As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2022

Securities Act File No. 333-262469

Investment Company Act File No. 811-21318

 

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

Registration Statement

under

       the Securities Act of 1933   
  Pre-Effective Amendment No.   
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1   

and/or

Registration Statement

Under

        the Investment Company Act of 1940   
   Amendment No. 8   

 

 

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified In Charter)

 

 

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800) 882-0052

John M. Perlowski, President

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10055

(Name and Address of Agent For Service)

 

 

Copies of information to:

Margery K. Neale, Esq.

Elliot J. Gluck, Esq.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

 

 

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Public Offering: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box  ☐

If any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box  ☒

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following box  ☒

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

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

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

 

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

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: 333-262469.

Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-262469 and 811-21318) of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (the “Registration Statement”) is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), solely for the purpose of filing exhibits to the Registration Statement. Accordingly, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 consists only of a facing page, this explanatory note and Part C of the Registration Statement on Form N-2 setting forth the exhibits to the Registration Statement. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 does not modify any other part of the Registration Statement. Pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents of the Registration Statement are hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

- 1 -


PART C

Other Information

 

Item 25.

Financial Statements And Exhibits

The agreements included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Registration Statement contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.

The Registrant acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this Registration Statement not misleading.

 

(1)

   Financial Statements
  

Part A: The annual report to the Fund’s shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Annual Report”) is incorporated by reference.

 

Part A: The semi-annual report to the Fund’s shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2021 (the “2021 Semi-Annual Report) is incorporated by reference.

  

Part B: Audited financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and related Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are incorporated herein by reference to the 2020 Annual Report.

 

Part B: Unaudited financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2021 are incorporated herein by reference to the 2021 Semi-Annual Report.

(2)

   Exhibits

(a)(1)

   Articles of Incorporation, dated of March 13, 2003, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)  to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-103814) filed on March 14, 2003.

(a)(2)

   Articles of Amendment, dated September  14, 2006, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(c) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-189957) filed on August  22, 2013.

(a)(3)

   Articles Supplementary, dated September  17, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-189957) filed on August  22, 2013.

(a)(4)

   Articles of Amendment, dated February  28, 2014, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(4) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-196683) filed on June  11, 2014.

(a)(5)

   Articles Supplementary, dated October  28, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(5) to the Registrant’s Registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-262469) filed on February  2, 2022.

 

- 1 -


(b)(1)

   Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective as of October  28, 2016, are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2016.

(b)(2)

   Amendment No.  1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws is incorporated by reference to Attachment G.1.b.i to the Registrant’s Annual Report for Registered Investment Companies on Form N-CEN filed on March 15, 2021.

(c)

   Inapplicable

(d)

   Portions of Articles of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant defining the Rights of Stockholders are incorporated by reference to Exhibits (a)(1) and (b)(1).

(e)

   Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)  to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-196683) filed on June 11, 2014.

(f)

   Inapplicable

(g)(1)

   Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-196683) filed on June 11, 2014.

(g)(2)

   Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and BlackRock International Limited is incorporated by reference to Attachment G.1.b.iii to the Registrant’s Annual Report for Registered Investment Companies on Form N-CEN filed on June 2, 2020.

(g)(3)

   Amended and Restated Master Advisory Fee Waiver Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(4) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(g)(4)

   Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Master Advisory Fee Waiver Agreement  is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(5) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(g)(5)

   Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Master Advisory Fee  Waiver Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(6) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(g)(6)

   Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Master Advisory Fee  Waiver Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(7) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(g)(7)

   Amendment No. 4 to Amended and Restated Master Advisory Fee  Waiver Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(8) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(g)(8)

   Form of Amendment No. 5 to Amended and Restated Master Advisory Fee  Waiver Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(9) to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(h)(1)

   Form of Distribution Agreement is filed herewith.

(h)(2)

   Form of Sub-Placement Agent Agreement is filed herewith.

 

- 2 -


(i)

   Form of BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex Third Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)  to the Registration on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(j)

   Form of Master Custodian Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j) to the Registration on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(k)(1)

   Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1) to the Registration on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(k)(2)

   Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(2) to the Registration on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(k)(3)

   Form of Eighth Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(3) to the Registration on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

(l)(1)

   Opinion and Consent of Counsel is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (l)(1) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-262469) filed on February 2, 2022.

(l)(2)

   Opinion and Consent of Counsel is filed herewith.

(m)

   Inapplicable

(n)

   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consent is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)  of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-262469) filed on February 2, 2022.

(o)

   Inapplicable

(p)

   Inapplicable

(q)

   Inapplicable

(r)

   Code of Ethics of the Registrant, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock International Limited and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 16(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1113 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock FundsSM (File No. 33-26305), filed on January 21, 2022.

(s)(1)

   Calculation of Filing Fee Tables (Shelf Registration Statement) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (s)  of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-262469) filed on February 2, 2022.

(s)(2)

   Calculation of Filing Fee Tables (Final Prospectus Dated February 9, 2022) is filed herewith.

(t)

   Power of Attorney is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (s)  to the Registration on Form N-2 of BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust, filed on January 12, 2022.

 

Item 26.

Marketing Arrangements

The information contained under the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus is incorporated by reference, and any information concerning any underwriters will be contained in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, if any.

 

- 3 -


Item 27.

Other Expenses Of Issuance And Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:

 

Registration fee

   $ 40,621  

NYSE listing fee

     2,500  

Accounting fees and expenses

     4,000  

Legal fees and expenses

     50,000  

FINRA fee

     72,140  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 169,261 (1) 

 

(1)

Estimate is based on the aggregate estimated expenses to be incurred during a three year shelf offering period.

 

Item 28.

Persons Controlled By Or Under Common Control With The Registrant

None.

 

Item 29.

Number Of Holders Of Shares

As of December 31, 2021:

 

Title Of Class

   Number Of Record Holders  

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

     504  

 

Item 30.

Indemnification

Section 2-418 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, Article V of the Registrant’s Charter, Article IV of the Registrant’s Bylaws and the Investment Management Agreement each provides for indemnification.

Article V of the Registrant’s Charter provides as follows:

(4) Each director and each officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified and advanced expenses by the Corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force, including the advance of expenses under the procedures and to the full extent permitted by law subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act. The forgoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled. No amendment of these Articles of Incorporation or repeal of any provision hereof shall limit or eliminate the benefits provided to directors and officers under this provision in connection with any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

(5) To the fullest extent permitted by the General Laws of the State of Maryland or decisional law, as amended or interpreted, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its security holders for money damages. No amendment of these Articles of Incorporation or repeal of any provision hereof shall limit or eliminate the benefits provided to directors and officers under this provision in connection with any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

- 4 -


Article IV of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws provides as follows:

Section 1. No Personal Liability of Directors or Officers. No Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, save only liability to the Fund or its shareholders arising from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his or her duty to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall look solely to the assets of the Fund for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Fund. If any Director, advisory board member or officer, as such, of the Fund, is made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing exception, such person shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal liability. Any repeal or modification of the Charter or this Article IV Section 1 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

Section 2. Mandatory Indemnification.

(a) The Fund hereby agrees to indemnify each person who is or was a Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund (each such person being an “Indemnitee”) to the full extent permitted under the Charter. In addition, the Fund may provide greater but not lesser rights to indemnification pursuant to a contract approved by at least a majority of Directors between the Fund and any Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the foregoing no Indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to any person or any expense of such Indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence, or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Indemnitee’s position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as “Disabling Conduct”). Furthermore, with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any Indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such Indemnitee (A) was authorized by a majority of the Directors or (B) was instituted by the Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights to indemnification hereunder in a case in which the Indemnitee is found to be entitled to such indemnification.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in any agreement relating to indemnification between an Indemnitee and the Fund, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless there has been a determination (i) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification hereunder was brought that such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or, (ii) in the absence of such a decision, by (A) a majority vote of a quorum of those Directors who are both Independent Directors and not parties to the proceeding (“Independent Non-Party Directors”), that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or (B) if such quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs, a Special Counsel in a written opinion concludes that the Indemnitee should be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(c) Subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and the Charter, the Fund shall have the power and authority to indemnify and provide for the advance payment of expenses to employees, agents and other Persons providing services to the Fund or serving in any capacity at the request of the Fund to the full extent permitted for corporations organized under the corporations laws of the state in which the Fund was formed, provided that such indemnification has been approved by a majority of the Directors.

(d) Any repeal or modification of the Charter or Section 2 of this Article IV shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

Section 3. Good Faith Defined; Reliance on Experts. For purposes of any determination under this Article IV, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Fund, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful, if such person’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Fund, or on information supplied to such person by the officers of the Fund in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Fund or on information or records given or reports made to the Fund by an

 

- 5 -


independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert or agent selected with reasonable care by the Fund. The provisions of this Article IV Section 3 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Article IV. Each Director and officer or employee of the Fund shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Fund, upon an opinion of counsel selected by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Directors, or upon reports made to the Fund by any of the Fund’s officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor, dealer, accountant, appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Directors, officers or employees of the Fund, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Director.

Section 4. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article IV shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 5. Insurance. The Directors may maintain insurance for the protection of the Fund’s property, the shareholders, Directors, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Directors shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other insurance as the Directors in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940 Act.

Section 6. Subrogation. In the event of payment by the Fund to an Indemnitee under the Charter or these Bylaws, the Fund shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute such documents and do such acts as the Fund may reasonably request to secure such rights and to enable the Fund effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

Reference is also made to:

 

   

Sections 10 and 11 of the Registrant’s Investment Management Agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit (g)(1) of this Registration Statement.

Additionally, the Registrant and the other funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex jointly maintain, at their own expense, E&O/D&O insurance policies for the benefit of its Directors, officers and certain affiliated persons. The Registrant pays a pro rata portion of the premium on such insurance policies.

 

Item 31.

Business And Other Connections Of Investment Advisor

BlackRock Advisors, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Advisor”), acts as investment adviser to the Registrant. The Registrant is fulfilling the requirement of this Item 31 to provide a list of the officers and directors of the Advisor, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the Advisor or those officers and directors during the past two years, by incorporating by reference the information contained in the Form ADV of the Advisor filed with the commission pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Commission File No. 801-47710).

 

Item 32.

Location Of Accounts And Records

Omitted pursuant to the Instruction of Item 32 of Form N-2.

 

Item 33.

Management Services

Not Applicable

 

 

- 6 -


Item 34.

Undertakings

 

(1)

Not applicable.

 

(2)

Not applicable.

 

(3)

The securities being registered will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. Accordingly, the Registrant undertakes:

 

  (a)

to file, during and period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.

(3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

 

  (b)

that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

 

  (c)

to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and

 

  (d)

that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

- 7 -


(1) if the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B [17 CFR 230.430B]:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or (xi) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

(2) if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C [17 CFR 230.430C]: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

  (e)

that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities: The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser: (1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933; (2) free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant; (3) the portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and (4) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

- 8 -


(4)

If applicable:

 

  (a)

For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

  (b)

For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(5)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(6)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(7)

The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any prospectus or Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.

 

 

- 9 -


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and the State of New York, on the 9th day of February, 2022.

 

BLACKROCK CORPORATE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.
By:  

/s/ John M. Perlowski

  John M. Perlowski
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the 9th day of February, 2022.

 

Signature

       

Title

/s/ John M. Perlowski

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer    February 9, 2022
(John M. Perlowski)    (Principal Executive Officer)   

/s/ Trent Walker

   Chief Financial Officer    February 9, 2022
(Trent Walker)    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   

CYNTHIA L. EGAN*

   Director   
(Cynthia L. Egan)      

FRANK J. FABOZZI*

   Director   
(Frank J. Fabozzi)      

LORENZO A. FLORES*

   Director   
(Lorenzo A. Flores)      

STAYCE D. HARRIS*

   Director   
(Stayce D. Harris)      

J. PHILLIP HOLLOMAN*

   Director   
(J. Phillip Holloman)      

R. GLENN HUBBARD*

   Director   
(R. Glenn Hubbard)      

W. CARL KESTER*

   Director   
(W. Carl Kester)      

 

- 1 -


CATHERINE A. LYNCH*

   Director   
(Catherine A. Lynch)      

KAREN P. ROBARDS*

   Director   
(Karen P. Robards)      

ROBERT FAIRBAIRN*

   Director   
(Robert Fairbairn)      

 

*By:  

/s/ Janey Ahn

         February 9, 2022
  (Janey Ahn, Attorney-In-Fact)    

 

 

- 2 -


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

(h)(1)   Form of Distribution Agreement
(h)(2)   Form of Sub-Placement Agent Agreement
(l)(2)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel
(s)(2)   Calculation of Filing Fee Tables (Final Prospectus Dated February 9, 2022)

 

- 3 -

Exhibit (h)(1)

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of February 9, 2022 by and between BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), and BlackRock Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Distributor”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively called the “Investment Company Act”), as a diversified, closed-end, management investment company; and

WHEREAS, the Fund has filed, or may from time to time file, one or more registration statements on Form N-2 pursuant to the Investment Company Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively called the “Securities Act”), to register additional shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Fund (“Common Shares”), which may be issued and sold from time to time through various specified transactions, including at-the-market (“ATM”) offerings pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act; and

WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”); and

WHEREAS, the Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement with each other with respect to ATM offerings, from time to time, of the Common Shares.

NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

Section 1. Appointment of the Distributor; ATM Offerings.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Fund hereby appoints the Distributor as its principal underwriter and placement agent for up to 40,000,000 Common Shares to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement (as defined below) through ATM offerings from time to time (the “Shares”) and the Fund agrees that it will issue such Shares as the Distributor may sell. The Distributor agrees to use reasonable efforts to identify opportunities for the sale of Shares, but the Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific number of the Shares (though the Distributor will only be authorized to sell on any Offering Date (as defined below) the maximum number of Shares agreed to with the Fund pursuant to Section 1(d) hereof) or purchase any Shares for its own account. The Shares will only be sold on such days as shall be agreed to by the Distributor and the Fund (each, an “Offering Date”). The Distributor hereby accepts such appointment.

(b) The Distributor acknowledges that Shares will be offered and sold only as set forth from time to time in a Registration Statement including, without limitation, pricing of Shares, handling of investor funds and payment of sales commissions.


(c) The Fund may suspend or terminate any ATM offering of its Shares at any time. Upon notice to the Distributor of the terms of such suspension or termination, the Distributor shall suspend the ATM offering of Shares in accordance with such terms until the Fund notifies the Distributor that such ATM offering may be resumed; provided, however, that such suspension or termination shall not affect or impair the parties’ respective obligations with respect to the Shares sold hereunder prior to the giving of such notice.

(d) The price per Share shall be determined by the Fund together with the Distributor by reference to trades on the Fund’s primary exchange. In no event shall the price per Share be less than the current net asset value per Share plus the per Share amount of the commission to be paid to the Distributor (the “Minimum Price”). The Fund may establish a minimum sales price per Share on any Offering Date in excess of the Minimum Price (the “Minimum Sales Price”), and the Fund shall communicate such Minimum Sales Price to the Distributor. The Fund shall have sole discretion to establish a Minimum Sales Price for any Offering Date and may consider, among other factors, the degree to which the Fund’s market price per Share exceeds its net asset value per Share, and the amount of assets the Fund desires to raise through ATM offerings. The Distributor shall suspend the sale of Shares if the per share price of the Shares is less than the Minimum Price or the Minimum Sales Price. The Distributor shall, together with the Fund, determine the maximum number of Shares to be sold by the Distributor for any Offering Date, and the Distributor shall not be authorized to sell Shares on any Offering Date in excess of such maximum.

(e) The Distributor will confirm to the Fund, following the close of trading on the Fund’s primary exchange on each Offering Date for the Shares, the number of Shares sold, the time of sale, the gross sales price per Share and the compensation payable to the Distributor, or to which the Distributor is entitled with respect to such sales. The Fund reserves the right to reject any order in whole or in part.

(f) Settlement for sales of the Shares pursuant to this Section 1 will occur on the second business day following the date on which such sales are made (each such day, a “Settlement Date”). On each Settlement Date, the Shares sold through the Distributor for settlement on such date shall be delivered by the Fund to the Distributor against payment of the gross sales proceeds for the sale of such Shares, less the Distributor’s sales commission.

(g) In selling Shares, the Distributor shall act solely as an agent of the Fund and not as principal.

Section 2. Representations and Warranties by the Fund. The Fund represents, warrants to and agrees with the Distributor, as of the date hereof and as of each Offering Date and Settlement Date, that:

(a) An “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act on Form N-2 (File No. 333-262469 and 811-21318) (the “Registration Statement”) (i) has been prepared by the Fund in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act in all material respects; and (ii) has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act; the Registration Statement sets forth the terms of the offering, sale and plan of distribution of the Shares and contains additional information concerning the Fund and its business; no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act has been received by the Fund; the Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, became effective upon filing; no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus (as defined below), or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, has been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Fund’s knowledge, have been threatened by the Commission. Except where the context otherwise

 

- 2 -


requires, “Registration Statement,” as used herein, means, collectively, the various parts of the Registration Statement pertaining to the offering and sale of Shares, as amended, at the time of effectiveness for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act (the “Effective Time”), as such section applies to the Distributor, including (1) all documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, (2) any information contained or incorporated by reference in a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) and/or Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, to the extent such information is deemed pursuant to Rule 430B or Rule 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the Registration Statement at the Effective Time, and (3) any registration statement filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act. Except where the context otherwise requires, “Prospectus,” as used herein, means a final prospectus, including the related statement of additional information, relating to the Shares, filed by the Fund with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) and/or Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, in the form furnished by the Fund to the Distributor in connection with the offering of the Shares, together with, if applicable, (1) any final prospectus supplement relating to the Shares attached to or used with such final prospectus, filed by the Fund with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) and/or Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, in the form furnished by the Fund to the Distributor in connection with the offering of the Shares, and (2) any then issued Issuer Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below). Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference, or deemed to be incorporated by reference, therein. “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to the Shares, including without limitation any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that (1) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Fund, (2) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) under the Securities Act whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (3) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) under the Securities Act because it contains a description of the Shares or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Fund’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act.

(b) The Fund is duly registered under the Investment Company Act as a closed-end management investment company. A notification of registration of the Fund as an investment company under the Investment Company Act on Form N-8A (the “Investment Company Act Notification”) has been prepared by the Fund in conformity with the Investment Company Act and has been filed with the Commission and, at the time of filing thereof and at the time of filing any amendment or supplement thereto, conformed in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. The Fund has not received any notice in writing from the Commission pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Investment Company Act with respect to the Investment Company Act Notification or the Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement to either of them). No person is serving or acting as an officer, director or investment adviser of the Fund except in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act.

(c) The Registration Statement, the Investment Company Act Notification, Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as from time to time amended or supplemented each complied when it became effective or was filed (as the case may be), complies as of the date hereof and, as amended or supplemented, will comply, at each time of purchase of Shares in connection with the ATM offerings, and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act; the Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the

 

- 3 -


statements therein not misleading; at no time during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of the Prospectus and the date the Prospectus was filed with the Commission and ends at the later of the time of purchase of Shares in connection with the ATM offerings, and the end of the period during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares did or will the Prospectus, as from time to time amended or supplemented, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date, as of each time of purchase of Shares in connection with each Offering and during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of the Prospectus and the date the Prospectus was filed with the Commission and ends at the later of the time of purchase of Shares in connection with the ATM offerings, and the end of the period during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares, did not and will not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any incorporated document deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified; provided, however, that the Fund does not make any representation or warranty with respect to any statement contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by the Distributor or any sub-placement agents (as defined below), or on the Distributor’s or any sub-placement agent’s behalf, to the Fund expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (the “Agent Provided Information”).

(d) The financial statements incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly the financial position of the Fund as of the dates indicated and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity of the Fund for the periods specified and have been prepared in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Investment Company Act and the Exchange Act, and in conformity in all material respects with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved; the other financial and statistical data contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are accurately and fairly presented, in all material respects, and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Fund in all material respects; there are no financial statements that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus by the Securities Act, the Investment Company Act or the Exchange Act that are not included or incorporated by reference as required; and the Fund does not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto).

(e) As of the date of this Agreement, the Fund has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and, with respect to any issuance and sale under this Agreement, the Fund shall have as of the date of the most recent amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, including the Shares, of the Fund have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable (except as described below and in the Registration Statement), have been issued in material compliance with all applicable securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right; the Shares will be duly listed, and admitted and authorized for trading, subject to official notice of issuance, on the exchange on which the Fund’s Shares are listed and primarily trade (the “Stock Exchange”).

 

- 4 -


(f) The Fund has been duly formed, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of Maryland, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and to issue, sell and deliver the Shares as contemplated herein. The Fund is duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition or results of operations of the Fund.

(g) The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (except as described below and in the Registration Statement) and free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights; the Shares, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be free of any restriction upon the voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the Fund’s charter or bylaws or any agreement or other instrument to which the Fund is a party. The capital stock of the Fund, including the Shares, conforms in all material respects to each description thereof, if any, contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; and the certificates for the Shares, if any, are in due and proper form. The Fund is in material compliance with the rules of the Stock Exchange, including, without limitation, the requirements for continued listing of the Shares on the Stock Exchange and the Fund has not received any written notice from the Stock Exchange regarding the delisting of the Shares from the Stock Exchange.

(h) No approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or of or with any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the Stock Exchange), or approval of the shareholders of the Fund that has not already been obtained, is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Fund of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (i) the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act, which has been effected, (ii) the listing of the Shares with the Stock Exchange, upon official notice of issuance, (iii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Shares are being offered by the Fund or (iv) any necessary qualification pursuant to the rules of FINRA.

(i) Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Fund has not, directly or indirectly, offered or sold any Shares by means of any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) or used any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, and from and after the execution of this Agreement, the Fund will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any Shares by means of any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) or use any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, other than the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Distributor and the applicable sub-placement agent(s) have consented; and the Fund is not an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) as of the eligibility determination date for purposes of Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act with respect to the offering of the Shares contemplated by the Registration Statement.

Section 3. Duties of the Fund.

(a) The Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject always to any necessary approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund (each a “Director,” and together the “Board”) or of its shareholders, all necessary action to fix the number of authorized Shares, to the end that the Fund will have a number of authorized but unissued Shares at least equal to the number of Shares registered for sale under the Securities Act and available for sale pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

- 5 -


(b) For purposes of the ATM offerings of Shares, the Fund will furnish to the Distributor copies of its most recent amendment to its Registration Statement for a particular ATM offering, its most recent Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, and other documentation the Distributor may reasonably request for use in the ATM offerings of Shares. The Distributor is authorized to furnish to prospective investors only such information concerning the Fund and the ATM offerings of Shares as may be contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Fund’s publicly available formation documents, or any other documents (including sales material), if expressly approved by the Fund for such purpose.

(c) The Fund shall furnish to the Distributor copies of all financial statements of the Fund which the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with its duties hereunder, and this shall include, upon request by the Distributor, one certified copy of all financial statements prepared for the Fund by independent public accountants.

(d) The Fund shall use its best efforts to qualify and maintain, to the extent required by applicable law, the qualification of Shares for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Distributor and the Fund may approve. Any such qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Fund at any time in its discretion. The expense of qualification and maintenance of qualification shall be borne by the Fund. The Distributor shall furnish such information and other material relating to its affairs and activities as may be required by the Fund in connection with such qualification.

(e) The Fund will furnish, in reasonable quantities upon request by the Distributor, copies of its annual and interim reports.

(f) The Fund will furnish the Distributor with such other documents as it may reasonably require, from time to time, for the purpose of enabling it to perform its duties as contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4. Duties of the Distributor.

(a) The Distributor shall devote reasonable time and effort to its duties hereunder. The services of the Distributor to the Fund hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive and nothing herein contained shall prevent the Distributor from entering into like arrangements with other investment companies so long as the performance of its obligations with respect to the Fund hereunder is not impaired thereby.

(b) In performing its duties hereunder, the Distributor shall comply with the requirements of all applicable laws relating to the sale of securities in all material respects. Neither the Distributor nor any sub-placement agent having an agreement to offer and sell Shares pursuant to Section 5 hereof nor any other person is authorized by the Fund to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in its Registration Statement, Prospectus and any sales literature specifically approved for such use by the Fund.

(c) The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures, as approved by the officers of the Fund, for the confirmation of sales to selected dealers, the collection of amounts payable by selected dealers on such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of FINRA applicable to sales of Shares, as such requirements may from time to time exist.

 

- 6 -


(d) The Distributor shall prepare or review, and file with federal and state agencies or other organizations as required by federal, state, or other applicable laws and regulations, all sales literature (advertisements, brochures and shareholder communications) prepared in connection with the ATM offerings for the Fund.

(e) The Distributor agrees to supply the following additional services, together with such other services as set forth throughout this Agreement:

 

  1.

handling inquiries from sub-placement agents regarding the Fund;

 

  2.

assisting in the enhancement of communications between sub-placement agents and the Fund;

 

  3.

communicating the Minimum Price or Minimum Sales Price to any sub-placement agents and instructing any sub-placement agents not to sell Shares if such sales cannot be effected at or above the Minimum Price or the Minimum Sales Price;

 

  4.

communicating the maximum amount of Shares to be sold on any Offering Date to any sub-placement agents;

 

  5.

notifying any sub-placement agents of any suspension or termination of the ATM offerings of Shares, together with any corresponding resumption of the ATM offerings of Shares;

 

  6.

coordinating delivery of any Shares sold through sub-placement agents to such sub-placement agents on the Settlement Date against payment of the gross sales proceeds for the sale of such Shares, less any applicable sub-placement agent selling commission;

 

  7.

delivering the Fund’s Prospectus to any sub-placement agents;

 

  8.

identifying potential sub-placement agents;

 

  9.

monitoring the performance of sub-placement agents;

 

  10.

providing any necessary reconciliation, accounting and recordkeeping services in respect of the ATM offerings of Shares, including with respect to the underwriting compensation paid by the Fund to the Distributor in respect thereof; and

  11.

providing such other information, assistance and services as may be reasonably requested by the Fund.

(f) The Distributor shall report to the Board at least quarterly, or more frequently as requested by the Board, regarding: (i) the nature of the services provided by the Distributor hereunder; (ii) the amount of compensation sub-placement agents, if any, are entitled to retain or be paid by the Distributor; and (iii) the aggregate amount of underwriting compensation paid by the Fund to the Distributor in respect of the ATM offerings of Shares.

(g) The Distributor represents and warrants to the Fund that it has all necessary licenses to perform the services contemplated hereunder and will perform such services in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.

(h) The Distributor shall make such initial and ongoing inquiry with respect to any sub-placement agents as shall be necessary to obtain appropriate assurances from any such sub-placement agents with respect to the respective sub-placement agents’ licensing, performance of services in respect of the Fund, compliance programs and such other matters as may be customary, necessary or desirable in respect of such sub-placement agents’ participation in the ATM offerings of Shares, or as may be requested by the Fund.

 

- 7 -


Section 5. Agreements with Sub-Placement Agents.

(a) The Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements, on such terms and conditions as the Distributor determines are not inconsistent with this Agreement, with broker-dealers to act as the Distributor’s agents to effect the sale of the Shares in the ATM offerings. Such selected broker-dealers (“sub-placement agents”) shall sell Shares only at market prices subject to the Minimum Price and the Minimum Sales Price. This Agreement shall not be construed as authorizing any dealer or other person to accept orders for sale on the Fund’s behalf or to otherwise act as the Fund’s agent for any purpose. The Distributor shall not be responsible for the acts of other dealers or agents except as and to the extent that they shall be acting for the Distributor or under the Distributor’s direction or authority.

(b) The Distributor shall offer and sell Shares only to such sub-placement agents who are acting as brokers or dealers who are members in good standing of FINRA and who agree to abide by the rules of FINRA.

(c) The Distributor shall obtain appropriate assurance from any sub-placement agents which it engages of the compliance by such sub-placement agents with applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules of FINRA.

Section 6. Sales Commission.

(a) The Fund shall pay the Distributor, or the Distributor shall be entitled to retain, an amount equal to 1.00% of the gross sales price per Share of the Shares sold.

(b) The Distributor may pay to sub-placement agents such sub-placement agent commissions as the Distributor shall deem advisable, or may authorize such sub-placement agents to retain such sub-placement agent commissions from the gross sales proceeds from the sale of such Shares, which shall be payable or retained, as the case may be, from the commissions payable or retained, as the case may be, to or by the Distributor under Section 6(a) above.

(c) The Fund hereby represents and warrants to the Distributor that (i) the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the fees and expenses associated with this Agreement, and (iii) any benefits accruing to the Distributor or to the Fund’s investment adviser or sponsor or another affiliate of the Fund in connection with this Agreement, including but not limited to any fee waivers, conversion cost reimbursements, up-front payments, signing payments or periodic payments relating to this Agreement have been fully disclosed to the Board and that, if required by applicable law, the Board has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement, any such fees and expenses, and any such benefits.

Section 7. Payment of Expenses.

(a) The Fund shall bear all of its own costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of its counsel and auditors, in connection with the preparation of its Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, if any, the preparation and filing of any required registration statements under the Securities Act and/or the Investment Company Act, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and in connection with any fees and expenses incurred with respect to any filing requirements of FINRA and preparing and mailing annual and interim reports and proxy materials to shareholders (including but not limited to the expense of setting in type any such Registration Statement, Prospectus, interim reports or proxy materials).

 

- 8 -


(b) The Fund shall bear any cost and expenses of qualification of the Shares for sale pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) The Distributor shall bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with its duties and activities under this Agreement, including the compensation of sub-placement agents for sales of the Fund’s Shares and fees and expenses of Distributor’s counsel (except for any FINRA filing fees or “blue sky” fees paid on behalf of the Fund or the Distributor by such counsel).

Section 8. Limitation of Liability; Indemnification.

(a) The Distributor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor’s cumulative liability to the Fund and any person or entity claiming through the Fund for all losses, claims, suits, controversies, breaches and damages of any nature whatsoever arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and regardless of the form of action or legal theory, shall not exceed an amount equal to the greatest amount of fees received by the Distributor for services provided under this Agreement during a particular six (6) consecutive month period. The Distributor shall not be liable for any damages arising out of any action or omission to act by any prior service provider of the Fund or for any failure to discover any such error or omission (provided that this sentence shall not apply where the Distributor was the prior service provider). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor shall not be liable for any consequential, incidental, exemplary, punitive, special or indirect damages, whether or not the likelihood of such damages was known by the Distributor. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor shall not be liable for damages occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

(b) The Fund agrees that it will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Distributor, its several officers, and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Distributor, its several officers, and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) (i) arise out of, or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any application or other document executed by or on behalf of the Fund or are based upon information furnished by or on behalf of the Fund filed in any state in order to qualify the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws thereof (“Blue Sky application”) or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) arise out of, or are based upon, any breach of the representations, warranties or covenants of the Fund contained in this Agreement, and the Fund will reimburse the Distributor, its several officers, and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Distributor, its several officers, and directors, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim described above in this Section 8(b); provided, however, that the Fund shall not be liable in any case to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Blue Sky application with respect to the Fund in reliance upon and in conformity with any Agent Provided Information, or arising out of the failure of the Distributor or any sub-placement agent to deliver a current Prospectus.

 

- 9 -


(c) The Fund shall not indemnify any person pursuant to this Section 8 unless the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought has rendered a final decision on the merits that such person was not liable by reason of his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties, or his or her reckless disregard of any obligations and duties, under this Agreement (“disabling conduct”) or, in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination (based upon a review of the facts) that such person was not liable by reason of disabling conduct has been made by the vote of a majority of a quorum of the directors of the Fund who are neither “interested parties” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) nor parties to the proceeding, or by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

(d) The Distributor will indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and its several officers and directors, and any person who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any of them may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Blue Sky application, or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, which statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Fund or any of its several officers and directors by or on behalf of the Distributor specifically for inclusion therein, and will reimburse the Fund and its several officers, directors and such controlling persons for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, proceeding or claim.

(e) This Section 8 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

Section 9. Duration and Termination of this Agreement.

(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first above written and shall remain in force for two years thereafter and thereafter continue from year to year, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Directors or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

(b) This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by the Distributor, on sixty days’ written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

(c) The terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “assignment,” “affiliated person” and “interested person,” when used in this Agreement, shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act.

Section 10. Amendments of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved (i) by the Directors or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those Directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

- 10 -


Section 11. Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement, directly or indirectly, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York. To the extent that the applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

Section 12. Customer Identification Program Notice. To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, U.S. federal law requires each financial institution to obtain, verify, and record certain information that identifies each person who initially opens an account with that financial institution on or after October 1, 2003. Consistent with this requirement, the Distributor will request (or already has requested) the Fund’s name, address and taxpayer identification number or other government-issued identification number. The Distributor may also ask (and may have already asked) for additional identifying information, and the Distributor may take steps (and may have already taken steps) to verify the authenticity and accuracy of these data elements.

Section 13. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

Section 14. Proprietary and Confidential Information. The Distributor agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund and prior, present or potential shareholders, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required where the Distributor may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund. The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each party hereto agrees that: (i) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P (“Regulation S-P”), promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “Act”), disclosed by a party hereunder is for the specific purpose of permitting the other party to perform the services set forth in this Agreement, and (ii) with respect to such information, each party will comply with Regulation S-P and the Act and will not disclose any Nonpublic Personal Information received in connection with this Agreement to any other party, except to the extent as necessary to carry out the services set forth in this Agreement or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the Act.

 

- 11 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

BLACKROCK CORPORATE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.
By:  

 

 

Name:

 

Janey Ahn

 

Title:

 

Secretary

BLACKROCK INVESTMENTS, LLC

By:  

 

 

Name:

 

Jonathan Diorio

 

Title:

 

Managing Director

Signature Page to BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. Distribution Agreement

Exhibit (h)(2)

SUB-PLACEMENT AGENT AGREEMENT

BlackRock Investments, LLC

55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055

February 9, 2022

UBS Securities LLC

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

RE:    At-the-Market Offerings by BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

From time to time BlackRock Investments, LLC (the “Distributor,” “we” or “us”) will act as manager of registered at-the-market offerings by BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), of up to 40,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Fund (the “Common Shares”). In the case of such offerings, the Fund has agreed with the Distributor to issue and sell through or to the Distributor, as sales agent and/or principal, the Shares (the “Distribution Agreement”).

We hereby agree to retain UBS Securities LLC (the “Agent” or “you”) as a sub-placement agent with respect to the offerings of the Shares to be issued and sold by the Fund (the “Offerings”) as the Fund and the Distributor may indicate from time to time, and you agree to act in such capacity, all upon, and subject to, the terms and conditions set forth below:

SECTION 1. Description of Offerings.

(a) The Shares are to be sold on a daily basis or otherwise as shall be agreed to by the Fund and the Distributor on any day (each, an “Offering Date”) that is a trading day for the exchange on which the Fund’s Shares are listed and primarily trade (the “Stock Exchange”) (other than a day on which the Stock Exchange is scheduled to close prior to its regular weekday closing time). Promptly after the Fund and the Distributor have determined the maximum amount of the Shares to be sold by the Distributor for any Offering Date, which shall not in any event exceed the amount available for issuance under the currently effective Registration Statement (as defined below) (the “Maximum Daily Amount”), and the minimum price per Share below which the Shares may not be sold by the Agent on any Offering Date (the “Minimum Daily Price”), the Distributor shall advise the Agent of the Maximum Daily Amount and the Minimum Daily Price. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Agent shall use its reasonable best efforts to sell all of the Shares designated in accordance with the plan of distribution set forth in the Prospectus; provided, however, that in no event shall the Agent sell Shares in excess of the Maximum Daily Amount or for a price per Share below the Minimum Daily Price. The gross sales price of the Shares sold under this Section 1(a) shall be the market price at which the Agent sells such Shares.


(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Distributor or the Fund may instruct the Agent by telephone (confirmed promptly by e-mail or telecopy) of a revised Minimum Daily Price and/or a revised Maximum Daily Amount and the Agent shall not sell Shares for a price per Share below such revised Minimum Daily Price, or in a quantity in excess of such revised Maximum Daily Amount, after the giving of such notice. In addition, the Distributor or the Fund may, upon notice to the Agent by telephone (confirmed promptly by e-mail or telecopy), suspend the offering of the Shares at any time; provided, however, that such suspension or termination shall not affect or impair the parties’ respective obligations with respect to the Shares sold hereunder prior to the giving of such notice.

(c) The Agent agrees not to make any sales of the Shares pursuant to this Section 1, other than through transactions for which compliance with Rule 153 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (collectively with the rules and regulations thereunder, the “Securities Act”), will satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act.

(d) The compensation to the Agent, as a sub-placement agent for each sale of the Shares pursuant to this Section 1, shall be the Applicable Selling Agent Commission with respect to the Shares sold, multiplied by the Gross Sales Proceeds (the “Agent Compensation”), as further described in the Addendum to this Sub-Placement Agent Agreement (the “Agreement”). The Agent shall not be responsible for any fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization on the Fund or the Distributor in respect of such sales. The Distributor may pay the Agent Compensation to the Agent, or may authorize the Agent to retain the Agent Compensation from the Gross Sales Proceeds. The Agent Compensation shall be payable solely out of the compensation the Distributor receives from the Fund pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (the “Related Compensation”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other provision of this Agreement (or, for the avoidance of doubt, in the Addendum hereto), the Distributor shall have no obligation to pay any portion of the Agent Compensation to the Agent, or authorize the retention by the Agent of any portion of the Agent Compensation from the Gross Sales Proceeds, until the Distributor receives at least an equivalent amount of Related Compensation, and the Distributor’s obligation to the Agent for the Agent Compensation is limited solely to amounts payable out of the Related Compensation.

(e) The Agent shall provide written confirmation to the Distributor following the close of trading on the Stock Exchange on each Offering Date setting forth for each sale the number of Shares sold, the time of sale, the Gross Sales Price (as defined in the Addendum to this Agreement) per Share, and the compensation that the Agent is owed with respect to such sales.

(f) Settlement for sales of the Shares pursuant to this Section 1 will occur on the second business day following the date on which such sales are made (each such day, a “Settlement Date”), unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties hereto. On each Settlement Date, the Shares sold through the Agent for settlement on such date shall be delivered by the Distributor to the Agent against payment of the Gross Sales Proceeds for the sale of such Shares. Settlement for all such Shares shall be effected by free delivery of the Shares to the Agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company in return for payments in same day funds delivered to the account(s) designated by the Distributor. If the Distributor shall default on its obligation to deliver the Shares on any Settlement Date, subject to the terms of Section 5 herein, the Distributor shall (A) hold the Agent harmless against any reasonable loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such

 

- 2 -


default by the Distributor and (B) pay the Agent any commission to which it would otherwise be entitled absent such default. If the Agent breaches this Agreement by failing to deliver proceeds on any Settlement Date for the Shares delivered by the Distributor, subject to the terms of Section 5 herein, the Agent shall (A) hold the Distributor harmless against any reasonable loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such default by the Agent, (B) deliver such proceeds to the Distributor as soon as practicable and (C) pay the Distributor interest based on the effective overnight Federal Funds rate.

(g) In connection with this Agreement and the Offerings, the Distributor shall, no more than once per calendar quarter in which the Fund and the Distributor have requested, or anticipate requesting, that the Agent sell Shares pursuant to an Offering, provide to the Agent such certificates and other documents, in any case, as the Agent may reasonably request upon reasonable notice (but in no event upon notice of less than five business days) relating to authorization, capacity, enforceability and compliance matters. Any such certifications shall be made as of the end of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter in which such request by the Agent is made.

(h) In connection with this Agreement and the Offerings, the Agent will promptly notify the Distributor of any material non-confidential claim or complaint, any material enforcement action or other material proceeding by a regulatory authority with respect to the Fund, the Shares or the Offerings against or directed at or to the Agent or its principals, affiliates, officers, directors, employees or agents, or any person who controls the Agent, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act.

(i) In connection with this Agreement and the Offerings, the Agent will promptly notify the Distributor of any examination by any regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization that has resulted in a material compliance deficiency in connection with the Offerings.

SECTION 2. Representations and Warranties by the Distributor. The Distributor represents, warrants to and agrees with the Agent, as of the date hereof and as of each Offering Date and Settlement Date, that:

(a) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act on Form N-2 (File No. 333-262469 and 811-21318) (the “Registration Statement”) (i) has been prepared by the Fund in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively called the “1940 Act”) in all material respects; and (ii) has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act; the Registration Statement sets forth the terms of the offering, sale and plan of distribution of the Shares and contains additional information concerning the Fund and its business; no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act has been received by the Fund; the Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, became effective upon filing; no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus (as defined below), or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, has been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Fund’s knowledge, have been

 

- 3 -


threatened by the Commission. Except where the context otherwise requires, “Registration Statement,” as used herein, means, collectively, the various parts of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act (the “Effective Time”), as such section applies to the Distributor, including (1) all documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, (2) any information contained or incorporated by reference in a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 425(b)(2) and/or Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, to the extent such information is deemed pursuant to Rule 430B or Rule 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the Registration Statement at the Effective Time, and (3) any registration statement filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act. “Prospectus,” as used herein, means the final prospectus, including the related statement of additional information, relating to the Shares, filed by the Fund with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) and/or Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, in the form furnished by the Fund to the Distributor in connection with the offering of the Shares, together with, if applicable, (1) any final prospectus supplement relating to the Shares attached to or used with such final prospectus, filed by the Fund with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) and/or Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act, in the form furnished by the Fund to the Distributor in connection with the offering of the Shares (the “Prospectus Supplement”), and (2) any then issued Issuer Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below). Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference, or deemed to be incorporated by reference, therein. “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to the Shares, including without limitation any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that (1) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Fund, (2) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) under the Securities Act whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (3) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) under the Securities Act because it contains a description of the Shares or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Fund’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act.

(b) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, (i) the Fund is duly registered under the 1940 Act as a closed-end management investment company; (ii) a notification of registration of the Fund as an investment company under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A (the “1940 Act Notification”) has been prepared by the Fund in conformity with the 1940 Act and has been filed with the Commission and, at the time of filing thereof and at the time of filing any amendment or supplement thereto, conformed in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act; (iii) the Fund has not received any notice in writing from the Commission pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act with respect to the 1940 Act Notification or the Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement to either of them); and (iv) no person is serving or acting as an officer, director or investment adviser of the Fund except in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.

 

- 4 -


(c) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, the Registration Statement, the 1940 Act Notification, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as from time to time amended or supplemented each complied when it became effective or was filed (as the case may be), complies as of the date hereof and, as amended or supplemented, will comply, at each time of purchase of Shares in connection with each Offering, and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act and the 1940 Act; the Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; at no time during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of the Prospectus and the date such Prospectus was filed with the Commission and ends at the later of each time of purchase of Shares in connection with each Offering, and the end of the period during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares, did or will the Prospectus, as from time to time amended or supplemented, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date, as of each time of purchase of Shares in connection with each Offering and during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of the Prospectus and the date such Prospectus was filed with the Commission and ends at the later of each time of purchase of Shares in connection with each Offering, and the end of the period during which a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with any sale of Shares, did not and will not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any incorporated document deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified; provided, however, that the Distributor does not make any representation or warranty with respect to any statement contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by the Agent or on the Agent’s behalf to the Distributor or the Fund expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (the “Agent Provided Information”). The Agent confirms that (i) the Agent’s name on the front cover of the Prospectus Supplement and (ii) the seventh paragraph under the heading “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus Supplement was the only information furnished in writing to the Distributor or the Fund by or on behalf of the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

(d) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, the financial statements incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly the financial position of the Fund as of the dates indicated and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity of the Fund for the periods specified and have been prepared in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the 1940 Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in conformity in all material respects with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved; the other financial and statistical data contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are accurately and fairly presented, in all material respects, and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Fund in all material respects; there are no financial statements that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus by the Securities Act, the 1940 Act or the Exchange Act that are not included or incorporated by reference as required; and the Fund does not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto).

 

- 5 -


(e) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement, the Fund has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and, with respect to any issuance and sale under this Agreement, the Fund shall have as of the date of the most recent amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, including the Common Shares, of the Fund have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable (except as described below and in the Registration Statement), have been issued in material compliance with all applicable securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right; the Shares will be duly listed, and admitted and authorized for trading, subject to official notice of issuance, on the Stock Exchange.

(f) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, (i) the Fund has been duly formed, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of Maryland, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and to issue, sell and deliver the Shares as contemplated herein; and (ii) the Fund is duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition or results of operations of the Fund.

(g) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, (i) the Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (except as described below and in the Registration Statement) and free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights; (ii) the Shares, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be free of any restriction upon the voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the Fund’s charter, as amended or supplemented, bylaws, as amended or supplemented, or any agreement or other instrument to which the Fund is a party; (iii) the capital stock of the Fund, including the Shares, conforms in all material respects to each description thereof, if any, contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; (iv) the certificates for the Shares, if any, are in due and proper form; and (v) the Fund is in material compliance with the rules of the Stock Exchange, including, without limitation, the requirements for continued listing of the Common Shares on the Stock Exchange and the Fund has not received any written notice from the Stock Exchange regarding the delisting of the Common Shares from the Stock Exchange.

(h) The Distributor has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Distributor. Assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Agent, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Distributor and is enforceable against the Distributor in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability hereof and thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and moratorium laws in effect from time to time and by equitable principles restricting the availability of equitable remedies.

 

- 6 -


(i) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or of or with any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the Stock Exchange), or approval of the shareholders of the Fund that has not already been obtained, is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Fund of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (i) the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act, which has been effected, (ii) the listing of the Shares with the Stock Exchange, upon official notice of issuance, (iii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Shares are being offered by the Distributor or (iv) any necessary qualification pursuant to the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

(j) Based upon the representations made by the Fund to the Distributor in the Distribution Agreement, prior to the execution of the Distribution Agreement, the Fund has not, directly or indirectly, offered or sold any Shares by means of any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) or used any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, and from and after the execution of this Agreement, the Fund will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any Shares by means of any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) or use any “prospectus” or “free writing prospectus” (in each case within the meaning of the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, other than the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Distributor and the Agent have consented; and the Fund is not an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) as of the eligibility determination date for purposes of Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act with respect to the offering of the Shares contemplated by the Registration Statement.

SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties by the Agent. The Agent represents, warrants to and agrees with the Distributor, as of the date hereof and as of each Offering Date and Settlement Date, that:

(a) The Agent has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Agent. Assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Distributor, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Agent and is enforceable against the Agent in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability hereof and thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and moratorium laws in effect from time to time and by equitable principles restricting the availability of equitable remedies.

(b) The Agent Provided Information is or will be complete and accurate in all material respects and does not or will not, as from time to time amended or supplemented, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

- 7 -


(c) The Agent has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of federal and state securities laws, including policies and procedures that provide oversight of compliance by each registered representative of the Agent.

SECTION 4. Additional Covenants.

(a) The Agent hereby confirms that it is actually engaged in the investment banking and securities business and is a member in good standing with FINRA and hereby agrees that it will undertake to comply with all applicable FINRA rules (as amended from time to time, including without limitation, any successor provision) in connection with acting as sub-placement agent for the sale of the Shares. The Agent further agrees that in acting as sub-placement agent for the sale of the Shares, it will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and the applicable rules and regulations of any state or any securities exchange or self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction over the relevant Offering.

(b) The Agent hereby agrees that in acting as sub-placement agent for the sale of the Shares, it will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for use of any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) concerning any Offering, other than the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Distributor and the Agent have consented. The Agent further agrees that in acting as sub-placement agent for the sale of the Shares, it is not authorized by the Distributor or the Fund or any other seller of the Shares offered pursuant to the Prospectus to give any information or to make any representation not contained in the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Distributor and the Agent have consented in connection with the sale of such Shares.

(c) The Distributor shall not be under any obligation to the Agent except for obligations assumed hereunder or in writing by the Distributor in connection with any Offering. Nothing contained herein or in any communication in writing from us shall constitute the Distributor and the Agent an association or partners with one another. If such parties should be deemed to constitute a partnership for Federal income tax purposes, then the Agent elects to be excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and agrees not to take any position inconsistent with that election. The Agent authorizes the Distributor, in its discretion, to execute and file on its behalf such evidence of that election as may be required by the Internal Revenue Service. In connection with any Offering, each party shall be liable for its proportionate amount of any tax, claim, demand or liability that may be asserted against it alone, based upon the claim that either of them constitutes an association, an unincorporated business or other entity, including, in each case, its proportionate amount of any expense incurred in defending against any such tax, claim, demand or liability.

(d) The parties acknowledge and agree that all share related numbers contained in this Agreement shall be adjusted to take into account any stock split effected with respect to the Shares.

 

- 8 -


(e) The Agent shall at all times comply with the offering requirements as set forth herein and under the heading “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus.

SECTION 5. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) The Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agent, its partners, directors and officers, and any person who controls the Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any reasonable loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which the Agent or any such person may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (or any actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon (i) any material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Distributor contained in this Agreement, (ii) any material violation by the Distributor of any law, rule or regulation (including any rule of any self-regulatory organization) applicable to the Offerings, or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact appearing in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent such statements were included in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with the Agent Provided Information.

(b) The Agent agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Distributor, the Fund, their partners, directors and officers, and any person who controls the Distributor or the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which the Distributor, the Fund or any such other person may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (or any actions or proceedings in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon (i) any material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Agent contained in this Agreement or (ii) any material violation by the Agent of any law, rule or regulation (including any rule of any self-regulatory organization), or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with the Agent Provided Information.

(c) An indemnified person under Section 5 of this Agreement (the “Indemnified Party”) shall give written notice to the other party (the “Indemnifying Party”) of any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim in respect of which the Indemnifying Party has a duty to indemnify such Indemnified Party under Section 5(a) or (b) of this Agreement (a “Claim”), specifying in reasonable detail the nature of the loss, damage, expense, liability or claim for which indemnification is sought, except that any delay or failure so to notify such Indemnifying Party shall only relieve such Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder to the extent, if at all, that such Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure.

 

- 9 -


(d) If a Claim results from any action, suit or proceeding brought or asserted against an Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in such action, suit or proceeding and participate in such defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the Indemnifying Party has failed within a reasonable time to assume the defense and employ counsel or (iii) the named parties to any such action, suit or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by its counsel that representation of such Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (whether or not such representation by the same counsel has been proposed) due to actual or potential differing interests between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party (in which case the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action, suit or proceeding on behalf of such Indemnified Party). It is understood, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall, in connection with any one action, suit or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions, suits or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of only one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties not having actual or potential differing interests with the Indemnifying Party or among themselves, which firm shall be designated in writing by an authorized representative of such parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action, suit or proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such written consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, suit or proceeding, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Party from and against any loss, liability, damage or expense by reason by such settlement or judgment.

(e) With respect to any Claim not within Paragraph (d) of Section 5 hereof, the Indemnifying Party shall have 20 days from receipt of notice from the Indemnified Party of such Claim within which to respond thereto. If the Indemnifying Party does not respond within such twenty-day period, it shall be deemed to have accepted responsibility to make payment and shall have no further right to contest the validity of such Claim. If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within such twenty-day period that it rejects such Claim in whole or in part, the Indemnified Party shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party under applicable law.

(f) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless in respect of any losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims referred to therein, then each applicable Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Indemnified Party, on the one hand, and the Indemnifying Party, on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares; or (ii) if, but only if, the allocation provided for in clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the

 

- 10 -


Indemnified Party, on the one hand, and of the Indemnifying Party, on the other, in connection with any statements or omissions or other matters which resulted in such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Distributor, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total compensation received by the Distributor from sales of the Shares bears to the total compensation received by the Agent from sales of the Shares. The relative fault of the parties hereto shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by such party, on one hand, or by the other party, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party hereto as a result of the losses, damages, expenses, liabilities and claims referred to in this subsection shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection (f). No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection (f), the Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the commissions received by it under this Agreement.

(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 5 and the covenants, warranties and representations of the parties contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent, its partners, directors or officers or any person (including each partner, officer or director of such person) who controls the Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, or by or on behalf of the Distributor, its directors or officers or any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and shall survive any termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Shares.

(h) IN NO EVENT WILL ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT BE LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES.

SECTION 6. Termination.

(a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until terminated by either party by five days’ written notice to the other party; provided, that if this Agreement has become effective with respect to any Offering pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement may not be terminated by either party with respect to such Offering.

 

- 11 -


(b) This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to Section 6(a) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties; provided that any such termination by mutual agreement shall in all cases be deemed to provide that Section 5 shall remain in full force and effect.

(c) Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination; provided that in any event such termination shall not be effective until any earlier than the close of business on the fifth day after receipt of such notice by the Distributor or the Agent, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of the Shares, such sale shall settle in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Agreement.

SECTION 7. Notices. Except as otherwise herein provided, all statements, requests, notices and agreements under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered by hand, overnight courier, mail or facsimile and, if to the Distributor, it shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to:

BlackRock Investments, LLC

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10055

Attn: Jonathan Diorio

and if to the Agent, it shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to:

UBS Securities LLC

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Attn: Saawan Pathange

Each party to this Agreement may change such address for notices by sending to the parties to this Agreement written notice of a new address for such purpose.

SECTION 8. Parties in Interest. The Agreement herein set forth has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Distributor, the Fund and the Agent and, to the extent provided in Section 5 of this Agreement, the partners, directors, officers and controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) referred to in such section, and their respective successors and assigns. No other person, partnership, association or corporation (including a purchaser, as such purchaser, from the Distributor) shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.

SECTION 9. No Fiduciary Relationship. The Distributor hereby acknowledges that the Agent is acting solely as sub-placement agent in connection with the sale of the Shares and that the Agent is acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis, and in no event do the parties intend that the Agent act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Distributor or the Fund, their respective management, shareholders or creditors, or any other person in connection with any activity that the Agent may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the sale of the Shares, either before or after the date hereof.

 

- 12 -


SECTION 10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof.

SECTION 11. Counterparts; Heading. This Agreement may be signed by the parties in one or more counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same agreement among the parties. The Section headings in this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of convenience of reference and are not a part of this Agreement.

SECTION 12. Law; Construction. This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“Dispute”), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 13. Submission to Jurisdiction. Except as set forth below, no Dispute may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and each party hereto consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. Each party hereto hereby consents to personal jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any Dispute arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement is brought by any third party against any Indemnified Party. Each party hereto (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) waives all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon such party and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which such party is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.

SECTION 14. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Distributor and the Agent and their successors and permitted assigns and any successor or permitted assign of any substantial portion of the Distributor’s or the Agent’s respective businesses and/or assets.

This Agreement may not be transferred or assigned without the consent of the non-transferring or non-assigning party; provided, however, that no such consent shall be required to transfer or assign this Agreement to an entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with, the transferring or assigning party.

SECTION 15. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held, under applicable law, to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired in any way and shall be interpreted to give effect to the intent of the parties manifested thereby.

 

- 13 -


SECTION 16. Investigations and Proceedings. The parties to this Agreement agree to cooperate fully in any securities regulatory investigation or proceeding or any judicial proceeding with respect to each party’s activities under this Agreement and promptly to notify the other party of any such investigation or proceeding.

SECTION 17. Modification, Waiver and Amendment. No modification, alteration or amendment of this Agreement will be valid or binding unless in writing and signed by all parties. No waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement will be construed as a waiver of any other term or condition; nor will any waiver of any default or breach under this Agreement be construed as a waiver of any other default or breach. No waiver will be binding unless in writing and signed by the party waiving the term, condition, default or breach. Any failure or delay by any party to enforce any of its rights under this Agreement will not be deemed a continuing waiver or modification hereof and such party, within the time provided by law, may commence appropriate legal proceedings to enforce any or all of such right.

 

- 14 -


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Distributor and the Agent, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this Agreement and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement between the Distributor and the Agent. Alternatively, the execution of this Agreement by the Distributor and the acceptance by or on behalf of the Agent may be evidenced by an exchange of telegraphic or other written communications.

 

Very truly yours,

BlackRock Investments, LLC

By:  

 

 

Name:

 

Jonathan Diorio

 

Title:

 

Managing Director

 

ACCEPTED as of the date first above written

UBS SECURITIES LLC

(as sub-placement agent)

By:                                                                       

Name: Saawan Pathange

Title: Managing Director

By:                                                                       

Name: Henry Du Pont

Title: Associate Director


ADDENDUM

TO

SUB-PLACEMENT AGENT AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

BLACKROCK INVESTMENTS, LLC

AND

UBS SECURITIES LLC

Compensation payable to the Agent for acting as a sub-placement agent with respect to a specified sale of Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be determined by multiplying the Gross Sales Proceeds by the Applicable Selling Agent Commission as set forth below:

 

Applicable Selling

Agent Commission

0.80%

Where:

“Gross Sales Proceeds” with respect to each sale of Shares shall be the Gross Sales Price multiplied by the number of Shares sold;

“Gross Sales Price” with respect to each sale of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be the gross sales price per share of such Shares.

LOGO

 

February 9, 2022

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Maryland counsel to BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offering and sale from time to time by the Company of up to an aggregate of 40,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to its Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 2, 2022 (File No. 333-262469) (together with all amendments thereto through the date hereof and the base prospectus forming a part thereof, the “Registration Statement”).

In our capacity as special Maryland counsel to the Company and for the purposes of the opinions expressed herein, we have examined originals or copies of the following documents:

 

  (i)

the Registration Statement (exclusive of the exhibits thereto), except that we have not examined the documents incorporated by reference therein or otherwise deemed to be part of or included therein;

 

  (ii)

the prospectus supplement related to the Shares in the form to be filed with the SEC on the date hereof in connection with the offering described herein (the “Prospectus Supplement” and together with the base prospectus referenced above, the “Prospectus”), except that we have not examined the documents incorporated by reference therein or otherwise deemed to be part of or included therein;

 

  (iii)

an executed copy of the Distribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and BlackRock Investments, LLC (the “Distribution Agreement”);

 

  (iv)

an executed copy of the Sub-Placement Agent Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between BlackRock Investments, LLC and UBS Securities LLC (together with the Distribution Agreement, the “Agreements”);

 

 

LOGO


BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.    LOGO
February 9, 2022
Page 2

 

  (v)

the charter of the Company as currently in effect (the “Charter”);

 

  (vi)

the bylaws of the Company as currently in effect (together with the Charter, the “Governing Documents”);

 

  (vii)

a certificate of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the “SDAT”), dated February 4, 2022, to the effect that the Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is duly authorized to exercise all the powers recited in its charter and to transact business in the State of Maryland;

 

  (viii)

a certificate of the President of the Company, dated February 9, 2022 (the “President’s Certificate”), certifying, among other things, as to the Company’s compliance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement; and

 

  (ix)

a certificate of the Secretary of the Company, dated February 9, 2022 (together with the President’s Certificate, the “Officers’ Certificates”), certifying, among other things, as to the incumbency of certain officers of the Company, the records of proceedings and actions of the Company’s board of directors relating to the transactions contemplated by the Agreements (the “Resolutions”), and the Governing Documents.

For the purposes of the opinions expressed herein, we have relied as to factual matters (other than facts constituting a legal conclusion) on the certificates of public officials, the Officers’ Certificates, and the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Distribution Agreement and have made no independent investigation or verification of the matters set forth therein.

In giving the opinions set forth herein, we have assumed (i) that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the original documents, and all signatures on all documents submitted to us for examination are genuine; (ii) that the form and content of all documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such documents as executed and delivered; (iii) the power and authority of the parties to those documents examined by us (other than the Company) to enter into the same and to perform the obligations of such parties thereunder; (iv) that all natural persons who executed any of the documents that were reviewed by us had legal capacity at the time of such execution; (v) that all public records reviewed by us or on our behalf are accurate and complete; and (vi) that all documents examined by us are, under all applicable laws other than the laws of the State of Maryland, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.


BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.    LOGO
February 9, 2022
Page 3

 

Based on the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.

The Company is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

2.

The Company has the corporate power to own, lease, and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

3.

The issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company is not subject to preemptive or other similar rights arising under the Governing Documents of the Company or the Maryland General Corporation Law.

 

4.

The Shares have been duly authorized, and, when issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and the Agreements against payment of the consideration set forth therein, will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

With respect to our opinion set forth in numbered paragraph 3 above as to the absence of any preemptive or similar rights, we point out that our opinion is only as to preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe to or purchase stock that would be created as a matter of Maryland law or under the Charter. We do not express any opinion as to preemptive or similar rights of stockholders of the Company or any other party that may exist under the terms of any contractual arrangement to which the Company may be a party.

We have assumed that, upon the issuance of any Shares, (i) the Company continues to validly exist in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and (ii) the proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Shares will be applied by the Company in the manner and for the purposes specified in the Prospectus.

We express no opinion as to the laws of any state or jurisdiction other than, and our opinions expressed herein are limited to, the laws of the State of Maryland, except that we express no opinion with respect to the “blue sky” or other securities laws or regulations of the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction. We express no opinion regarding the statutes, administrative decisions, rules, regulations or requirements of any county, municipality, subdivision or other local authority of the State of Maryland. We also assume that the Company has no assets, activities (other than the maintenance of registered offices and resident agents in the State of Maryland and the filing of documents with the SDAT) or employees in the State of Maryland.

This letter is being furnished to you solely for your benefit in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and may not be relied on, used, circulated, quoted from or otherwise referred to by any other person or for any other purpose without our prior written consent. We hereby consent to the use of our name and


BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.    LOGO
February 9, 2022
Page 4

 

the discussion of this opinion under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

Miles & Stockbridge P.C.

 

By:  

/s/ Emily A. Higgs

  Principal

Exhibit (s)(2)

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

FORM N-2

(Form Type)

BLACKROCK CORPORATE HIGH YIELD FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

The maximum aggregate amount of common stock being offered pursuant to the Prospectus Supplement dated February 9, 2022 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) and the accompanying Base Prospectus dated February 2, 2022 (together with the Prospectus Supplement, the “Prospectus”) is 40,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Offering”). The Prospectus, in the form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on February 9, 2022, is the final prospectus relating to the Offering.