognize a capital gain from the sale of our Common Stock even if the stockholder sells its shares for less than the original purchase price.
Investing in our Common Stock may involve an above average degree of risk.
The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies involve higher levels of risk, and therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance. In addition, our Common Stock is intended for long-term investors who can accept the risks of investing primarily in illiquid loans and other debt or debt-like instruments and should not be treated as a trading vehicle.
Our stockholders may experience dilution in their ownership percentage.
Our stockholders do not have preemptive rights to any Shares we issue in the future. To the extent that we issue additional equity interests at or below NAV your percentage ownership interest in us may be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any future and the value of our investments, you may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of your Shares.
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Under the 1940 Act, we generally are prohibited from issuing or selling our Shares at a price below NAV per Share, which may be a disadvantage as compared with certain public companies. We may, however, sell our Shares, or warrants, options, or rights to acquire our Shares, at a price below the current NAV of our Shares if our Board of Directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders, including a majority of those stockholders 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 Directors, closely approximates the fair value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing our Shares or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our Shares, then the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time will decrease and you will experience dilution.
Purchases of Common Stock pursuant to the Subscription Agreements will generally be made pro rata, in accordance with the remaining capital commitments of all investors. However, we may request capital contributions on a non-pro rata basis in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement. To the extent an investor is required to purchase less than its pro rata share of a drawdown of investor capital commitments, such stockholder will experience dilution in their percentage ownership of our stock.
In the event that we enter into a Subscription Agreement with one or more investors after the initial drawdown, each such investor will be required to make Catch-up Purchases on one or more dates to be determined by us. Each Catch-up Purchase will dilute the ownership percentage of all investors whose subscriptions were accepted at previous closings. As a result, each subsequent closing after the Initial Closing will result in existing stockholders experiencing dilution as a result of Catch-up Purchases.
In addition, distributions declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our DRIP will generally be automatically reinvested in our Shares. As a result, stockholders that do not participate in our DRIP may experience dilution over time.
Our stockholders may receive our Shares as dividends, which could result in adverse tax consequences to them.
In order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs, we will have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in our Shares instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of such dividend) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally would be subject to tax on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in our Shares. We currently do not intend to pay dividends in our Shares.
We may in the future determine to issue preferred stock, which could adversely affect the value of shares of Common Stock.
The issuance of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could make an investment in shares of Common Stock less attractive. In addition, the dividends on any preferred stock we issue must be cumulative. Payment of dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of preferred stock must take preference over any distributions or other payments to holders of Common Stock, and holders of preferred stock are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference (other than convertible preferred stock that converts into shares of Common Stock). In addition, under the 1940 Act, preferred stock would constitute a senior security for purposes of the 150% asset coverage test. We do not currently anticipate issuing preferred stock or, other than with respect to our leverage facilities, debt securities within one year from the effective date of this Registration Statement.
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An investor may be subject to filing requirements under the Exchange Act as a result of an investment in us.
Because our Common Stock is registered under the Exchange Act, ownership information for any person who beneficially owns 5% or more of our Common Stock must 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. Although we will provide in our quarterly financial statements the amount of outstanding stock and the amount of the investors stock, the responsibility for determining the filing obligation and preparing the filing remains with the investor. In addition, owners of 10% or more of our Common Stock are subject to reporting obligations under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
An investor may be subject to the short-swing profits rules under the Exchange Act as a result of an investment in us.
Persons with the right to appoint a director or who hold 10% or more of a class of our shares may be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, which recaptures for the benefit of the issuer profits from the purchase and sale of registered stock within a six-month period.
General Risk Factors
Political, social and economic uncertainty, including uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, creates and exacerbates risks.
Social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) will occur that create uncertainty and have significant impacts on issuers, industries, governments and other systems, including the financial markets, to which companies and their investments are exposed. As global systems, economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, events that once had only local impact are now more likely to have regional or even global effects. Events that occur in one country, region or financial market will, more frequently, adversely impact issuers in other countries, regions or markets, including in established markets such as the U.S. These impacts can be exacerbated by failures of governments and societies to adequately respond to an emerging event or threat.
Uncertainty can result in or coincide with, among other things: increased volatility in the financial markets for securities, derivatives, loans, credit and currency; a decrease in the reliability of market prices and difficulty in valuing assets (including portfolio company assets); greater fluctuations in spreads on debt investments and currency exchange rates; increased risk of default (by both government and private obligors and issuers); further social, economic, and political instability; nationalization of private enterprise; greater governmental involvement in the economy or in social factors that impact the economy; changes to governmental regulation and supervision of the loan, securities, derivatives and currency markets and market participants and decreased or revised monitoring of such markets by governments or self-regulatory organizations and reduced enforcement of regulations; limitations on the activities of investors in such markets; controls or restrictions on foreign investment, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; the significant loss of liquidity and the inability to purchase, sell and otherwise fund investments or settle transactions (including, but not limited to, a market freeze); unavailability of currency hedging techniques; substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation, which can last many years and have substantial negative effects on credit and securities markets as well as the economy as a whole; recessions; and difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments.
For example, there is an outbreak of a highly contagious form of a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, which the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic. In December 2019, COVID-19 emerged in China and has since spread rapidly to other countries, including the United States. The United States has declared a national emergency, and for the first time in its history, every state in the United States is under a federal disaster declaration. Many states have issued orders requiring the closure of non-essential businesses and/or requiring residents to stay at home. This outbreak has led and for an unknown period of time will continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national and global markets and economies affected thereby. With respect to the U.S. credit markets (in particular for middle market loans), this outbreak has resulted in, and until fully resolved is likely to continue to result in, the following among other things: (i) government imposition of various forms of shelter in place orders and the closing of non-essential businesses, resulting in significant disruption to the businesses of many middle-market loan borrowers including supply chains, demand and practical aspects of their operations, as well as in lay-offs of employees, and, while these effects are hoped to be temporary, some effects could be persistent or even permanent; (ii) increased draws by borrowers on revolving lines of credit; (iii) increased requests by borrowers for amendments and waivers of their credit agreements to avoid default, increased defaults by such borrowers and/or increased difficulty in obtaining refinancing at the maturity dates of their loans; (iv) volatility and disruption of these markets including greater volatility in pricing and spreads and difficulty in valuing loans during periods of increased volatility, and liquidity issues; and (v) rapidly evolving proposals and/or actions by state and federal governments to address problems being experienced by the markets and by businesses and the economy in general which will not necessarily adequately address the problems facing the loan market and middle market businesses. This outbreak is having, and any future outbreaks could have, an adverse impact on the markets and the economy in general, which could have a material adverse impact on, among other things, the ability of lenders
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to originate loans, the volume and type of loans originated, and the volume and type of amendments and waivers granted to borrowers and remedial actions taken in the event of a borrower default, each of which could negatively impact the amount and quality of loans available for investment by us and returns to us, among other things. While many countries, as well as most states in the United States, have begun to lift shelter in place order and various business closures with a view to reopening their economies, recurring COVID-19 outbreaks have led to the re-introduction of such restrictions in certain states in the United States and globally and could continue to lead to the re-introduction of such restrictions elsewhere. It is impossible to determine the scope of this outbreak, or any future outbreaks, how long any such outbreak, market disruption or uncertainties may last, the effect any governmental actions will have or the full potential impact on us and our portfolio companies in which we invest.
Although it is impossible to predict the precise nature and consequences of these events, or of any political or policy decisions and regulatory changes occasioned by emerging events or uncertainty on applicable laws or regulations that impact us and our targeted investments, it is clear that these types of events are impacting and will, for at least some time, continue to impact us and our targeted investments and, in certain instances, the impact will be adverse and profound.
If the economy is unable to substantially reopen, and high levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, loan non-accruals, problem assets, and bankruptcies may increase. In addition, collateral for our loans may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase and the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors could decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us. An increase in loan delinquencies and non-accruals or a decrease in loan collateral and guarantor net worth could result in increased costs and reduced income which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We will also be negatively affected if the operations and effectiveness of us or a portfolio company (or any of the key personnel or service providers of the foregoing) is compromised or if necessary or beneficial systems and processes are disrupted.
We are subject to risks related to corporate responsibility.
Our business faces increasing public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as environmental stewardship, corporate governance and transparency and considering ESG factors in our investment processes. Adverse incidents with respect to ESG activities could impact the value of our brand, the cost of our operations and relationships with investors, all of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulatory initiatives related to ESG could adversely affect our business.
We may be the target of litigation.
We may be the target of securities litigation in the future, particularly if the value of our Shares fluctuates significantly. We could also generally be subject to litigation, including derivative actions by our stockholders. Any litigation could result in substantial costs and divert managements attention and resources from our business and cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.
We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the default rate on such securities, the number and size of investments we originate or acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. In light of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of our performance in future periods.
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ITEM 2. |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Selected Financial and Other Information
Discussion of Managements Expected Operating Plan
Overview
We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. In addition, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. We were formed as a Delaware limited liability company in May 2018. We were formed to make investments in middle-market companies and expect to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. Prior to our election to be regulated as a BDC, we will complete a conversion under which Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. will succeed to the business of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC.
Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through debt investments in middle-market companies. For the purposes of this Registration Statement, middle-market companies refers to U.S.-based companies that, in general, generate between $10 million and $150 million of annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA. We refer to companies that generate between $10 million and $50 million of annual EBITDA as core middle-market companies and companies that generate between $50 million and $150 million of annual EBITDA as the upper middle-market companies.
As discussed elsewhere in this Registration Statement, we intend to achieve our investment objective by investing primarily in first lien senior secured, unitranche and split-lien term loans to privately held middle-market companies. Depending on market conditions, we expect that between 80% and 90% of our portfolio (including investments purchased with proceeds from borrowings) will be invested in first lien senior secured, unitranche and split-lien term loans. We expect that most of these investments will be in core middle market companies, with the remainder in upper middle market companies. The remaining 10% to 20% of our portfolio will be invested in higher-yielding investments, including, but not limited to, second lien loans, last-out or subordinated loans, non-investment grade broadly syndicated first and second lien loans (commonly referred to as leveraged loans), high-yield bonds, structured products (including CLO liabilities), real estate related debt securities, equity securities purchased in conjunction with debt investments and other opportunistic investments (collectively Opportunistic Middle Market Investments).
As discussed below, our Advisor is an affiliate of Kayne Anderson. We intend to implement our investment objective by (1) accessing the established loan sourcing channels developed by Kayne Anderson, which includes an extensive network of private equity firms, other middle-market lenders, financial advisors and intermediaries, and experienced management teams, (2) selecting investments within our middle-market company focus, (3) implementing Kayne Andersons middle market private credit teams disciplined underwriting process, and (4) drawing upon the experience and resources of our Advisors investment team and the broader Kayne Anderson network.
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We expect to conduct private offerings of our Shares to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. At the closing of any private offering, each investor will make a Capital Commitment to purchase Shares pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us. Investors will be required to fund drawdowns to purchase Shares up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments each time we deliver a notice to the investors. We anticipate commencing our loan origination and investment activities contemporaneously with the initial drawdown from investors in the private offering. Following the Initial Closing and prior to any future quotation or Exchange Listing, our Advisor may, in its sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings of the private offering. See Item 1. Business Private Offering.
Revenues
We plan to generate revenue in the form of interest on the debt securities that we hold in our portfolio companies. We expect that the debt we invest in will generally have stated terms of five to seven years. Our debt investments are generally expected to bear interest at a floating rate. Interest on debt securities is generally payable quarterly or semi-annually. 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 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. OIDs 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 income for U.S. financial reporting purposes.
Expenses
We expect some of our primary annual operating expenses to be the payment of adviser fees and the reimbursement of expenses under our Investment Advisory Agreement and our Administration Agreement, respectively. We will bear other expenses, which are expected to include our initial organization costs and operating costs incurred prior to the filing of its election to be treated as a BDC; the costs associated with any offerings of our securities; calculating individual asset values and our NAV (including the cost and expenses of any third-party valuation services); out-of-pocket expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Advisor, or members of its investment team, or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing our rights; the base management fee and any incentive fees payable under this Investment Advisory Agreement; certain costs and expenses relating to distributions paid by us; administration fees payable under the Administration Agreement and any sub-administration agreements, including related expenses; debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements; and the allocated costs incurred by the Advisor in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it; amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making or holding investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; costs of hedging; commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers; federal and state registration fees; U.S. federal, state and local taxes; independent director fees and expenses; costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records, costs of preparing tax returns, costs of compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and attestation and costs of filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration and listing fees, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation or review of the foregoing; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders (including printing and mailing costs), the costs of any stockholders meetings and the compensation of investor relations personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters; the costs of specialty and custom software expense for monitoring risk, compliance and overall investments; our fidelity bond; any necessary insurance premiums; extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification payments or amounts payable pursuant to any agreement to provide indemnification entered into by the Company); direct fees and expenses associated with independent audits, agency, consulting and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by either the Administrator or the Company in connection with administering its business, including payments under the Administration Agreement for administrative services that will be based upon our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, including, but not limited to, rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the costs of compensation paid to or distributions received by our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, any of our staff who provide services to the Company and any internal audit staff, to the extent internal audit staff performs a role in our Sarbanes-Oxley internal control assessments. We expect our general and administrative expenses to be relatively stable or decline as a percentage of total assets during periods of asset growth and to increase during periods of asset declines.
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Reimbursement of the Administrator for Administrative Services
We will reimburse our Administrator for the administrative expenses necessary for its performance of services to us. Such reimbursement will be made for our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) of office facilities, overhead, and compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and their respective staff who provide services to us. As we reimburse the Administrator for its expenses, we will indirectly bear such cost. The Administrator intends to engage U.S. Bank Global Fund Services under a sub-administration agreement to assist the Administrator in performing certain of its administrative duties. The Administrator may enter into additional sub-administration agreements with third parties to perform other administrative and professional services on behalf of the Administrator.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
We intend to generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of any offering of our Shares and from cash flows from interest and fees earned from our investments and principal repayments and proceeds from sales of our investments. Our primary use of cash will be investments in portfolio companies, payments of our expenses and payment of cash distributions to our stockholders.
We may issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our Shares if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. As defined in the 1940 Act, asset coverage of 150% means that for every $100 of net assets we hold, we may raise $200 from borrowing and issuing senior securities. We currently intend to target asset coverage of 200% to 180% (which equates to a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.0x to 1.25x), but may alter this target based on market conditions. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage.
Credit Facility
We intend to enter into a revolving credit facility with one or more lenders (a Subscription Facility) shortly after the Initial Closing. While we cannot provide any assurances regarding the terms of any Subscription Facility we may enter into, we expect a Subscription Facility to provide for a multi-year revolving period (which can potentially be extended). The lenders would be expected to require us to pledge our investors capital commitments in connection with the Subscription Facility.
Tender Offers
We are targeting an Exchange Listing in the next three to five years, and until such time, we do not currently intend to list our Shares on any securities exchange and do not expect a public market for them to develop in the foreseeable future. Therefore, stockholders should not expect to be able to sell their Shares promptly or at a desired price. To provide our stockholders with limited liquidity, in the future we may, in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors, conduct tender offers from time to time pursuant to a share repurchase program pursuant to which we will periodically make tender offers to purchase a percentage of our then outstanding Shares. Our tenders for Shares, if any, would be conducted on such terms as may be determined by our Board of Directors and in accordance with the requirements of applicable law, including Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act and Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
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.
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Investment Valuation
We will conduct the valuation of our investments consistent with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Our investments will be valued no less frequently than quarterly, in accordance with the terms of Topic 820 of the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Standards Codification, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures (ASC 820).
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. For some assets and liabilities, observable market transactions or market information might be available. For other assets and liabilities, observable market transactions and market information might not be available. However, the objective of a fair value measurement in both cases is the same to estimate the price when an orderly transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).
ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which ranks the observability of inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instruments and their specific characteristics. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three broad categories.
Level 1 Valuations based on quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets traded on a national exchange to which the Company has access at the date of measurement.
Level 2 Valuations based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers.
Level 3 Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Companys own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.
Traded Investments (Level 1 or Level 2)
Investments for which market quotations are readily available will typically be valued at those market quotations. Traded investments such as corporate bonds, preferred stock, bank notes, loans or loan participations are valued by using the bid price provided by an independent pricing service, by an independent broker, the agent bank, syndicate bank or principal market maker. When price quotes for investments are not available, or such prices are stale or do not represent fair value in the judgment of our Advisor, fair market value will be determined using our valuation process for investments that are privately issued or otherwise restricted as to resale.
We may also invest, to a lesser extent, in equity securities purchased in conjunction with debt investments. While we anticipate these equity securities to be issued by privately held companies, we may hold equity securities that are publicly traded. Equity securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (NASDAQ) are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities admitted to trade on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Equity securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities admitted to trading on the NASDAQ, are valued at the closing bid prices.
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Non-Traded Investments (Level 3)
Investments that are privately issued or otherwise restricted as to resale, as well as any security for which (a) reliable market quotations are not available in the judgment of our Advisor, or (b) the independent pricing service or independent broker does not provide prices or provides a price that in the judgment of our Advisor is stale or does not represent fair value, shall each be valued in a manner that most fairly reflects fair value of the security on the valuation date. We expect that a significant majority of our investment will be Level 3 investments. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the following valuation process is used for our Level 3 investments:
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Investment Team Valuation. The applicable investments are valued by senior professionals of Kayne Anderson who are responsible for the portfolio investments. The value of each portfolio company or investment will be initially reviewed by the investment professionals responsible for such portfolio company or investment and, for non-traded investments (i.e., illiquid securities/instruments), a standardized template designed to approximate fair market value based on observable market inputs, updated credit statistics and unobservable inputs will be used to determine a preliminary value. The investments will be valued no less frequently than quarterly, with new investments valued at the time such investment was made. |
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Investment Team Valuation Documentation. Preliminary valuation conclusions will be determined by our executive officers. Such valuation and supporting documentation is submitted to the Audit Committee (a committee of our Board) and our Board on a quarterly basis. |
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Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets to consider the valuations submitted by our executive officers at the end of each quarter. Between meetings of the Audit Committee, our executive officers are authorized to make valuation determinations. All valuation determinations of the Audit Committee are subject to ratification by our Board at its next regular meeting. |
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Valuation Firm. Quarterly, a third-party valuation firm engaged by our Board reviews the valuation methodologies and calculations employed for each of our investments that we have placed on the watch list and approximately 25% of our remaining investments. The third-party valuation firm will review all of the Level 3 investments at least once per year, on a rolling twelve-month basis. We expect the quarterly report issued by the third-party valuation firm will assist the Board in determining the fair values of the investments reviewed. |
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Board Determination. Our Board meets quarterly to consider the valuations provided by our executive officers and the Audit Committee and ratify valuations for the applicable investments. Our Board considers the report provided by the third-party valuation firm in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio investments. |
Valuation Techniques
Non-traded debt investments are typically valued using an enterprise value analysis and/or a market interest rate yield analysis. The enterprise value analysis is performed to determine if a debt investment is credit impaired. If the debt investment is credit impaired, we will use the enterprise value analysis or a liquidation basis analysis to determine fair value. For debt investments that are not determined to be credit impaired, we use a market interest rate yield analysis to determine fair value.
We utilize the following valuation methodologies to determine the estimated enterprise value of the company: (i) analysis of valuations of publicly traded companies in a similar line of business (public company analysis), (ii) analysis of valuations of M&A transaction valuations for companies in a similar line of business (precedent transaction analysis), (iii) discounted cash flows (DCF analysis) and (iv) other valuation methodologies.
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To determine the estimated market interest rate yield for our debt investments, we analyze changes in the risk/reward (measured by yields and leverage) of middle market indices as compared to changes in risk/reward for the underlying investment. In this context, the fair market value of the investment is impacted by the structure and pricing of the security relative to current capital market conditions for similar investments in similar businesses. In doing this, we consider data sources including, but not limited to: (i) industry publications, such as S&P Globals High-End Middle Market Lending Review; Thomson Reuters Refinitiv Middle Market Monthly Stats; CapitalIQ; Pitchbook News; The Lead Left, and other data sources; (ii) comparable investments reviewed or completed by affiliates of the Advisor, and (iii) information obtained and provided by the Advisors independent valuation managers.
In determining the non-traded debt investment valuations, the following factors are considered, where relevant: the nature and realizable value of any collateral; the companys ability to make interest payments, amortization payments (if any) and other fixed charges; call features, put features and other relevant terms of the debt security; the companys historical and projected financial results; the markets in which the company does business; changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be valued; and other relevant factors.
Equity investments in private companies are typically valued using one of or a combination of the following valuation techniques: (i) public company analysis, (ii) precedent transaction analysis and (iii) DCF analysis.
Under all of these valuation techniques, we estimate operating results of the companies in which we invest, including earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and free cash flow. These estimates utilize unobservable inputs such as historical operating results, which may be unaudited, and projected operating results, which will be based on operating assumptions for such company. Investment performance data utilized will be the most recently available as of the measurement date which in many cases may reflect up to a one quarter lag in information. These estimates will be sensitive to changes in assumptions specific to such company as well as general assumptions for the industry. Other unobservable inputs utilized in the valuation techniques outlined above include: discounts for lack of marketability, selection of publicly traded companies, selection of similar precedent transactions, selected ranges for valuation multiples and expected required rates of return (discount rates).
Revenue Recognition
We record interest income on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. For loans and debt securities with contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the principal balance, we generally will not accrue PIK interest for accounting purposes if the portfolio company valuation indicates that such PIK interest is not collectible. We do not accrue as a receivable interest on loans and debt securities for accounting purposes if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such interest. OIDs, market discounts or premiums are accreted or amortized using the effective interest method as interest income. We record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income.
Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation
We will measure net realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation will reflect the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including any reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation, when gains or losses are realized.
Other Income
Other income may include income such as consent, waiver, amendment, unused, syndication and prepayment fees associated with our investment activities as well as any fees for managerial assistance services rendered by us to the portfolio companies. Such fees are recognized as income when earned or the services are rendered. We may receive fees for guaranteeing the outstanding debt of a portfolio company. Such fees are amortized into other income over the life of the guarantee.
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PIK Interest
We may have investments in our portfolio that contain a PIK interest provision. Any PIK interest will be added to the principal balance of such investments and is recorded as income, if the portfolio company valuation indicates that such PIK interest is collectible. In order to maintain our status as a RIC, substantially all of this income must be included in the amounts paid out by us to stockholders in the form of dividends, even if we have not collected any cash.
Organization and Offering Expenses
In general, we may not deduct organizational expenses, and an election may be made by us to amortize organizational expenses over at least a 180-month period for tax purposes.
U.S. Federal Income Taxes
We intend to elect to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders from our tax earnings and profits. To obtain and maintain our RIC tax treatment, we must meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements as well as distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income in respect of each taxable year to the holders of our Shares. See Item 1. Business Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Contractual Obligations
If any of our contractual obligations discussed below is terminated, our costs may increase under any new agreements that we enter into as replacements. We would also likely incur expenses in locating alternative parties to provide the services we expect to receive under our Administration Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement.
Administration Agreement. We intend to enter into certain contracts under which we have material future commitments. We will enter into an Administration Agreement with the Administrator pursuant to which the Administrator will furnish us with administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. The Administrator will be reimbursed for administrative expenses it incurs on our behalf in performing its obligations. Such reimbursement will be made for our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) of office facilities, overhead, and compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and their respective staff who provide services to us. As we reimburse the Administrator for its expenses, we will indirectly bear such cost. The Administrator intends to engage U.S. Bank Global Fund Services under a sub-administration agreement to assist the Administrator in performing certain of its administrative duties. The Administrator may enter into additional sub-administration agreements with third-parties to perform other administrative and professional services on behalf of the Administrator.
Investment Advisory Agreement. We will enter into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Advisor. Our Advisor will agree to serve as our investment advisor in accordance with the terms of our Investment Advisory Agreement. Payments under our Investment Advisory Agreement in each reporting period will consist of the base management fee equal to a percentage of the fair market value of investments, including, in each case, assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, but excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase as well as an incentive fee based on our performance.
For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay a base management fee quarterly in arrears to our Advisor based on the of the fair market value of our investments including, in each case, assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, but excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase. We will also pay an incentive fee on income and an incentive fee on capital gains to our Advisor, which are described in more detail below, as well as through illustrative examples of these quarterly incentive fee calculations.
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Payment of the Incentive Fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement
The incentive fee based on income (the income incentive fee) is determined and paid quarterly in arrears in cash. Our quarterly pre-incentive fee net investment income (as defined below) must exceed a preferred return of 1.50% of the Companys NAV (6.0% annualized but not compounded) (the Hurdle Amount) in order for us to receive an income incentive fee. The income incentive fee is calculated as follows:
Prior to an Exchange Listing:
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no income incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the Hurdle Amount (1.50% of the Companys NAV); |
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100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.50% of the Companys NAV until the Advisor has received 10% of the total pre-incentive fee net income for that calendar quarter (the Pre IPO Catch-up Provision). Pursuant to the Pre IPO Catch-up Provision, when pre-incentive fee net investment income equals 1.6667% in a calendar quarter, the income incentive fee payable to the Advisor equals 10% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income; and |
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10% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.6667% of the Companys NAV. |
After an Exchange Listing (beginning in the first full quarter after the Exchange Listing):
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no income incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the Hurdle Amount (1.50% of the Companys NAV); |
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100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.50% of the Companys NAV until the Adviser has received 15% of the total pre-incentive fee net income for that calendar quarter (the Post IPO Catch-up Provision). Pursuant to the Post IPO Catch-up Provision, when pre-incentive fee net investment income equals 1.7647% in a calendar quarter, the income incentive fee payable to the Adviser equals 15% of pre-incentive fee net investment income; and |
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15% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.7647% of the Companys NAV. |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income is defined as interest income, dividend income and any other cash or non-cash income accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter, including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding debt or preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any expense support payments and/or any reimbursement by us of expense support payments, nor any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.
The incentive fee on capital gains (the capital gain incentive fee) will be calculated and payable in arrears in cash as follows:
Prior to an Exchange Listing:
|
10.0% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from formation through (a) the day before an Exchange Listing, (b) upon consummation of a Liquidity Event or (c) upon the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, 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. For the purpose of computing the capital gain incentive fee, the calculation methodology will look through derivative financial instruments or swaps as if we owned the reference assets directly. |
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After an Exchange Listing:
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15.0% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from formation through the end of a given calendar year or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, 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. |
In determining the capital gain incentive fee payable to the Advisor, we calculate the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and cumulative aggregate realized capital losses since our formation, and the aggregate unrealized capital depreciation as of the date of the calculation, as applicable, with respect to each of the investments in our portfolio. For this purpose, cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, if any, equals the sum of the differences between the net sales price of each investment, when sold, and the original cost of such investment since our formation. Cumulative aggregate realized capital losses equals the sum of the amounts by which the net sales price of each investment, when sold, is less than the original cost of such investment since our formation. Aggregate unrealized capital depreciation equals the sum of the difference, if negative, between the valuation of each investment as of the applicable calculation date and the original cost of such investment. At the end of the applicable period, the amount of capital gains that serves as the basis for our calculation of the capital gain incentive fee equals the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains less cumulative aggregate realized capital losses, less aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, with respect to our portfolio of investments. If this number is positive at the end of such period, then the capital gain incentive fee for such period will equal 10.0% before an Exchange Listing or 15.0% after an Exchange Listing, as applicable, of such amount, less the aggregate amount of any capital gain incentive fees paid in respect of our portfolio in all prior periods as calculated in accordance with the below after an Exchange Listing.
If an Exchange Listing occurs on a date other than the first day of a fiscal year, a capital gain incentive fee will be calculated as of the day before an Exchange Listing, with such capital gain incentive fee paid to the Advisor upon completion of such Exchange Listing. For the avoidance of doubt, such capital gain incentive fee will be equal to 10.0% of our realized capital gains on a cumulative basis from formation through the day before an Exchange Listing, 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. Following an Exchange Listing, solely for the purposes of calculating the capital gain incentive fee, we will be deemed to have previously paid capital gains incentive fees prior to an Exchange Listing equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the actual aggregate amount of previously paid capital gain incentive fees for all periods prior to an Exchange Listing by (b) the percentage obtained by dividing (x) 15% by (y) 10%. In the event that the Investment Advisory Agreement terminates as of a date that is not a fiscal year end, the termination date will be treated as though it were a fiscal year end for purposes of calculating and paying a capital gain incentive fee.
Our Board of Directors will monitor the mix and performance of our investments over time and will seek to satisfy itself that the Advisor is acting in our interests and that our fee structure appropriately incentivizes the Advisor to do so.
Failure by an Investor to Purchase Additional Shares when Required
In addition to all legal remedies available to us, failure by an investor to purchase additional Shares when requested will result in that investor being subject to certain default provisions as set out below. Defaulting investors may also forfeit their right to participate in purchasing additional Shares on any future drawdown date or otherwise participate in any future investments in our Shares. In the event that an investor fails to pay all or any portion of the drawdown purchase price due from the investor on any drawdown date (such amount, together with the amount of the investors undrawn commitment, a Defaulted Commitment) and such default remains uncured for a period of ten business days, then the Company shall be permitted to declare the investor to be in default on its obligations under the subscription agreement (in such capacity, a Defaulting Purchaser and, collectively with any other investor declared to be in default, the Defaulting Stockholders) and shall be permitted to pursue one or any combination of the following remedies:
(a) |
Company may prohibit the Defaulting Purchaser from purchasing additional shares of common stock on any future drawdown date. |
(b) |
The Company may offer up to 100% of the Defaulting Purchasers shares of common stock first, to the other stockholders (other than any other Defaulting Stockholders) and if such other stockholders do not purchase all of such offered shares of common stock, to third parties for purchase at a price equal to the lesser of the net asset value of such shares of common stock on the relevant trade date or the highest price reasonably obtainable by the Company, subject to such other terms as the Company in its discretion shall determine, which offer(s) shall be binding upon the Defaulting Purchaser if the other stockholders or third parties agree to assume the related Capital Commitment with respect to such shares of common stock of the Defaulting Purchaser, including any portion then due and unpaid, and the Company pursuant to its authority under the Subscription Agreement may execute on behalf of the Defaulting Purchaser any documents necessary to effect the transfer of the Defaulting Purchasers shares of common stock; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Subscription Agreement, no shares of common stock shall be transferred to any other stockholder in the event that such transfer would (i) violate the Securities Act, the 1940 Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or blue sky laws applicable to the Company or such transfer, (ii) constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or (iii) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute plan assets under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code; |
(c) |
50% of the shares of common stock then held by the Defaulting Purchaser may be automatically forfeited and transferred on the books of the Company to the other stockholders (other than any other Defaulting Stockholders), pro rata in accordance with their respective Capital Commitment; provided that no shares of common stock shall be transferred to any other stockholder in the event that such transfer would (i) violate the Securities Act, the 1940 Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or blue sky laws applicable to the Company or such transfer, (ii) constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or (iii) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute plan assets under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (it being understood that this proviso shall operate only to the extent necessary to avoid the occurrence of the consequences contemplated herein and shall not prevent any other stockholder from receiving a partial allocation of its pro rata portion of shares of common stock); and provided, further, that any shares of common stock that have not been transferred to one or more other stockholders pursuant to the previous proviso shall be allocated among the participating other stockholders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment. The mechanism described herein is intended to operate as a liquidated damage provision since the damage to the Company and the other stockholders resulting from a default by the Defaulting Purchaser is both significant and not easily susceptible to precise quantification. By entry into the Subscription Agreement, the investor agrees to being subject to the default provisions described herein and acknowledges that the automatic transfer of its shares constitutes a reasonable liquidated damages remedy for any default of the its obligations to fund a Drawdown Purchase Price. |
(d) |
The Company may pursue any other remedies against the Defaulting Purchaser available to the Company at law or in equity, including those set out in the Adviser LLC Agreement, including if full payment of any required amount is not made within five business days after the delivery of a written notice, a stockholders shares of common stock may be, in the sole and absolute discretion of the managing member, forfeited and cancelled for no consideration. No course of dealing between the Company and any Defaulting Stockholder and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred in this Section or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise shall operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any such right, power or remedy. In addition to the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion institute a lawsuit against the Defaulting Purchaser for specific performance of its obligation to pay any Drawdown Purchase Price and any other payments to be made by the Defaulting Purchaser pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and to collect any overdue amounts thereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Subscription Agreement, the Purchaser agrees (i) to pay on demand all costs and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the enforcement of the Subscription Agreement against the Purchaser sustained as a result of any default by the Purchaser and (ii) that any such payment shall not constitute payment of a drawdown purchase price or reduce the investors Capital Commitment. |
Payment of Incentive Fees
Prior to an Exchange Listing, any incentive fees earned by the Advisor shall accrue as earned but only become payable in cash to the Advisor upon consummation of an Exchange Listing. To the extent the Company does not complete an Exchange Listing, the incentive fees will be payable to the Advisor (a) upon consummation of a sale of the Company or (b) once substantially all proceeds from a Company Liquidation payable to the Companys common stockholders have been distributed to such stockholders.
Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation
Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee (*):
Alternative 1
Assumptions
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Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.5000%
Hurdle rate(1) = 1.5000%
Base management fee(2) = 0.2250%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.0795%
Pre-incentive fee net investment income
(investment income (base management fee + other expenses)) = 1.1955%
Pre-incentive net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no incentive fee.
Alternative 2
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.0000%
Hurdle rate(1) = 1.5000%
Base management fee(2) = 0.2250%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.0795%
Pre-incentive fee net investment income
(investment income (base management fee + other expenses)) = 1.6955%, which exceeds the hurdle rate
Incentive fee = 100.0% × pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to the catch-up(4)
= 100.0% × catch-up + (10.0% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income 1.6667%))
Catch-up = 1.6667% 1.5000% = 0.1667%
Incentive fee = (100% × 0.1667%) + (10.0% × (1.6955% 1.6667%))
= 0.1667% + (10.0% × 0.0288%)
= 0.1667% + 0.0029%
= 0.1696%
Alternative 3
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.0000%
Hurdle rate(1) = 1.5000%
Base management fee(2) = 0.2250%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.0795%
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Pre-incentive fee net investment income
(investment income (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.6955%, which exceeds the hurdle rate
Incentive fee = 100.0% × pre-incentive fee net investment income, subject to catch-up(4)
= 100.0% × catch-up + (10.0% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income 1.6667%))
Catch-up = 1.6667% 1.5000% = 0.1667%
Incentive fee = (100% × 0.1667%) + (10.0% × (2.6955% 1.6667%))
= 0.1667% + (10.0% × 1.0288%)
= 0.1667% + 0.1029%
= 0.2696%
(*) |
The hypothetical amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of total net assets. |
(1) |
Represents 6.0% annualized hurdle rate. |
(2) |
Represents the base management fee prior to an Exchange Listing (0.90% annualized). |
(3) |
Assumes no leverage and excludes organizational and offering expenses. |
(4) |
The catch-up provision is intended to provide our Advisor with an incentive fee of approximately 10.0% on all of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our net investment income exceeds 1.6667% in any calendar quarter. |
Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:
Alternative 1
Assumptions
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Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (Investment A), and $30 million investment made in Company B (Investment B) |
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Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million and fair market value (FMV) of Investment B determined to be $32 million |
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Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million |
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Year 4: Investment B sold for $31 million |
The capital gains portion of the incentive fee, if any, would be:
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Year 1: None |
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Year 2: $3.0 million capital gain incentive fee |
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$30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A multiplied by 10.0%
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Year 3: None |
$2.5 million cumulative fee (10.0% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million cumulative capital gains less $5 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $3.0 million (previous capital gain incentive fee paid in Year 2)
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Year 4: $0.1 million capital gain incentive fee |
$3.1 million cumulative fee ($31 million cumulative realized capital gains multiplied by 10.0%) less $3.0 million (previous capital gain incentive fee paid in Year 2)
Alternative 2
Assumptions
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Year 1: $20 million investment made in Company A (Investment A), $30 million investment made in Company B (Investment B) and $25 million investment made in Company C (Investment C) |
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Year 2: Investment A sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $25 million and FMV of Investment C determined to be $25 million |
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Year 3: FMV of Investment B determined to be $27 million and Investment C sold for $30 million |
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Year 4: FMV of Investment B determined to be $35 million |
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Year 5: Investment B sold for $20 million |
The capital gains portion of the incentive fee, if any, would be:
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Year 1: None |
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Year 2: $2.5 million capital gain incentive fee |
10.0% multiplied by $25 million ($30 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A less $5 million unrealized capital depreciation on Investment B)
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Year 3: $0.7 million capital gain incentive fee |
$3.2 million cumulative fee (10.0% multiplied by $32 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $3 million unrealized capital depreciation)) less $2.5 million (previous capital gain incentive fee paid in Year 2)
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Year 4: $0.3 million capital gain incentive fee |
$3.5 million cumulative fee (10.0% multiplied by $35 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less zero unrealized capital depreciation)) less $3.2 million (previous cumulative capital gain incentive fee paid in Year 2 and Year 3)
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Year 5: None |
$2.5 million cumulative fee (10.0% multiplied by $25 million ($35 million cumulative realized capital gains less $10 million realized capital losses)) less $3.5 million (previous cumulative capital gain incentive fee paid in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4)
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We will be subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.
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We may hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio of investments with fixed interest rates.
ITEM 3. |
PROPERTIES. |
The headquarters of KA Credit Advisors, LLC is located at 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.
ITEM 4. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT |
The following table sets forth certain ownership information with respect to our Shares for those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote, five percent or more of our outstanding Shares and all officers and directors, as a group.
Percentage of Common
Stock outstanding |
||||||||||||||||
Name and address |
Type of ownership | Shares owned | Percentage | |||||||||||||
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. (1) |
Record/Beneficial | 100 | 100 | % | % | |||||||||||
All directors and officers as a group (11 persons) |
Record/Beneficial | | * | % |
* |
Represents less than 1.0%. |
(1) |
In conjunction with our formation, Kayne Anderson purchased 100 Shares at a purchase price of $15.00 per Share. |
ITEM 5. |
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Our Board of Directors oversees our management. Our Board of Directors currently consists of five members, three of whom are not interested persons as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. These individuals are referred to as independent directors. Our Board of Directors elects our officers, who serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors. The responsibilities of each director include the oversight of our investment activity, the quarterly valuation of our assets, and oversight of our financing arrangements and corporate governance activities. Our Board of Directors has also established an Audit Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and may establish additional committees in the future.
Board of Directors and Executive Officers
Directors
Our directors are divided into three classes. At each annual meeting, directors are elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting, with the term of office of only one of these three classes of directors expiring each year. Each director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
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Name |
Year of Birth |
Position |
Director
Since |
Expiration of Term |
||||||||
Interested Directors |
||||||||||||
Michael J. Levitt |
1958 |
Chief Executive Officer
of Kayne Anderson and the Company |
2020 |
2023 |
||||||||
Terrence J. Quinn |
1951 |
Vice Chairman
of Kayne Anderson and the Company |
2020 |
2022 |
||||||||
Independent Directors |
||||||||||||
Mariel A. Joliet |
1966 | Director | 2020 |
2021 |
||||||||
George E. Marucci, Jr. (1) |
1952 | Director | 2020 |
2022 |
||||||||
Susan C. Schnabel |
1961 | Director | 2020 |
2023 |
(1) |
Mr. Maruccis son is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Wurrly LLC (Wurrly). Wurrly is controlled by Mr. Levitts spouse. Mr. Marucci does not have a financial interest in Wurrly. The Company believes that Mr. Marucci qualifies as an independent director and is not an interested person as set forth in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
The address for each of our directors is c/o Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Name |
Year of Birth |
Position |
||||
James C. Baker |
1972 | President | ||||
Douglas L. Goodwillie |
1975 | Co-Chief Investment Officer | ||||
Kenneth B. Leonard |
1963 | Co-Chief Investment Officer | ||||
Terry A. Hart |
1969 | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||
Michael J. ONeil |
1983 | Chief Compliance Officer | ||||
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth |
1962 | Secretary | ||||
John B. Riley |
1974 | Vice President |
The address for each of our officers is c/o Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX 77002.
Biographical Information
Directors
The Board of Directors has determined that each of the directors is qualified to serve as our director, based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each director, including those described below. The Board of Directors has determined that each director has significant experience in the investment or financial services industries and has held management, board or oversight positions in other companies and organizations. Each of our directors has demonstrated high character and integrity and has expertise and diversity of experience to be able to offer advice and guidance to our management. For the purposes of this presentation, our directors have been divided into two groups independent directors and interested directors. Interested directors are interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act.
Interested Directors
Michael J. Levitt is our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Levitt is the chief executive officer of Kayne Anderson. He brings to the Board of Directors expertise in private equity and debt transactions. Mr. Levitt is chairman of Core Scientific, Inc. and a member of the Board of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (KYN) and Kayne Anderson NextGen Energy & Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (KMF). Prior to joining Kayne Anderson, Mr. Levitt served as a vice chairman with Apollo Global Management, LLC. At Apollo, he was a partner in the private equity and credit
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groups. In 2001, Mr. Levitt founded Stone Tower Capital LLC, where he served as chairman, chief executive officer and chief investment officer. During his tenure, Stone Tower generated $17 billion in credit-focused alternative investments. Stone Tower was acquired by Apollo in 2012. Mr. Levitt has spent his entire 31-year career managing or advising non-investment grade businesses and investing in non-investment grade assets. Before founding Stone Tower, Mr. Levitt worked as a partner at the private equity firm Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated, where he was involved in media and consumer investments. Mr. Levitt also served as the co-head of the investment banking division of Smith Barney Inc. Mr. Levitt began his investment banking career at Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., where he oversaw corporate finance and advisory businesses related to private equity firms and non-investment grade companies. Mr. Levitt holds a B.B.A. and J.D. from the University of Michigan and serves on the Universitys Investment Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Visiting Committee of the Ross School of Business and the Trustee of the Law Schools Cook Trust. Mr. Levitts experience as a senior executive officer of financial companies led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that Mr. Levitt is qualified to serve as a director.
Terrence J. Quinn is our Vice Chairman. Mr. Quinn is the vice chairman for Kayne Anderson and is responsible for managing our new business opportunities and client relations. He is a member of the firms board of directors, oversees the private credit group and serves on the firms Credit, Real Estate and Growth Private Equity Investment Committees. Mr. Quinn was a founding member of the Board of KYN and the Board of Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in 2006, Mr. Quinn was a founding partner of a merchant banking firm specializing in private equity and advisory services. He was president and chief executive officer of five operating companies and member of the executive committee of a leading regional bank. Mr. Quinn was manager of pensions and investments for the 3M Company and founding chief executive officer of a leading mezzanine fund group. Mr. Quinn has served on the boards of directors of several public and private firms. Mr. Quinn earned a B.A. in Economics in 1973 and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1974. Mr. Quinns experience as an executive officer of various banking companies led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that Mr. Quinn is qualified to serve as a director.
Independent Directors
Mariel A. Joliet serves as Chairperson of our Board of Directors and Chairperson of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Joliet also serves as a director on the Board of Directors of ASGN, Incorporated (NYSE: ASGN) and is also a member of ASGNs Audit Committee. ASGN is one of the foremost providers of highly skilled professionals in the technology, digital, creative, healthcare technology, engineering, life sciences and government sectors. From 1998 to 2008, Ms. Joliet was employed by the Hilton Hotels Corporation, a publicly-traded hotel company, as senior vice president and treasurer. During her time at the Hilton Hotels Corporation, Ms. Joliet participated in its sale to the Blackstone Group for $27 billion, one of the ten-largest leveraged buyouts in history at the time. As Treasurer, Ms. Joliet was responsible for capital markets and financial investment initiatives, including credit ratings, debt/equity issuances, interest rate risk management, cash management and foreign exchange. Prior to her employment with Hilton Hotels Corporation, Ms. Joliet worked for ten years as a coverage officer and corporate banker at Wachovia Bank and Corestates Bank, where she was responsible for client relationships and portfolio management. Ms. Joliet also served as an advisory board member for the Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and a member of Know the Glow Foundation. She received a B.S. at the University of Scranton and earned an M.B.A. from Marywood University. Ms. Joliet has a strong background in financing, acquisitions, deal structuring, strategic planning and operational integration. Ms. Joliets experiences as a corporate executive led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that Ms. Joliet is qualified to serve as a director.
George E. Marucci, Jr. is an accomplished finance executive and entrepreneur in various industries and fields. Mr. Marucci serves as the Lead Valuation Director on our Audit Committee. Mr. Marucci currently serves as a marketing consultant for BMW North America, chair of a leading automotive family office in Baltimore and golf commentator for Fox Sports Television. Previously, Mr. Marucci was the co-owner, president and acting chief financial officer for Pennmark Automotive Enterprises, a luxury automobile dealership which employed 450 employees and generated $300 million in annual sales. Previously, Mr. Marucci was the co-owner and president of Pennmark Real Estate Investment Group, which specialized in commercial real estate and development, including the development and operation of 50 Walmart retail centers. Prior to owning and operating these companies, Mr. Marucci served as an investment advisor and stockbroker at White Weld and Co. and Merrill Lynch. In those roles, Mr. Marucci was responsible for institutional sales and client development. Mr. Marucci began his career with a family-based accounting firm, Marucci, Ortals and Co. Mr. Marucci received a B.A. in Accounting in 1974 from The University of Maryland. Mr. Maruccis diverse experiences in real estate, investment advisory and marketing consultant roles led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that Mr. Marucci is qualified to serve as a director.
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Susan C. Schnabel serves as Chairperson of our Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Ms. Schnabel is the co-founder and managing partner of aPriori Capital Partners, an independent leveraged buyout fund advisor. aPriori Capital Partners was created in connection with the spin-off of DLJ Merchant Banking Partners from Credit Suisse in 2014. Prior to forming aPriori Capital, Ms. Schnabel worked at Credit Suisse from 1998 to 2014 where she served as a managing director in the Asset Management Division and co-head of DLJ Merchant Banking. Ms. Schnabel formerly served on the boards of numerous public companies, including Neiman Marcus, STR Holdings, Rockwood Holdings Inc. and Shoppers Drug Mart. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, the California Institute of Technology - Investment Committee, the US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Music Center Foundation. Ms. Schnabel earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Ms. Schnabels experience as an investment banker, private equity investor and a corporate director led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to conclude that Ms. Schnabel is qualified to serve as a director.
Executive Officers
Michael J. Levitt serves as our Chief Executive Officer. A summary of Mr. Levitts experience and qualifications is provided above. See Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers Interested Directors.
Terrance J. Quinn is our Vice Chairman. A summary of Mr. Quinns experience and qualifications is provided above. See Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers Interested Directors.
James C. Baker is our President. He is Kayne Andersons head of public retail funds and co-head of Kayne Andersons energy infrastructure marketable securities group, which is part of the firms infrastructure investment team. Mr. Baker serves as President of the Company, and as president, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of KYN and KMF. Mr. Baker previously served on the boards of directors of K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P., Petris Technology, Inc. and ProPetro Services, Inc. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in 2004, Mr. Baker was a director in the energy investment banking group at UBS Securities LLC. At UBS, he focused on securities underwriting and mergers and acquisitions in the midstream industry. Prior to joining UBS in 2000, Mr. Baker was an associate in the energy investment banking group at PaineWebber Incorporated. Mr. Baker earned his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
Douglas L. Goodwillie serves as Co-Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Goodwillie is a managing partner and co-head of Kayne Andersons private credit group, which is a part of the credit investment team, and has over 20 years of experience in middle market lending, underwriting over $4.0 billion in loans during his career. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in November 2011, Mr. Goodwillie was a director at LBC Credit Partners, a middle market private debt fund with over $1.5 billion under management. At LBC, he was responsible for originating senior and mezzanine loan transactions. Mr. Goodwillie also served as a rotational member of the LBCs Investment Committee. Prior to joining LBC, Mr. Goodwillie was an operating director at Arsenal Capital Partners in New York where he led the firms capital markets efforts and served as an industry specialist in the financial services vertical sector. Mr. Goodwillie spent seven years at Dymas Capital Management in Chicago, a leading middle market finance company where he was responsible for originating, underwriting and managing senior and junior middle market loans. Mr. Goodwillie began his career with Gleacher Partners where he was focused on leveraged lending and mergers and acquisition advisory. Mr. Goodwillie holds a B.A. from Kenyon College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.
Kenneth B. Leonard serves as Co-Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Leonard is a managing partner and co-head of Kayne Andersons private credit group, which is part of the credit investment team. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in 2011, Mr. Leonard was with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. where he was a co-founder of Dymas Capital Management and helped lead the development of a middle market, private equity focused lending business. Prior to joining Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., Mr. Leonard was a senior vice president in the Merchant Banking Syndications Team at GE Capital from 2001 to 2002. From 1998 to 2001 he was in charge of the Corporate Finance Syndications Team of Heller Financial. From 1995 to 1998, he served as an investment professional in the Turnaround Private Equity Group of Heller Investments, Inc. From 1986 to 1995, he served in a variety of lending positions at Heller Financial, including real estate, asset-based lending and cash flow lending. Mr. Leonard is a graduate of the University of Iowa and received an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.
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Terry A. Hart serves as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Hart is a senior managing director for Kayne Anderson and serves as chief financial officer of KYN and KMF. He is responsible for the oversight of accounting, financial reporting, tax and treasury. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in 2005, Mr. Hart was most recently a senior vice president and controller at Dynegy, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Hart served as assistant treasurer and director of structured finance. He began his finance and accounting career in 1992 with Illinova Corporation, which was acquired by Dynegy, Inc. in 2000. Mr. Hart earned a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Illinois University in 1991 and an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1999.
Michael J. ONeil serves as our Chief Compliance Officer. Mr. ONeil is also the chief compliance officer of Kayne Anderson. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson, Mr. ONeil was a compliance officer at BlackRock Inc., where he was responsible for regulatory compliance matters related to trading and portfolio management activities across equity, fixed income and alternative assets. Mr. ONeil earned a B.A. in International Business and Management from Dickinson College and M.B.A. and L.L.M. degrees from Boston University.
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth serves as our Secretary. Mr. Hollingsworth also serves as secretary of KYN and KMF and is general counsel and a senior managing director of Kayne Anderson. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in 2019, Mr. Hollingsworth was in the private practice of corporate and securities law, most recently as partner at Bracewell LLP from 2001 to 2019 where he served on Bracewells Management Committee. Since 2017, Mr. Hollingsworth has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Prior to joining Bracewell, Mr. Hollingsworth practiced law at Brobeck Phleger & Harrison from 1999 to 2001 and at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP from 1993 to 1999. Mr. Hollingsworth earned a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1985 and served for several years as a Captain on Active and Reserve duty in the U.S. Army. He earned his J.D. from the University of Houston in 1993. He has been a member of the Texas Bar Association since 1993.
John. B. Riley serves as a Vice President. Mr. Riley is a controller for Kayne Anderson. Prior to joining Kayne Anderson in 2006, Mr. Riley was most recently a director of reporting for Key Energy Services, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Riley served as a financial controller for Noble Corporation and a manager of corporate reporting & analysis / corporate internal control for Dynegy, Inc. Mr. Riley began his accounting career in 1998 with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Mr. Riley earned a B.B.A. in Accounting and an M.B.A. from Baylor University in 1998. Mr. Riley is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Texas.
Board of Directors Leadership Structure
Our Board of Directors monitors and performs an oversight role with respect to our business and affairs, including with respect to our investment practices and performance, compliance with regulatory requirements and the services, expenses and performance of our service providers. Among other things, our Board of Directors approves the appointment of our Advisor and officers, reviews and monitors the services and activities performed by our Advisor and executive officers and approves the engagement, and reviews the performance of, our independent public accounting firm.
Our bylaws will provide that our Board of Directors may designate a Chairperson to preside over the meetings of our Board of Directors and meetings of the stockholders and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. We do not have a fixed policy as to whether the Chairperson of the Board of Directors should be an independent director and believe that we should maintain the flexibility to select the Chairperson and reorganize the leadership structure, from time to time, based on criteria that are in our best interests and our stockholders at such times.
Our corporate governance policies include regular meetings of the independent directors in executive session without the presence of interested directors and management, the establishment of Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees comprised solely of independent directors and the appointment of a chief compliance officer, with whom the independent directors meet regularly without the presence of interested directors and other members of management, for administering our compliance policies and procedures.
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We recognize that different Board of Directors leadership structures are appropriate for companies in different situations. We intend to re-examine our corporate governance policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet our needs.
Committees of the Board of Directors
An Audit Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee have been established by our Board of Directors. All directors are expected to attend at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of our Board of Directors and of the respective committees on which they serve. We require each director to make a diligent effort to attend all Board of Directors and committee meetings as well as each annual meeting of our stockholders.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is currently composed of Mariel A. Joliet, George E. Marucci, Jr. and Susan C. Schnabel, all of whom are not considered interested persons of the Company, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and meet the independence requirements of Rule 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act. Susan Schnabel serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that Susan C. Schnabel is an audit committee financial expert as that term is defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K, as promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our Board of Directors, which sets forth the responsibilities of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committees responsibilities include establishing guidelines and making recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding the valuation of certain of our loans and investments, selecting our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with such independent registered public accounting firm the planning, scope and results of their audit of our financial statements, pre-approving the fees for services performed, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy of internal control systems, reviewing our annual financial statements and periodic filings and receiving our audit reports and financial statements.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Mariel A. Joliet, George E. Marucci, Jr. and Susan C. Schnabel, all of whom are not considered interested persons of the Company, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Mariel A. Joliet serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for selecting, researching and nominating qualified nominees to be elected to the Board of Directors by our stockholders at the annual stockholder meeting, selecting qualified nominees to fill any vacancies on our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors (consistent with criteria approved by our Board of Directors), developing and recommending to our Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles applicable to us and overseeing the evaluation of our Board of Directors and our management.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. In determining whether to recommend a director nominee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers and discusses director diversity, among other factors, with a view toward the needs of our Board of Directors as a whole. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee generally conceptualizes diversity expansively to include concepts such as race, gender, national origin, differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill and other qualities that contribute to our Board of Directors, when identifying and recommending director nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the inclusion of diversity as one of many factors considered in selecting director nominees is consistent with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees goal of creating a Board of Directors that best serves our needs and the interests of our stockholders.
Indemnification Agreements
We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide our directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Delaware law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that we will indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement, or an Indemnitee, including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law and the 1940 Act.
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ITEM 6. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Compensation of Executive Officers
None of our executive officers will receive direct compensation from us. Any compensation paid for services relating to our financial reporting and compliance functions will be paid by our Administrator, subject to reimbursement by us of an allocable portion of office facilities, overhead, and compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and their respective staff who provide services to us. As we reimburse the Administrator for its expenses, we will indirectly bear such cost. Our Administrator intends to engage U.S. Bank Global Fund Services under a sub-administration agreement to assist the Administrator in performing certain of its administrative duties. The Administrator may enter into additional sub-administration agreements with third-parties to perform other administrative and professional services on behalf of the Administrator. We will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without profit to our Administrator.
Compensation of Directors
The independent directors will receive compensation of $90,000 per year, plus $2,500 per each in-person or telephonic special board meeting attended, plus they will receive $1,000 per each in-person or telephonic committee meeting attended (provided that such compensation shall only be paid if the duration of the committee meeting is greater than 15 minutes), together with reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. Our Chairperson will receive an annual fee of $15,000 so long as such Chairperson is independent. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee will receive an annual fee of $7,500. The Lead Valuation Director of the Audit Committee will receive an annual fee of $7,500. We have obtained directors and officers liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers. We do not have a profit-sharing or retirement plan, and directors will not receive any pension or retirement benefits. No compensation will be paid to directors who are interested persons. The Board of Directors will review and determine the compensation of independent directors.
ITEM 7. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
We will enter into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Advisor in which our senior management has ownership and financial interests. We will also enter into the Administration Agreement with our Advisor, which will also serve as our administrator. Members of our senior management also serve as principals of other investment managers affiliated with our Advisor that manage, and may in the future manage, investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles with investment objectives similar to ours.
In addition, members of our executive management team, employees of our Advisor and members of the investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same, or related, line of business as we do or of investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our affiliates. These investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles may have investment objectives similar to our investment objective. For example, our Advisor and affiliates of our Advisor currently manage private funds and managed accounts that are seeking new capital commitments and intend to pursue an investment strategy similar to our strategy. We will compete with entities managed by our Advisor and its affiliates for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our Advisor or its affiliates or by members of the Advisors investment committee. However, in order to fulfill its fiduciary duties to each of its clients, including us, our Advisor intends to allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and is consistent with its allocation policy, investment objectives and strategies, so that we are not disadvantaged in relation to any other client of our Advisor or its affiliates. Allocations among us and other investment funds affiliated with our Advisor will generally be made pro rata based on each accounts capital available for investment. We expect that our available capital for investments will be determined based on the amount of cash on-hand, existing commitments and reserves, if any, and the targeted leverage level and targeted asset mix and diversification requirements and other investment policies and restrictions established by our Advisor or as imposed by applicable laws, rules, regulations or interpretations.
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The Advisor and its affiliates have other clients with similar or competing investment objectives, some of which may seek new capital from time to time. In serving these clients, the Advisor may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities. Our investment objective may overlap with such affiliated accounts. The Advisors allocation procedures are designed to allocate investment opportunities among the accounts sponsored or managed by Advisor and its affiliates in a manner consistent with its obligations under the Advisers Act. If two or more accounts with similar investment strategies are actively investing, the Advisor will seek to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews the allocation policy and code of ethics of the Advisor.
Policies and Procedures for Managing Conflicts
The Advisor and its affiliates have policies and procedures in place designed to manage the potential conflicts of interest between our Advisors fiduciary obligations to us and its similar fiduciary obligations to other clients. For example, such policies and procedures are designed to ensure that investment opportunities are generally allocated on a pro rata basis based on each accounts capital available for investment. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of our Advisor and its affiliates may not be capable of being shared among some or all of such clients and affiliates due to the limited scale of the opportunity or other factors, including regulatory restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act. We can offer no assurance that the efforts of our Advisor and its affiliates to allocate any particular investment opportunity fairly among all clients for whom such opportunity is appropriate will result in an allocation of all or part of such opportunity to us. Our investors should not expect all conflicts of interest to be resolved in our favor.
Co-Investment Opportunities
The principals of our Advisor have managed and expect to continue to manage investment vehicles with similar or overlapping investment strategies. In order to address these issues, our Advisor has adopted an investment allocation policy that addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act and seeks to ensure the equitable allocation of investment opportunities when we are able to co-invest with other accounts managed by affiliated of our Advisor. Under the Advisors allocation policy, investment opportunities which are eligible for co-investment will be allocated on the basis of available capital. It is the Advisors policy to base its determinations as to the amount of capital available for investment on such factors including, but not limited to, the following factors: (1) the amount of cash on-hand, existing commitments and reserves, if any, (2) targeted leverage level, (3) targeted asset mix and diversification requirements and (4) other investment policies and restrictions set by the Advisor or imposed by applicable laws, rules, regulations or interpretations. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts.
As a BDC, however, we may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors who are not interested persons of us and our Advisor and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC. The SEC has interpreted the BDC prohibition on transactions with affiliates to prohibit joint transactions among entities that share a common investment advisor. The SEC staff has granted no-action relief permitting purchases of a single class of privately placed securities provided that the adviser negotiates no term other than price and certain other conditions are met. Additionally, we, along with our Advisor and certain of its affiliates, have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to invest alongside certain entities and accounts advised by the Advisor and its affiliates subject to certain conditions. Any co-investment that we make would be made subject to compliance with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations, the conditions of exemptive relief that we have obtained and our Advisors allocation procedures.
Under the terms of exemptive relief that we, along with our Advisor and certain of its affiliates, have obtained from the SEC, a required majority (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors would make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the proposed transaction are reasonable and fair to us and our stockholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our stockholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our stockholders and is consistent with our investment strategies and policies and (3) the investments by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than, that on which affiliates are investing.
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In situations where co-investment with other entities managed by our Advisor and its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, our Advisor will need to decide whether we or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The Advisor intends to make these determinations based on its policies and procedures, which are designed to allocate investment opportunities among us and its other clients in a manner that is fair and equitable over time. Moreover, in certain circumstances, we may be unable to invest in an issuer in which another account sponsored or managed by our Advisor has previously invested.
Material Nonpublic Information
Our senior management, members of our Advisors investment committee and other investment professionals from our Advisor may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest or in which we are considering making an investment. Through these and other relationships with a portfolio company, these individuals may obtain material non-public information that might restrict our ability to buy or sell the securities of such company under the policies of the company or applicable law.
Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements
We will enter into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Advisor and will pay it a base management fee as well as an incentive fee based on performance. The incentive fee will be computed and paid on income that we may not have yet received in cash. This fee structure may create an incentive for our Advisor to invest in certain types of securities that may have a high degree of risk. We will rely on investment professionals from our Advisor to value our portfolio investments. Our Advisors base management fee and incentive fee will be based on the value of our investments, and there may be a conflict of interest when personnel of our Advisor determine periodic fair values for our portfolio investments.
We will enter into the Administration Agreement with our Administrator and will reimburse it for the allocable portion of office facilities, overhead, and compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and their respective staff who provide services to us. As we reimburse the Administrator for its expenses, we will indirectly bear such cost. Such reimbursement will be made for our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) of overhead and other reasonable expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing such services. Our Administrator intends to engage U.S. Bank Global Fund Services under a sub-administration agreement to assist the Administrator in performing certain of its administrative duties. The Administrator may enter into additional sub-administration agreements with third-parties to perform other administrative and professional services on behalf of the Administrator.
License Agreement
We intend to enter into a license agreement with Kayne Anderson under which Kayne Anderson will agree to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name Kayne Anderson for specified purposes in our business. Under the license agreement, we will have a right to use the Kayne Anderson name, subject to certain conditions, for so long as our Advisor or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the Kayne Anderson name.
Appraisal and Compensation
In connection with any transaction involving a merger, conversion or consolidation, either directly or indirectly, involving us and the issuance of securities of a surviving entity after the successful completion of such transaction, or roll-up, we will obtain an appraisal of all our assets from one or more competent independent appraisers. This appraisal will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement registering the roll-up transaction. Such appraisal will be based on all relevant information and will indicate the value of our assets as of a date just prior to the announcement of the proposed roll-up. The engagement of such independent appraiser will provide that the appraisal is being obtained
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for the exclusive benefit of our stockholders. We will include a summary of such appraisal in a report to our stockholders in connection with the proposed roll-up. Each stockholder will be afforded the opportunity to vote to approve such proposed roll-up and will be permitted to receive cash in an amount equal to his, her or its pro rata share of the appraised value of our net assets.
Restrictions on Transactions with Our Advisor
We will not purchase or lease assets in which our Advisor or its affiliates have an interest unless (1) we disclose the terms of the transaction to our stockholders, the terms are fair to us and at a price paid does not exceed the lesser of cost or fair market value, as determined by an independent expert, or (2) such purchase or lease of assets is consistent with the 1940 Act or an exemptive order under the 1940 Act issued to our Advisor by the SEC. We will not make any loans or other financing to our Advisor. Our Advisor is prohibited from commingling our funds with the funds of any other entity or person for which it provides investment advisory or other services. We are permitted to invest in general partnerships and joint ventures with affiliates of our Advisor and non-affiliates so long as such investment meets certain conditions.
Director Independence
The 1940 Act requires that at least a majority of our directors not be interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company. On an annual basis, each member of our Board of Directors is required to complete an independence questionnaire designed to provide information to assist our Board of Directors in determining whether the director is independent under the 1940 Act and our corporate governance guidelines. Our Board of Directors has and determined that each of our directors, other than Michael J. Levitt and Terrence J. Quinn, is independent under the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act. Our governance guidelines require any director who has previously been determined to be independent to inform the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our corporate secretary of any change in circumstance that may cause his or her status as an independent director to change. Our Board of Directors limits membership on the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to independent directors.
ITEM 8. |
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
Neither we nor our Advisor is currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us, or against our Advisor.
From time to time, we, or our Advisor, may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.
From time to time we are involved in various legal proceedings, lawsuits and claims incidental to the conduct of our business. Our businesses are also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us.
ITEM 9. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market Information
Until the completion of an Exchange Listing, if any, our outstanding Shares will be offered and sold in private offerings exempt from registration under the Securities Act under Section 4(a)(2) and Regulation D. See Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities for more information. There is no public market for our Shares currently, nor can we give any assurance that one will develop.
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Because Shares are being acquired by investors in one or more transactions not involving a public offering, they are restricted securities and may be required to be held indefinitely. Our Shares may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of unless (i) our consent is granted, and (ii) the Shares are registered under applicable securities laws or specifically exempted from registration (in which case the stockholder may, at our option, be required to provide us with a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to us, that registration is not required). Accordingly, an investor must be willing to bear the economic risk of investment in the Shares until we are liquidated. No sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, of the Shares may be made except by registration of the transfer on our books. Each transferee will be required to execute an instrument agreeing to be bound by these restrictions and the other restrictions imposed on the Shares and to execute such other instruments or certifications as are reasonably required by us.
Holders
Please see Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management for disclosure regarding the holders of our Shares.
Distribution Policy
We intend to make quarterly distributions to our stockholders, beginning after the first full quarter following the effectiveness of this Registration Statement. We also intend to elect to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To obtain and maintain our RIC tax status, we would have to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (as defined by the Code, which generally includes net ordinary income and net short-term taxable gains) to our stockholders in respect of each taxable year, as well as satisfy other applicable requirements under the Code. In addition, we generally will be subject to a nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax equal to 4% of the amount by which our distributions for a calendar year are less than the sum of:
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98% of our net ordinary income, taking into account certain deferrals and elections, recognized during a calendar year; |
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98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year; and |
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100% of any undistributed amount by operation of such rule related to a prior calendar year. |
For these excise tax purposes, we will be deemed to have distributed any net ordinary taxable income or capital gain net income on which we have paid U.S. federal income tax. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a calendar year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following calendar year, and pay any applicable U.S. federal excise tax. We cannot assure you that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any dividends. See Item 1A. Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure.
We also intend to distribute net capital gains (that is, 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 net 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 net capital gains that we retain and you 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 cannot assure you that we will achieve results that will permit us to pay any cash distributions and we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so would cause us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
We have adopted an opt-out dividend reinvestment plan that provides for the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions on behalf of our stockholders unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board of Directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in our Shares.
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No action would be required on the part of a registered stockholder to have his or her cash distribution reinvested in our Shares. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for distributions to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for each stockholder to acquire Shares in non-certificated form through the plan if such stockholders have not elected to receive their distributions in cash. Those stockholders who hold Shares through a broker or other financial intermediary may receive distributions in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.
We would use primarily newly issued Shares to implement the dividend reinvestment plan, with such Shares to be issued at NAV. The number of Shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the price per Share on the valuation date for such distribution. The number of shares to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of a distribution cannot be established until the value per share at which additional Shares will be issued has been determined and the elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.
There will be no brokerage or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The dividend reinvestment plan administrators fees under the plan will be paid by us. If a participant elects to sell part or all of his, her or its Shares held by the plan administrator and have the proceeds remitted to the participant, such request must first be submitted to the participants broker, who will coordinate with the plan administrator and is authorized to deduct a per-share brokerage commission from the sale proceeds.
Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of Shares are generally subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. However, since a participating stockholders cash dividends would be reinvested in Shares, such stockholder will not receive cash with which to pay applicable taxes on reinvested dividends. A stockholders basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of Shares received in a distribution from us will generally be equal to the cash that would have been received if the stockholder had received the distribution in cash, unless we issue new Shares at or above NAV, in which case the stockholders basis in the new Shares will generally be equal to its fair market value. Any Shares received in a distribution will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which such Shares are credited to the U.S. holders account.
The dividend reinvestment plan will be terminable by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any distribution by us.
Reports to Shareholders
We will furnish our shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. Upon the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will be required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the 1934 Act.
Following a Non-Listed Offering, within 60 days after each calendar quarter, we will distribute our quarterly report on Form 10-Q to all of our shareholders of record. In addition, following a Non-Listed Offering, we will distribute our annual report on Form 10-K to all of our 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 Advisor.
ITEM 10. |
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES |
In conjunction with our formation, Kayne Anderson purchased limited liability company interests in the Company. The limited liability company interests were sold in reliance upon the available exemptions from registration requirements of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
ITEM 11. |
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANTS SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED |
The following description is based on relevant portions of the DGCL and charter and bylaws, which will be applicable to us upon conversion to a Delaware corporation. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the DGCL and charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.
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Capital Stock
Our authorized stock will consist of 100 million shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. There is currently no market for our Common Stock, and we can offer no assurances that a market for our Shares will develop in the future. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our Shares. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Delaware law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.
Upon effectiveness of the conversion to a Delaware corporation, the following will be authorized and outstanding classes of securities of the Company:
(1) Title of Class |
(2)
Amount Authorized |
(3)
Amount Held by us or for Our Account |
(4)
Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Amounts Shown Under (3) |
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Common Stock |
100,000,000 | | 100 | (1) | ||||||||
Preferred Stock |
10,000 | | |
(1) |
In connection with the conversion to a Delaware corporation, such interests will be converted into Shares at a per share price as determined by our Board of Directors. |
Under our charter, our Board of Directors will be authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock and authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the DGCL, our charter will provide that the Board of Directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.
All of our Shares will have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and other distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our Common Stock if, as and when authorized by our Board of Directors and declared by us out of assets legally available therefor. Our Shares have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except when their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our Common Stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our Common Stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Transfer and Resale Restrictions
We intend to sell our Shares in a private offering in the United States under the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder, Regulation S under the Securities Act and other exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Investors who acquire Shares in such private offerings are required to complete, execute and deliver a Subscription Agreement and related documentation, which
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includes customary representations and warranties, certain covenants and restrictions and indemnification provisions. Additionally, such investors may be required to provide due diligence information to us for compliance with certain legal requirements. We may, from time to time, engage offering or distribution agents and incur offering or distribution fees or sales commissions in connection with the private offering of our Shares in certain jurisdictions outside the United States. The cost of any such offering or distribution fees may be borne by an affiliate of the Advisor. We will not incur any such fees or commissions if our net proceeds received upon a sale of our Shares after such costs would be less than the NAV per Share.
Prior to an Exchange Listing, no transfer of our investors Capital Commitments or all or any portion of our investors Shares may be made without (a) registration of the transfer on our books and (b) our prior written consent. Our consent to transfer Shares may be withheld (1) if the creditworthiness of the proposed transferee, as determined by us in our sole discretion, is not sufficient to satisfy all obligations under the Subscription Agreement or (2) unless, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory in form and substance to us:
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such transfer would not violate the Securities Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or blue sky laws applicable to us or the shares to be transferred; and |
|
in the case of a transfer to: |
|
an employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, that is subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA; |
|
a plan described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code, that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code; |
|
an entity that is, or is deemed to be, using (for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) plan assets to purchase or hold its investments; or |
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a person (including an entity) that has discretionary authority or control with respect to our assets or a person who provides investment advice with respect to our assets or an affiliate of such person, |
such transfer would not be a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause all or any portion of our assets to constitute plan assets under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
Any person that acquires all or any portion of our investors Shares in a transfer permitted under the Subscription Agreement is obligated to pay to us the appropriate portion of any amounts thereafter becoming due in respect of the Capital Commitment committed to be made by its predecessor in interest. Our investors will remain liable for their Capital Commitments prior to the time, if any, when the purchaser, assignee or transferee of such shares, or fraction thereof, becomes a holder of such Shares.
Furthermore, should there be an Exchange Listing, holders of our Shares may be subject to lock-up restrictions pursuant to which they will be prohibited from selling Shares for a minimum period of time after the pricing of such IPO or the listing. The specific terms of this restriction and any other limitations on the sale of our Shares in connection with or following an Exchange Listing will be agreed in advance between our Board of Directors and our Advisor, acting on behalf of our investors, and the underwriters of the Exchange Listing other similar institutions, acting on our behalf, in connection with the Exchange Listing.
Provisions of the DGCL and Our Charter and Bylaws
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
The indemnification of our officers and directors will be governed by Section 145 of the DGCL, our charter and bylaws. Subsection (a) of DGCL Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request
88
of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if (1) such person acted in good faith, (2) in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and (3) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe the persons conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (b) of DGCL Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court deems proper.
DGCL Section 145 further provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person will be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. In all cases in which indemnification is permitted under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 (unless ordered by a court), it will be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the applicable standard of conduct has been met by the party to be indemnified. Such determination must be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (4) by the stockholders. The statute authorizes the corporation to pay expenses incurred by an officer or director in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to whom the advance will be made, to repay the advances if it is ultimately determined that he or she was not entitled to indemnification. DGCL Section 145 also provides that indemnification and advancement of expenses permitted under such Section are not to be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. DGCL Section 145 also authorizes the corporation to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of its directors, officers, employees and agents regardless of whether the corporation would have the statutory power to indemnify such persons against the liabilities insured.
Our charter will provide that our directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the current DGCL or as the DGCL may be amended. DGCL Section 102(b)(7) provides that the personal liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director may be eliminated except for liability (1) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the registrant or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL, relating to unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemption of stock or (4) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.
Our bylaws will provide for the indemnification of any person to the full extent permitted, and in the manner provided, by the current DGCL or as the DGCL may be amended.
As a BDC, we are not permitted to and will not indemnify the Advisor, any of our executive officers and directors, or any other person against liability arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such persons office, or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties of such person arising under contract or agreement.
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Election of Directors
Our bylaws will provide that the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for or against a nominee for director at a duly called meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present is required to elect a director in an uncontested election. In a contested election, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which is a quorum is present. Our bylaws will provide that our Board of Directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.
Classified Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders following the meeting at which they were elected and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. A classified Board of Directors may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified Board of Directors helps to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.
Number of Directors; Removal; Vacancies
Our charter and bylaws will provide that the number of directors will be set only by the Board of Directors. Our bylaws will provide that a majority of our entire Board of Directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than the minimum number required by the DGCL nor more than 12. We have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors. Accordingly, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the Board of Directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our charter will provide that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. The limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors and fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from seeking to acquire, control of us.
Action by Stockholders
Under the MGCL, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting (unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous consent, which our charter will not). These provisions, combined with the requirements of our bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.
Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals
Our bylaws will provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (2) pursuant to our notice of meeting or (3) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice, at the record date and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting may be made only (1) by or at the
90
direction of the Board of Directors or (2) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purposes of electing directors, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice, at the record date and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.
The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our Board of Directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our Board of Directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our Board of Directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals will recommend certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.
Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders
Our bylaws will provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our Board of Directors and certain of our officers. Additionally, our bylaws will provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the secretary of the corporation upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.
Delaware Anti-takeover Law
The DGCL 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. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our Board of Directors. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.
We will be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. In general, these provisions prohibit a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
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prior to such time, the Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
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upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or |
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at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders, by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Section 203 of the DGCL defines business combination to include the following:
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any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
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|
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the corporation or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; |
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subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
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any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation owned by the interested stockholder; or |
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the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. |
In general, Section 203 of the DGCL defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons.
The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.
Our Board of Directors will adopt a resolution exempting from Section 203 of the DGCL any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our Board, including approval by a majority of our independent directors.
Conflict with 1940 Act
Our bylaws will provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the DGCL, or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.
Exclusive Forum
Our charter and bylaws will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Companys stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our charter or bylaws or the securities, antifraud, unfair trade practices or similar 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, or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine will be a federal or state court located in the state of Delaware. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company will be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have notice of and consented to these exclusive forum provisions and to have irrevocably submitted to, and waived any objection to, the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in connection with any such action or proceeding and consented to process being served in any such action or proceeding, without limitation, by United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Company, with postage thereon prepaid. The exclusive forum provisions may increase costs to bring a claim and may discourage claims or limit investors ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable. In addition, there may exist questions of law as to whether a court would enforce the exclusive forum provision.
ITEM 12. |
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
See Item 11. Description of Registrants Securities to be Registered Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses.
ITEM 13. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
Set forth below is an index to our financial statements attached to this Registration Statement.
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Page | ||||
F-1 | ||||
F-2 | ||||
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2020 |
F-3 | |||
Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 |
F-4 | |||
F-5 |
ITEM 14. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There are not and have not been any disagreements between us and our accountant on any matter of accounting principles, practices, or financial statement disclosure.
ITEM 15. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS |
(a) List separately all financial statements filed
The financial statements attached to this Registration Statement are listed under Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit Index
+ |
Filed herewith |
93
Index to Financial Statements
Page | ||||
F-1 | ||||
F-2 | ||||
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2020 |
F-3 | |||
Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 |
F-4 | |||
F-5 |
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC (the Company) as of September 30, 2020 and the related statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2020 and the results of its operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys financial statements 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 of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, 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 statements. 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 statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Los Angeles, California
November 9, 2020
We have served as the Companys auditor since 2020.
F-2
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As of September 30, 2020
ASSETS |
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Cash |
$ | 10,000 | ||
Deferred offering costs |
142,645 | |||
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Total Assets |
152,645 | |||
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LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS CAPITAL |
||||
LIABILITIES |
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Accrued organizational and offering costs |
$ | 121,292 | ||
Payable to affiliates (Note 3) |
501,935 | |||
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Total Liabilities |
623,227 | |||
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Commitments and contingencies |
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Total Members Capital (Deficit) |
(470,582 | ) | ||
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Total Liabilities and Members Capital |
$ | 152,645 | ||
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See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
Statement of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020
Revenue |
$ | | ||
Expenses |
||||
Administrative and marketing costs |
24,756 | |||
Organizational costs |
455,826 | |||
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|
|||
Total Expenses |
$ | 480,582 | ||
|
|
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Net Loss |
$ | (480,582 | ) | |
|
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See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
Notes to Financial Statements
1. |
Organization |
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC (the Company) is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). In addition, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company in May 2018. The Company was formed to make investments in middle-market companies and expects to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. Since formation in May 2018, the Companys advisor, KA Credit Advsiors, LLC (the Advisor), has conducted organization and marketing efforts for the Company, as the Companys planned operations and investing activities had not yet commenced. Prior to the Companys election to be regulated as a BDC, the Company will complete a conversion under which Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. will succeed to the business of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC.
KA Credit Advisors, LLC (the Advisor) serves as the Companys investment advisor. The Advisor is an indirect subsidiary of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. (KACALP or Kayne Anderson). The Advisor is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisory Act of 1940. Subject to the overall supervision of the Companys board of directors (the Board), the Advisor is responsible for originating prospective investments, conducting research and due diligence investigations on potential investments, analyzing investment opportunities, negotiating and structuring investments and monitoring its investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.
The Companys investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through debt investments in middle-market companies.
The Company expects to conduct private offerings of its Common Stock to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). At the closing of any private offering, each investor will make a capital commitment (a Capital Commitment) to purchase shares of its Common Stock (Shares) pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with the Company. Investors will be required to fund drawdowns to purchase Shares up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments each time the Company delivers a notice to the investors. The Company anticipates commencing its loan origination and investment activities contemporaneously with the initial drawdown from investors in the private offering. Following the initial closing of the private offering (the Initial Closing) and prior to any Liquidity Event (as defined below), the Advisor may, in its sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings of the private offering. A Liquidity Event is defined as (a) an initial public offering of Shares (the Initial Public Offering) or the listing of Shares on an exchange (together with the Initial Public Offering, an Exchange Listing), (b) the sale of the Company or (c) a disposition of the Companys investments and distribution of the net proceeds (after repayment of borrowed funds or other forms of leverage) to the Companys investors.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company was still devoting substantially all of its efforts to establishing the business and its planned operations and investing activities had not commenced.
2. |
Significant Accounting Policies |
A. Basis of Presentation the accompanying financial statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The Company is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 Financial Services Investment Companies.
B. Use of Estimates the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
C. Cash and Cash Equivalents cash and cash equivalents include short-term, liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less and include money market fund accounts. As of September 30, 2020, cash on hand is held with one financial institution, City National Bank (CNB), in a non-interest bearing account. This cash balance is the seed capital contribution from KACALP to the Company on December 18, 2018
F-5
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
D. Organizational Costs organizational expenses include costs and expenses relating to the formation and organization of the Company. The Company has agreed to reimburse the Advisor for these costs.
E. Offering Costs offering costs include costs and expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the Companys common stock. These costs are capitalized as deferred offering expenses and included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These costs are amortized over a twelve-month period beginning with the commencement of operations. These expenses consist primarily of legal fees and other costs incurred in connection with the Companys share offerings, the preparation of the Companys registration statement and registration fees. The Company has agreed to reimburse the Advisor for these costs.
F. Income Taxes the Company intends to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Company generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that the Company timely distributes to its stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, the Company must distribute to its stockholders, for each taxable year, dividends of an amount at least equal to 90% of its investment company taxable income, which is generally its net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses and determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid (the Annual Distribution Requirement). Although not required for the Company to maintain its RIC tax status, in order to preclude the imposition of a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax imposed on RICs, the Company must distribute to its stockholders in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of the excess (if any) of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses, or capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses), generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) the sum of any net ordinary income plus capital gains net income for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which the Company paid no federal income tax (the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement).
The Company does not currently qualify as a publicly offered regulated investment company, as defined in the Code. A publicly offered regulated investment company is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market, or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. The Company cannot determine when it will qualify as a publicly offered RIC. If the Company does not qualify as a publicly offered RIC during the tax year, a non-corporate shareholders allocable portion of the Companys affected expenses, including its management fees, will be treated as an additional distribution to shareholders. A non-corporate shareholders allocable portion of these expenses are treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions that are not currently deductible by such shareholders.
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.
G. New Accounting Standards the Company does not believe any recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statement.
H. Commitments and Contingencies in the normal course of business, the Company may enter into contracts that provide a variety of general indemnifications. Any exposure to the Company under these arrangements could involve future claims that may be made against the Company. Currently, no such claims exist or are expected to arise and, accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liability in connection with such indemnifications.
3. |
Agreements and Related Party Transactions |
A. Administration Agreement the Company will enter into an Administration Agreement with its Advisor, which will serve as its Administrator and will provide or oversee the performance of its required administrative services and professional services rendered by others, which will include (but not limited to), accounting, payment of our expenses, legal, compliance, operations, technology and investor relations, preparation and filing of its tax returns, and preparation of financial reports provided to its stockholders and filed with the SEC.
F-6
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
The Company will reimburse the Administrator for its costs and expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including its allocable portion of office facilities, overhead, and compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by its officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and its respective staff who provide services to the Company. As the Company reimburses the Administrator for its expenses, the Company will indirectly bear such cost. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party with 60 days written notice
B. Investment Advisory Agreement the Company will enter into the Investment Advisory Agreement with its Advisor. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with its Advisor, the Company will pay its Advisor a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of two components a base management fee and an incentive fee. The Advisor may, from time-to-time, grant waivers on the Companys obligations, including waivers of the base management fee and/or incentive fee, under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party with 60 days written notice. There were no management fees or incentive fees incurred as the Company has not yet commenced operations.
The Company has agreed to reimburse the Advisor and its affiliates for the third party costs incured on its behalf in connection with the formation and the offering of shares of the Companys common stock. Amounts shown as payables to affiliates on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities represent organizational expenses and offering costs of the Company that were paid by the Advisor and its affiliates on behalf of the Company.
KACALP, an affiliate of the Advisor, made an equity contribution of $10,000 to the Company on December 18, 2018.
4. |
Subsequent Events |
The Company has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through November 9, 2020 and has determined that no additional items require recognition or disclosure.
F-7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Jarvis V. Hollingsworth |
|
Name: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth | ||
Title: Secretary |
Date: November 9, 2020
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
This LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this Agreement) of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC is entered into effective as of October 16, 2018 by and between KA Credit Advisors, LLC (or any entity which is the successor thereto), as the member (the Member) and Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company).
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time (the Act), by filing the Certificate of Formation of the Company (the Certificate) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 10, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Member desires to enter into this Agreement, to be effective as of the date hereof, to set forth the terms and conditions under which the Company shall be governed and managed and the relations of the members upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Member hereby agrees as follows:
1. Name. The name of the limited liability company is Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC.
2. Purpose. The purpose of the Company, and the nature of the business to be conducted and promoted by the Company, is engaging in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act and engaging in any and all activities necessary, advisable or incidental to the foregoing.
3. Powers of the Company. Subject to any limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental or convenient to or for the furtherance of the purposes set forth in Section 2.
4. Registered Office and Agent. The principal office of the Company, and such additional offices as the Member may determine to establish, shall be located at such place or places as the Member may designate from time to time. The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware, and the registered agent for service of process on the Company at such address, shall be as specified in the Certificate or as is designated by the Member from time to time in accordance with the Act.
5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall end on the 31th day of December in each year, or such other date designated by the Member.
6. Term. The Company was formed upon the acceptance of the Certificate by the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall continue in existence until dissolved in accordance with Section 8 hereof.
7. Management.
(a) Authority; Powers and Duties of the Member. The Member shall have exclusive and complete authority and discretion to manage the operations and affairs of the Company and to make all decisions regarding the business of the Company. Any action taken by the Member shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company. Persons dealing with the Company are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Member as set forth in this Agreement. The Member shall have all rights
1
and powers of a manager under the Act, and shall have such authority, rights and powers in the management of the Company to do any and all other acts and things necessary, proper, convenient or advisable to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Election of Officers; Delegation of Authority. The Member may, from time to time, designate one or more officers with such titles as may be designated by the Member to act in the name of the Company with such authority as may be delegated to such officers by the Member (each such designated person, an Officer). Any such Officer shall act pursuant to such delegated authority until such Officer is removed by the Member. Any action taken by an Officer designated by the Member pursuant to authority delegated to such Officer shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company. Persons dealing with the Company are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of any officer set forth in this Agreement and any instrument designating such officer and the authority delegated to him or her.
8. Dissolution. The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon the first to occur of the following: (a) the term stated in the Certificate expires or (b) upon the affirmative decision of the Member to liquidate and/or dissolve the Company. During the period of the winding up of the affairs of the Company, the rights and obligations of the Member under this Agreement shall continue.
9. Capital Contributions; Additional Capital Contributions. The Member has made those capital contribution to the Company reflected on the books and records of the Company. The Member is not required to make any additional capital contribution to the Company. The Member may from time to time make capital contributions to the Company in the form of cash, property, services or otherwise, and upon such contribution the Members capital account balance shall be adjusted accordingly.
10. Distributions. Distributions shall be made to the Member at the times and in the aggregate amounts determined by the Member in its sole discretion.
11. Admission of Additional Members. One or more members may be admitted to the Company from time to time in the sole discretion of the Member. Before the admission of any such additional members, the Member and the Company shall amend this Agreement to make such changes as the Member shall determine to reflect the fact that the Company shall have such additional members. A new member shall be deemed admitted upon the execution of this Agreement or a counterpart of this Agreement by or on behalf of such member.
12. Liability of the Member. Except as otherwise provided by the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and the Member shall not be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a member of the Company.
13. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted under the Act, the Member (irrespective of the capacity in which it acts) shall be entitled to indemnification and advancement of expenses from the Company for and against any loss, damage, claim, or expense (including attorneys fees) whatsoever incurred by the Member relating to or arising out of any act or omission or alleged acts or omissions (whether or not constituting negligence or gross negligence) performed or omitted by the Member on behalf of the Company; provided, however, that any indemnity under this Section 13 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and neither the Member nor any other person shall have any personal liability on account thereof. The Company shall have the ability to indemnify and advance expenses as provided in this Section 13 to any Officer of the Company as determined by the Member in its sole discretion.
2
14. Tax Matters. For so long as the Member is the sole member of the Company, the Company and the Member intend that that the Company be classified as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal (and, if applicable, state and local) income tax purposes. Neither of such parties (or their respective affiliates) shall take any (a) action inconsistent with such classification (including filing Internal Revenue Service Form 8832 to elect classification as an association taxable as a corporation), or (b) position inconsistent with such classification in any tax context (including in the preparation and filing of any tax return or the defense of any tax examination or audit).
15. Membership Interests; Certificates. The Company will not issue any certificates to evidence ownership of the membership interests. So long as any pledge of any membership interests is in effect, the Company shall not elect to have membership interests in the Company be securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Delaware and each other applicable jurisdiction. So long as any pledge of any membership interests is in effect, this Section 15 shall not be amended and any purported amendment to this provision shall not take effect until all security interest granted in any membership interest of the Company have been terminated.
16. Amendment. Any amendment to this Agreement shall require the consent of the Member only.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
18. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED IN ALL RESPECTS, INCLUDING AS TO VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND EFFECT, BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES THEREOF.
19. Notices. Each notice relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered (a) in person, by registered or certified mail, private courier or (b) by telecopy or other facsimile transmission, confirmed by telephone to an officer of the recipient. All notices to the Member shall be addressed to such Member c/o Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Third Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067 or at such other address as the Member may have designated by notice to the Company in writing.
20. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof.
21. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and to their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns.
22. Severability. Every provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any term or provision hereof is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such term or provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law and, in any event, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound hereby, has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
MEMBER: | ||||
KA CREDIT ADVISORS, LLC | ||||
By : Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., its sole member | ||||
By: Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc., its general partner | ||||
By: |
/s/ David Shladovsky |
|||
Name: | David Shladovsky | |||
Title: | Secretary and General |
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED: | ||||
COMPANY: | ||||
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC | ||||
By: KA Credit Advisors, LLC, its sole member | ||||
By : Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., its sole member | ||||
By: Kayne Anderson Investment Management, Inc., its General Partner | ||||
By: |
/s/ David Shladovsky |
|||
Name: | David Shladovsky | |||
Title: | Secretary and General Counsel |
[Signature Page to LLC Agreement of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC]
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (this Agreement) of Kayne Anderson BDC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and following (the Company) is entered into this [ ] day of [ ], 2020 by KA Credit Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as initial sole member (the Member) and those Persons who have entered into subscription Agreements (Subscription Agreements) with the Company for the purchase of common limited liability company units (collectively, the Units) in the Company as members, or who are subsequently admitted to the Company as holders of Common Units (collectively, the Unitholders). The Member and any other members admitted from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof are collectively referred to herein as Members and each is individually referred to herein as a Member.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (as amended from time to time, the Delaware Act) pursuant to a Certificate of Formation of the Company, which was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 10, 2018.
WHEREAS, the Sole Member has heretofore entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of October 16, 2018 (the Original Agreement);
WHEREAS, as the Sole Member of the Company, the Sole Member desires to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety in order to withdraw from the Company as the managing member but remain a Member of the Company and to vest management of the Company in its board of directors, as defined below (the Board or the Board of Directors);
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to carry out the intentions expressed above and in consideration of the mutual agreements hereinafter contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Members hereby agree as follows:
1. |
Formation and Name. |
The name of the Company is Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC. The business of the Company may be conducted under any other name deemed necessary or desirable by the Board in order to comply with local law. David Shladovsky is hereby designated as an authorized person of the Company within the meaning of the Delaware Act, and has executed, delivered and filed the Certificate of Formation of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which execution, delivery and filing are hereby ratified and approved. Upon the filing of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, his powers as an authorized person of the Company ceased, and each officer (as defined below) thereupon became a designated authorized person of the Company and shall continue as the designated authorized person of the Company within the meaning of the Delaware Act.
2. |
Admission |
The Persons who have entered into Subscription Agreements with the Company for the purchase of Common Units as Common Unitholders have been or are hereby being admitted to the Company as Common Unitholders upon the execution and delivery of the Agreement by or on behalf of such Persons. This Agreement may be executed on behalf of such Members by an authorized representative of the Company, as attorney-in-fact for such Members, with the same force and effect as if executed directly by the Members.
3. |
Business. |
The business purpose of the Company shall be to engage in any and all lawful acts and activities for which limited liability companies may be organized under the Delaware Act and to engage in any and all activities necessary or incidental to the foregoing.
4. |
Registered Office; Registered Agent. |
The name and address of the registered agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware is Cogency Global Inc., 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19904.
5. |
Principal Place of Business. |
The principal office of the Company shall be located at 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX, 77002, or such other place as the Board may designate from time to time.
6. |
Status of Members |
(a) |
Limited Liability: No Member, in its capacity as such, shall be liable for the debts and obligations of the Company; provided, however, that each Member shall be required to pay to the Company (a) any capital contributions that such Member has agreed to make to the Company pursuant to this Agreement and Subscription Agreement; (b) the amount of any distribution that such Member is required to return to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or the Delaware Act; and (c) the unpaid balance of any other payments that such Member expressly is required to make to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant to such Members Subscription Agreement, as the case may be. |
(b) |
Effect of Death, Dissolution or Bankruptcy: Upon the death, incompetence, bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or dissolution of a Member, the rights and obligations of such Member under this Agreement, to the maximum extent permitted by law, shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, such Members successor(s), estate or legal representative. Each such Person shall be treated as provided in the second sentence of Section 16, paragraph (h) unless and until such Person is admitted as a substituted Member pursuant to Section 16, paragraph (h). Any Transfer of the interest so acquired by such successor, estate or legal representative shall be subject to the requirements of Section 16. |
2
(c) |
No Control of the Company: No Member shall have the right or power to: (a) withdraw its contribution to the capital of the Company or reduce its irrevocably committed amount (the Commitment) equal to the amount set forth in the Subscription Agreement; (b) to the maximum extent permitted by law, cause the dissolution and winding up of the Company or (c) demand property in return for its capital contributions. No Member, in its capacity as such, shall take any part in the control of the affairs of the Company, undertake any transactions on behalf of the Company, or have any power to sign for or otherwise to bind the Company. |
7. |
Later Closing Investors |
(a) |
Units Issued after the Initial Closing: In the event that the Company enters into a Subscription Agreement with one or more investors after the Initial Closing, each such Investor will be required to make purchases of Units (each, a Catch-up Purchase) on one or more dates to be determined by the Company. The aggregate purchase price of any Catch-up Purchase will be equal to an amount necessary to ensure that, upon payment of the aggregate purchase price, such Investor will have contributed the same percentage of its Commitment to the Company as all Investors whose subscriptions were accepted at previous closings. Catch-up Purchases will be made at a price as determined by the Board of Directors as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter or such other date as determined by the Board prior to the date of the applicable Drawdown Notice, as defined below, or such other date as may be required to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In order to more fairly allocate organizational expenses among all of the Investors, Investors subscribing after the initial drawdown will be required to pay a price above net asset value reflecting a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the total amount of the Companys organizational and other expenses. |
(b) |
Accession to the Agreement: Each Person who is to be admitted after the Initial Closing pursuant to this Agreement shall accede to this Agreement by, and shall be admitted to the Company as a Member upon, executing (whether on its own behalf or via an attorney-in-fact), (i) a Subscription Agreement or other written document pursuant to which such Person agrees to become a Member and be bound by this Agreement together with the Companys acceptance of such document and (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement, which shall not require the consent or approval of any other Member. The Company shall make any necessary filings with the appropriate governmental authorities and take such actions as are necessary under applicable law to effectuate such admission. |
3
(c) |
Anti-Money Laundering Provisions: Each Member hereby agrees to use its reasonable efforts to ensure that: |
i. |
None of the monies that such Member will contribute or pay to the Company shall be derived from, or related to, any activity that is criminal under United States law; and |
ii. |
No contribution or payment by such Member to the Company, to the extent that such contribution or payment is within such Members control, and no distribution to such Member (assuming such distribution is made in accordance with instructions provided to the Company by such Member) shall cause the Company, the Board, the KA Credit Advisors, LLC (Adviser) or any Officer to be in violation of the USA PATRIOT Act, U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S. Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, the U.S. International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorist Act of 2001, or any laws, orders or regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury, in each case, such statute as amended to date and any successor statute thereto and including all regulations promulgated thereunder (the Anti-Money Laundering Laws). |
iii. |
Each Member will promptly provide any additional documentation to the Company which may be requested in the future to the extent it is necessary in order to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws or policies or other applicable laws; |
iv. |
In addition to any actions authorized in the Subscription Agreement, actions that may be taken by the Company, include, but are not limited to, the following: |
(1) |
The Company, upon delivery of notice to that effect to the affected Member, may (in the Boards discretion) freeze such Members Units and, in that event: (A) the Company shall not accept any additional capital contributions from such Member; (B) shall not draw down any additional capital contributions from such Member so long as the Units are frozen; or (C) the Company shall not make any distributions to such Member in respect of its frozen Units after the delivery of such notice other than liquidating distributions after payment to each other Member of its final liquidating distribution and subject in all events to compliance with applicable law. |
(2) |
The Company, subject to compliance with applicable law, may (in the discretion of the Board) redeem such Members Units using Company funds at a price equal to the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Contributions of such Member with respect to such Units and (B) the fair market value of such Units (as determined by the Board); provided, however, that if required by law, regulation or government order, the price shall equal such other price as may be required by applicable law, regulation or government order. |
4
v. |
Each Member acknowledges and agrees that (1) the Company may release confidential information regarding such Member and, if applicable, any of its beneficial owners, to governmental authorities if the Company, in its reasonable discretion, determines that releasing such information is in the best interest of the Company in light of the Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and (2) the Board, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, may amend any provision of this Agreement pursuant to this clause solely, and only to the extent required, in order to effectuate the intent of this section. |
8. |
Management. |
(a) |
Board of Directors. |
i. |
The Company shall be managed by the Board. Initially, the Board will be composed of five directors (each, a Director). A majority of the Directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of Directors; provided that the number of Directors may never be less than one or more than 12 unless this Agreement is amended, in which case the Company may have more than 12 Directors but never less than one. |
ii. |
A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the number of Directors fixed from time to time in accordance with 8(a). At each meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by a vote of a majority of the Directors present, unless a different vote is required by law, or this Agreement. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communication equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. |
iii. |
The Directors will be divided into three classes, each serving staggered three-year terms. However, the initial members of the three classes have initial terms of one, two and three years, as indicated on Schedule A. At each annual meeting of the Members, the successors to the class of Directors whose terms expire at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the Members held in the third year following the year of their election. Each Director may be appointed to the Board with the affirmative vote of a plurality of the Members entitled to vote in the election of such Director at which a quorum is present; provided that the Board may amend this Agreement to alter the vote required to elect Directors. Each Director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. |
5
iv. |
The names of each Director, such Directors class, and the term of expiration of such Director shall be listed on Schedule A, which shall be updated by an Officer as necessary. |
v. |
The majority of the Directors will at all times consist of Directors who are not interested persons (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Company, the Adviser or any of their respective affiliates (the Independent Directors). |
vi. |
A Director may resign as such from the Board at any time. If a Director is determined to have committed an act that constitutes cause, such Director may be removed from his position by a vote of 75% in interest of the Members. In addition, any Director may be removed from his position by a vote of at a duly called meeting of the Board of least 80% of the Directors then seated. |
vii. |
Any and all vacancies on the Board as a result of resignation or removal may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any Director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). |
viii. |
A majority of the Directors have the authority to form committees of the Board from time to time to the extent that it determines that it is appropriate to do so. The Board shall have an audit committee, members of which are set out on Schedule C, which will be responsible for selecting, engaging and discharging the Companys independent accountants, reviewing the plans, scope and results of the audit engagement with the Companys independent accountants, approving professional services provided by the Companys independent accountants (including compensation therefor), reviewing the independence of the Companys independent accountants, reviewing the adequacy of the Companys internal control over financial reporting, establishing guidelines and making recommendations to the Board regarding the valuation of the Companys loans and investments, and taking any other actions consistent with the audit committee charter or as may be authorized by the Board. The chairman of the audit committee has been designated by the Board as an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). |
(b) |
Powers of Board. Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, the Board shall have the power on behalf and in the name of the Company to implement the objectives of the Company and to exercise any rights and powers the Company may possess, including, without limitation, the power to cause the Company to |
6
(a) make any elections available to the Company under applicable tax or other laws, (b) make any investments permitted under this Agreement or any amendment to this Agreement, (c) satisfy any Company obligations, (d) make any disposition of Company assets, or (e) take such other actions to further the business purposes of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, without the consent of any Member or other person being required, the Company is hereby authorized to execute, deliver and perform, and the Board on behalf of the Company is hereby empowered to authorize an Officer of the Company or other representative to execute and deliver, (w) a subscription agreement with each Member, (x) an advisory agreement and administration agreement, (y) a licensing agreement with the investment adviser or an affiliate, and (z) any amendment of any such document (to the extent such amendment is approved in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreement and is consistent with the terms of this Agreement) and any other agreement, document or other instrument contemplated thereby or related thereto (to the extent that such other agreement, document or other instrument is consistent with the terms of the relevant agreement or this Agreement). Such authorization shall not be deemed a restriction on the power of the Board to cause the Company to enter into other documents.
(c) |
Delegation of Authority and Duties. |
i. |
The management, policies and control of the Company shall be vested exclusively in the Board; provided, however, that the Board may delegate its rights and powers to third parties, including to an investment adviser, as it may determine. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, consent or approval by the Company shall be determined by the Board. |
ii. |
The Board may appoint and elect (as well as remove or replace with or without cause), as it deems necessary, a Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary, a Chief Compliance Officer and any other officer of the Company (collectively, the Officers). The compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer shall be determined by the Board. The names of each Officer and such Officers position shall be listed on Schedule B, which shall be updated by an Officer, as necessary. |
iii. |
The Officers shall perform such duties and may exercise such powers as may be assigned to them by the Board. |
iv. |
Unless the Board decides otherwise, if the title of any person authorized to act on behalf of the Company under this 8(c) is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such person of the authority and duties that are normally associated with that office, subject to any specific delegation of, or restriction on, authority and duties made pursuant to this 8(c). Any number of titles may be held by the same person. Any delegation pursuant to this 8(c) may be revoked at any time by the Board. |
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v. |
The Board may authorize any person, including any Officer, to sign on behalf of the Company. Unless authorized to do so by the Board, no Officer shall have any power or authority to bind the Company in any way, to pledge its credit, or to render it liable for any purpose. |
(d) |
Certain Related Transactions: Subject to applicable law, the Company or any company in which the Company holds a portfolio investment in (Portfolio Company) may, as necessary or appropriate, employ or retain the Adviser or any of its affiliates (and any other person to which any of the foregoing are related or in which any of the foregoing are interested) who are in the business of providing such services to provide services (including, without limitation, consulting, valuation, appraisal and brokerage services), and such Persons may receive from the Company and Portfolio Companies compensation in addition to that expressly provided for in this Agreement. The Company has been authorized to enter into an investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) and an administration agreement (the Administration Agreement) with the Adviser. Any other agreement that the Company enters into with the Adviser or any of its affiliates shall meet the following requirements: (i) the compensation and other terms and conditions under which services are to be rendered or the transaction is to be entered into are embodied in a written contract that precisely describes such services or transaction and the compensation therefor, (ii) such contract is terminable at will by the Company, without penalty, upon not more than 60 days prior written notice, (iii) the terms and conditions of such contract are at least as favorable to the Company as those generally available from unaffiliated third parties in arms-length transactions, and (iv) the transaction is entered into principally for the benefit of the Company. |
(e) |
Activities of Members: Notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, but subject to the provisions of this Agreement, any Member and its respective direct and indirect partners, members, stockholders, officers, directors, managers, trustees, employees, agents and affiliates may invest, participate, or engage in (for their own accounts or for the accounts of others), or may possess an interest in, other financial ventures and investment and professional activities of every kind, nature and description, independently or with others, whether now existing or hereafter acquired or initiated, including but not limited to: management of other investment vehicles; investment in, financing, acquisition or disposition of securities; investment and management counseling; providing brokerage and investment banking services; or serving as officers, directors, managers, consultants, advisers or agents of other companies, partners of any partnership, members of any limited liability company or trustees of any trust (and may receive fees, commissions, remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with these activities), whether or not such activities may conflict with any interest of the Company or any of the Members. The fact that a Member may encounter opportunities to purchase, otherwise acquire, lease, sell or |
8
otherwise dispose of investment assets, other assets or other business ventures and may take advantage of such opportunities itself or introduce such opportunities to entities in which it has or does not have any interest shall not subject such Member to liability to the Company or to any of the other Members on account of the lost opportunity. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit any Member or any affiliate of any Member from dealing with, or otherwise engaging in business with, any other Member or any Person transacting business with the Company or any Portfolio Company. Neither the Company nor any Member shall have any rights, solely by virtue of this Agreement, in or to any activities permitted by this section or to any fees, income, profits or goodwill derived from such activities. |
(f) |
Other Investment Entities: In order to facilitate investments by certain investors and/or to accommodate investors with differing tax, regulatory, legal, return expectation/risk tolerance or other needs and/or objectives, the Adviser or an affiliate, in their sole discretion may form one or more parallel investment vehicles (each, a Parallel Fund) to invest alongside the Company in some or all portfolio investments to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or in accordance with relief granted by the SEC. |
(g) |
Annual Meetings: The Company will hold an annual meetings for the purposes of electing directors, offering the Members the opportunity to review and discuss the Companys investment activity and portfolio, and for such other business as may lawfully come before the Members. The annual meetings shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting. A quorum of the Members at an annual meeting shall consist of Members holding a majority of the outstanding Units entitled to vote on the matter in question. |
(h) |
Member Voting and Consents: Whenever action is required by this Agreement to be taken by a specified percentage in interest of the Members (or any class or group of Members), such action shall be deemed to be valid if taken upon the written vote or written consent of those Members (or those Members included in such class or group) whose Units represent the specified percentage of the aggregate outstanding Units of all Members (or all Members included in such class or group) at the time. Each Member shall be entitled to one vote for each Unit held on all matters submitted to a vote of the Members. Except as expressly provided herein, no class of, or enumerated category of, Members shall be entitled to vote or consent separately as a class with respect to any matter. For these purposes, a majority in interest shall mean a percentage in interest in excess of 50%. |
9. |
Investments and Activities |
(a) |
Investment Objective: The Companys investment objective investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily |
9
through debt investments in middle-market companies. The Company intends to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in first lien senior secured, unitranche and split-lien loans to privately held middle-market companies. |
(b) |
Investment Target: Depending on market conditions, the Company expects that between 80% and 90% of its portfolio (including investments purchased with proceeds from borrowings) will be invested in first lien senior secured, unitranche and split-lien term loans. The remaining 10% to 20% of our portfolio will be invested in higher-yielding investments, including, but not limited to, second lien loans, last-out or subordinated loans, non-investment grade broadly syndicated first and second lien loans (commonly referred to as leveraged loans), high-yield bonds, structured products (including CLO liabilities), real estate related debt securities, equity securities purchased in conjunction with debt investments and other opportunistic investments. |
(c) |
Conflicts of Interest: Subject to applicable law and/or in accordance with any relief granted by the SEC, the Company may invest in Portfolio Companies where an existing fund or other affiliates of the Adviser simultaneously hold or are acquiring equity or debt securities or where an affiliate of the foregoing may be an investor in the Company. Each such ownership and other relationships may create conflicts of interest for the Company. In such instances, each of the Company and such affiliates will be free, in their discretion, to make recommendations and decisions with respect to the origination or disposition of such investments, independent of the recommendations and decisions made by the others unless required otherwise by any relief granted by the SEC. All such transactions will be made for the Company in a manner that the Board deems to be appropriate given the investment objective, liquidity, diversification and other limitations of the Company and in accordance with applicable law and/or any relief granted by the SEC. Any portfolio investment in an issuer who is an affiliate of a Member shall be made in a manner consistent with similarly situated investments made by the Company in entities who are not affiliates of a Member and in accordance with applicable law and/or any relief granted by the SEC. |
(d) |
Borrowing |
i. |
The Company shall have the power to enter into, make and perform all such contracts and other undertakings, and engage in all such activities and transactions as the Board may deem necessary or advisable for or incidental to the carrying out of the Companys purpose and objectives, (and all determinations, decisions and actions made or taken by the Board shall be conclusive and absolutely binding upon the Company, the Members and their respective successors, assigns and personal representatives), including: to incur indebtedness for borrowed money (including through the issuance of notes and other evidence of indebtedness), to incur other obligations (including in connection with derivative financial instruments), to arrange guarantees to support any such indebtedness or other obligations and incur reimbursement |
10
obligations in respect of any such guarantees, to pledge or assign or otherwise make available as credit support for any such indebtedness, guarantees or other obligations any or all assets of the Company including portfolio investments and / or some or all of the available commitment of some or all of the Members, the Companys right to call for and receive contributions of available commitment and the obligations of some or all of the Members under their respective Subscription Agreements and this Agreement (Assigned Rights), and to take all other actions as the Company deems necessary or appropriate in connection with incurring indebtedness, other obligations or guarantees on behalf of any combination of such entities (such guarantees, pledges, assignments, and other forms of credit support, collectively referred to as Credit Support). To facilitate the Companys ability to incur and maintain borrowings or other financings or similar obligations and to otherwise make available Assigned Rights and/or the right to exercise any lender power for such borrowings or other financings or similar obligations, each Member acknowledges and agrees that: (i) in the event of a failure by a Member to pay all or any portion of the purchase price due from the Member on any Drawdown Date, in addition to the lender powers, the related creditor or lender may issue additional Drawdown Notices in order to make up any deficiency caused by the failure to fund the Drawdown Purchase Price and Members ownership in the Company may be diluted as a result, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Member shall not be required to fund more than its Undrawn Commitments, (ii) its obligation to fund Drawdown Notices is irrevocable, and shall be without setoff, counterclaim or defense, including any defense under Section 365(c) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) it has received full and adequate consideration on the date hereof for its subscription for the Units, and any defense of non-consideration or similar defenses for its subscription are hereby irrevocably waived, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceedings or otherwise, including any failure or inability of the Company to issue Units or for any such Units to have positive value. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for so long as the Company operates as a business development company (BDC), the total amount of indebtedness outstanding at any time (including, for this purpose, the Preferred Units) shall not cause the Company to violate leverage requirements applicable to a BDC pursuant to Section 2(a)(48) of the 1940 Act. |
ii. |
Member Acknowledgements: To facilitate the Companys ability to incur indebtedness, guarantees, pledges or assigns or otherwise makes available as Credit Support for such indebtedness, each Member hereby agrees to and acknowledges the Companys ability to incur indebtedness, guarantees, pledges or assigns or otherwise makes available as Credit Support for such indebtedness |
11
10. |
Fees and Expenses; Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement |
(a) |
Investment Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement: The Company will be responsible for all fees and expenses as more fully set out in the investment advisory agreement (Advisory Agreement), the administration agreement (Administration Agreement). |
(b) |
Advisory Agreement: The Company shall enter into the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser for assistance in providing management services to the Company. The Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of an assignment (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) by the Adviser. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Board or by the approval of the Approving Members, without penalty, upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the Adviser. The Members acknowledge and agree that, so long as the Advisory Agreement (or a successor agreement) is in effect, the Company shall delegate the authority to make investment, disposition and similar decisions, including the authority to approve all portfolio investments and/or all dispositions thereof, to the Adviser. |
(c) |
Management Fee: In consideration of the services to be provided by the Adviser to the Company pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Adviser an amount equal to the management fee (the Management Fee), calculated in accordance with Section 3 of the Advisory Agreement. Such amount shall be paid to the Adviser in accordance with Section 3 of the Advisory Agreement. |
(d) |
Incentive Fee: Subject to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Company shall pay the Adviser the Incentive Fee. The Incentive Fee will be determined in accordance with the formula in accordance with Section 3 of the Advisory Agreement. |
11. |
Capital of the Company |
(a) |
Original Issue Price: Upon the Company accepting a Unitholders Commitment, such Unitholder will automatically be obligated to pay an amount equal to the issuance price of the Units corresponding to that Commitment. The Company will require payment of the issuance price as part of the initial drawdown pursuant to this Agreement. |
(b) |
Drawdowns: A Member will purchase Units for an aggregate purchase price equal to its Commitment, payable at such times and in such amounts as required by the Company. A Member shall be required to fund a capital contribution to purchase Units (a Drawdown Purchase) each time the Company delivers a notice (the Drawdown Notice) to the Member. Drawdown Notices shall be delivered at least 10 calendar days prior to the date on which payment will be due (each, a Drawdown Date) and shall set forth the amount, in U.S. dollars, of the aggregate purchase price (the Drawdown Purchase Price) to be paid by the Member to purchase Units on such Drawdown Date. Drawdown Purchase Price |
12
will be at least equal to net asset value, or NAV, per Unit in accordance with the limitations under Section 23 of the 1940 Act. No Member shall be required to invest more than the total amount of its Commitment. Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close. |
(c) |
Drawdown Date: On the Drawdown Date, the Company shall issue to the Member a number of Units equal to the amount of the Drawdown Purchase Price funded by the Member on the applicable Drawdown Date divided by the per share price determined by the Board or an appropriately designated committee. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not issue Units for any portion of the Commitment that has not been paid to the Company and used to purchase Units pursuant to one or more Drawdown Notices (the Undrawn Commitment). |
(d) |
Initial Closing: The Company may draw down Commitments to make investments at any time during the period from the initial closing, which is expected to occur immediately prior to the Companys election to be treated as BDC under the Investment Company Act (the Initial Closing). |
12. |
Failure to make Required Event |
(a) |
Defaulted Purchaser: In the event that a Member fails to pay all or any portion of the Drawdown Purchase Price due from the Member on any Drawdown Date (such amount, together with the amount of the Members Undrawn Commitment, a Defaulted Commitment) and such default remains uncured for a period of ten Business Days, then the Company shall be permitted to declare the Member to be in default on its obligations (in such capacity, a Defaulting Purchaser and, collectively with any other purchasers declared to be in default, the Defaulting Purchasers). |
(b) |
Other Remedies in connection with Defaulted Commitment: The Company may prohibit the Defaulting Purchaser from purchasing additional Units on any future Drawdown Date. In addition, 50% of the Units then held by the Defaulting Purchaser may be automatically forfeited and transferred on the books of the Company to the other Members (other than any other Defaulting Purchasers), pro rata in accordance with their respective number of Units held; provided that no Units shall be transferred to any other Member in the event that such transfer would (i) violate the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or blue sky laws applicable to the Company or such transfer, (ii) constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or (iii) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute plan assets under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (the Default Remedy Limitations) (it being understood that this proviso shall operate only to the extent necessary to avoid the occurrence of the consequences contemplated herein and shall not prevent any Other Member from receiving a partial allocation of its pro rata portion of Units); and provided, further, that any |
13
Units that have not been transferred to one or more Member pursuant to the previous proviso shall be allocated among the participating Members pro rata in accordance with their respective number of Units held. The mechanism described in this section is intended to operate as a liquidated damage provision since the damage to the Company and other Members resulting from a default by the Defaulting Purchaser is both significant and not easily susceptible to precise quantification. |
(c) |
Proxy: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Defaulting Purchaser will appoint the Company with full power of substitution, its true and lawful proxy to exercise all voting and other rights of such Defaulting Purchaser with respect to the Units, at every annual, special or adjourned meeting of Unitholders of the Company and in every written consent in lieu of such meeting in exact proportion to the votes or consents cast by Unitholders other than Defaulting Purchasers or, in the absence of any such Unitholders, in the discretion of the proxy. |
(d) |
Other Remedies: The Company may pursue any other remedies against the Defaulting Purchaser available to the Company at law or in equity. No course of dealing between the Company and any Defaulting Purchaser and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred by this Section or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise shall operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any such right, power or remedy. In addition to the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion institute a lawsuit against the Defaulting Purchaser for specific performance of its obligation to pay any Drawdown Purchase Price and any other payments to be made by the Defaulting Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement and to collect any overdue amounts hereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Purchaser agrees (i) to pay on demand all costs and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the enforcement of this section against the Defaulting Purchaser sustained as a result of any default by the Defaulting Purchaser and (ii) that any such payment shall not constitute payment of a Drawdown Purchase Price or reduce the Purchasers Commitment. |
13. |
Distributions |
(a) |
Quarterly Basis: The Company generally intends to distribute on a quarterly basis, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of its available earnings in such amount so the Company will not have to pay corporate-level income tax, subject to the discretion of the Board. |
(b) |
Certain Distributions Prohibits: Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no distribution shall be made to any Member if, and to the extent that, such distribution would not be permitted under the Delaware Act. |
14
14. |
Duration. |
The term of the Company began on the date the Certificate of Formation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Company shall continue in existence perpetually unless the Company is dissolved and its affairs wound up in accordance with the Delaware Act or as determined by the Board.
15. |
Liquidation of Assets on Dissolution |
(a) |
General: Following dissolution, the Companys assets shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Board shall be the liquidator to wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. The Board as liquidator shall cause the Company to pay or provide for the satisfaction of the Companys liabilities and obligations to creditors in accordance with the Delaware Act. In performing their duties, the Board as liquidator is authorized to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of the assets of the Company in such reasonable manner as the Board shall determine to be in the best interest of the Members. |
(b) |
Liquidating Distributions; Priority: Subject to Section 18-804 of the Delaware Act, the proceeds of liquidation shall be applied in the following order of priority: |
i. |
First, to pay the costs and expenses of dissolution and liquidation; to pay or provide for the satisfaction of the Companys debts and other liabilities, including obligations to creditors in accordance with the Delaware Act; and to establish any reserves which the liquidator may deem necessary or advisable for any contingent or unmatured liability of the Company, including the payment of the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee; and |
ii. |
Thereafter, among the Unitholders equally on a per Unit basis. Duration of Liquidation: A reasonable time shall be allowed for the winding up of the affairs of the Company in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such a winding up. |
(c) |
Liability for Returns: None of the liquidator, the Directors, the Officers, the Adviser and their respective partners, members, stockholders, officers, directors, managers, employees, agents and affiliates shall be personally liable to any Member for the return of the capital contributions of any Member. |
(d) |
Post-Dissolution Investments and Drawdowns: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 15, but subject to the other limitations on investments set forth in this Agreement and the Delaware Act, the liquidator may, at any time or times after dissolution, cause the Company to make additional investments in entities which were Portfolio Companies on the date of dissolution (including any successor to, or subsidiary of, a Portfolio Company), if the liquidator believe that such additional investments are in the best interest of the Members and in furtherance of the winding up of the affairs of the Company. |
15
16. |
Limitations on Transfers and Redemptions of Company Units |
(a) |
General: No assignment, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, gift, sale or other disposition or encumbrance (collectively, Transfer) of a Members Units, in whole or in part, shall be made other than pursuant to this section. Any attempted Transfer of all or any part of a Members Units without compliance with this Agreement shall be void to the maximum extent permitted by law. Each Transfer shall be subject to all of the terms, conditions, restrictions and obligations set forth in this Agreement and shall be evidenced by an assignment agreement executed by the transferor, the transferee(s) and the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company. No Transfer will be effectuated except by registration of the Transfer on the Companys books. |
(b) |
Consent of Company: The prior written consent of the Company shall be required for any Transfer of all or part of any Members Units, including a Transfer of solely an economic interest in the Company. |
(c) |
Required Representations by Parties: The transferor and transferee(s) shall provide such additional written representations as the Company reasonably may request. |
(d) |
Other Prohibited Legal Consequences: No Transfer shall be permitted, and the Company shall withhold its consent with respect thereto, if such Transfer or the admission of the transferee to the Company as a substituted Member, would: |
i. |
Result in the Companys assets becoming plan assets of any ERISA Member within the meaning of the Plan Assets Regulation; |
ii. |
Result in the violation of applicable securities law; or |
iii. |
Result in the Company no longer being eligible to be treated as a BDC or a RIC. |
(e) |
Opinion of Counsel: The Company may, but is not required to, condition its consent to any Transfer hereunder upon receipt by the Company of a written opinion of counsel for the Company, or of other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, as to such legal matters as the Company reasonably may request. |
(f) |
Reimbursement of Transfer Expenses: Any Member who requests or otherwise seeks to effect a Transfer of all or a portion of its Units hereby agrees to reimburse the Company, at its request, for any expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with such Transfer, including the costs of seeking and obtaining the legal opinion required by Section 16(e) and any other legal, accounting and miscellaneous expenses (Transfer Expenses), whether or not such Transfer is consummated. At its election, and in any event if the transferor has not reimbursed the Company for any Transfer Expenses incurred by the Company in preparing for or consummating a proposed or completed Transfer |
16
within 30 days after the Company has delivered to such Member written demand for payment, the Company may seek reimbursement from the transferee of such interest (or portion thereof). If the transferee does not reimburse the Company for such Transfer Expenses within a reasonable time (or, in the case of a Transfer not consummated, the prospective transferor does not reimburse the Company within a reasonable time), the Company may withhold such amount from distributions that would otherwise be made with respect to such interest (with such withheld amount treated as having been distributed to the holder of such interest for all other purposes of this Agreement). |
(g) |
Admission of Substituted Members: Any transferee of a Members Units transferred in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16 shall be admitted as a substituted Member upon its execution (whether on its own behalf or via an attorney-in-fact) of an assignment agreement and a counterpart to this Agreement and upon obtaining the Companys written consent. Without the written consent of the Company to such substitution, no transferee of a Members Units shall be admitted as a substituted Member. |
(h) |
Effect of Admission: The transferee of Units transferred pursuant to this Section 16 is admitted to the Company as a substituted Member shall succeed to the rights and liabilities of the transferor Member with respect to such interest and, after the effective date of such admission, the Commitment and aggregate contribution of the transferor with respect to the applicable class of Unit being transferred shall become the applicable Commitment and aggregate contribution, respectively, of the transferee, to the extent of the Unit transferred. If a transferee is not admitted to the Company as a substituted Member, (a) such transferee shall have no right to participate with the Members in any votes taken or consents granted or withheld by the Members hereunder, and (b) the transferor shall remain liable to the Company for all contributions and other amounts payable with respect to the transferred interest to the same extent as if no Transfer had occurred. |
(i) |
Non-Compliant Transfer: If a Transfer has been proposed or attempted but the requirements of this Section 16 have not been satisfied, the Company shall not admit the purported transferee as a substituted Member but, to the contrary, shall ensure that the Company (a) continues to treat the transferor as the sole owner of the Units purportedly transferred, (b) makes no distributions to the purported transferee and (c) does not furnish to the purported transferee any tax or financial information regarding the Company. The Company shall also not otherwise treat the purported transferee as an owner of any Units (either legal or equitable), unless required by law to do so. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief, at the expense of the purported transferor, to prevent any such purported Transfer. |
(j) |
Multiple Ownership: If any Transfer results in multiple ownership of any Members Units, the Company may require one or more trustees or nominees to be designated as representing a portion of or the entire interest transferred for purposes of (a) receiving all notices which may be given, and all payments which may be made, under this Agreement and (b) exercising all rights which the transferor as a Member has pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. |
17
(k) |
Advisers Interest Upon Removal: The Advisers removal as Adviser shall not affect any Units held by the Adviser (or any of its affiliates) in its capacity as a Member. The former Adviser shall continue to be treated as a Member for all purposes of this Agreement, shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Member hereunder, including the right to receive allocations and distributions on the same basis as all other Members, and shall not be entitled to receive any further allocations or distributions to which the Adviser is entitled hereunder in connection with serving as an investment adviser to the Company. |
(l) |
Exchange Listing: Should there be an Exchange Listing, as defined in the registration statement on Form 10, as such may be amended from time to time, the Member agrees that it may be subject to a lock-up restriction pursuant to which the Member will be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring its Units immediately after the date of such event. This restriction shall remain in place for at least 180 days following the Exchange Listing, and the Member agrees that the specific terms of such restriction, and any other limitations on the sale of Units in connection with or following an Exchange Listing, will be agreed in advance between the Board of Directors of the Company and the Adviser, acting on behalf of the Companys Members, and the institutions acting as underwriters or market makers, acting on the Companys behalf, in connection with such Exchange Listing, and that the Member will be bound by any such terms and limitations. There can be no assurance that the Units will be listed on a national securities exchange or offered in an initial public offering. |
17. |
Fiscal Year. |
The fiscal year of the Company shall begin on January 1 of each year and end on December 31 of that year; provided that the Companys first fiscal year shall begin on the date of formation of the Company and the Companys last fiscal year shall end on the date of termination of the Company.
18. |
Exculpation and Indemnification. |
(a) |
Exculpation; General: To the maximum extent permitted by law, no Covered Person shall be liable to the Company or any Member for any loss suffered by the Company or any Member which arises out of any investment or any other action or omission of such Covered Person (a) if such Covered Person did not act in bad faith, and (b) if such conduct did not constitute willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Persons respective position. For purposes of this Section 20, Covered Person shall mean the Directors, the Adviser, Administrator, its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other affiliate and any person who otherwise serves at the request of the Company on its behalf, each to the extent such Person was serving in such capacity at the time the loss or |
18
cause of action arose. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities of a Covered Person to the Company or any Member otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person. |
(b) |
Activities of Others: To the maximum extent permitted by law (including, without limitation, ERISA), no Covered Person shall be liable to the Company or any Member for the negligence, whether by action or omission, dishonesty or bad faith of any broker or other agent of the Company selected with reasonable care. |
(c) |
Liquidator: To the maximum extent permitted by law (including, without limitation, ERISA), no Person serving as liquidator shall be liable to the Company or any Member for any loss suffered by the Company or any Member which arises out of any action or omission of such Person, provided that such Person did not act in bad faith. |
(d) |
Advice of Experts: To the maximum extent permitted by law (including, without limitation, ERISA), no Covered Person and no Person serving as liquidator shall be liable to the Company or any Member with respect to any action or omission taken or suffered by any of them in good faith if such action or omission is taken or suffered in reliance upon and in accordance with the opinion or advice of legal counsel (as to matters of law), or of accountants (as to matters of accounting), or of investment bankers, accounting firms, or other appraisers (as to matters of valuation), provided that any such professional or firm is selected with reasonable care. |
(e) |
Indemnification; General: To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Covered Persons, each liquidator, and each partner, member, stockholder, director, officer, manager, trustee, employee, agent and affiliate of any of the foregoing (each, an Indemnitee) shall be indemnified, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, by the Company (only out of Company assets, including the proceeds of liability insurance and the right to require contributions or other payments by the Members under this Agreement) against any claim, demand, controversy, dispute, cost, loss, damage, expense (including attorneys fees), judgment and/or liability incurred by or imposed upon the Indemnitee in connection with any action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including any proceeding before any court, arbitrator, administrative or legislative body or other agency) or any settlement thereof, to which the Indemnitee may be made a party or otherwise involved or with which the Indemnitee shall be threatened, arising out of (a) any mistake in judgment, (b) any action or omission done on behalf of the Company or in furtherance of the interests of the Company or the Members or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the Company, or (c) losses due to the mistake, action, inaction or negligence of other agents of the Company, except for such losses arising from such Indemnitees own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Indemnitees position. |
19
(f) |
Effect of Judgment: An Indemnitee shall not be indemnified with respect to matters as to which the Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated in any such action, suit or proceeding to have acted in bad faith or to have acted in a manner that constituted willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard in of the duties involved in the conduct of such Indemnitees position. |
(g) |
Effect of Settlement: In the event of settlement of any action, suit or proceeding brought or threatened, such indemnification shall apply to all matters covered by the settlement except for matters as to which the Company is advised by counsel (who may be counsel regularly retained to represent the Company) that the Person seeking indemnification, in the opinion of counsel: (a) acted in bad faith or (b) acted with willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Indemnitees position. |
(h) |
Process; Advance Payment of Expenses: Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any action, such Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company pursuant to this Section, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to any Indemnitee under this Section (other than under this paragraph (h)). Once the Company is so notified, the Company will be entitled to participate in such action and, if desired, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee. If the Company so assumes the defense, the Company shall not be liable to such Indemnitee under this Section for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof, provided, however, that if (i) the Company and the Indemnitee mutually agree otherwise, (ii) the Company has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee, (iii) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company or (iv) the named parties in any such proceedings (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and the Indemnitee and the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them, then the Company shall be liable to such Indemnitee under this paragraph for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnitee. |
The Company and the Indemnitee shall inform any other Indemnitee of any such settlement, compromise or judgment, prior to the completion of such settlement, compromise or judgment. The Company shall not, without the written consent of the Indemnitee, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of
20
the Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnitee.
Except to the extent described above in this paragraph (h), the Company may pay the expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with claims arising in connection with any potential or threatened action, suit or proceeding, in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an enforceable undertaking by such Indemnitee to repay such payment if the Indemnitee shall be determined to be not entitled to indemnification for such expenses pursuant to this Section 18; provided, however, that in such instance the Indemnitee is not defending an actual or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding (a) against the Indemnitee by the Company, the Board and/or the Adviser (or by the Indemnitee against the Company, the Board and/or the Adviser) or (b) brought or initiated by Members constituting the Approving Members who represent at least a majority in number of the Members.
(i) |
Insurance: The Company may purchase and maintain insurance and/or fidelity bonds, at the expense of the Company and to the extent available, for the protection of any Indemnitee or potential Indemnitee against any liability incurred in any capacity which results in such person being an Indemnitee (provided that such Person is serving in such capacity at the request of the Company or the Board), whether or not the Company has the power to indemnify such Person against such liability. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance and/or fidelity bonds on behalf of and at its own expense for the protection of any officer, director, manager, employee or other agent of the Company or any organization in which the Company owns an interest or of which the Company is a creditor against similar liabilities, whether or not the Company has the power to indemnify any Person against such liabilities. |
(j) |
Successor and Survival: The foregoing right of indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors or assigns of each such Indemnitee and shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
(k) |
Right to Indemnification from other Sources: The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred in this Section shall not be exclusive and shall be in addition to any rights to which any Indemnitee may otherwise be entitled or hereafter acquire under any law, statute, rule, regulation, charter document, by-law, contract or agreement. |
(l) |
Insurance and Other Sources of Indemnity: Each Indemnitee shall, as a condition to obtaining payments, use commercially reasonable efforts to seek payment from any applicable Portfolio Company, its insurance carriers and/or the insurance carriers of the Adviser and/or the Company. The Company shall, in good faith, determine whether any such Indemnitee has used commercially reasonable efforts |
21
to seek such payments. In no event, however, shall the Company be precluded from making payments under 11.2 to any such Indemnitee if reasonable uncertainty exists as to the likelihood of payment by any such Portfolio Company or insurance carrier in a timely manner or on reasonably acceptable terms. |
(m) |
Limitation by Law: If any Covered Person or Indemnitee or the Company itself is subject to any federal or state law, rule or regulation which restricts the extent to which any Person may be exonerated or indemnified by the Company, the exoneration provisions set forth herein and the indemnification provisions set forth in herein shall be deemed to be amended, automatically and without further action by the Members, to the minimum extent necessary to conform to such restrictions. |
19. |
Amendments. |
(a) |
By Consent: Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived, modified, amended, or deleted during or after the term of the Company, with the prior written consent of a majority in interest of the Members or the consent of the Board. |
(b) |
Amendments Affecting Members Economic Rights: No amendment to this Agreement shall increase any Commitment of any Unitholder or dilute the relative interest of any Member with respect to the other Members holding Units of the same class in the profits or capital of the Company or in allocations or distributions attributable to the ownership of such interest without the prior written consent of such Member, except such dilution as may result from additional Commitments from the Unitholders, the admission of later-closing investors. This paragraph (b) shall not be amended without the unanimous consent of all Members. |
(c) |
Notice of Amendments: The Company shall promptly furnish copies of any amendments to this Agreement to all Members. Changes made to the books and records of the Company shall not be deemed to be amendments to this Agreement and shall not be required to be furnished to all Members. |
20. |
Tax Provisions |
(a) |
Classification of the Company for Tax Purposes: The Company intends to be classified as an association that is taxable as a corporation. If the Company is unable to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC) during the liquidation of its portfolio following the Commitment Period, the Board may cause the Company to be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes. |
(b) |
RIC Requirements: After the Initial Closing, the Company shall seek to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, for so long as the Board so desires, seek to cause the Company to meet any requirements in connection with such election necessary to obtain and maintain RIC qualification, including source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distributing annually an amount equal to at least 90% of its investment company taxable income. |
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21. |
Miscellaneous. |
(a) |
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. |
(b) |
Captions. All captions used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any provision hereof. |
(c) |
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. |
(d) |
Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective successors and assigns. |
(e) |
Power of Attorney: Each of the undersigned, by execution of this Agreement (including by execution of a counterpart signature page hereto directly or via an attorney-in-fact), hereby designates any duly authorized representative of the Company as its true and lawful representative and attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead, to make, execute, sign, acknowledge and deliver or file (a) the Certificate and any other instruments, documents and certificates which may from time to time be required by any law to effectuate, implement and continue the valid and subsisting existence of the Company, (b) all instruments, documents and certificates that may be required to effectuate the dissolution and termination of the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Delaware Act, (c) all other amendments of this Agreement contemplated by this Agreement including, without limitation, amendments reflecting the addition or substitution of any Member, or any action of the Members or the Members duly taken pursuant to this Agreement whether or not such Member voted in favor of or otherwise approved such action that has been approved by the applicable vote or written consent of the Members (if required) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (d) any other instrument, certificate or document required from time to time to admit a Member, to effect its substitution as a Member, to effect the substitution of the Members assignee as a Member, or to reflect any action of the Members or the Members provided for in this Agreement that has been approved by the applicable vote or written consent of the Members (if required) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (e) if such Member becomes a Defaulting Member, documents necessary or appropriate to effect the sale of such Members Units. The foregoing grant of authority (1) is a special power of attorney coupled with an interest in favor of the Company and as such shall be irrevocable and shall survive and not be affected by the death, disability or incapacity of a Member that is a natural person or the merger, dissolution or other termination of the existence of a Member that is a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or trust and (2) shall survive the assignment by the Member of |
23
the whole or any portion of its interest, except that where the assignee of the whole thereof has furnished a power of attorney, this power of attorney shall survive such assignment for the sole purpose of enabling the Company to execute, acknowledge and file any instrument necessary to effect any permitted substitution of the assignee for the assignor as a Member and shall thereafter terminate. This power of attorney may be exercised by such attorney-in-fact for all Members (or any of them) by a single signature of a duly authorized representative of the Company acting as attorney in fact with or without listing all of the Members executing an instrument. |
22. |
Special Regulatory Matters |
(a) |
ERISA Compliance: The Company intends to operate so that it will be an appropriate investment for employee benefit plans subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). The Company will use reasonable efforts to conduct its affairs so that the assets of the Company will not be deemed to be plan assets for purposes of ERISA. In this regard, prior to the completion of an Exchange Listing, the Company may be operated as an annual venture capital operating company, under the ERISA rules in order to avoid its assets being treated as plan assets for purposes of ERISA. Accordingly, there may be constraints on the Companys ability to make or dispose of investments at optimal times (or to make certain investments at all). |
(b) |
Public Plan Members: Each Member that is (a) either a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA or an entity that is deemed under applicable law to hold the plan assets of such a plan and (b) that has notified the Company of such status in writing (a Public Plan Member) shall be treated as an ERISA Member, provided that (a) Public Plan Members shall not be considered ERISA Members for purposes of determining whether benefit plan investors hold less than twenty five percent (25%) of each class of equity interests in the Company (determined in accordance with the Plan Assets Regulation) and (b) in determining whether there is a violation of ERISA with respect to such Public Plan Member or whether the Company is holding plan assets of such Public Plan Member, there shall be substituted for ERISA any state, local or foreign laws that are similar in purpose and intent to ERISA and that are applicable to such Public Plan Member (or equity holder thereof). |
(c) |
Foundation Members: If any Member that (a) is a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code and (b) has notified the Company of such status in writing (a Foundation Member), delivers an opinion of counsel, reasonably acceptable (as to form, substance and choice of counsel) to the Company, to the effect that, as a result of a change in law or an unexpected increase in such Foundation Members relative interest in the Company (other than as a result of the purchase of an interest by such Foundation Member), there is a material likelihood that the continued ownership of the Foundation Members Units (1) would subject such Foundation Member to excise taxes imposed by Subchapter A of Chapter 42 of the Code (other than Sections 4940 and 4942 |
24
thereof) or (2) would, as a result of a change in law after the date hereof or the insolvency of the Company, result in a material violation of, or a material breach of the fiduciary duties of its trustees or governing board under, any federal or state law applicable to private foundations or any rule or regulation adopted thereunder by any agency, commission or authority having jurisdiction over private foundations, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to assist (subject to applicable law) such Foundation Member in locating a transferee for all or a portion of such Foundation Members Units and will not unreasonably withhold its consent to the transfer by such Foundation Member of all or a portion of its interest; provided, however, that if the Company or such Foundation Member is unable to locate a transferee, or otherwise eliminate the necessity for withdrawal by such Foundation Member, within 90 days after the receipt of such opinion of counsel, then such Foundation Member may completely or partially withdraw from the Company as if such Foundation Member were an ERISA Member. |
23. |
Conversion |
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, it is expressly contemplated by the Members that the Company may, and the Company is hereby authorized to, convert to a Delaware corporation with the name Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. (the Corporation) at any time and on any terms as may be determined and authorized by the Board without the consent of any of the Members pursuant to Section 265 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, 8 Del. C. § 101, et seq. and Section 18-216 of the Delaware Act (the Conversion). Upon the authorization and approval by the Board of (i) the Conversion, (ii) the form of Certificate of Conversion, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and the Bylaws of the Corporation, and (iii) to the extent the Board determines that it is necessary or advisable in connection with the Conversion, a Plan of Conversion, the Board shall (A) cause to be executed, delivered and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Certificate of Conversion of the Company to the Corporation and the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, (B) cause to be adopted the Bylaws of the Corporation and (C) take all other actions determined by the Board to be necessary or advisable to effect the Conversion, including, without limitation, causing to be elected the initial members of the board of directors of the Corporation.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
MEMBER | ||||
KA Credit Advisors, LLC | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Jarvis V. Hollingsworth | |||
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
26
Member Signature Page
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC and hereby authorize this signature page to be attached to a counterpart of such Agreement executed by the Company and the other parties thereto.
Each of the Persons who have executed a Subscription Agreement, agreeing to its in the Company, to be admitted to the Company as a member and to be bound by the terms of the LLC Agreement | ||
By: | [●], |
an authorized representative of the Board as attorney-in-fact for such Persons |
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated: , 2020
SCHEDULE A
Schedule of Directors
Name |
Class | Expiration of Term | ||
Michael J. Levitt | Class III | 2023 | ||
Terrence J. Quinn | Class II | 2022 | ||
Mariel A. Joliet | Class I | 2021 | ||
George E. Marucci, Jr. | Class II | 2022 | ||
Susan C. Schnabel | Class III | 2023 |
A-1
SCHEDULE B
Schedule of Officers
Name |
Position |
|
Michael J. Levitt | Chief Executive Officer | |
James C. Baker | President | |
Douglas L. Goodwillie | Co-Chief Investment Officer | |
Kenneth B. Leonard | Co-Chief Investment Officer | |
Terry A. Hart | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
Michael ONeil | Chief Compliance Officer | |
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth | Secretary | |
John B. Riley | Vice President |
B-1
SCHEDULE C
Schedule of Audit Committee Members
Name |
Position |
|
Mariel A. Joliet | Member | |
George E. Marucci, Jr. | Lead Valuation Director | |
Susan C. Schnabel | Chairperson |
C-1
THE OFFER AND SALE OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IN KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
SUBSCRIPTION BOOKLET
FOR
UNITS
IN
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
(a Delaware Limited Liability Company)
AND
ADVISER LLC INTERESTS
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH AN OPTIONAL CORPORATE BLOCKER IN
KA CREDIT ADVISORS HOLDCO, LLC
(a Delaware Limited Liability Company)
CAREFULLY REVIEW AND FOLLOW THE SUBSCRIBERS INSTRUCTION SHEET IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS COVER PAGE
NOTE TO INVESTORS:
Please note that Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC reserves the right to obtain, and that you will be required to provide, additional information and documentation if you are not a U.S. person (as defined below) and, accordingly, do not provide a U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-9. Please contact Investor Relations for additional information in this regard.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBSCRIBERS
These instructions are provided to assist you with completing the attached Subscription Agreement. The Subscription Agreement is complicated, so we encourage you to go one step at a time with these instructions as your guide.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:
Investor Relations (310) 284-5591
Email: InvestorRelations@kaynecapital.com
A. |
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT/POWER OF ATTORNEY |
To subscribe, please follow these steps:
1. |
Read and execute Subscription Agreement. |
2. |
Complete Attachment I (Account Information). |
3. |
If applicable, complete Attachment II (Names and Addresses of Shareholders, Partners or Members). |
4. |
IRS Form(s) W-9 and/or W-8: If you are a U.S. person1 for U.S. federal income tax purposes, complete, sign and date IRS Form W-9 in accordance with the instructions accompanying the form. (If you are not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, complete and sign the appropriate IRS Form(s) W-8 in accordance with the instructions accompanying the appropriate form to certify your non-U.S. tax status). See Attachment III for more information. |
5. |
If applicable, complete and execute Attachment IV (Standing Letter of Authorization). |
6. |
If applicable, complete Attachment V (Additional Contacts) |
7. |
Provide applicable documents listed on Attachment VI (Required Documentation). |
8. |
Read Attachment VII (Privacy Notice). |
1 |
As set forth in the instructions to IRS Form W-9, a U.S. person generally includes (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a partnership, corporation or other entity created or organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, and (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or any trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of the trust. |
THE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND ATTACHMENTS, WHERE APPLICABLE, SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC
c/o Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
811 Main Street, 14th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Investor Relations
ii
B. |
PAYMENT OF CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
Each of the BDC Capital Contributions required to be paid under the Subscription Agreement must be paid by wire transfer in same day funds in accordance with the terms thereof and the account instructions set forth in the applicable capital call notice.
As more fully set forth in the limited liability company agreement of KA Credit Advisors HoldCo, LLC (the Adviser LLC Agreement), each participant receiving Adviser LLC Interests, as defined herein, will be obligated to make a cash capital contribution in an amount equal to 1% of its respective Commitment (the Adviser LLC Commitment), which shall be funded by its agreement to contribute 10% of the quarterly distributions such participant receives in respect of the Units it owns, until an aggregate amount of distributions equal to its respective Adviser LLC Commitment shall have been withheld.
Please see Question 3 of Attachment I (Account Information) to indicate whether you intend to opt-out of purchasing Adviser LLC Interests.
END OF INSTRUCTIONS
iii
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
(a Delaware Limited Liability Company)
KA CREDIT ADVISORS HOLDCO, LLC
(a Delaware Limited Liability Company)
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT/POWER OF ATTORNEY
THE UNITS AND ADVISER LLC INTERESTS, DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE OPTIONAL CORPORATE BLOCKER, REFERRED TO IN THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), NOR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH UNITS AND ADVISER LLC INTERESTS ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD UNDER THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY SECTION 4(A)(2) OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND/OR PURSUANT TO REGULATION D, RULE 506, THEREUNDER. NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS PASSED ON ANY ASPECT OF THE OFFERING OF SUCH UNITS AND ADVISER LLC INTERESTS AND ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS ILLEGAL.
A PURCHASER OF UNITS OR ADVISER LLC INTERESTS, DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE OPTIONAL CORPORATE BLOCKER SHOULD BE PREPARED TO BEAR THE ECONOMIC RISK OF THE INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE NEITHER THE UNITS NOR THE ADVISER LLC INTERESTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, THEREFORE, CANNOT BE SOLD UNLESS THEY ARE SUBSEQUENTLY REGISTERED OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. THERE IS NO OBLIGATION OF THE ISSUER TO REGISTER THE UNITS OR THE ADVISER LLC INTERESTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
iv
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
KA CREDIT ADVISORS HOLDCO, LLC
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT/POWER OF ATTORNEY
TO: |
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC |
KA Credit Advisors HoldCo, LLC
c/o Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002
Ladies and Gentlemen:
THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT / POWER OF ATTORNEY (together with all attachments, the Subscription or the Subscription Agreement) is entered into by Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (including Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. following to the BDC Conversion (as defined below), the Company), KA Credit Advisors HoldCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (HoldCo) and the undersigned in connection with the purchase of limited liability company interests in the Company (the Units and after the BDC Conversion, as defined below, shares of common stock) and in the investment manager to the Company through HoldCo, either directly or indirectly through an optional corporate blocker.
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC was formed as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. As soon as reasonably practicable after the completion of the organization and Formation Transactions, Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC will convert from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the BDC Conversion). KA Credit Advisors, LLC is the investment manager of and the administrator to the Company (the Investment Manager); the Company is to be operated in accordance with its Limited Liability Company Agreement (LLC Agreement), as amended, prior to the BDC Conversion and in accordance with its charter and bylaws, subsequent to the BDC Conversion; the Companys investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through debt investments in middle-market companies, all as is more fully set forth in registration statement on Form 10, once becoming effective, and any related or associated disclosure document or memorandum, as it may be modified or amended and any applicable attachments/exhibits thereto (collectively, the Memorandum) previously furnished to the undersigned. The minimum amount for which any person may subscribe for an interest in the Company is $2 million; however, the Company may, in its discretion, accept subscriptions for lesser amounts. Each investor must be an accredited investor, as such term is defined in Regulation D (Regulation D) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) and a qualified purchaser, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act).
1
HoldCo was formed as a Delaware limited liability company pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. HoldCos sole asset will be membership interests of the Investment Manager. HoldCo is to be operated in accordance with the Adviser LLC Agreement. In connection with its purchase of Units, each investor shall also be entitled to purchase an amount of common membership interests in HoldCo which represent a proportionate indirect interest in the Investment Manager equal to such investors respective Commitment divided by $500 million and multiplied by 15%. For example, a $100 million commitment to the Company would entitle such investor to purchase a 3.0% indirect interest in the Investment Manager (held through HoldCo and/or the optional corporate blocker). In addition to its common membership interests, each participant shall receive one preferred membership interest in HoldCo (preferred membership interest together with common membership interests in HoldCo, the Adviser LLC Interests). The corporate blockers sole asset would be its interest in HoldCo. Use of the corporate blocker, which will be taxed as a corporation for U.S. and state tax purposes, is optional.
Please see Question 3 of Attachment I (Account Information) to indicate whether you intend to opt-out of purchasing Adviser LLC Interests.
1. The Company and HoldCo.
If the undersigneds subscription is accepted by the Company, the undersigned will become a unitholder of the Company and HoldCo. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Memorandum.
2. Subscription and Acceptance of Subscription.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the undersigned (the Purchaser or Investor) hereby tenders this Subscription whereby the undersigned irrevocably commits and agrees to contribute to the Company, in cash, an amount (the Commitment) equal to the amount set forth on Attachment I as consideration for Units, portions of such Commitment to be contributed in immediately available funds on an as-needed basis at such time as the Investment Manager in its sole and absolute discretion shall determine, in all cases in accordance with, and subject to the limitations set forth in, the Memorandum (all amounts actually drawn down, the BDC Capital Contributions).
(b) All BDC Capital Contributions shall be paid by the undersigned to the Company by wire transfer of same day funds on the day specified for such payment in the written notice to be delivered by the Company pursuant to the Memorandum.
(c) The undersigned shall have no right to any interest income earned on any Capital Contribution.
(d) The undersigned understands that the Commitment is not binding on the Company until accepted by the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager shall have the right to accept or reject this Subscription, in whole or in part, in its sole and absolute discretion.
(e) Subject only to the acceptance of the Investment Manager, the undersigned hereby agrees to adhere to and be bound by the Companys LLC Agreement prior to the BDC Conversion and charter and bylaws following the BDC Conversion. In addition, the Purchaser agrees to adhere to and be bound by the terms of the Adviser LLC Agreement if it elects to purchase Adviser LLC Interests, including the making of the Adviser LLC Commitment.
2
(f) In the event that the Purchaser is permitted by the Company to make an additional Commitment to purchase Units or shares of common stock on a date after its initial subscription has been accepted, the Purchaser shall be required to enter into an addendum to this Subscription Agreement covering such additional Commitment.
(g) The Company has entered into or expects to enter into separate subscription agreements (the Other Subscription Agreements and, together with this Subscription Agreement, the Subscription Agreements) with other purchasers (the Other Purchasers), providing for the sale to the Other Purchasers of Units and Adviser LLC Interests at the Closing or shares of common stock at other Closings. This Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements are separate agreements, and the sales of Units, Adviser LLC Interests or shares of common stock to the Purchaser and the Other Purchasers are separate sales.
(h) The closing of the subscription for and commitment to purchase by the Purchaser of the Units (and purchase of Adviser LLC Interests) shall take place at the offices of the Investment Manager on the date that this Subscription Agreement (having been also signed by the Purchaser) has been accepted by the Company (the date of such acceptance, which shall be indicated on the Company Acceptance provided to the Purchaser, being hereinafter referred to as the Closing Date). On the date of the receipt of the Purchasers first Drawdown Purchase (as defined below), assuming the Closing has taken place, the Purchaser shall be registered as a unitholder of the Company prior to the BDC Conversion (each a Unitholder or together, Unitholders) or stockholder following the BDC Conversion (each a Stockholder and together, the Stockholders).
(i) A Unitholder or Stockholder that holds or owns more than 5% of the Companys Units or shares of common stock, as applicable, agrees to furnish information reasonably requested by the Company listing such Unitholders or Stockholders affiliates (an affiliate is generally a person 5% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned or held by a Unitholder/Stockholder).
3. Drawdowns
(a) The Purchaser agrees to purchase Units for an aggregate purchase price equal to its Commitment, payable at such times and in such amounts as required by the Company. The Purchaser shall be required to fund a capital contribution to purchase Units (a Drawdown Purchase) each time the Company delivers a notice (the Drawdown Notice) to the Purchaser. Drawdown Notices shall be delivered at least 10 calendar days prior to the date on which payment will be due (each, a Drawdown Date) and shall set forth the amount, in U.S. dollars, of the aggregate purchase price (the Drawdown Purchase Price) to be paid by the Purchaser to purchase Units on such Drawdown Date. Drawdown Purchase Price will be at least equal to net asset value, or NAV, per share in accordance with the limitations under Section 23 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Investment Company Act). No Purchaser shall be required to invest more than the total amount of its Commitment. Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
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(b) On the Drawdown Date, the Company shall issue to the Purchaser a number of Units equal to the amount of the Drawdown Purchase Price funded by the Purchaser on the applicable Drawdown Date divided by the per share price determined by the Board or an appropriately designated committee. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not issue Units for any portion of the Purchasers Commitment that has not been paid to the Company and used to purchase Units pursuant to one or more Drawdown Notices (the Undrawn Commitment).
(c) The Company may draw down Commitments to make investments at any time during the period from the initial closing, which is expected to occur immediately prior to the Companys election to be treated as BDC under the Investment Company Act (the Initial Closing). The Company is targeting $500 million in commitments at this time (the Initial Capital Raise) and anticipates the final closing for the Initial Capital Raise to occur no later than November 30, 2021. Upon the completion of the earlier of (a) the conclusion of the three-year period after completion of the Initial Capital Raise, or (b) the listing (Exchange Listing) of the Companys shares of common stock on a national exchange (the Commitment Period), investors will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional shares of common stock with respect to a Commitment, except to the extent necessary to (a) pay the Company expenses, including management fees, any amounts that may become due under any borrowings or other financings or similar obligations and any other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in each case to the extent they relate to the Commitment Period, (b) complete investments in any transactions for which there are binding written agreements as of the end of the Commitment Period (including investments that are funded in phases), (c) fund follow-on investments made in existing portfolio companies that, in the aggregate, do not exceed 20% of total commitments, (d) fund obligations under any guarantee or indemnity made by the Company during the Commitment Period and/or (e) fund any defaulted commitments. If the Company has not otherwise completed an Exchange Listing within three years of the Initial Capital Raise, the Company may, subject to shareholder approval, extend the Commitment Period by an additional two years. During the Commitment Period, no investor will be permitted to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of its shares of common stock or Commitment unless the Company provides its prior written consent and the transfer is otherwise made in accordance with applicable law.
(d) In the event that the Company enters into a Subscription Agreement with one or more Investors after the Initial Closing, each such Investor will be required to make purchases of Units or shares of common stock (each, a Catch-up Purchase) on one or more dates to be determined by the Company. The aggregate purchase price of any Catch-up Purchase will be equal to an amount necessary to ensure that, upon payment of the aggregate purchase price, such Investor will have contributed the same percentage of its Commitment to the Company as all Investors whose subscriptions were accepted at previous closings. Catch-up Purchases will be made at a price as determined by the Companys Board of Directors as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter or such other date as determined by the Board prior to the date of the applicable Drawdown Notice,
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or such other date as may be required to comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act. In order to more fairly allocate organizational expenses among all of the Investors, Investors subscribing after the initial drawdown will be required to pay a price above net asset value reflecting a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the total amount of the Companys organizational and other expenses.
4. Pledging.
(a) The Purchaser specifically agrees and consents that the Company may, at any time, without further notice to or consent from the Purchaser (except to the extent otherwise provided in this Subscription Agreement), grant security over and, in connection therewith, transfer its right to draw down Commitments from the Purchaser and the Companys right to receive the Drawdown Purchase Price (and any related rights of the Company), to lenders or other creditors or holders of other obligations or guarantees of the Company, in connection with any indebtedness, guarantee or surety of the Company (such right of the Company with respect to the Purchaser and Other Purchasers, collectively, the Assigned Rights); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any such grantees right to draw down capital shall be subject to the limitations on the Companys right to draw down capital pursuant to Section 3; provided, further, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company may exclude from such Assigned Rights all or a portion of the Assigned Rights of any Purchasers that are officers or directors of the Company and certain other persons, to the extent restricted under, or considered by the Board to be necessary or desirable to facilitate compliance with, applicable laws or regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), the Investment Company Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.
(b) The Purchaser specifically agrees and consents that the Company may, in each case subject to such other conditions as the Company may reasonably determine, (i) authorize any lender or other creditors or holders of other obligations or guarantees of the Company, including any agent or trustee acting on their behalf, as agent and on behalf of the Company, or in such other capacity as the Company may specify (A) to exercise from time to time Assigned Rights, (B) to issue Drawdown Notices and to require all or any portion of Purchasers Undrawn Commitment to be contributed to the Company for purposes of paying such funds to a lender or other creditor or holders of other obligations or guarantees, including by payment to an account or accounts pledged to a lender, a creditor or such holder, (C) to exercise any right or remedy of the Company under this Subscription Agreement in respect of any Assigned Rights or in respect of any Drawdown Notice, capital contributions or Undrawn Commitment, and (D) to enforce obligations of the Purchaser and the Other Purchasers under their respective Subscription Agreements, and (ii) take any other action the Company reasonably determines to be necessary for the purpose of providing such Assigned Rights (collectively, clauses (i) and (ii), the Lender Powers); provided that any exercise of such Lender Powers with respect to Purchaser shall be made in accordance with this Subscription Agreement. In addition, the Company is hereby authorized to provide to or receive from any lender or other creditors or holders of other obligations or guarantees, including any agent or trustee acting on their behalf, financial information related to the Purchaser and other documentation reasonably and customarily required to incur or assume such indebtedness, subject to applicable law and in connection therewith, each Purchaser hereby agrees to cooperate with the Company with respect to the provision of such information and documentation.
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(c) To facilitate the Companys ability to incur and maintain borrowings or other financings or similar obligations and to otherwise make available Assigned Rights and/or the right to exercise any Lender Power for such borrowings or other financings or similar obligations, the Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that: (i) in the event of a failure by Purchaser or any Other Purchaser to pay all or any portion of the purchase price due from Purchaser or such Other Purchaser, as applicable, on any Drawdown Date, in addition to the Lender Powers, the related creditor or lender may issue additional Drawdown Notices in order to make up any deficiency caused by the failure to fund the Drawdown Purchase Price and Purchasers ownership in the Company may be diluted as a result, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Purchaser shall not be required to fund more than its Undrawn Commitments, (ii) its obligation to fund Drawdown Notices is irrevocable, and shall be without setoff, counterclaim or defense, including any defense under Section 365(c) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) it has received full and adequate consideration on the date hereof for its subscription for the Units, and any defense of non-consideration or similar defenses for its subscription are hereby irrevocably waived, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceedings or otherwise, including any failure or inability of the Company to issue Units or for any such Units to have positive value.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any lender or other person granted a lien with respect to any of the Assigned Rights and/or the right to exercise any Lender Power shall be intended beneficiary of this Subscription Agreement and shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of this Section.
5. Dividends; Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
As more fully described in the Memorandum, the Company generally intends to distribute on a quarterly basis, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of its available earnings in such amount so the Company will not have to pay corporate-level income tax, subject to the discretion of the Board. The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (as it may be amended, the Dividend Reinvestment Plan), that provides for the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions on behalf of the Unitholders or Stockholders. Until the Exchange Listing, investors will need to affirmatively opt in to participating in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Accordingly, in order to do so, an investor must indicate whether it wants to opt in to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan by checking the appropriate box in Question 2(a) of Attachment I. Following the Exchange Listing, all investors in the Company will be automatically enrolled in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and a Stockholder would need to affirmatively opt out of participating in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. As set out in the Memorandum, a Stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying the plan administrator and the transfer agent and registrar in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for distributions to Stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for each Stockholder to acquire shares of common stock in non-certificated form through the plan if such Stockholders have not elected to receive their distributions in cash. Those Stockholders who hold shares of common stock through a broker or other financial intermediary may receive distributions in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.
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6. Remedies upon Drawdown Purchase Default.
In the event that the Purchaser fails to pay all or any portion of the Drawdown Purchase Price due from the Purchaser on any Drawdown Date (such amount, together with the amount of the Purchasers Undrawn Commitment, a Defaulted Commitment) and such default remains uncured for a period of ten Business Days, then the Company shall be permitted to declare the Purchaser to be in default on its obligations under this Subscription Agreement (in such capacity, a Defaulting Purchaser and, collectively with any Other Purchasers declared to be in default, the Defaulting Stockholders) and shall be permitted to pursue one or any combination of the following remedies:
(a) Company may prohibit the Defaulting Purchaser from purchasing additional Units on any future Drawdown Date.
(b) The Company may offer up to 100% of the Defaulting Purchasers Units first, to the Other Purchasers (other than any other Defaulting Stockholders) and if such Other Purchasers do not purchase all of such offered Units, to third parties for purchase at a price equal to the lesser of the net asset value of such Units on the relevant trade date or the highest price reasonably obtainable by the Company, subject to such other terms as the Company in its discretion shall determine, which offer(s) shall be binding upon the Defaulting Purchaser if the Other Purchasers or third parties agree to assume the related Commitment with respect to such Units of the Defaulting Purchaser, including any portion then due and unpaid, and the Company pursuant to its authority under Section 12 of this Subscription Agreement may execute on behalf of the Defaulting Purchaser any documents necessary to effect the transfer of the Defaulting Purchasers Units pursuant to this Section 6(b); provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Subscription Agreement, no Units shall be transferred to any Other Purchaser pursuant to this Section 6(b) in the event that such transfer would (i) violate the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or blue sky laws applicable to the Company or such transfer, (ii) constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or (iii) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute plan assets under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code;
(c) 50% of the Units then held by the Defaulting Purchaser may be automatically forfeited and transferred on the books of the Company to the Other Purchasers (other than any other Defaulting Stockholders), pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment; provided that no Units shall be transferred to any Other Purchaser in the event that such transfer would (i) violate the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or blue sky laws applicable to the Company or such transfer, (ii) constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or (iii) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute plan assets under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (it being understood that this proviso shall operate only to the extent necessary to avoid the occurrence of the consequences contemplated herein and shall not prevent any Other
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Purchaser from receiving a partial allocation of its pro rata portion of Units); and provided, further, that any Units that have not been transferred to one or more Other Purchasers pursuant to the previous proviso shall be allocated among the participating Other Purchasers pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment. The mechanism described in this Section is intended to operate as a liquidated damage provision since the damage to the Company and the Other Purchasers resulting from a default by the Defaulting Purchaser is both significant and not easily susceptible to precise quantification. By entry into this Subscription Agreement, the Purchaser agrees to this Section and acknowledges that the automatic transfer of its Units constitutes a reasonable liquidated damages remedy for any default of the Purchasers obligations to fund a Drawdown Purchase Price.
(d) The Company may pursue any other remedies against the Defaulting Purchaser available to the Company at law or in equity, including those set out in the Adviser LLC Agreement. No course of dealing between the Company and any Defaulting Stockholder and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred in this Section or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise shall operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any such right, power or remedy. In addition to the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion institute a lawsuit against the Defaulting Purchaser for specific performance of its obligation to pay any Drawdown Purchase Price and any other payments to be made by the Defaulting Purchaser pursuant to this Subscription Agreement and to collect any overdue amounts hereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subscription Agreement, the Purchaser agrees (i) to pay on demand all costs and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the enforcement of this Subscription Agreement against the Purchaser sustained as a result of any default by the Purchaser and (ii) that any such payment shall not constitute payment of a Drawdown Purchase Price or reduce the Purchasers Commitment.
(e) The Purchaser agrees that this Section is solely for the benefit of the Company and shall be interpreted by the Company against the Defaulting Purchaser in the discretion of the Company. The Purchaser further agrees that the Purchaser cannot and will not seek to enforce this Section 6 against the Company or any other investor in the Company.
7. Accredited Investor Status.
(a) Regulation D defines an Accredited Investor as any person coming within any one or more of the following categories. Please indicate the category or categories of Accredited Investor applicable to you on Attachment I.
(1) Any bank as defined in section 3(a)(2) of the Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity; any broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the 1934 Act; any investment adviser registered pursuant to section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or registered pursuant to the laws of a state; any investment adviser relying on the exemption from registering with the Commission under section 203(l) or (m) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; any insurance company as defined in section 2(a)(13) of the Act; any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a business development company
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as defined in section 2(a)(48) of that act; any Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; any Rural Business Investment Company as defined in section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000; any employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of such act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors;
(2) Any private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act);
(3) Any organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), as a corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
(4) Any director, executive officer, or general partner of the issuer of the securities being offered or sold, or any director, executive officer, or general partner of a general partner of that issuer;
(5) Any natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that persons spouse, at the time of his purchase exceeds $1,000,000 (not including such persons primary residence nor indebtedness thereon, except to the extent such indebtedness exceeds the value of the residence);
(6) Any natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that persons spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;
(7) Any trust with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, whose Purchase is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company;
(8) Any entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited investors;
(9) Any entity, of a type not listed in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), or (a)(8), not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, owning investments in excess of $5,000,000;
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(10) Any natural person holding in good standing one or more professional certifications or designations or credentials from an accredited educational institution that the Commission has designated as qualifying an individual for accredited investor status. In determining whether to designate a professional certification or designation or credential from an accredited educational institution for purposes of this paragraph (a)(10), the Commission will consider, among others, the following attributes:
(i) The certification, designation, or credential arises out of an examination or series of examinations administered by a self-regulatory organization or other industry body or is issued by an accredited educational institution;
(ii) The examination or series of examinations is designed to reliably and validly demonstrate an individuals comprehension and sophistication in the areas of securities and investing;
(iii) Persons obtaining such certification, designation, or credential can reasonably be expected to have sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to evaluate the merits and risks of a prospective investment; and
(iv) An indication that an individual holds the certification or designation is either made publicly available by the relevant self-regulatory organization or other industry body or is otherwise independently verifiable;
(11) Any natural person who is a knowledgeable employee, as defined in rule 3c-5(a)(4) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the issuer of the securities being offered or sold where the issuer would be an investment company, as defined in section 3 of such act, but for the exclusion provided by either section 3(c)(1) or section 3(c)(7) of such act;
(12) Any family office, as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940:
(i) With assets under management in excess of $5,000,000;
(ii) That is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered; and
(iii) Whose prospective investment is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such family office is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment; and
(13) Any family client, as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, of a family office meeting the requirements in paragraph (a)(12) of this section and whose prospective investment in the issuer is directed by such family office pursuant to paragraph (a)(12)(iii).
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(b) In determining income, an individual should add to adjusted gross income any amounts attributable to tax exempt income received, losses claimed as a limited partner in any limited partnership, deductions claimed for depletion, contributions to an IRA or Keogh retirement plan, alimony payments, and any amount by which income from long-term capital gains has been reduced in arriving at adjusted gross income.
8. Qualified Purchaser Status.
(a) The Investment Company Act defines a Qualified Purchaser as any person in any of the following categories. Please indicate the category or categories of Qualified Purchaser applicable to you on Attachment I.
(1) An individual (including any person subscribing with a spouse in a joint capacity, as community property or similar shared interest) that either individually or together with the spouse, owns Investments2 that are Valued3 at not less than $5,000,000;
(2) An entity that owns Investments that are Valued at not less than
2 |
Investments means any of the following: |
(A) Securities, as defined by Section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act. Securities of an issuer that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the undersigned shall not be deemed Investments unless the issuer is:
(i) An investment company or a company that would be an investment company but for the exclusions provided by Sections 3(c)(1) through 3(c)(9) of the Investment Company Act, a foreign bank or insurance company, an issuer of asset-backed securities that meets certain requirements or a commodity pool;
(ii) A company whose equity securities are listed on a national securities exchange, trade on Nasdaq or listed on a designated offshore securities market; or
(iii) A company with shareholders equity of not less than $50,000,000 (determined in accordance with GAAP) as reflected on the companys most recent financial statements (provided such financial statements present information as of a date not more than 16 months preceding the investment in the Partnership).
(B) Real estate held for investment purposes (i.e., not for personal purposes, as a place of business or in connection with a trade or business).
(C) Commodity interests held for investment purposes.
(D) Physical commodities (with respect to which a commodity interest is traded) held for investment purposes.
(E) Financial contracts within the meaning of Section 3(c)(2)(B)(ii) of the Investment Company Act held for investment purposes.
(F) If the undersigned is a company that would be an investment company but for the exclusion provided by Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act, or a commodity pool, any amounts payable to the undersigned pursuant to a binding commitment pursuant to which a person has agreed to acquire an interest in, or make capital contributions to, the undersigned upon demand by the undersigned.
(G) Cash and cash equivalents (including bank deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and similar bank instruments held for investment purposes and the net cash surrender value of insurance policies).
3 |
Valued means either the fair market value or cost of Investments net of the amount of any outstanding indebtedness incurred to acquire such Investments. In the case of commodity interests, the amount of Investments shall be the value of the initial margin or option premium deposited in connection with such commodity interests. |
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$5,000,000 and is owned directly or indirectly by two or more natural persons related as siblings, spouses (including former spouses) or direct lineal descendants by birth or adoption, spouses of such persons, the estates of such persons, or foundations, charitable organizations or trusts established by or for the benefit of such persons;
(3) A trust not covered by clause (2) above and not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Interest, as to which the trustee or other person authorized to make decisions with respect to the trust and each settlor or other person who has contributed assets to the trust is a person described in clause (1) or (2) above or clause (4) below;
(4) An entity, acting for its own account or the accounts of others described in clause (1), (2) or (3) above, this clause (4) or clause (5) below, that in the aggregate owns and invests on a discretionary basis Investments that are Valued at not less than $25,000,000; and
(5) An entity, all of the outstanding securities of which are owned by persons or entities described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (4) above or this clause (5).
9. Representations and Warranties of the Undersigned.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Company, HoldCo and the Investment Manager as follows:
(a) The Units and the Adviser LLC Interests are being acquired for the undersigneds own account for investment, with no intention of distributing or selling any portion thereof nor with a view to any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act, and will not be transferred by the undersigned in violation of the Securities Act or the then applicable rules or regulations thereunder. No one other than the undersigned has any interest in or any right to acquire the Units or the Adviser LLC Interests. The undersigned understands and acknowledges that neither the Company nor HoldCo will have any obligation to recognize the ownership, beneficial or otherwise, of such Units or Adviser LLC Interests by anyone but the undersigned, except as provided for in the Memorandum;
(b) The undersigneds financial condition is such that the undersigned is able to bear the risk of holding the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests for an indefinite period of time and the risk of loss of the undersigneds entire investment in the Company and the HoldCo, as applicable;
(c) If the undersigned is a partnership, joint venture, corporation, or trust, (i) it is authorized and qualified to become a shareholder in, and to make BDC Capital Contributions equal to its Commitment to, the Company and to become a member in HoldCo and otherwise to comply with its obligations pursuant to the Companys LLC Agreement prior to the BDC Conversion and in accordance with its charter and bylaws subsequent to the BDC Conversion and the Adviser LLC Agreement, as applicable and (iii) the person signing this Subscription Agreement on behalf of such entity has been duly authorized by such entity to do so;
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(d) If the undersigned is purchasing the Interest as agent, representative or intermediary/nominee, or in any similar capacity for any other person, or is otherwise requested to do so by the Investment Manager, it shall provide a copy of its anti-money laundering policies (AML Policies) to the Investment Manager. If requested by the Investment Manager the undersigned agrees to provide a letter of representation stating that (i) it is in compliance with its AML Policies, (ii) its AML Policies have been approved by counsel or internal compliance personnel who have been reasonably informed of the legal requirements and best practices for anti-money laundering policies and their implementation, and (iii) it has not received a deficiency letter, negative report or any similar determination regarding its AML Policies from independent accountants, internal auditors or some other person responsible for reviewing compliance with its AML Policies;
(e) The undersigned will promptly provide any additional documentation the Investment Manager may request in the future to the extent the Investment Manager determines necessary in order to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws or policies or other applicable laws;
(f) The undersigned has received and read and understands and is familiar with the Memorandum, LLC Agreement, the Adviser LLC Agreement and this Subscription Agreement, including the various risks and conflicts of interest of the Company, as well as the fees and other compensation to which the Company is subject;
(g) The undersigned acknowledges that the Investment Manager and its officers have made available all additional information which the undersigned has requested in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Memorandum and that no other person is authorized to make such information available; the undersigned has relied solely on the information contained in the Memorandum and no oral representations or warranties have been made to the undersigned by the Company, HoldCo, the Investment Manager, or any officer of each, other than as set forth in the Memorandum;
(h) The undersigned has been afforded an opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Investment Manager and its officers concerning the terms of the Memorandum and the purchase of the Units and the opportunity to obtain any additional information (to the extent the Investment Manager and such officers have such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify the accuracy of information otherwise furnished by the Investment Manager and its officers;
(i) The undersigned has investigated the acquisition of the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests to the extent the undersigned has deemed necessary or desirable and the Investment Manager and its officers have provided the undersigned with any assistance he/she has requested in connection therewith;
(j) The undersigned has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that the undersigned is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of acquisition of the Interest and of making an informed investment decision with respect thereto;
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(k) The undersigned is aware that the undersigneds rights to transfer the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests are restricted by the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws, and the absence of a market for the Units, and the undersigned agrees that the undersigned will not offer for sale, sell or otherwise transfer the Units or the Adviser LLC Interests without complying with the provisions of the LLC Agreement or the Adviser LLC Agreement, as applicable, the Securities Act and state securities laws;
(l) The address set forth below is the undersigneds true and correct residence, the undersigned is neither a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation, a foreign partnership, a foreign trust nor a foreign estate, and the undersigned has no present intention of becoming a resident of any other jurisdiction;
(m) The undersigned understands that neither the Units nor the Adviser LLC Interests have been registered under the Securities Act or under any state securities laws in reliance on an exemption for private offerings, and the undersigned acknowledges that the undersigned is purchasing the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests without being furnished any offering literature or prospectus other than the Memorandum;
(n) The undersigned understands that the Company intends to file or has filed an election to be treated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act and intends to elect or has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to these elections, the undersigned shall be required to furnish certain information to the Company as required under U.S. Treasury Regulation §1.852-6(a) and other regulations. If the undersigned is unable or refuse to provide such information directly to the Company, it understands that it shall be required to include additional information on its income tax return as provided in U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.852-7;
(o) The undersigned: (i) is not registered or required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; (ii) has not elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act; and (iii) either (A) is not relying on the exception from the definition of investment company under the Investment Company Act set forth in Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereunder or (B) is otherwise permitted to acquire and hold more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a BDC.
(p) The undersigned has furnished (or, prior to the acceptance of this Subscription, will furnish) to the Investment Manager or its agents or affiliates, to the best of the undersigneds knowledge and ability, any and all relevant information requested by the Company;
(q) If the undersigned is an entity, the undersigned hereby represents and warrants as set forth on Attachment I, Item 7. If the undersigned is an entity, (i) the names and addresses of the shareholders, members or partners are set forth on the list annexed hereto as Attachment II and (ii) the applicable documents required by Attachment VI have been provided;
(r) If the undersigned is, or is acting on behalf of, a Plan Investor (as defined below) to induce the Company to accept this subscription, the undersigned hereby makes the following additional representations, warranties and covenants to the Company:
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(i) The person executing this Subscription Agreement on behalf of the undersigned either is a named fiduciary (within the meaning of ERISA) of the undersigned, or is acting on behalf of a named fiduciary of the undersigned pursuant to a proper delegation of authority;
(ii) The person executing this Subscription Agreement on behalf of the undersigned represents and warrants on behalf of such person or the Investor, as applicable, as follows:
1. The undersigned is (i) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of Title I of ERISA, (ii) a plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code, including individual retirement accounts or Keogh plans (a party described in (i) or (ii), a Plan), or (iii) any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of plans investing in such entity (a Plan Asset Entity) (collectively, (i), (ii) and (iii), a Plan Investor);
2. The execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder will not result in a breach or violation of any charter or organizational documents pursuant to which the undersigned was formed, or any statute, rule, regulation or order of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned or any of its assets, or in any material respect, any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or instrument to which the Investor is a party or otherwise subject; and
3. The investments in the Company and HoldCo are permitted by the constituent documents, policies, and procedures of the undersigned and such documents, policies, and procedures permit the Investor to invest in the Company which will engage in the investment program described in the Memorandum and HoldCo.
(iii) The undersigned is not in any way affiliated with (i.e., does not own or control, is not owned or controlled by, nor is under common ownership or control with) any person or entity which will receive compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Company or HoldCo;
(iv) The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the decision to invest in the Company and HoldCo and the review of the terms of the Company and HoldCo must be made solely and independently by a fiduciary of the undersigned who has no affiliation with the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates or employees, without relying on any recommendation of the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates or employees as a primary basis for its decision;
(v) The appropriate fiduciaries of the undersigned have considered the investment in light of the risks relating thereto and fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA applicable to the undersigned and have determined that, in view of such considerations, the investment is appropriate for the Investor and is consistent with such fiduciaries responsibilities under ERISA, and the appropriate fiduciaries: (a) are responsible for the undersigneds decision to invest in the Company and HoldCo, including the
15
determination that such investment is consistent with the requirement imposed by Section 404 of ERISA that employee benefit plan investments be diversified so as to minimize the risk of large losses; (b) are independent of the Investment Manager and any of its affiliates and employees and of any person or entity which will receive compensation, whether directly or indirectly, from the Company or HoldCo; (c) are qualified and authorized to make such investment decision; and (d) in making such decision, have not relied on the recommendation of the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates or employees;
(vi) The undersigned through the appropriate fiduciaries has been given the opportunity to discuss the undersigneds investment in the Company and HoldCo, and the structure and operation of the Company and HoldCo, with the Investment Manager and has been given all information that the undersigned or the appropriate fiduciaries have requested and which the undersigned or the appropriate fiduciaries deemed relevant to the undersigneds decision to invest in the Company and HoldCo;
(s) If the undersigned is acquiring an Interest with the assets of the general account of an insurance company, the undersigned represents, warrants and covenants that on each day the undersigned owns an Interest either (i) the assets of such general account are not considered to be plan assets within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.3-101 or Department of Labor regulations issued pursuant to Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA, or (ii) the execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement, and the acquisition and withdrawal of the Interest, is exempt from the prohibited transaction rules of Section 406(a) of ERISA and Section 4975(c)(1)(A)(D) of the Code by virtue of Department of Labor Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60 or some other exemption of such rules;
(t) By signing this Subscription Agreement, each undersigned that is either a Plan Asset Entity or is using the assets of an insurance company general account, hereby covenants that if, after its initial acquisition of the Units, at any time during any calendar month the percentage of the assets of such general account or Plan Asset Entity, as applicable, that constitute plan assets for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code exceeds the percentage specified by the undersigned in Question 11(c)(iv) of Attachment I, then such undersigned shall promptly notify the Investment Manager of such occurrence and the Investment Manager may require the Investor to redeem or dispose of some or all of such Units;
(u) The undersigned has full power and authority to make the representations and warranties referred to herein, and to purchase the Units pursuant to the Memorandum, and to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, and if the undersigned is an entity, the partner, officer or trustee executing this Subscription Agreement represents and warrants that he or she has full power and authority from all of the partners, the board of directors or all of the trustees of such entity, as the case may be, to execute this Subscription Agreement on behalf of such entity and that the purchase of the Units is not prohibited by the governing documents of the entity or any applicable laws;
(v) The undersigned acknowledges and is aware of the following:
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(i) Neither the Company nor HoldCo has any operating history; and an investment in the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests is speculative and involves a high degree of risk of loss of the entire investment in the Company and HoldCo;
(ii) The Investor understands that the offering and sale of the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests are intended to be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, applicable U.S. state securities laws and the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions by virtue of the private placement exemption from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, exemptions under applicable U.S. state securities laws and exemptions under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions. The Investor will not, directly or indirectly, transfer, assign, sell or pledge all or any part of any Units or Adviser LLC Interests acquired by the Investor (or solicit any offers to buy, purchase or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of all or any part of such Units) except in accordance with (i) the registration provisions of the 1933 Act or an exemption from such registration provisions and (ii) any applicable state or non-U.S. securities laws. The Investor understands that the Investor must bear the economic risk of the Investors investment in the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests for an indefinite period of time because, among other reasons, the offering and sale of the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests have not been registered under the 1933 Act and, therefore, the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests cannot be sold other than through a privately negotiated transaction unless they are subsequently registered under the 1933 Act or an exemption from such registration is available;
(iii) The Investor may not transfer any of its Units or Adviser LLC Interests unless the transfer is made in accordance with applicable securities laws and, prior to an Exchange Listing in the case of the Units, is otherwise in compliance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Memorandum. Each transferee must agree to be bound by these restrictions and all other obligations as an investor in the Company and HoldCo;
(iv) Should there be an Exchange Listing, the Investor agrees that it may be subject to a lock-up restriction pursuant to which the Investor will be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring its shares of common stock immediately after the date of such event. This restriction shall remain in place for at least 180 days following the Exchange Listing, and the Investor agrees that the specific terms of such restriction, and any other limitations on the sale of shares of common stock in connection with or following an Exchange Listing, will be agreed in advance between the board of directors of the Company and the Investment Manager, acting on behalf of the Companys Investors, and the institutions acting as underwriters or market makers, acting on the Companys behalf, in connection with such Exchange Listing, and that the Investor will be bound by any such terms and limitations. There can be no assurance that the shares of common stock will be listed on a national securities exchange or offered in an initial public offering; and
(v) No state or federal agency or other governmental authority has made any finding or determination as to the fairness of the terms of the offering and sale of the Units or the Adviser LLC Interests;
(w) The Investor understands that the Company intends to elect or has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to these elections, the Investor shall be required to furnish certain information to the Company as required under
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U.S. Treasury Regulation §1.852-6(a) and other regulations. If the Investor is unable or refuses to provide such information directly to the Company, the Investor understands that it shall be required to include additional information on its income tax return as provided in U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.852-7;
(x) The Investor consents to the use of any information provided by the Investor for purposes of complying with the Foreign Account Reporting Regimes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor agrees to waive any provision of non-U.S. law that, absent such waiver, would prevent any reporting of information required by the Foreign Account Reporting Regimes, or would otherwise prevent compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Foreign Account Reporting Regimes. Foreign Account Reporting Regimes means the Foreign Account Tax Compliance provisions enacted as part of the U.S. Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and codified in Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and any successor provisions, and all rules, regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, and all administrative and judicial interpretations thereof; any intergovernmental agreements between the United States and any jurisdiction relating to such Code sections, and any laws, rules or regulations pursuant to such an agreement; and any legislation, regulations or guidance enacted in any jurisdiction, or any intergovernmental agreements between any two or more jurisdictions, which seeks to implement similar tax reporting and/or withholding tax regimes, including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information for Tax Matters the Common Reporting Standard and any associated legislation, regulations or guidance.4
(y) The information set forth in Attachment I, which shall be considered an integral part of this Subscription Agreement (including, without limitation, any IRS Forms W-9 or any successor forms), is accurate and complete as of the date hereof, and the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and HoldCo of any change in such information. The undersigned consents to the disclosure of any such information, and any other information furnished to the Investment Manager, the Company or HoldCo, to any governmental authority, self-regulatory organization or, to the extent required by law or deemed (subject to applicable law) by the Company, HoldCo or the Investment Manager to be in the best interest of the Company and HoldCo, to any other person. The tax representations, warranties and covenants made by the Investor in this Subscription Agreement are true, accurate and correct as of the date hereof and shall survive such date;
(z) The undersigned represents and warrants that neither it, nor any holder of any beneficial interest in the Interest (each, a Beneficial Interest Holder), and, if the undersigned represents an entity, no Related Person5 is:
4 |
Under review by PH tax. |
5 |
A Related Person is, with respect to any entity, an interest holder, director, senior officer, trustee, beneficiary or grantor of such entity; provided that, in the case of an entity that is a Publicly Traded Company or a Qualified Plan, the term Related Person shall exclude any interest holder holding less than 5% of any class of securities of such Publicly Traded Company and beneficiaries of such Qualified Plan. Publicly Traded Company means an entity whose securities are listed on a recognized securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system in the U.S. or country other than a Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or a wholly-owned subsidiary of such an entity. Qualified Plan means a tax qualified pension or retirement plan in which at least 100 employees participate that is maintained by an employer that is organized in the U.S. or is a U.S. government entity. |
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(i) A person or entity whose name appears on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control from time to time;
(ii) A Foreign Shell Bank6; or
(iii) A person or entity resident in or whose subscription funds are transferred from or through an account in a Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction7.
The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Investment Manager or the person appointed by the Investment Manager to administer the Companys anti-money laundering program, if applicable, of any change in information affecting this representation and covenant.
(aa) The undersigned represents that (except as otherwise disclosed to the Investment Manager in writing):
(i) neither it, any Beneficial Interest Holder nor any Related Person (if the undersigned represents an entity) is a Senior Foreign Political Figure8, any member of a Senior Foreign Political Figures Immediate Family9 or any Close Associate10 of a Senior Foreign Political Figure;
6 |
A Foreign Shell Bank is a Foreign Bank without a Physical Presence in any country; does not include a Regulated Affiliate. A Foreign Bank is an organization that does not have a Physical Presence in any country and (a) is organized under the laws of a country outside the United States; (b) engages in the business of banking; (c) is recognized as a bank by the bank supervisory or monetary authority of the country of its organization or principal banking operations; (d) receives deposits to a substantial extent in the regular course of its business; and (e) has the power to accept demand deposits, but does not include the U.S. branches or agencies of a foreign bank. Physical Presence means a place of business that is maintained by a Foreign Bank and is located at a fixed address, other than solely a post office box or an electronic address, in a country in which the Foreign Bank is authorized to conduct banking activities, at which location the Foreign Bank: (a) employs one or more individuals on a full-time basis, (b) maintains operating records related to its banking activities and (c) is subject to inspection by the banking authority that licensed the Foreign Bank to conduct banking activities. Regulated Affiliate means a Foreign Shell Bank that: (a) is an affiliate of a depository institution, credit union, or Foreign Bank that maintains a Physical Presence in the U.S. or a foreign country, as applicable; and (b) is subject to supervision by a banking authority in the country regulating such affiliated depository institution, credit union, or Foreign Bank. |
7 |
A Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction is any foreign country or territory that has been designated as non-cooperative with international anti-money laundering principles or procedures by an intergovernmental group or organization, such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), of which the United States is a member and with which designation the United States representative to the group or organization continues to concur. For FATFs list of non-cooperative countries and territories, see http://www.fatf-gafi.org/topics/high-riskandnon-cooperativejurisdictions/. |
8 |
A Senior Foreign Political Figure is a current or former senior official in the executive, legislative, administrative, military or judicial branches of a non-U.S. government (whether elected or not), a senior official of a major non-U.S. political party, a senior executive of a non-U.S. government-owned corporation or other persons entrusted with prominent public functions. In addition, a Senior Foreign Political Figure includes any corporation, business or other entity that has been formed by, or for the benefit of, a Senior Foreign Political Figure. |
9 |
With respect to a Senior Foreign Political Figure, Immediate Family typically includes the political figures parents, siblings, spouse, children and in-laws. |
10 |
Close Associate means, with respect to a Senior Foreign Political Figure, a person who is widely and publicly known internationally to maintain an unusually close relationship with the Senior Foreign Political Figure; includes a person who is in a position to conduct substantial domestic and international financial transactions on behalf of the Senior Foreign Political Figure. |
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(ii) neither it, any Beneficial Interest Holder nor any Related Person (if the undersigned is an entity) is resident in, or organized or chartered under the laws of, a jurisdiction that has been designated by the Secretary of the Treasury under Section 311 or 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act as warranting special measures due to money laundering concerns;11 and
(iii) its subscription funds do not originate from, nor will they be routed through, an account maintained at a Foreign Shell Bank, an offshore bank, or a bank organized or chartered under the laws of a Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction.
(bb) The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that amounts paid to the undersigned will be paid to the same account from which its subscription funds were originally remitted, or, if the Investment Manager agrees, to another account in the name of the undersigned;
(cc) The undersigned understands the investment objectives and policies of, and the investment strategies that may be pursued by, the Company. The undersigneds investment is consistent with the investment purposes and objectives and cash flow requirements of the undersigned and will not adversely affect the undersigneds overall need for diversification and liquidity. The undersigned hereby directs the Investment Manager to effect the foregoing; and
(dd) The undersigned agrees to provide the Company and/or the Investment Manager any additional tax information or documentation that the Company or the Investment Manager believes is required or will enable it, the Company or any affiliate of the foregoing to comply with or mitigate any of their respective tax reporting, tax withholding, and/or tax compliance obligations, or which may arise as a result of a change in law or in the interpretation thereof.
(ee) The undersigned (i) acknowledges that legislation has modified the Investment Company Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur, from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met; (ii) acknowledges that the Investment Manager, as the Companys sole initial member, has approved a proposal that allows the Company to reduce its asset coverage to 150%; (iii) consents to that reduced asset coverage as a holder of Units effective immediately upon the receipt of those Units; and (iv) agrees that the Companys minimum permitted asset coverage ratio is 150% as permitted by such recent legislation.
11 |
The Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issues advisories regarding countries of primary money laundering concern. FinCENs advisories are posted at http://www.fincen.gov/pub_main.html. |
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The foregoing representations and warranties and all information in this Subscription Agreement (including, without limitation, all attachments hereto) are true, correct, complete and accurate as of the date hereof and shall be true, correct, complete and accurate as of each Drawdown Date and shall survive the last such date. If any portion of any such representations and warranties or any other information in this Subscription Agreement (including, without limitation, all attachments hereto) shall not be true and accurate prior to any Drawdown Date (or, in the case of any tax representations and warranties or tax information, at any time), the undersigned shall give immediate notice of such fact to the Investment Manager by telecopy (facsimile) or email, specifying which representations and warranties or information or portions thereof are not true and accurate and the reasons therefor; provided, however, that under no circumstances whatsoever shall any such notice diminish or disparage in any way or to any degree whatsoever or result in the waiver of any rights the Investment Manager or the Company may have by virtue of the circumstances causing delivery of such notice.
10. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company.
The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Investor, as of the date hereof and as of the first Drawdown Date, as follows:
(a) At the Closing and on the first Drawdown Date, (i) each of the Company and HoldCo is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; (ii) the Company and HoldCo have all requisite power and authority to sell the Units or the Adviser LLC Interests, as applicable, as provided herein; (iii) the sale of the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests does not violate or conflict with any provision document or instrument by which the Company or HoldCo, as applicable, is bound as of the Closing; (iv) the sale of the Units and HoldCo Units has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the Companys or HoldCos, as applicable, behalf; and (v) this Subscription Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and HoldCo and constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company and HoldCo;
(b) Neither the execution nor the delivery of this Subscription Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions as contemplated herein, nor compliance with the terms, conditions or provisions hereof will result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Company or HoldCo is a party;
(c) The Company will have full power to conduct its business as described in the Memorandum and LLC Agreement; and
(d) To the actual knowledge of the Company, neither this Subscription Agreement, LLC Agreement nor the Memorandum contains an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact with respect to the Company necessary in order to make the statement therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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11. Indemnification.
The undersigned acknowledges that he understands the meaning and legal consequences of the representations and warranties made by the undersigned herein, and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, HoldCo, their respective affiliates and the Investment Manager and its partners and each officer, director, employee and agent of the Investment Manager or its general partner and any affiliates of the Investment Manager from and against any and all loss, damage, liability, cost or expense (including without limitation reasonable attorneys and accountants fees) which the Company, HoldCo or any of them may incur by reason of or in connection with any misrepresentation made by the undersigned or any breach of any representation or warranty of the undersigned contained in this Subscription Agreement or the accompanying Investor Questionnaire, or any failure by the undersigned to fulfill any of its covenants or agreements under this Subscription Agreement or the accompanying Investor Questionnaire.
12. Transferability.
Each of the undersigned, the Company, HoldCo and the Investment Manager agrees not to transfer or assign this Subscription Agreement, or any interest herein, and further agrees that the assignment and transferability of the Units and the Adviser LLC Interests acquired pursuant hereto shall be made only in accordance with the Memorandum, this Subscription Agreement, the LLC Agreement and the Adviser LLC Agreement.
13. Revocation.
The undersigned agrees (i) not to cancel, terminate or revoke this Subscription Agreement or any agreement of the undersigned made hereunder, and (ii) that this Subscription Agreement shall survive the death or disability of the undersigned, except as provided below in Paragraph 14.
14. Termination of Agreement.
If this subscription is rejected by the Investment Manager, or if the representations and warranties of the undersigned are not true and accurate as of the first Drawdown Date, then, in any such event, this Subscription Agreement shall be null and void and of no further force and effect, and except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 11 above, no party shall have any rights against any other party hereunder.
15. Governing Law; Arbitration; Jurisdiction.
This Subscription Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware. Any and all disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this Subscription Agreement, including any and all disputes, claims or controversies arising out of, in connection with or relating to (i) the Units of the undersigned, (ii) the Company, (iii) the undersigneds rights and obligations hereunder, (iv) the validity or scope of any provision of this Subscription Agreement, (v) whether a particular dispute, claim or controversy is subject to arbitration under this Paragraph, and (vi) the power and authority of any arbitrator selected hereunder, that are not resolved by mutual agreement
22
shall be settled by final and binding arbitration administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Any arbitration shall be held in the County of Los Angeles, State of California. The parties hereto agree to (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any Los Angeles County, California state court or federal court sitting in Los Angeles County, California for the purpose of (1) enforcement of any arbitral award hereunder, and (2) the resolution of any claims for specific performance or interim injunctive relief under this Subscription Agreement, and (b) waive any defenses to the lack of convenience of proceedings brought in these courts for the purposes set forth in the preceding clause (a).
16. OFAC Compliance.
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. is committed to complying with legal requirements designed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. consults the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocker Persons compiled by the U.S. Department of Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to verify that no prospective clients name appears on the list.
17. Miscellaneous.
(a) All notices or other communications given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or delivered by telecopy (facsimile) or telegram to the undersigned at the address set forth below and to Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC c/o Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., 811 Main Street, 14th Floor, Houston, TX 77002, Attention: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth, General Counsel, or at such other place as the Investment Manager may designate by written notice to the undersigned.
(b) This Subscription Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and may be amended only by a writing executed by all parties hereto;
(c) All references herein to the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter, and vice versa, as shall be appropriate; and
18. Power of Attorney.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Investor does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint the officers of the Company with full power of substitution, acting jointly or severally, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent of the Investor, to execute, acknowledge, verify, swear to, deliver, record and file, in its or its assignees name, place and stead, all instruments, documents and certificates that may from time to time be required by the laws of the State of Delaware, the United States, the State of California, any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts or plans to conduct business, or any political subdivision or agency thereof or that the Company determines to be necessary or desirable, to effectuate, implement and continue the valid existence and investment and other activities of the Company, including the power and authority to execute, verify, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, record and file:
23
(a) any and all filings required to be made by the Investor under the 1934 Act with respect to any of Units that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Investor under the 1934 Act;
(b) all certificates and other instruments deemed advisable by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and applicable law and permit the Company to become or to continue as a business development company;
(c) all conveyances and other instruments necessary or appropriate to effect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company;
(d) all other instruments or papers not inconsistent with the terms of this Subscription Agreement that may be required by law to be filed on behalf of the Company;
(e) certificates of assumed name and such other certificates and instruments as may be necessary under the fictitious or assumed name statutes from time to time in effect in the State of Delaware and in all jurisdictions in which the Company conducts or plans to conduct business;
(f) all instruments that the Company determines to be appropriate in connection with any indebtedness incurred by the Company; and
(g) any amendment or modification to any of the foregoing and all other certificates, instruments and documents which said attorney-in-fact determines in its sole discretion are necessary or desirable to effect the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and the purposes of the Company.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this power of attorney is irrevocable, is coupled with an interest and is given to secure the performance of obligations owed to the donee of the power hereunder and shall survive and not be affected by the death, dissolution, insolvency, bankruptcy, incapacity or disability of the Investor and shall extend to the Investors successors and assigns. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any attempted revocation by an Investor of any power of attorney granted under this Subscription Agreement shall constitute a default by such Investor hereunder, and the Company shall be entitled to any right or remedy provided by law or equity in respect of such default, including the recovery from such Investor of all costs and expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by or on behalf of the Company as a result of such default, and the institution of an action for specific performance of such Purchasers obligations hereunder (it being understood that a remedy at law may be inadequate in respect of such default). To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this power of attorney may be exercised by such attorney-in-fact and agent for all Investors (or any of them) by a single signature of any officer of the Company acting as attorney-in-fact with or without listing all of the Investors executing an instrument. Any person dealing with the Company may conclusively presume and rely upon the fact that any instrument referred to above, executed by such attorney-in-fact and agent, is authorized and binding, without further inquiry. If required, the Investor
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shall execute and deliver to the Company, within five Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such further designations, powers of attorney or other instruments as the Company shall determine to be necessary for the purposes hereof consistent with the provisions of this agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Purchaser hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the actions of the Company taken in good faith under this power of attorney.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Subscription Agreement this ____________ day of _____________________, 20___.
(Signature of Subscriber) |
(Signature of Subscriber) |
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(Printed Name of Subscriber) |
(Printed Name of Subscriber) |
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(Signature of Subscriber) |
(Signature of Subscriber) |
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(Printed Name of Subscriber) |
(Printed Name of Subscriber) |
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Account Name: |
If the Purchaser is an individual retirement account, Keogh Plan or other self-directed plan, the custodian or trustee of the Purchaser must also execute this Subscription Agreement below:
(Signature of Custodian or Trustee) |
(Date) |
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(SSN/EIN/ITIN of Custodian or Trustee) |
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(Printed Name of Custodian or Trustee) |
ACCEPTED: | ||
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC | ||
BY: James C. Baker | ||
BY: |
|
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Name: James C. Baker | ||
Title: President |
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ACCEPTED: | ||
KA CREDIT ADVISORS HOLDCO, LLC | ||
(and, if applicable, [KA Credit Blocker, LLC]) | ||
BY: | [ ] | |
BY: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
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Account Information
1. Account Name. Please print account name exactly as you want the legal title to be recorded. If you are a trust or other entity, please include the full name.
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2. Commitment Amount: $__________________________
(a) Dividend Reinvestment Plan: Opt In (check the following box if you wish to opt in to the Companys Dividend Reinvestment Plan prior to the Exchange Listing): ☐
3. Adviser LLC Interests:
(a) Opt Out (check the following box if you do not wish to purchase Adviser LLC Interests in connection with your investment): ☐
(b) Check here if you want to hold the Adviser LLC Interests in HoldCo through a corporate blocker, taxed as a corporation under U.S. and state tax laws, and that you have consulted your own tax advisers and other professionals: ☐
4. Investor Form (check any and all boxes that describe the beneficial owner(s) for whose account an interest is being acquired):
☐ | Individual | ☐ | Benefit Plan Investor (check one) | |||
☐ | Joint Tenancy/ Tenancy in Common | ☐ERISA Title I Plan | ||||
☐ | LLC (Taxed as Corporation) | ☐IRA / KEOGH Section 4975 Plan | ||||
☐ | LLC (Taxed as Partnership) | Custodian Name: | ||||
☐ | LLC (Single Member) | Account Number: | ||||
Beneficial Owner Name: | ☐ Plan Assets EntityERISA 3(42) | |||||
Beneficial Owner Tax ID: | ☐ | Estate | ||||
☐ | LLP | ☐ | Corporation | |||
☐ | Limited Partnership | ☐ | S-Corporation | |||
☐ | Charitable Trust | ☐ | Governmental Benefit Plan | |||
☐ | Grantor Trust | |||||
☐ | Trust (Other: ____________) | |||||
☐ | Exempt Organization | |||||
5. Information About Actual Ownership of Interest and Common Beneficial Ownership with Other Investors:
(a) Is the undersigned subscribing for an Interest as agent, custodian, nominee, trustee, partner or otherwise on behalf of, for the account of, or jointly with any other person or entity?
☐ YES ☐ NO
The undersigned should complete all questions below with reference to the beneficial owner for whom the undersigned is subscribing. You must answer questions 4(b) through 4(e) below regardless of your answer to 4(a).
(b) Will any other person or persons have a beneficial interest in the Interest acquired or a right to receive payments through contract or otherwise relating to the increase or decrease in value of the Interest (other than as a shareholder, partner or other beneficial owner of equity interests in the undersigned)?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(c) Does the undersigned control, or is the undersigned controlled by or under common control with, any other existing or prospective investor in the Company and HoldCo?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(d) Does the undersigned have any Affiliated Investors12 in the Company and HoldCo?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(e) Has the undersigned agreed to act together with any other person for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of the Interest?
☐ YES ☐ NO
Note: If any of the above questions under this Question 4 were answered Yes, please provide identifying information or contact the Investment Manager.
5. Accredited Investor. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Investment Manager, the Company and HoldCo that the undersigned is an Accredited Investor within the meaning of Regulation D, and is included within the Accredited Investor category or categories checked below (see Paragraph 7 of the Subscription Agreement for category descriptions):
(1) ☐ (2) ☐ (3) ☐ (4) ☐ (5) ☐ (6) ☐ (7) ☐ (8) ☐
12 |
Affiliated Investor means any investor who would be deemed to be a Controlling Person with respect to the Units held by the undersigned or who would have an indirect Controlling Person in common. A Controlling Person with respect to a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares, or is deemed to have or share, (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or (ii) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security and any person that has the right to become a Controlling Person as described in (i) or (ii) within 60 days, including through the exercise of an option, the termination of a contract or otherwise. |
I-2
(9) ☐ (10) ☐ (11) ☐ (12) ☐ (13) ☐
6. Qualified Purchaser.
(a) The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the General Partner and the Partnership that the undersigned is a Qualified Purchaser within the meaning of Section 2(a)(51) of the Investment Company Act and is included within the Qualified Purchaser category or categories checked below (see Paragraph 8 of the Subscription Agreement for category descriptions):
(1) ☐ (2) ☐ (3) ☐ (4) ☐ (5) ☐
(b) Is the undersigned a private investment company that is not registered under the Investment Company Act in reliance on Sections 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereof?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(c) If question (b) was answered Yes, was the undersigned formed on or before April 30, 1996?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(d) If question (c) was answered Yes, has the undersigned obtained consent of its indirect and direct beneficial owners to be treated as a qualified purchaser as provided in Section 2(a)(51)(C) of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(e) The undersigned agrees to provide, if requested by the Investment Manager, audited financial statements, brokerage account statements or other appropriate information and certifications to verify the accuracy of the representation made in subparagraph (a) above.
7. Entities.
(a) If the undersigned is an entity, the undersigned hereby represents and warrants as follows (check the appropriate response to each of the following statements):
☐ True / ☐ False | The undersigned is excepted from the definition of investment company by virtue of either Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act. |
I-3
☐ True / ☐ False | The undersigned has made investments prior to the date hereof or intends to make investments in the near future and each beneficial owner of interests in the undersigned has and will share in the same proportion to each such investment. | |
☐ True / ☐ False | The undersigneds investment in the Company will not constitute more than 40% of the value of the assets of the undersigned (exclusive of government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. | |
☐ True / ☐ False | The governing documents of the undersigned require that each of its beneficial owners participates in all of its investments and that the profits and losses from such investments are shared among such beneficial owners in the same proportions as all other investments of the undersigned. | |
☐ True / ☐ False | Shareholders, partners or other holders of equity or beneficial interests in the undersigned have been provided the opportunity to decide individually whether or not to participate, or the extent of their participation, in the undersigneds investment in the Company. |
(b) Jurisdiction of Organization (Country):
(c) Year of Organization:
(d) Principal place of business (City, State):
If the undersigned is an entity, set forth the names and addresses of the shareholders, members or partners on Attachment II and provide the applicable documents required by Attachment VI.
8. Government Entities. Is the undersigned a government entity or an officer, agent or employee thereof acting in his or her official capacity?
☐ YES ☐ NO
Note: For the purposes of this question only, government entities include all state and local governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, and any investment programs, defined benefit plans as defined in Section 414(j) of the Code, state general funds, pools of assets or plans sponsored or established by state and local governments, including all public pension plans and any participant-directed plan or program of a government entity, such as qualified tuition plans authorized by Section 529 of the Code and retirement plans authorized by Section 403(b) or 457 of the Code.
9. Regulated Institutions.
(a) Is the undersigned a regulated institution that is subject to legal or regulatory restrictions or limitations on the nature of its investments (such as a bank or insurance company)?
I-4
☐ YES ☐ NO
(b) If the answer is Yes, has the undersigned verified that the proposed subscription is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(c) Is the undersigned an insured depositary institution, as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or a company that controls directly or indirectly an insured depositary institution?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(d) Is the undersigned treated as a bank holding company for the purposes of Section 8 of the International Banking Act of 1978?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(e) Is the undersigned a direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of an entity described in (c) or (d) above?
☐ YES ☐ NO
10. Category of Investor (check one box that best describes the beneficial owner(s) for whose account an Interest is being acquired):
☐ |
Individual that is a US Person13 (or a trust of such person) |
☐ |
Individual that is not a US Person (or a trust of such person) |
☐ |
Broker-dealer |
☐ |
Non-profit |
☐ |
Private Fund14 |
☐ |
Banking or Thrift Institution (Proprietary) |
☐ |
Insurance Company |
☐ |
Investment Company Registered with the SEC |
☐ |
Non-governmental Pension Plan |
☐ |
ERISA Title I Plan |
☐ |
IRA / KEOGH Section 4975 Plan |
☐ |
Plan Assets Entity - ERISA 3(42) |
☐ |
State or Municipal Governmental Pension Plans |
☐ |
State or Municipal Government15 Entities (Excluding Governmental Pension Plans) |
13 |
A US Person for purposes of this question 10 only has the meaning in Rule 203(m)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and includes any natural person that is resident in the United States of America (including its territories or possessions). |
14 |
A private fund means an issuer that would be an investment company (as defined by Section 3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) but for Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereof. |
15 |
Government entity means any state or political subdivision of a state, including (i) any agency, authority, or instrumentality of the state or political subdivision; (ii) a plan or pool of assets controlled by the state or political subdivision or any agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof; and (iii) any officer, agent, or employee of the state or political subdivision or any agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof, acting in their official capacity. |
I-5
☐ |
Sovereign Wealth Fund or Foreign Financial Institution |
☐ |
Other ________________________________ |
11. |
Tax Status. |
(a) |
U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number |
SSN/EIN/ITIN: __________________
Please state your state of residence for tax purposes:
|
Indicate the annual date on which your taxable year ends for U.S. federal income tax reporting or information return filing purposes:
|
To the extent the undersigned is an individual, are you a United States citizen or otherwise a tax resident of the United States?
☐ YES ☐ NO ☐ N/A
If you are subscribing jointly with another person (e.g., joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or purchase jointly with spouse), is such other person a United States citizen or otherwise a tax resident of the United States?
☐ YES ☐ NO ☐ N/A
(b) |
Other Tax Information |
(1) Please indicate whether, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you file now or have ever filed a tax or information return, as a partnership (including a limited liability company treated as such), as a grantor trust or as an S corporation under Sections 1361 1379 of the Code?
☐ YES ☐ NO ☐ N/A
If Yes, please indicate:
(i) whether more than 50 percent of the value of the ownership interest of any of your beneficial owners is (or may at any time during the term of the Company be) attributable to your (direct or indirect) interest in the Company?
☐ YES ☐ NO
l-6
(2) To the extent the undersigned is an entity, does the entity have, or is it deemed to have, only a single owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes?
☐ YES ☐ NO ☐ N/A
If Yes, has the undersigned elected to become, or is it deemed to be, an entity that is disregarded from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes?
☐ YES ☐ NO ☐ N/A
(3) Is the undersigned exempt from U.S. federal income tax (e.g., a qualified employee benefit plan or trust, retirement account, charitable remainder trust, or a charitable foundation or other tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code)?
☐ YES ☐ NO
If Yes, is the Subscriber subject to taxation on unrelated business taxable income under Sections 511-514 of the Code?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(c) |
ERISA Information |
(1) Please indicate whether or not the subscriber is (1) a Plan, (2) a Plan Asset Entity, or (3) an entity that otherwise constitutes a benefit plan investor within the meaning of any Department of Labor regulation promulgated under Section 3(42) of ERISA.
☐ YES ☐ NO If no, please skip the following and go to Question 12 FOIA or Similar Law.
(2) Is the subscriber a Plan that is both involuntary and non-contributory?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(3) Have beneficiaries of the Plan been provided the opportunity to decide individually whether or not to participate, or the extent of their participation, in the Plans investment in the Company (i.e., have beneficiaries of the Plan been permitted to determine whether their capital will form part of the specific capital invested by the Plan in the Company)?
☐ YES ☐ NO
(4) Is the subscriber either (i) an insurance company general account the underlying assets of which include plan assets for purposes of ERISA or (ii) a Plan Asset Entity?
☐ YES ☐ NO
l-7
If Yes, the maximum percentage of the Investor constituting plan assets will be _____%.
(Note that the subscriber has an obligation under the Subscription Agreement to promptly notify the Company if this percentage is exceeded in any calendar month.)
12. FOIA or Similar Law. Is the undersigned subject to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. Section 552), or any similar open public records laws of any state, municipality or foreign government that could result in the disclosure of confidential information relating to the Investment Manager, the Company or any of its investments?
☐ YES ☐ NO
If the answer is Yes, please provide a citation to the relevant law.
13. Source of Funds. Please identify the source of funds to be invested:
☐ |
Business Income |
☐ |
Gift |
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☐ |
Employment |
☐ |
Inherited |
|||
☐ |
Investments |
☐ |
Other Investors |
☐ |
Other:________________________________________________ |
14. |
Line of Business. Provide a brief description of your occupation or line of business: |
________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. |
Kayne Anderson representative: |
____________________________________________________________________
l-8
16. Primary Account Owner:
Contact Person: |
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Mailing Address: |
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||||||
|
||||||
Permanent Address (if not different from above, write N/A): | ||||||
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||||||
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||||||
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||||||
Home Telephone: |
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|||||
Work Telephone: |
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|||||
Mobile Telephone: |
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|||||
Facsimile: |
|
|||||
Email Address: |
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|||||
If Applicable, |
|
|||||
Principal Place of |
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|||||
Business: |
|
|||||
Personal (Optional): | ||||||
Birth Date: |
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|||||
Marital Status: |
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|||||
Children: |
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The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that all statements, reports, forms and notices will be sent via electronic delivery (generally through Kayne Andersons online Investor Portal), unless client specifically directs otherwise in writing.
I-9
17. Wiring Instructions for Distributions.
Would you like your distributions to be sent to one of Kayne Andersons funds?
☐ YES
If yes, please state the Fund name here ___________________ and fill out Attachment IV (Standing Letter of Authorization).
☐ NO
If no, please provide wiring instructions below for distributions from fund investments:
Bank Name: |
|
|||||
Bank ABA: |
|
|||||
Account Name: |
|
|||||
Account Number: |
|
For Further Credit | ||||||
Account Name: |
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|||||
For Further Credit | ||||||
Account Number: |
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Reference: |
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If International wire, continue below | ||||||
Beneficiary Address: |
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|||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
Bank SWIFT: |
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Beneficiary Bank | ||||||
Account Number: |
|
|||||
Intermediary Bank | ||||||
Account Number: |
|
|||||
Intermediary Bank Name: |
|
|||||
Intermediary Bank ABA: |
|
|||||
Intermediary Bank SWIFT: |
|
|||||
Additional Info | ||||||
(i.e. IBAN, BSB, etc): |
|
I-10
18. Advisory Firm. If referred by an outside investment advisory or similar firm, please complete the following:
Advisory Firm Name: |
|
|||||
Contact Person: |
|
|||||
Work Telephone: |
|
|||||
Facsimile: |
|
|||||
Email Address: |
|
Please indicate what you would like us to provide to the firm identified above:
☐ |
All Below |
☐ |
Quarterly Reporting (Fund Letter, Unaudited & Audited Financials) |
☐ |
Account Statements |
☐ |
Tax Documents |
☐ |
Capital Calls & Distribution Notices (if applicable) |
☐ |
Signed Subscription Documents |
I authorize you to take instructions from representatives of such investment advisory firm with respect to the delivery account related statements and communications, withdrawals, contributions or transfer instructions. _____ (initial)
19. Additional Documentation. If you would like your information shared with your accountant, legal counsel or other professional advisor (in addition to the advisor in Item 18, if any), please complete the following:
Additional Professional 1:
Name: |
|
|||||
Professional Role: |
|
|||||
Work Telephone: |
|
|||||
Facsimile: |
|
|||||
Email Address: |
|
Please indicate what you would like us to provide to the Additional Professional 1 identified above:
☐ |
All Below |
☐ |
Quarterly Reporting (Fund Letter, Unaudited & Audited Financials) |
☐ |
Account Statements |
☐ |
Tax Documents |
☐ |
Capital Calls & Distribution Notices (if applicable) |
☐ |
Signed Subscription Documents |
I-11
Additional Professional 2:
Name: |
|
|||
Professional Role: |
|
|||
Work Telephone: |
|
|||
Facsimile: |
|
|||
Email Address: |
|
Please indicate what you would like us to provide to the Additional Professional 2 identified above:
☐ |
All Below |
☐ |
Quarterly Reporting (Fund Letter, Unaudited & Audited Financials) |
☐ |
Account Statements |
☐ |
Tax Documents |
☐ |
Capital Calls & Distribution Notices (if applicable) |
☐ |
Signed Subscription Documents |
20. Certain Occupations / Lines of Business. If you are any of the following, please identify your occupation or line(s) of business, as applicable, below.
|
A FINRA member firm or other broker/dealer, or an employee or immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling, in-law, child or other dependent) of an employee of FINRA member firm or other broker/dealer. |
|
A fiduciary (e.g., an attorney or accountant) to a firm in the business of underwriting securities offerings. |
|
A senior officer or employee of the securities department of an institutional investor (e.g., a bank, savings and loan, insurance company, investment company, or investment adviser) or otherwise in a position to influence purchases and sales of securities by an institutional investor. |
|
A bank, trust company or other conduit for an undisclosed principal. |
|
An investment partnership or corporation. |
If yes, please describe your occupation or line(s) of business:
I-12
21. Receipt of Documents. I acknowledge that, as a subscriber to Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, I have received copies of the following:
|
Form ADV, Part 2 of KA Credit Advisors, LLC |
|
Registration Statement on Form 10 |
|
LLC Agreement |
|
Subscription Booklet |
|
|
|
(Signature of Subscriber) | (Signature of Subscriber) | |
|
|
|
(Printed Name of Subscriber) | (Printed Name of Subscriber) | |
|
|
|
(Signature of Subscriber) | (Signature of Subscriber) | |
|
|
|
(Printed Name of Subscriber) | (Printed Name of Subscriber) |
I-13
ATTACHMENT II
Names and Addresses of Shareholders, Partners or Members
If the undersigned is an entity, please list the names and addresses of the shareholders, members or partners below, together with the Accredited Investor category (see Paragraph 7 of the Subscription Agreement for category descriptions) or Qualified Purchaser category (see Paragraph 8 of the Subscription Agreement for category descriptions) of each such shareholder, member or partner, as applicable.
Name |
Address |
Accredited Investor Category |
Qualified Purchaser Category |
II-1
ATTACHMENT III
IRS FORMS
Anyone purchasing Unites of the Company is required to submit appropriate tax certifications under penalties of perjury. With respect to subscribers/investors purchasing Units as either joint tenants with right of survivorship or tenants-in-common, please note that each individual must sign and complete the appropriate IRS Form(s). Subscribers/investors who are grantors of a grantor trust, and grantor trusts with multiple grantors, must provide an IRS Form for each grantor.
Please carefully review the instructions accompanying the IRS Form(s) that the subscriber is completing. The Company will not consider an IRS Form complete unless the subscriber has submitted all statements, certifications or other documents required by the applicable IRS Form(s). Please note that subscribers may be required to provide updated tax forms (and certain other information from time to time, including, without limitation, new or revised forms that may be published after the date hereof pursuant to FATCA).
The most current version of IRS Form W-9 is attached. The most current versions of the relevant IRS W-8 Forms and their instructions are located at the IRS website at www.irs.gov, and are listed below. Subscribers should contact their own tax advisors on how to complete such forms and any attachments.
IRS Form W-8BEN-E and its Instructions:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8bene.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8bene.pdf
IRS Form W-8BEN and its Instructions:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8ben.pdf
IRS Form W-8ECI and its Instructions:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8eci.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8eci.pdf
IRS Form W-8EXP and its Instructions:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8exp.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8exp.pdf
IRS Form W-8IMY and its Instructions:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8imy.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8imy.pdf
III-1
ATTACHMENT IV
STANDING LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION
Distributions to / Capital Call funding from Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
(KACALP) Partnerships
In order to transfer funds from/to your KACALP investment, please complete, sign and return. Distributions to, and funding Capital Call from a Kayne Anderson managed partnership are recorded on a date specified by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors.
Fund Name:
Name of Subscriber(s): |
||
Capital Calls Fund From: |
|
|
Distributions Fund To: |
|
Unless Kayne Anderson receives written notice of modification or revocation, or a superseding LOA is executed prior to execution of this LOA, this LOA will remain in effect for the duration of the company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you fund a Capital Call from a source other than the source identified in this LOA, this LOA shall not apply to such Capital Call, but should apply to all other Capital Call fundings not made by you from a different source.
It is important that investors discuss potential tax implications of a redemption with their tax advisor, including the potential future impact of their book-tax difference.
Please initial here to confirm your review of the above information:
SIGNATURE(S)By signing this below, you confirm that you are authorized to execute this document:
|
Date: |
|
Investment Number: |
Capital Call From: |
Distribution To: |
IV-1
ATTACHMENT V
1. Additional Documentation. If you would like your information shared with your additional contacts (in addition to the contacts in Item 18 and item 19, if any), please complete the following:
Additional Contact 1: | ||||||||||
Name: | ||||||||||
Contact Role: | ☐ Primary | ☐ Advisor | ☐ Additional Professional | |||||||
Work Telephone: | ||||||||||
Facsimile: | ||||||||||
Email Address: |
Please indicate what you would like us to provide to the Additional Contact 1 identified above:
☐ |
All Below |
☐ |
Quarterly Reporting (Fund Letter, Unaudited & Audited Financials) |
☐ |
Account Statements |
☐ |
Tax Documents |
☐ |
Capital Calls & Distribution Notices (if applicable) |
☐ |
Signed Subscription Documents |
Additional Contact 2: | ||||||||||
Name: | ||||||||||
Contact Role: | ☐ Primary | ☐ Advisor | ☐ Additional Professional | |||||||
Work Telephone: | ||||||||||
Facsimile: | ||||||||||
Email Address: |
Please indicate what you would like us to provide to the Additional Contact 2 identified above:
☐ |
All Below |
☐ |
Quarterly Reporting (Fund Letter, Unaudited & Audited Financials) |
☐ |
Account Statements |
☐ |
Tax Documents |
☐ |
Capital Calls & Distribution Notices (if applicable) |
☐ |
Signed Subscription Document |
VI-1
ATTACHMENT VI
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS | ||
Type of Account |
Document Required |
|
Individual |
Valid Drivers License or Valid Passport |
|
IRA or Roth IRA |
Valid Drivers License or Valid Passport |
|
Deceased IRA / Deceased Roth IRA |
Death Certificate |
|
Trust |
Fully executed Certificate of Trust Authority1 and All signature pages of the Trust Agreement2 and Proof of Entity Note: If the Certificate of Trust Authority is not available, then entire Trust Document is required |
|
Corporation |
Corporate Authority Certificate and Proof of Entity and Articles of Incorporation and Identification for all individuals and/or entities who hold 10% or more ownership units in the entity (reference list above for requirements for an individual) and Register of Directors and Identification of two Directors of the entity (reference list above for requirements for an individual). |
|
General Partnership (GP) Limited Partnership (LP) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) |
Partnership Authority Certificate and Proof of Entity3 and Entire Partnership Agreement and Identification for all individuals and/or entities who hold 10% or more ownership units in the partnership (reference list above for requirements for an individual) and Identification of the managing member and two Directors of the General Partner for the partnership (reference list above for requirements for an individual). |
|
Limited Liability Company (LLC) |
Limited Liability Company Authority Certificate and Proof of Entity3 and Entire LLC Operating Agreement and Identification for all individuals and/or entities who hold 10% or more ownership units in the entity (reference list above for requirements for an individual) and Register of Directors and Identification of two Directors of the entity (reference list above for requirements for an individual). |
|
Public Pension Plan |
Plan Agreement and Trust (if applicable) and Signatory Authority Certificate and Proof of Entity |
|
Educational Institution or Non-Profit Organization (e.g., Foundation) |
Corporate Authority Certificate Trust Agreement (if applicable) |
|
Estate |
Court Appointment of Executor(s) |
VI-1
Tenancy in Common |
For each individual, Valid Drivers License or Passport |
|
Joint Tenant |
For each individual, Valid Drivers License or Passport |
|
Money Purchase Plan Profit Sharing Plan |
Signature Authority Certificate and Proof of Entity3 and Entire Plan Document with Adoption Agreement and Trust Agreement (if applicable) |
|
Sole Proprietorship |
Sole Proprietorship Certification and DBA (Doing Business As) Certificate |
|
Investment Club |
Club Account Agreement |
|
Association or Other Non-Corporate Organization |
Association OR Other Non-Corporate Authority Certificate |
|
All Accounts (only upon request) |
The Investment Manager may request, in order to verify the signature(s) on the subscription agreement, as well as the authority for all future requests relating to the investment, a list of authorized signatories (with sample signatures). The Investment Manager may request, in order to verify the investors residential/business address or permanent address specified in the subscription agreement, as applicable, a copy of a recent document (no older than 3 months) that includes both the name and address of the investor and is issued by an independent third party. |
1 |
All trustees must sign the Certificate of Trust Authority. If a Corporation is identified as the Trustee, then additional organizational documents listing the authorized signatories, their specimen signatures and the number of required signors must be provided. |
2 |
If current Trustee(s) are different than those set forth on the original Trust title page, then those pages of the Trust indicating the appointment of the current Trustee(s) and, if it is a Testamentary Trust, the first and second signature pages and those pages of the Will creating the Trust and appointing the Trustees must be provided. |
3 |
Formation document from the Secretary of State. |
VI-2
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST AUTHORITY
The undersigned, trustees of the
[Specify Names of trust]
Certify or certifies as follows:
1. |
Creation of Trust. The Trust was created |
[Specify Date]
By
[Specify Names of all Settlor(s)]
As settlor(s), under a declaration of trust or trust agreement executed on that date.
2. |
Trustees. All the currently acting trustees of the trust is or are |
[Specify Name(s)]
3. |
Revocability of Trust. The Trust |
☐ is revocable
☐ is not revocable
The person(s) holding the power to revoke the trust is/are or are the settlers,
[Specify Name(s) of all Trustees now Acting]
4. |
Powers of Trustee. The attached pages are photocopies of certain pages of the Trust containing the designation of Trustee and the powers of the Trustee. (The dispositive provisions have been intentionally omitted from this copy.) |
5. |
Successor Trustee. The attached pages are photocopies of certain pages of the Trust containing the designation of the Successor Trustee(s). |
6. |
Manner in Which Title to Assets Should Be Taken. Title to trust assets should be taken in the following form: |
[Specify, for example Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith, Trustees, of the Smith Family Revocable Trust]
7. |
No Revocations, Modifications, or Amendments. The trust has not been revoked, modified, or amended in any manner that would cause the representations contained in its certification of trust to be incorrect. |
8. |
Signed by All Currently Acting Trustees. This certification is being signed by all of the currently acting trustees of the trust |
9. |
Accuracy. This certification of trust is a true and accurate statement of the matters referred to herein. |
Signature Authority. If there are two or more trustees named, please select one of the following:
☐ All |
of the trustees are required to sign in order to exercise the powers of the trustee under the trust. |
☐ The |
signature of only one trustee is required to exercise the powers of the trustee under the trust. |
I (We) declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Date:
|
|
|||
[Signature of Trustee] | [Signature of Co-Trustee] | |||
|
|
|||
[Specify Name] | [Specify Name] | |||
|
||||
[Signature of Co-Trustee] | ||||
|
||||
[Signature Name] |
ATTACHMENT VII PRIVACY NOTICE
Privacy Notice
This Privacy Notice (Notice) provides information about the data that is collected, processed, used, transmitted and stored by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and its affiliates (collectively we, Kayne Anderson or the Firm), and Kayne Andersons commitment to appropriately using and protecting the data collected.
Generally speaking, Kayne Anderson collects data about you from the following sources:
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Information we receive about you on applications or other forms; |
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Information you provide to us orally; |
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Information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and |
|
Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates or others. |
This Notice applies to both clients and employees of Kayne Anderson and our affiliates. When you use our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the contents of this Notice.
Why Does This Notice Exist?
This Notice ensures that Kayne Anderson:
|
Complies with data privacy laws and follows industry accepted practices; |
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Protects the rights of its clients, employees, and partners; and |
|
Is open about how the Firm stores and processes personal data. |
Defining Personal Information
Various laws and regulations use different terms and definitions for information about individuals that is personal and should be protected. Some laws and regulations consider only very limited types of information to be protected and private. Others include much broader categories.
At Kayne Anderson, we have chosen to adopt the broader approach to what information must be protected and kept private. In this notice, Personal Information (or PI) refers to data that could be used, alone or in combination with other data, to identify you as an individual. It can include name, physical address, email address, IP address, date of birth, social security number, passwords, credit card or other financial or payment information, and more.
VII-1
What Personal Information Do We Collect?
Kayne Anderson does not collect more information than is needed to conduct its business and satisfy any associated regulatory requirements. The following are examples of the types of personal information that we may collect:
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Name, address, phone number and email address; |
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Age, date of birth, occupation and marital status; |
|
Photo identification including drivers license or ID card and passport numbers; |
|
Personal identifier, depending on your country of residence, such as your Social Security Number; and |
|
Financial information, including investment experience and objectives, account balances and assets, risk tolerance and, in certain jurisdictions, representations required under applicable law or regulation concerning your financial resources. |
How Do We Collect Information?
Kayne Anderson collects information from you during the onboarding process. When Kayne collects data from you directly, we will provide Kayne Andersons contact information and Kayne Andersons purpose for collecting and processing the data. Kayne Anderson may also obtain information about you from other sources (e.g. consultants, financial advisory firms, or public registers for background searches).
Do We Need Consent to Collect Your Data?
By providing your data, you consent to its collection, processing, use, transfer and storage. Your consent can be withdrawn at any time by providing adequate notice (see below) to Kayne Anderson. However, withdrawing your consent may impact your ability to invest in our funds.
It is in your sole discretion to provide Personal Information to us. If you do not provide us with all or some of the PI we request, we may not be able to accept an engagement from you, to provide all or some of our services, to enter into a contract with you or to send you information about us (e.g. marketing materials).
How Do We Use Personal Information?
We use your personal information for a variety of business purposes, including but not limited to, the following:
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For our everyday business purposes to administer, facilitate and manage your relationship and/or account(s) with Kayne Anderson. |
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To contact you or your designated representative(s) in connection with your relationship and/or account; |
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To monitor and audit compliance with our internal policies and procedures; and |
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To comply with and enforce applicable legal and regulatory requirements. |
If your relationship with Kayne Anderson ends, we will continue to treat your personal information, to the extent we retain it, as described in this Notice.
Lawful Basis for Processing
There is a need to process personal information for the purposes set out in this Privacy Notice as a matter of contractual necessity under or in connection with the applicable agreement, and in the legitimate interests of Kayne Anderson to operate their respective businesses. From time to time, Kayne Anderson may need to process the personal information on other legal bases, including to comply with a legal obligation, or if it is necessary to protect the vital interests of an investor or other data subjects. For the purposes listed above, Kayne Anderson is relying on performance of a contract necessity and legitimate interests.
With Whom Do We Share Personal Information?
Privacy is an integral part of the Firm. We do not disclose your personal information to third parties, except as described in this Notice, and never for compensation. Additionally, we will not share your personal information with third parties without your specific consent or unless Kayne Anderson is required or permitted to by law (such as Regulation S-P) and/or government authorities.
Examples of third parties with whom we may share your personal information include, but are not limited to:
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Authorized service providers who perform services to facilitate your transactions with Kayne Anderson, such as administrators, accountants, auditors, attorneys, tax advisors, payroll agents, insurance brokers, entities assessing our compliance with industry standards, brokers or custodians, payment processing, printing and mailing companies, email delivery, and other similar services; |
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A third party in the event of any contemplated or actual re-organization, merger, sale, joint venture, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or any portion of our business, assets, or stocks; and |
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Government authorities in order to comply with appropriate laws and/or requests. |
Third parties that we share personal information with are required to maintain the confidentiality of such information and are prohibited from using your personal information for purposes other than those that were specified upon receipt of your data. We enter into contractual agreements with all nonaffiliated third parties that prohibit such third parties from disclosing or using the information other than to carry out the purposes for which we disclose the information.
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We will not sell your personal information. If we share your personal information with third parties performing services for us, or acting on our behalf, we will not allow them to use your information for other purposes, and we will contractually require them to protect your information.
What Security Measures Do We Have?
Kayne Anderson restricts access to personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide financial products or services to you. Kayne Anderson has physical, electronic and administrative safeguards in place to help protect data from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.
Some features of our information security program are:
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A dedicated group of information security personnel that design, implement and monitor our information security program; |
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The use of firewalls and other specialized technology; |
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Continuous monitoring of our information and technology systems infrastructure to detect weaknesses and potential intrusions; |
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A combination of internal and external reviews of our Internet sites and services; |
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Implementing controls to identify, authenticate and authorize access to various systems or sites; and |
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Providing Kayne Anderson personnel with relevant training and continually updating our security practices in light of new risks and developments in technology. |
Please contact us for a copy of Kayne Andersons policies for more information on the Firms information security practices and procedures.
How Long Do We Retain Personal Information?
We will retain your personal information for the period necessary to fulfill our services and the purposes outlined in this Notice unless a longer retention period is required by law. To determine the appropriate retention period for PI, Kayne Anderson will consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the PI, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure of PI, the purposes for which we process the PI and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements.
Upon expiry of the applicable retention period Kayne Anderson should take reasonable efforts to securely destroy PI in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
How Can You Manage Your Personal Information?
If you would like to request, delete, or update the personal information that you provided us, or exercise any of your data protection rights you may contact us using the contact information below. For your protection, we will need to verify your identity prior to complying with your request. Kayne Anderson does not charge for this service.
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Kayne Anderson will make a good faith effort to process your request without undue delay and within the timeframe provided by applicable law. You are also entitled to have Kayne Anderson modify or delete any information that you believe is incorrect or out of date. Kayne Anderson reserves the right to limit or deny access to personal information where providing such information would be unreasonably burdensome or expensive or as otherwise permissible under relevant laws. If Kayne Anderson determines that access cannot be provided in any particular instance, Kayne Anderson will provide the individual requesting access with an explanation of why it has made that determination and a contact point for any further inquiries.
Is My Personal Information Transferred Outside of the European Union or European Economic Area?
Information collected by Kayne Anderson is transferred outside of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) to Kayne Anderson servers in the United States. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was adopted by the EU to protect the privacy of such personal information for all EU individuals.
With respect to the collection, holding, storage, use, and processing of your personal information, Kayne Anderson will:
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Process the data lawfully, fairly and in a transparent way; |
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Obtain the information only for valid business purposes and not use it in any way that is incompatible with those purposes; |
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Collect only information that will be relevant to the purposes we have told you about and limited only to those purposes; |
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Take reasonable steps to ensure that the information is accurate and kept up to date; |
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Maintain the data only as long as necessary, subject to applicable legal or other requirements; and |
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Use appropriate technical and administrative measures to ensure appropriate security of the data. |
Where your personal information is processed by third parties outside the EU, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to adequately protect it, as required by applicable law.
What Rights Do EU and EEA Clients Have?
Under the GDPR, clients domiciled in the EU or EEA have certain rights with respect to their personal information. In particular, you may have the right to:
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Request access to your personal information; |
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Ask to have inaccurate data amended; |
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Ask to have your personal information deleted; |
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Withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal information; |
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Request the prevention or restriction of processing of your personal information for any purpose; and |
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Request transfer of personal information to a third party when feasible. |
You have the right to receive your personal data that you provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format and have the right to transmit such data to another controller without hindrance from us.
Additionally, in the circumstances where you may have provided your consent to the collection, processing and transfer of your personal information for a specific purpose, you have the right to withdraw your consent for that specific processing at any time. Once we have received notification that you have withdrawn your consent, we will no longer process your information for the purpose or purposes you originally agreed to, unless required by law. EEA residents may also have the right to make a complaint at any time to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues or, as the case may be, other competent supervisory authority of an EU member state.
What Rights Do California Clients Have?
Under the CCPA, clients domiciled in California have certain rights with respect to their personal information. In particular, you may have the right to:
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Request that we disclose, free of charge, the categories and specifics of the PI we collect about you as a California resident (and/or, if applicable, sell or otherwise disclose to a third party for business purposes). Currently, however, Kayne Anderson does not sell personal information. |
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Choose to opt-out of the sale of personal information. Currently, however, Kayne Anderson does not sell personal information. |
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Request that we delete the PI we have collected. Following our verification of the request, we will comply with the request and delete any or all of the PI in our possession that we collected from you and/or any or all such PI in the possession of our service providers, unless otherwise restricted by law or regulation. However, withdrawing your consent for us to collect, process, use, transfer and store your data may impact your ability to invest in our funds. |
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Non-Discrimination for Exercising Your CCPA Right
We follow the requirements of California Civil Code §1798.125, and will not discriminate against any consumer who exercises the rights under the CCPA. However, withdrawing your consent for us to collect, process, use, transfer and store your data may impact your ability to invest in our funds.
Automated Decision Making
We do not use computer algorithms to make automated decisions based on your personal information pursuant to the GDPR. We may process some of your personal information automatically, with the goal of assessing certain personal aspects (profiling), such as to comply with legal or regulatory obligations to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and offenses that pose a danger to assets.
Where Can This Notice Be Accessed?
This Notice is accessible through our websites: http://kaynecapital.com/privacy-notice/ and http://kaynefunds.com/privacy/.
Do we use cookies on our public websites or our Investor Portal?
We use various technologies to collect other types of information, including PI, automatically on http://kaynecapital.com and http://kaynefunds.com. For example, in order to measure the usefulness and efficiency of our Sites, we automatically track certain information from all visitors to our Sites. The types of information we might track may include the Internet address that you just came from, which Internet address you go to, what browser you are using, your IP address, your internet service provider, date and timestamp information, or clickstream information.
Additionally, like most interactive web sites, we use cookies on certain pages of our Sites. Cookies are small data files that are stored on your hard drive that store certain information, including certain PI, accessible to our Sites. These technologies help us recognize you, customize your experience on the Sites and analyze your use of the Sites to make them more useful to you. By visiting our Sites, you agree to our use of cookies. For more details, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
You can refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate browser setting. If you opt-out, please note that your experience using the Sites may not be optimal, and you may not be able to use certain features on our Sites. For information on how to remove or manage cookie functions and adjust your privacy and security preferences, access the help menu on your internet browser, or visit http://www.aboutcookies.org/how-to-control-cookies.
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Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions related to our Notice or our privacy practices, contact the Investor Relations Team or Kaynes Chief Compliance Officer, Michael ONeil, at:
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
811 Main Street, 14th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Website: https://www.kaynefunds.com/ and https://kaynecapital.com/
Email Address: investorrelations@kaynecapital.com
Toll Free Phone Number: 800-638-1496
Changes to this Privacy Notice
We reserve the right to update this Notice at any time to reflect changes in our policies concerning the collection and use of personal information. The revised Notice will be effective immediately upon posting to our web site. As required by regulations, Kayne Anderson will provide to its clients annually a statement regarding their rights to privacy.
This Privacy Notice was last revised and posted on February 6, 2020.
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INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
AND
KA CREDIT ADVISORS, LLC
This Investment Advisory Agreement (this Agreement) is made as of [], 2020, by and between Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and following its conversion to a Delaware corporation, Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. (the Company), and KA Credit Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser).
WHEREAS, the Company is a newly organized non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules promulgated thereunder, the 1940 Act);
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules promulgated thereunder, the Advisers Act);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Adviser to provide investment advisory services to the Company in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is willing to provide investment advisory services to the Company in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Adviser hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Duties of the Adviser.
(a) Retention of Adviser. The Company hereby appoints the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Company and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Company, subject to the supervision of the board of directors of the Company (the Board of Directors), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth in accordance with:
(i) the investment objective, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Companys Registration Statement on Form 10 or Form N-2 (the SEC), as supplemented, amended or superseded from time to time (the Registration Statement), and in the Companys offering document, as amended from time to time or as may otherwise be set forth in the Companys periodic reports filed in compliance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as applicable;
(ii) during the term of this Agreement, all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and the Companys certificate of formation and limited liability company operating agreement, bylaws, certification of incorporation, as each may be amended from time to time (the Organizational Documents);
(iii) such investment policies, directives, regulatory restrictions as the Company may from time to time establish or issue and communicate to the Adviser in writing; and
(iv) the Companys compliance policies and procedures as applicable to the Adviser and as administered by the Companys chief compliance officer.
(b) Responsibilities of Adviser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement:
(i) determine the composition and allocation of the Companys investment portfolio, the nature and timing of any changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes;
(ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Company;
(iii) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;
(iv) execute, close, service and monitor the Companys investments;
(v) determine the securities and other assets that the Company shall purchase, retain or sell;
(vi) arrange financings and borrowing facilities for the Company;
(vii) provide the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds; and
(viii) to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act, on the Companys behalf, and in coordination with any administrator, provide significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which the Company is required to provide such assistance under the 1940 Act, including utilizing appropriate personnel of the Adviser to, among other things, monitor the operations of the Companys portfolio companies, participate in board and management meetings, consult with and advise officers of portfolio companies and provide other organizational and financial consultation. In addition, to the extent it is necessary for the Company to be operated as a venture capital operating company under Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), the Company will obtain direct contractual rights to substantially participate in, or substantially influence, the conduct of the management of an operating company; and in the ordinary course of its business, actually exercises such management rights with respect to one or more of the operating companies in which it invests.
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(c) Power and Authority. To facilitate the Advisers performance of these undertakings, but subject to the restrictions contained herein, the Company hereby delegates to the Adviser, and the Adviser hereby accepts, the power and authority to act on behalf of and in the name of the Company to effectuate investment decisions for the Company, including the negotiation, execution and delivery of all documents relating to the acquisition and disposition of the Companys investments, the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Company or any entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest, including any interest rate, currency or other derivative instruments, and the engagement of any services providers deemed necessary or appropriate by the Adviser to the exercise of such power and authority. In the event that the Company determines to issue debt or other securities (or to refinance existing debt or other senior securities), the Adviser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for such financing on the Companys behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board. If it is necessary for the Adviser to make investments or obtain financing on behalf of the Company through a special purpose vehicle, the Adviser shall have authority to create, or arrange for the creation of, such special purpose vehicle and to make investments or obtain financing through such special purpose vehicle in accordance with applicable law. The Company also grants to the Adviser power and authority to engage in all activities and transactions (and anything incidental thereto) that the Adviser deems, in its sole discretion, appropriate, necessary or advisable to carry out its duties pursuant to this Agreement, including the authority to open accounts and deposit, maintain and withdraw funds of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any bank, savings and loan association, brokerage firm or other financial institution.
(d) Acceptance of Appointment. The Adviser hereby accepts such appointment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services described herein for the compensation provided herein, subject to the limitations contained herein. Unless and until it resigns or is removed as investment adviser to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, the Adviser, to the extent of its powers as set forth in this Agreement, shall be an agent of the Company for the purpose of the Companys business, and action taken by the Adviser in accordance with such powers shall bind the Company.
(e) Independent Contractor Status. The Adviser shall, for all purposes herein provided, be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Company.
(f) Record Retention. Subject to review by and the overall control of the Board of Directors, the Adviser shall maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Adviser that relate to activities performed by the Adviser hereunder as required under the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains and keeps for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered to the Company upon the termination of this Agreement or otherwise on written request by the Company. The Adviser further agrees that the records that it maintains and keeps for the Company shall be preserved in the manner and for the periods prescribed by the 1940 Act, unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. The Adviser shall have the right to retain copies, or originals where required by Rule 204-2 promulgated under the Advisers Act, of such records to the extent required by applicable law. The Adviser shall maintain records of the locations where books, accounts and records are maintained among the persons and entities providing services directly or indirectly to the Adviser or the Company.
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Section 2. Expenses Payable by the Company.
(a) Adviser Personnel. All investment personnel of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services and managerial assistance hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Company.
(b) Companys Costs. Subject to the limitations on expense reimbursement of the Adviser as set forth in Sections 2(a) and (c), the Company, either directly or through reimbursement to the Adviser, shall bear all costs and expenses of its investment operations and its investment transactions including costs and expenses relating to: the Companys initial organization costs and operating costs incurred prior to the filing of its election to be treated as a BDC; the costs associated with any offerings of the Companys securities; calculating individual asset values and the Companys net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any third-party valuation services); out-of-pocket expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser, or members of its investment team, or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing the Companys rights; the Base Management Fee and any Incentive Fees payable under this Agreement; certain costs and expenses relating to distributions paid by the Company; administration fees payable under the administration agreement, by and between the Company and KA Credit Advisors, LLC (in such capacity, the Administrator), dated as of the date hereof (the Administration Agreement) and any sub-administration agreements, including related expenses; debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements; the allocated costs incurred by the Adviser in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it; amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making or holding investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; costs of hedging; commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers; federal and state registration fees; U.S. federal, state and local taxes; independent director fees and expenses; costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records, costs of preparing tax returns, costs of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (Sarbanes-Oxley), and attestation and costs of filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration and listing fees, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation or review of the foregoing; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to the Companys stockholders (including printing and mailing costs), the costs of any stockholders meetings and the compensation of investor relations personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters; the costs of specialty and custom software expense for monitoring risk, compliance and overall investments; the Companys fidelity bond; all costs associated with setting up special purpose vehicles; directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; indemnification payments; direct fees and expenses associated with independent audits, agency, consulting and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by either the Administrator or the Company in connection with administering its business, including payments under the Administration Agreement for administrative services that shall be based upon the Companys allocable portion of overhead
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and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, including, but not limited to rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and the Companys allocable portion of the costs of compensation paid to or distributions received by its Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, any of their respective staff who provide services to the Company and any internal audit staff, to the extent internal audit performs a role in the Companys Sarbanes-Oxley internal control assessments.
For avoidance of doubt, it is agreed and understood that, from time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates may pay amounts or bear costs properly constituting Company expenses as set forth herein or otherwise and that the Company shall reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for all such costs and expenses that have been paid by the Adviser or its affiliates on behalf of the Company.
(c) Portfolio Companys Compensation. In certain circumstances the Adviser, or any of it respective Affiliates (as defined below), may receive compensation from a portfolio company, in connection with the Companys investment in such portfolio company. Any compensation received by the Adviser, or any of its respective Affiliates, attributable to the Companys investment in any portfolio company, in excess of any of the limitations in or exemptions granted from the 1940 Act, any interpretation thereof by the staff of the SEC, or the conditions set forth in any exemptive relief granted to the Adviser, or the Company by the SEC, shall be delivered promptly to the Company and the Company will retain such excess compensation for the benefit of its stockholders.
Section 3. Compensation of the Adviser.
The Company agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a base management fee (Base Management Fee) and an incentive fee (Incentive Fee) as hereinafter set forth. The Company shall make any payments due hereunder to the Adviser or to the Advisers designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct
(a) Base Management Fee:
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Prior to an Exchange Listing (as defined in the Companys registration statement), the base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 0.90% of the fair market value of the Companys investments including, in each case, assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, but excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase. |
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After an Exchange Listing, the base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.50% of the fair market value of Companys investments. However, following an Exchange Listing, if borrowed funds or other forms of leverage utilized to finance Companys investments is greater than a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.0x, the base management fee will be 1.00% of the fair market value of the portion of the Companys investments financed with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage above a 1.0x debt-to-equity ratio. |
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For services rendered under this Agreement, the base management fee will be payable quarterly in arrears and calculated based on the average value, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, of the Companys fair market value of investments, including, in each case, assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage, but excluding cash, U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within one year of purchase. Base management fees for any partial quarter will be appropriately pro-rated.
(b) Incentive Fee. The Incentive Fee is divided into two parts, an incentive fee on income and an incentive fee on capital gains. Prior to a Liquidity Event which is defined as (a) an initial public offering of the Companys Shares (the Initial Public Offering) or the listing of the Companys Shares on an exchange (together with the Initial Public Offering, an Exchange Listing), (b) the sale of the Company or (c) a disposition of substantially all of the Companys investments and distribution of the net proceeds (after repayment of borrowed funds or other forms of leverage) to the Companys investors, any Incentive Fee earned by the Adviser shall accrue as earned but only become payable in cash to the Adviser upon consummation of the Liquidity Event. To the extent the Company does not complete an Exchange Listing, the Incentive Fee will be payable to the Adviser (a) upon consummation of a sale of the Company, (b) once substantially all the proceeds from a Company liquidation payable to the Companys stockholders have been distributed to such stockholders or (c) upon the termination of this Agreement.
(i) Incentive Fee on Income.
The Companys quarterly pre-incentive fee net investment income (as defined below) must exceed a preferred return of 1.50% of the Companys NAV (6.0% annualized but not compounded) (the Hurdle Amount) in order for the Adviser to receive an income incentive fee. The income incentive fee is calculated as follows:
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Prior to an Exchange Listing (accrued quarterly and paid upon a Liquidity Event): |
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no income incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the Hurdle Amount (1.50% of the Companys NAV). |
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100% of the Companys pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.50% of the Companys NAV until the Adviser has received 10% of the total pre-incentive fee net income for that calendar quarter (the Pre IPO Catch-up Provision). Pursuant to the Pre IPO Catch-up Provision, when pre-incentive fee net investment income equals 1.6667% in a calendar quarter, the income incentive fee payable to the Adviser equals 10% of pre-incentive fee net investment income. |
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10% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.6667% of the Companys NAV. |
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After an Exchange Listing (beginning in the first full quarter after the Exchange Listing; accrued and paid quarterly): |
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no income incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which the Companys pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the Hurdle Amount (1.50% of the Companys NAV). |
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100% of the Companys pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.50% of the Companys NAV until the Adviser has received 15% of the total pre-incentive fee net income for that calendar quarter (the Post IPO Catch-up Provision). Pursuant to the Post IPO Catch-up Provision, when pre-incentive fee net investment income equals 1.7647% in a calendar quarter, the income incentive fee payable to the Adviser equals 15% of pre-incentive fee net investment income. |
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15% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter in excess of 1.7647% of the Companys NAV. |
(ii) Incentive Fee on Capital Gains. The incentive fee on capital gains (the capital gain incentive fee) will be calculated quarterly as follows:
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Prior to an Exchange Listing (accrued quarterly and paid upon a Liquidity Event: |
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10.0% of the Companys realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from formation through (a) the day before an Exchange Listing, (b) upon consummation of a Liquidity Event or (c) upon the termination of this Agreement, 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. For the purpose of computing the capital gain incentive fee, the calculation methodology will look through derivative financial instruments or swaps as if we owned the reference assets directly. |
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After an Exchange Listing (accrued quarterly and paid annually following the calendar year end): |
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15.0% of the Companys realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from formation through the end of a given calendar year or upon termination of this Agreement, 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. Following an Exchange Listing, solely for the purposes of calculating the capital gain incentive fee, the Company will be deemed to have previously paid capital gains incentive fees prior to an Exchange Listing equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the actual aggregate amount of previously paid capital gain incentive fees for all periods prior to an Exchange Listing by (b) the percentage obtained by dividing (x) 15% by (y) 10%. In the event that the Investment Advisory Agreement terminates as of a date that is not a fiscal year end, the termination date will be treated as though it were a fiscal year end for purposes of calculating and paying a capital gain incentive fee. |
(c) Waiver or Deferral of Fees.
The Adviser shall have the right to elect to waive or defer all or a portion of the Base Management Fee and/or Incentive Fee that would otherwise be paid to it. Prior to the payment of any fee to the Adviser, the Company shall obtain written instructions from the Adviser with respect to any waiver or deferral of any portion of such fees. Any portion of a deferred fee payable to the Adviser and not paid over to the Adviser with respect to any calendar quarter or year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid over in any such other quarter prior to the termination of this Agreement, as the Adviser may determine upon written notice to the Company.
Section 4. Covenant of the Adviser.
The Adviser covenants that it is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act on the effective date of this Agreement, and shall maintain such registration until the expiration or termination of this Agreement. The Adviser agrees that its activities shall at all times comply in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments. The Adviser agrees to observe and comply with applicable provisions of the code of ethics adopted by the Company pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, as such code of ethics may be amended from time to time.
Section 5. Brokerage Commissions.
The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Company to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith, taking into account factors, including without limitation, price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firms risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Companys portfolio, and is consistent with the Advisers duty to seek the best execution on behalf of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to transactions with or for the benefit of the Company, the Adviser may not pay any commission or receive any rebates or give-ups, nor participate in any business arrangements which would circumvent this restriction.
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Section 6. Other Activities of the Adviser.
The services of the Adviser to the Company are not exclusive, and the Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment-based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to or different from those of the Company, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any officer, director, stockholder (and their stockholders or members, including the owners of their stockholders or members), officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith (including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the Companys portfolio companies, subject to applicable law). The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services set forth herein.
During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one year following any termination or nonrenewal of this Agreement for any reason, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly on behalf of itself or any other person or entity: (a) solicit the employment of or employ any partners, stockholders, directors, trustees, officers, employees, consultants and/or associated persons (each, an Associate) of the Adviser or any of their respective Affiliates (collectively, Adviser Persons) or any person or entity who was an Associate of an Adviser Person during the one-year period preceding such proposed solicitation or employment, or (b) induce, persuade or attempt to induce or persuade the discontinuation of, or in any way interfere or attempt to interfere with, the relationship between an Adviser Person and any Associate of such Adviser Person or any person or entity who was an Associate of such Adviser Person during the one-year period preceding such proposed inducement, persuasion or interference or attempted inducement, persuasion or interference. The parties intend that any provision of this Section 6 held invalid, illegal or unenforceable only in part or degree because of the duration or geographic scope thereof shall remain in full force to the extent not held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
For purposes of this Agreement, Affiliate or Affiliated or any derivation thereof means with respect to any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity or association (Person): (a) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling, or holding, with the power to vote, 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person; (b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with the power to vote, by such other Person; (c) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person; (d) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; or (e) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.
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Section 7. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees.
If any person who is a director, officer, stockholder or employee of the Adviser is or becomes a director, officer, stockholder and/or employee of the Company and acts as such in any business of the Company, then such director, officer, stockholder and/or employee of the Adviser shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Company, and not as a director, officer, stockholder or employee of the Adviser or under the control or direction of the Adviser, even if paid by the Adviser.
Section 8. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification. Subject to Section 9, the Adviser, its directors, trustees, officers, stockholders or members (and their stockholders or members, including the owners of their stockholders or members), agents, employees, controlling persons (as determined under the 1940 Act (Controlling Persons)) and any other person or entity Affiliated with, or acting on behalf of, the Adviser (each an Indemnified Party and, collectively, the Indemnified Parties) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services), and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Indemnified Parties (each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) and hold them harmless from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) (Losses) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Indemnified Parties duties or obligations under this Agreement, or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company to the extent such Losses are not fully reimbursed by insurance and otherwise to the fullest extent such indemnification would not be inconsistent with the Organizational Documents, the 1940 Act, the laws of the State of Delaware and other applicable law.
Section 9. Limitation on Indemnification.
Notwithstanding anything in Section 8 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect any of the Indemnified Parties against, or entitle or be deemed to entitle any of the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any Losses to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Advisers duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Advisers duties and obligations under this Agreement (to the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).
In addition, notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the provisions of Section 8 and this Section 9 shall not be construed so as to provide for the indemnification of any Indemnified Party for any liability (including liability under federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the provisions of Section 8 and this Section 9 to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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Section 10. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement.
(a) Term and Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date written above. Once effective, this Agreement shall remain in effect for two years, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive one-year periods; provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by: (i) the vote of the Board of Directors, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
(b) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by the Company upon 60 days prior written notice to the Adviser: (A) upon the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (as majority is defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act) or (B) by the vote of the Independent Directors; or (ii) by the Adviser upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the Company. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as such term is defined for purposes of construing Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). The provisions of Sections 8 and 9 shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed to it under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration and Sections 8 and 9 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.
(c) Duties of Adviser Upon Termination. The Adviser shall promptly upon termination:
(i) deliver to the Board of Directors a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected by it and a statement of all money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board of Directors;
(ii) deliver to the Board of Directors all assets and documents of the Company then in custody of the Adviser; and
(iii) cooperate with the Company to provide an orderly transition of services.
Section 11. Notices.
Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at the address listed below or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section.
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Section 12. Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent of the parties; provided that the consent of the Company is required to be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
Section 13. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then such provision shall be deemed to be severable from this Agreement (to the extent permitted by law) and in any event such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remainder hereof.
Section 14. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all parties shall not have signed the same counterpart.
Section 15. Governing Law.
Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto and the provisions of Sections 8 and 9, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. For so long as the Company is regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, this Agreement shall also be construed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of Delaware or any of the provisions herein conflict with the provisions of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act shall control.
Section 16. Third Party Beneficiaries.
Except for any Indemnified Party, such Indemnified Parties each being an intended beneficiary of this Agreement, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein express or implied shall give or be construed to give to any person, other than the parties hereto and such assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.
Section 17. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.
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Section 18. Insurance.
The Company shall acquire and maintain a directors and officers liability insurance policy or similar insurance policy, which may name the Adviser as an additional insured party (each an Additional Insured Party and collectively the Additional Insured Parties). Such insurance policy shall include reasonable coverage from a reputable insurer. The Company shall make all premium payments required to maintain such policy in full force and effect; provided, however, each Additional Insured Party, if any, shall pay to the Company, in advance of the due date of such premium, its allocated share of the premium. Irrespective of whether the Adviser is a named Additional Insured Party on such policy, the Company shall provide the Adviser with written notice upon receipt of any notice of: (a) any default under such policy; (b) any pending or threatened termination, cancellation or non-renewal of such policy or (c) any coverage limitation or reduction with respect to such policy. The foregoing provisions of this Section 18 notwithstanding, the Company shall not be required to acquire or maintain any insurance policy to the extent that the same is not available upon commercially reasonable pricing terms or at all, as determined in good faith by the required majority (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board of Directors.
(signature page follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||
811 Main Street | ||
14th Floor, | ||
Houston, TX 77002 | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | James C. Baker | |
Title: | Authorized Signatory | |
KA CREDIT ADVISORS, LLC | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||
811 Main Street | ||
14th Floor, | ||
Houston, TX 77002 | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | Jarvis V. Hollingsworth | |
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Investment Advisory Agreement]
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This Agreement (Agreement) is made as of [●], 2020 by and between Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, a Delaware a Delaware limited liability company and following its conversion to a Delaware corporation, Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. (the Company), and KA Credit Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Administrator).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment fund that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Administrator to provide administrative services to the Company in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Administrator is willing to provide administrative services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Administrator hereby agree as follows:
1. Duties of the Administrator
(a) Engagement of Administrator. The Company hereby retains the Administrator to act as administrator of the Company, and to furnish or arrange for others to furnish the administrative services, personnel and facilities described below, subject to review by and the overall control of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board), for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator hereby accepts such retention and agrees during such period to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein set forth subject to the reimbursement of costs and expenses provided for below. The Administrator, and any others with whom the Administrator subcontracts to provide the services set forth herein, shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors of the Company and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized herein or in another contract with the Company, have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Company.
(b) Services. The Administrator shall perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall provide the Company with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, and record keeping services at such facilities and such other services as the Administrator, subject to review by the Board, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Administrator shall also, on behalf of the Company, conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks, and other persons in any other capacity deemed by the Administrator to be necessary or
desirable. The Administrator shall make reports to the Board of its performance of its obligations hereunder and shall furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Company as it shall determine to be desirable; provided, however, nothing herein shall be construed to require the Administrator to, and the Administrator shall not, provide any advice or recommendation relating to the securities and other assets that the Company should purchase, retain or sell or provide any other investment advisory services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrator shall be responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain, and under the Investment Company Act, shall prepare, print and disseminate reports to stockholders, and reports and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). In addition, the Administrator shall assist the Company in determining and publishing the Companys net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Companys tax returns, and generally overseeing the payment of the Companys expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others.
(c) For the avoidance of any doubt, the parties agree that the Administrator is authorized to enter into such sub-administration agreements as the Administrator may determine to be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the services set forth in paragraph 1(b) of this Agreement.
2. Records
The Administrator agrees to maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Company that relate to activities performed by the Administrator hereunder and shall maintain and keep such books, accounts and records in accordance with the Investment Company Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of this Agreement or otherwise on written request. The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act shall be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be surrendered in usable machine-readable form. The Administrator shall have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.
3. Confidentiality
The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including nonpublic personal information (regulated pursuant to Regulation S-P), shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority, any authority or legal counsel of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process, or otherwise by applicable law or regulation.
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4. Compensation; Allocation of Costs and Expenses
(a) In full consideration for the provision of the services provided by the Administrator under this Agreement, the parties acknowledge that there shall be no separate fee paid in connection with the services provided, notwithstanding that the Company shall reimburse the Administrator, monthly, for all expenses of the Company incurred by the Administrator as well as the actual cost of goods and services used for the Company and obtained by the Administrator from entities not Affiliated with the Company. The Administrator may also 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 Administrators actual cost; 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.
(b) The Company shall bear all costs and expenses that are incurred in its operation, administration and in the execution of its transactions and are not specifically assumed by KA Credit Advisors, LLC(the Adviser) pursuant to that certain Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of [●], 2020 (the Investment Advisory Agreement), by and between the Company and the Adviser. Costs and expenses to be borne by the Company include, but are not limited to, those relating to: the Companys initial organization costs and operating costs incurred prior to the filing of its election to be treated as a BDC; the costs associated with any offerings of the Companys common stock and other securities; costs incurred in calculating individual asset values and the Companys net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any third-party valuation services); out-of-pocket expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser or members of its investment team, or payable to third parties, incurred in performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing the Companys rights; the base management fee and any incentive fees payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement; certain costs and expenses relating to distributions paid by the Company; administration fees payable under this Agreement and any sub-administration agreements, including related expenses; debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements; and the allocated costs incurred by Adviser in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it; amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making or holding investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; costs of hedging; commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers; federal and state registration fees; U.S. federal, state and local taxes; independent director fees and expenses; costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records; costs of preparing tax returns; costs of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (Sarbanes-Oxley); attestation costs and costs of filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration and listing fees, and the compensation expenses of professionals responsible for the preparation or review of the foregoing; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to the Companys stockholders (including printing and mailing costs), the costs of any stockholders meetings and the compensation of investor relations personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters; the costs of specialty and custom software for monitoring risk, compliance
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and overall investments; the Companys fidelity bond; all costs associated with setting up special purpose vehicles; directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; indemnification payments; direct fees and expenses associated with independent audits, agency, consulting and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by either the Administrator or the Company in connection with administering the Companys business, including payments under this Agreement for administrative services that will be based upon the Companys allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and the Companys allocable portion of the costs of compensation paid to, or distributions received by, its Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, any of their respective staff who provide services to the Company and any internal audit staff, to the extent internal audit performs a role in the Companys internal control assessments. The presence of an item in or its absence from the foregoing list, on the one hand, and the list of Company expenses set forth in Section 2(b) of Investment Advisory Agreement, on the other, shall in no way be construed to limit the responsibility of the Company for such expense under either Agreement.
For avoidance of doubt, it is agreed and understood that, from time to time, the Administrator or its affiliates may pay amounts or bear costs properly constituting Company expenses as set forth herein or otherwise and that the Company shall reimburse the Administrator or its affiliates for all such costs and expenses that have been paid by the Administrator or its affiliates on behalf of the Company.
5. Limitation of Liability of the Administrator; Indemnification
(a) The Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator or the Adviser to the extent that it is providing services for or otherwise acting on behalf of the Administrator, Adviser or the Company) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrator or such other person in connection with the performance of any of the Administrators duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company, and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator or the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (each, individually, an Indemnified Party and collectively, the Indemnified Parties) and hold each of them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) (Losses) incurred by any of them in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance in good faith of any of the Administrators duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company to the extent such Losses are not fully reimbursed by insurance and otherwise to the fullest extent such indemnification would not be inconsistent with the Companys organizational documents, the 1940 Act, the laws of the State of Delaware and other applicable law.
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(b) For any claims indemnified by the Company under Section 5(a) above, to the fullest extent permitted by and subject to the applicable conditions of, law, the Company shall promptly pay expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by any Indemnified Party in appearing at, participating in or defending any action, suit, claim, demand or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, claim, demand or proceeding, including appeals, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from the Indemnified Party requesting such advance or advances from time to time. Each Indemnified Party hereby undertakes to repay any amounts advanced on its behalf (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that the Indemnified Party is not entitled under this Agreement to be indemnified by the Company. Such undertaking shall be unsecured and accepted without reference to the financial ability of the Indemnified Parties to make repayment and without regard to the Indemnified Parties ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. No other form of undertaking shall be required of the Indemnified Parties other than the execution of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the above provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Administrators duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Administrators duties and obligations under this Agreement (to the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder). In addition, notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the foregoing provisions shall not be construed so as to provide for the indemnification of any Indemnified Party for any liability (including liability under federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law, but shall be construed so as to effectuate the foregoing provisions to the fullest extent permitted by law.
6. Activities of the Administrator
The services of the Administrator to the Company are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Administrator and each affiliate is free to render services to others. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Administrator and its affiliates, as directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners, stockholders or otherwise, and that the Administrator and directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners and stockholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.
7. Duration and Termination of this Agreement
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. The provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Administrator shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Administrator shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 4 through the
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date of termination or expiration, and Section 3 and Section 9 shall continue in force and effect following such termination. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided, that, such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by:
(i) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; and
(ii) the vote of a majority of the members of the Companys Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
(b) The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or by the vote of the Board or by the Administrator.
(c) This Agreement may not be assigned by a party without the consent of the other party; provided, however, that the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be assigned to a newly formed entity in the event of the merger of the Company into, or conveyance of all of the assets of the Company to, such newly formed entity; provided further, however, that the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the Companys legal form into another limited liability entity.
8. Amendments of this Agreement
This Agreement may be amended pursuant to a written instrument by mutual consent of the parties.
9. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with laws of the State of Delaware. For so long as the Company is regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act, this Agreement shall also be construed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of Delaware or any of the provisions herein conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
10. Entire Agreement
This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.
11. Notices
Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.
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[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Terry A. Hart | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
KA CREDIT ADVISORS, LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Administration Agreement]
TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT
This TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (Agreement) is effective as of the [●] day of [●], 2020 (Effective Date) between Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. (Licensor), and Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and following its conversion to a Delaware corporation (Licensee).
WHEREAS, Licensor is the owner of all rights to the trademark Kayne Anderson and the Kayne Anderson design (collectively, the Brand);
WHEREAS, Licensee is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules promulgated thereunder) (the Licensee Business);
WHEREAS, in connection with Licensees public filings, requests for information from state and federal regulators, offering materials and advertising materials, and press releases, Licensee desires to state in such materials that investment advisory services are being provided by Licensor to Licensee (collectively, Permitted Activity); and
WHEREAS, Licensor is willing to permit Licensee to use the Brand for Permitted Activity, subject to the terms and conditions herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Grant of Rights; Sublicensing.
Section 1.1. License Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and non-sublicensable license to Licensee for the use of the Brand solely for Permitted Activity.
Section 1.2. Sublicensing. Licensee may sublicense its rights under Section 1.1 solely to a current or future wholly owned subsidiary of Licensee, and then only with the prior written consent of Licensor (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), provided that any such sublicense shall terminate automatically, with no need for written notice to the sublicensee, if (a) such entity ceases to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Licensee, (b) this Agreement terminates for any reason or (c) such sublicensee materially breaches its sublicense in a manner that harms the Brand and does not cure same within 15 days after notice from Licensor or Licensee. Licensee shall notify Licensor promptly after becoming aware that any sublicensee has breached its sublicense and shall ensure that all sublicenses provide (i) for the foregoing termination rights of Licensor and (ii) obligations for Licensee with respect to the Brand that are consistent with those of Licensee herein. Any act or omission by a sublicensee that would breach this Agreement if committed by Licensee shall constitute a breach of this Agreement by Licensee.
2. Ownership. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that, as between the parties, Licensor is the sole owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Brand. Licensee agrees not to do anything inconsistent with such ownership, including (i) filing to register any trademark or service mark containing the Brand or (ii) directly or indirectly challenging, contesting or otherwise disputing the validity, enforceability or Licensors ownership of the Brand (and the associated goodwill), including without limitation, in any claim, allegation, action, demand, proceeding or suit (Action) regarding enforcement of this Agreement or involving any third party. The parties intend that any and all goodwill in the Brand arising from Licensees or any applicable sublicensees Permitted Activity shall inure solely to the benefit of Licensor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Licensee or any sublicensee is deemed to own any rights in the Brand, Licensee hereby irrevocably assigns (or shall cause such sublicensees to assign), without further consideration, such rights to Licensor together with all goodwill associated therewith.
3. Use of the Permitted Activity.
Section 3.1. Quality Control. Licensees Permitted Activity shall be in a manner consistent with Licensors high standards of and reputation for quality, and in accordance with good trademark practice wherever any of the same are used. Licensee shall not take any action that could reasonably be expected to harm the Brand or the goodwill associated therewith. Licensee shall use with the Brand any applicable trademark notices as may be requested by Licensor or required under applicable laws, regulations, stock exchange and other rules (Laws) and reputable industry practice.
Section 3.2. Prior Written Approval. Prior to using the Brand in any manner, Licensee shall submit all proposed uses to Licensor for prior written approval.
Section 3.3. Compliance with Laws. Licensee shall, at its sole expense, comply at all times with all applicable Laws and reputable industry practice pertaining to the Licensee Business and Permitted Activity.
4. Termination.
Section 4.1. Term. The term of this Agreement commences on the Effective Date and continues in perpetuity, unless termination occurs pursuant to Sections 4.2 through 4.4.
Section 4.2. Termination for Convenience. Licensor reserves the right to terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice for any reason, including if the usage of the Brand is not in compliance with the standards and policies.
Section 4.3. Termination for Breach. If either party materially breaches one or more of its obligations hereunder, the other party may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice, if the breaching party does not cure such breach within 15 days after written notice thereof (or any mutually agreed extension). Licensor may terminate this Agreement immediately, effective upon written notice, if (i) Licensee attempts to violate Section 8 or (ii) a sublicensee materially breaches its sublicense in a manner that harms the Brand, and (a) such sublicensee does not cure same within 15 days after notice from Licensor or Licensee or (b) Licensee does not terminate such sublicense within 15 days after notice from Licensor.
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Section 4.4. Termination of Advisory Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate automatically without notice and immediately (a) if KA Credit Advisors, LLC or another affiliate of Licensor is no longer acting as the investment adviser (any such entity, the Advisor) to Licensee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of [], 2020 (as the same may be amended, modified or otherwise restated, the Investment Advisory Agreement), or a similar agreement, or (b) the Advisor is no longer an affiliate of Licensor. Further, Licensor may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice, at any time after 30 days from the date that Licensee notifies Licensor that the Investment Advisory Agreement has terminated or is not being renewed. The term affiliate as used herein shall have the meaning given to such term in the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Section 4.5. Effect of Termination; Survival. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, (a) Licensee shall immediately, except as required by applicable Law, (i) cease all use of the Permitted Activity; and (b) the parties shall cooperate so as to best preserve the value of the Brand. Section 2, this Section 4.5, and Sections 6.2, 6.3, 7 and 9 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
5. Infringement. Licensee shall notify Licensor promptly after it becomes aware of any actual or threatened infringement, imitation, dilution, misappropriation or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation (Infringement) of the Brand. Licensor shall have the sole right to bring any Action to remedy the foregoing, and Licensee shall cooperate with Licensor in same, at Licensors expense.
6. Representations and Warranties; Limitations.
Section 6.1. Each party represents and warrants to the other party that:
(a) This Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the warranting party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity);
(b) The warranting party is not subject to any judgment, order, injunction, decree or award that would interfere with its performance of any of its obligations hereunder; and
(c) The warranting party has full power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
Section 6.2. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN SECTION 6.1, LICENSOR MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE BRAND, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL SUCH REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY WITH RESPECT TO TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, VALUE, RELIABILITY OR FITNESS FOR USE. LICENSEES USE OF THE PERMITTED ACTIVITY IS SOLELY ON AN AS-IS BASIS.
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Section 6.3. EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO LICENSEES INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTION 7, NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR GOODWILL, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION AND THE LIKE) RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
7. Indemnification.
Section 7.1. Indemnity by Licensee. Licensee will defend at its expense, indemnify and hold harmless Licensor and its affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders, investors, agents and representatives from any losses, liabilities, obligations, damages, awards, settlements, judgments, fees, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and costs of suit) arising out of or relating to any third-party Action against any of them that arises out of or relates to (i) any breach by Licensee of this Agreement or its warranties, representations, covenants and undertakings hereunder, (ii) Licensees operation of the Licensee Business or (iii) any claim that Licensees use of the Brand, other than as explicitly authorized by this Agreement, Infringes the rights of a third party.
Section 7.2. Indemnification Procedure. Licensor will promptly notify Licensee in writing of any indemnified claim and promptly as practicable tender its defense to Licensee. Any delay in such notice or tender will not relieve Licensee from its obligations to the extent it is not prejudiced thereby. Licensor will cooperate with Licensee at Licensees expense in the defense of any indemnified claim. Licensee may not settle any indemnified claim without Licensors prior written consent in Licensors sole discretion. Licensor may participate in its defense of an indemnified claim with counsel of its own choice at its own expense.
8. Assignments. Licensee may not assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber this Agreement or its right to use the Brand (or assume this Agreement in bankruptcy), in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Licensor in its sole discretion, except for an assignment outside of bankruptcy to a successor organization that is solely the result of a name change by Licensee. For the avoidance of doubt, a merger, change of control, reorganization or sale of all or substantially all of the stock of Licensee shall be deemed an assignment requiring the above consent, regardless of whether Licensee is the surviving entity or whether such transaction constitutes an assignment under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that its identity is a material condition that induced Licensor to enter into this Agreement. Any attempted action in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void ab initio and of no force or effect, and shall result in immediate termination of this Agreement. In the event of a permitted assignment hereunder, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective permitted assigns.
9. Miscellaneous.
Section 9.1. Notice. Any notices herein shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered or delivered by facsimile, when received, (ii) sent by U.S. Express Mail or recognized overnight courier, on the following business day or (iii) delivered by electronic mail, when received:
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LICENSOR:
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. 811 Main Street 14th Floor Houston, TX 77002 Attention: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth |
LICENSEE:
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC 811 Main Street 14th Floor Houston, TX 77002 Attention: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth |
Section 9.2. Integration. This Agreement contains the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings (including, without limitation, any prior agreements between Licensee and Licensor), with respect thereto.
Section 9.3. Amendments. Neither this Agreement, nor any terms hereof, may be amended except in an instrument in writing executed by the parties.
Section 9.4. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK CITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY ACTION RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 9.5. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. LICENSEE AGREES THAT LICENSOR WOULD BE IRREPARABLY HARMED BY ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT BY LICENSEE THAT HARMS THE BRAND, AND THAT LICENSOR MAY (IN ADDITION TO ITS OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES HEREIN) SEEK TEMPORARY, PRELIMINARY OR PERMANENT INJUNCTIVE RELIEF (INCLUDING SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE) TO ENJOIN OR PREVENT ANY SUCH BREACH, WITHOUT POSTING BOND OR OTHER SECURITY.
Section 9.6. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure or delay by a party to exercise any right hereunder, in whole or in part, shall operate as a waiver thereof. The parties rights and remedies herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights and remedies provided by applicable Law.
Section 9.7. Costs and Expenses. Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the negotiations and preparation of this Agreement.
Section 9.8. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect its interpretation. This Agreement shall be construed as if it were drafted jointly by the parties.
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Section 9.9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. PDF or facsimile signatures shall serve as originals to bind the parties to the Agreement.
Section 9.10. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is held to be invalid or unenforceable shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: |
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Name: James C. Baker | ||
Title: President | ||
KAYNE ANDERSON CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.P. | ||
By: |
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Name: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to License Agreement]
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (the Agreement) is made and entered into this [] day of [], 2020, by and between Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, a Delaware a Delaware limited liability company and following its conversion to a Delaware corporation (the Company, which term shall include, where appropriate, any Entity (as hereinafter defined) controlled directly or indirectly by the Company), and [Indemnitee] (the Indemnitee).
WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company that it be able to retain and attract as directors the most capable persons available;
WHEREAS, increased corporate litigation has subjected directors to litigation risks and expenses, and the limitations on the availability of directors and officers liability insurance have made it increasingly difficult to attract and retain such persons;
WHEREAS, the Companys organizational documents (the Certificate) provides that the Company may indemnify its directors to the fullest extent permitted by law;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide Indemnitee with specific contractual assurance of Indemnitees rights to full indemnification against litigation risks and expenses; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee is relying upon the rights afforded under this Agreement in becoming or continuing as a director of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) 1940 Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(b) Corporate Status describes the status of a person who is serving or has served (i) as a director of the Company or (ii) as a director of any other Entity at the request of the Company. For purposes of subsections (ii) of this Section 1(b), if Indemnitee is serving or has served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of a Subsidiary, Indemnitee shall be deemed to be serving at the request of the Company. If Indemnitee is an officer of the Company, Corporate Status shall not include actions taken by Indemnitee in any capacity other than as a director (except as provided in subsection (ii) of this definition).
(c) Entity shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, foundation, association, organization or other legal entity.
(d) Expenses shall mean all reasonable and out-out-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in any Proceeding (as defined below), including, without limitation, attorneys fees, disbursements and retainers (including, without limitation, any such fees, disbursements and retainers incurred by Indemnitee pursuant to Sections 11 and 12(c)), fees and disbursements of expert witnesses, private investigators, professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, travel expenses, duplicating, printing and binding costs, telephone and fax transmission charges, postage, delivery services, secretarial services, and other disbursements and expenses.
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(e) Indemnifiable Expenses, Indemnifiable Liabilities and Indemnifiable Amounts shall have the meanings ascribed to those terms in Section 3(a).
(f) Liabilities shall mean judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement.
(g) Proceeding shall mean any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution process, investigation, administrative hearing, appeal, or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, whether formal or informal, including a proceeding initiated by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 to enforce Indemnitees rights hereunder.
(g) Subsidiary shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other Entity of which the Company owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of the Company) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) 50% or more of the voting power of the voting capital equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other Entity, or (B) 50% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other Entity.
2. Services of Indemnitee. In consideration of the Companys covenants and commitments hereunder, Indemnitee agrees to serve or continue to serve as a director of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitees service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.
3. Agreement to Indemnify. The Company agrees to indemnify Indemnitee as follows:
(a) Proceedings Other Than by or in the Right of the Company. Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 4(a) and in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the 1940 Act, if Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Expenses and Liabilities incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (referred to herein as Indemnifiable Expenses and Indemnifiable Liabilities, respectively, and collectively as Indemnifiable Amounts). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification under this Section 3(a) for liability which arose as a result of Indemnitees willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 4(b) and in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the 1940 Act, if Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Indemnifiable Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification under this Section 3(b) for liability which arose as a result of Indemnitees willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
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(c) Conclusive Presumption Regarding Standard of Care. In making any determination required to be made under Delaware law with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee submitted a request therefor in accordance with Section 5, and the Company shall have the burden of o that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act.
4. Exceptions to Indemnification. Subject to Section 20, Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification under Sections 3(a) and 3(b) above in all circumstances and with respect to each and every specific claim, issue or matter involved in the Proceeding out of which Indemnitees claim for indemnification has arisen, except as follows:
(a) Proceedings Other Than by or in the Right of the Company. If indemnification is requested under Section 3(a) and it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that, in connection with such specific claim, issue or matter, Indemnitee failed to act (i) in good faith and (ii) in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitees conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder to the extent that they arise out of such claim, issue or matter.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. If indemnification is requested under Section 3(b) and
(i) it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that, in connection with such specific claim, issue or matter, Indemnitee failed to act (A) in good faith and (B) in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder to the extent that they arise out of such claim, issue or matter; or
(ii) it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is liable to the Company with respect to such specific claim, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder with respect to such claim, issue or matter unless the district court or another court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such Indemnifiable Expenses which such court shall deem proper; or
(iii) it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is liable to the Company for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder.
(c) Insurance Proceeds. To the extent payment is actually made to Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy maintained at the expense of the Company in respect of Indemnifiable Amounts in connection with such specific claim, issue or matter, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder except in respect of any excess of such Indemnifiable Amounts beyond the amount of payment under such insurance.
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5. Procedure for Payment of Indemnifiable Amounts. Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request specifying the Indemnifiable Amounts for which Indemnitee seeks payment under Section 3 and the basis for the claim. The Company shall pay such Indemnifiable Amounts to Indemnitee promptly, but in no event later than ten (10) calendar days after receipt of such request. At the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall furnish such documentation and information as are reasonably available to Indemnitee and necessary to establish that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder.
6. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partially Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, by reason of settlement, judgment, order or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
7. Effect of Certain Resolutions. Neither the settlement nor termination of any Proceeding nor the failure of the Company to award indemnification or to determine that indemnification is payable shall create a presumption that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder. In addition, the termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.
8. Agreement to Advance Expenses; Undertaking. In a manner consistent with applicable law, including the 1940 Act, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company, in which Indemnitee is involved by reason of such Indemnitees Corporate Status within ten (10) calendar days after the receipt by the Company of a written statement from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitees ability to repay the expenses and without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. To the extent required by Delaware law and the 1940 Act, Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any and all of the amount of Indemnifiable Expenses paid to Indemnitee if it is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is not entitled under this Agreement to indemnification with respect to such Expenses. This undertaking is an unlimited general obligation of Indemnitee.
9. Procedure for Advance Payment of Expenses. Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request specifying the Indemnifiable Expenses for which Indemnitee seeks an advancement under Section 8, together with documentation evidencing that Indemnitee has incurred such Indemnifiable Expenses.
10. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
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11. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) Right to Petition Court. In the event that Indemnitee makes a request for payment of Indemnifiable Amounts under Sections 3 and 5or a request for an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under Sections 8 and 9and the Company fails to make such payment or advancement in a timely manner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee may petition the district court to enforce the Companys obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Burden of Proof. In any judicial proceeding brought under Section 11(a), the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder.
(c) Expenses. In a manner consistent with applicable law, including the 1940 Act, the Company agrees to reimburse Indemnitee in full for any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with investigating, preparing for, litigating, defending or settling any action brought by Indemnitee under Section 11(a), or in connection with any claim or counterclaim brought by the Company in connection therewith, whether or not Indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in connection with any such action, except to the extent that it has been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction that such reimbursement would be unlawful.
(d) Failure to Act Not a Defense. The failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under this Agreement shall not be a defense in any action brought under Section 11(a), and shall not create a presumption that such payment or advancement is not permissible.
12. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.
(a) Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to notify the Company promptly upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information, or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder; provided, however, that the failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to receive payments of Indemnifiable Amounts or advancements of Indemnifiable Expenses unless the Companys ability to defend in such Proceeding is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby.
(b) Defense by Company. Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 12(b) and of Section 12(c), the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder; provided, however that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 12(a). The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee or (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. This Section 12(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 11(a) or pursuant to Section 20.
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(c) Indemnitees Right to Counsel. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12(b), if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes that he or she may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with the position of other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitees choice at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any action, suit or proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitees choice, at the expense of the Company, to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter and the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in any such matter shall constitute Indemnifiable Expenses.
13. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to Indemnitee as follows:
(a) Authority. The Company has all necessary power and authority to enter into, and be bound by the terms of, this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of the undertakings contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Company.
(b) Enforceability. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof, shall be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally.
14. Insurance. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with a reputable insurance company providing Indemnitee with coverage for losses from wrongful acts. For so long as Indemnitee shall have Corporate Status, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in all policies of director and officer liability insurance in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Companys officers and directors. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
15. Contract Rights Not Exclusive. The rights to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts and advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to, but not exclusive of, any other rights which Indemnitee may have at any time under applicable law, the Certificate, the Companys Bylaws (as amended from time to time, the Bylaws), or any other agreement, vote of stockholders or directors (or a committee of directors), or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitees official capacity and as to action in any other capacity as a result of Indemnitees serving as a director of the Company.
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16. Successors. This Agreement shall be (a) binding upon all successors and assigns of the Company (including any transferee of all or a substantial portion of the business, stock and/or assets of the Company and any direct or indirect successor by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law) and (b) binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators of Indemnitee. This Agreement shall continue for the benefit of Indemnitee and such heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators after Indemnitee has ceased to have Corporate Status.
17. Subrogation. In the event of any payment of Indemnifiable Amounts under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of contribution or recovery of Indemnitee against other persons, and Indemnitee shall take, at the request of the Company, all reasonable action necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
18. Change in Law. To the extent that a change in Delaware law or the 1940 Act (whether by statute or judicial decision) shall permit broader indemnification or advancement of expenses than is provided under the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to such broader indemnification and advancements, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to such extent.
19. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement, or any clause thereof, shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision or clause shall be limited or modified in its application to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision or clause valid, legal and enforceable, and the remaining provisions and clauses of this Agreement shall remain fully enforceable and binding on the parties.
20. Indemnitee as Plaintiff. Except as provided in Section 11(b), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses with respect to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee against the Company, any Entity which it controls, any director or officer thereof, or any third party, unless the Board of Directors of the Company has consented to the initiation of such Proceeding or the Company provides indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
21. Duration. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director of the Company or as a director of the Company and as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Entity that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement).
22. Modifications and Waivers; Counterparts. Except as provided in Section 18 with respect to changes in Delaware law which broaden the right of Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Company or to receive advancements, no supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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23. General Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered by hand, (b) when transmitted by facsimile and receipt is acknowledged during normal business hours, and if not, the next business day after transmission, or (c) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(i) If to Indemnitee, to:
[Indemnitee]
[]
[]
[]
Facsimile: []
(ii) If to the Company, to:
Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc.
c/o Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LP
811 Main Street
14th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Attention: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth
and
Paul Hastings LLP
101 California St 48th Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94111
Attention: David Hearth
or to such other address as may have been furnished in the same manner by any party to the others.
23. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Service of Process. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its rules of conflict of laws. Each of the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and the courts of the United States of America located in the State of Delaware (the Delaware Courts) for any litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence any litigation relating thereto except in such courts), waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such litigation in the Delaware Courts and agrees not to plead or claim in any Delaware Court that such litigation brought therein has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto agrees, (a) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, to appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Delaware as such partys agent for acceptance of legal process, and (b) that service of process may also be made on such party by prepaid certified mail with a proof of mailing receipt validated by the United States Postal Service constituting evidence of valid service. Service made pursuant to (a) or (b) above shall have the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware. For purposes of implementing the parties agreement to appoint and maintain an agent for service of process in the State of Delaware, each such party does hereby appoint Corporate Trust Company, as such agent and each such party hereby agrees to complete all actions necessary for such appointment.
8
24. Joinders. Subsidiaries of the Company may from time to time join this Agreement by signing a joinder to this Agreement. The Company and all Subsidiaries that have joined this Agreement shall be jointly and severally liable for all obligations of the Company under this Agreement.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Indemnification Agreement as of the date first written above.
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Jarvis V. Hollingsworth | ||
Title: Secretary |
[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]
INDEMNITEE |
|
[Indemnitee] |
[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
dated as of November __, 2020
by and between
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC
(Company)
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Custodian and Document Custodian)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
1. |
DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||||
2. |
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN | 7 | ||||
3. |
DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN | 8 | ||||
3A. |
DUTIES OF DOCUMENT CUSTODIAN. | 16 | ||||
4. |
REPORTING | 17 | ||||
5. |
DEPOSIT IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS | 17 | ||||
6. |
SECURITIES HELD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES | 18 | ||||
7. |
CERTAIN GENERAL TERMS | 20 | ||||
8. |
COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN | 23 | ||||
9. |
RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN | 23 | ||||
10. |
SECURITY CODES | 26 | ||||
11. |
TAX LAW | 27 | ||||
12. |
EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION | 27 | ||||
13. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 28 | ||||
14. |
PARTIES IN INTEREST; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFIT | 29 | ||||
15. |
NOTICES | 29 | ||||
16. |
CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION | 30 | ||||
17. |
ENTIRE AGREEMENT; COUNTERPARTS | 30 | ||||
18. |
AMENDMENT; WAIVER | 31 | ||||
19. |
SUCCESSOR AND ASSIGNS | 31 | ||||
20. |
SEVERABILITY | 31 | ||||
21. |
REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS | 31 | ||||
22. |
OTHER BUSINESS | 32 | ||||
23. |
REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS | 32 | ||||
24. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 32 | ||||
SCHEDULES |
||||||
SCHEDULE A Initial Authorized Persons | ||||||
EXHIBITS |
||||||
EXHIBIT A Request for Release |
1
THIS CUSTODY AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is dated as of November __, 2020 and is by and between KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC (and any successor or permitted assign), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as custodian (in such capacity, along with any successor or permitted assign acting as custodian hereunder, the Custodian) and as document custodian (in such capacity, along with any successor or permitted assign acting as custodian hereunder, the Document Custodian).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is a closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain U.S. Bank National Association to act as custodian and as document custodian for the Company and each Subsidiary hereafter identified to the Custodian and the Document Custodian;
WHEREAS, the Company desires that certain of the Companys Securities (as defined below) and cash be held and administered by the custodian pursuant to this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Company desires that certain of the Companys Loan Files (as defined below) be held by the Document Custodian pursuant to this Agreement; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined Terms. In addition to terms expressly defined elsewhere herein, the following words shall have the following meanings as used in this Agreement:
Account or Accounts means the Cash Account, the Securities Account, any Subsidiary Cash Account and any Subsidiary Securities Account, collectively.
Agreement means this Custody Agreement (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof).
Authorized Person has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
Business Day means any day that is not Saturday or Sunday and is not a legal holiday or a day in which banking institutions generally are authorized or obligated by law or regulation to remain closed in New York, New York, or the city in which the Custodian or the Document Custodian (pursuant to Section 15 hereunder) or any sub-custodian, including any Foreign Sub-custodian, is located.
Cash Account means the accounts to be established at the Custodian to which the Custodian shall deposit and hold any cash Proceeds received by it from time to time from or with respect to the Securities or the sale of the common stock of the Company, as applicable, which accounts shall be designated the Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC Cash Interest Proceeds Account and the Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC Cash Principal Proceeds Account.
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Company means Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, its successors or permitted assigns.
Confidential Information means any databases, computer programs, screen formats, screen designs, report formats, interactive design techniques, and other similar or related information that may be furnished to the Company by the Custodian from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.
Custodian has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Document Custodian means the Custodian when acting in the role of a document custodian hereunder.
Eligible Investment means any investment that at the time of its acquisition is one or more of the following:
(a) United States government and agency obligations;
(b) commercial paper having a rating assigned to such commercial paper by Standard & Poors Rating Services or Moodys Investor Service, Inc. (or, if neither such organization shall rate such commercial paper at such time, by any nationally recognized rating organization in the United States of America) equal to one of the two highest ratings assigned by such organization, it being understood that as of the date hereof such ratings by Standard & Poors Rating Services are A1+ and A1 and such ratings by Moodys Investor Service, Inc. are P1 and P2;
(c) interest bearing deposits in United States dollars in United States banks with an unrestricted surplus of at least U.S. $250,000,000, maturing within one year; and
(d) money market funds (including funds of the bank serving as Custodian or its affiliates) or United States government securities funds designed to maintain a fixed share price and high liquidity.
Eligible Securities Depository has the meaning set forth in Section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
Federal Reserve Bank Book-Entry System means a depository and securities transfer system operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States on which are eligible to be held all United States Government direct obligation bills, notes and bonds.
Financing Documents has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).
Foreign Intermediary means a Foreign Sub-custodian and Eligible Securities Depository.
2
Foreign Sub-custodian means and includes (i) any branch of a U.S. Bank, as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, (ii) any Eligible Foreign Custodian, as that term is defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, having a contract with the Custodian in accordance with Section 6.6, which the Custodian has determined will provide reasonable care of assets of the Company based on the standards specified in Section 6.7 below.
Foreign Securities means Securities denominated in currencies other than U.S. Dollars or for which the primary market is outside the United States.
Investment Manager means KA Credit Advisors, LLC, or any successor investment manager identified to the Custodian by the Company in writing.
Loan means any U.S. dollar denominated commercial loan, or participation therein, made by a bank or other financial institution that by its terms provides for payments of principal and/or interest, including discount obligations and payment-in-kind obligations, acquired by the Company from time to time.
Loan Assignment Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).
Loan Checklist means a list delivered to the Document Custodian in connection with delivery of a Loan to the Document Custodian by the Company that identifies the items contained in the related Loan File.
Loan File means, with respect to each Loan delivered to the Document Custodian, each of the Required Loan Documents identified on the related Loan Checklist.
Noteless Loan means a Loan with respect to which (i) the related loan agreement does not require the obligor to execute and deliver an Underlying Note to evidence the indebtedness created under such Loan and (ii) no Underlying Notes are outstanding with respect to the portion of the Loan transferred to the issuer or the prior holder of record.
Participation means an interest in a Loan that is acquired indirectly by way of a participation from a selling institution.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary thereof) unincorporated organization, or any government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
Proceeds means, collectively, (i) the net cash proceeds to the Company of the initial public offering by the Company and any subsequent offering by the Company of any class of securities issued by the Company, (ii) cash distributions, earnings, dividends, fees and other cash payments paid on the Securities (or, as applicable, Subsidiary Securities) by or on behalf of the issuer or obligor thereof, or applicable paying agent, (iii) the net cash proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the Securities (or, as applicable, Subsidiary Securities) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (and any Reinvestment Earnings from investment of the foregoing, as defined in Section 3.6(b) hereof) and (iv) the net cash proceeds to the Company of any borrowing or other financing by the Company.
3
Proper Instructions means instructions (including Trade Confirmations) received by the Custodian or the Document Custodian in form acceptable to it, from the Company, the Investment Manager or any Person duly authorized by the Company or the Investment Manager in any of the following forms acceptable to the Custodian or the Document Custodian:
(a) in writing signed by an Authorized Person (and delivered by hand, by mail, by overnight courier or by telecopier);
(b) by electronic mail from an Authorized Person;
(c) in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro mechanical or electronic devices; or
(d) such other means as may be agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the party giving such instructions, including oral instructions.
Reinvestment Earnings has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
Request for Release means a request for release of any Loan File, which request shall be either (i) delivered to the Document Custodian substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto or (ii) as otherwise agreed to between the Document Custodian and the Company.
Required Loan Documents means, for each Loan, the relevant Underlying Loan Documents that the Company delivers to the Custodian from time to time, which shall include a Loan Checklist identifying for such Loan the Required Loan Documents to be delivered and which may include:
(a) |
other than in the case of a Participation, an executed copy of the Assignment for such Loan, as identified on the Loan Checklist; |
(b) |
with the exception of Noteless Loans and Participations, the original executed Underlying Note endorsed by the issuer or the prior holder of record in blank or to the Company, as identified on the Loan Checklist; |
(c) |
an executed copy of the Underlying Loan Agreement (which may be included in the Underlying Note if so indicated in the Loan Checklist), together with a copy of all amendments and modifications thereto, as identified on the Loan Checklist; |
(d) |
a copy of each related security agreement (if any) signed by the applicable Obligor(s), as identified on the Loan Checklist; |
(e) |
a copy of the Loan Checklist, and |
(f) |
a copy of each related guarantee (if any) then executed in connection with such Loan, as identified on the Loan Checklist. |
4
Securities means, collectively, the (i) investments, including Loans, acquired by the Company and delivered to the Custodian by the Company from time to time during the term of, and pursuant to the terms of, this Agreement and (ii) all dividends in kind (e.g., non-cash dividends) from the investments described in clause (i).
Securities Account means the segregated account to be established at the Custodian to which the Custodian shall deposit or credit and hold the Securities (other than Loans) received by it pursuant to this Agreement, which account shall be designated the Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC Securities Custody Account.
Securities Depository means The Depository Trust Company and any other clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), which acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of the Securities.
Securities System means the Federal Reserve Book-Entry System, a clearing agency which acts as a Securities Depository, or another book entry system for the central handling of securities (including an Eligible Securities Depository).
Street Delivery Custom means a custom of the United States securities market to deliver securities which are being sold to the buying broker for examination to determine that the securities are in proper form.
Street Name means the form of registration in which the securities are held by a broker who is delivering the securities to another broker for the purposes of sale, it being an accepted custom in the United States securities industry that a security in Street Name is in proper form for delivery to a buyer and that a security may be re-registered by a buyer in the ordinary course.
Subsidiary means, collectively, any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company identified to the Custodian by the Company.
Subsidiary Cash Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(b).
Subsidiary Securities means, collectively, the (i) investments, including Loans, acquired by a Subsidiary and delivered to the Custodian from time to time during the term of, and pursuant to the terms of, this Agreement and (ii) all dividends in kind (e.g., non-cash dividends) from the investments described in clause (i).
Subsidiary Securities Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(a).
Trade Confirmation means a trade ticket or confirmation to the Custodian from the Company of the Companys acquisition of a Loan, and setting forth applicable information with respect to such Loan, which confirmation may be in a form agreed to between the parties from time to time.
UCC shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).
5
Underlying Loan Agreement means, with respect to any Loan, the document or documents evidencing the commercial loan agreement or facility pursuant to which such Loan is made.
Underlying Loan Documents means, with respect to any Loan, the related Underlying Loan Agreement together with any agreements and instruments (including any Underlying Note) executed or delivered in connection therewith.
Underlying Note means the one or more promissory notes executed by an obligor evidencing a Loan.
1.2 Construction. In this Agreement unless the contrary intention appears:
(a) |
any reference to this Agreement or another agreement or instrument refers to such agreement or instrument as the same may be amended, modified or otherwise rewritten from time to time; |
(b) |
a reference to a statute, ordinance, code or other law includes regulations and other instruments under it and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or replacements of any of them; |
(c) |
any term defined in the singular form may be used in, and shall include, the plural with the same meaning, and vice versa; |
(d) |
a reference to a Person includes a reference to the Persons executors, successors and permitted assigns; |
(e) |
an agreement, representation or warranty in favor of two or more Persons is for the benefit of them jointly and severally; |
(f) |
an agreement, representation or warranty on the part of two or more Persons binds them jointly and severally; |
(g) |
a reference to the term including means including, without limitation,; |
(h) |
a reference to any accounting term is to be interpreted in accordance with generally accepted principles and practices in the United States, consistently applied, unless otherwise instructed by the Company; and |
(i) |
any reference to execute, executed, sign, signed, signature or any other like term hereunder shall include execution by electronic signature (including, without limitation, any .pdf file, .jpeg file, or any other electronic or image file, or any electronic signature as defined under the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN) or the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA), which includes any electronic signature provided using Orbit, Adobe Fill & Sign, Adobe Sign, DocuSign, or any other similar platform identified by the Company and reasonably available at no undue burden or expense to the Custodian), except to the extent the Custodian requests otherwise. Any such electronic signatures shall be valid, effective and legally binding as if such electronic signatures were handwritten signatures and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered for all purposes hereunder. |
6
1.3 Headings. Headings are inserted for convenience and do not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
2. APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
2.1 Appointment and Acceptance.
(a) |
The Company hereby appoints the Custodian as custodian of certain Securities and cash owned by the Company and the Subsidiaries (as applicable) and delivered to the Custodian from time to time during the period of this Agreement, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (which shall include any addendum hereto which is hereby incorporated herein and made a part of this Agreement), and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement with respect to it subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof. |
(b) |
The Company hereby appoints the Document Custodian as custodian to hold the Loan Files and Required Loan Documents owned by the Company and the Subsidiaries (as applicable) and delivered to the Document Custodian from time to time during the period of this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (which shall include any addendum hereto which is hereby incorporated herein and made a part of this Agreement), and the Document Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement with respect to it and subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof. |
2.2 Instructions. The Company agrees that it shall from time to time provide, or cause to be provided, to the Custodian or Document Custodian all necessary instructions and information, and shall respond promptly to all inquiries and requests of the Custodian or Document Custodian, as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Custodian or Document Custodian to perform its duties hereunder.
2.3 Company Responsible For Directions. The Company is solely responsible for directing the Custodian with respect to deposits to, withdrawals from and transfers to or from the Account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian has no responsibility for the Companys compliance with the 1940 Act, any restrictions, covenants, limitations or obligations to which the Company may be subject or for which it may have obligations to third-parties in respect of the Account, and the Custodian shall have no liability for the application of any funds made at the direction of the Company. The Company shall be solely responsible for properly instructing all applicable payors to make all appropriate payments to the Custodian for deposit to the Account, and for properly instructing the Custodian with respect to the allocation or application of all such deposits.
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3. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN
3.1 Segregation. All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian, as applicable, for the account of the Company (other than Securities maintained in a Securities Depository or Securities System) shall be physically segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement. Any Account may contain any number of sub-accounts for the convenience of the Custodian or as required by the Company for convenience in administering such accounts.
3.2 Securities Custody Account. The Custodian shall open and maintain a segregated account in the name of the Company, subject only to order of the Custodian, in which the Custodian shall enter and carry, subject to Section 3.3(b), all Securities (other than Loans), cash and other assets of the Company which are delivered to it in accordance with this Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, the Custodian shall not be required to credit or deposit Loans in the Securities Account but shall instead maintain a register (in book-entry form or in such other form as it shall deem necessary or desirable) of such Loans, containing such information as the Company and the Custodian may reasonably agree.
3.3 Delivery of Cash and Securities to Custodian.
(a) |
The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian certain of the Companys Securities, cash and other investment assets, including payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions received by the Company with respect to such Securities, cash or other assets owned by the Company at any time during the period of this Agreement. With respect to Loans, the Required Loan Documents and other Underlying Loan Documents shall be delivered to the Document Custodian at the address identified in Section 15(c). With respect to assets other than Loans, such assets shall be delivered to the Custodian in its role as, and (where relevant) at the address identified for, the Custodian. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, delivery of Securities to the Custodian shall be in Street Name or other good delivery form. The Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other assets until actually delivered to, and received by it. |
(b) |
(i) In connection with its acquisition of a Loan or other delivery of a Security constituting a Loan, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a properly completed Trade Confirmation containing such information in respect of such Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder in respect of such Loan on which the Custodian may conclusively rely without further inquiry or investigation, in such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require, and shall deliver to the Document Custodian the Required Loan Documents for all Loans, including the Loan Checklist. |
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(ii) Notwithstanding any term hereof or elsewhere to the contrary, (a) it is hereby expressly acknowledged that (i) interests in Loans may be acquired by the Company from time to time which are not evidenced by, or accompanied by delivery of, a Security or an instrument, as that term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(4a) of the UCC, and may be evidenced solely by delivery to the Document Custodian of a facsimile copy of an assignment agreement (Loan Assignment Agreement) in favor of the Company as assignee, (ii) any such Loan Assignment Agreement (and the registration of the related Loan on the books and records of the applicable obligor or bank agent) shall be registered in the name of the Company (or its nominee), and (iii) any duty on the part of the Document Custodian with respect to such Loan shall be limited to the exercise of reasonable care by the Custodian in the physical custody of any such Loan Assignment Agreement, and any related instrument, security, credit agreement, assignment agreement and/or other agreements or documents, if any (collectively, Financing Documents), that may be delivered to it, and (b) nothing herein shall require the Custodian to credit to the Securities Account or to treat as a financial asset (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC) any such Loan or other asset in the nature of a general intangible (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC) or to maintain a sufficient quantity thereof. The Custodian is not under a duty to examine any such Financing Documents, or any underlying credit agreements or loan documents for such Loan to determine the validity, sufficiency, marketability or enforceability of any Loan Assignment Agreement or other Financing Document (and shall have no responsibility for the genuineness or completeness thereof), or for the Companys title to any related Loan. The Custodian may assume the genuineness of each such Financing Document it may receive and the genuineness and due authority of any signatures appearing thereon, and shall be entitled to assume that each such Financing Document it may receive is what it purports to be. If an original Security or Instrument is or shall be or become available with respect to any such Loan, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Company to make or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to determine whether any such original security or instrument has been or is required to be issued or made available in respect of any Loan or to compel or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian.
(iii) The Custodian may assume the genuineness of any such Financing Document it may receive and the genuineness and due authority of any signatures appearing thereon, and shall be entitled to assume that each such Financing Document it may receive is what it purports to be. If an original security or instrument as defined in Section 8-102 and Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC, respectively, is or shall be or become available with respect to any Loan to be held by the Custodian under this Agreement, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Company to make or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to determine whether any such original security or instrument has been or is required to be issued or made available in respect of any Loan or to compel or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian.
9
(iv) Contemporaneously with the acquisition of any Loan, the Company shall (1) cause any appropriate Financing Documents evidencing such Loan to be delivered to the Custodian; (2) if requested by the Custodian, provide to the Custodian an amortization schedule of principal payments and a schedule of the interest payable date(s) identifying the amount and due dates of all scheduled principal and interest payments for such Loan, (3) provide to the Custodian a properly completed Trade Confirmation containing such information in respect of such Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder in respect of such Loan on which the Custodian may conclusively rely without further inquiry or investigation, in such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require; (4) take all actions necessary for the Company to acquire good title to such Loan; and (5) take all actions as may be necessary (including appropriate payment notices and instructions to bank agents or other applicable paying agents) to cause (A) all payments in respect of the Loan to be made to the Custodian and (B) all notices, solicitations and other communications in respect of such Loan to be directed to the Company. The Custodian shall have no liability for any delay or failure on the part of the Company to provide necessary information to the Custodian, or for any inaccuracy therein or incompleteness thereof, or for any delay or failure on the part of the Company to give such effective payment instruction to bank agents and other paying agents, in respect of the Loans. With respect to each such Loan, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on any information and notices it may receive from time to time from the related bank agent, obligor, participating bank, nationally recognized pricing service or vendor, reputable financial information reporting source or similar party with respect to the related Loan, and shall be entitled to update its records (as it may deem necessary or appropriate), or from the Company, on the basis of such information or notices received, without any obligation on its part independently to verify, investigate or recalculate such information.
3.4 Release of Securities.
(a) |
The Custodian or the Document Custodian, as applicable, shall release and ship for delivery, or direct its agents or sub-custodian to release and ship for delivery, as the case may be, Securities or Required Loan Documents (or other Underlying Documents) of the Company held by the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian from time to time upon receipt of Proper Instructions (which shall, among other things, specify the Securities or Required Loan Documents (or other Underlying Documents) to be released, with such delivery and other information as may be necessary to enable the Custodian or the Document Custodian to perform), which may be standing instructions (in form acceptable to the Custodian) in the following cases: |
(i) |
upon sale of such Securities by or on behalf of the Company, and such sale may, unless and except to the extent otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, be carried out by the Custodian: |
10
(A) |
in accordance with the customary or established practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market where the transactions occur, including delivery to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent of such purchaser or dealer) against expectation of receiving later payment; or |
(B) |
in the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operations of the Securities System; |
(ii) |
upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such Securities; |
(iii) |
to a depositary agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for Securities; |
(iv) |
to the issuer thereof or its agent when such Securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian); |
(v) |
to an issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or into the name of any of its agents or sub-custodian or their nominees or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; |
(vi) |
to brokers clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination in accordance with the Street Delivery Custom; |
(vii) |
for exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the Securities of the issuer of such Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian); |
(viii) |
in the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian); and/or |
(ix) |
for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions. |
11
3.5 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian (other than bearer securities, securities held in a Securities System or Securities that are Noteless Loans or Participations) shall be registered in the name of the Company or its nominee; or, at the option of the Custodian, in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the Custodian, or in the name of its agents or its sub-custodian or their nominees; or if directed by the Company by Proper Instruction, may be maintained in Street Name. The Custodian, its agents and its sub-custodian shall not be obligated to accept Securities on behalf of the Company under the terms of this Agreement unless such Securities are in Street Name or other good deliverable form.
3.6 Bank Accounts, and Management of Cash
(a) |
Proceeds from the Securities received by the Custodian from time to time shall be credited to the Cash Account. All amounts credited to the Cash Account shall be subject to clearance and receipt of final payment by the Custodian. Securities may also be delivered and held in the Cash Account by the Custodian. |
(b) |
Amounts held in the Cash Account from time to time may be invested in Eligible Investments pursuant to specific written Proper Instructions (which may be standing instructions) received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person acting on behalf of the Company. Such investments shall be subject to availability and the Custodians then applicable transaction charges (which shall be at the Companys expense). The Custodian shall have no liability for any loss incurred on any such investment. Absent receipt of such written instruction from the Company, the Custodian shall have no obligation to invest (or otherwise pay interest on) amounts on deposit in the Cash Account. In no instance will the Custodian have any obligation to provide investment advice to the Company. Any earnings from such investment of amounts held in the Cash Account from time to time (collectively, Reinvestment Earnings) shall be redeposited in the Cash Account (and may be reinvested at the written direction of the Company). The Custodian shall have no liability for any losses on any investments made as described herein. |
(c) |
In the event that the Company shall at any time request a withdrawal of amounts from the Cash Account, the Custodian shall be entitled to liquidate, and shall have no liability for any loss incurred as a result of the liquidation of, any investment of the funds credited to such account as needed to provide necessary liquidity. Investment instructions may be in the form of standing instructions (in the form of Proper Instructions acceptable to Custodian). |
(d) |
The Company acknowledges that cash deposited or invested with any bank (including the bank acting as Custodian) may make a margin or generate banking income for which such bank shall not be required to account to the Company. |
(e) |
The Custodian shall be authorized to open such additional accounts as may be necessary or convenient for administration of its duties hereunder, with notice to be provided to the Company. |
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3.7 Foreign Exchange
(a) |
Upon the receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian may (but shall not be obligated to) enter into all types of contracts for foreign exchange on behalf of the Company, upon terms acceptable to the Custodian and the Company (in each case at the Companys expense), including transactions entered into with the Custodian, its sub-custodian or any affiliates of the Custodian or the sub-custodian. The Custodian shall have no liability for any losses incurred in or resulting from the rates obtained in such foreign exchange transactions; and absent specific and acceptable Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall not be deemed to have any duty to carry out any foreign exchange on behalf of the Company. The Custodian shall be entitled at all times to comply with any legal or regulatory requirements applicable to currency or foreign exchange transactions. |
(b) |
The Company acknowledges that the Custodian, any sub-custodian or any affiliates of the Custodian or any sub-custodian, involved in any such foreign exchange transactions may make a margin or generate banking income from foreign exchange transactions entered into pursuant to this section for which they shall not be required to account to the Company. |
3.8 Collection of Income. The Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian shall use reasonable efforts to collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to the Securities held hereunder to which the Company shall be entitled, to the extent consistent with usual custom in the securities custodian business in the United States. Such efforts shall include collection of interest income, dividends and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities if on the record date with respect to the date of payment by the issuer the Security is registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee (or in the name of its agent or sub-custodian, or their nominee); and interest income, dividends and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer such securities are held by the Custodian or its sub-custodian or agent; provided, however, that in the case of Securities held in Street Name, the Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts only to timely collect income. In no event shall the Custodians agreement herein to collect income be construed to obligate the Custodian to commence, undertake or prosecute any legal proceedings.
3.9 Payment of Moneys.
(a) |
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be standing instructions, the Custodian shall pay out from the Cash Account (or remit to its agents or its sub-custodian, and direct them to pay out) moneys of the Company on deposit therein in the following cases: |
(i) |
upon the purchase of Securities for the Company pursuant to such Proper Instruction; and such purchase may, unless and except to the extent otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, be carried out by the Custodian: |
13
(A) |
in accordance with the customary or established practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market where the transactions occur, including delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or any agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such securities; or |
(B) |
in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Securities System; |
(ii) |
for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange agreements for the accounts of the Company, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian, as contemplated by Section 3.8 above; and |
(iii) |
for any other purpose directed by the Company, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of such payment, and naming the Person or Persons to whom such payment is to be made. |
(b) |
At any time or times, the Custodian shall be entitled to pay (i) itself from the Cash Account, whether or not in receipt of express direction or instruction from the Company, any amounts due and payable to it pursuant to Section 8 hereof, and (ii) as otherwise permitted by Section 7.5, 9.4 or Section 12.5 below, provided, however, that in each case all such payments shall be accounted for to the Company. |
3.10 Proxies. The Custodian will, with respect to the Securities held hereunder, use reasonable efforts to cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such Securities proxies received by the Custodian from its agents or its sub-custodian or from issuers of the Securities being held for the Company, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and upon receipt of Proper Instructions shall promptly deliver such proxies, proxy soliciting materials and notices relating to such Securities. In the absence of such Proper Instructions, or in the event that such Proper Instructions are not received in a timely fashion, the Custodian shall be under no duty to act with regard to such proxies.
3.11 Communications Relating to Securities. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Company all written information (including pendency of calls and maturities of Securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith) received by the Custodian, from its agents or its sub-custodian or from issuers of the Securities being held for the Company. The Custodian shall have no obligation or duty to exercise any right or power, or otherwise to preserve rights, in or under any Securities unless and except to the extent it has received timely Proper Instruction from the Company in accordance with the next sentence. The Custodian will not be liable for any untimely exercise of any right or power in connection with Securities at any time held by the Custodian, its agents or sub-custodian unless:
(i) |
the Custodian has received Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power; and |
14
(ii) |
the Custodian, or its agents or sub-custodian are in actual possession of such Securities, |
in each case, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which such right or power is to be exercised. It will be the responsibility of the Company to notify the Custodian of the Person to whom such communications must be forwarded under this Section.
3.12 Records. The Custodian shall create and maintain complete records relating to its activities under this Agreement with respect to the Securities, cash or other property held for the Company under this Agreement. All such records shall be the property of the Company and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Company, upon reasonable request and at least five Business Days prior written notice and at the Companys expense. The Custodian shall, at the Companys request, supply the Company with a tabulation of securities owned by the Company and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Company and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Company and the Custodian, include, to the extent applicable, the certificate numbers in such tabulations, to the extent such information is available to the Custodian.
3.13 |
Custody of Subsidiary Securities. |
(a) |
With respect to each Subsidiary identified to the Custodian by the Company, there shall be established at the Custodian a segregated account to which the Custodian shall deposit and hold any Subsidiary Securities (other than Loans) received by it (and any Proceeds received by it in the form of dividends in kind) pursuant to this Agreement, which account shall be designated the [INSERT NAME OF SUBSIDIARY] Securities Account (the Subsidiary Securities Account). |
(b) |
With respect to each Subsidiary identified to the Custodian by the Company, there shall be established at the Custodian a segregated account to which the Custodian shall deposit and hold any cash Proceeds received by it from time to time from or with respect to Subsidiary Securities, which account shall be designated the [INSERT NAME OF SUBSIDIARY] Cash Proceeds Account (the Subsidiary Cash Account). |
(c) |
To the maximum extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement regarding Securities of the Company, the Securities Account and the Cash Account shall be applicable to any Subsidiary Securities, Subsidiary Securities Account and Subsidiary Cash Account, respectively. The parties hereto agree that the Company shall notify the Custodian in writing as to the establishment of any Subsidiary as to which the Custodian is to serve as custodian pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and identify in writing any accounts the Custodian shall be required to establish for such Subsidiary as herein provided. |
15
3A. DUTIES OF DOCUMENT CUSTODIAN.
(a) |
With respect to Loans, Required Loan Documents and other Underlying Loan Documents shall be delivered to the Custodian in its role as, and at the address identified for, the Document Custodian. All Required Loan Documents shall be held in safekeeping by the Document Custodian, individually segregated from the securities and investments of any other Person and marked so as to clearly identify them as the property of the Company. |
(b) |
In connection with its acquisition of a Loan or other delivery of a Security constituting a Loan, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Document Custodian the Required Loan Documents, including the Loan Checklist. |
(c) |
The Document Custodian shall release and ship for delivery, or direct its agents or sub-custodian to release and ship for delivery, as the case may be, Required Loan Documents (or other Underlying Loan Documents) of the Company held by the Document Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian from time to time within five (5) Business Days of its receipt of a Request for Release (which shall, among other things, specify the Required Loan Documents (or other Underlying Loan Documents) to be released, with such delivery and other information as may be necessary to enable the Document Custodian to perform (including the delivery method). Any request for release by the Company shall be in the form of the Request for Release. The Company is authorized to transmit and the Document Custodian is authorized to accept signed email copies of Requests for Release submitted in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (or as otherwise agreed between the Document Custodian and the Company). |
(d) |
For the avoidance of doubt, the Document Custodian shall have no obligation to review or monitor any Required Loan Documents or other Underlying Loan Documents but shall only be required to hold those Required Loan Documents or other Underlying Loan Documents received by it in accordance with this Agreement. All rights, protections, indemnities, immunities and limitations of liabilities provided in this Agreement in favor of the Custodian under this Agreement shall also apply to the Document Custodian, in each case, as applicable in order to give maximum effect to the Document Custodians contemplated responsibilities hereunder. |
3.14 Responsibility for Property Held by Sub-custodians. The Custodians responsibility with respect to the selection or appointment of a sub-custodian shall be limited to a duty to exercise reasonable care in the selection of such sub-custodian in light of prevailing settlement and securities handling practices, procedures and controls in the relevant market. With respect to any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, or claims (including attorneys and accountants fees) incurred as a result of the acts or the failure to act by any sub-custodian, the Custodian shall take reasonable action to recover such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, or claims from such sub-custodian; provided that the Custodians sole liability in that regard shall be limited to amounts actually received by it from such sub-custodian (exclusive of related costs and expenses incurred by the Custodian).
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4. REPORTING
(a) |
If requested by the Company, the Custodian shall render to the Company a monthly report of (i) all deposits to and withdrawals from the Cash Account during the month, and the outstanding balance (as of the last day of the preceding monthly report and as of the last day of the subject month) and (ii) an itemized statement of the Securities held pursuant to this Agreement as of the end of each month, as well as a list of all Securities transactions that remain unsettled at that time, and (iii) such other matters as the parties may agree from time to time. |
(b) |
For each Business Day, the Custodian shall render to the Company a daily report of (i) all deposits to and withdrawals from the Cash Account for such Business Day and the outstanding balance as of the end of such Business Day, and (ii) a report of settled trades of Securities for such Business Day. |
(c) |
The Custodian shall have no duty or obligation to undertake any market valuation of the Securities under any circumstance. |
(d) |
The Custodian shall provide the Company with such reports as are reasonably available to it and as the Company may reasonably request from time to time, on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding securities, which are employed by the Custodian. |
5. DEPOSIT IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities in a Securities System within the United States in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, and subject to the following provisions:
(a) |
The Custodian may keep domestic Securities in a U.S. Securities System provided that such Securities are represented in an account of the Custodian in the U.S. Securities System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held by it as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers; |
(b) |
The records of the Custodian with respect to Securities which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by book-entry those Securities belonging to the Company; |
(c) |
If requested by the Company, the Custodian shall provide to the Company copies of all notices received from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of Securities for the account of the Company; and |
(d) |
Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the Custodian shall not be liable to the Company for any direct loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim to the Company resulting from use of any Securities System (other than to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian itself, or from failure of the Custodian to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S. Securities System.) |
17
6. SECURITIES HELD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
6.1 Appointment of Foreign Sub-custodian. The Company hereby authorizes and instructs the Custodian in its sole discretion to employ one or more Foreign Sub-custodians to act as Eligible Securities Depositories or as sub-custodian to hold the Securities and other assets of the Company maintained outside the United States, subject to the Companys approval in accordance with this Section. If the Custodian wishes to appoint a Foreign Sub-custodian to hold property of the Company subject to this Agreement, it will so notify the Company and provide it with information reasonably necessary to determine any such new Foreign Sub-custodians eligibility under Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, including a copy of the proposed agreement with such Foreign Sub-custodian. The Company shall at the meeting of its members next following receipt of such notice and information give a written approval or disapproval of the proposed action.
6.2 Assets to be Held. The Custodian shall limit the Securities and other assets maintained in the custody of the Foreign Sub-custodian to: (a) Foreign Securities and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the Company (through Proper Instructions) may determine to be reasonably necessary to effect the Companys transactions in such investments.
6.3 Omnibus Accounts. The Custodian may hold Foreign Securities and related Proceeds with one or more Foreign Sub-custodians or Eligible Securities Depositories in each case in a single account with such Sub-custodian or Securities Depository that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers; provided however, that the records of the Custodian with respect to Securities and related Proceeds that are property of the Company maintained in such account(s) shall identify by book-entry those Securities and other property as belonging to the Company.
6.4 Reports Concerning Foreign Sub-custodian. The Custodian will supply to the Company, upon request from time to time, statements in respect of the Securities held by Foreign Sub-custodians or Eligible Securities Depositories, including an identification of the Foreign Sub-custodians and Eligible Securities Depositories having physical possession of the Foreign Securities.
6.5 Transactions in Foreign Custody Account. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Securities received by a Foreign Intermediary for the account of the Company may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs, including delivering securities to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such securities from such purchaser or dealer.
18
6.6 Foreign Sub-custodian. Each contract or agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-custodian shall include provisions that provide: (i) for indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such that the Company will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance with such contract; (ii) that the Companys assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Sub-custodian or its creditors (except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration) or, in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Sub-custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws; (iii) that beneficial ownership for the Companys assets will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration; (iv) that adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to the Company or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the Company; (v) that the Companys independent public accountants will be given access to those records or confirmation of the contents of those records; and (vi) that the Company will receive periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Companys assets, including notification of any transfer to or from a Companys account or a third party account containing assets held for the benefit of the Company. Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified above, such other provisions that the Custodian determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for Company assets as the specified provisions, in their entirety.
6.7 Custodians Responsibility for Foreign Sub-custodian.
(a) |
With respect to its responsibilities under this Section 6, the Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of property of the Company would exercise. The Custodian further agrees that the Foreign Securities will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to the Custodian in the relevant market, if maintained with each Foreign Sub-custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including: (i) the Foreign Sub-custodians practices, procedures, and internal controls, including the physical protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data protection practices; (ii) whether the Foreign Sub-custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for Company assets; (iii) the Foreign Sub-custodians general reputation and standing and, in the case of Eligible Securities Depository, the Eligible Securities Depositorys operating history and number of participants; and (iv) whether the Company will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Foreign Sub-custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of the Foreign Sub-custodian in the United States or the Sub-custodians consent to service of process in the United States. |
(b) |
At the end of each calendar quarter, the Custodian shall provide written reports notifying the members of the Company as to the placement of the Foreign Securities and cash of the Company with a particular Foreign Sub-custodian and of any material changes in the Companys foreign custody arrangements. The Custodian shall promptly take such steps as may be required to withdraw assets of the Company from any Foreign Sub-custodian that has ceased to meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act. |
19
(c) |
The Custodian shall establish a system to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining the Companys assets with a particular Foreign Sub-custodian and the performance of the contract governing the Companys arrangements with such Foreign Sub-custodian. |
(d) |
The Custodians responsibility with respect to the selection or appointment of a Foreign Sub-custodian shall be limited to a duty to exercise reasonable care in the selection or retention of such Foreign Intermediaries in light of prevailing settlement and securities handling practices, procedures and controls in the relevant market. With respect to any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, or claims (including attorneys and accountants fees) incurred as a result of the acts or the failure to act by any Foreign Sub-custodian, the Custodian shall take reasonable action to recover such costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, or claims from such Foreign Sub-custodian; provided that the Custodians sole liability in that regard shall be limited to amounts actually received by it from such Foreign Intermediaries (exclusive of related costs and expenses incurred by the Custodian). The Custodian shall have no responsibility for any act or omission (or the insolvency of) any Securities System (including an Eligible Securities Depository). In the event the Company incurs a loss due to the negligence, willful misconduct, or insolvency of a Securities System (including an Eligible Securities Depository), the Custodian shall make reasonable endeavors, in its discretion, to seek recovery from the Eligible Securities Depository. |
7. CERTAIN GENERAL TERMS
7.1 No Duty to Examine Financing Documents. Nothing herein shall obligate the Custodian to review or examine the terms of any underlying instrument, certificate, credit agreement, indenture, loan agreement, promissory note, or other financing document evidencing or governing any Security to determine the validity, sufficiency, marketability or enforceability of any Security or Loan (and shall have no responsibility for the genuineness or completeness thereof), or otherwise.
7.2 Resolution of Discrepancies. In the event of any discrepancy between the information set forth in any report provided by the Custodian to the Company and any information contained in the books or records of the Company, the Company shall promptly notify the Custodian thereof and the parties shall cooperate to diligently resolve the discrepancy.
7.3 Improper Instructions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Custodian shall not be obligated to take any action (or forebear from taking any action), which it reasonably determines (at its sole option) to be contrary to the terms of this Agreement or applicable law. In no instance shall the Custodian be obligated to provide services on any day that is not a Business Day.
20
7.4 Proper Instructions
(a) |
The Company will give written notice to the Custodian, in form acceptable to the Custodian, specifying the names and specimen signatures (whether manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) of persons authorized to give Proper Instructions (collectively, Authorized Persons and each is an Authorized Person) which notice shall be signed (whether manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) by an Authorized Person previously certified to the Custodian. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until it receives written notice from an Authorized Person of the Company to the contrary. The initial Authorized Persons are set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and made a part hereof (as such Schedule B may be modified from time to time by written notice from the Company to the Custodian); and the Company hereby represents and warrants that the true and accurate specimen signatures of such initial Authorized Persons are set forth on Schedule B. The Custodian shall be entitled to accept and act upon Proper Instructions sent by unsecured email, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If such person on behalf of the Company (or the Investment Manager on its behalf) elects to give the Custodian email or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Custodian in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Custodians reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Custodian shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Custodians reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflicting with or being inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Custodian, including without limitation the risk of the Custodian acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties and acknowledges and agrees that there may be more secure methods of transmitting such instructions than the method(s) selected by it and agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of such instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances. The Company hereby authorizes and directs the Custodian to accept, rely and act upon instruction from the Investment Manager, acting on behalf and in the name of the Company for all purposes hereunder, and the Custodian is authorized to recognize and act upon the instruction of the Investment Manager, acting alone, on behalf and in the stead of the Company for all purposes hereunder; provided that such authorization and direction may be revoked at any time by an Authorized Person who is an officer of the Company. |
(b) |
The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company (or any other person or entity), and shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, in the event that a subsequent written confirmation of an oral instruction fails to conform to the oral instructions received by the Custodian. The Custodian shall not have an obligation to act in accordance with purported |
21
instructions to the extent that they conflict with applicable law or regulations, local market practice or the Custodians operating policies and practices. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss resulting from a delay while it obtains clarification of any Proper Instructions. |
7.5 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. The Custodian may, at its discretion, without express authority from the Company:
(a) |
make payments to itself as described in or pursuant to Section 3.9(b), or to make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Company; |
(b) |
surrender Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form; |
(c) |
endorse for collection cheques, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and |
(d) |
in general attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Company. |
7.6 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate instrument or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed (whether by manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) or otherwise given by or on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Person. The Custodian may receive and accept a certificate signed (whether by manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) by any Authorized Person as conclusive evidence of:
(a) |
the authority of any person to act in accordance with such certificate; or |
(b) |
any determination or of any action by the Company as described in such certificate, |
and such certificate may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary from an Authorized Person of the Company.
7.7 Receipt of Communications. Any communication received by the Custodian on a day which is not a Business Day or after 3:30 p.m., Eastern time (or such other time as is agreed by the Company and the Custodian from time to time), on a Business Day will be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day (but in the case of communications so received after 3:30 p.m., Eastern time, on a Business Day the Custodian will use its best efforts to process such communications as soon as possible after receipt).
7.8 Actions on the Loans. The Custodian shall have no duty or obligation hereunder to take any action on behalf of the Company, to communicate on behalf of the Company, to collect amounts or proceeds in respect of, or otherwise to interact or exercise rights or remedies on behalf of the Company, with respect to any of the Loans. All such actions and communications are the responsibility of the Company.
22
8. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
8.1 Fees. The Custodian and the Document Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services in accordance with the terms of that certain fee letter dated [November __, 2020], between the Company (or the Investment Manager on its behalf) and the Custodian.
8.2 Expenses. The Company agrees to pay or reimburse to each of the Custodian and the Document Custodian upon its request from time to time all costs, disbursements, advances, and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel, agents and experts) incurred, and any disbursements and advances made (including any account overdraft resulting from any settlement or assumed settlement, provisional credit, chargeback, returned deposit item, reclaimed payment or claw-back, or the like), in connection with the preparation or execution of this Agreement, or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or the administration of this Agreement or performance by the Custodian or the Document Custodian of its duties and services under this Agreement, from time to time (including costs and expenses of any action deemed necessary by the Custodian or the Document Custodian to collect any amounts owing to it under this Agreement).
9. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
9.1 General Duties. The Custodian shall have no duties, obligations or responsibilities under this Agreement or with respect to the Securities or Proceeds except for such duties as are expressly and specifically set forth in this Agreement, and the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Agreement. No implied duties, obligations or responsibilities shall be read into this Agreement against, or on the part of, the Custodian.
9.2 Instructions
(a) |
The Custodian shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action unless it has such instruction (in the form of Proper Instructions) from the Company as it reasonably deems necessary, and shall be entitled to require, upon notice to the Company, that Proper Instructions to it be in writing. The Custodian shall have no liability for any action (or forbearance from action) taken pursuant to the Proper Instruction of the Company. |
(b) |
Whenever the Custodian is entitled or required to receive or obtain any communications or information pursuant to or as contemplated by this Agreement, it shall be entitled to receive the same in writing, in form, content and medium reasonably acceptable to it and otherwise in accordance with any applicable terms of this Agreement; and whenever any report or other information is required to be produced or distributed by the Custodian it shall be in form, content and medium reasonably acceptable to it and the Company, and otherwise in accordance with any applicable terms of this Agreement. |
23
9.3 General Standards of Care. Notwithstanding any terms herein contained to the contrary, the acceptance by the Custodian and the Document Custodian of each of their appointments hereunder is expressly subject to the following terms, which shall govern and apply to each of the terms and provisions of this Agreement (whether or not so stated therein):
(a) |
Each of the Custodian and the Document Custodian may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, instruction, statement, certificate, request, waiver, consent, opinion, report, receipt or other paper, electronic communication or document furnished to it (including any of the foregoing provided to it by telecopier or electronic means), not only as to its due execution and validity, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information therein contained, which it in good faith believes to be genuine and signed (whether by manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) or presented by the proper person (which in the case of any instruction from or on behalf of the Company shall be an Authorized Person); and the Custodian and the Document Custodian shall be entitled to presume the genuineness and due authority of any signature (whether manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) appearing thereon. The Custodian and the Document Custodian shall not be bound to make any independent investigation into the facts or matters stated in any such notice, instruction, statement, certificate, request, waiver, consent, opinion, report, receipt or other paper or document, provided, however, that if the form thereof is specifically prescribed by the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall examine the same to determine whether it substantially conforms on its face to such requirements hereof. |
(b) |
Neither the Custodian, the Document Custodian nor any of their directors, officers or employees shall be liable to anyone for any error of judgment, or for any act done or step taken or omitted to be taken by it (or any of its directors, officers or employees), or for any mistake of fact or law, or for anything which it may do or refrain from doing in connection herewith, unless such action constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part and in breach of the terms of this Agreement. Neither the Custodian nor the Document Custodian shall be liable for any action taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be within powers conferred upon it, or taken by it pursuant to any direction or instruction by which it is governed hereunder, or omitted to be taken by it by reason of the lack of direction or instruction required hereby for such action. Neither the Custodian nor the Document Custodian shall be under any obligation at any time to ascertain whether the Company is in compliance with the 1940 Act, the regulations thereunder, or the Companys investment objectives and policies then in effect. |
(c) |
In no event shall the Custodian or the Document Custodian be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including lost profits) whether or not it has been advised of the likelihood of such damages. |
24
(d) |
The Custodian and the Document Custodian may consult with, and obtain advice from, legal counsel selected in good faith with respect to any question as to any of the provisions hereof or its duties hereunder, or any matter relating hereto, and the written opinion or advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Custodian or the Document Custodian in good faith in accordance with the opinion and directions of such counsel; the reasonable cost of such services shall be reimbursed pursuant to Section 8.2 above. |
(e) |
Neither the Custodian nor the Document Custodian shall be deemed to have notice of any fact, claim or demand with respect hereto unless actually known by an officer working in its Corporate Trust Services group and charged with responsibility for administering this Agreement or unless (and then only to the extent received) in writing by the Custodian or the Document Custodian at the applicable address(es) as set forth in Section 15 and specifically referencing this Agreement. |
(f) |
No provision of this Agreement shall require the Custodian or the Document Custodian to expend or risk its own funds, or to take any action (or forbear from action) hereunder which might in its judgment involve any expense or any financial or other liability unless it shall be furnished with acceptable indemnification. Nothing herein shall obligate the Custodian or the Document Custodian to commence, prosecute or defend legal proceedings in any instance, whether on behalf of the Company or on its own behalf or otherwise, with respect to any matter arising hereunder, or relating to this Agreement or the services contemplated hereby. |
(g) |
The permissive rights of the Custodian and the Document Custodian to take any action hereunder shall not be construed as duty. |
(h) |
The Custodian and the Document Custodian may each act or exercise its duties or powers hereunder through agents (including for the avoidance of doubt, sub-custodians) or attorneys, and the Custodian and the Document Custodian shall not be liable or responsible for the actions or omissions of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care. |
(i) |
All indemnifications contained in this Agreement in favor of the Custodian and the Document Custodian shall survive the termination of this Agreement or earlier resignation or removal of the Custodian or the Document Custodian, as applicable. |
9.4 Indemnification; Custodians Lien.
(a) |
The Company shall and does hereby indemnify and hold harmless each of the Custodian, the Document Custodian and each of their officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents, advisors, successors and assigns (collectively, the Indemnified Persons and each an Indemnified Person), for and from any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, |
25
agents and experts) and any and all losses, damages, claims (whether brought by or involving the Company or any third party) and liabilities, that may arise, be brought against or incurred by an Indemnified Person, whether brought by or involving the Company or any third party and whether direct, indirect, or consequential, as a result of or arising from or in any way relating to any claim, demand, suit, action or proceeding (including any inquiry or investigation) by any person, including without limitation the Company or any Subsidiary, and any advances or disbursements made by the Custodian or the Document Custodian (including in respect of any Account overdraft, returned deposit item, chargeback, provisional credit, settlement or assumed settlement, reclaimed payment, claw-back or the like), as a result of, relating to, or arising out of this Agreement, or the administration or performance of the duties of the Custodian and the Document Custodian hereunder, or the relationship between the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Subsidiary), the Custodian and the Document Custodian created hereby, including the enforcement of any indemnification rights hereunder, other than such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses as are directly caused by the Custodians or the Document Custodians, as applicable, own action or inaction constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part. |
(b) |
The Custodian shall have and is hereby granted a continuing lien upon and security interest in, and right of set-off against, the Account, and any funds (and investments in which such funds may be invested) held therein or credited thereto from time to time, whether now held or hereafter required, and all proceeds thereof, to secure the payment of any amounts that may be owing to the Custodian under or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, whether now existing or hereafter arising. |
9.5 Force Majeure. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian and the Document Custodian shall be without liability to the Company for any damage or loss resulting from or caused by events or circumstances beyond the Custodians or the Document Custodians reasonable control including nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, the interruption, disruption or suspension of the normal procedures and practices of any securities market, power, mechanical, communications or other technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or the like, fires, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters, civil and military disturbance, acts of war or terrorism, riots, revolution, acts of God, work stoppages, strikes, national disasters of any kind, or other similar events or acts; errors by the Company (including any Authorized Person) in its instructions to the Custodian or the Document Custodian; or changes in applicable law, regulation or orders.
10. SECURITY CODES
If the Custodian or the Document Custodian issues to the Company, security codes, passwords or test keys in order that it may verify that certain transmissions of information, including Proper Instructions, have been originated by the Company, the Company shall take all commercially reasonable steps to safeguard any security codes, passwords, test keys or other security devices which the Custodian or the Document Custodian shall make available.
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11. TAX LAW
11.1 Domestic Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Company or the Custodian as custodian of the Securities or the Proceeds, by the tax law of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof. The Custodian shall be kept indemnified by and be without liability to the Company for such obligations including taxes, (but excluding any income taxes assessable in respect of compensation paid to the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement) withholding, certification and reporting requirements, claims for exemption or refund, additions for late payment interest, penalties and other expenses (including legal expenses) that may be assessed against the Company, or the Custodian as custodian of the Securities or Proceeds.
11.2 Foreign Tax Law. It shall be the responsibility of the Company to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Company by the tax law of foreign (e.g., non-U.S.) jurisdictions, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other government charges, certifications and government reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company with respect to any claims for exemption or refund under the tax law of the jurisdictions for which the Company has provided such information.
12. EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION
12.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective as of its due execution (whether by manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) and delivery by each of the parties. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided. This Agreement may only be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties hereto. This Agreement may be terminated by the Document Custodian, the Custodian or the Company pursuant to Section 12.2.
12.2 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest of (a) occurrence of the effective date of termination specified in any written notice of termination given by either party to the other not later than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of termination specified therein, (b) such other date of termination as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties in writing.
12.3 Resignation. The Custodian may at any time resign under this Agreement by giving not less than sixty (60) days advance written notice thereof to the Company.
12.4 Successor. Prior to the effective date of termination of this Agreement, or the effective date of the resignation or removal of the Custodian, as the case may be, the Company shall give Proper Instruction to the Custodian designating a successor Custodian, if applicable.
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12.5 Payment of Fees, etc. Upon termination of this Agreement or resignation of the Custodian, the Company shall pay to each of the Custodian and the Document Custodian such compensation, and shall likewise reimburse each of the Custodian and the Document Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements, as may be due as of the date of such termination or resignation (or removal, as the case may be). All indemnifications in favor of the Custodian under this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement, or any resignation or removal of the Custodian or the Document Custodian, as applicable.
12.6 Final Report. In the event of any resignation or removal of the Custodian, the Custodian shall provide to the Company a complete final report or data file transfer of any Confidential Information as of the date of such resignation or removal.
13. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
13.1 Representations of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Custodian that:
(a) |
it has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and it has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement so as to constitute its valid and binding obligation; |
(b) |
in giving any instructions which purport to be Proper Instructions under this Agreement, the Company will act in accordance with the provisions of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws and any applicable laws and regulations; and |
(c) |
(i) the Company is not a Plan-Assets Vehicle (as defined below), (ii) the Company is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), (iii) the aggregate interest in any class of equity interests by any benefit plan investors (as such term is interpreted under ERISA) for whose benefit or account the Accounts for such Company is held does not equal or exceed 25% of the outstanding interests, and (iv) neither the portfolio of the Securities or the Accounts for such Company is deemed to be assets of an employee benefit plan which is subject to ERISA. If for any reason the Company breaches or otherwise fails to comply with any of the foregoing representations, warranties, or covenants, then (i) the Custodians duties hereunder with respect to such Company terminates immediately upon such breach, regardless of whether the Custodian received notice of such breach or provided notice of termination, (ii) the Company will promptly notify the Custodian of such breach, (iii) the Company acknowledges that the Custodian does not act as investment manager of the Securities or the Accounts and (iv) the Company acknowledges that the Custodian does not provide any services as a fiduciary with respect to the Company within the meaning of ERISA §3(21). For purposes herein, Plan-assets Vehicle means an investment contract, product, or entity that holds plan assets (as determined pursuant to ERISA §§3(42) and 401 and 29 CFR §2510.3-101). |
13.2 Representations of the Custodian. The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:
28
(a) |
it has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; |
(b) |
it has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement so as to constitute its valid and binding obligations; and |
(c) |
that it maintains business continuity policies and standards that include data file backup and recovery procedures that comply with all applicable regulatory requirements. |
14. PARTIES IN INTEREST; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFIT
This Agreement is not intended for, and shall not be construed to be intended for, the benefit of any third parties and may not be relied upon or enforced by any third parties (other than successors and permitted assigns pursuant to Section 19).
15. NOTICES
Any Proper Instructions shall be given to the following address (or such other address as either party may designate by written notice to the other party), and otherwise any notices, approvals and other communications hereunder shall be sufficient if made in writing and given to the parties at the following address (or such other address as either of them may subsequently designate by notice to the other), given by (i) certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, (ii) recognized courier or delivery service, or (iii) confirmed telecopier or telex, with a duplicate sent on the same day by first class mail, postage prepaid:
(a) |
if to the Company or any Subsidiary, to |
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC
c/o KA Credit Advisors, LLC
811 Main Street, 14th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
(b) |
if to the Custodian, to |
U.S. Bank National Association
Corporate Trust Services
One Federal Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Attention: Jeff Stone
Reference: Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC
Email: jeffrey.stone@usbank.com
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16. CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION
This Agreement shall be construed, and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York for all purposes (without regard to its choice of law provisions); except to the extent such laws are inconsistent with federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, in which case such federal securities laws shall govern. All actions and proceedings relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, this Agreement may be brought in New York State or U.S. federal courts located within the City of New York, State of New York and the Company and the Custodian hereby submit to personal jurisdiction of such courts for such actions or proceedings. The Company and the Custodian each hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury and any objection to laying of venue in such courts on grounds of forum nonconveniens in respect of any claim based upon, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. No actions or proceedings relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, this Agreement shall be brought in a forum outside of the United States of America.
17. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; COUNTERPARTS
17.1 Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with regard to the matters addressed herein and supersedes and terminates as of the date hereof, all prior agreements, acknolwedgements or understandings, oral or written between the parties to this Agreement relating to such matters.
17.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed (whether by manual, facsimile, .pdf or other electronic signature) in any number of counterparts and all counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
1.1. Facsimile and Electronic Signatures. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission, pdf or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile or pdf shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. By executing this Agreement, the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees, and directs the Custodian to acknowledge and agree and the Custodian does hereby acknowledge and agree, that execution of this Agreement, any Proper Instructions and any other notice, form or other document executed by the Company or the Custodian in connection with this Agreement, by facsimile transmission or electronic signature (including, without limitation, any .pdf file, .jpeg file or any other electronic or image file, or any other electronic signature as defined under E-SIGN or ESRA, including Orbit, Adobe Sign, DocuSign, or any other similar platform identified by the Company and reasonably available at no undue burden or expense to the Custodian) shall be permitted hereunder notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein and such facsimile or electronic signatures shall be legally binding as if such facsimile or electronic signatures were handwritten signatures. Any electronically signed document delivered via email from a person purporting to be an Authorized Person shall be considered signed or executed by such Authorized Person on behalf of the Company. The Company also hereby acknowledges that the Custodian shall have no duty to inquire into or investigate the authenticity or authorization of any such electronic signature and shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any such electronic signature without any liability with respect thereto.
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18. AMENDMENT; WAIVER
18.1 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an express written instrument duly executed by each of the Company and the Custodian.
18.2 Waiver. In no instance shall any delay or failure to act be deemed to be or effective as a waiver of any right, power or term hereunder, unless and except to the extent such waiver is set forth in an expressly written instrument signed by the party against whom it is to be charged.
19. SUCCESSOR AND ASSIGNS
19.1 Successors Bound. The covenants and agreements set forth herein shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party shall be permitted to assign their rights under this Agreement without the written consent of the other party; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Custodian to delegate certain duties or services to or perform them through agents or attorneys appointed with due care as expressly provided in this Agreement.
19.2 Merger and Consolidation. Any corporation or association into which the Custodian may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Custodian or the Document Custodian shall be a party, or any corporation or association to which the Custodian or Document Custodian transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business, shall be the successor of the Custodian or Document Custodian, as applicable hereunder, and shall succeed to all of the rights, powers and duties of the Custodian or Document Custodian, as applicable, hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
20. SEVERABILITY
The terms of this Agreement are hereby declared to be severable, such that if any term hereof is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remaining terms.
21. REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS
If, in performing its duties under this Agreement, the Custodian is required to decide between alternative courses of action, the Custodian may (but shall not be obliged to) request written instructions from the Company as to the course of action desired by it. If the Custodian does not receive such instructions within two (2) Business Days after it has requested them, the Custodian may, but shall be under no duty to, take or refrain from taking any such courses of action. The Custodian shall act in accordance with instructions received from the Company in response to such request after such two-Business Day period except to the extent it has already taken, or committed itself to take, action inconsistent with such instructions.
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22. OTHER BUSINESS
Nothing herein shall prevent the Custodian or the Document Custodian or any of their affiliates from engaging in other business, or from entering into any other transaction or financial or other relationship with, or receiving fees from or from rendering services of any kind to the Company or any other Person. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute the Company and/or the Custodian or the Document Custodian(and/or any other Person) as members of any partnership, joint venture, association, syndicate, unincorporated business or similar assignment as a result of or by virtue of the engagement or relationship established by this Agreement.
23. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendment hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further production shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
24. MISCELLANEOUS
The Company acknowledges receipt of the following notice:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT.
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For a non-individual person such as a business entity, a charity, a trust or other legal entity the Custodian will ask for documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity. The Custodian may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.
[PAGE INTENTIONALLY ENDS HERE. SIGNATURES APPEAR ON NEXT PAGE.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer, intending the same to take effect as of the __st day of November 2020.
KAYNE ANDERSON BDC, LLC | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: Terry A. Hart | ||||
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Custodian and Document Custodian | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: Jeffrey B. Stone | ||||
Title: Vice President | ||||
By: |
|
|||
Name: Kenneth C. Brandt | ||||
Title: Assistant Vice President |
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SCHEDULE A
Any of the following persons (each acting singly) shall be an Authorized Person (as this list may subsequently be modified by the Company from time to time by written notice to the Custodian):
|
NAME: |
SPECIMEN SIGNATURE: |
||||||
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE
(attached)
Request for Release of Documents
U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust Services 1719 Otis Way Florence, South Carolina 29501 Ref: Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC |
Attention: Document Custody Services Receiving Unit Email: dcs@usbank.com Fax: (651) 695-6100 or (651) 695-6101 |
RE: |
Custody Agreement, dated as of November __, 2020 (the Custody Agreement) between Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC, (the Company) and U.S. Bank National Association, as custodian and document custodian (the Document Custodian) |
Pursuant to Section 3A of the Custody Agreement, we request the release of the Collateral Files relating to the Collateral listed on the attached Excel spreadsheet for the reason indicated below:
Reason for Requesting Documents (Check One):
1) |
Collateral Paid in Full |
2) |
Collateral being Substituted |
3) |
Collateral being Liquidated by Company |
4) |
Other- Description Needed Below |
Company: | ||
Authorized Representative: |
|
|
Name (Printed): | ||
Title (Printed): | ||
Date: | ||
Phone: |
File Delivery Instructions Address Needed
Upon Completion of Request, for Release, please scan and email the request to the appropriate DCS Vault Location.
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Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC
CODE OF ETHICS
AND
POLICY ON PERSONAL TRADING
Introduction
Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC (KA BDC) is regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and subject to Rule 17j-1 under the Act (Rule 17j-1). Rule 17j-1 requires that KA BDC adopt a written code of ethics that specifically addresses trading practices by Access Persons (defined below). Rule 17j-1 makes it unlawful for any Access Person of KA BDC or its investment adviser, KA Credit Advisors, LLC (the Adviser) to:
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Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud KA BDC; |
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Make any untrue statement of material fact to KA BDC or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statement made to KA BDC, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; |
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Engage in an act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on KA BDC; or |
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Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to KA BDC. |
Furthermore, the following three general fiduciary principles are understood to govern the activities of KA BDC advisory personnel:
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such personnel have a duty at all times to place the interests of KA BDC shareholders first; |
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all personal securities transactions by such personnel must be conducted consistent with the Code of Ethics and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individuals position of trust and responsibility; and |
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such personnel should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions. |
In accordance with Rule 17j-1, the Company has adopted this Code of Ethics containing provisions it deems reasonably necessary to prevent those of its Access Persons from engaging in any such prohibited acts.
In addition, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act). Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act requires a registered investment adviser to establish, maintain and enforce a code of ethics that includes certain specified provisions. The Adviser has adopted a separate code of ethics designed to meet the requirements of Rule 204A-1 and Rule 17j-1.
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1. Definitions
(a) |
Access Person means any officer or director of KA BDC and any of its employees, who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a security by KA BDC, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and any natural person in a control relationship to KA BDC who obtains information with respect to KA BDC with regard to the purchase or sale of a security. |
(b) |
Security shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act except securities issued by the Government of the United States or by federal agencies and which are direct obligations of the United States, bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, money market funds and shares of registered open-end investment companies. |
(c) |
A Security held or to be acquired means a Security which, within the most recent 15 days (i) is or has been held by KA BDC; or (ii) is being or has been considered by KA BDC for purchase, and includes the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Security. A Security is being considered for the current purchase or sale when a decision (or recommendation) to purchase or sell a Security has been made and communicated, and, with respect to a person making a decision (or recommendation), when such person believes such decision or recommendation is imminent. |
(d) |
Covered Family Member means any member of an employees immediate family or partner sharing the same household. Immediate family means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law. Adoptive relationships are included. |
(e) |
Beneficial Ownership shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. This means that an Access Person should generally consider himself/herself to have Beneficial Ownership of any Security in which he/she has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest, which includes Securities held by any Covered Family Member. In addition, an Access Person should consider himself/herself to have Beneficial Ownership of any Security held by other persons where, by reason of any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship, such Access Person has sole or shared voting or investment power. |
(f) |
Investment Personnel means any person who is involved in the investment decisions for KA BDC and who may have significant opportunities to influence investment decisions for KA BDC to his or her benefit. |
(g) |
Limited Offering means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to section 4(a)(2) or section 4(a)(5) or pursuant to rule 504, or rule 506 under the Securities Act of 1933. |
2. Pre-Clearance Policy
Except as expressly permitted by this Code of Ethics, Access Persons (other than disinterested directors) must have written pre-clearance from the Compliance department for any personal securities transaction. The Chief Compliance Officer reserves the right to disapprove any proposed transaction that may have the appearance of improper conduct, and may decline to pre-approve a proposed transaction by an Access Person for any reason.
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All requests for approval to engage in personal securities transactions must be submitted to the Compliance department. Pre-clearance approval for a transaction is only valid until the end of market hours on the day the transaction is approved except (i) with respect to transactions that are private offerings or (ii) in cases where the Compliance department specifies otherwise.
If the Chief Compliance Officer is the person whose transaction requires approval, he or she must obtain such approval from the Advisers General Counsel (or his or her designee).
3. Prohibitions
No Access Person:
(a) |
Shall purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any Security in which he or she has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership and which to his/her actual knowledge at the time of such purchase or sale: |
(i) |
is being considered for purchase or sale by KA BDC; or |
(ii) |
is then being purchased or sold by KA BDC. |
Under this Code of Ethics, all KA BDC employees are required to:
(i) |
avoid purchasing Securities offered and sold as part of an initial public offering (IPO) until after the public offering and then only at the prevailing market price, and obtain pre-approval from the Compliance department before directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership in any securities in a Limited Offering; |
(ii) |
avoid purchases or sales of Securities that are being considered for current purchase or sale by KA BDC; |
(iii) |
avoid purchases or sales of Securities that have been purchased or sold by KA BDC until after any such transaction or series of transactions has been completed (subject to settlement); and |
(iv) |
pre-clear purchases or sales of Securities for accounts in which the employee has a Beneficial Ownership interest with Compliance prior to executing such transactions. |
4. Exempted Transactions
Pre-Clearance under Section 2 of this Code of Ethics shall not apply to:
(a) |
Purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control (e.g. transaction in an account managed by an unaffiliated money manager where the Access Person has no investment influence or discretion); |
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(b) |
Purchases or sales effected pursuant to a program (such as a dividend reinvestment plan) in which periodic purchases (or sales) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation; |
(c) |
Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired. |
(d) |
Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Access Person or Covered Family Member (e.g. stock splits, reverse stock splits, mergers, spin-offs, and other similar corporate reorganizations); |
(e) |
Charitable donations or other gifts of Securities (other than shares of KA BDC); |
(f) |
Purchases or sales of futures and options on commodities, currencies or a securities index; |
(g) |
Other non-volitional events, such as exercise of an option at expiration (as opposed to an option exercise at any time prior to expiration, which option exercise does require pre-clearance); or |
(h) |
Purchases or sales of sovereign debt securities. |
5. Minimum Hold Period
No Access person may sell a Security within 90 days of purchasing that Security, or buy to cover a Security within 90 days of selling short such Security, unless pre-clearance of the transaction is not required under this Code of Ethics or the minimum holding period is waived by the Compliance department.
6. Procedural Matters
(a) |
The Chief Compliance Officer of KA BDC shall: |
(i) |
Make available to each Access Person a copy of this Code of Ethics. |
(ii) |
Notify each such Access Person of his or her obligation to file reports as provided by Section 7 of this Code of Ethics. |
(iii) |
Report to the Board of Directors the facts contained in any reports filed with the Chief Compliance Officer pursuant to Section 7 of this Code of Ethics when any such report indicates that an Access Person engaged in a transaction in a Security held or to be acquired by KA BDC. Additionally, an annual written report will be provided to the Board of Directors, describing any material issues that arose during the previous year under this Code of Ethics. |
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(iv) |
Maintain the records required by paragraph (d) of Rule 17j-1. |
(b) |
On an annual basis, the Board of Directors will certify that the Company has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code of Ethics. |
7. Reporting
(a) |
Every Access Person shall report the information described in Section 7(c) of this Code of Ethics with respect to transactions in any Security in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Security; provided, however, that an Access Person shall not be required to make a report with respect to transactions effected for any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence. An Access Person of the Adviser need not make a separate report hereunder to the extent the information in the report would duplicate information required to be reported under the Advisers code of ethics. |
(b) |
An independent Director, i.e., a Director of KA BDC who is not an interested person (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of KA BDC, is not required to file a report on a transaction in a Security provided such Director neither knew nor, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Director of KA BDC, should have known that, during the 15-day period immediately preceding or after the date of the transaction by the Director, such Security is or was purchased or sold by KA BDC or is or was being considered for purchase by the Adviser. |
(c) |
An initial report shall be made within 10 days from the date in which a person was deemed an Access Person and annually thereafter (the information in which must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person or the annual report is submitted, respectively) and shall contain the following information: |
(i) |
A list of Securities, including the title, number of shares, or principal amount (if fixed income securities) of each Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership when the person became an Access Person; |
(ii) |
the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any Securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the date the person became an Access Person; and |
(iii) |
The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person. |
(d) |
Thereafter, every report shall be made not later than 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transactions to which the report relates was effected, and shall contain the following information: |
(i) |
the date of each transaction, the name of the Security purchased and/or sold, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and/or the principal amount of each Security involved; |
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(ii) |
the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
(iii) |
the price at which the transaction was effected; |
(iv) |
the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; |
(v) |
In addition to the Securities transaction data, the report will contain representations that the employee (i) during the period, has not purchased or sold any Securities not listed on the report; (ii) has not opened a securities brokerage account during the period which has not been reported to KA Credit; and (iii) agrees to notify KA Credit if he/she opens a personal securities account which has not otherwise been disclosed to KA Credit; and |
(vi) |
The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person. |
(e) |
Any such report may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Security to which the report relates. |
(f) |
Each Access Person shall re-certify his or her familiarity with this Code of Ethics and report all Security holdings and other items set forth in subsection (c) above annually. Access Persons are required to complete and sign the annual certification and security report within 30 days of the end of the calendar year. |
(g) |
The Chief Compliance Officer, or his or her designee, will review the reports submitted, and account statements and account information provided, under this Code of Ethics to determine whether any transaction disclosed therein constitutes a violation of this Code of Ethics. Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by an Access Person, the Chief Compliance Officer shall afford the Access Person an opportunity to supply additional explanatory material. |
8. Board Oversight
The Board of Directors must initially approve the Code of Ethics for KA BDC, and the Board of Directors must approve any material changes to the Code of Ethics within six (6) months of such change. The Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee shall provide to the Board of Directors a written report outlining any material issues that arose during the previous year and annually certify that KA BDC has adopted procedures in compliance with this Code of Ethics.
9. Implementation
In order to implement this Code of Ethics, a compliance officer and back-ups have been designated for the Company. These individuals are:
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Michael ONeil (Chief Compliance Officer)
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth (Back-up)
The Compliance Officer or his delegate shall create a list of all Access Persons and update the list with reasonable frequency. The Compliance Officer or his delegate shall circulate a copy of this Code of Ethics (in hard copy or electronically) to each Access Person at least once each year.
10. Violations
Upon determination that a violation of this Code of Ethics has occurred, KA BDC may impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate, including, among other things, a memorandum of warning, a ban on personal trading or a suspension or termination of the employment of the violator. Violations of this Code of Ethics and any sanctions imposed with respect thereto shall be reported in a timely manner to the Board of Directors of KA BDC.
Adopted by Kayne Anderson BDC, LLC:
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