As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27, 2019

File No. 000-      

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Maryland

 

84-3665200

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or registration)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     

1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315,
Mission Woods, KS

 

 

66205

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(816) 994-3200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

  

with copies to:

 

Harry S. Pangas, Esq.

Dechert LLP

1900 K Street NW

Washington, DC 20006

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
(Title of class)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company
      Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
     
Explanatory Note ii
     
Forward-Looking Statements ii
     
Item 1. Business 1
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 28
     
Item 2. Financial Information 55
     
Item 3. Properties 59
     
Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 59
     
Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers 59
     
Item 6. Executive Compensation 63
     
Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 64
     
Item 8. Legal Proceedings 67
     
Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 67
     
Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities 69
     
Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered 69
     
Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers 76
     
Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 77
     
Item 14. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 77
     
Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits 77

 

 -i-

 

 

Explanatory Note

 

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. is filing this registration statement on Form 10 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on a voluntary basis in order to permit it to file an election to be regulated as a business development company (a “BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and to provide current public information to the investment community and comply with applicable requirements for the possible future quotation or listing of its securities on a national securities exchange or other public trading market.

 

Unless indicated otherwise in this Registration Statement or the context requires otherwise, the terms:

  

· “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.;

 

· “Palmer Square” or “PSCM” refers collectively to Palmer Square Capital Management LLC and its subsidiaries and other affiliated entities;

 

· “Investment Advisor” refers to Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC, a majority-owned subsidiary of Palmer Square and our investment adviser;

 

·

“Administrator” refers to the Investment Advisor, in its capacity as our administrator; and

 

· “stockholders” refers to holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

 

Upon the effective date of this Registration Statement, we will be subject to the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, including the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, which will require us to file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. We will also be required to comply with all other obligations of the Exchange Act applicable to issuers filing registration statements pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Registration Statement contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our company, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including:

 

· our future operating results;

 

· our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

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

 

· the ability of the Investment Advisor to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments;

 

· the ability of the Investment Advisor and its affiliates to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

· risk associated with possible disruptions in our operations or the economy generally;

 

· the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of the companies in which we invest;

 

 -ii-

 

 

· the ability of the companies in which we invest to achieve their objectives;

 

· the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its effect on the industries in which we invest;

 

· our ability to qualify and maintain our qualification as a BDC and as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);

 

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

 

· the adequacy, availability and pricing of our financing sources and working capital;

 

· actual or potential conflicts of interest with the Investment Advisor and its affiliates;

 

· our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

· the economic downturn, interest rate volatility, loss of key personnel, and the illiquid nature of our investments; and

 

· the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Registration Statement.

 

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this Registration Statement should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Registration Statement. Moreover, we assume no duty and do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements.

 

 -iii-

 

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

The Company

 

We are a financial services company that primarily lends to and invests in debt securities of privately held companies. We will be an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company and intend to elect to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code as of the Initial Closing (as defined below), and we expect to qualify as a RIC annually thereafter. As a BDC and a RIC, we must comply with certain regulatory requirements. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation” and “Item 1. Business — Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.

 

Our investment objective is to maximize total return, comprised of current income and capital appreciation. However, no assurance can be given that our investment objective will be achieved, and investment results may vary substantially on a monthly, quarterly, annual and other periodic basis. The Company’s current investment focus is guided by two strategies that facilitate our investment opportunities and core competencies: (1) investing in corporate debt securities and, to a lesser extent, (2) investing in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) structured credit that typically owns corporate debt securities. The instruments in which we invest may not be rated by any rating agency, but the Investment Advisor believes that if such instruments were rated, they would be below investment grade, which is an indication of having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Investments that are rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as “high yield bonds,” “junk bonds” or “leveraged loans.” Therefore, our investments may result in an above average amount of risk and volatility or loss of principal. To a limited extent, we may enter into hedging transactions, which may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. We may receive or purchase warrants or rights to acquire equity or other securities in connection with making a debt investment in a company. We may also invest in other strategies and opportunities from time to time that we view as attractive as outlined below in “Item 1. Business – Investment Objective”. We will continue to evaluate other investment strategies in the ordinary course of business with no specific top-down allocation to any single investment strategy.

 

We were formed as a Maryland corporation in August 2019. We expect to conduct private offerings of our common stock to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). At the closing of any private offering, each investor will make a capital commitment (a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase shares of common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement (a “Subscription Agreement”) entered into with us. Investors will be required to fund drawdowns (“Drawdowns”) to purchase shares of our common stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments each time we deliver a notice to the investors (a “Drawdown Notice”). We anticipate commencing our loan origination and investment activities contemporaneously on the first date on which shares of common stock are purchased pursuant to a Drawdown Notice (the “Initial Closing”). We may, in our sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings of the private offering from time to time as determined by the Company. See “Item 1. Business —Term.”

 

The Investment Advisor

 

The Investment Advisor serves as our investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between us and the Investment Advisor (the “Advisory Agreement”) and will be registered as an investment adviser with the SEC prior to our filing of an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. Subject to the supervision of our Board of Directors (the “Board”), a majority of which is made up of directors that are not “interested persons” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), our Investment Advisor manages our day-to-day operations and provides us with investment advisory and management services and certain administrative services. Our Investment Advisor is a majority-owned subsidiary of Palmer Square, which is a privately-held firm specializing in global alternative (non-traditional) investments with a total return orientation.

 

The investment team (the “Investment Team”) of our Investment Advisor is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. As of September 30, 2019, the Investment Team was comprised of 17 investment professionals, all of whom dedicate a substantial portion of their time to the Company. In addition, the team has four dedicated operations professionals, two of whom have over 13 years of experience. In addition, the Investment Advisor believes that it has best-in-class support personnel, including expertise in risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance, among others. We expect to benefit from the support provided by these personnel in our operations.

 

The Investment Team employs a blend of top-down and bottom-up analysis. The senior members of the Investment Team have been actively involved in the alternative credit investing market for an average of 20 years and have built strong relationships with private equity sponsors, banks and financial intermediaries.

 

The Investment Advisor has an investment committee (the “Investment Committee”) comprised of four members that is responsible for approving all of our investments. The extensive experience of the investment professionals serving on our Investment Committee includes expertise in privately originated and publicly traded leveraged credit, stressed and distressed debt, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions and private equity. This diverse skill set provides a range of perspectives in the evaluation of each investment opportunity. 

 

 1

 

 

The Investment Advisor has entered into a Resource Sharing Agreement (the “Resource Sharing Agreement”) with Palmer Square, pursuant to which Palmer Square will provide the Investment Advisor with access to the resources of Palmer Square, including the Investment Team, so as to enable the Investment Advisor to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. Through the Resource Sharing Agreement, the Investment Advisor intends to capitalize on the significant deal origination, credit underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience of Palmer Square’s investment professionals.

 

The Investment Advisor, in its capacity as Administrator, provides the administrative services necessary for us to operate pursuant to an administration agreement between us and the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”). The Administrator has also entered into an agreement (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”) to delegate certain administrative functions to U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Sub-Administrator”). See “Item 1. Business—Administration Agreement” below for a discussion of the fees and expenses we are required to reimburse to the Administrator in connection with the services it provides to us under the Administration Agreement.

 

Palmer Square Capital Management

 

Palmer Square is a Delaware limited liability company formed in 2009 and had approximately $10.1 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2019. Palmer Square manages portfolios of both credit and structured credit as well as diverse hedge fund strategies designed with the intent to achieve high risk-adjusted returns over market cycles. We believe Palmer Square’s experience in analyzing companies and investment structures provides a sustainable competitive advantage over other firms. Palmer Square is 100% management owned and led by Christopher D. Long and Angie K. Long. The firm is an SEC registered investment adviser.

 

Market Opportunity

 

The Investment Team believes that existing market conditions have combined to create an attractive investment environment for us, including the following:

 

Risk Adjusted Returns. The universe of broadly-syndicated fixed and floating rate loans and corporate debt provides an opportunity set that the Investment Team believes offers an attractive, risk-adjusted return. Specifically, the Investment Team believes it can mitigate risk and achieve the investment goals by: (i) seeking the best relative value, which may equate to buying new loans or other corporate debt issuances at a discount or purchasing in the secondary market, and (ii) seeking to buy loans or other corporate debt issuances that the Investment Team believes are high quality with strong fundamentals and low default risk capable of withstanding significant downward pricing pressure.

 

Size of Corporate Debt Market. The corporate debt market segment that the Investment Team will focus on is industry diverse and large, and includes small to large private U.S. companies. Given the size of this corporate debt market, we believe the investment opportunity is perennial and cycle agnostic. In addition, private equity sponsors have a vast reserve of dry powder. With the U.S. economy on stable footing, the Investment Team believes private equity firms are poised to deploy meaningful amounts of capital, thus creating ongoing investment opportunities for private lenders.

 

Regulatory Environment and Opportunity for Alternative Lenders. As it pertains to middle market companies, recent changes in the regulatory capital charges imposed on the banking sector for unrated or illiquid assets have caused banks to reduce their lending activities to private middle market companies. Stakeholders in banks, including their shareholders, lenders and regulators, continue to exert pressure to contain the amount of these types of assets held on bank balance sheets. Examples of this include continued investor focus on the amount of assets whose fair value cannot be determined by using observable measures, or “Level 3 assets,” held on bank balance sheets. As a result, the Investment Team believes that many banks have been forced to reduce their lending to middle market companies, creating an opportunity for alternative lenders such as us to fill the void.

 

CLO Equity and Debt. The Investment Team believes that CLO equity and debt has been a tremendous source of returns for investors historically, and has the potential to offer investors high cash on cash returns with low credit risk and low correlation to traditional assets classes. Given that CLOs are floating rate instruments designed to mitigate interest rate sensitivity, investors may not directly suffer the same adverse effects that other asset classes may experience due to rising interest rates. The Investment Team has a strong track record of investing in CLO equity and debt, and believes that the strong risk-adjusted returns in CLOs continue to offer attractive relative value.

 

Investment Objective

 

The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return, comprised of current income and capital appreciation. However, no assurance can be given that the Company’s investment objective will be achieved, and investment results may vary substantially on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. The Investment Advisor believes that the Company’s investment objective can be achieved by primarily investing in first and second lien secured loans, and to a lesser extent unsecured debt, which in some cases includes an equity component. First and second lien secured loans generally are senior debt instruments that rank ahead of unsecured debt of a given portfolio company. These loans also have the benefit of security interests on the assets of the portfolio company, which may rank ahead of or be junior to other security interests.

 

 2

 

 

We will seek to maximize returns and minimize risk for our investors by applying detailed, fundamental credit analysis to make and monitor our portfolio investments. While the structure of our investments may vary, the Company can invest in senior secured debt, senior unsecured debt, subordinated secured debt, subordinated unsecured debt, convertible debt, convertible preferred equity, preferred equity, common equity, warrants and other instruments, many of which generate current yield. While our primary focus is to seek current income through investment in the debt of eligible privately-held companies, we may invest up to 30% of the portfolio in other purchases (either in the primary or secondary markets), including, for example, the equity and junior debt tranches of investment pools such as CLOs. Structurally, CLOs are entities that are formed to hold a portfolio of senior secured loans made to companies whose debt is generally rated below investment grade or, in limited circumstances, unrated. The senior secured loans within a CLO are limited to senior secured loans which meet specified credit and diversity criteria and are subject to concentration limitations in order to create an investment portfolio that is diverse by senior secured loan, borrower, and industry, with limitations on non-U.S. borrowers.

 

In addition, portfolio investments may also include, but are not limited to, corporate structured credit, cash and synthetic CLOs, CLO warehouses, collateralized debt obligations (each, a “CDO”), swaps, asset backed securities, preferred shares, corporate bonds, corporate bank loans, preferred stock, municipal bonds or loans and convertible securities. The Company seeks to invest in credit and other assets that the Investment Advisor believes have strong structural protections, limited downside, and low long-term beta to the broader credit and equity markets.

 

While not our primary investment objective, our investments may include other equity investments, such as warrants, options to buy a minority interest in a portfolio company, or contractual payment rights or rights to receive a proportional interest in the operating cash flow or net income of such company. When determined by the Investment Advisor to be in our best interest, we may acquire a controlling interest in a portfolio company. Any warrants we receive with our debt securities may require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest.

 

Our Investment Advisor may sell all or a portion of a position of the Company’s portfolio holdings when, in its opinion, one or more of the following occurs, among other reasons: (1) the deterioration of an issuer’s fundamentals; (2) changes in business strategy or key personnel; (3) rating agency downgrades or a decline in credit quality metrics; or (4) the Investment Advisor finds more attractive investment opportunities for the Company.

 

We intend to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally do not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification requirements and distribution requirements. More specifically, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of our realized net short-term capital gains over our realized net long-term capital losses.

 

The Investment Advisor has the ability to invest in both illiquid and less liquid securities. The Investment Advisor may employ leverage and use derivatives, both for speculative and hedging purposes. The Investment Advisor may employ techniques to hedge investment risk, including without limitation, the use of futures, forward contracts and options, swaps and short positions.

 

 3

 

 

Investment Approach

 

The Investment Advisor employs a blend of top-down and bottom-up analysis. The top-down approach has three components: (1) macro analysis whereby the Investment Advisor’s investment team undertakes frequent dialogues regarding macro items including the economic outlook, financial and credit markets, new and secondary issues, regulatory changes, M&A environment, and valuation levels; (2) cross-asset relative value analysis which consists of analyzing the credit spectrum for strong relative value opportunities (e.g., analysis of valuation metrics across loans, bonds, convertibles, CLOs and mortgage credits to identify and monitor optimal risk / reward opportunities); and (3) active monitoring by the Investment Team of the major sectors within the credit universe. With regard to the bottom-up approach, the Investment Team undertakes frequent dialogue discussing key analyses including items such as determining an issuer’s ability to service debt, measuring past performance and understanding the approach of the management team and their ability to meet goals, deal structure model analysis, document analysis and other financial modeling and scenario testing. Finally, the bottom-up approach includes trade refinement. For example, within the credit spectrum, the team also seeks to evaluate many trade specifics including, without limitation, liquidity, position size, upside/downside, and relative versus absolute value.

 

We believe our vast experience in analyzing and investing in corporate and structured credit provides us with a strong competitive advantage over other lenders with more limited experience investing in these markets. The Investment Advisor has deep expertise in evaluating, underwriting, monitoring and trading senior secured first lien, second lien term loans and other corporate debt securities. In addition, the Investment Advisor also has deep expertise in evaluating the investment merits and structural considerations of CLO debt and equity investments.

 

Our capital is generally used by our corporate borrowers to finance organic growth, acquisitions, recapitalizations and working capital. Our investment decisions are based on extensive analysis of potential portfolio companies’ business operations supported by an in-depth understanding of the quality of their recurring revenues and cash flow, variability of costs and the inherent value of their assets, including proprietary intangible assets and intellectual property. In making our CLO investments, we consider the indenture structure for that vehicle, its operating characteristics and compliance with its various indenture provisions, the collateral manager and its experience managing CLOs, as well as its corporate loan-based collateral pool.

 

We seek to maximize total returns to our investors, including both current yield and capital appreciation, by applying rigorous credit analysis and asset-based and cash-flow based lending techniques to make and monitor our investments. We are constantly pursuing multiple investment opportunities, including primary and secondary purchases of particular securities.

 

The Investment Advisor believes it can mitigate risk by: (i) seeking the best relative value, which may equate to buying new loans and CLO debt and equity in the primary market at a discount or purchasing in the secondary market, and (ii) seeking to buy loans and CLO debt and equity that the Investment Advisor believes are high quality with strong fundamentals and low default risk capable of withstanding significant downward pricing pressure.

 

Investment Process – Senior Secured Loans

 

The Investment Advisor’s senior secured loan investment strategy has been consistent throughout multiple credit environments and is predicated on the view that a conservative approach to investing in first lien and second lien senior secured loans is the optimal strategy over the course of a credit cycle. Given the idiosyncratic nature of secured loans, it is critical that we focus on downside protection and overall credit quality when evaluating each and every loan borrower.

 

There are a multitude of factors that the Investment Advisor’s investment team evaluates during the due diligence phase when we underwrite a loan; company-specific risk, industry risk, balance sheet risk, cash flow generation, liquidity of the loan, in addition to other factors. The aggregate output of this information provides a building block for deeper financial analysis, including base-case financial projections, and more importantly, downside-case financial projections. Once the initial research process is completed, the Investment Team can then make a highly informed decision on the quality of a particular loan and whether or not it meets our strict criteria for investment.

 

Corporate credit analysts at the Investment Advisor are each responsible for coverage of specific industries. Our view is that in order to appropriately analyze and underwrite senior secured loans, each analyst has to be an expert in their respective industry verticals. The Investment Advisor’s corporate credit analysts average over 11 years of experience in broadly syndicated and middle-market credit, and thus have a strong grasp on their respective industries and credit underwriting in general. As it relates to the due diligence process, each analyst draws not only on their personal analytical skillset, but also utilize their networks within the industry. This can include calls and visits with existing company management teams, former industry CEOs, industry experts, private equity sponsors and industry investment bankers. The aggregate of this initial information gathering then lays the groundwork for fundamental financial analysis and detailed financial modeling, whereby the credit analyst constructs a base case and downside case set of projections.

 

 4

 

 

At the conclusion of the due diligence process, the credit analyst presents a formal investment memorandum to the entire Investment Advisor’s investment team, which includes the Investment Committee (which averages over 20 years of credit investing experience) and all industry credit analysts. We view this a bit unique across credit investment firms, but believe that given the vast experience of all of our credit analysts, this more fulsome and collaborative process generates better questions and answers and ultimately leads to better investment decisions. Ultimately the Investment Committee will need to have a unanimous vote in order to approve any of our investments, working in collaboration with our Chief Investment Officer and the Investment Advisor’s loan portfolio manager to size the position appropriately for the risk.

 

Of equal importance, the monitoring phase of each loan investment is critical to the ultimate success of the loan position. Detailed quarterly writeups and model updates are done for each credit after they report earnings. However, the monitoring process is not just a quarterly event as credit analysts are digesting daily information and news regarding our borrowers, their industries and their competitors.

 

Our seasoned Investment Committee and credit analysts have significant experience investing in both broadly syndicated and middle-market corporate debt. The Investment Advisor’s detailed and consistent investment process make it uniquely qualified to achieve the Company’s objective of maximizing total return while minimizing risk.

 

Investment Process – CLO Debt and Equity

 

The Investment Advisor’s CLO debt and equity investment strategy has also been consistent throughout multiple credit environments and is focused on three main areas: structure and documentation of the CLO, the underlying portfolio of the CLO, and the collateral manager of the CLO.

 

The structures of CLOs have become more robust since the pre-financial crisis era, with subordination of each rated tranche essentially improving by one rating category (i.e., a current BBB-rated tranche may have similar credit support from a subordination perspective as a pre-financial crisis A-rated tranche). CLO equity leverage is also lower from the pre-financial crisis era, with the equity tranche now representing about 9-10% of current structures versus about 7% in pre-crisis structures. The Investment Advisor believes that no two CLO structures are identical, thus it is critical to analyze the nuances of each structure and the underlying documentation. For example, CLOs with higher overcollateralization cushions can help protect CLO equity from future cash diversion in a stressed scenario. From a documentation standpoint, while post-financial crisis documents are more standardized, it is critical to understand the nuances of each CLO, such as optional redemption rights, collateral quality limitations, reinvestment language optionality, and the ability flush excess par to the equity holders.

 

A second critical aspect of the CLO investment process is the Investment Advisor’s focus on the overall portfolio characteristics and underlying loans within a CLO. From a top-down perspective we focus on the weighted-average rating factor (“WARF”), diversity, spread, loan bid depth, facility size, rating distribution and price distribution of the entire portfolio. For example, two portfolios with a weighted-average price of $98.00 may have very different overall portfolio characteristics, such as a higher concentration in lower-rated loans, which could lead to issues during a downgrade cycle. In addition, given our strong corporate credit investment team, we focus on the individual names of the underlying portfolio, with great focus on any loans we perceive to have heightened credit risk.

 

The collateral manager of the CLO is the third aspect the Investment Advisor spends a significant amount of its due diligence effort analyzing. The Investment Advisor tracks data compiled from third-party sources such as Intex, Moody’s Analytics and Bloomberg, as well as proprietary internal systems to create a detailed analysis of the CLO collateral manager universe. This process leads to rankings of collateral managers based on all of the criteria mentioned above (i.e., WARF, spread, price, liquidity, etc.). In addition to the analytical and statistical process, the Investment Advisor also performs due diligence on collateral managers via in-person meetings and via telephone calls. Our goal is to meet the collateral managers we invest in at least twice per year in person.

 

 5

 

 

Managerial Assistance

 

As a BDC, we must offer, and must provide upon request, significant managerial assistance to certain of our eligible portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. The Administrator or an affiliate thereof will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request such assistance. We may receive fees for these services and will reimburse the Administrator or an affiliate of the Administrator for its allocated costs in providing such assistance.

 

Competition

 

Our primary competitors in providing debt financing include public and private funds, other business development companies, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, we believe some competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy as a RIC.

 

We expect to use the expertise of the investment professionals of the Investment Advisor to which we will have access to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies. In addition, we expect that the relationships of the Investment Advisor will enable us to learn about, and compete effectively for, financing opportunities with attractive private and middle-market companies in the industries in which we seek to invest. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Business and Structure—Operation in a Highly Competitive Market for Investment Opportunities.”

 

Capital Resources and Borrowings

 

We anticipate cash to be generated from the Private Offering (as defined below) and other future offerings of securities (including a Qualified IPO (as defined below)), and cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Additionally, we will be permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. Furthermore, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we may be required to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. In connection with borrowings, our lenders may require us to pledge assets, investor commitments to fund capital calls and/or the proceeds of those capital calls. In addition, the lenders may ask us to comply with positive or negative covenants that could have an effect on our operations.

 

We expect to enter into one or more agreements for a credit facility and/or subscription facility (each, a “Credit Facility”). Each Credit Facility will provide for borrowings to make additional investments and for other general corporate purposes. It is anticipated that a Credit Facility will bear interest at floating rates at to be determined spreads over LIBOR and will be secured by the Company’s assets, and/or the Company may be required to pledge Capital Commitments to the lender. We cannot assure stockholders that we will be able to enter into a Credit Facility.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our dividends and other distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if our Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then stockholders who do not “opt out” of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock, rather than receiving cash dividends and distributions. Please see “Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters—Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for disclosure regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

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Administration

 

We do not currently have any employees. Each officer of the Company will also be an employee of the Investment Advisor or its affiliates. See “Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers.”

 

Our day-to-day investment operations will be managed by the Investment Advisor. Pursuant to its Resource Sharing Agreement with Palmer Square, the Investment Advisor will have access to the individuals who comprise our Investment Advisor’s Investment Committee and Investment Team. The Advisor may hire additional investment professionals to provide services to us, based upon its needs. See above “Item 1. Business — The Investment Advisor.”

 

Advisory Agreement

 

Subject to the overall supervision of our Board and in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisor will manage our day-to-day operations and provide investment advisory services to us. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, our Investment Advisor:

 

determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make;

 

performs due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;

 

executes, closes, services and monitors the investments we make;

 

determines the securities and other assets that we will purchase, retain or sell; and

 

provides us with such other investment advisory, research and related services as we may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of our funds.

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, we will pay the Investment Advisor a fee for its investment advisory and management services consisting of two components—a base management fee and, subsequent to the listing of the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange (a “Listing”), an incentive fee. The cost of both the base management fee and the incentive fee will ultimately be borne by our stockholders.

 

Base Management Fee

 

The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 2.0% of the average of the weighted average (based on the number of shares outstanding each day in the quarter) of our total net assets at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. For our first quarter, the base management fee is calculated based on the weighted average of our total net assets as of such quarter-end. The base management fee for any partial quarter will be pro-rated based on the number of days actually elapsed in that quarter relative to the total number of days in such quarter.

 

The Investment Advisor, however, has agreed to waive its right to receive management fees in excess of 1.75% of the total net assets during any period prior to a Listing. If a Listing does not occur, such fee waiver will remain in place through liquidation of the Company. The Investment Advisor will not be permitted to recoup any waived amounts at any time and the waiver may only be modified or terminated prior to a Listing with the approval of the Board.

 

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Incentive Fee

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Advisor will not be entitled to an incentive fee prior to a Listing. Following a Listing, the Investment Advisor will be entitled to an incentive fee (the “Income Incentive Fee”) based on the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the then most recently completed calendar quarter, as adjusted downward (but not upward) if over the most recently completed and three preceding calendar quarters aggregate net realized losses on the Company’s investments exceed the Company’s aggregate net investment income over such period, as described in more detail below. In this regard, if the Company’s net realized losses over the most recently completed and three preceding calendar quarters are greater than the Company’s net investment income over the same period, then the pre-incentive fee net income used in the calculation of the Income Incentive Fee would be subject to a downward adjustment. The amount of the adjustment would be equal to the amount by which such net realized losses exceed such net investment income. On the other hand, if the Company’s net investment income over the most recently completed and three preceding calendar quarters is equal to or greater than the Company’s net realized losses over the same period, then no adjustment to pre-incentive fee net investment income would be made. The Income Incentive Fee will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears commencing with the first calendar quarter following a Listing. The Company will pay the Investment Advisor an Income Incentive Fee with respect to its “adjusted net investment income” in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

· no Income Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s “adjusted net investment income” does not exceed an amount equal to a “hurdle rate” of 1.5% per quarter (6% annualized) of the Company’s total net assets at the end of that quarter (the “Hurdle Amount”);

 

· 100% of the Company’s “adjusted net investment income” with respect to that portion of such “adjusted net investment income,” if any, that exceeds the Hurdle Amount but is less than or equal to an amount (the “Catch-Up Amount”) determined on a quarterly basis by multiplying 1.6875% by the Company’s total net asset value for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. The Catch-Up Amount is intended to provide the Investment Advisor with an incentive fee of 12.5% on all of the Company’s “adjusted net investment income” when the Company’s “adjusted net investment income” reaches the Catch-Up Amount in any calendar quarter; and

 

· for any calendar quarter in which the Company’s “adjusted net investment income” exceeds the Catch-Up Amount, the Income Incentive Fee shall equal 12.5% of the amount of the Company’s “adjusted net investment income” for the calendar quarter.

 

“Adjusted net investment income” means the Company’s “pre-incentive fee net investment income” during the then most recently completed calendar quarter minus the difference, if positive, between (i) the Company’s “net realized losses” over the then most recently completed and three preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of calendar quarters that have occurred since the Listing) and (ii) the Company’s “net investment income” over the then most recently completed and three preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of calendar quarters that have occurred since the Listing). No adjustment (downward or upward) will be made to “pre-incentive fee net investment income” if the difference between clause (i) minus clause (ii) is zero or negative.

 

“Pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Income Incentive Fee). “Pre-incentive fee net investment income” includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, original issue discount (“OID”), debt instruments with payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero-coupon securities, accrued income that we have not yet received in cash.

 

“Net realized losses” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) the aggregate realized capital losses on the Company’s investments in such period and (ii) the aggregate realized capital gains on the Company’s investments in such period. “Net investment income” in respect of the particular period means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the particular period, minus operating expenses for the particular (including the base management fee, the Income Incentive Fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock). “Net investment income” includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, OID, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero-coupon securities, accrued income that we have not yet received in cash.

 

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The Incentive Fee amount, or the calculations pertaining thereto, as appropriate, will be pro-rated for any period less than a full calendar quarter.

 

Payment of Our Expenses

 

All professionals of the Investment Advisor, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of personnel allocable to these services to us, will be provided and paid for by the Investment Advisor and not by us. We will bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions. See “Item 2. Financial Information —Discussion of Management’s Expected Operating Plans —Expenses.”

 

Duration and Termination

 

Unless terminated earlier as described below, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for a period of two years from its effective date. It will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by our Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of our Independent Directors. The Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Investment Advisor and may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the other. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Advisory Agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice.

 

The Advisory Agreement provides that, absent criminal conduct, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Advisor and its professionals and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from us for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of our Investment Advisor’s services under the Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser.

 

Administration Agreement

 

We will enter into the Administration Agreement with our Administrator, who will provide us with office space, office services and equipment. The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator will furnish us with office facilities and equipment and will provide us with clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will perform, or oversee the performance of, our required administrative services, which will include being responsible for the financial and other records that we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports and other materials filed with the SEC. In addition, the Administrator will assist us in determining and publishing our net asset value, oversee the preparation and filing of our tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports and other materials to our stockholders, and generally oversee the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will also provide managerial assistance on our behalf to those portfolio companies that have accepted our offer to provide such assistance.

 

Under the Administration Agreement, we will reimburse the Administrator based upon our allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead (including rent) in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions and our allocable portion of the cost of our officers (including our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer), and any of their respective staff who provide services to us, operations staff who provide services to us, and internal audit staff, if any, to the extent internal audit performs a role in our Sarbanes Oxley internal control assessment. In addition, if requested to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, the Administrator will be reimbursed based on the services provided. The Administration Agreement will have an initial term of two years and may be renewed with the approval of our Board. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. To the extent that the Administrator outsources any of its functions, we will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without any incremental profit to the Administrator.

 

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In addition, our Administrator has, pursuant to the Sub-Administration Agreement, engaged the Sub-Administrator to act on behalf of our Administrator in the performance of certain other administrative services for us. We also intend to engage U.S. Bank, National Association or its affiliates (“US Bank”) directly to serve as our custodian, transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar.

 

The Private Offering

 

We expect to enter into separate Subscription Agreements with a number of investors for the private placement of the Company’s common stock (the “Private Offering”). Each investor will make a capital commitment to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to the Subscription Agreement. Investors will be required to make capital contributions to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock each time the Company delivers a drawdown notice, which will be delivered at least 10 days prior to the initial required funding date and 10 days prior to any subsequent required funding date, in an aggregate amount not to exceed their respective capital commitments. All purchases will generally be made pro rata, in accordance with the investors’ capital commitments, at a per-share price as determined by the Board (including any committee thereof) as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter or such other date determined by the Board prior to the date of the applicable drawdown notice. The per-share price shall be at least equal to the net asset value per share, as calculated within no more than 48 hours of share issuance, in accordance with the limitations under Section 23 of the 1940 Act. The Board may set the per-share price above the net asset value per share based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the total amount of the Company’s organizational, offering and other expenses.

 

The Company reserves the right to conduct additional offerings of securities in the future in addition to the Private Offering. In the event that the Company enters into a Subscription Agreement with one or more investors after the initial drawdown, each such investor will be required to make purchases of shares of common stock (each, a “Catch-up Purchase”) on one or more dates to be determined by the Company. The aggregate purchase price of the Catch-up Purchases will be equal to an amount necessary to ensure that, upon payment of the aggregate purchase price, such investor will have contributed the same percentage of its capital commitment to the Company as all investors whose subscriptions were accepted at previous closings. Catch-up Purchases will be made at a per-share price as determined by the Company’s Board (including any committee thereof) as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter or such other date as determined by the Board prior to the date of the applicable drawdown notice. The per-share price shall be at least equal to the net asset value per share of the Company’s common stock in accordance with the limitations under Section 23 of the 1940 Act. The Board may set the per-share price above the net asset value per share based on a variety of factors, including without limitation the total amount of the Company’s organizational, Private Offering and other expenses.

 

In addition to all legal remedies available to the Company, failure by an investor to purchase additional common stock when requested by the Company will (following a cure period of ten business days) result in that investor being subject to certain default provisions set forth in that investor’s Subscription Agreement, which may include causing such investor to forfeit a significant portion of its shares or to transfer its shares to a third party for a price that is less than the net asset value of such shares. Defaulting investors may also forfeit their right to participate in purchasing additional shares on any future drawdown date or otherwise participate in any future investments in the Company.

 

As part of certain Credit Facilities, the right to make capital calls of stockholders may be pledged as collateral to the lender, which will be able to call for capital contributions upon the occurrence of an event of default under such Credit Facility. To the extent such an event of default does occur, stockholders could therefore be required to fund any shortfall up to their remaining capital commitments, without regard to the underlying value of their investment.

 

Term

 

We may draw down capital commitments to make investments at any time during the period from the Initial Closing through the five-year anniversary of the Initial Closing (the “Commitment Period”). After the end of the Commitment Period, investors in the Private Offering will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional shares of common stock, except to the extent necessary to (a) pay Company expenses, including management fees, any amounts that may become due under any borrowings or other financings or similar obligations and any other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in each case to the extent they relate to the Commitment Period, (b) complete investments in any transactions for which there are binding written agreements as of the end of the Commitment Period (including investments that are funded in phases), (c) fund follow-on investments made in existing portfolio companies that, in the aggregate, do not exceed 10% of total commitments, (d) fund obligations under any Company guarantee or indemnity made during the Commitment Period and/or (e) fund any defaulted commitments. The Commitment Period shall terminate earlier upon a Liquidity Event (as defined below) and investors will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional shares of common stock. Additional closings of the Private Offering are expected to occur from time to time as determined by the Company. The Company reserves the right to conduct new or additional offerings of securities in the future, in addition to the Private Offering.

 

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If a Liquidity Event has not occurred by the expiration of the Commitment Period, the Board will use its best efforts to wind down and/or liquidate and dissolve the Company.

 

Prior to a Liquidity Event, no investor who participated in the Private Offering will be permitted to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of its shares or capital commitment unless the Company provides its prior written consent and the transfer is otherwise made in accordance with applicable law. Upon the closing of a Liquidity Event, investors in the Private Offering will be subject to certain lock-up and manner-of-sale provisions set forth in the Subscription Agreement. Following a Liquidity Event, investors in the Private Offering will also be restricted from selling or disposing of their shares of common stock by applicable securities laws or contractually by a lock-up agreement with the underwriters of a Qualified IPO or similar institutions in connection with a Liquidity Event.

 

A “Liquidity Event” means, at the discretion of the Board: (a) (1) a Listing or (2) an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock that results in an unaffiliated public float of at least the lower of (i) $75 million and (ii) 15% of the aggregate capital commitments received prior to the date of such initial public offering (a “Qualified IPO”), or (b) with the requisite approval of our stockholders as required by applicable law, a corporate control transaction, which may include a strategic sale of the Company or all or substantially all of our assets to, or a merger with, another entity, or another type of corporate control event (which may include a transaction with an affiliated entity, including an affiliated 1940 Act fund) for consideration in cash or publicly listed securities of such entity or a combination of cash and such publicly listed securities.

 

Regulation

 

We intend to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. A BDC must be organized in the United States for the purpose of investing in or lending to primarily private companies and making significant managerial assistance available to them.

 

We may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC unless authorized by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as required by the 1940 Act. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of such company’s voting securities present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.

 

As with other companies regulated by the 1940 Act, a BDC must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. A majority of our directors must be persons who are not interested persons, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Additionally, we will be required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect the BDC. Furthermore, as a BDC, we will be prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

 

We are generally required to meet an asset coverage ratio, defined under the 1940 Act as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) to our outstanding senior securities, of at least 150% after each issuance of senior securities.

 

We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC. As a BDC, we will generally be limited in our ability to invest in any portfolio company in which our Investment Advisor or any of its affiliates currently has an investment or to make any co-investments with our Investment Advisor or its affiliates without an exemptive order from the SEC, subject to certain exceptions.

 

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We do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, except for registered money market funds, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of investment companies in the aggregate. The portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies ordinarily will subject our stockholders to additional expenses. Our investment portfolio is also subject to diversification requirements by virtue of our intention to be a RIC for U.S. tax purposes and our intention to continue to operate in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs.

 

In addition, investment companies registered under the 1940 Act and private funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” pursuant to either Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act may not acquire directly or through a controlled entity more than 3% of our total outstanding voting stock (measured at the time of the acquisition), unless the funds comply with an exemption under the 1940 Act. As a result, certain of our investors may hold a smaller position in our shares than if they were not subject to these restrictions.

 

We will generally not be able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value of our common stock if our Board determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. In addition, we may generally issue new shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value in rights offerings to existing stockholders, in payment of dividends and in certain other limited circumstances.

 

We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.

 

Qualifying Assets

 

We may invest up to 30% of our portfolio opportunistically in “non-qualifying assets”, which will be driven primarily through opportunities sourced through the Investment Advisor. However, under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as “qualifying assets,” unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the BDC’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

c. satisfies any of the following:

 

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

 

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

 

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iii. is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

 

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

 

2. Securities of any eligible portfolio company which we control.

 

3. Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities, was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.

 

4. Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.

 

5. Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.

 

6. Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

 

If at any time less than 70% of our gross assets are comprised of qualifying assets, including as a result of an increase in the value of any non-qualifying assets or decrease in the value of any qualifying assets, we would generally not be permitted to acquire any additional non-qualifying assets until such time as 70% of our then current gross assets were comprised of qualifying assets. We would not be required, however, to dispose of any non-qualifying assets in such circumstances.

 

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

 

A BDC must have been organized under the laws of, and have its principal place of business in, any state or states within the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors or officers, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company. We may also receive fees for these services. The Administrator may provide, or arrange for the provision of, such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance, subject to reimbursement of any fees or expenses incurred on our behalf by the Administrator in accordance with our Administration Agreement.

 

Temporary Investments

 

We generally expect to call capital for investment purposes only at the time we identify an investment opportunity. Until such time as we invest the proceeds of such capital calls in portfolio companies and while new investments are pending, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as “temporary investments,” so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price which is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our gross assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we may not meet the diversification tests in order to qualify as a RIC. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our Investment Advisor will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

 

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Senior Securities

 

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We and the Investment Advisor have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain transactions by our personnel.

 

Compliance Policies and Procedures

 

We and our Investment Advisor have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and prevent violation of the federal securities laws and will be required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation and designate a Chief Compliance Officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures. Scott A. Betz currently serves as our Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements will affect us. For example:

 

· pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer must certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports;

 

· pursuant to Item 307 of Regulation S-K, our periodic reports must disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures;

 

· pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our management must prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and (once we cease to be an emerging growth company under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) and satisfy certain other requirements) must obtain an audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting performed by our independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

· pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our periodic reports must disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our current policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

 

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Emerging Growth Company

 

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We could remain an emerging growth company until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of an initial public offering, if any, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of $1,070,000,000 or more, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year in which we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million, measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months), or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period. In addition, as an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

We will delegate our proxy voting responsibility to our Investment Advisor. As a fiduciary, the Investment Advisor has a duty to monitor corporate events and to vote proxies, as well as a duty to cast votes in the best interest of the Company and not to subrogate Company interests to its own interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, the Investment Advisor seeks to ensure that it votes proxies in the best interest of the Company, and addresses how the Investment Advisor will resolve any conflict of interest that may arise when voting proxies. The Investment Advisor’s proxy voting policy attempts to generalize a complex subject and the Investment Advisor may, from time to time, determine that it is in the best interests of the Company to depart from specific policies described therein.

 

Privacy Principles

 

The Company looks to protect nonpublic personal data. The Company’s privacy policy summarized below is intended to be compliant with the federal and state regulations as applied to the Company.

 

From time to time nonpublic personal information of our stockholders may be collected as required for legitimate business purposes. The following are sources of information collected:

 

1. Subscription Agreements, investor questionnaires and other forms, which may include a stockholder’s name, address, social security number and personally identifiable financial information;

 

2. Account history, including information about a stockholder’s shares, such as capital contributions, share purchases and sales and distributions from the Company;

 

3. Transactions with the Company, including information the Company receives and maintains relating to securities transactions with and through the Company; and

 

4. Correspondence, written, telephonic or electronic, between stockholders and the Company, the Investment Advisor, any of the Investment Advisor’s affiliates or any of the Company’s service providers.

 

In addition to the sources listed above, the Company and the Investment Advisor and its affiliates may also collect this information from their respective internet web sites, if applicable.

 

The Company may share all of the information that we collect, as described above, with our Investment Advisor and its affiliates in order to service stockholder accounts or provide stockholders with information about other products and services offered by the Company or the Investment Advisor or its affiliates that may be of interest to them.

 

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In addition, the Company may disclose all of the information that it collects about stockholders to certain third parties who are not affiliated with the Company or the Investment Advisor or its affiliates under one or more of the following circumstances:

 

1. As Authorized – if a stockholder requests or authorizes disclosure of the information.

 

2. As Required by Law – for example, to cooperate with regulators or law enforcement authorities.

 

3. As Permitted by Law – for example, sharing information with companies that maintain, process or service Company or stockholder accounts or financial products and services or who effect, administer or enforce Company or stockholder transactions is permitted. Among other activities, the Company and its Investment Advisor and its affiliates may share information with persons acting in a representative or fiduciary capacity on the Company’s or a stockholder’s behalf. The Company believes that sharing of information for these purposes is essential to providing stockholders with necessary or useful services with respect to their accounts.

 

The Company and the Investment Advisor and its affiliates restrict access to nonpublic personal information about stockholders internally to those of their respective employees and agents who need to know the information to enable them to provide services to the stockholders. The Company and the Investment Advisor and its affiliates maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard stockholder’s nonpublic personal information.

 

Reporting Obligations

 

Upon the effectiveness of our Form 10 under the Exchange Act, we will be required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the Exchange Act.

 

Stockholders and the public may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may also obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. The SEC also maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains such information.

 

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following discussion is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and an investment in shares of our common stock. The discussion is based upon the Code, the regulations of the U.S. Department of the Treasury promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as the “Treasury regulations,” the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the “IRS” (including administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS expressed in private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers that requested and received those rulings) and judicial decisions, each as of the date of this Registration Statement and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this summary, and this summary is not binding on the IRS. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert, and a court will not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences discussed below.

 

You should note that this summary does not purport to be a complete description of all the tax aspects affecting us or our stockholders. For example, this summary does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to certain types of stockholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, partnerships or other pass-through entities and their owners, Non-U.S. stockholders (as defined below) engaged in a trade or business in the United States or entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, persons who have ceased to be U.S. citizens or to be taxed as residents of the United States, U.S. stockholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding our common stock in connection with a hedging, straddle, conversion or other integrated transaction, dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect to use a market-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings, pension plans and trusts, and financial institutions. This summary assumes that our stockholders hold shares of our common stock as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift taxation, U.S. state or local taxation or non-U.S. taxation. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invest in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

 

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For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

· an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

     

· a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, including, for this purpose, the District of Columbia;

     

· a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more “United States persons” (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantive decisions of the trust; or

     

· a trust or an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is not a U.S. stockholder or a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

If a partnership, or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds shares of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. A prospective stockholder that is a partnership holding shares of our common stock, and each partner in such a partnership, should consult his, her or its own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.

 

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to each stockholder of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. You should consult your own tax adviser regarding the specific tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock to you, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and non-U.S. tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable income tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.

 

Election to be Taxed as a RIC

 

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any income or gains that we timely distribute as dividends to our stockholders. Rather, dividends we distribute generally will be taxable to our stockholders, and any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other of our tax attributes generally will not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as net capital gains and qualified dividend income we recognize. See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholdersand “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders,” below.

 

To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, to qualify as a RIC, we must timely distribute dividends to our stockholders of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of the sum of our (i) investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net realized short-term capital gains over net realized long-term capital losses and other taxable income (other than any net capital gain), reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends and distributions paid and (ii) net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions), (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”). We intend to distribute annually all or substantially all of such income. Generally, if we fail to meet this Annual Distribution Requirement for any taxable year, we will fail to qualify as a RIC for such taxable year. To the extent we meet the Annual Distribution Requirement for a taxable year, but retain our net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, we are subject to U.S. federal income tax on such retained capital gains and investment company taxable income. We may choose to retain our net capital gains for investment or any investment company taxable income, and pay the associated corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, including the 4% U.S. federal excise tax described below.

 

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Taxation as a RIC

 

If we qualify as a RIC and satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain (generally, net long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss) that we timely distribute (or are deemed to timely distribute) as dividends to our stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

 

We generally will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income or gains in respect of any calendar year unless we distribute dividends in a timely manner to our stockholders of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the one-year period ending October 31 in such calendar year and (3) any net ordinary income and capital gain net income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). Any distribution declared by us during October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated as if it had been paid by us, as well as received by our U.S. stockholders, on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared. We will not be subject to the U.S. federal excise tax on amounts on which we are required to pay U.S. federal income tax (such as retained net capital gains). Depending upon the level of taxable income earned in a taxable year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following taxable year and pay the applicable U.S. federal excise tax.

 

We may incur the 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax in the future on a portion of our income and capital gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize exposure to 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax, we may not be able to, or may choose not to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the tax entirely. In that event, we generally will be liable for 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement. We generally will endeavor in each taxable year to avoid any material U.S. federal excise tax on our earnings.

 

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

 

· qualify and have in effect an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

 

· derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to our business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership,” or “QPTP,” hereinafter the “90% Income Test”; and

 

· diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

 

· at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and

 

· no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in (a) the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer or of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (b) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Diversification Tests”).

 

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A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its investment company taxable income (which is, generally, ordinary income plus the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses). If our expenses in a given taxable year exceed our investment company taxable income, we may experience a net operating loss for that taxable year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent taxable years and such net operating losses do not pass through to its stockholders. In addition, deductible expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. A RIC may not use any net capital losses (that is, the excess of realized capital losses over realized capital gains) to offset its investment company taxable income, but may carry forward such net capital losses, and use them to offset future capital gains, indefinitely. Due to these limits on deductibility of expenses and net capital losses, we may for tax purposes have aggregate taxable income for several years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to our stockholders even if such taxable income is greater than the net income we actually earn during those taxable years. Such required distributions may be made from our cash assets or by liquidation of investments, if necessary. We may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event we realize net capital gains from such transactions, stockholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would have received in the absence of such transactions.

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will include in our taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable U.S. federal income tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, that have increasing interest rates or are issued with warrants), we must include in our taxable income in each taxable year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether we receive cash representing such income in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in our taxable income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as accruals on a contingent payment debt instrument or deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Further, we may elect to amortize market discount on debt investments and currently include such amounts in our taxable income, instead of upon their sale or other disposition, as any failure to make such election would limit our ability to deduct interest expense for tax purposes. Because such OID or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the taxable year of accrual, we may be required to make distributions to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and/or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, even though we will have not received any corresponding cash payments. Accordingly, to enable us to make distributions to our stockholders that will be sufficient to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may need to sell some of our assets at times and/or at prices that we would not consider advantageous, we may need to raise additional equity or debt capital or we may need to forego new investment opportunities or otherwise take actions that are disadvantageous to our business (or be unable to take actions that are advantageous to our business). If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may fail to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax benefits allowable to RICs and, thus, become subject to a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable state and local taxes).

 

Because we expect to use debt financing, we may be prevented by financial covenants contained in our debt financing agreements from making distributions to our stockholders in certain circumstances. In addition, under the 1940 Act, we are generally not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. Limits on our distributions to our stockholders may prevent us from satisfying the Annual Distribution Requirement and, therefore, may jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a RIC, or may cause us to be subject to the 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax.

 

Although we do not presently expect to do so, we may borrow funds and sell assets in order to make distributions to our stockholders that are sufficient for us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. However, our ability to dispose of assets may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of some of our investments and/or (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous. Alternatively, although we currently do not intend to do so, to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may declare a taxable dividend payable in our stock or cash at the election of each stockholder. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in our common stock will generally be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of our stock. See “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders” below for a discussion of the tax consequences to stockholders upon receipt of such dividends.

 

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Distributions we make to our stockholders may be made from our cash assets or by liquidation of our investments, if necessary. We may recognize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event we recognize net capital gains from such transactions, you may receive a larger capital gain distribution than you would have received in the absence of such transactions.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

 

If we failed to satisfy the 90% Income Test for any taxable year or the Diversification Tests for any quarter of a taxable year, we might nevertheless continue to qualify as a RIC for such taxable year if certain relief provisions of the Code applied (which might, among other things, require us to pay certain corporate-level U.S. federal taxes or to dispose of certain assets). If we failed to qualify for treatment as a RIC and such relief provisions did not apply to us, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rates (and we also would be subject to any applicable state and local taxes), regardless of whether we make any distributions to our stockholders. We would not be able to deduct distributions to our stockholders, nor would distributions to our stockholders be required to be made for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any distributions we make generally would be taxable to our U.S. stockholders as ordinary dividend income and, subject to certain limitations under the Code, would be eligible for the 20% maximum rate generally applicable to individuals and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, U.S. stockholders that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. In order to requalify as a RIC, in addition to the other requirements discussed above, we would be required to distribute all of our previously undistributed earnings attributable to the period we failed to qualify as a RIC by the end of the first year that we intend to requalify as a RIC. If we fail to requalify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, we may be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.

 

Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under Subchapter M of the Code for at least one taxable year prior to disqualification and that re-qualify as a RIC no later than the second consecutive taxable year following the non-qualifying taxable year, we could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held by us during the period in which we failed to qualify as a RIC that are recognized during the five-taxable year period after our requalification as a RIC, unless we made a special election to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on such net built-in gains at the time of our requalification as a RIC. We may decide to be taxed as a regular corporation even if we would otherwise qualify as a RIC if we determine that treatment as a corporation for a particular taxable year would be in our best interests.

 

Our Investments — General

 

Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (2) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (3) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (4) cause us to recognize income or gain without receipt of a corresponding cash payment, (5) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (6) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (7) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test. We intend to monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the potential adverse effect of these provisions, but there can be no assurance that we will be eligible for any such tax elections or that any adverse effects of these provisions will be mitigated.

 

We may invest a portion of our net assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for us. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when we may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. We intend to address these and other issues to the extent necessary in order to seek to ensure that we distribute sufficient income to avoid any material U.S. federal income or the 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax.

 

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A portfolio company in which we invest may face financial difficulties that require us to work-out, modify or otherwise restructure our investment in the portfolio company. Any such transaction could, depending upon the specific terms of the transaction, result in unusable capital losses and future non-cash income. Any such transaction could also result in our receiving assets that give rise to non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test or otherwise would not count toward satisfying the Diversification Tests. Furthermore, some of the income that we might otherwise earn, such as fees for providing managerial assistance, certain fees earned with respect to our investments, income recognized in a work-out or restructuring of a portfolio investment, or income recognized from an equity investment in an operating partnership, may not satisfy the 90% Income Test. To manage the risk that such income might disqualify us as a RIC for failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, one or more subsidiary entities treated as U.S. corporations for entity-level income tax purposes may be employed to earn such income and (if applicable) hold the related asset. Such subsidiary entities will be required to pay entity-level income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the yield to our stockholders on such fees and income.

 

Gain or loss recognized by us from warrants or other securities acquired by us, as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants, generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term depending on how long we held a particular warrant or security.

 

A portfolio company in which we invest may face financial difficulties that require us to work-out, modify or otherwise restructure our investment in the portfolio company. Any such transaction could, depending upon the specific terms of the transaction, result in unusable capital losses and future non-cash income. Any such transaction could also result in our receiving assets that give rise to non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test or otherwise would not count toward satisfying the Diversification Tests.

 

Our investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. income, withholding and other taxes. In that case, our yield on those securities would be decreased. Stockholders generally will not be entitled to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit or deduction with respect to non-U.S. taxes paid by us.

 

If we acquire shares in a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”), we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” received on, or any gain from the disposition of, such shares even if we distribute such income as a taxable dividend to our stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest generally will be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from any such excess distribution or gain. If we invest in the shares of a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code (a “QEF”), in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each year our proportionate share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed by the QEF. Alternatively, we may be able to elect to mark our shares in a PFIC at the end of each taxable year to market; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent that any such decrease does not exceed prior increases in such value included in our income. Our ability to make either election will depend on factors beyond our control, and are subject to restrictions which may limit the availability of the benefit of these elections. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in a taxable year income in excess of any distributions we receive from PFICs and any proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that taxable year, and such income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of determining whether we satisfy the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement. See “—Taxation as a RIC” above.

 

Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time we accrue income, expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time we actually collect such income or pay such expenses or liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency-denominated forward, futures and option contracts, as well as certain other financial instruments, and the disposition of debt obligations denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.

 

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Some of the income that we might otherwise earn, such as fees for providing managerial assistance, certain fees earned with respect to our investments, income recognized in a work-out or restructuring of a portfolio investment, or income recognized from an equity investment in an operating partnership, may not satisfy the 90% Income Test. To manage the risk that such income might disqualify us as a RIC for failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, one or more subsidiary entities treated as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be employed to earn such income and (if applicable) hold the related asset. Such subsidiary entities will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the yield to our stockholders on such fees and income.

 

The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

 

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

 

The following discussion only applies to U.S. stockholders. Prospective stockholders that are not U.S. stockholders should refer to “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders” below.

 

Distributions

 

Distributions by us (including distributions where stockholders can elect to receive cash or stock) generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our investment company taxable income will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or stock. To the extent that such distributions paid by us to non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions (“Qualifying Dividends”) may be eligible for a reduced maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20%. In this regard, it is anticipated that our distributions generally will not be attributable to dividends received by us and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 20% maximum rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends. Distributions of our net capital gain (which is generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly reported by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains (currently taxable at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% in the case of non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals)), regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period for his, her or its common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such stockholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder.

 

Stockholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional shares of our common stock purchased in the market should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the amount of money that the stockholders receiving cash dividends or distributions will receive, and should have a cost basis in the shares received equal to such amount. Stockholders receiving dividends in newly issued shares of our common stock will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the value of the shares received, and should have a cost basis of such amount.

 

We may decide to retain some or all of our net capital gain for reinvestment, but designate the retained net capital gain as a “deemed distribution”. In that case, among other consequences, (i) we will pay tax on the retained amount, (ii) each U.S. stockholder will be required to include his, her or its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and (iii) the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her or its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. Because we expect to pay tax on any retained net capital gains at the regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rate, and because that rate is in excess of the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate currently payable by individuals (and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders) on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individuals (and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders) will be treated as having paid will exceed the tax they owe on the capital gain distribution. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s other federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder’s tax basis for his, her or its common stock. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution”.

 

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For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, under certain circumstances, we may elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, U.S. stockholders will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. stockholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which the dividend was declared.

 

Although we currently do not intend to do so, we have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our stock. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in our common stock will generally be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of our stock. This may result in our U.S. stockholders having to pay tax on such dividends, even if no cash is received.

 

We will be treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company” (within the meaning of Section 67 of the Code) if either (i) shares of our common stock and our preferred stock collectively are held by at least 500 persons at all times during a taxable year, (ii) shares of our common stock are treated as regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) shares of our common stock are continuously offered pursuant to a public offering (within the meaning of Section 4 of the Securities Act). We cannot assure you that we will be treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for all taxable years. If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any calendar year, for purposes of computing the taxable income of U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates, (i) our earnings will be computed without taking into account such U.S. stockholders’ allocable shares of the management and incentive fees paid to our Investment Advisor and certain of our other expenses, (ii) each such U.S. stockholder will be treated as having received or accrued a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses for the calendar year, (iii) each such U.S. stockholder will be treated as having paid or incurred such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses for the calendar year, and (iv) each such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions by such U.S. stockholder. For taxable years beginning before 2026, miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are not deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate. For taxable years beginning in 2026 or later, miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate only to the extent that the aggregate of such U.S. stockholder’s miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds 2% of such U.S. stockholder’s adjusted gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under Section 68 of the Code.

 

Our U.S. stockholders will receive, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice reporting the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholder’s taxable income for such calendar year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the U.S. federal tax status of each calendar year’s distributions from us generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of any dividends that are Qualifying Dividends eligible for the 20% maximum rate). Dividends paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because our income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and non-U.S. taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation.

 

Dispositions

 

A U.S. stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her or its shares of our common stock. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain or loss arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held his, her or its shares for more than one year; otherwise, any such gain or loss will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our common stock may be disallowed if other shares of our common stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

 

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In general, non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals) currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in shares of our common stock. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals) incurring net capital losses (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each taxable year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. stockholder (including an individual) in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent taxable years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a taxable year, but may carry back such capital losses for three taxable years or carry forward such capital losses for five taxable years.

 

The Code and the related U.S. Treasury Regulations require us to annually report the adjusted cost basis information of covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC, to the IRS and to taxpayers. Stockholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

 

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

 

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from us and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of our shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

 

Under applicable Treasury regulations, if a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to our common stock of $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. stockholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the U.S. stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct U.S. stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, U.S. stockholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to U.S. stockholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Significant monetary penalties apply to a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. States may also have a similar reporting requirement. U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers to determine the applicability of these Treasury regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Backup Withholding

 

The relevant withholding agent may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”), at a current rate of 24%, from any taxable distribution to a U.S. stockholder (other than a “C” corporation, a financial institution, or a stockholder that otherwise qualifies for an exemption) (1) that fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies the withholding agent that such stockholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

 

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U.S. Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Stockholders

 

A U.S. stockholder that is a tax-exempt organization for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation may nevertheless be subject to taxation to the extent that it is considered to derive unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). The direct conduct by a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder of the activities we propose to conduct could give rise to UBTI. However, a BDC is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its business activities generally will not be attributed to its stockholders for purposes of determining their treatment under current law. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder generally should not be subject to U.S. taxation solely as a result of the stockholder’s ownership of shares of common stock and receipt of dividends with respect to such shares. Moreover, under current law, if we incur indebtedness, such indebtedness will not be attributed to a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. stockholder should not be treated as earning income from “debt-financed property” and dividends we pay should not be treated as “unrelated debt-financed income” solely as a result of indebtedness that we incur. Proposals periodically are made to change the treatment of “blocker” investment vehicles interposed between tax-exempt investors and non-qualifying investments. In the event that any such proposals were to be adopted and applied to BDCs, the treatment of dividends payable to tax- exempt investors could be adversely affected. In addition, special rules would apply if we were to invest in certain real estate investment trusts or other taxable mortgage pools, which we do not currently plan to do, that could result in a tax- exempt U.S. stockholder recognizing income that would be treated as UBTI.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

 

The following discussion applies only to Non-U.S. stockholders. Whether an investment in shares of our common stock is appropriate for a Non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that stockholder’s particular circumstances. An investment in shares of our common stock by a Non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences to such Non-U.S. stockholder. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers before investing in our common stock.

 

Distributions; Dispositions

 

Subject to the discussion below, distributions of our investment company taxable income to a Non-U.S. stockholder that are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable income tax treaty) to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder (and, if a treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. stockholder), we will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although the distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisers.

 

Certain properly reported dividends are generally exempt from withholding of U.S. federal income tax where paid in respect of a RIC’s (i) “qualified net interest income” (generally, its U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the RIC is at least a 10% stockholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the RIC’s net short-term capital gain, other than short-term capital gains recognized on the disposition of U.S. real property interests, over the RIC’s long-term capital loss), as well as if certain other requirements are satisfied. Nevertheless, no assurance can be given as to whether any of our distributions will be eligible for this exemption from withholding of U.S. federal income tax or, if eligible, will be reported as such by us. Furthermore, in the case of shares of our stock held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld U.S. federal income tax even if we reported the payment as an interest-related dividend or short-term capital gain dividend. Since our common stock will be subject to significant transfer restrictions, and an investment in our common stock will generally be illiquid, non-U.S. stockholders whose distributions on our common stock are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax may not be able to transfer their shares of our common stock easily or quickly or at all.

 

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Distributions of our investment company taxable income to a Non-U.S. stockholder that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. stockholder), generally will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax if the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although the distributions (to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. stockholders generally.

 

Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gains, other than any net capital gains recognized on the disposition of U.S. real property interests, to a Non-U.S. stockholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our common stock, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or any withholding of such tax, unless (a) the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. stockholder), in which case the distributions or gains will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. stockholders generally or (b) the Non-U.S. stockholder is an individual who has been present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and satisfies certain other conditions, in which case, except as otherwise provided by an applicable income tax treaty, the distributions or gains, which may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses, generally will be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax, even though the Non-U.S. stockholder is not considered a resident alien under the Code.

 

If we distribute our net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a Non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholder’s allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return, even if the Non-U.S. stockholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.

 

For a corporate Non-U.S. stockholder, both distributions (actual or deemed) and gains realized upon the sale of our common stock that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable income tax treaty).

 

Under the dividend reinvestment plan, our stockholders who have not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distributions. If the distribution is a distribution of our investment company taxable income and is not properly reported by us as a short-term capital gains dividend or interest-related dividend (assuming an extension of the exemption discussed above), the amount distributed (to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax as described above and only the net after-tax amount will be reinvested in our common stock. If the distribution is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder (and, if a treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment), generally the full amount of the distribution will be reinvested in the plan and will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the ordinary income rates applicable to U.S. persons. The Non-U.S. stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional common stock purchased through the plan equal to the amount reinvested. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the Non-U.S. stockholder’s account.

 

If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, any distributions by us would be treated as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. We would not be eligible to report any such dividends as interest-related dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, or capital gain dividends. As a result, any such dividend paid to a Non-U.S. stockholder that is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder (and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. stockholder in the United States) would be subject to the 30% (or reduced applicable treaty rate) withholding tax discussed above regardless of the source of the income giving rise to such distribution. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the Non-U.S. stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a gain from the sale of the Non-U.S. stockholder’s shares subject to taxation as discussed above. For the consequences to the Company for failing to qualify as a RIC, see “Failure to Qualify as a RIC” above.

 

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Backup Withholding

 

U.S. stockholders. Information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with dividends on the common stock and proceeds received from a sale or other disposition of the common stock to a U.S. stockholder unless the U.S. stockholder is an exempt recipient. U.S. stockholders may also be subject to backup withholding on these payments in respect of the common stock unless such U.S. stockholder provides its taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules or provides proof of an applicable exemption.

 

Non-U.S. stockholders. Information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with payment of dividends on the common stock to Non-U.S. stockholders. Unless a Non-U.S. stockholder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a United States person, information returns may also be filed with the IRS in connection with the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of the common stock. A Non-U.S. stockholder who is a nonresident alien individual may be subject to information reporting and backup-withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

 

Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited against a U.S. stockholder’s or Non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Under the Code and recently issued Treasury regulations, the applicable withholding agent generally will be required to withhold 30% of the dividends on our common stock paid to (i) a non-U.S. financial institution (whether such financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such non-U.S. financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial non-U.S. entity (whether such entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements. If payment of this withholding tax is made, Non-U.S. stockholders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or a reduction in, withholding of U.S. federal income taxes with respect to such dividends or proceeds will be required to seek a credit or refund from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect to any amounts withheld.

 

FATCA

 

Legislation commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA,” generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) unless such FFIs either: (i) enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to report certain required information with respect to accounts held by U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have U.S. persons as substantial owners) or (ii) reside in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the United States to collect and share such information and are in compliance with the terms of such IGA and any enabling legislation or regulations. The types of income subject to the tax include U.S. source interest and dividends. The information required to be reported includes the identity and taxpayer identification number of each account holder that is a U.S. person and transaction activity within the holder’s account. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, FATCA also imposes a 30% withholding on payments to foreign entities that are not FFIs unless such foreign entities certify that they do not have a greater than 10% U.S. owner or provide the withholding agent with identifying information on each greater than 10% U.S. owner. Depending on the status of a Non-U.S. stockholder and the status of the intermediaries through which they hold their shares, Non-U.S. stockholders could be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to distributions on their shares and proceeds from the sale of their shares. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. stockholder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

 

Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income and withholding tax consequences, and state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences, of an investment in shares of our common stock.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this Registration Statement and other reports and documents filed by us with the SEC. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risk factors presented below are those we believe to be the principal risk factors associated with our Company given our investment objectives, investment policies and capital structure.

 

Risks Relating to our Business and Structure

 

No Operating History

 

We will begin operations upon the Initial Closing and have no operating history. There can be no assurance that the results achieved by the past investments of Palmer Square will be achieved for the Company. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indication of future results. Moreover, the Company is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that it will not achieve its investment objectives and that the value of your investment could decline substantially or that the investor will suffer a complete loss of its investment in the Company.

 

In addition, neither Palmer Square nor the Investment Advisor has ever managed a BDC. The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs that generally do not apply to other investment vehicles managed by Palmer Square. BDCs are required, for example, to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of U.S. private or thinly traded public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt instruments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. None of the Company, the Investment Advisor or Palmer Square has any experience operating or advising under these constraints, which may hinder the Company’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve its investment objective.

 

Inability to Meet Investment Objective or Investment Strategy

 

The Company is intended for long-term investors who can accept the risks associated with investing in potentially illiquid, privately negotiated (i) senior first lien, stretch senior, senior second lien, unitranche, (ii) mezzanine debt and other junior investments and (iii) secondary purchases of assets or portfolios that primarily consist of middle-market corporate debt. Our success depends on the Investment Advisor’s ability to identify and select appropriate investment opportunities, as well as the Company’s ability to acquire those investments. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve its investment or performance objectives or that the Investment Advisor will be successful in identifying a sufficient number of suitable investment opportunities to fully deploy the Company’s committed capital. The possibility of partial or total loss of the Company’s capital exists, and prospective investors should not subscribe unless they can readily bear the consequences of a complete loss of their investment.

 

Dependence Upon Key Personnel of Palmer Square and the Investment Advisor

 

The success of the Company is highly dependent on the financial and managerial expertise of the Investment Advisor and, in turn, Palmer Square. Although Palmer Square has attempted to foster a team approach to investing, the loss of key individuals employed by Palmer Square could have a material adverse effect on the performance of the Company. The individuals may not necessarily continue to remain employed by Palmer Square during the entire term of the Company. If these individuals do not maintain their existing relationships with Palmer Square and Palmer Square does not develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities available to us, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the senior professionals of Palmer Square have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities. Therefore, we can offer no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us. In addition, a number of members of the professional staff of Palmer Square are investors in, and are actively involved in managing the investment decisions of, other funds advised by Palmer Square. Accordingly, the members of the professional staff of the Investment Advisor will have demands on their time for the investment, monitoring and other functions of other funds advised by Palmer Square.

 

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The employees of the Investment Advisor and other Palmer Square investment professionals expect to devote such time and attention to the conduct of the Company’s business as such business shall reasonably require. However, there can be no assurance, for example, that the members of the Investment Advisor or such investment professionals will devote any minimum number of hours each week to the affairs of the Company or that they will continue to be employed by Palmer Square. Subject to certain remedies, in the event that certain employees of the Investment Advisor cease to be actively involved with the Company, we will be required to rely on the ability of Palmer Square to identify and retain other investment professionals to conduct the Company’s business.

 

Under a Resource Sharing Agreement entered into between Palmer Square and the Investment Advisor, Palmer Square has agreed to provide the Investment Advisor with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. The Resource Sharing Agreement provides that Palmer Square will make available to the Investment Advisor experienced investment professionals and access to the resources of Palmer Square for purposes of evaluating, negotiating, structuring, closing and monitoring our investments. We cannot assure you that Palmer Square will fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

 

Dependence on Strong Referral Relationships

 

We depend upon our Investment Advisor to maintain its relationships with private equity sponsors, placement agents, investment banks, management groups and other financial institutions, and we expect to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If our Investment Advisor fails to maintain such relationships, or to develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom our Investment Advisor has relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.

 

No Guarantee to Replicate Historical Results Achieved by Palmer Square

 

Our primary focus in making investments may differ from those of existing investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles that are or have been managed by members of the Investment Advisor’s Investment Committee or by Palmer Square. There can be no guarantee that we will replicate the historical results achieved by members of the Investment Advisor’s Investment Committee or by Palmer Square, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by them in prior periods. Additionally, all or a portion of the prior results may have been achieved in particular market conditions which may never be repeated. Moreover, current or future market volatility and regulatory uncertainty may have an adverse impact on our future performance.

 

Expedited Investment Decisions

 

Investment analyses and decisions by the Investment Advisor may frequently be required to be undertaken on an expedited basis to take advantage of investment opportunities. In these cases, the information available to the Investment Advisor at the time of making an investment decision may be limited. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Investment Advisor will have knowledge of all circumstances that may adversely affect an investment. In addition, the Investment Advisor expects to rely upon independent consultants and other sources in connection with its evaluation of proposed investments, and no assurance can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by such independent consultants or other sources, or as to the Company’s right of recourse against them in the event errors or omissions do occur.

 

Ability to Manage Our Business Effectively

 

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to manage our business and to grow our investments and earnings. This will depend, in turn, on our Investment Advisor’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor portfolio companies that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objectives on a cost-effective basis will depend upon our Investment Advisor’s execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and, to a lesser extent, our access to financing on acceptable terms. Our Investment Advisor’s investment professionals will have substantial responsibilities in connection with the management of other investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles. Any failure to manage our business and our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

As a result of our arrangements with the Investment Advisor and the Investment Advisor’s Investment Committee, there may be times when the Investment Advisor or such persons have interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict of interest.

 

Conflicts Related to Other Obligations

 

The employees of our Investment Advisor serve, or may serve, as officers, directors, members, or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds, accounts, or investment vehicles managed by it and/or its affiliates. Similarly, the Investment Advisor and its affiliates may have other clients with similar, different or competing investment objectives.

 

In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. There is a potential that we will compete with these clients, and other entities managed the Investment Advisor and its affiliates, for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, the Investment Advisor and, as applicable, the members of the Investment Committee may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among us and the investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by the Investment Advisor and its affiliates. Our Investment Advisor intends to allocate investment opportunities among eligible investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with its allocation policy. However, we can offer no assurance that such opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time.

 

Possession of Material Non-Public Information by Principals and Employees of the Investment Advisor

 

Principals and other employees of our Investment Advisor, including members of the Investment Advisor’s Investment Committee, may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, portfolio companies in which we invest, the securities of which are purchased or sold on our behalf. In the event that material nonpublic information is obtained with respect to such companies, or we become subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on us.

 

Third Party Involvement

 

We may invest alongside third parties through partnerships, joint ventures or other entities. Such investments may involve risks not present in investments where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that such third party may at any time have economic or business interests or goals which are inconsistent with those of the Company, or may be in a position to take action contrary to the investment objective of the Company. In addition, the Company may in certain circumstances be liable for actions of such third party.

 

Incentive Fee Structure Relating to the Investment Advisor

 

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay management and, subsequent to a Listing, incentive fees to the Investment Advisor. We have entered into an Advisory Agreement with the Investment Advisor. Under the incentive fee structure which will be in place subsequent to a Listing, our adjusted net investment income for purposes thereof will be computed and paid on income that may include interest income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. This fee structure may give rise to a conflict of interest for the Investment Advisor to the extent that it encourages the Investment Advisor to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest. The Investment Advisor may have an incentive to invest in deferred interest securities in circumstances where it would not have done so but for the opportunity to continue to earn the incentive fee even when the issuers of the deferred interest securities would not be able to make actual cash payments to us on such securities. This risk could be increased because, under our Advisory Agreement, the Investment Advisor is not obligated to reimburse us for incentive fees it receives even if we subsequently incur losses or never receive in cash the deferred income that was previously accrued.

 

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Conflict of Interest Created by Valuation Process for Certain Portfolio Holdings

 

We expect to make many of our portfolio investments in the form of loans and securities that are not publicly traded and for which no market based price quotation is available. As a result, our Board will determine the fair value of these loans and securities in good faith as described elsewhere in this Registration Statement. In connection with that determination, investment professionals our Investment Advisor may provide our Board with valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. The participation of the Investment Advisor’s investment professionals in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest as the Investment Advisor’s management fee is based, in part, on the value of our total net assets.

 

Restricted Ability to Enter Into Transactions with Affiliates

 

The 1940 Act prohibits or restricts our ability to engage in certain principal transactions and joint transactions with certain “First Tier” affiliates and “Second Tier” affiliates. For example, we are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any person who owns more than 25% of our voting securities or certain of that person’s affiliates (each is a “First Tier” affiliate), or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. We consider the Investment Advisor and its affiliates, including Palmer Square, to be “First Tier” affiliates for such purposes. We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain principal transactions and joint transactions with a “Second Tier” affiliate without the prior approval of our Independent Directors. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be a “Second Tier” affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate without the prior approval of our Independent Directors.

 

We may, however, invest alongside Palmer Square’s investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with our investment strategy as well as applicable law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, we may invest alongside such investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles consistent with guidance promulgated by the SEC staff to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that the Investment Advisor and Palmer Square, acting on our behalf and on behalf of such investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles, negotiate no term other than price.

 

In situations where co-investment with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by the Investment Advisor and its affiliates, including Palmer Square, is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer or where the different investments could be expected to result in a conflict between our interests and those of these other clients, the Investment Advisor and Palmer Square will need to decide which client will proceed with the investment. These restrictions will limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

 

We, the Investment Advisor and Palmer Square intend to submit an application for exemptive relief from the SEC to permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments if our Board determines that it would be advantageous for us to co-invest with investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by Palmer Square in a manner consistent with our investment objectives, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. We believe that co-investment by us and investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed by the Investment Advisor and its affiliates, including Palmer Square, may afford us additional investment opportunities and an ability to achieve greater diversification. Accordingly, our application for exemptive relief will seek an exemptive order permitting us to invest with these investment funds, accounts and investment vehicles managed in the same portfolio companies under circumstances in which such investments would otherwise not be permitted by the 1940 Act. We expect that such exemptive relief permitting co-investments, if granted, would apply only if our Independent Directors review and approve each co-investment. There can be no assurance if and when the SEC will grant such relief.

 

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Operation in a Highly Competitive Market for Investment Opportunities

 

The business of investing in assets meeting our investment objective is highly competitive. Competition for investment opportunities includes a growing number of nontraditional participants, such as hedge funds, senior private debt funds, including business development companies, and other private investors, as well as more traditional lending institutions and competitors. Some of these competitors may have access to greater amounts of capital and to capital that may be committed for longer periods of time or may have different return thresholds than the Company, and thus these competitors may have advantages not shared by the Company. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to qualify and maintain our RIC status. Increased competition for, or a diminishment in the available supply of, investments suitable for the Company could result in lower returns on such investments. Moreover, the identification of attractive investment opportunities is difficult and involves a high degree of uncertainty. The Company may incur significant expenses in connection with identifying investment opportunities and investigating other potential investments which are ultimately not consummated, including expenses relating to due diligence, transportation, legal expenses and the fees of other third party advisors.

 

With respect to the investments we make, we will not seek to compete based primarily on the interest rates we will offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that will be lower than the rates we offer. In the secondary market for acquiring existing loans, we expect to compete generally on the basis of pricing terms. With respect to all investments, we may lose some investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income, lower yields and increased risk of credit loss.

 

Possibility of Corporate-Level Income Tax

 

In order to qualify and be subject to tax as a RIC under the Code, we must be a BDC at all times during each taxable year and meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. If we do not maintain our status as a BDC, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. The distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if we distribute dividends in respect of each taxable year of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to our stockholders. We will be subject, to the extent we use debt financing, to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to enable us to be subject to tax as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to be subject to tax as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify to be subject to tax as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Failure to meet these tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to satisfy these requirements. Because most of our investments will be in private or thinly traded public companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify to be subject to tax as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distributions to our stockholders and the amount of funds available for new investments. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

 

Possibility of the Need to Raise Additional Capital

 

We may need additional capital to fund new investments and grow our portfolio of investments once we have fully invested the net proceeds of this Private Offering. We intend to access the capital markets periodically to issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital. Unfavorable economic conditions could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. In addition, we will be required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders to qualify and maintain our RIC status. As a result, these earnings will not be available to fund new investments. An inability on our part to access the capital markets successfully could limit our ability to grow our business and execute our business strategy fully and could decrease our earnings, if any, which would have an adverse effect on the value of our securities.

 

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Required Distributions and the Recognition of Income

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as the accretion of OID. This may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan and in other circumstances, or through contracted PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such OID, which could be significant relative to our overall investment activities, or increases in loan balances as a result of contracted PIK arrangements, will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.

 

Since in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the requirement in a given taxable year to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, as dividends to our stockholders in order to be subject to tax as a RIC. In such a case, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain such cash from other sources, we may fail to be subject to tax as a RIC and thus be subject to corporate-level income tax.

 

Potential Adverse Tax Consequences as a Result of Not Being Treated as a “Publicly Offered Regulated Investment Company”

 

We cannot assure you that we will be treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for all years. Unless and until we are treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company” (within the meaning of Section 67 of the Code) by reason of either (i) shares of our common stock and our preferred stock (if any) collectively are held by at least 500 persons at all times during a taxable year, (ii) shares of our common stock are treated as regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) shares of our common stock are continuously offered pursuant to a public offering (within the meaning of Section 4 of the Securities Act). For a calendar year, each U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of the management fees paid to our Investment Advisor and certain of our other expenses for the calendar year, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. stockholder. For taxable years beginning before 2026, miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are not deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate. For taxable years beginning in 2026 or later, miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are deductible by a U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate only to the extent that the aggregate of such U.S. stockholder’s miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds 2% of such U.S. stockholder’s adjusted gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under Section 68 of the Code.

 

Withholding of U.S. Federal Income Tax on Dividends for Non-U.S. Stockholders

 

Distributions by a BDC generally are treated as dividends for U.S. tax purposes, and will be subject to U.S. income or withholding tax unless the stockholder receiving the dividend qualifies for an exemption from U.S. tax, or the distribution is subject to one of the special look-through rules described below. Distributions paid out of net capital gains can qualify for a reduced rate of taxation in the hands of an individual U.S. stockholder, and an exemption from U.S. tax in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder.

 

However, if reported by a RIC, dividend distributions by the RIC derived from certain interest income (such distributions, “interest-related dividends”) and certain net short-term capital gains (such distributions, “short-term capital gain dividends”) generally are exempt from U.S. withholding tax otherwise imposed on non-U.S. stockholders. Interest-related dividends are dividends that are attributable to “qualified net interest income” (i.e., “qualified interest income,” which generally consists of certain interest and OID on obligations “in registered form” as well as interest on bank deposits earned by a RIC, less allocable deductions) from sources within the United States. Short-term capital gain dividends are dividends that are attributable to net short-term capital gains, other than short-term capital gains recognized on the disposition of U.S. real property interests, earned by a RIC. However, no assurance can be given as to whether any of our distributions will be eligible for this exemption from U.S. withholding tax or, if eligible, will be reported as such by us. Furthermore, in the case of shares of our stock held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld U.S. federal income tax even if we reported the payment as an interest-related dividend or short-term capital gain dividend. Since our common stock will be subject to significant transfer restrictions, and an investment in our common stock will generally be illiquid, non-U.S. stockholders whose distributions on our common stock are subject to U.S. withholding tax may not be able to transfer their shares of our common stock easily or quickly or at all.

 

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A failure of any portion of our distributions to qualify for the exemption for interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends would not affect the treatment of non-U.S. stockholders that qualify for an exemption from U.S. withholding tax on dividends by reason of their special status (for example, foreign government-related entities and certain pension funds resident in favorable treaty jurisdictions).

 

PIK Interest Payments

 

Certain of our debt investments may contain provisions providing for the payment of PIK interest. Because PIK interest results in an increase in the size of the loan balance of the underlying loan, the receipt by us of PIK interest will have the effect of increasing our assets under management. As a result, because the base management fee that we pay to the Investment Advisor is based on the value of our total net assets, the receipt by us of PIK interest will result in an increase in the amount of the base management fee payable by us. In addition, any such increase in a loan balance due to the receipt of PIK interest will cause such loan to accrue interest on the higher loan balance, which will result in an increase in our pre-incentive fee net investment income and, as a result, an increase in incentive fees that are payable by us to the Investment Advisor after a Listing.

 

Regulations Governing Our Operation as a BDC

 

We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. We are generally able to issue senior securities such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% of gross assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, after each issuance of senior securities. In other words, under the 1940 Act, we are able to borrow $2 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity. As a result, we will be able to incur indebtedness in the future and investors in the Company may face increased investment risk.

 

Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.

 

We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if our Board determines that such sale is in our best interests, and if our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, then the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time will decrease, and you may experience dilution.

 

Potential Default or Other Issues Under a Credit Facility

 

We intend to enter into one or more Credit Facilities following the completion of this Private Offering. The closing of a Credit Facility is contingent on a number of conditions including, without limitation, the closing of this Private Offering and the negotiation and execution of definitive documents relating to such Credit Facility. If we are successful in securing a Credit Facility, we intend to use borrowings under such Credit Facility to make additional investments and for other general corporate purposes. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to close a Credit Facility or obtain other financing.

 

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In the event we default under a Credit Facility or any other future borrowing facility, our business could be adversely affected as we may be forced to sell a portion of our investments quickly and prematurely at what may be disadvantageous prices to us in order to meet our outstanding payment obligations and/or support working capital requirements under such Credit Facility or such future borrowing facility, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, following any such default, the agent for the lenders under the relevant Credit Facility or such future borrowing facility could assume control of the disposition of any or all of our assets, including the selection of such assets to be disposed and the timing of such disposition, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. As part of certain Credit Facilities, the right to make capital calls of stockholders may be pledged as collateral to the lender, which will be able to call for capital contributions upon the occurrence of an event of default under such Credit Facility. To the extent such an event of default does occur, stockholders could therefore be required to fund any shortfall up to their remaining capital commitments, without regard to the underlying value of their investment.

 

Financing Investments With Borrowed Money

 

The use of leverage magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. The use of leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique and increases the risks associated with investing in our securities. We intend to borrow from, and may in the future issue debt securities to, banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Lenders of these funds will have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and we would expect such lenders to seek recovery against our assets in the event of a default. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instruments we may enter into with lenders. In addition, under the terms of a Credit Facility and any borrowing facility or other debt instrument we may enter into, we are likely to be required to use the net proceeds of any investments that we sell to repay a portion of the amount borrowed under such facility or instrument before applying such net proceeds to any other uses. If the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged, thereby magnifying losses or eliminating our stake in a leveraged investment. Similarly, any decrease in our revenue or income will cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline would also negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our common stock. Our ability to service any debt will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, our common stockholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses.

 

As a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, of at least 150%. If this ratio declines below 150%, we will not be able to incur additional debt when it is otherwise advantageous for us to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make distributions. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Investment Advisor’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.

 

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In addition, a Credit Facility will, and our future debt facilities may, impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or to make the distributions required to maintain our qualification as a RIC under the Code.

 

Changes in Interest Rates May Affect Our Cost of Capital and Net Investment Income

 

To the extent we borrow money to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates would not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income in the event we use debt to finance our investments. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

In addition, a rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income and, as a result, an increase in incentive fees payable to the Investment Advisor after a Listing.

 

Uncertainty as to the Value of Certain Portfolio Investments

 

We expect that many of our portfolio investments will take the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of loans, securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and we will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of our investments. Most, if not all, of our investments (other than cash and cash equivalents) will be classified as Level 3 assets under Topic 820 of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, as amended, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). This means that our portfolio valuations will be based on unobservable inputs and our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. We expect that inputs into the determination of fair value of our portfolio investments will require significant management judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information. We expect to retain the services of one or more independent service providers to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that constitutes a material portion of our portfolio and that does not have a readily available market quotation. The types of factors that the Board may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly-traded securities including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these loans and securities existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such loans and securities. In addition, the method of calculating the management fee may result in conflicts of interest between the Investment Advisor, on the one hand, and the stockholders of the Company on the other hand, with respect to valuation of investments.

 

We will adjust quarterly the valuation of our portfolio to reflect our Board’s determination of the fair value of each investment in our portfolio. Any changes in fair value are recorded in our statement of operations as net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

 

Potential Fluctuations in our Net Asset Value

 

Our net asset value may fluctuate over time and, consequently, you may pay a different price per share at subsequent closings than some other investors paid at earlier closings. The price per share of a subsequent closing may be above net asset value per share to take into account the amortization of organizational and offering expenses. Consequently, investors in subsequent closings may receive a different number shares for the same capital contribution that earlier investors made depending on the net asset value at the relevant time.

 

Potential Adverse Effects of New or Modified Laws or Regulations

 

We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation by laws at the U.S. federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may change from time to time, and new laws, regulations and interpretations may also come into effect. Any such new or changed laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Additionally, changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations related to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this Registration Statement and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of the Investment Advisor to other types of investments in which it may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

 

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Potential Changes in Investment Objective, Operating Policies or Strategies Without Prior Notice or Stockholder Approval

 

Our Board has the authority, except as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act, to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results and the market price of our common stock. Nevertheless, any such changes could adversely affect our business and impair our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

 

Potential Deterrence of Takeover Attempts

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), our articles of amendment and restatement (the “Articles of Incorporation”) and our bylaws (the “Bylaws”) contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of the Company or the removal of our directors. We are subject to the Subtitle 6 of Title 3 of the MGCL (the “Business Combination Act”), subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our Board has adopted a resolution exempting from the Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our Board, including approval by a majority of our disinterested directors. If the resolution exempting business combinations is repealed or our Board does not approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer. Our Bylaws exempt from Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the MGCL (the “Control Share Act”) acquisitions of our stock by any person. If we amend our Bylaws to repeal the exemption from the Control Share Act, the Control Share Act also may make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such a transaction. However, we will amend our Bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Act only if our Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act.

 

We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our Articles of Incorporation classifying our Board in three classes serving staggered three-year terms, and authorizing our Board to classify or reclassify shares of our stock in one or more classes or series, to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, to amend our Articles of Incorporation without stockholder approval and to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock that we have authority to issue. These provisions, as well as other provisions we have adopted in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

Potential Resignation of the Investment Advisor and/or the Administrator

 

The Investment Advisor has the right under the Advisory Agreement to resign as our Investment Advisor at any time upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. Similarly, the Administrator has the right under the Administration Agreement to resign at any time upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If the Investment Advisor or the Administrator were to resign, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or administrator, as applicable, or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions to our stockholders are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment or administrative activities, as applicable, is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by the Investment Advisor, or the Administrator, as applicable. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Dependence on Information Systems and Potential Systems Failures

 

Our business is highly dependent on the communications and information systems of our Investment Advisor. In addition, certain of these systems are provided to our Investment Advisor by third-party service providers. Any failure or interruption of such systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any such third-party service provider, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. This, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

 

Risks Related to our Investments

 

Potential Impact of Economic Recessions or Downturns

 

Many of the portfolio companies in which we expect to make investments are likely to be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during such periods. Therefore, the number of our non-performing assets is likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during such periods. Adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and debt securities and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing our investments and harm our operating results.

 

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the loans and debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company.

 

Potential Material and Adverse Effects of Market Conditions on Debt and Equity Capital Markets

 

From 2007 through 2009, the global capital markets experienced a period of disruption resulting in increasing spreads between the yields realized on riskier debt securities and those realized on risk-free securities and a lack of liquidity in parts of the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to subprime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated market. We and the portfolio companies in which we may invest may be adversely affected by deteriorations in the financial markets and economic conditions throughout the world, some of which may magnify the risks described herein and may have other adverse effects. Deteriorating market conditions could result in increasing volatility and illiquidity in the global credit, debt and equity markets generally. The duration and ultimate effect of market conditions cannot be forecast, nor is it known whether or the degree to which such conditions may remain stable or worsen. Deteriorating market conditions and uncertainty regarding economic markets generally could result in declines in the market values of potential investments or declines in the market values of investments after they are made or acquired by the Company. Such declines may be exacerbated by other events, such as the failure of significant financial institutions or hedge funds, dislocations in other investment markets or other extrinsic events. In addition, such declines could lead to weakened investment opportunities for the Company, could prevent the Company from successfully meeting its investment objectives and/or could require the Company to dispose of investments at a loss while such unfavorable market conditions prevail. A prolonged period of market illiquidity may cause us to reduce the volume of loans and debt securities we originate and/or fund and adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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General Market and Credit Risks of Debt Securities

 

Debt portfolios are subject to credit and interest rate risk. “Credit risk” refers to the likelihood that an issuer will default in the payment of principal and/or interest on an instrument. Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. In addition, subordination, lack or inadequacy of collateral or credit enhancement for a debt instrument may affect its credit risk. Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument, and securities which are rated by rating agencies are often reviewed and may be subject to downgrade. “Interest rate risk” refers to the risks associated with market changes in interest rates. Factors that may affect market interest rates include, without limitation, inflation, slow or stagnant economic growth or recession, unemployment, money supply and the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board and central banks throughout the world, international disorders and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets. Interest rate changes may affect the value of a debt instrument indirectly (especially in the case of fixed rate securities) and directly (especially in the case of instruments whose rates are adjustable). In general, rising interest rates will negatively impact the price of a fixed rate debt instrument and falling interest rates will have a positive effect on price. Adjustable rate instruments may also react to interest rate changes in a similar manner although generally to a lesser degree (depending, however, on the characteristics of the reset terms, including, among other factors, the index chosen, frequency of reset and reset caps or floors). Interest rate sensitivity is generally more pronounced and less predictable in instruments with uncertain payment or prepayment schedules. The Company expects that it will periodically experience imbalances in the interest rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities and the relationships of various interest rates to each other. In a changing interest rate environment, the Company may not be able to manage this risk effectively, which in turn could adversely affect the Company’s performance.

 

Investments in Leveraged Portfolio Companies

 

Portfolio companies may issue certain types of debt, such as senior loans, mezzanine or high yield in connection with leveraged acquisitions or recapitalizations in which the portfolio company incurs a substantially higher amount of indebtedness than the level at which it had previously operated. Leverage may have important consequences to these portfolio companies and the Company as an investor. For example, the substantial indebtedness of a portfolio company could (i) limit its ability to borrow money for its working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, strategic initiatives or other purposes; (ii) require it to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to the repayment of its indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available to it for other purposes; (iii) make it more highly leveraged than some of its competitors, which may place it at a competitive disadvantage; or (iv) subject it to restrictive financial and operating covenants, which may preclude it from favorable business activities or the financing of future operations or other capital needs.

 

A leveraged portfolio company’s income and net assets will tend to increase or decrease at a greater rate than if borrowed money were not used. In addition, a portfolio company with a leveraged capital structure will be subject to increased exposure to adverse economic factors, such as a significant rise in interest rates, a severe downturn in the economy or deterioration in the condition of that portfolio company or its industry. If a portfolio company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow to meet all of its obligations, it may take alternative measures (e.g., reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital, or seek to restructure, extend or refinance indebtedness). These actions may negatively affect our investment in such a portfolio company.

 

Investment in leveraged companies involves a number of significant risks. Leveraged companies in which we invest may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their loans and debt securities that we hold. Such developments may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees that we may have obtained in connection with our investment. Smaller leveraged companies also may have less predictable operating results and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance their expansion or maintain their competitive position.

 

Volatility of Loans and Debt Securities of Leveraged Companies

 

Leveraged companies may experience bankruptcy or similar financial distress. The bankruptcy process has a number of significant inherent risks. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy filing by a portfolio company may adversely and permanently affect the company. If the proceeding is converted to a liquidation, the value of the portfolio company may not equal the liquidation value that was believed to exist at the time of the investment. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is also difficult to predict, and a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays until the plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Because the standards for classification of claims under bankruptcy law are vague, our influence with respect to the class of securities or other obligations we own may be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in the same class or by different classification and treatment. In the early stages of the bankruptcy process, it is often difficult to estimate the extent of, or even to identify, any contingent claims that might be made. In addition, certain claims that have priority by law (for example, claims for taxes) may be substantial.

 

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Investments in Middle-Market Portfolio Companies

 

We may invest a portion of our investable capital in small and/or less well-established companies. While smaller companies may have potential for rapid growth, they often involve higher risks because they lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strength of larger corporations, all of which may contribute to illiquidity, which may, in turn adversely affect the price and timing of liquidation of our investments. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we will rely on the ability of the Investment Advisor’s investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. Middle-market companies may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their loans and debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment. Additionally, middle-market companies are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons. Therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on one or more of the portfolio companies we invest in and, in turn, on us. Middle-market companies also may be parties to litigation and may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence. In addition, our executive officers, directors and the Investment Advisor may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in portfolio companies.

 

Lack of Liquidity in Investments

 

The lack of an established, liquid secondary market for some of our investments may have an adverse effect on the market value of our investments and on our ability to dispose of them. Additionally, our investments may be subject to certain transfer restrictions that may also contribute to illiquidity. Further, our assets that are typically traded in a liquid market may become illiquid if the applicable trading market tightens. Therefore, no assurance can be given that, if the Company is determined to dispose of a particular investment held by the Company, it could dispose of such investment at the prevailing market price.

 

In addition, we may, from time to time, possess material, non-public information, including information received due to its participation on creditors’ committees, about a borrower or issuer or the Company may be an affiliate of a borrower or an issuer. Such information or affiliation may limit the ability of the Company to buy and sell investments.

 

Risks of Secured Loans

 

While we may invest in secured loans, it may nonetheless be exposed to losses resulting from default and foreclosure. Therefore, the value of the underlying collateral, the creditworthiness of the borrower and the priority of the lien are each of great importance. We cannot guarantee the adequacy of the protection of the Company’s interests, including the validity or enforceability of the loan and the maintenance of the anticipated priority and perfection of the applicable security interests. Furthermore, the Company cannot assure that claims may not be asserted that might interfere with enforcement of the Company’s rights. In addition, in the event of any default under a secured loan held directly by the Company, the Company will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the principal and accrued interest of the secured loan, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flow from operations.

 

In the event of a foreclosure, we may assume direct ownership of the underlying asset. The liquidation proceeds upon sale of such asset may not satisfy the entire outstanding balance of principal and interest on the loan, resulting in a loss to us. Any costs or delays involved in the effectuation of a foreclosure of the loan or a liquidation of the underlying property will further reduce the proceeds and thus increase the loss.

 

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Mezzanine Debt and Other Junior Securities

 

The mezzanine debt and other junior investments in which we may invest are typically contractually or structurally subordinate to senior indebtedness of the applicable company, or effectively subordinated as a result of being unsecured debt and therefore subject to the prior repayment of secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets pledged as security. In some cases, the subordinated debt held by the Company may be subject to the prior repayment of different classes of senior debt that may be in priority ahead of the debt held by the Company. In the event of financial difficulty on the part of a portfolio company, such class or classes of senior indebtedness ranking prior to the debt held by us, and interest thereon and related expenses, must first be repaid in full before any recovery may be had on the Company’s mezzanine debt or other subordinated investments. Subordinated investments are characterized by greater credit risks than those associated with the senior or senior secured obligations of the same issuer. In addition, under certain circumstances the holders of the senior indebtedness will have the right to block the payment of interest and principal on the Company’s mezzanine debt or other junior investment and to prevent us from pursuing its remedies on account of such non-payment against the issuer. Further, in the event of any debt restructuring or workout of the indebtedness of any issuer, the holders of the senior indebtedness will likely control the creditor side of such negotiations.

 

Many issuers of mezzanine debt or other junior securities are highly leveraged, and their relatively high debt-to-equity ratios create increased risks that their operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations. In addition, many issuers of mezzanine debt or other junior securities may be in poor financial condition, experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth or be facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems, and may include companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganizations or liquidation proceedings. Adverse changes in the financial condition of an issuer, general economic conditions, or both, may impair the ability of such issuer to make payments on the subordinated securities and result in defaults on such securities more quickly than in the case of the senior obligations of such issuer. Mezzanine debt and other junior securities may not be publicly traded, and therefore it may be difficult to obtain information as to the true condition of the issuers. Finally, the market values of certain of mezzanine debt and other junior securities may reflect individual corporate developments.

 

Investments in mezzanine debt and other junior securities may also be in the form of zero-coupon or deferred interest bonds, which are bonds which are issued at a significant discount from face value. The original discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds will accrue and compound over the period until maturity or the first interest accrual date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. While zero-coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest, deferred interest bonds generally provide for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins. These investments typically experience greater volatility in market value due to changes in the interest rates than bonds that provide for regular payments of interest.

 

Potential Early Redemption of Some Investments

 

The terms of loans acquired or originated by the Company may be subject to early prepayment options or similar provisions which, in each case, could result in the Company realizing repayments of such loans earlier than expected, sometimes with no or a nominal prepayment premium. This may happen when there is a decline in interest rates, when the portfolio company’s improved credit or operating or financial performance allows the refinancing of certain classes of debt with lower cost debt or when the general credit market conditions improve. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our ability to pay, or the amount of, dividends on our common stock, which could result in a decline in the market price of our shares. The Company’s inability to reinvest such proceeds may materially affect the overall performance.

 

Limited Amortization Requirements

 

We may invest in debt that has limited mandatory amortization and interim repayment requirements. A low level of amortization of any debt, over the life of the investment, may increase the risk that a portfolio company will not be able to repay or refinance the debt held by the Company when it comes due at its final stated maturity.

 

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High Yield Debt

 

We may invest in high yield debt, a substantial portion of which may be rated below investment-grade by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations or is unrated but of comparable credit quality to obligations rated below investment-grade, and has greater credit and liquidity risk than more highly rated debt obligations. High yield debt is generally unsecured and may be subordinate to other obligations of the obligor. The lower rating of high yield debt reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions (including, for example, a substantial period of rising interest rates or declining earnings) or both may impair the ability of the obligor to make payment of principal and interest. Many issuers of high yield debt are highly leveraged, and their relatively high debt-to-equity ratios create increased risks that their operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations. In addition, many issuers of high yield debt may be in poor financial condition, experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth or be facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems, and may include companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganizations or liquidation proceedings. Certain of these securities may not be publicly traded, and therefore it may be difficult to obtain information as to the true condition of the issuers. Overall declines in the below investment-grade bond and other markets may adversely affect such issuers by inhibiting their ability to refinance their debt at maturity. High yield debt is often less liquid than higher rated securities, and the market for high yield debt has recently experienced periods of volatility. The market values of certain of this high yield debt may reflect individual corporate developments.

 

High yield debt generally experiences greater default rates than is the case for investment-grade securities. We may also invest in equity securities issued by entities with unrated or below investment-grade debt.

 

High yield debt may also be in the form of zero-coupon or deferred interest bonds, which are bonds that are issued at a significant discount from face value. The original discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds will accrue and compound over the period until maturity or the first interest accrual date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. While zero-coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest, deferred interest bonds generally provide for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins. These investments typically experience greater volatility in market value due to changes in the interest rates than bonds that provide for regular payments of interest.

 

Bank Loans

 

We may invest a portion of our investments in loans originated by banks and other financial institutions. The loans invested in by us may include term loans and revolving loans, may pay interest at a fixed or floating rate and may be senior or subordinated. Purchasers of bank loans are predominantly commercial banks, investment funds and investment banks. As secondary market trading volumes for bank loans increase, new bank loans are frequently adopting standardized documentation to facilitate loan trading, which should improve market liquidity. There can be no assurance, however, that future levels of supply and demand in bank loan trading will provide an adequate degree of liquidity, that the current period of illiquidity will not persist or worsen and that the market will not experience periods of significant illiquidity in the future. In addition, the Company may make investments in stressed or distressed bank loans, which are often less liquid than performing bank loans.

 

Compared to securities and to certain other types of financial assets, purchases and sales of loans take relatively longer to settle. This extended settlement process can (i) increase the counterparty credit risk borne by the Company; (ii) leave the Company unable to timely vote, or otherwise act with respect to, loans it has agreed to purchase; (iii) delay the Company from realizing the proceeds of a sale of a loan; (iv) inhibit the Company’s ability to re-sell a loan that it has agreed to purchase if conditions change (leaving us more exposed to price fluctuations); (v) prevent the Company from timely collecting principal and interest payments; and (vi) expose the Company to adverse tax or regulatory consequences. To the extent the extended loan settlement process gives rise to short-term liquidity needs, we may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks or other lenders.

 

In certain circumstances, loans may not be deemed to be securities, and in the event of fraud or misrepresentation by a borrower or an arranger, lenders will not have the protection of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws, as would be the case for bonds or stocks. Instead, in such cases, lenders generally rely on the contractual provisions in the loan agreement itself, and common-law fraud protections under applicable state law.

 

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We may acquire interests in bank loans either directly (by way of sale or assignment) or indirectly (by way of participation). The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, its rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution. Participation interests in a portion of a debt obligation typically result in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest, and not with the borrower. In purchasing participations, we generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and we may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, we will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation. The bank loans acquired by us are likely to be below investment-grade.

 

CLO Investments

 

We may invest in debt and equity interests of CLO vehicles. Generally, there may be less information available to us regarding the underlying debt investments held by such CLOs than if we had invested directly in the debt of the underlying companies. As a result, our stockholders may not know the details of the underlying securities of the CLO vehicles in which we may invest.

 

As a BDC, we may not acquire equity and junior debt investments in CLO vehicles unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are “qualifying assets.” CLO vehicles that we expect to invest in are typically very highly levered, and therefore, the junior debt and equity tranches that we expect to invest in are subject to a higher degree of risk of total loss. In particular, investors in CLO vehicles indirectly bear risks of the underlying debt investments held by such CLO vehicles. We will generally have the right to receive payments only from the CLO vehicles, and will generally not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or the entity that sponsored the CLO vehicle. While the CLO vehicles we intend to target generally enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of leveraged corporate loans without the expenses associated with directly holding the same investments, we will generally pay a proportionate share of the CLO vehicles’ administrative and other expenses. Although it is difficult to predict whether the prices of indices and securities underlying CLO vehicles will rise or fall, these prices (and, therefore, the prices of the CLO vehicles) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect issuers of securities and capital markets generally. The failure by a CLO vehicle in which we invest to satisfy certain financial covenants, specifically those with respect to adequate collateralization and/or interest coverage tests, could lead to a reduction in its payments to us. In the event that a CLO vehicle failed those tests, holders of debt senior to us may be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments we would otherwise be entitled to receive. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

 

In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO vehicles carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the fact that our investments in CLO tranches will likely be subordinate to other senior classes of note tranches thereof; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the CLO vehicle or unexpected investment results. Our net asset value may also decline over time if our principal recovery with respect to CLO equity investments is less than the price we paid for those investments.

 

Investments in structured vehicles, including equity and junior debt instruments issued by CLO vehicles, involve risks, including credit risk and market risk. Changes in interest rates and credit quality may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the underlying leveraged corporate loans held by a CLO vehicle may cause payments on the instruments we hold to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently. Structured investments, particularly the subordinated interests in which we intend to invest, may be less liquid than many other types of securities and may be more volatile than the leveraged corporate loans underlying the CLO vehicles we intend to target. Fluctuations in interest rates may also cause payments on the tranches of CLO vehicles that we hold to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently.

 

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The accounting and tax implications of such investments are complicated. In particular, reported earnings from the equity tranche investments of these CLO vehicles are recorded under generally accepted accounting principles based upon an effective yield calculation. Current taxable earnings on these investments, however, will generally not be determinable until after the end of the fiscal year of each individual CLO vehicle that ends within the Company’s fiscal year, even though the investments are generating cash flow. In general, the tax treatment of these investments may result in higher distributable earnings in the early years and a capital loss at maturity, while for reporting purposes the totality of cash flows are reflected in a constant yield to maturity.

 

Any interests we acquire in CLO vehicles will likely be thinly traded or have only a limited trading market and may be subject to restrictions on resale. Securities issued by CLO vehicles are generally not listed on any U.S. national securities exchange and no active trading market may exist for the securities of CLO vehicles in which we may invest. Although a secondary market may exist for our investments in CLO vehicles, the market for our investments in CLO vehicles may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. As a result, these types of investments may be more difficult to value. In addition, our investments in CLO warehouse facilities are short term investments and therefore may be subject to a greater risk relating to market conditions and economic recession or downturns.

 

Exposure to Originated Investments

 

We may originate certain of our investments with the expectation of later syndicating a portion of such investment to other affiliated funds or third parties. Prior to such syndication, or if such syndication is not successful, our exposure to the originated investment may exceed the exposure that we intended to have over the long-term or would have had had we purchased such investment in the secondary market rather than originating it.

 

Equity Securities

 

We may in certain limited circumstances invest in equity securities. As with other investments that we may make, the value of equity securities held by us may be adversely affected by actual or perceived negative events relating to the issuer of such securities, the industry or geographic areas in which such issuer operates or the financial markets generally. However, equity securities may be even more susceptible to such events given their subordinate position in the issuer’s capital structure. As such, equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, and the market price of equity securities owned by us is more susceptible to moving up or down in a rapid or unpredictable manner.

 

Highly Volatile Instruments

 

The prices of the financial instruments in which we invest can be highly volatile. Price movements of instruments in which our assets may be invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments and national and international political and economic events and policies. In addition, governments from time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, particularly those in currencies and financial instrument options. Such intervention is intended to influence prices directly and may, together with other factors, cause all of such markets to move rapidly in the same direction because of, among other things, interest rate fluctuations.

 

Convertible Securities

 

We may invest in convertible securities, which are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued on debt or a dividend that is paid or accrued on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

 

A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by us is called for redemption, we will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

 

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Investments in Undervalued Assets

 

We may seek to invest in undervalued assets. The identification of investment opportunities in undervalued assets is a difficult task, and there is no assurance that such opportunities will be successfully recognized or acquired. While investments in undervalued assets offer the opportunity for above-average capital appreciation, these investments involve a high degree of financial risk and can result in substantial losses. We may be required to hold undervalued assets for a substantial period of time with the expectation that the assets will appreciate in value, even though there is no assurance that such value appreciation will take place. Accordingly, we may be forced to sell such undervalued assets at a substantial loss. During the period pending any sale, a portion of our funds would be committed to undervalued assets, thus possibly preventing the Company from investing in other opportunities. In addition, the Company may finance such purchases with borrowed funds and thus will have to pay interest on such funds during this waiting period. Finally, margin calls and other events related to the Company’s indebtedness could force the Company to have to sell assets at prices that are less than their fair value.

 

Financially Troubled Companies

 

As part of our lending activities, we may originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. Such companies generally are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments, and if their financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, securities of such companies may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary or public market. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. There is no assurance that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. Additionally, the Company may invest in the securities of financially troubled companies that are non-U.S. issuers. Such non-U.S. issuers may be subject to bankruptcy and reorganization processes and proceedings that are not comparable to those in the United States and that may be less favorable to the rights of lenders. We may make investments that become distressed due to factors outside the control of the Investment Advisor. There is no assurance that there will be sufficient collateral to cover the value of the loans and/or other investments purchased by us or that there will be a successful reorganization or similar action of the company or investment which becomes distressed. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company in which we invest, we may lose our entire investment, may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than our original investment and/or may be required to accept payment over an extended period of time. Under these circumstances, the returns generated from the Company’s investments may not compensate the stockholders adequately for the risks assumed.

 

Troubled company investments require active monitoring and may, at times, require significant participation in business strategy or reorganization proceedings by the Investment Advisor. In addition, involvement by the Investment Advisor in a company’s reorganization proceedings could result in the imposition of restrictions limiting the Company’s ability to liquidate its position in the company.

 

Lender Liability Considerations and Equitable Subordination

 

In recent years, a number of judicial decisions in the United States have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories (collectively termed “lender liability”). Generally, lender liability is founded upon the premise that an institutional lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith and fair dealing owed to the borrower or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower resulting in creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or stockholders. Because of the nature of certain of the Company’s investments, the Company could be subject to allegations of lender liability.

 

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In addition, under common law principles that in some cases form the basis for lender liability claims, if a lending institution (i) intentionally takes an action that results in the undercapitalization of a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, (ii) engages in other inequitable conduct to the detriment of such other creditors, (iii) engages in fraud with respect to, or makes misrepresentations to, such other creditors or (iv) uses its influence as a stockholder to dominate or control a borrower to the detriment of the other creditors of such borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lending institution to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called “equitable subordination.” Because of the nature of certain of the Company’s investments, the Company could be subject to claims from creditors of an obligor that the Company’s investments issued by such obligor should be equitably subordinated. A significant number of the Company’s investments will involve investments in which the Company will not be the lead creditor. It is, accordingly, possible that lender liability or equitable subordination claims affecting the Company’s investments could arise without the direct involvement of the Company.

 

If the Company purchases debt securities of an affiliate of a portfolio company in the secondary market at a discount, (i) a court might require the Company to disgorge profit it realizes if the opportunity to purchase such securities at a discount should have been made available to the issuer of such securities or (ii) the Company might be prevented from enforcing such securities at their full face value if the issuer of such securities becomes bankrupt.

 

Fraudulent Conveyance and Preference Considerations

 

Various federal and state laws enacted for the protection of creditors may apply to the purchase of the Company’s investments, which constitute the primary assets of the Company, by virtue of the Company’s role as a creditor with respect to the borrowers under such investments. If a court in a lawsuit brought by an unpaid creditor or representative of creditors of a borrower, such as a trustee in bankruptcy or the borrower as debtor-in-possession, were to find that the borrower did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for incurring indebtedness evidenced by an investment and the grant of any security interest or other lien securing such investment, and, after giving effect to the incurring of such indebtedness, the borrower (i) was insolvent, (ii) was engaged in a business for which the assets remaining in such borrower constituted unreasonably small capital or (iii) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, such court could invalidate, in whole or in part, such indebtedness and such security interest or other lien as fraudulent conveyances, could subordinate such indebtedness to existing or future creditors of the borrower or could allow the borrower to recover amounts previously paid by the borrower to the creditor (including to the Company) in satisfaction of such indebtedness or proceeds of such security interest or other lien previously applied in satisfaction of such indebtedness. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of an issuer of an investment, payments made on the Company’s investment could be subject to avoidance as a “preference” if made within a certain period of time (which may be as long as one year) before insolvency depending on a number of factors, including the amount of equity of the borrower owned by the Company and its affiliates and any contractual arrangement between the borrower, on the one hand, and the Company and its affiliates, on the other hand. The measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing will vary depending on the law of the jurisdiction which is being applied. Generally, however, a borrower would be considered insolvent at a particular time if the sum of its debts was greater than all of its assets at a fair valuation or if the then-present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liabilities on its then-existing debts as they became absolute and matured. There can be no assurance as to what standard a court would apply in order to determine whether a borrower was insolvent after giving effect to the incurrence of the loan or that, regardless of the method of evaluation, a court would not determine that the borrower was “insolvent” upon giving effect to such incurrence. In general, if payments on an investment are avoidable, whether as fraudulent conveyances or preferences, such payments can be recaptured either from the initial recipient (such as the Company) or from subsequent transferees of such payments.

 

Projections

 

Our Investment Advisor may rely upon projections, forecasts or estimates developed by us or a portfolio company in which we are invested concerning the portfolio company’s future performance and cash flow. Projections, forecasts and estimates are forward-looking statements and are based upon certain assumptions. Actual events are difficult to predict and beyond our control. Actual events may differ from those assumed. Some important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include changes in interest rates; domestic and foreign business, market, financial or legal conditions; differences in the actual allocation of our investments among asset groups from that described herein; the degree to which our investments are hedged and the effectiveness of such hedges, among others. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that estimated returns or projections can be realized or that actual returns or results will not be materially lower than those estimated therein.

 

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Third Party Litigation

 

In addition to litigation relating to the bankruptcy process, our investment activities subject us to the normal risks of becoming involved in litigation by third parties. This risk is somewhat greater where we exercise control or significant influence over a portfolio company’s direction. The expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments would generally be borne by us and would reduce net assets.

 

Proportion of Assets that May Be Invested in Securities of a Single Issuer

 

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer, excluding limitations on investments in other investment companies. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers or industries, our net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. In addition, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly affect our aggregate returns.

 

Because we may invest significant amounts of our available capital in a single investment, any single loss may have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s capital. While we will generally focus on borrowers who are U.S. middle market companies, the Investment Advisor may determine whether companies meet the foregoing criteria in its sole discretion. In addition, except as may be provided by the requirement to invest at least 70% of its assets in qualifying investments and as may be necessary to qualify as a RIC, the Company is not restricted in its ability to invest in companies of any size or in any geographical location, and may from time to time or over time invest in companies of any size or in any geographical location.

 

Potential Failure to Make Follow-On Investments in Portfolio Companies

 

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may decide to provide additional funds to such portfolio company, in order to:

 

· increase or maintain in whole or in part our position as a creditor or equity ownership percentage in a portfolio company;

     

· exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or

     

· attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment.

 

There is no assurance that we will make follow-on investments or that we will have sufficient funds to make all or any of such investments. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our concentration of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements of the 1940 Act or the desire to maintain our qualification as a RIC. Any decision by us not to make follow-on investments or our inability to make such investments may have a substantial adverse effect on a portfolio company in need of such an investment. Additionally, a failure to make such investments may result in a lost opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful portfolio company or the dilution of our ownership in a portfolio company if a third party invests in the portfolio company.

 

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Potential Impact of Not Holding Controlling Equity Interests in Portfolio Companies

 

We do not generally intend to hold controlling equity positions in our portfolio companies. As a result, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and that the management and/or stockholders of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. Due to the potential lack of liquidity of the debt and equity investments that we expect to hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

 

In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors.

 

Potential Incurrence of Debt by Portfolio Companies That Ranks Equally With, or Senior to, Our Investments

 

The characterization of certain of our investments as senior debt or senior secured debt does not mean that such debt will necessarily be repaid in priority to all other obligations of the businesses in which we invest. Furthermore, debt and other liabilities incurred by nonguarantor subsidiaries of the borrowers of senior secured loans made by us may be structurally senior to the debt held by us. In the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, the debt and other liabilities of such subsidiaries could be repaid in full before any distribution can be made to an obligor of the senior secured loans held by us. Finally, portfolio companies will typically incur trade credit and other liabilities or indebtedness, which by their terms may provide that their holders are entitled to receive principal payments on or before the dates payments are due in respect of the senior secured loans held by us.

 

Where we hold a first lien to secure senior indebtedness, the portfolio companies may be permitted to issue other senior loans with liens that rank junior to the first liens granted to us. The intercreditor rights of the holders of such other junior lien debt may, in any liquidation, reorganization, insolvency, dissolution or bankruptcy of such a portfolio company, affect the recovery that we would have been able to achieve in the absence of such other debt.

 

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

 

Even where the senior loans held by us are secured by a perfected lien over a substantial portion of the assets of a portfolio company and its subsidiaries, the portfolio company and its subsidiaries will often be able to incur a substantial amount of additional indebtedness, which may have an exclusive lien over particular assets. For example, debt and other liabilities incurred by non-guarantor subsidiaries of portfolio companies will be structurally senior to the debt held by us. Accordingly, any such debt and other liabilities of such subsidiaries would, in the event of liquidation, dissolution, insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy of such subsidiary, be repaid in full before any distributions to an obligor of the loans held by us. Furthermore, these other assets over which other lenders have a lien may be substantially more liquid or valuable than the assets over which we have a lien.

 

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The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of such senior debt. Under a typical intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens:

 

· the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral;

 

· the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;

 

· the approval of amendments to collateral documents;

 

· releases of liens on the collateral; and

 

· waivers of past defaults under collateral documents.

 

We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

 

Contingent Liabilities Resulting from the Disposition of Investments

 

We may from time to time incur contingent liabilities in connection with an investment. For example, we may acquire a revolving credit or delayed draw term facility that has not yet been fully drawn or may originate or make a secondary purchase of a revolving credit facility. If the borrower subsequently draws down on the facility, we will be obligated to fund the amounts due. In connection with the disposition of an investment in loans and private securities, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to potential liabilities. We may incur numerous other types of contingent liabilities. There can be no assurance that we will adequately reserve for its contingent liabilities and that such liabilities will not have an adverse effect on us.

 

Additional Risks of Hedging Transactions and/or Investments in Non-U.S. Securities

 

The 1940 Act generally requires that 70% of our investments be in issuers each of whom is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or any other possession of the United States. However, our portfolio may include debt securities of non-U.S. companies, including emerging market issuers, to the limited extent such transactions and investments would not cause us to violate the 1940 Act. We expect to invest in the securities of non-U.S. issuers. Investing in loans and securities of non-U.S. issuers involves many risks including economic, social, political, financial, tax and security conditions in the non-U.S. market, potential inflationary economic environments, less liquid markets and regulation by foreign governments. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and non-U.S. issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the United States. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is a possibility of expropriation, imposition of non-U.S. withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains or other income, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of the Company, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. An issuer of securities may be domiciled in a country other than the country in whose currency the instrument is denominated. The values and relative yields of investments in the securities markets of different countries, and their associated risks, are expected to change independently of each other.

 

Bankruptcy law and process in non-U.S. jurisdictions may differ substantially from that in the United States, which may result in greater uncertainty as to the rights of creditors, the enforceability of such rights, reorganization timing and the classification, seniority and treatment of claims. In certain developing countries, although bankruptcy laws have been enacted, the process for reorganization remains highly uncertain, while other developing countries may have no bankruptcy laws enacted, adding further uncertainty to the process for reorganization.

 

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We are authorized to use various investment strategies to hedge interest rate or currency exchange risks. These strategies are generally accepted as portfolio management techniques and are regularly used by many investment funds and other institutional investors. Techniques and instruments may change over time as new instruments and strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur. We may use any or all such types of interest rate hedging transactions and currency hedging transactions at any time and no particular strategy will dictate the use of one transaction rather than another. The choice of any particular interest rate hedging transactions and currency hedging transactions will be a function of numerous variables, including market conditions. Investments or liabilities of the Company may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and hence the value of such investments, or the amount of such liabilities, will depend in part on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. We may be affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rate between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the value of dividends and interest earned as well as the level of gains and losses realized on the sale of securities. The rates of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies are affected by many factors, including forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. These rates are also affected by the international balance of payments and other economic and financial conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. We are not obligated to engage in any currency hedging operations, and there can be no assurance as to the success of any hedging operations that we may implement.

 

Although we intend to engage in any interest rate hedging transactions and currency hedging transactions only for hedging purposes and not for speculation, use of interest rate hedging transactions and currency hedging transactions involves certain inherent risks. These risks include (i) the possibility that the market will move in a manner or direction that would have resulted in gain for us had an interest rate hedging transaction or currency hedging transaction not been utilized, in which case it would have been better had we not engaged in the interest rate hedging transaction or currency hedging transaction, (ii) the risk of imperfect correlation between the risk sought to be hedged and the interest rate hedging transaction or currency hedging transaction utilized, (iii) potential illiquidity for the hedging instrument utilized, which may make it difficult for us to close-out or unwind an interest rate hedging transaction or currency hedging transaction and (iv) credit risk with respect to the counterparty to the interest rate hedging transaction or currency hedging transaction. In addition, it might not be possible for us to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those loans and securities would likely fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.

 

We may also enter into certain hedging and short sale transactions for the purpose of protecting the market value of an investment of the Company for a period of time without having to currently dispose of such investment. Such defensive hedge transactions may be entered into when the Company is legally restricted from selling an investment or when the Company otherwise determines that it is advisable to decrease its exposure to the risk of a decline in the market value of an investment. Such defensive hedging transactions may expose the Company to the counterparty’s credit risk. There also can be no assurance that the Company will accurately assess the risk of a market value decline with respect to an investment or enter into an appropriate defensive hedge transaction to protect against such risk. Furthermore, the Company is in no event obligated to enter into any defensive hedge transaction. The Company may from time to time employ various investment programs, including the use of derivatives, short sales, swap transactions, currency hedging transactions, securities lending agreements and repurchase agreements. There can be no assurance that any such investment program will be undertaken successfully.

 

Risks Associated with OID and PIK Interest Income

 

Our investments may include OID and PIK instruments. To the extent OID and PIK interest income constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with such income being required to be included in an accounting income and taxable income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

 

· OID instruments and PIK securities may have unreliable valuations because the accretion of OID as interest income and the continuing accruals of PIK securities require judgments about their collectability and the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral.

 

· OID instruments may create heightened credit risks because the inducement to the borrower to accept higher interest rates in exchange for the deferral of cash payments typically represents, to some extent, speculation on the part of the borrower.

 

· For accounting purposes, cash distributions to stockholders that include a component of accreted OID income do not come from paid-in capital, although they may be paid from the offering proceeds. Thus, although a distribution of accreted OID income may come from the cash invested by the stockholders, the 1940 Act does not require that stockholders be given notice of this fact.

 

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· The higher interest rates on PIK securities reflects the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with such instruments and PIK securities generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans.

 

· The presence of accreted OID income and PIK interest income create the risk of non-refundable cash payments to the Investment Advisor in the form of incentive fees on income that will be payable subsequent to a Listing based on non-cash accreted OID income and PIK interest income accruals that may never be realized.

 

· Even if accounting conditions are met, borrowers on such securities could still default when the Company’s actual collection is expected to occur at the maturity of the obligation.

 

· PIK interest has the effect of generating investment income and increasing the incentive fees that will be payable subsequent to a Listing at a compounding rate. In addition, the deferral of PIK interest also reduces the loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate.

 

· Market prices of OID instruments are more volatile because they are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes than instruments that pay interest periodically in cash.

 

· The required recognition of OID, including PIK, interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have a negative impact on liquidity, because it represents a non-cash component of the Company’s taxable income that must, nevertheless, be distributed in cash to investors to avoid us being subject to corporate level taxation.

 

Federal Income Tax Risks

 

Qualifying and Maintaining our Qualification as a RIC and Investments Made through Taxable Subsidiaries

 

To qualify and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must be a BDC at all times during each taxable year and meet the following minimum annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements. The minimum annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute dividends to our stockholders in respect of each taxable year of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of our investment company taxable income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid. In this regard, a RIC may, in certain cases, satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends relating to a taxable year after the close of such taxable year under the “spillback dividend” provisions of Subchapter M of the Code. We would be taxed, at regular corporate rates, on any retained income and/or gains, including any short-term capital gains or long-term capital gains. We must also satisfy an additional annual distribution requirement with respect to each calendar year in order to avoid a 4% excise tax on the amount of any under-distribution. Because we may use debt financing, we are subject to (i) an asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and may, in the future, be subject to (ii) certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, or chose or be required to retain a portion of our taxable income or gains, we could (1) be required to pay excise tax and (2) fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment, and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax on our taxable income (including gains).

 

The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our gross income each taxable year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities, or other income derived from the business of investing in stock or securities. The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. To satisfy this requirement, at least 50% of the value of our assets at the close of each quarter of each taxable year must consist of cash, cash equivalents (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other acceptable securities; and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because a significant portion of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore may be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

 

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We may invest in certain debt and equity investments through taxable subsidiaries and the net taxable income of these taxable subsidiaries will be subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. We also may invest in certain foreign debt and equity investments which could be subject to foreign taxes (such as income tax, withholding, and value added taxes). If we fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution, and the amount of our distributions.

 

Realizing Income or Gains Prior to the Receipt of Cash Representing such Income or Gains

 

For federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, since we will likely hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments with PIK, secondary market purchases of debt securities at discount to par, interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each taxable year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as unrealized appreciation for foreign currency forward contracts and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Furthermore, we may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that could be treated under the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations as “passive foreign investment companies” and/or “controlled foreign corporations.” The rules relating to investment in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require us to recognize income which we would need to consider in connection with satisfying our annual distribution requirements where we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash.

 

Unrealized appreciation on derivative financial instruments, such as foreign currency forward contracts, may be included in taxable income while the receipt of cash may occur in a subsequent period when the related contract expires. Any unrealized depreciation on investments that the foreign currency forward contracts are designed to hedge are not currently deductible for tax purposes. This can result in increased taxable income whereby we may not have sufficient cash to pay distributions or we may opt to retain such taxable income and pay a 4% excise tax. In such case we could still rely upon the “spillback provisions” and distribute such taxable income as dividends to our stockholders in the following taxable year in order to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC.

 

Further, we may elect to recognize market discount with respect to debt obligations acquired in the secondary market and include such amounts currently in our investment company taxable income, instead of upon disposition of such debt obligations, as an election not to do so may limit our ability to deduct interest expense for tax purposes. Because such market discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the taxable year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement associated with maintaining RIC tax treatment under the Code, even if we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to be subject to RIC tax treatment under the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, make a partial share distribution, or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, and choose not to make a qualifying share distribution, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

 

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Risks Relating to This Offering

 

Potential Difficulty Sourcing Investment Opportunities

 

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

 

We generally expect to call capital for investment purposes only at the time we identify an investment opportunity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we expect to deploy all proceeds from each capital call for investment purposes within two years of calling such capital. Until such time as we invest the proceeds of such capital calls to invest in portfolio companies, we will invest these amounts in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. We expect these temporary investments to earn yields substantially lower than the income that we expect to receive in respect of investments in secured debt (including senior secured, unitranche and second lien debt) and unsecured debt (including senior unsecured and subordinated debt), as well as related equity securities.

 

Risks Regarding Distributions

 

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this Registration Statement. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC and certain limitations under Maryland law, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. In addition, if we enter into a Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility, for so long as such facility is outstanding, we anticipate that we may be required by its terms to use all payments of interest and principal that we receive from our current investments as well as any proceeds received from the sale of our current investments to repay amounts outstanding thereunder, which could adversely affect our ability to make distributions.

 

Furthermore, the tax treatment and characterization of our distributions may vary significantly from time to time due to the nature of our investments. The ultimate tax characterization of our distributions made during a taxable year may not finally be determined until after the end of that taxable year. We may make distributions during a taxable year that exceed our investment company taxable income and net capital gains for that taxable year. In such a situation, the amount by which our total distributions exceed investment company taxable income and net capital gains generally would be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a stockholder’s tax basis in the shares, with any amounts exceeding such tax basis treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. A return of capital generally is a return of a stockholder’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from our investment activities. Moreover, we may pay all or a substantial portion of our distributions from the proceeds of the sale of shares of our common stock or from borrowings in anticipation of future cash flow, which could constitute a return of stockholders’ capital and will lower such stockholders’ tax basis in our shares, which may result in increased tax liability to stockholders when they sell such shares.

 

Limited Liquidity of an Investment in Our Common Stock

 

Our shares of common stock constitute illiquid investments for which there is not, and will likely not be, a secondary market at any time prior to a public offering and listing of our shares on a national securities exchange. There can be no guarantee that we will conduct a public offering and list our shares on a national securities exchange. Investment in the Company is suitable only for sophisticated investors and requires the financial ability and willingness to accept the high risks and lack of liquidity inherent in an investment in the Company.

 

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We are relying on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and state securities laws in offering shares of our common stock pursuant to the Subscription Agreements. As such, absent an effective registration statement covering our common stock, such shares may be resold only in transactions that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and with the registration of the transfer on our books and with our prior consent. In addition, transfers of our common stock may be rejected by us, and existing investors may be required to redeem all or a portion of their shares of common stock, if a transfer could (1) result in our assets being considered to be “plan assets” for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) or Section 4975 of the Code or (2) constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a non-exempt violation of any laws similar to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Our common stock will have limited transferability which could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the Company that might involve a premium price for our securities or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

 

Even if we undertake a Qualified IPO, we cannot assure you a public trading market will develop or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. Shares of companies offered in an initial public offering or listing often trade at a discount to the initial offering price due to underwriting discounts and related offering expenses. In addition, following a Liquidity Event, investors may be restricted from selling or disposing of their shares of common stock of by applicable securities laws, contractually by a lock-up agreement with the underwriters of a Qualified IPO or similar institutions in connection with a Liquidity Event and contractually through restrictions contained in the Subscription Agreements.

 

Severe Economic Consequences of Defaulting Stockholders

 

If stockholders fail to fund their commitment obligations or to make required capital contributions when due, the Company’s ability to complete its investment program or otherwise continue operations may be substantially impaired. A stockholder’s failure to fund such amounts when due causes that stockholder to become a defaulting stockholder. If a substantial number of stockholders become defaulting stockholders, this may severely limit opportunities for investment diversification and would likely reduce returns to the Company and restrict the Company’s ability to meet loan obligations. Any single defaulting stockholder could cause substantial costs to be incurred by the Company if such default causes the Company to fail to meet its contractual obligations or if the Company must pursue remedial action against such stockholder. In the event a stockholder fails to make a required capital contribution when due, it may be subject to various remedies, including, without limitation, forfeiture of its right to participate in purchasing additional shares on any future drawdown date or otherwise participate in any future investments of the Company. Without limitation on the rights the Company may have against the defaulting stockholder, the Company may call for additional capital contributions from non-defaulting stockholders to make up any shortfall. The non-defaulting stockholders could therefore be required to fund any shortfall up to their remaining capital commitments, without regard to the underlying value of their investment.

 

If the Company fails to meet its contractual obligations related to a portfolio investment due to a defaulting stockholder, the relevant portfolio company may have a cause of action against the Company, which may include a claim against assets of the Company other than the Company’s interest in such portfolio company. A creditor of the Company (including a portfolio company with respect to which the Company has failed to meet its contractual obligations) will not be bound to satisfy its claims from the assets attributable to a particular portfolio investment and such creditor generally may seek to satisfy its claims from the assets of the Company as a whole. As a result, if a creditor’s claims relating to a particular portfolio investment exceed the net assets attributable to that portfolio investment, the remaining assets of the Company will likely be subject to such claim.

 

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ITEM 2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Discussion of Management’s Expected Operating Plans

 

The information in this section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

 

Overview

 

We are a financial services company that primarily lends to and invests in debt securities of privately held companies. We are a newly organized Maryland corporation structured as an externally-managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company. We intend to elect to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

 

We will be externally managed by our Investment Advisor, and the Administrator will also provide the administrative services necessary for us to operate. The Administrator has entered into the Sub-Administration Agreement to delegate certain administrative functions to the Sub-Administrator. The Investment Advisor is an affiliate of Palmer Square, an SEC-registered investment advisor which had approximately $10.1 billion of assets under management and 31 employees as of September 30, 2019.

 

Our investment objective is to maximize total return, comprised of current income and capital appreciation. The Company’s current investment focus is guided by two strategies that facilitate our investment opportunities and core competencies: (1) investing in corporate debt securities and, to a lesser extent, (2) investing in CLO structured credit that typically owns corporate debt securities. To a limited extent, we may enter into hedging transactions, which may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. We may also receive or purchase warrants or rights to acquire equity and other securities. We may also invest in other strategies and opportunities from time to time that we view as attractive. We will continue to evaluate other investment strategies in the ordinary course of business with no specific top-down allocation to any single investment strategy.

 

We were formed as a Maryland corporation in August 2019. The Company is currently in the development stage and has not commenced commercial operations. Since inception, there has been no activity other than an initial $1,500 capital contribution received from the Investment Advisor, our initial stockholder, in exchange for 75 shares of our common stock. To date our efforts have been limited to organizational and initial operating activities.

 

We expect to conduct private offerings of shares of our common stock to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. At the closing of any private offering, each investor will make a Capital Commitment to purchase shares of common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us. Investors will be required to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of common stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments on an as-needed basis each time we deliver a notice to the investors. We intend to permit, subject to our sole discretion, additional closings of the private offering. See “Item 1. Business — The Private Offering.”

 

Investments

 

Our level of investment activity can and is expected to vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt available to middle market companies, the general economic environment and the competitive environment for the type of investments we make.

 

Revenues

 

We plan to generate revenue primarily in the form of interest and fee income on debt investments we hold and capital gains, if any, on investments. We generally expect our debt investments to bear interest at a floating rate usually determined on the basis of a benchmark such as LIBOR. Interest on debt securities is generally payable quarterly or semi-annually. In some instances, we expect to receive payments on our debt investments based on scheduled amortization of the outstanding balances. In addition, we may receive repayments of some of our debt investments prior to their scheduled maturity date. The frequency or volume of these repayments is expected to fluctuate significantly from period to period. Our portfolio activity is also expected to reflect the proceeds of sales of securities. We may also generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, amendment, structuring or due diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and consulting fees.

 

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Expenses

 

Our primary operating expenses will include the payment of fees to the Investment Advisor under the Advisory Agreement, our allocable portion of overhead and rental expenses under the Administration Agreement and other operating costs described below. We will bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including:

 

· our initial organization costs incurred prior to the commencement of our operations;

 

· operating costs incurred prior to the commencement of our operations;

 

· the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;

 

· the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of our common stock and other securities, including in connection with the Private Offering;

 

· fees payable to third parties relating to making investments, including our Investment Advisor’s or its affiliates’ travel expenses, research costs and out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence and reviews of prospective investments;

 

· interest expense and other costs associated with our indebtedness;

 

· transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

· out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

· federal and state registration fees and any stock exchange listing fees;

 

· U.S. federal, state and local taxes;

 

· Independent Directors’ fees and expenses;

 

· brokerage commissions and markups;

 

· fidelity bond, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

· direct costs, such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

· fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs;

 

· costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and other applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and

 

· other expenses incurred by the Administrator or us in connection with administering our business, including payments under the Administration Agreement that will be based upon our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our Board) of overhead, including rental expenses.

 

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Our Investment Advisor is authorized to determine the broker to be used for each securities transaction. In selecting brokers to execute transactions, the Investment Advisor need not solicit competitive bids and does not have an obligation to seek the lowest available commission cost. In selecting brokers, the Investment Advisor may or may not negotiate “execution only” commission rates and thus we may be deemed to be paying for other services provided by the broker that are included in the commission rate. In negotiating commission rates, the Investment Advisor will take into account the financial stability and reputation of the broker and the brokerage, research and other services provided to us, the Investment Advisor and other customers of the Investment Advisor and its affiliates by such broker, even though we may not, in any particular instance, be the direct or indirect beneficiaries of the research or other services provided and the management fee payable to the Investment Advisor is not reduced because it receives such services. In addition, the Investment Advisor may direct commissions to certain brokers that on the foregoing basis may furnish other services to us, the Investment Advisor and other customers of the Investment Advisor and its affiliates, such as telephone lines, news and quotation equipment, electronic office equipment, account record keeping and clerical services, trading software, financial publications and economic consulting services. As a result of the brokerage practices described above, the levels of commission paid and prices paid or received by us in securities transactions may be less favorable than in securities transactions effected on a best price and execution basis.

 

We may also enter into a credit facility or other debt arrangements to partially fund our operations, and could incur costs and expenses including commitment, origination, or structuring fees and the related interest costs associated with any amounts borrowed.

 

Hedging

 

We may enter into currency hedging contracts, interest rate hedging agreements such as futures, options, swaps and forward contracts, and credit hedging contracts, such as credit default swaps. However, no assurance can be given that such hedging transactions will be entered into or, if they are, that they will be effective.

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As we have not yet commenced commercial activities, the only transaction to date has been the receipt of an initial capital contribution of $1,500 from the Investment Advisor, our initial stockholder, in exchange for 75 shares of our common stock. We intend to generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of any offering of shares of our common stock and from cash flows from interest and fees earned from our investments and principal repayments and proceeds from sales of our investments. We may also fund a portion of our investments through borrowings from banks and issuances of senior securities, including before we have fully invested the proceeds of the Private Offering. Our primary use of cash will be investments in portfolio companies, payments of our expenses and payment of cash distributions to our stockholders.

 

Valuation Procedures

 

Under procedures established by our Board, we intend to value investments for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. Assets listed on an exchange will be valued at their last sales prices as reported to the consolidated quotation service at 4:00 P.M. eastern time on the date of determination. If no such sales of such securities occurred, such securities will be valued at the mean between the last available bid and ask prices as reported by an independent, third party pricing service on the date of determination. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available will be valued at fair value, subject at all times to the oversight and approval of our Board. Such determination of fair values may involve subjective judgments and estimates, although we will also engage independent valuation providers to review the valuation of each portfolio investment that constitutes a material portion of our portfolio and that does not have a readily available market quotation at least once annually. With respect to unquoted securities, our Investment Advisor, together with our independent valuation advisors, and subject at all times to the oversight and approval of our Board, will value each investment considering, among other measures, discounted cash flow models, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public and other factors. We intend to retain one or more independent providers of financial advisory services to assist the Investment Advisor and the Board by performing certain limited third-party valuation services. We may appoint additional or different third-party valuation firms in the future.

 

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When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs with respect to a fair-valued portfolio company or comparable company, our Board will use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate and/or assist us in our valuation. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market for many of the investments in our portfolio, we expect to value many of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board using a documented valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had readily available market quotations existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

 

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our Investment Advisor will undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

 

· Securities for which no such market prices are available or reliable will be preliminarily valued at such value as the Investment Advisor may reasonably determine, which may include third party valuations;

 

· The audit committee of our Board (the “Audit Committee”) will then review these preliminary valuations;

 

· At least once annually, the valuation for each portfolio investment that constitutes a material portion of our portfolio and that does not have a readily available market quotation will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm; and

 

· Our Board will then discuss valuations and determine the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith, based on the input of our Investment Advisor, the respective independent valuation firms and the Audit Committee.

 

All values assigned to securities and other assets by the Board will be binding on all stockholders.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

As of [________], 2019, we had not commenced operations and did not have any significant contractual payment obligations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

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

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We will be subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in our earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. Because we expect to fund a portion of our investments with borrowings, our net investment income is expected to be affected by the difference between the rate at which we invest and the rate at which we borrow. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.

 

In addition, any investments we make that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to risks associated with changes in currency exchange rates. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved.

 

We may hedge against interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options, swaps and forward contracts and credit hedging contracts, such as credit default swaps, in each case, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. While hedging activities may insulate us against adverse changes in interest rates, they may also limit our ability to participate in benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio of investments with fixed interest rates.

 

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ITEM 3. PROPERTIES.

 

Our headquarters are located at 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315, Mission Woods, Kansas 66205. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is contemplated to be conducted.

 

ITEM 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

We have not yet commenced commercial activities and will not do so until the Initial Closing. In conjunction with our initial incorporation, the Investment Advisor purchased 75 shares of common stock of the Company at a price of $20.00 per share as our initial capital.

 

ITEM 5. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Board of Directors and its Leadership Structure

 

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board. Our Board consists of five members, three of whom are Independent Directors. The Board appoints our officers, who serve at the discretion of our Board. The responsibilities of the Board include quarterly determinations of the fair value of our assets, corporate governance activities, oversight of our financing arrangements and oversight of our investment activities.

 

The Board’s role in management of the Company is one of oversight. Oversight of the Company’s investment activities extends to oversight of the risk management processes employed by the Investment Advisor as part of its day-to-day management of our investment activities. The Board anticipates reviewing risk management processes at both regular and special board meetings throughout the year, consulting with appropriate representatives of the Investment Advisor as necessary and periodically requesting the production of risk management reports or presentations. The goal of the Board’s risk oversight function is to ensure that the risks associated with our investment activities are accurately identified, thoroughly investigated and responsibly addressed. Investors should note, however, that the Board’s oversight function cannot eliminate all risks or ensure that particular events do not adversely affect the value of the Company’s investments.

 

Our Board has established an Audit Committee, and the Board may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary. The scope of each committee’s is discussed in greater detail below.

 

Our Board does not have a lead independent director. We are aware of the potential conflicts that may arise when a non-independent director is Chairman of our Board, but believe these potential conflicts are offset by our strong corporate governance practices. Our corporate governance practices include regular meetings of the Independent Directors in executive session without the presence of non-Independent directors and management, the establishment of an Audit Committee, which is comprised solely of Independent Directors, and the appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer, with whom the Independent Directors meet without the presence of interested directors and other members of management, for administering our compliance policies and procedures.

 

Christopher D. Long, a non-Independent director, serves as Chairman of our Board. Our Board believes that it is in the best interests of our investors for Mr. Long to lead the Board because of Mr. Long’s relationship with the Investment Advisor and with PSCM provides an effective bridge between our Board and management, and encourages an open dialogue between management and our Board, ensuring that these groups act with a common purpose. The Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate because the structure allocates areas of responsibility among the individual directors and the committees in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board also believes that its small size creates an efficient corporate governance structure that provides opportunity for direct communication and interaction between management, the Investment Advisor and our Board.

 

Our Board is divided into three classes. Each class of directors holds office for a three-year term. However, the initial members of the three classes will have initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. At each annual meeting of our stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected or appointed and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies, or until his earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal.

 

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Directors

 

Information regarding our Board is as follows:

 

Name

Age

Position

Director
Since

Expiration of
Term

Interested Directors                
Christopher D. Long   44   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President   2019   2022 (Class I)
Jeffrey D. Fox   44   Director, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer   2019   2021 (Class III)
Independent Directors                
Megan L. Webber   44   Director   2019   2022 (Class I)
James W. Neville Jr.   55   Director   2019   2021 (Class III)
Christopher W. Nelson   45   Director   2019   2020 (Class II)

 

The address for each of our directors is c/o Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315, Mission Woods, KS 66205.

 

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

 

The following information regarding our executive officers who are not directors is as of September 30, 2019:

 

Name

Age

Position

Angie K. Long   45   Chief Investment Officer
Scott A. Betz   41   Chief Compliance Officer

 

The address for each of our executive officers is c/o Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315, Mission Woods, KS 66205.

 

Biographical Information

 

Directors

 

Our directors have been divided into two groups — interested directors and Independent Directors. An interested director is an “interested person” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

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Interested Directors

 

Christopher D. Long. Mr. Long was appointed as our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President in 2019. Mr. Long has also served as Chief Executive Officer of our Investment Advisor since 2019 and President and Chief Executive Officer of PSCM since 2009 and is responsible for managing our Investment Advisor’s and PSCM’s overall business. Since PSCM’s inception, Mr. Long has been successful in not only building a highly-experienced investment team, but also an integrated credit investment platform that manages mutual fund offerings, private funds and separately managed accounts. PSCM has a client list that spans not only institutions and family offices, but also RIAs, bank/trust, and broker-dealers. Mr. Long’s previous work experience includes key investment roles at Prairie Capital and Sandell Asset Management as well as working at Morgan Stanley in the Credit Derivatives and Distressed Securities Group focused on the firm’s proprietary investments. Before Morgan Stanley, he worked at TH Lee Putnam Ventures, a private equity fund sponsored by Thomas H Lee Partners and Putnam Investments. In that role, he also served on the Board of Directors of Avero, Inc. and was a Board Observer for Parago, Inc. He started his career at JPMorgan & Co. in Leveraged Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions (FIG Group) advising corporations and private equity firms on investment banking and capital markets. Mr. Long previously served on the board of trustees of Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund (Nasdaq) from August 2014 to October 2018. Mr. Long is married to Angie K. Long, our Chief Investment Officer. He received an MBA degree from the Harvard Business School and an AB degree in Economics cum laude from Princeton University. We believe that Mr. Long’s strong investment and operating leadership experience qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Jeffrey D. Fox. Mr. Fox was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in 2019. Mr. Fox has also served as Chief Financial Officer of our Investment Advisor since 2019 and as Managing Director for PSCM since 2013. Prior to joining Palmer Square in April 2013, Mr. Fox worked for Sandler O’Neill and Partners from September 2011 to March 2013 where he was a Managing Director within Fixed Income where he was involved in the structuring and sales of many products including Collateralized Loan Obligations. Before Sandler O’Neill, Mr. Fox worked for Societe Generale as a Director within Global Markets Advisory where he was instrumental in the US CDO/CLO and RMBS Credit Advisory effort. His work included the restructuring of various structured credit legacy positions for European institutions as well as the modeling behind the corporate rating and pricing for various structured products. Prior to Societe Generale, Mr. Fox was employed by JPMorgan Chase & Co/Bear Stearns, where he was an Associate Director in the FAST organization focusing on the structuring of Trust Preferred CDOs and CLOs. Also while at Bear Stearns, Mr. Fox managed the global CDO analytics desk which included intensive credit modeling of various asset classes. Mr. Fox received a MS degree in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University and a BS degree in Mathematics and Geology from Northern Arizona University. Mr. Fox holds the Series 7 and 63 licenses. We believe that Mr. Fox’s strong operational and financial experience qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Independent Directors

 

Megan L. Webber. Ms. Webber is a Financial Reporting Manager at The Anschutz Corporation, where she has worked for over 19 years. Prior to Anschutz Corporation, she was a Supervising Audit Senior at KPMG, LLP from 1997 to 2000. Ms. Webber has served on the board of trustees of Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund (Nasdaq) since 2014, and previously served on the board of trustees of Montage Managers Trust from July 2015 to March 2017. Ms. Webber received a BS in Accounting from Indiana University and received her CPA license in 1997. We believe that Ms. Webber’s strong financial and audit experience qualifies her to serve on our Board.

 

James W. Neville Jr. Mr. Neville is an active proprietary trader and investor. He was a Portfolio Manager at Great Plains Principal Trading from January 2012 through June 2019. Prior to Great Plains Principal Trading, Mr. Neville served as a proprietary trader for over 23 years, focusing on agriculture futures and options as well as stock index futures and energy. Mr. Neville has served on the board of directors of Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund (Nasdaq) since 2014. We believe that Mr. Neville’s strong investment management and trading experience qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

Christopher C. Nelson. Mr. Nelson is a Wealth Advisor at SeaCrest Wealth Management, where he has worked since May 2018. Prior to SeaCrest Wealth Management, Mr. Nelson was a Vice President at Enterprise Trust Company, where he led the Kansas City team. Prior to that, Mr. Nelson held investment management roles at The Private Bank, Kornitzer Capital Management, and The Bank of New York. Mr. Nelson received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We believe that Mr. Nelson’s strong investment management experience qualifies him to serve on our Board.

 

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Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

 

Angie K. Long. Ms. Long was appointed as our Chief Investment Officer in 2019. Ms. Long also serves as Chief Investment Officer of PSCM and has key responsibilities for all investment-related activities at PSCM. Prior to joining PSCM in 2011, Ms. Long worked for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York for 13 years. Ms. Long held many senior roles including Deputy Head of North American Credit Trading, Head of High Yield Trading, and Head of Credit Derivatives Trading. Ms. Long has been a trader of many products including high yield bonds, high yield credit derivatives, distressed debt, capital structure arbitrage, and structured credit. In addition, she worked with the Global Head of Credit Trading to help oversee risk management for the High Yield and High Grade credit trading books. Ms. Long is married to Christopher D. Long, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. Ms. Long received an AB degree in Economics from Princeton University and is also a CFA® charterholder.

 

Scott A. Betz. Mr. Betz was appointed as our Chief Compliance Officer in 2019. Mr. Betz also serves as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of PSCM. Prior to joining PSCM in March 2018, Mr. Betz worked for over 14 years at Scout Investments, most recently as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Treasurer. Prior to joining Scout Investments, Mr. Betz worked for over six years at UMB Bank as a Performance Measurement Specialist and subsequently as Investment Technology Officer. Mr. Betz received an MBA degree and a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

 

Board’s Role In Risk Oversight

 

Our Board performs its risk oversight function primarily through (a) its standing Audit Committee, which reports to the entire Board and is comprised solely of Independent Directors, and (b) active monitoring by our Chief Compliance Officer and of our compliance policies and procedures.

 

As described below in more detail under “Committees of the Board of Directors,” the Audit Committee assists our Board in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities. The Audit Committee’s risk oversight responsibilities include overseeing the internal audit staff (sourced through the Administrator), if any, accounting and financial reporting processes, our valuation process, our systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting and audits of our financial statements.

 

Our Board also performs its risk oversight responsibilities with the assistance of the Chief Compliance Officer. Our Board will annually review a written report from the Chief Compliance Officer discussing the adequacy and effectiveness of our compliance policies and procedures and our service providers. The Chief Compliance Officer’s annual report will address, at a minimum, (a) the operation of our compliance policies and procedures and our service providers since the last report; (b) any material changes to such policies and procedures since the last report; (c) any recommendations for material changes to such policies and procedures as a result of the Chief Compliance Officer’s annual review; and (d) any compliance matter that has occurred since the date of the last report about which our Board would reasonably need to know to oversee our compliance activities and risks. In addition, the Chief Compliance Officer will meet separately in executive session with the Independent Directors at least once each year.

 

We believe that our Board’s role in risk oversight is effective, and appropriate given the extensive regulation to which we are already subject as a BDC. As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements that control the levels of risk in our business and operations. For example, our ability to incur indebtedness is limited such that our asset coverage generally must equal at least 150% immediately after each time we incur indebtedness, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets” and we are not generally permitted to invest in any portfolio company in which one of our affiliates currently has an investment.

 

We recognize that different board roles in risk oversight are appropriate for companies in different situations. We intend to re-examine the manners in which our Board administers its oversight function on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet our needs.

 

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Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Board has established an Audit Committee, and may establish additional committees in the future. All directors are expected to attend at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of our Board and of the respective committees on which they serve. We require each director to make a diligent effort to attend all Board and committee meetings as well as each annual meeting of our stockholders.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee is currently composed of Ms. Webber, Mr. Neville and Mr. Nelson, all of whom are considered Independent Directors. Ms. Webber serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. Our Board has determined that Ms. Webber is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K, as promulgated under the Exchange Act. Ms. Webber, Mr. Neville and Mr. Nelson meet the current independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by our Board, which sets forth the responsibilities of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include establishing guidelines and making recommendations to our Board regarding the valuation of our loans and investments; selecting our independent registered public accounting firm; reviewing with such independent registered public accounting firm the planning, scope and results of their audit of our financial statements; pre-approving the fees for services performed; reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy of internal control systems; reviewing our annual financial statements; overseeing internal audit staff, if any, and periodic filings; and receiving our audit reports and financial statements.

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide our directors and executive officers the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that we will indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement (an “Indemnitee”), including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

 

Portfolio Management

 

The management of our investment portfolio is the responsibility of our Investment Advisor and our Investment Advisor’s Investment Committee. The Investment Committee is chaired by Angie K. Long, and the other members of the Investment Committee are Christopher D. Long, Matthew L. Bloomfield and Jeffrey D. Fox. All members of the Investment Committee must approve each new investment that we make. The Investment Committee is assisted by additional investment professionals that comprise the Investment Advisor’s investment team. The biography for the member of the Investment Committee who is not executive officer or director of the Company is included below.

 

Matthew L. Bloomfield. Mr. Bloomfield is the Loan Portfolio Manager for PSCM. Prior to joining PSCM, Mr. Bloomfield worked for over seven years at Golub Capital in Chicago, most recently as an Associate Portfolio Manager within the Broadly Syndicated Loan Group where he focused on investing in leveraged loans via collateralized loan obligation vehicles and separate accounts. Prior to joining Golub Capital, Mr. Bloomfield worked for three years for Giuliani Capital Advisors in Chicago as an Analyst and subsequently an Associate in the Investment Banking Group where he focused on special situations and restructuring advisory mandates. Mr. Bloomfield earned an MBA in Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, as well as a BS and BGS in Business Administration and Economics, respectively, from the University of Kansas.

 

ITEM 6. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation of Executive Officers

 

None of our officers receives direct compensation from us. We have agreed to reimburse the Administrator for our allocable portion of the compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers, including our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, and any of their respective staff who provide services to us, operations staff who provide services to us, and internal audit staff, if any, to the extent internal audit performs a role in our Sarbanes Oxley internal control assessment. In addition, to the extent that the Administrator outsources any of its functions, we will pay the fees associated with such functions without any incremental profit to the Administrator.

 

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Compensation of Independent Directors

 

Our Independent Directors’ annual fee is $25,000. The Independent Directors also receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each regular Board meeting, each special meeting and each committee meeting attended. No compensation will be paid to directors who are “interested persons” with respect to us, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

ITEM 7. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Sources of Conflicts of Interest

 

Various potential and actual conflicts of interest may arise from the overall investment activities of the Investment Advisor and Palmer Square for their own accounts and for the accounts of others. The following briefly summarizes some of these conflicts, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all such conflicts.

 

Conflicts Relating to Palmer Square

 

The Investment Advisor, Palmer Square, and their affiliates, partners and employees (collectively, “PSCM Affiliates”) may engage in any other business and furnish investment management and advisory services and other types of services to others which may include, without limitation, serving as investment manager or sponsor of other collective investment vehicles or managed accounts that acquire interests in, provide financing to or otherwise deal in securities or other investments that would be suitable investments for the Company. PSCM Affiliates furnish investment management or advisory services to other persons with investment policies similar or different to those of the Company. Such persons may own securities or other instruments of the same class or type or which may be senior to those held by the Company, and they have incentives, financial or otherwise, to favor certain accounts or vehicles over others. There is no assurance that accounts with similar strategies or investment objectives will hold the same investments or perform in a similar manner. This and other future activities of PSCM Affiliates may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

 

Situations may occur where the Company could be disadvantaged because of the investment activities conducted by PSCM Affiliates for other investment accounts. PSCM Affiliates may face conflicts of interest in managing the underlying investments, to the extent that an investment decision that benefits one fund or account (including the Company) may disadvantage another. For example, it may be in the best interest of a co-investing fund or account to sell an investment while being in the best interest of the Company to continue to hold it (and vice versa). In addition, investments by the Company alongside other funds managed by PSCM Affiliates may result in the incurrence of additional investment expense and delays as a result of the greater structural complexity faced by PSCM Affiliates in seeking to address the needs of multiple funds and/or accounts, which may have investment objectives and/or sensitivities that conflict or are otherwise at odds with one another.

 

Subject to 1940 Act restrictions, from time to time, PSCM Affiliates may acquire for other investment accounts, or for their own account or the accounts of employees, securities or other financial instruments of an issuer which are senior or junior to securities or financial instruments of the same issuer that are held by, or acquired for, the Company, and in such capacity, may have interests that are adverse or different to those of the Company. Additionally, the differing investment programs and projected investment horizons of the Company and the investment accounts managed by PSCM Affiliates may result in the Company taking positions in securities that conflict with positions in such securities taken by other accounts managed by PSCM Affiliates, including variations in timing of transactions in such securities and the simultaneous holding by the Company and other accounts of PSCM Affiliates of long and short positions relating to the same security. PSCM Affiliates may have ongoing relationships with issuers whose securities or assets are held by or are being considered for the Company. Due to their various activities, any of the PSCM Affiliates may be in possession of confidential information or material, non-public information or be otherwise restricted from effecting transactions for the Company that otherwise might have been initiated. At times, PSCM Affiliates, in an effort to avoid such restrictions, may elect not to receive information, even if advantageous to the Company, that other market participants or counterparties have received or are eligible to receive.

 

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Conflicts Relating to the Purchase and Sale of Investments

 

Allocation of Investment Opportunities

 

Except as may be required by the terms of any exemptive relief obtained by the Company, none of the PSCM Affiliates is under any obligation to offer investment opportunities of which it becomes aware to the Company or to account to the Company or share with the Company or inform the Company of any investments before offering investments to other funds or accounts that PSCM Affiliates manage or advise. Furthermore, PSCM Affiliates may make an investment on behalf of any account they manage or advise without offering the investment opportunity to, or making any investment on behalf of, the Company, and PSCM Affiliates may make an investment on their own behalf without offering the investment opportunity to the Company. Affirmative obligations exist or may arise in the future, whereby PSCM Affiliates are obligated to offer certain investments to funds or accounts that PSCM Affiliates manage or advise before or without PSCM Affiliates offering those investments to the Company. In addition, Palmer Square may make investments on behalf of the Company in securities or other assets that it has declined to invest in for its own account, the account of any of its affiliates or the account of its other clients.

 

If it is determined that the amount of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount our Investment Advisor determines would be appropriate for the Company, such excess may be offered to one or more co-investors on such terms and conditions as the PSCM Affiliates determine. Such purchases or investments may be at the same price as the Company acquires its investment, even though such price may not otherwise have been available to the co-investor absent the Company’s investment.

 

As a BDC, we are limited in our ability to invest in any portfolio company in which an affiliates’ other client has an investment. We are also limited in our ability to co-invest in a portfolio company with Palmer Square or one or more of its respective affiliates. Co-investments are only permitted pursuant to reliance on previous no-action letters or an exemptive order from the SEC.

 

Allocation of Fees and Expenses

 

PSCM Affiliates will also face conflicts of interest with respect to allocations of expenses among the Company, other funds and accounts. When the Company co-invests alongside other funds or accounts managed by PSCM Affiliates in an investment, it is expected that the fees and expenses incurred in connection with such investment to the participating investing vehicles will be allocated pro rata based on their investment size. However, if the transaction is abandoned or otherwise ultimately not consummated, fees and expenses incurred in connection with such “broken deal” will be allocated among the Company and the other investment vehicles that were considering the investment based on the expected participation levels of the investing funds and/or accounts. This determination is necessarily subjective, especially when a transaction is terminated at a particularly early stage. PSCM Affiliates will also face conflicts of interests in determining how to allocate costs and expenses incurred for the benefit of more than one fund and/or account managed by them.

 

Conflicts Relating to the Investment Advisor and Administrator

 

Investment Advisor Personnel

 

Our Investment Advisor’s professional staff will devote such time and effort in conducting activities on behalf of the Company as our Investment Advisor reasonably determines appropriate to perform its duties to the Company. However, our Investment Advisor’s employees, including the Investment Team, serve, or may serve, as officers, directors, members, or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds, accounts, or investment vehicles managed by Palmer Square and/or its affiliates.

 

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Investment Advisory Agreement

 

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay management and incentive fees to the Investment Advisor, which incentive fee is only payable following a Listing. We expect to make many of our portfolio investments in the form of loans and securities that are not publicly traded and for which no market based price quotation is available. As a result, our Board will determine the fair value of these loans and securities in good faith as described elsewhere in this Registration Statement. In connection with that determination, investment professionals from our Investment Advisor may provide our Board with valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. While the valuation for each portfolio investment that constitutes a material portion of our portfolio and that does not have a readily available market quotation will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm at least once annually, the ultimate determination of fair value will be made by our Board and not by such third-party valuation firm. The participation of the Investment Advisor’s investment professionals in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest as the Investment Advisor’s management fee is based, in part, on the value of our total net assets.

 

We have entered into the Advisory Agreement with the Investment Advisor. Under the incentive fee structure, our adjusted net investment income for purposes thereof will be computed and paid on income that may include interest income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. This fee structure may give rise to a conflict of interest for the Investment Advisor to the extent that it encourages the Investment Advisor to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest. The Investment Advisor may have an incentive to invest in deferred interest securities in circumstances where it would not have done so but for the opportunity to continue to earn the incentive fee even when the issuers of the deferred interest securities would not be able to make actual cash payments to us on such securities. This risk could be increased because, under our Advisory Agreement, the Investment Advisor is not obligated to reimburse us for incentive fees it receives even if we subsequently incur losses or never receive in cash the deferred income that was previously accrued.

 

Administration Agreement

 

We have entered into an Administration Agreement with the Administrator pursuant to which the Administrator will furnish us with office facilities and equipment and will provide us with the clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services necessary to conduct day-to-day operations. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will perform, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include, among other things, being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. We will reimburse the Administrator for the allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer) and any of their respective staff who provide services to us, operations staff who provide services to us, and internal audit staff, if any, to the extent internal audit performs a role in our Sarbanes Oxley internal control assessment.

 

Resource Sharing Agreement

 

The Investment Advisor is an affiliate of PSCM, with whom it has entered into the Resource Sharing Agreement. Under this agreement, PSCM will provide the Investment Advisor experienced investment professionals and access to the senior investment personnel and other resources of PSCM and its affiliates. The Resource Sharing Agreement provides the Investment Advisor with access to deal flow generated by the professionals of PSCM and its affiliates and commits the members of the Investment Advisor’s Investment Committee to serve in that capacity. The Investment Advisor intends to capitalize on what we believe to be the significant deal origination, credit underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience of PSCM’s investment professionals. There can be no assurance that PSCM will perform its obligations under the Resource Sharing Agreement. The Resource Sharing Agreement may be terminated by either party on 60 days’ notice, which if terminated may have a material adverse consequence on the Company’s operations.

 

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License Agreement

 

We intend to enter into a license agreement with Palmer Square under which Palmer Square will agree to grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Palmer Square” for specified purposes in our business. Under the license agreement, we will have a right to use the “Palmer Square” name, subject to certain conditions, for so long as our Investment Advisor or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “Palmer Square” name.

 

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

 

We have procedures in place for the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving the Company and certain persons related to the Company. As a BDC, the 1940 Act restricts us from participating in certain transactions with certain persons affiliated with the Company, including our officers, directors, and employees and any person controlling or under common control with us. In addition, each of our directors and executive officers is required to complete questionnaire on an annual basis designed to elicit information about any potential related-party transactions.

 

In order to ensure that we do not engage in any prohibited transactions with any persons affiliated with the Company, our officers screen each of our transactions for any possible affiliations, close or remote, between the proposed portfolio investment, the Company, companies controlled by us and our employees and directors.

 

We will not enter into any transactions unless and until we are satisfied that the transaction is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or, if such prohibitions exist, we have taken appropriate actions to seek Board review and approval or exemptive relief from the SEC for such transaction.

 

Director Independence

 

The 1940 Act requires that at least a majority of our directors not be ‘‘interested persons’’ (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company. On an annual basis, each member of our Board is required to complete an independence questionnaire designed to provide information to assist our board of directors in determining whether the director is independent under the 1940 Act and our corporate governance guidelines. Our Board has determined that each of our directors, other than Mr. Christopher D. Long and Mr. Jeffrey D. Fox, is independent under the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act. Our governance guidelines require any director who has previously been determined to be independent to inform the chairman of the Board of any change in circumstance that may cause his or her status as an independent director to change. Our Board limits membership on the Audit Committee to independent directors.

 

ITEM 8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Neither we nor our Investment Advisor or our Administrator is currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us, or against our Investment Advisor or Administrator.

 

From time to time, we, our Investment Advisor, or Administrator may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

ITEM 9. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Market Information

 

Until the completion of an Liquidity Event, if any, our outstanding shares of common stock will be offered and sold in private offerings exempt from registration under the Securities Act under Section 4(a)(2) and Regulation D. There is no public market for shares of our common stock currently, nor can we give any assurance that one will develop.

 

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Holders

 

Please see “Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for disclosure regarding the holders of shares of our common stock.

 

Distribution Policy

 

To the extent that we have income available, we intend to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders. Our quarterly dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board. Any dividends to our stockholders will be declared out of assets legally available for distribution.

 

We intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under the Code. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment, among other things, we must distribute dividends to our stockholders in respect of each taxable year of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of our net long-term capital losses (“investment company taxable income”), determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute dividends to our stockholders in respect of each calendar year of an amount at least equal to the sum of: (1) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for such calendar year; (2) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses (“capital gain net income”), adjusted for certain ordinary losses, generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year; and (3) any net ordinary income and capital gain net income for preceding years that were not distributed during such years and on which we previously paid no U.S. federal income tax.

 

We currently intend to distribute net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually out of the assets legally available for such distributions. However, we may decide in the future to retain such capital gains for investment, incur a corporate-level tax on such capital gains, and elect to treat such capital gains as deemed distributions to you. If this happens, you will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if you had received an actual distribution of the capital gains that we retain and reinvested the net after tax proceeds in us. In this situation, you would be eligible to claim a tax credit equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gains deemed distributed to you. We cannot assure you that we will achieve results that will permit us to pay any cash distributions, and if we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so would cause us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if such distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that will provide for reinvestment of our dividends and other distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if our Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then stockholders who do not “opt out” of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving cash dividends and distributions.

 

Prior to a Listing, the Board will use newly-issued shares of the Company’s common stock to implement the dividend reinvestment plan. The number of shares of common stock to be issued to a participant prior to a Listing would be equal to the quotient determined by dividing the cash value of the dividend payable to such stockholder by the net asset value per share as of the date such dividend was declared.

 

After a Listing, the Board intends to primarily use newly-issued shares to implement the dividend reinvestment plan, whether or not the shares are trading at a price per share at, below or above net asset value. However, the Board reserves the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with the implementation of the dividend reinvestment plan. The number of newly issued shares to be issued to a participant would be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on a national securities exchange on the dividend payment date. Shares purchased in open market transactions by US Bank, the plan administrator and our transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent, will be allocated to a participant based upon the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of the our common stock purchased with respect to the dividend.

 

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A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying US Bank in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for distributions to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive dividends or other distributions in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form.

 

There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan administrator’s fees will be paid by us.

 

Stockholders who receive dividends and other distributions in the form of stock are generally subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. However, since a participating stockholder’s cash dividends will be reinvested, such stockholder will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes on reinvested dividends. A stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock received in a dividend or other distribution from us will generally be equal to the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to the stockholder. Any stock received in a dividend or other distribution will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

 

Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by so notifying the plan administrator by submitting a letter of instruction terminating the participant’s account under the plan to US Bank. The plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend by us.

 

If participants withdraw from the plan or the plan is terminated, the plan administrator will cause the shares held for the participant under the plan to be delivered to the participant. If an investor holds common stock with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the plan, such investor will not be able to participate in the plan and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above.

 

ITEM 10. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

 

In conjunction with our formation, we issued and sold 75 shares of common stock at an aggregate purchase price of $1,500 to the Investment Advisor. The proceeds from the sale of these shares will be used to pay our expenses. These shares were sold in reliance upon the available exemptions from registration requirements of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

ITEM 11. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

 

The following description of our capital stock is based on relevant portions of the MGCL and on our charter and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the MGCL and our charter and bylaws, forms of which are incorporated by reference to the exhibits to this Registration Statement for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

 

General

 

Under the terms of our Articles of Incorporation, our authorized stock consists of 450,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. There is currently no market for our common stock, and we can offer no assurances that a market for our shares of common stock will develop in the future. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

 

Under our Articles of Incorporation our Board is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the MGCL, our Articles of Incorporation also provide that the Board, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the Articles of Incorporation from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

 

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Common Stock

 

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our Board and declared by us out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except when their transfer is restricted by the Articles of Incorporation, federal and state securities laws or by contract, including, but not limited to, the Subscription Agreement. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will not be able to elect any directors.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our Articles of Incorporation authorize our Board to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock into classes or series of preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by our Articles of Incorporation, to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers (including exclusive voting rights), restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption thereof, for each class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 66.7% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more. Some matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would be entitled to vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a BDC. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions. The Company does not currently intend to issue preferred stock.

 

Transferability of Common Stock

 

We intend to sell shares of our common stock in a private offering in the United States under the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Investors who acquire shares of our common stock in such private offerings are required to complete, execute and deliver a Subscription Agreement and related documentation, which includes customary representations and warranties, certain covenants and restrictions and indemnification provisions.

 

Prior to a Liquidity Event, no transfer of our investors’ Capital Commitment or all or any portion of our investors’ shares of common stock may be made without (a) registration of the transfer on our books and (b) our prior written consent. In any event, our consent may be withheld (i) if the creditworthiness of the proposed transferee, as determined by us in our sole discretion, is not sufficient to satisfy all obligations under the Subscription Agreement or (ii) unless, in the opinion of counsel (who may be counsel for the Company) satisfactory in form and substance to us such transfer would not violate the Securities Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or “blue sky” laws applicable to us or the shares to be transferred.

 

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In addition, prior to a Liquidity Event that is sufficient to cause us to treat our shares of common stock as a “publicly-offered security” for purposes of ERISA, initial or additional investments by “benefit plan investors,” as defined in Section 3(42) ERISA and applicable regulations of the Department of Labor thereunder (“Benefit Plan Investors”) may be restricted. Specifically, subscriptions for shares of common stock by, or transfers of shares of common stock to, Benefit Plan Investors may be rejected, and existing Benefit Plan Investors may be required to redeem all or a portion of their shares of common stock. Any such restrictions or mandatory redemptions will be effected in such manner as we determine, in our sole discretion, to be appropriate under the circumstances if such transfer could (1) result in our assets being considered to be “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (2) constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a non-exempt violation of any laws similar to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

Any person that acquires all or any portion of the Capital Commitment of an investor in a transfer permitted under the Subscription Agreement shall be obligated to pay to us the appropriate portion of any amounts thereafter becoming due in respect of the Capital Commitment committed to be made by its predecessor in interest. Notwithstanding the transfer of all or any fraction of its Capital Commitment, as between an investor and us, the investor will remain liable for its Capital Commitment prior to the time, if any, when the purchaser, assignee or transferee of such Capital Commitment, or fraction thereof, executes and delivers to us documentation evidencing such person’s obligations to fund such Capital Commitment.

 

Furthermore, should there be a Qualified IPO, our stockholders will be subject to a lock-up restriction pursuant to which they will be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring shares of our common stock for a certain period after the date of such event. The specific terms of such restriction and any other limitations on the sale of shares of our common stock in connection with or following a Qualified IPO will be agreed in advance between our Board and the Investment Advisor, acting on behalf of our stockholders, and the institutions acting as the underwriters or market makers, acting on our behalf, in connection with such Qualified IPO. There can be no assurance that shares of our common stock will be listed on a national securities exchange or offered in an initial public offering.

 

Provisions of the MGCL and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Maryland Anti-takeover Law

 

The MGCL and our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, the material ones of which are discussed below. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our Board. We expect the benefits of these provisions to outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that we have a classified board of directors consisting of three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

 

Election of Directors

 

Our Bylaws, as authorized by our Articles of Incorporation, provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of all votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called, and at which a quorum is present, will be required to elect a director. Under our Articles of Incorporation, our Board may amend the Bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

 

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Number of Directors; Vacancies; Removal

 

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the number of directors is set only by the Board in accordance with our Bylaws and our Articles of Incorporation. Our Bylaws provide that a majority of our entire Board may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our Bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL nor more than eight. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that, at such time as we have at least three Independent Directors and our common stock is registered under the Exchange Act, we elect to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the Board. Accordingly, at such time, except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that a director, or the entire Board, may be removed only for cause, as defined in our Articles of Incorporation, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. The limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors and fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of us.

 

Action by Stockholders

 

Under the MGCL, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or (unless the articles of incorporation provide for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent, which our Articles of Incorporation do not) by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of our Bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

 

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

 

Our Bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the Board, (2) pursuant to our notice of meeting or (3) by a stockholder of the Company who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in our Bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at a special meeting may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the Board or (2) provided that the Board has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder of the Company who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in our Bylaws, at the record date set by our Board for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws.

 

The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our Board a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our Board, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our Bylaws do not give our Board any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.

 

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Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

 

Our Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our Board and certain of our officers. Additionally, our Bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the secretary of the corporation upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

 

Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its articles of incorporation, merge, consolidate, convert into another form of business entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless declared advisable by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its Articles of Incorporation for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our Articles of Incorporation provides for approval of these actions by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, with the holders of each class or series of our stock voting as a separate class, will be necessary to effect any of the following actions:

 

· Any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to make the shares of common stock “redeemable securities” and any other proposal to convert the Company from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as defined in the 1940 Act);

 

· The liquidation or dissolution of the Company and any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to effect such liquidation or dissolution;

 

· Any merger, consolidation, conversion, share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company that the MGCL requires be approved by the stockholders; and

 

· Any transaction between (A) the Company and (B) a person, or group of persons acting together (including, without limitation, a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly, other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of directors generally, or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, or employed by or acting as an agent of, any such person or member of such group; and

 

· Any amendment to, or any amendment inconsistent with, the certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation including, but not limited to, those provisions related to the composition and classification of the Board, the removal and replacement of directors, provisions relating to the amendment of the Bylaws and the requirements listed in this paragraph pertaining to certain extraordinary actions requiring the approval of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast on certain matters.

 

However, if such amendment or proposal is approved by a majority of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by our Board), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter. The “continuing directors” are defined in our Articles of Incorporation as (1) our current directors, (2) those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of our current directors then on the Board or (3) any successor directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of continuing directors or the successor continuing directors then in office.

 

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the Board will have the exclusive power to make, alter, amend or repeal any provision of our Bylaws.

 

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No Appraisal Rights

 

Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Control Share Act discussed below, as permitted by the MGCL, our Articles of Incorporation provide that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless a majority of the Board determines such rights apply.

 

Control Share Acquisitions

 

The Control Share Act provides that, once a corporation has at least 100 beneficial owners of its capital stock and subject to certain limited exceptions not applicable to the Company, control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

· one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

 

· one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

· a majority or more of all voting power.

 

The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

 

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the Board of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 10 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. Such meeting must be held within 50 days after the day on which the corporation has received the request and the undertaking. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

 

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including, as provided in our Bylaws compliance with the 1940 Act. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved, and without regard to the absence of voting rights of the control shares. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

 

The Control Share Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation. Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our Bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Act only if the Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act.

 

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Business Combinations

 

Under the Business Combination Act, once a corporation has at least 100 beneficial owners of its capital stock and subject to certain limited exceptions not applicable to the Company, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

· any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock; or

 

· an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

 

A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the Board approved in advance the transaction by which the stockholder otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the Board may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the Board.

 

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

· 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

· two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

 

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

 

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the Board before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our Board has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by the Board, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time; however, our Board will adopt resolutions so as to make us subject to the provisions of the Business Combination Act only if the Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC staff does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Business Combination Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. If this resolution is repealed, or the Board does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

 

Conflicts with 1940 Act

 

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that any provision of the MGCL, including the Control Share Act (if we amend our Bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act, or any provision of our Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws will be subject to the requirements and limitations of the 1940 Act.

 

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Exclusive Forum

 

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of a different forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by a director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or to the stockholders of the Company or asserting a claim of breach of any standard of conduct set forth in the MGCL, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL, the Articles of Incorporation or our Bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. With respect to any proceeding described in the foregoing sentence that is in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, the Company and its stockholders consent, pursuant to the terms of the Articles of Incorporation, to the assignment of the proceeding to the Business and Technology Case Management Program pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-205 or any successor thereof. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company will be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have notice of and consented to these exclusive forum provisions and to have irrevocably submitted to, and waived any objection to, the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in connection with any such action or proceeding and consented to process being served in any such action or proceeding, without limitation, by United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Company, with postage thereon prepaid.

 

ITEM 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its articles of incorporation a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our Articles of Incorporation contains such a provision which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, which our Articles of Incorporation do not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer in advance of final disposition of a proceeding upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good-faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

 

Our Articles of Incorporation obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify and advance expenses to any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while serving as our director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our Articles of Incorporation also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

 

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We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide our directors and executive officers the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act.

 

As a BDC, we are not permitted to and will not indemnify the Investment Advisor, any of our executive officers and directors, or any other person against liability arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office, or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties of such person arising under contract or agreement.

 

ITEM 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Set forth below is an index to our financial statements attached to this Registration Statement.

 

  Page  
Index to Financial Statements*  
Balance Sheet as of [●]*  
Notes to Balance Sheet*  

 

* To be filed by amendment

 

ITEM 14. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

There are not and have not been any disagreements between us and our accountant on any matter of accounting principles, practices, or financial statement disclosure.

 

ITEM 15. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

(a) List separately all financial statements filed

 

The financial statements attached to this Registration Statement are listed under “Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

(b) Exhibits

 

Exhibit Index

 

3.1 Form of Articles of Amendment and Restatement**
   
3.2 Bylaws**
   
10.1 Form of Advisory Agreement**
   
10.2 Form of Administration Agreement**
   
10.3 Form of Advisory Agreement Waiver Letter**
   
10.4 Form of Custody Agreement*
   
10.5 Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers**
   
10.6 Form of Trademark Licensing Agreement*
   
10.7 Form of Subscription Agreement**

 

 

* To be filed be amendment.
** Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Christopher D. Long
    Name: Christopher D. Long
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: November 27, 2019

 

 

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exhibit 3.1

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the Department of Assessments & Taxation of the State of Maryland (“SDAT”) that:

 

FIRST: The Corporation desires to amend and restate its Articles of Incorporation as currently in effect.

 

SECOND: The following provisions are all of the provisions of the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Corporation currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the Corporation is: Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSES

 

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force, including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

 

ARTICLE III

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE

 

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o HSC Agent Services Inc., 245 W Chase Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

 

ARTICLE IV

RESIDENT AGENT

 

The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are HSC Agent Services Inc., 245 W Chase Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Number, Vacancies, Classification and Election of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors” or “Directors”). The number of Directors of the Corporation is five, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) or the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”). A director shall have the qualifications, if any, specified in the Bylaws. The names of the Directors who shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

 

Jeffrey D. Fox

 

Christopher D. Long

 

Christopher Nelson

 

James Neville Jr.

 

Megan L. Webber

 

The Board of Directors shall fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of Directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors.

 

The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible pursuant to Section 3-802 of the MGCL, to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock (as defined below) or as may be required by the Investment Company Act, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.

 

On the date upon which the Corporation has more than one stockholder of record (the “Classification Date”), the Board of Directors shall be classified, with respect to the terms for which they severally hold office, into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as is practicable. The initial term of office of Class II Directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Classification Date, the initial term of office of Class III Directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Classification Date and the initial term of office of the Class I Directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Classification Date. The initial Directors of each class shall be determined by the Board of Directors before or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Classification Date. At each annual meeting of stockholders, commencing with the annual meeting next following the Classification Date, the successors to the class of Directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a three-year term, expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders following their election or until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Notwithstanding the rule that the three classes shall be as nearly equal in number of directors as possible, in the event of any change in the authorized number of directors, each director then continuing to serve as such shall nevertheless continue as a Director of the class of which such Director is a member until the expiration of his or her current term, or his or her prior death, resignation or removal.

 

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Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions. Except as specifically provided in Section 5.7 (relating to removal of Directors), Section 7.1 (relating to approval of certain Charter amendments) and Section 7.2 (relating to approval of certain extraordinary actions and Charter amendments), notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

Section 5.3 Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy of the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements or the Charter, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes or series of stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by such classes or series on such matter shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 5.4 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration, if any, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or Bylaws.

 

Section 5.5 Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract, no stockholder shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which the Corporation may issue or sell. No stockholder shall be entitled to exercise the rights of an objecting stockholder under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon such terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, or any proportion of the shares thereof, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

 

Section 5.6 Determinations by the Board of Directors. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been set aside, paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Charter (including any of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation) or of the Bylaws; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; any interpretation of the terms and conditions of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization; the compensation of Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 5.7 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock (as defined below) to elect or remove one or more Directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

 

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

 

Section 6.1 Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 500,000,000 shares of stock, initially consisting of 450,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). If shares of one class or series of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class or series of stock pursuant to this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class or series shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class or series shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes and series that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, and without any action by the stockholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

 

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Section 6.2 Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.

 

Section 6.3 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock.

 

Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series of stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers (including exclusive voting rights, if any), restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with SDAT. Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document accepted for record by or filed with the SDAT.

 

Section 6.5 Inspection of Books and Records. A stockholder that is otherwise eligible under applicable law to inspect the Corporation’s books of account, stock ledger, or other specified documents of the Corporation shall have no right to make such inspection if the Board of Directors determines that such stockholder has an improper purpose for requesting such inspection.

 

Section 6.6 Charter and Bylaws. All persons who acquire stock of the Corporation acquire the same, and the rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock are, subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the exclusive power, at any time, to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS; Certain extraordinary transactions

 

Section 7.1 Amendments Generally. The Corporation reserves the right from time to time, upon the requisite approval by the Board of Directors and/or the stockholders, to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, Directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation.

 

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Section 7.2 Approval of Certain Extraordinary Actions and Charter Amendments. The approval by the stockholders of the following extraordinary actions and amendments to the Charter require the affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors, with holders of each class or series of shares voting as a separate class:

 

(a) Any amendment to the Charter to make the shares of Common Stock “redeemable securities” and any other proposal to convert the Corporation from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as defined in the Investment Company Act);

 

(b) The liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation and any amendment to the Charter to effect such liquidation or dissolution;

 

(c) Any merger, consolidation, conversion, share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation that the MGCL requires be approved by the stockholders; and

 

(d) Any transaction between (A) the Corporation and (B) a person, or group of persons acting together (including, without limitation, a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision), that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly, other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of Directors generally, or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, or employed by or acting as an agent of, any such person or member of such group; and

 

(e) Any amendment to, or any amendment inconsistent with, the provisions of Section 5.1, Section 5.7, Section 5.9, Section 6.6, or this Section 7.2 of the Charter;

 

provided, however, that, if the Continuing Directors (as defined below), by a vote of at least a majority of such Continuing Directors, in addition to approval by the Board of Directors, approve such proposal, transaction or amendment referred to in (a)-(e) above, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter shall be sufficient to approve such proposal, transaction or amendment; and provided, further, that, with respect to any transaction referred to in (b) above, if such transaction is approved by the Continuing Directors, by a vote of at least majority of such Continuing Directors, no stockholder approval of such transaction shall be required unless the MGCL, the Investment Company Act or another provision of the Charter or Bylaws otherwise requires such approval.

 

For purposes of this Article VII, “Continuing Director” shall mean (i) the Directors identified in Section 5.1 herein, (ii) the Directors who are nominated for election by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors and approved by a majority of the Directors identified in Section 5.1, or (iii) any successor directors nominated for election and approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors or successor Continuing Directors, who are on the Board of Directors at the time of the nomination or election, as applicable.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

 

Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability. To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a Corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages.

 

Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advance of Expenses. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation who is made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity, or (b) any individual who, while a Director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may take such actions as are necessary to carry out this Section 8.2.

 

Section 8.3 Investment Company Act. At such time as the Corporation elects to be a business development company under the Investment Company Act, the provisions of this Article VIII shall be subject to the requirements and limitations of the Investment Company Act.

 

Section 8.4 Amendment or Repeal. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sections of this Article VIII with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

ARTICLE IX

EXCLUSIVE FORUM

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of a different forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by a director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders of the Corporation or asserting a claim of breach of any standard of conduct set forth in the Maryland General Corporation Law, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Charter or the Bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. With respect to any proceeding described in the foregoing sentence that is in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, the Corporation and its stockholders consent to the assignment of the proceeding to the Business and Technology Case Management Program pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-205 or any successor thereof.

 

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THIRD: These Articles of Amendment and Restatement have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders as required by law.

 

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article III of these Articles of Amendment and Restatement.

 

FIFTH: The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article IV of these Articles of Amendment and Restatement.

 

SIXTH: The number of Directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of these Articles of Amendment and Restatement.

 

SEVENTH: The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation had authority to issue prior to the foregoing Articles of Amendment and Restatement was 100 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $0.10.

 

EIGHTH: The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation has authority to issue after giving effect to the amendments set forth in the foregoing Articles of Amendment and Restatement is 500,000,000, consisting of 450,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share. The aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock which the Corporation has authority to issue immediately following giving effect to the foregoing Articles of Amendment and Restatement is $500,000.

 

NINTH: The undersigned officer of the Corporation acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned officer of the Corporation acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

- Signature page follows -

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested to by its Secretary on this ___ day of ___________, 2019.

 

 

ATTEST:     PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.
         
     
Name: Stacy Brice   Name: Christopher D. Long
Title: Secretary   Title: President
       

 

 

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Exhibit 3.2

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) may designate.

 

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.

 

(a) General. Any of the chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Chair of the Board”), the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Subject to Section 3(b) of this Article II, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting. Subject to Section 3(b) of this Article II, any special meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors may consider such factors as he, she or it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting.

 

 

 

 

(b) Stockholder Requested Special Meetings.

 

(1)  Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary of the Corporation (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder that must be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten (10) days after the close of business on the date upon which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten (10) days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which the Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary of the Corporation.

 

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may be properly considered at a meeting of the stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Request”) shall be delivered to the secretary of the Corporation. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (A) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at the meeting (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (B) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (C) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (D) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (E) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

 

(3) The secretary of the Corporation shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request, and such meeting shall not be held, unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of any notice of the meeting.

 

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(4) Except as may be provided in the next sentence, any special meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary of the Corporation upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors may consider such factors as he, she or it deems relevant within the good faith exercise of business judgment, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

 

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary of the Corporation and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting to the secretary of the Corporation, the secretary shall: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

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(6) Any of the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer or the president may appoint independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day (as defined below) period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

 

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Section 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Not less than ten (10) days nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, either by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the U.S. mail and addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. A single notice shall be effective to all stockholders who share an address, except to the extent that a stockholder at such address objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

 

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a “public announcement” (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten (10) days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

 

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Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment, by the Chair of the Board, if any, or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chair of the Board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Vice Chair of the Board”), if any, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice presidents in order of their rank and, within each rank, their order of seniority, the secretary, the treasurer or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary or, in the case of a vacancy in the offices or absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of the stockholders, an assistant secretary or an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business, including but not limited to, the order of any proposals to be submitted to the stockholders (contingent or otherwise), and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures, and take such action as, in the discretion of such chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation; (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies or other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine, (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be open and closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 6. QUORUM. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders (without regard to class) entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements or the articles of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Charter”), requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes of stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by each such class on such a matter shall constitute a quorum. This section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the Charter for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter.

 

If, however, such quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to (a) adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting or (b) conclude the meeting without adjournment to another date. If a meeting is adjourned and a quorum is present at such adjournment, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

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The stockholders present, either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and convened, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

 

Section 7. VOTING. A nominee for director, including in contested elections, shall be elected as a director only if such nominee receives the affirmative vote of a plurality of the total votes cast “for” or “against” such nominee at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. An election shall be considered contested if, as of the date of the proxy statement for the meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, there are more nominees for election than the number of directors to be elected. Each share entitles the holder thereof to vote for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the holder is entitled to vote. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless a different number or proportion is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or the Charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 8. PROXIES. A stockholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast by the holder of the shares of stock owned of record by the stockholder in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall become invalid due to the adjournment or postponement of a meeting of the stockholders, or change in the record date for such meeting, unless so provided in the proxy. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

 

Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the chief executive officer, president or a vice president, a general partner, trustee, manager or member thereof, as the case may be or by a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity, or an agreement of the partners of such partnership, presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director, trustee or other fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in such person’s capacity as such director, trustee or other fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

 

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

 

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The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the stockholder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

 

Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor thereto. The inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

 

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

 

(1) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and, in the case of any such other business, such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(2) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

 

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”);

 

(A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such individual;

 

(B) the class, series and number of any shares of stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by such individual;

 

(C) the date such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition;

 

(D) all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules of any national securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Corporation’s securities are listed or traded; and

 

(E) whether such stockholder believes any such Proposed Nominee is, or is not, an “interested person” of the Corporation, as defined in the Investment Company Act, and information regarding such individual that is sufficient, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to make such determination;

 

(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

 

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,

 

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person;

 

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(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person;

 

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last 12 months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of (x) Company Securities or (y) any security of any other closed end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act, as amended (a “Peer Group Company”) for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company) disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company); and

 

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

 

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

 

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and

 

(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;

 

(C) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal before the date of such stockholder’s notice; and

 

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(D) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

 

(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become a party to any voting agreement or any agreement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation or its affiliates with respect to any compensation or indemnification in connection with service on the Corporation’s Board of Directors, (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected and (c) that the Proposed Nominee’s election would comply with all of the Corporation’s publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Corporation’s securities are listed or traded).

 

(4) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11(a) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(5) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person or is an officer, director, partner, member, employee or agent of such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

 

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(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3 of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11, at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and at the time of the special meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this Section 11 is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(c) General.

 

(1)  If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

 

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

 

(3) For purposes of this Section 11, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (ii) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Investment Company Act.

 

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(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

(5) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder giving notice as provided for in this Section 11 does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present each nominee for election as a director or the proposed business, as applicable, such matter shall not be considered at the meeting.

 

Section 12. VOTING BY BALLOT. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the presiding officer shall order or any stockholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.

 

Section 13. EXEMPTION FROM CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), or any successor statute, shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

 

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND RESIGNATION. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL nor more than eight (8), and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

 

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Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held from time to time at such places and times as provided by the Board of Directors by resolution, without notice other than such resolution.

 

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without notice other than such resolution.

 

Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, U.S. mail or courier to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by U.S. mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party.

 

Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by U.S. mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the U.S. mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

 

Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group. The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and convened may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

 

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Section 7. VOTING. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by law, the Charter, these Bylaws or the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s stock is then listed or traded. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave less than a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by law, the Charter, these Bylaws or the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s stock is then listed or traded.

 

Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board or, in the absence of the chairman, the Vice Chair of the Board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the Chair of the Board and the Vice Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, if the chief executive officer is a director, or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president, if the president is a director, or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 9. CHAIR. The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a chairman and a vice chairman of the Board of Directors, who shall not, solely by reason of such designation, be officers of the Corporation but shall have such powers and duties as specified in these Bylaws or determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

Section 10. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time; provided, however, this Section 10 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act that requires the vote of the directors to be cast in person at a meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 11. WRITTEN CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent to such action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors; provided, however, this Section 11 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act, that requires the vote of the directors to be cast in person at a meeting.

 

Section 12. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder, if any. Pursuant to the Corporation’s election in Article V of the Charter, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock and except as may be required by the Investment Company Act, (a) any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum and (b) any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

 

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Section 13. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting (including telephonic meetings) and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they perform or engage in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

Section 14. LOSS OF DEPOSITS. No director shall be liable for any loss which may occur by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other institution with whom moneys or stock have been deposited.

 

Section 15. SURETY BONDS. Unless required by law, no directors shall be obligated to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his or her duties.

 

Section 16. RELIANCE. Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

 

Section 17. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 17 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

 

Section 18. RATIFICATION. The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

 

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ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

 

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a Compensation Committee and other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2. POWERS. The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article IV any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, any committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority to one or more subcommittees, composed of one or more directors, as the committee deems appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

Section 3. MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings.

 

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time; provided, however, this Section 4 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act that requires the vote of the directors be cast in person at a meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 5. WRITTEN CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent to such action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee; provided, however, this Section 5 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act, that requires the vote of the directors to be cast in person at a meeting.

 

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Section 6. VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies, to designate one or more alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee. Subject to the power of the Board of Directors, the members of the committee shall have the power to fill any vacancies on the committee.

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a chief compliance officer, chief investment officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The Board of Directors may designate a Chair of the Board and a Vice Chair of the Board, who shall not, solely by reason of such designation, be officers of the Corporation, but shall have such powers and duties as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

 

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

 

Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

 

Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer of the Corporation. In the absence of such designation, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

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Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer of the Corporation. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer from time to time.

 

Section 6. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer of the Corporation. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer from time to time.

 

Section 7. CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief investment officer of the Corporation. The chief investment officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer from time to time.

 

Section 8. CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER. The Board of Directors shall designate a chief compliance officer to the extent required by and consistent with the requirements of the Investment Company Act. The chief compliance officer, subject to the direction of and reporting to the Board of Directors, shall be responsible for the oversight of the Corporation’s compliance with the Federal securities laws. The designation, compensation and removal of the chief compliance officer must be approved by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Corporation. The chief compliance officer shall perform such executive, supervisory and management functions and duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time.

 

Section 9. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a designation of a chief executive officer by the Board of Directors, the president of the Corporation shall be the chief executive officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer from time to time.

 

Section 10. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president of the Corporation (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the president of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president or as vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

 

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Section 11. SECRETARY. The secretary of the Corporation shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the president.

 

Section 12. TREASURER. The treasurer of the Corporation shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the president. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

 

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president, the chief executive officer and the Board of Directors, upon request, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

Section 13. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the president or by the secretary or treasurer.

 

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

 

Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors or any manager of the Corporation approved by the Board of Directors and acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement with the Corporation may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors or a manager acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement and executed by the chief executive officer, the president or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or such a manager.

 

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may designate.

 

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

 

Section 1. CERTIFICATES; REQUIRED INFORMATION. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in the manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

 

Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his, her or its attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

 

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

 

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, that if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

 

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Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. Subject to Section 3(b) of Article II of these Bylaws, a record date may be set, in advance, for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, by the Chair of the Board, the president or the Board of Directors or whoever shall have called such meeting. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

 

When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except when the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting shall be determined as set forth herein.

 

Section 5. STOCK LEDGER. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

 

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional stock on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical security issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

 

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall initially be twelve months ending on December 31. The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

 

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ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.

 

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

ARTICLE X

SEAL

 

Section 1. SEAL. The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland,” or shall be in such other form as may approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

 

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XI

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever any notice is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

 

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ARTICLE XII

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT

 

If and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including, without limitation, Subtitle 6 and, if then applicable, Subtitle 7, of Title 3 of the MGCL, or any provision of the Charter or these Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the Investment Company Act, the applicable provision of the Investment Company Act shall control.

 

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new bylaws may be adopted in the manner described in the Charter.

 

Adopted August 26, 2019

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 

This Investment Advisory Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of ____________, by and between Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company is a closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules promulgated thereunder, the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (together with the rules promulgated thereunder, the “Advisers Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Adviser to provide investment advisory services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is willing to provide investment advisory services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Adviser hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Duties of the Adviser.

 

(a) Retention of Adviser. The Company hereby appoints the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Company and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth and in accordance with:

 

(i) the investment objective, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 or Form N-2 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as supplemented, amended or superseded from time to time, including in the periodic reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the rules promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”);

 

(ii) the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and all other applicable federal and state laws;

 

(iii) the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, as amended from time to time; and

 

(iv) such investment policies, directives, and restrictions as the Company may from time to time establish or issue and communicate to the Adviser in writing.

 

 

 

 

(b) Responsibilities of Adviser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement:

 

(i) determine the composition and allocation of the Company’s investment portfolio, the nature and timing of any changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

(ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Company;

 

(iii) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;

 

(iv) execute, close, service and monitor the Company’s investments;

 

(v) determine the securities and other assets that the Company shall purchase, retain or sell;

 

(vi) arrange financings and borrowing facilities for the Company; and

 

(vii) provide the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds.

 

(c) Power and Authority. To facilitate the Adviser’s performance of these undertakings, but subject to the restrictions contained herein, the Company hereby delegates to the Adviser, and the Adviser hereby accepts, the power and authority to act on behalf of the Company to effectuate investment decisions for the Company, including the negotiation, execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Company’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Company. In the event that the Company determines to acquire debt or other financing (or to refinance existing debt or other financing), the Adviser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for such financing on the Company’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board of Directors. If it is necessary for the Adviser to make investments or obtain financing on behalf of the Company through a special purpose vehicle, the Adviser shall have the authority to create, or arrange for the creation of, such special purpose vehicle and to make investments or obtain financing through such special purpose vehicle in accordance with applicable law. The Company also grants to the Adviser the power and authority to engage in all activities and transactions (and anything incidental thereto) that the Adviser deems, in its sole discretion, appropriate, necessary or advisable to carry out its duties pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(d) Acceptance of Appointment. The Adviser hereby accepts such appointment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services described herein for the compensation provided herein, subject to the limitations contained herein.

 

(e) Sub-Advisers. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Adviser is hereby authorized, but not required, to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser”) pursuant to which the Adviser may obtain the services of the Sub-Adviser(s) to assist the Adviser in fulfilling its responsibilities hereunder. Specifically, the Adviser may retain a Sub-Adviser to recommend specific securities or other investments based upon the Company’s investment objective and policies, and work, along with the Adviser, in structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition, retention or disposition of such investments and monitoring investments on behalf of the Company, subject in all cases to the oversight of the Adviser and the Company. The Adviser, and not the Company, shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Adviser. Any sub-advisory agreement entered into by the Adviser shall be in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act and other applicable federal and state law.

 

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(f) Independent Contractor Status. The Adviser shall, for all purposes herein provided, be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Company.

 

(g) Record Retention. Subject to review by and the overall control of the Board of Directors, the Adviser shall maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Adviser that relate to activities performed by the Adviser hereunder as required under the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act, shall specifically maintain all books and records with respect to the Company’s portfolio transactions, and shall render to the Board of Directors such periodic and special reports as the Board of Directors may reasonably request. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains and keeps for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered to the Company upon the termination of this Agreement or otherwise on written request by the Company, provided that the Adviser may retain copies of such records.

 

Section 2. Expenses Payable by the Company.

 

(a) Adviser Personnel. All investment personnel of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Company.

 

(b) Company’s Costs. Subject to the limitations on expense reimbursement of the Adviser as set forth in Sections 2(a) and (c), the Company, either directly or through reimbursement to the Adviser, shall bear all costs and expenses of its investment operations and its investment transactions, including costs and expenses relating to:

 

(i) initial organization costs incurred prior to the commencement of the Company’s operations;

 

(ii) operating costs incurred prior to the commencement of the Company’s operations;

 

(iii) costs of calculating the Company’s net asset value, including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm;

 

(iv) fees and expenses payable to third parties relating to making investments, including the Adviser’s or its affiliates’ travel expenses, research costs and out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence and reviews of prospective investments;

 

(v) interest expense and other costs associated with the Company’s indebtedness;

 

(vi) transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

(vii) out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

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(viii) federal and state registration fees and any stock exchange listing fees;

 

(ix) U.S. federal, state and local taxes;

 

(x) the fees and expenses of each member of the Board of Directors who is not an “interested person” the Company and the Adviser (such members of the Board of Directors are collectively referred to herein as the “Independent Directors”);

 

(xi) brokerage commissions and markups;

 

(xii) fidelity bond, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

(xiii) direct costs, such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

(xiv) fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs;

 

(xv) costs associated with the Company’s reporting and compliance obligations under the Exchange Act, the 1940 Act and other applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and

 

(xvi) all other expenses incurred by the Adviser in its capacity as the administrator or the Company in connection with administering the Company’s business, including payments under the administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) that will be based upon the Company’s allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of the Board) of overhead, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of the Corporation’s chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

 

To the extent that expenses borne by the Company are paid by the Adviser, or its affiliates, the Company will reimburse the Adviser for such expenses.

 

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(c) Portfolio Company’s Compensation. In certain circumstances the Adviser or any of its respective affiliates may receive compensation from a portfolio company, in connection with the Company’s investment in such portfolio company. Any compensation received by the Adviser or any of its affiliates attributable to the Company’s investment in any portfolio company, in excess of any of the limitations in or exemptions granted from the 1940 Act, any interpretation thereof by the staff of the SEC, or the conditions set forth in any exemptive relief granted to the Adviser or the Company by the SEC, shall be delivered promptly to the Company and the Company will retain such excess compensation for the benefit of its shareholders.

 

Section 3. Compensation of the Adviser.

 

The Company agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a base management fee (“Base Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (“Incentive Fee”) as hereinafter set forth. Any of the fees payable to the Adviser under this Agreement for any partial calendar quarter shall be appropriately prorated based on the actual number of days elapsed during such partial quarter as a fraction of the number of days in the relevant calendar year. The Corporation shall make any payments due hereunder to the Adviser or to the Adviser’s designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser may elect, or adopt a deferred compensation plan pursuant to which it may elect to defer all or a portion of its fees hereunder for a specified period of time.

 

(a) Base Management Fee. The Base Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2.0% of the average of the weighted average (based on the number of shares outstanding each day in the quarter) of the Company’s total net assets at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. For the Company’s first quarter, the Base Management Fee is calculated based on the weighted average of the Company’s total net assets as of such quarter-end. The Base Management Fee for any partial quarter will be pro-rated based on the number of days actually elapsed in that quarter relative to the total number of days in such quarter.

 

(b) Incentive Fee. The Adviser will not be entitled to an Incentive Fee prior to a Listing. “Listing” means, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, the listing of the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange or an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock that results in an unaffiliated public float of at least the lower of (i) $75 million and (ii) 15% of the aggregate capital commitments received prior to the date of such initial public offering. Following a Listing, the Adviser will be entitled to an Incentive Fee based on the Company’s income. The Incentive Fee will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears following a Listing and will be based on the Company’s Adjusted Net Investment Income (as defined below) for the immediately preceding calendar quarter during which this Agreement is in effect.

 

(i) For purposes of calculating the Incentive Fee, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

 

A. “Adjusted Net Investment Income” shall mean the Company’s “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” during the then most recently completed calendar quarter minus the difference, if positive, between (i) the Company’s “Net Realized Losses” over the then most recently completed and three preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of calendar quarters that have occurred since the Listing) and (ii) the Company’s “Net Investment Income” over the then most recently completed and three preceding calendar quarters (or if shorter, the number of calendar quarters that have occurred since the Listing). No adjustment (downward or upward) will be made to “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” if the difference between clause (i) minus clause (ii) is zero or negative.

 

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B. “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” shall mean interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter (including the Base Management Fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). In addition, “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” shall include, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, original issue discount (“OID”), debt instruments with payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero-coupon securities, accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash.

 

C. “Net Realized Losses” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) the aggregate realized capital losses on the Company’s investments in such period and (ii) the aggregate realized capital gains on the Company’s investments in such period.

 

D. “Net Investment Income” in respect of the particular period means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the particular period, minus operating expenses for the particular (including the base management fee, the Incentive Fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock). Net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, OID, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero-coupon securities, accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash.

 

(ii) Adjusted Net Investment Income shall be compared to a “Hurdle Amount” equal to the product of (i) the “hurdle rate” of 1.50% per quarter (6.0% annualized) and (ii) the Company’s total net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.

 

(iii) On and after the occurrence of a Listing, the Company will pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

no Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s Adjusted Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle Amount;

 

100% of the Company’s Adjusted Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Adjusted Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Hurdle Amount but is less than or equal to an amount (the “Catch-Up Amount”) determined on a quarterly basis by multiplying 1.6875% by the Company’s total net asset value for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. The Catch-Up Amount is intended to provide the Adviser with an Incentive Fee of 12.5% on all of the Company’s Adjusted Net Investment Income when the Company’s Adjusted Net Investment Income reaches the Catch-Up Amount in any calendar quarter; and

 

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for any calendar quarter in which the Company’s Adjusted Net Investment Income exceeds the Catch-Up Amount, the Incentive Fee shall equal 12.5% of the amount of the Company’s Adjusted Net Investment Income for the calendar quarter.

 

(iv) The Incentive Fee amount or the calculations pertaining thereto, as appropriate, will be pro-rated for any period less than a full calendar quarter.

 

Section 4. Covenant of the Adviser.

 

The Adviser covenants that it is or will be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act on the effective date of this Agreement, and shall maintain such registration until the expiration or termination of this Agreement. The Adviser agrees that its activities shall at all times comply in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments.

 

Section 5. Brokerage Commissions.

 

The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Company to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith, taking into account factors, including without limitation, price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Company’s portfolio, and is consistent with the Adviser’s duty to seek the best execution on behalf of the Company.

 

Section 6. Proxy Voting.

 

The Adviser shall be responsible for voting any proxies solicited by an issuer of securities held by the Company in the best interest of the Company and in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as any such proxy voting policies and procedures may be amended from time to time. The Company has been provided with a copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and has been informed as to how it can obtain further information from the Adviser regarding proxy voting activities undertaken on behalf of the Company.

 

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Section 7. Other Activities of the Adviser.

 

The services of the Adviser to the Company are not, and shall not be exclusive, and the Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment-based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to or different from those of the Company, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any manager, partner, officer, director, shareholder (and their shareholders or members, including the owners of their shareholders or members), officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith (including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the Company’s portfolio companies, subject to applicable law). The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services set forth herein. So long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect, the Adviser shall be the only investment adviser for the Company, subject to the Adviser’s right to enter into sub-advisory agreements. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members, managers or otherwise, and that the Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members and managers of the Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.

 

Section 8. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees.

 

If any person who is a manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser is or becomes a director, officer, and/or employee of the Company and acts as such in any business of the Company, then such manager, partner, officer, and/or employee of the Adviser shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Company, and not as a manager, partner, officer, or employee of the Adviser or under the control or direction of the Adviser, even if paid by the Adviser.

 

Section 9. Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification.

 

The Adviser (and its managers, partners, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company, except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services, and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its managers, partners, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 9 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff thereunder). Notwithstanding anything contrary in this Agreement, for so long as the Company is subject to the 1940 Act, the Company shall not advance an Indemnified Party any expenses to the extent such advancement would violate the 1940 Act.

 

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Section 10. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement.

 

(a) Term and Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date written above. Once effective, this Agreement shall remain in effect for two years, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive one-year periods; provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by: (i) the vote of the Board of Directors, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

(b) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by the Company upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser: (A) upon the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Company (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act) or (B) by the vote of the Independent Directors; or (ii) by the Adviser upon not less than 60 days’ prior written notice to the Company. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of construing Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). The provisions of Sections 9 and 10 shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed to it under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration and Sections 9 and 10 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.

 

Section 11. Notices.

 

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at the address listed below or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section.

 

Section 12. Amendments.

 

This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent of the parties; provided that the consent of the Company is required to be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

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Section 13. Severability.

 

If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then such provision shall be deemed to be severable from this Agreement (to the extent permitted by law) and in any event such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remainder hereof.

 

Section 14. Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all parties shall not have signed the same counterpart.

 

Section 15. Governing Law.

 

Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland. For so long as the Company is regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, this Agreement shall also be construed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of Maryland or any of the provisions herein conflict with the provisions of the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act shall control.

 

Section 16. Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

Except for any Sub-Adviser and any Indemnified Party, such Sub-Adviser and the Indemnified Parties each being an intended beneficiary of this Agreement, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein express or implied shall give or be construed to give to any person, other than the parties hereto and such assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

 

Section 17. Entire Agreement.

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

(signature page follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.

 

  PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.
  1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway
  Suite 315
  Mission Woods, KS 66205
     
  By:                  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  PALMER SQUARE BDC ADVISOR LLC
  1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway
  Suite 315
  Mission Woods, KS 66205
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Investment Advisory Agreement]

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of ______________ by and between Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment fund that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Administrator to provide administrative services to the Company in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth; and

 

WHEREAS, the Administrator is willing to provide administrative services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Administrator hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Duties of the Administrator

 

(a) Engagement of Administrator. The Company hereby retains the Administrator to act as administrator of the Company, and to furnish or arrange for others to furnish the administrative services, personnel and facilities described below, subject to review by and the overall control of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator hereby accepts such retention and agrees during such period to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein set forth subject to the reimbursement of costs and expenses provided for below. The Administrator, and any others with whom the Administrator subcontracts to provide the services set forth herein, shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors of the Company and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized herein or in another contract with the Company, have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Company.

 

(b) Services. The Administrator shall perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall provide the Company with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, and recordkeeping services at such facilities and such other services as the Administrator, subject to review by the Board, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Administrator shall also, on behalf of the Company, conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks, and other persons in any other capacity deemed by the Administrator to be necessary or desirable. The Administrator shall make reports to the Board of its performance of its obligations hereunder and shall furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Company as it shall determine to be desirable; provided, however, nothing herein shall be construed to require the Administrator to, and the Administrator shall not, provide any advice or recommendation relating to the securities and other assets that the Company should purchase, retain or sell or provide any other investment advisory services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrator shall be responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain, and under the Investment Company Act, shall prepare, print and disseminate reports to stockholders, and reports and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Administrator will also provide on the Company’s behalf managerial assistance to the Company’s portfolio companies to which the Company is required to provide such assistance. In addition, the Administrator shall assist the Company in determining and publishing the Company’s net asset value, oversee the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns, and the printing and dissemination of reports to stockholders of the Company, and generally overseeing the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others.

 

 

 

 

(c) For the avoidance of any doubt, the parties agree that the Administrator is authorized, but not required, to enter into such sub-administration agreements as the Administrator may determine to be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the services set forth in paragraph 1(b) of this Agreement.

 

2. Records

 

The Administrator agrees to maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Company that relate to activities performed by the Administrator hereunder and shall maintain and keep such books, accounts and records in accordance with the Investment Company Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of this Agreement or otherwise on written request. The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act shall be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be surrendered in usable machine-readable form. The Administrator shall have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.

 

3. Confidentiality

 

The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including nonpublic personal information (regulated pursuant to Regulation S-P), shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority, any authority or legal counsel of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process, or otherwise by applicable law or regulation.

 

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4. Compensation; Allocation of Costs and Expenses

 

(a) In full consideration for the provision of the services provided by the Administrator under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Administrator for its costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations and providing services hereunder, including the allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead in performing its obligations under this Agreement. Reimbursement permitted to be made by the Company to the Administrator shall include, but is not limited to the allocable portion of rent and the compensation paid to, or compensatory distributions received by, the Company’s officers (including the chief compliance officer and chief financial officer) and any of their respective staff who provide services to the Company, operations staff who provide services to the Company, and internal audit staff, if any, to the extent internal audit performs a role in the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley internal control assessment.

 

(b) The Company shall bear all costs and expenses that are incurred in its operation, administration and in the execution of its transactions and are not specifically assumed by Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC (the “Adviser”) pursuant to that certain Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of [●], 201[●] (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), by and between the Company and the Adviser. Costs and expenses to be borne by the Company include, but are not limited to, those relating to:

 

(i) the Company’s initial organization costs and operating costs incurred prior to the filing of its election to be treated as a BDC;

 

(ii) the costs of effecting sales and repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock and other securities;

 

(iii) costs incurred in calculating the Company’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any third-party valuation services);

 

(iv) fees payable to third parties relating to making investments, including the Adviser’s or its affiliates travel expenses, research costs and out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with performing due diligence and review of prospective investments;

 

(v) interest expense and other costs associated with the Company’s indebtedness;

 

(vi) transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

(vii) out-of-pocket fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

(viii) federal and state registration fees and any stock exchange listing fees;

 

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(ix) U.S. federal, state, and local taxes; fees and expenses associated with the independent directors of the Board;

 

(x) brokerage commissions and markups;

 

(xi) fidelity bond, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

(xii) direct costs, such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

(xiii) fees and expenses associated with independent audits and outside legal costs;

 

(xiv) costs associated with the Company’s reporting and compliance obligations under the Investment Company Act and other applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; and

 

(xv) other expenses incurred by the Administrator or the Company in connection with administering the Company’s business, including payments under this agreement that will be based upon the Company’s allocable portion of overhead costs, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of the Corporation’s chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

 

The presence of an item in or its absence from the foregoing list, on the one hand, and the list of Company expenses set forth in Section 2(b) of Investment Advisory Agreement, on the other, shall in no way be construed to limit the responsibility of the Company for such expense under either Agreement.

 

For avoidance of doubt, it is agreed and understood that, from time to time, the Administrator or its affiliates may pay amounts or bear costs properly constituting Company expenses as set forth herein or otherwise and that the Company shall reimburse the Administrator or its affiliates for all such costs and expenses that have been paid by the Administrator or its affiliates on behalf of the Company.

 

5. Limitation of Liability of the Administrator; Indemnification

 

(a) The Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator or the Adviser to the extent that it is providing services for or otherwise acting on behalf of the Administrator, Adviser or the Company) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrator or such other person in connection with the performance of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company, and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator or the Adviser, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (each, individually, an “Indemnified Partyand collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold each of them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by any of them in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance in good faith of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company. The Company’s indemnification of Indemnified Parties shall, to the extent not in conflict with such insurance policy, be secondary to any and all payment to which any Indemnified Party is entitled from any relevant insurance policy issued to or for the benefit of the Company and its affiliates or any Indemnified Party. The Company’s indemnification of the Indemnified Parties shall also be secondary to any payment pursuant to any other indemnification obligation of any other relevant entity or person, including under any insurance policy issued to or for the benefit of such other entity or person, in all cases, to the extent not in conflict with the applicable other indemnification or insurance contract. In the event of payment by the Company under this Agreement and pursuant to its indemnification obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnified Parties, including the rights of any Indemnified Party under any insurance policies. 

 

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(b) For any claims indemnified by the Company under Section 5(a) above, to the fullest extent permitted by and subject to the applicable conditions of law, the Company shall promptly pay expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by any Indemnified Party in appearing at, participating in or defending any action, suit, claim, demand or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, claim, demand or proceeding, including appeals, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from the Indemnified Party requesting such advance or advances from time to time.  Each Indemnified Party hereby undertakes to repay any amounts advanced on its behalf (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that the Indemnified Party is not entitled under this Agreement to be indemnified by the Company.  Such undertaking shall be unsecured and accepted without reference to the financial ability of the Indemnified Parties to make repayment and without regard to the Indemnified Parties’ ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. No other form of undertaking shall be required of the Indemnified Parties other than the execution of this Agreement. 

 

(c) Notwithstanding the above provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Administrator’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Administrator’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (to the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

6. Activities of the Administrator

 

The services of the Administrator to the Company are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Administrator and each affiliate is free to render services to others. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Administrator and its affiliates, as directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners, stockholders or otherwise, and that the Administrator and directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners and stockholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.

 

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7. Duration and Termination of this Agreement

 

(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. The provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Administrator shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Administrator shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 4 through the date of termination or expiration, and Section 3 and Section 9 shall continue in force and effect following such termination. This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided, that, such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by:

 

(i) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; and

 

(ii) the vote of a majority of the members of the Company’s Board who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

 

(b) The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or by the vote of the Board or by the Administrator.

 

(c) This Agreement may not be assigned by a party without the consent of the other party; provided, however, that the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be assigned to a newly formed entity in the event of the merger of the Company into, or conveyance of all of the assets of the Company to, such newly formed entity; provided further, however, that the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the Company’s legal form into another limited liability entity.

 

8. Amendments of this Agreement

 

This Agreement may be amended pursuant to a written instrument by mutual consent of the parties.

 

9. Governing Law

 

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with laws of the State of Maryland. For so long as the Company is regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act, this Agreement shall also be construed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of Maryland or any of the provisions herein conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

 

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10. Entire Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

11. Notices

 

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

 

12. Third Party Beneficiaries

 

Except for any Indemnified Party (with respect to Section 5), the Indemnified Parties being intended beneficiaries of Section 5, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and nothing herein express or implied will give or be construed to give any person, other than the parties hereto and such assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.
     
  By:
  Name: 
  Title: 
     
  PALMER SQUARE BDC ADVISOR LLC
     
  By:
    Name:
    Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Administration Agreement]

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315

Mission Woods, KS 66205

 

Re: Investment Advisory Agreement between Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. and Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC

 

This waiver letter agreement (this “Waiver Letter”) to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of [•] (the “Agreement”), by and between Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”), is made this [•] day of [•].

 

Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

For periods ending on or prior to the date of the closing of a Liquidity Event, the Adviser hereby agrees to waive the Base Management Fee, calculated in accordance with the Agreement, in excess of 1.75%.

 

Except as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement remains in full force and effect.

 

No waiver of any provision of this Waiver Letter, nor consent to any departure by either party therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by a duly authorized officer of the party to be charged with the waiver or consent, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

 

This Waiver Letter may only be modified or terminated prior to a Liquidity Event with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

This Waiver Letter and the Agreement contain the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Waiver Letter shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

This Waiver Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all of such counterparts together shall constitute one agreement.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

 

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  PALMER SQUARE BDC ADVISOR LLC
     
  By:             
  Name:
  Title:

 

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:  
   
PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.  
   
By:                    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

[Signature Page to Waiver Letter – Investment Advisory Agreement]

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of [ ], 20[ ] (the “Effective Date”), by and between Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., a Maryland corporation (collectively, with its affiliates and subsidiaries, the “Company”), and ______________ (“Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as [a director][an officer] of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of [his][her] service as [a director][an officer] of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve as [a director][an officer] of the Company, the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advancement of expenses; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is relying upon the rights afforded under this Agreement in continuing to serve as [a director][an officer] of the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

a. “Adjudged” shall mean adjudged finally by a court or arbitral or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

 

b. “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not comprised of (A) individuals who were directors as of the Effective Date and/or (B) individuals whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved; or (iv) the Company retains or engages an external investment adviser to manage its assets and business.

 

 

 

 

c. “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company: (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (A) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is or was owned directly or indirectly by the Company, or (B) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company; or (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitee’s service to the Company, Indemnitee is subject to duties by, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as a deemed fiduciary thereof.

 

d. “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advancement of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.

 

e. “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

f. “Enterprise” shall mean (i) the Company and (ii) any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which is an affiliate or wholly or partially owned subsidiary of the Company and of which the Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary; and (iii) any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

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g. “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

h. “Expenses” means any and all disbursements or expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement and any ERISA excise taxes and penalties. Expenses shall also include (i) expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium for, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, and (iii) expenses incurred by Indemnitee in establishing or enforcing [his][her] right to indemnification or reimbursement under this Agreement.

 

i. “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

j. “Jointly Indemnifiable Claims” shall mean any Proceeding for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance from (i) the Company and/or any Enterprise pursuant to this Agreement, the charter or bylaws or other governing documents of the Company or any Enterprise, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise, on the one hand, and (ii) any Third-Party Indemnitor pursuant to any agreement between any Third-Party Indemnitor and the Indemnitee pursuant to which the Indemnitee is indemnified, the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Third-Party Indemnitor and/or the certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or other organizational or governing documents of any Third-Party Indemnitor, on the other hand.

 

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k. “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, claim, demand or discovery request or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding. The term “Proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, defense, settlement, arbitration or appeal of, and the giving of testimony in or related to, any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or other proceeding, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature.

 

l. “Third-Party Indemnitor” means any person or entity that has or may in the future provide to the Indemnitee any indemnification, exoneration, hold harmless or Expense advancement rights and/or insurance benefits other than (i) the Company, (ii) any Enterprise and (iii) any entity or entities through which the Company maintains liability insurance applicable to the Indemnitee.

 

2. Services by Indemnitee. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve as [a director/an officer] of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving in such capacity. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.

 

3. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent not prohibited by (and not merely to the extent affirmatively permitted by) Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by the charter or bylaws of the Company or Section 2-418(b) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).

 

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4. Standard for Indemnification. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless (and only to the extent) it is ultimately Adjudged that (i) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (A) was committed in bad faith or (B) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (iii) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that [his][her] conduct was unlawful.

 

5. Certain Limitations. Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:

 

a. indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable to the Company;

 

b. indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee; or

 

c. indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to establish or enforce indemnification rights under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party, expressly provides otherwise.

 

6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 16), a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:

 

a. if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

 

b. if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.

 

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7. Partial Success. In addition to any other right to indemnification under any provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, if Indemnitee is not wholly successful in a Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7, and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that Indemnitee is not wholly successful and is Adjudged liable, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the maximum extent not prohibited by (and not merely to the extent affirmatively permitted by) Maryland law and as permitted by Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Agreement.

 

8. Advancement of Expenses. If Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding. Such advance or advances shall be made within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding, and may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of Indemnitee (but without duplication): (i) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee; (ii) advancement to Indemnitee of funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses; or (iii) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s payment of such Expenses. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation and undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion (if any) of any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which it shall ultimately be Adjudged by clear and convincing evidence, that the standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of this Agreement. For so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), any advancement of Expenses shall be subject to at least one of the following as a condition of the advancement: (a) Indemnitee shall provide appropriate security for [his][her] undertaking, (b) the Company shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (c) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Directors, or Independent Counsel in a written report based on a review of readily available facts, shall determine that there is no reason to believe that Indemnitee ultimately will be found to not be entitled to indemnification. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.

 

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9. Indemnitee as Witness or Other Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee was, is or may be, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified and held harmless against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. In connection with any such advancement of Expenses, the Company may require Indemnitee to provide a written affirmation and undertaking substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

10. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.

 

a. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary or appropriate to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitee’s sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors of the Company that Indemnitee has requested indemnification by the Company.

 

b. Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Directors, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (C) if so directed by at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, the stockholders of the Company. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within fifteen (15) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Company (including Independent Counsel selected by the Company) in making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to the Company, upon reasonable advance written request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary or appropriate to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel, as applicable; provided, however Indemnitee shall not be required to waive any applicable privilege or work product protection. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the Company or Independent Counsel shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

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c. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. In no event shall the Indemnitee be required or requested to pay any such fees or expenses or to provide any such indemnification.

 

11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

 

a. In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.

 

b. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

 

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c. The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

d. For purposes of any determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to have met the standard of conduct for indemnification if, among other things and without limitation, Indemnitee relied on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data or the records or books of account of the Company or any Enterprise, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Company or any Enterprise whom Indemnitee reasonably believed to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant, appraiser or other person, as to a matter which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, if Indemnitee was serving on the Board of Directors of the Company or as a member of any similar body of any Enterprise, by a committee of the Board of Directors or such other body on which Indemnitee does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if Indemnitee reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence. The provisions of this Section 11(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee met, or be presumed to have met, the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

e. For purposes of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be considered to have been wholly successful with respect to any Proceeding if such Proceeding is disposed of, on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) it being Adjudged that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) it being Adjudged that an act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and was (A) committed in bad faith or (B) the result of Indemnitee’s active and deliberate dishonesty, (v) it being Adjudged that Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (vi) with respect to any criminal proceeding, it being Adjudged that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful.

 

12. Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

a. If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement; (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement; (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification; (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor; or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or bylaws of the Company is not made within fifteen (15) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, with regard to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce [his][her] rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

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b. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

c. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification that was not disclosed in connection with the determination.

 

d. In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 12, seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to advancement from the Company, and shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by [him][her] in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

 

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e. Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the 15th day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 60th day after the date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

13. Defense of Underlying Proceeding.

 

a. Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with or receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, notice, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advancement of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advancement of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.

 

b. Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder using a law firm of the Company’s choice, subject to the prior written approval of the Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee in writing of any such decision to defend within fifteen (15) calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. Indemnitee shall have the right to retain a separate law firm in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s sole expense. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise of a claim against Indemnitee which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee; (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, (A) the full release with prejudice of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee and (B) the complete dismissal of all claims against the Indemnitee with prejudice; or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement, a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in the case of clause (ii) of Section 13(c).

 

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c. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon advice of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon advice of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject, except in the case of (ii) or (iii) above, to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

 

14. Jointly Indemnifiable Claims. Given that certain Jointly Indemnifiable Claims may arise, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall, and to the extent applicable shall cause any Enterprise to (i) be fully and primarily responsible for, and be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to, payment to or payment on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of Expenses in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Third-Party Indemnitors, and (ii) be required to advance the full amount of Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement to the extent not prohibited by (and not merely to the extent affirmatively permitted by) applicable law and as required by the terms of this Agreement, without regard to any rights the Indemnitee may have against the Third-Party Indemnitors. Under no circumstance shall the Company or any Enterprise be entitled to, and the Company hereby irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases, any claims against the Third-Party Indemnitors for subrogation, contribution or recovery of any kind and no right of advancement or recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Third-Party Indemnitors shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnitee or the obligations of the Company or any Enterprise. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by any Third-Party Indemnitor on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to any Proceeding for which Indemnitee has sought indemnification, exoneration or hold harmless rights from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Third-Party Indemnitor(s) shall have a right to receive from the Company, contribution and/or be subrogated, to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee against the Company. The Company and the Indemnitee agree that each of the Third-Party Indemnitors shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Agreement entitled to enforce this Section 14 as though each such Third-Party Indemnitor were a party to this Agreement.

 

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15. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.

 

a. The rights of indemnification and advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under (i) applicable law (including, but not limited to, the MGCL), (ii) the charter or bylaws of the Company, (iii) any agreement or (iv) a resolution of (A) the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or (B) the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in [his][her] Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

b. Except as set forth in Section 14, in the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

16. Insurance.

 

a. The Company shall purchase and maintain a policy or policies of directors and officers insurance with reputable insurance companies. The Company shall continue to provide such insurance coverage to Indemnitee and such insurance policies shall have coverage terms and policy limits at least as favorable to Indemnitee as the insurance coverage provided to any other director or officer of the Company. If the Company has such insurance in effect at the time it receives from Indemnitee any notice of the commencement of an action, suit, proceeding or other claim, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such action, suit, proceeding or other claim to the insurers and take such other actions in accordance with the procedures set forth in the policy as required or appropriate to secure coverage of Indemnitee for such action, suit, proceeding or other claim. The Company shall thereafter take all reasonably necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such action, suit, proceeding or other claim in accordance with the terms of such policy. In the event of a Change in Control that would result in a loss or cancellation of the Company directors’ and officers’ insurance policy or policies, the Company shall purchase a directors and officers “Tail” insurance policy or policies to provide coverage to the Company’s directors and officers for a period of six (6) years after such Change in Control, but only with respect to coverage for claims arising from wrongful acts, errors or omissions occurring before such Change in Control.

 

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b. Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee which would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in Section 16(a). The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.

 

17. Other Sources; Investment Company Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that (i) Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise, except as otherwise provided in Section 14 to this Agreement, or (ii) for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act, indemnification or payment or reimbursement of Expenses would not be permissible under the Investment Company Act, whether pursuant to Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act or otherwise. In addition, for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act, the presumptions, considerations and similar provisions set forth in Section 11(d) and (e) of this Agreement shall be of no force or effect to the extent inconsistent with the Investment Company Act and shall otherwise be construed in a manner to include any additional conditions, restrictions or references required to be contained therein by the Investment Company Act, including, without limitation, the disabling conduct set forth in Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act.

 

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18. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, with respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

19. Miscellaneous.

 

a. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and may apply to acts or omissions of Indemnitee taken in or in connection with Indemnitee’s Corporate Status which occurred prior to such date if Indemnitee was an officer, director, employee or agent of the Company or was a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any Enterprise at the time such act or omission occurred.

 

b. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of: (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).

 

c. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

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d. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee’s spouse is made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee’s spouse against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee’s spouse in connection with any such Proceeding unless (and only to the extent) it is ultimately Adjudged that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that [his][her] conduct was unlawful. Further, Indemnitee’s spouse shall not be entitled to (x) indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable to the Company; (y) indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee; or (z) indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to establish or enforce indemnification rights under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party, expressly provides otherwise. The foregoing right to indemnification shall include, without limitation, any Proceeding that seeks damages recoverable from marital community property, jointly-owned property or property purported to have been transferred from the Indemnitee to his or her spouse (or former spouse); provided that Indemnitee is indemnified and held harmless for the same pursuant to this Agreement. The Indemnitee’s spouse or former spouse also shall be entitled to advancement of Expenses to the same extent that Indemnitee is entitled to advancement of Expenses herein. The Company may maintain insurance to cover its obligation hereunder with respect to Indemnitee’s spouse (or former spouse) or set aside assets in a trust or escrow fund for that purpose.

 

e. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

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f. The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult to prove, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such injunctive relief and/or specific performance, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

g. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

h. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

i. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand or overnight courier service and receipted for by the party to whom said notice, request, demand or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed: (i) if to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto; or (ii) if to the Company, to Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315, Mission Woods, KS 66205, Attn: Corporate Secretary; or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

j. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.

 

k. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (delivery of which may be in electronic format), each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

17

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written:

 

  PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.
     
  By:           
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  [INDEMNITEE]
     
   
  Address:  
   
   

 

[Signature Page to the Indemnification Agreement]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

 

To: The Board of Directors of Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

 

Re: Affirmation and Undertaking

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of the [EFFECTIVE DATE], by and between Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and me as the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advancement of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”).

 

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.

 

I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director][an officer] of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (i) did not act with willful misfeasance,* bad faith, gross negligence,* active and deliberate dishonesty or reckless disregard of duties,* (ii) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.

 

In consideration of the advancement of Expenses by the Company for Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is Adjudged that (i) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (A) was committed in bad faith or (B) was the result of willful misfeasance,* gross negligence,* active and deliberate dishonesty or reckless disregard of duty,* (ii) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this _____ day of _______________, 20____.

 

Name:_____________________________________

 

* These references can be deleted in any Affirmation and Undertaking if at the time of the submission thereof the Company is no longer subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION DOCUMENTS BOOKLET

 

INSTRUCTIONS
and
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

November 2019

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBSCRIBERS

 

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBSCRIBERS

 

Persons and entities (“Subscribers”) wishing to subscribe for shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), of PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC. (the “Fund”) should complete and sign the Subscription Agreement and Form W-9 or applicable Form W-8.

 

In order to comply with the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti- Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001), as amended, and the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, certain Subscribers may be required to provide additional information. If necessary, you will be contacted regarding the particular information that you will need to provide after you complete the Subscription Agreement and the Form W-9. You will need to provide the requested information prior to the Fund’s acceptance of your subscription.

 

EACH SUBSCRIBER SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE FUND’S CONFIDENTIAL PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM AND THE EXHIBITS THERETO.

 

Normally, Subscribers may subscribe by completing the following steps:

 

1. SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT:

 

Complete the applicable Sections in Article VI, complete and sign the signature page (30-31).

 

Custodians of individual retirement accounts must complete the Additional Representation with Respect to Investment for an IRA on page 32 and Acknowledgement Page on page 33.

 

Custodians/trustees of individual retirement accounts or other Benefit Plan Investors must provide a duplicate statement of address.

 

2. IRS FORMS:

 

Complete and sign IRS Form W-9 or applicable version of Form W-8 (together with all required attachments). IRS Form W-9 and all versions of Form W-8 and associated instructions are available at:

 

Form W-9 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf)

 

Form W-8BEN (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf)

 

Form W-8BEN-E (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8bene.pdf)

 

Form W-8IMY (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8imy.pdf)

 

 

 

 

3. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE(S):

 

Complete and sign the attached in the places provided to designate all authorized signatories.

 

4. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING SUPPLEMENT:

 

Complete and sign the attached Anti-Money Laundering Supplement.

 

5. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN ELECTION FORM

 

Complete and sign the attached Dividend Reinvestment Plan Election Form.

 

Completed Subscription Agreements, Forms W-9 or applicable Form W-8 (and all required attachments), Anti-Money Laundering Supplements and Dividend Reinvestment Plan Election Form should be returned to:

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315

Mission Woods, KS 66205

Telephone: (816) 994-3200

Email: investorrelations@palmersquarecap.com

 

If the Subscriber’s subscription is accepted (in whole or in part) by the Fund, a countersigned copy of this Subscription Agreement will be delivered to the Subscriber.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRANSMITTAL OF FUNDS:

 

In connection with a Subscriber’s investment, the Subscriber shall be required to contribute capital pursuant to Drawdown Notices (as defined in the Subscription Agreement). Upon receipt of a Drawdown Notice, payment shall be sent by wire transfer pursuant to the wire instructions set forth below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, wire instructions may change in the sole discretion of the Fund. Therefore, Subscribers should wire funds in accordance with the wire instructions set forth in any Drawdown Notice issued by the Fund. To the extent there is any discrepancy in the wire instructions set forth below and the wire instructions set forth in a Drawdown Notice, the wire instructions in such Drawdown Notice shall prevail.

 

  Bank: [●]
  SWIFT: [●]
  ABA: [●]
  Account #: [●]
  Account Name: [●]
  For the benefit of: Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.
  Account #: [●]
  Payment Details: Include Subscriber Name, Routing or SWIFT number of
    Subscriber’s Bank, and Subscriber’s Bank Account Number

 

In addition to providing the requested information set forth in the Subscription Agreement regarding the origin of your funds, please contact us at (816) 994-3200 or investorrelations@palmersquarecap.com with the date, the amount and the bank and branch from which the funds originate. This will allow us to confirm the receipt of your funds.

 

If your subscription is not accepted by the Fund, or you do not wish to subscribe for an Shares in the Fund, please destroy all Fund documents. This Subscription Documents Booklet may not be reproduced, duplicated or delivered to any other person.

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

RECITALS

 

This Subscription Agreement (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, together with all attachments, the “Subscription” or the “Subscription Agreement”) is being executed and delivered in connection with the subscription by the undersigned (the “Subscriber”) to purchase shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), of Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (the “Fund”), a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Maryland with offices at 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315, Mission Woods, KS 66205, through periodic calls of all or a portion of capital amounts of the Subscriber’s aggregate capital commitment (the “Capital Commitment”) in the amount set forth on the signature page below.

 

ARTICLE I

Subscription for Shares

 

1.1. Subscription.

 

(a) The Subscriber hereby tenders this Subscription whereby the Subscriber irrevocably commits and agrees to purchase Shares for an aggregate purchase price, in cash, equal to its Capital Commitment, portions of such Capital Commitment to be payable in immediately available funds on an as-needed basis under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

(b) The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that this subscription (i) is irrevocable on the part of the Subscriber, (ii) is conditioned upon acceptance by the Fund and (iii) may be accepted or rejected in whole or in part by the Fund in its sole discretion at any time. The Subscriber agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement and the Operative Documents (as defined below). The Subscriber acknowledges that the effective date of this Subscription Agreement will be subsequent to the date the Subscriber signs it, as determined by the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

1.2. Receipt of Operative Documents; Form 10.

 

(a) The Subscriber acknowledges receipt from the Fund of a copy of the Fund’s Confidential Private Placement Memorandum (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Memorandum”), the Fund’s bylaws, in the form attached hereto as Appendix A (as amended, the “Bylaws”), the Fund’s articles of incorporation, in the form attached hereto as Appendix B (as amended, the “Charter”), the Investment Advisory Agreement by and between Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC (the “Investment Advisor”) and the Fund, in the form attached hereto as Appendix C (as amended, the “Advisory Agreement”), and the Administration Agreement by and between the Fund and the Investment Advisor (in such capacity, the “Administrator”), in the form attached hereto as Appendix D (as amended, the “Administration Agreement” and, together with the Memorandum, the Bylaws, the Charter, this Subscription Agreement and the Advisory Agreement, the “Operative Documents”) together with this Subscription Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(b) The Fund will file a registration statement on Form 10 (the “Registration Statement”) for the registration of its common stock with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Registration Statement is not the offering document pursuant to which the Fund is conducting this offering of securities. Accordingly, the Subscriber should rely exclusively on information contained in the Memorandum. The Fund expects to enter into separate Subscription Agreements (the “Other Subscription Agreements” and, together with this Subscription Agreement, the “Subscription Agreements”) with other investors (the “Other Investors,” and together with the Subscriber, the “Investors”), providing for the sale of Shares to the Other Investors. This Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements are separate agreements, and the sales of Shares to the undersigned and the Other Investors are to be separate sales.

 

THE SUBSCRIBER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SUBSCRIBER IS ACQUIRING THE SHARES AFTER INVESTIGATION OF THE FUND AND ITS PROSPECTS AND THAT NO OFFER HAS BEEN MADE TO THE SUBSCRIBER EXCEPT THROUGH THE MEMORANDUM. THE SUBSCRIBER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SUBSCRIBER IS NOT RELYING UPON ANY REPRESENTATION MADE BY ANY PERSON EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE MEMORANDUM.

 

1.3. Terms and Conditions.

 

(a) The Fund shall have the right to accept or reject the Subscription, in whole or in part, for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to, (i) the inability of the Subscriber to meet the standards imposed by Regulation D (“Regulation D”) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (ii) the ineligibility of the Subscriber under applicable state or foreign securities laws or (iii) for any other reason.

 

(b) If this Subscription is accepted by the Fund, the Fund will forward an executed copy of this Subscription Agreement to the undersigned and the undersigned will be bound by the terms hereof. If the Subscriber’s subscription is accepted in part and rejected in part, the Subscriber will be so notified and the Subscriber agrees to deliver promptly upon the Fund’s request a new signature page to this Subscription Agreement with respect to which the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment shall be such lesser amount as may be determined by the Fund. If the Subscriber’s subscription is wholly rejected, the executed copies of this Subscription Agreement will be returned to the Subscriber.

 

(c) The closing of the subscription for the Shares by the Subscriber (the “Closing”) shall take place on the date that this Subscription Agreement (having been executed and fully completed by the Subscriber) is accepted in whole or in part by the Fund (such date being the date filled in by the Fund on the signature page hereto). On the date of the receipt of the Subscriber’s first Drawdown Purchase (as defined below), assuming the Closing has taken place, the Subscriber shall be registered as a stockholder of the Fund (a “Stockholder”).

 

2

 

 

(d) The Subscriber agrees to provide any information reasonably requested by the Fund to verify the accuracy of the representations contained herein, including the Suitability Requirements included in Article VI hereto.

 

(e) In the event the Subscriber is permitted by the Fund to make an additional capital commitment to purchase Shares on a date after its initial subscription has been accepted, the Purchaser shall be required to enter into an addendum to this Subscription Agreement covering such additional capital commitment.

 

1.4. Other Investors.

 

(a) The Fund may enter into Other Subscription Agreements with Other Investors after the Closing, with any closing thereunder referred to as a “Subsequent Closing” and any Other Investor whose subscription has been accepted at such Subsequent Closing referred to as a “Subsequent Investor.” Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.5, on one or more dates to be determined by the Fund that occur on or following the Subsequent Closing (each such date, a “Catch-Up Date”), each Subsequent Investor shall be required to purchase from the Fund a number of Shares with an aggregate purchase price necessary to ensure that, upon payment of the aggregate purchase price for such Shares by the Subsequent Investor on such Catch-Up Date(s), such Subsequent Investor’s Invested Percentage (as defined below) shall be equal to the Invested Percentage of all prior Investors (other than any Defaulting Subscribers) (such amount, the “Catch-Up Purchase Price” and such purchase, the “Catch-up Purchase”). Upon payment of all or a portion of the Catch-Up Purchase Price by the Investor on a Catch-Up Date, the Fund shall issue to each such Subsequent Investor a number of Shares determined by dividing (x) the Catch-Up Purchase Price paid minus the Organizational Expense Allocation (as defined below) by (y) the NAV per Share (as defined below) as of a Catch-Up Date (determined prior to such issuance). Investors that make a Capital Commitment prior to any Subsequent Closing will not be required to fund Drawdown Purchases (as defined below) on a Drawdown Date (as defined below) until all Subsequent Investors have made their entire Catch-up Purchase. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the Catch-Up Date and a Drawdown Date occur on the same calendar day, such Catch-Up Date (and the application of the provisions of this Section 1.4(b)) shall be deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the relevant Drawdown Date.

 

Invested Percentage” means, with respect to an Investor, the quotient determined by dividing (i) the aggregate amount of contributions made by such Investor pursuant to Section 1.1 and this Section 1.4(a) and Section 1.5 by (ii) such Investor’s Capital Commitment.

 

Organizational Expense Allocation” means, with respect to an Investor, (a) multiplied by (b), where:

 

“(a)” equals (i) a fraction, the numerator of which is the total Capital Commitments received by the Fund through such date (including the Investor’s), and the denominator of which is the total Capital Commitments received by the Fund through such date (excluding the Investor’s), minus (ii) 1.00; and

 

3

 

 

“(b)” equals the total amount of organizational and offering expenses spent by the Fund in connection with the Fund’s formation and the offering described in the Memorandum.

 

1.5. Drawdowns.

 

(a) Subject to Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4, the Subscriber agrees to purchase Shares for an aggregate purchase price equal to its Capital Commitment, payable at such times and in such amounts as required by the Fund. The Subscriber shall be required to fund a capital contribution to purchase Shares (a “Drawdown Purchase”) each time the Fund delivers a notice (the “Drawdown Notice”) to the Subscriber. Drawdown Notices shall be delivered at least ten calendar days prior to the date on which payment will be due (each, a “Drawdown Date”) and shall set forth the amount, in U.S. dollars, of the aggregate purchase price (the “Drawdown Purchase Price”) to be paid by the Subscriber to purchase Shares on such Drawdown Date. Each purchase of Shares pursuant to a Drawdown Notice will be made at a per Share price equal to the net asset value per Share, as determined by the board of directors of the Fund (the “Board”) or an appropriately designated committee of the Board at the time of issuance of the Drawdown Notice (the “NAV per Share”). No Subscriber shall be required to invest more than the total amount of its Capital Commitment.

 

(b) Each Drawdown Purchase Price shall be payable, in U.S. dollars and in immediately available funds per the wire transfer instructions set forth in such Drawdown Notice. In addition to the wire transfer instructions, each Drawdown Notice shall set forth (i) the Drawdown Date, (ii) the aggregate amount of capital that is being drawn down from all subscribers and (iii) the Subscriber’s share of capital drawn. The delivery of a Drawdown Notice to the Subscriber shall be the sole and exclusive condition to the Subscriber’s irrevocable and unconditional obligation to pay such Drawdown Purchase Price in the amount set forth therein, without any right of offset, reduction, counterclaim or defense.

 

(c) Concurrent with any payment of all or a portion of the Drawdown Purchase Price, the Fund shall issue to the Subscriber a number of Shares equal to the amount of the Drawdown Purchase Price funded by the Subscriber on the applicable Drawdown Date divided by the NAV per Share as set forth in the Drawdown Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the Fund shall not issue Shares for any portion of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment that has not been paid to the Fund and used to purchase Shares pursuant to one or more Drawdown Notices (the “Undrawn Commitment”).

 

4

 

 

(d) Upon the earlier to occur of (i) a Liquidity Event (as defined below) and (ii) the five year anniversary of the first Drawdown Date for the Investors in the Fund (the “Commitment Period”) the Subscriber shall be released from any obligation to fund any portion of its Capital Commitment for which it has not received a Drawdown Notice prior to the termination of the Commitment Period, except to the extent necessary to (A) pay expenses of the Fund, including management fees, amounts due or that may become due under any financing or similar obligations, and indemnity obligations or (B) fund investments or obligations (including guarantees) of the Fund in connection with any transaction for which there is a binding written agreement as of the end of the Commitment Period (including phased investments). A “Liquidity Event” means, at the discretion of the Board: (a) (1) the listing of the Fund’s common stock on a national securities exchange or (2) an initial public offering of the Fund’s common stock that results in an unaffiliated public float of at least the lower of (i) $75 million and (ii) 15% of the aggregate capital commitments received prior to the date of such initial public offering (a “Qualified IPO”), or (b) with the consent of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding common stock and in accordance with Maryland law, a corporate control transaction, which may include a strategic sale of the Fund or all or substantially all of its assets to, or a merger with, another entity, or another type of corporate control event (which may include a transaction with an affiliated entity, including an affiliated business development company (“BDC”)) for consideration in cash or publicly listed securities of such entity or a combination of cash and such publicly listed securities.

 

(e) The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Fund intends to request contributions from all subscribers with an Undrawn Commitment pro rata in accordance with the Capital Commitments of all subscribers with Undrawn Commitments; provided that the Fund shall retain the right to require the Subscriber (i) to fund a Drawdown Purchase Price that is more or less than its pro rata share or (ii) to fund a Drawdown Purchase Price (but not require Other Investors to do so), in either case, in order to accelerate the fulfillment of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment if less than 20% of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment remains undrawn, to seek to equalize the percentage of the Subscriber’s total Capital Commitment that has been contributed to the Fund relative to the capital contributions of Other Investors, or to avoid any of the Default Remedy Limitations (as defined below) or for other regulatory reasons. The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Fund may, if determined by the Fund in its sole discretion, from time to time require capital contributions from Other Investors and not the Subscriber. Accordingly, Drawdown Notices may be issued only to selected subscribers (including or excluding the Subscriber) from time to time and require a purchase of Shares by such investors in amounts determined by the Fund in its sole discretion.

 

1.6. Pledging.

 

(a) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Subscriber specifically agrees and consents that the Fund may, at any time, without further notice to or consent from the Subscriber (except to the extent otherwise provided in this Subscription Agreement), grant security over and, in connection therewith, transfer its right to draw down capital from the Subscriber hereunder, and the Fund’s right to receive the Drawdown Purchase Price (and any related rights of the Fund), to lenders or other creditors of the Fund, in connection with any indebtedness, guarantee or surety of the Fund; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any such grantee’s right to draw down capital shall be subject to the limitations on the Fund’s right to draw down capital set forth herein.

 

5

 

 

1.7. Dividends; Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

(a) As described more fully in the Memorandum, the Fund generally intends to distribute on a quarterly basis, beginning after the first full quarter following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of its available earnings in such amount so the Fund will not have to pay corporate-level income tax, subject to the discretion of the Board. The Fund has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, as may be amended (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”), pursuant to which, with respect to stockholders who do not “opt-out” of the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan, the Fund shall reinvest all cash distributions declared by the Board on behalf of any such Stockholder in exchange for such Stockholder receiving a number of newly issued Shares equal to the quotient determined by dividing the amount of cash otherwise to be distributed to such Stockholder in connection with such distribution by NAV per Share as of the valuation date fixed by the Board for such distribution. The Subscriber may “opt-out” of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Election Form attached hereto. An election to “opt-out” of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan may be altered, subject to approval by the Fund, by notifying the Fund in writing. A change in election must be received by the Fund at least ten calendar days prior to any distribution date; otherwise, such election shall be effective only with respect to any subsequent distributions. The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that any distributions received by the Subscriber or reinvested by the Fund on the Subscriber’s behalf pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan shall have no effect on the amount of the Subscriber’s Undrawn Commitment.

 

1.8. Remedies Upon Drawdown Purchase Price Default. In the event that the Subscriber fails to pay all or any portion of the Drawdown Purchase Price due from the Subscriber on any Drawdown Date (such amount, together with the amount of the Subscriber’s Undrawn Commitment, a “Defaulted Commitment”) and such default remains uncured for a period of ten days, then the Fund shall be permitted to declare the Subscriber to be in default on its obligations under this Subscription Agreement (in such capacity, a “Defaulting Subscriber” and, collectively with any Other Investors declared to be in default, the “Defaulting Stockholders”) and shall be permitted to pursue one or any combination of the following remedies:

 

(a) Participation in Future Drawdowns. The Fund may prohibit the Defaulting Subscriber from purchasing additional Shares on any future Drawdown Date.

 

(b) Offer of Shares. The Fund may offer up to 100% of the Defaulting Subscriber’s Shares (the “Offered Shares”) first, to the Other Investors (other than any Defaulting Stockholders) and if such Other Investors do not purchase all of such Offered Shares, to third parties for purchase at a price equal to the lesser of the then-current net asset value of such Shares or the highest price reasonably obtainable by the Fund therefor, subject to such other terms as the Fund in its discretion shall determine, which offer(s) shall be binding upon the Defaulting Subscriber if the purchasing Other Investors or third parties agree to assume the related Capital Commitment with respect to such Shares of the Defaulting Subscriber, including any portion then due and unpaid, and the Fund pursuant to its authority under Section 5.1 may execute on behalf of the Defaulting Subscriber any documents necessary to effect the Transfer (as defined herein) of the Defaulting Subscriber’s Shares pursuant to this Section 1.8(b); provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Subscription Agreement, no Shares shall be transferred to any Other Investor pursuant to this Section 1.8(b) in the event that such Transfer (as defined herein) would (x) violate the Securities Act, the Investment Company Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or “Blue Sky” laws applicable to the Fund or such Transfer (as defined herein), (y) constitute a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or Section 4975 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or (z) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Fund to constitute “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (it being understood that this proviso shall operate only to the extent necessary to avoid the occurrence of the consequences described in this sentence) (such consequences (x), (y) and (z), each a “Transfer Restriction”).

 

6

 

 

(c) Forfeiture of Shares. The Fund may, in its sole discretion and as permitted by applicable law, transfer up to fifty percent (50%) of the Shares then held by the Defaulting Subscriber on the books of the Fund, without any further action being required on the part of the Defaulting Subscriber, to the Other Investors (other than any Defaulting Stockholders), pro rata in accordance with their respective Capital Commitments; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Subscription Agreement, no Shares shall be transferred to any Other Investor pursuant to this Section 1.8(c) in the event that such transfer would result in any Transfer Restriction; provided, further, that any Shares that have not been transferred to one or more Other Investors pursuant to the previous proviso shall be allocated among the participating Other Investors pro rata in accordance with their respective Capital Commitments. The mechanism described in this Section 1.8(c) is intended to operate as a liquidated damage provision, since the damage to the Fund and Other Investors resulting from a default by the Defaulting Subscriber is both significant and not easily quantified. By entry into this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber agrees to this transfer and acknowledges that it constitutes a reasonable liquidated damage remedy for any default in the Subscriber’s obligation of the type described.

 

(d) Other Remedies. The Fund may pursue any other remedies against the Defaulting Subscriber available to the Fund at law or in equity. No course of dealing between the Fund and any Defaulting Stockholder and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred in this Section 1.8 or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise shall operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any such right, power or remedy. In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may in its discretion institute a lawsuit against the Defaulting Subscriber for specific performance of its obligation to pay any Drawdown Purchase Price and any other payments to be made by the Defaulting Subscriber pursuant to this Subscription Agreement and to collect any overdue amounts hereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber agrees (i) to pay on demand all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by or on behalf of the Fund in connection with the enforcement of this Subscription Agreement against the Subscriber sustained as a result of any default by the Subscriber and (ii) that any such payment shall not constitute payment of a Drawdown Purchase Price or reduce the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment. The Subscriber agrees that this Section 1.8 is solely for the benefit of the Fund and shall be interpreted by the Fund against the Defaulting Subscriber in the discretion of the Fund. The Subscriber further agrees that the Subscriber cannot and will not seek to enforce this Section 1.8 against the Fund or any other investor in the Fund.

 

(e) Drawdown Notices. The Fund shall be authorized to issue additional Drawdown Notices to non-Defaulting Subscribers to make up for any short-fall caused by a Defaulting Subscriber’s failure to fund any Drawdown Notice, provided that no Subscriber shall be obligated to fund more than its then Undrawn Commitment.

 

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ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY THE SUBSCRIBER; INDEMNIFICATION

 

2.1. Representations and Warranties by the Subscriber. The Subscriber represents and warrants to the Fund that:

 

(a) The Subscriber understands that the offering and sale of the Shares are intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, applicable U.S. state securities laws and the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions by virtue of the private placement exemption from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, exemptions under applicable U.S. state securities laws and exemptions under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions, and the Subscriber agrees that any Shares acquired by the Subscriber may not be Transferred (as defined below) in any manner that would require the Fund to register the Shares under the Securities Act, under any U.S. state securities laws or under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions. “Transfer” (or any derivative thereof) shall mean to sell, offer for sale, agree to sell, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, in any case whether directly or indirectly.

 

(b) The Subscriber is acquiring the Shares for the Subscriber’s own account, as principal, for investment purposes only, and not with any intention to resell, distribute or otherwise dispose of the Shares, in whole or in part. No one other than the Subscriber has any interest in or any right to acquire the Shares. The Subscriber understands and acknowledges that the Fund will have no obligation to recognize the ownership, beneficial or otherwise, of such Shares by anyone but the Subscriber.

 

(c) The Subscriber has been furnished with, has carefully read and has relied solely on (except for information obtained pursuant to paragraph (e) below) the information contained in the Memorandum and this Subscription Agreement and the Subscriber has not relied on any other offering literature or prospectus and no representations or warranties have been made to the Subscriber by the Fund or its employees or agents, other than the representations as set forth in the Memorandum and this Subscription Agreement. The Subscriber understands the various risks and conflicts of interests of the Fund, as well as the fees and other compensation to which the Fund is subject. The Subscriber understands that Dechert LLP acts as counsel only to the Fund and does not represent the Subscriber or any other person by reason of such person’s investment in the Fund.

 

(d) The Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares were not offered to the Subscriber by any means of general solicitation or general advertising. In that regard, the Subscriber is not subscribing for the Shares: (i) as a result of, or subsequent to, becoming aware of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar medium, generally available electronic communication, broadcast over television or radio or generally available to the public on the internet or worldwide web; (ii) as a result of, or subsequent to, attendance at a seminar or meeting called by any of the means set forth in (i) above; or (iii) as a result of, or subsequent to, any solicitations by a person not previously known to the Subscriber in connection with investment in securities generally.

 

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(e) The Subscriber has had an unrestricted opportunity to: (i) obtain additional information concerning the offering of Shares (the “Offering”), the Shares, the terms and conditions of the Operative Documents, the Fund and any other matters relating directly or indirectly to the Subscriber’s purchase of the Shares; and (ii) ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Fund concerning the terms and conditions of the Offering and obtain such additional information as may have been necessary to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the Memorandum or otherwise provided. None of the Fund, the Investment Advisor, the Administrator nor anyone on their behalf has made any representations (whether written or oral) to the Subscriber (i) regarding the future performance of the Fund or (ii) that the past performance of the Fund or their affiliates will in any way predict the results of the Fund’s activities.

 

(f) The Subscriber is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act (an “Accredited Investor”). In addition, the Subscriber has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the relative merits and risks of an investment in the Fund. All information that the Subscriber has provided concerning the Subscriber and the Subscriber’s financial position is true, correct and complete.

 

(g) The Subscriber has not been subject to any disqualifying events, as defined under Rule 506(d) of Regulation D under the Securities Act (a “Disqualifying Event”), or any proceeding or event that could result in a Disqualifying Event that would either require disclosure under the provisions of Rule 506(e) of the Securities Act or result in disqualification under Rule 506(d)(1) of the Fund’s reliance on the Rule 506 safe harbor. The Subscriber further represents and warrants that, unless it notifies the Fund otherwise in writing, the Subscriber is not acting as part of a group (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Act) with any other individuals or entities (including any existing or prospective investor in the Fund) for the purpose of acquiring or holding the Shares.

 

(h) The Subscriber is not relying on the Fund or any information in the Memorandum with respect to any legal, investment or tax considerations involved in the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Shares. The Subscriber has relied solely upon the advice of, or has consulted with, in regard to the legal, investment and tax considerations involved in the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Shares, the Subscriber’s legal counsel, business and/or investment adviser, accountant and tax advisor.

 

(i) The Subscriber has full power and authority to make the representations and warranties referred to herein, to purchase the Shares and to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, and if the Subscriber is an entity, the partner, officer or trustee executing this Subscription Agreement represents and warrants that he or she has full power and authority from all of the partners, the board of directors or all of the trustees of such entity, as the case may be, to execute this Subscription Agreement on behalf of such entity and that the purchase of the Shares is not prohibited by the governing documents of the entity or any applicable laws.

 

(j) The Subscriber understands that the Shares cannot be Transferred except in accordance with (1) the registration provisions of the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration provisions, (2) any applicable U.S. federal or state or non-U.S. securities laws and (3) the terms of this Subscription Agreement and the Operative Documents. The Subscriber further acknowledges that its overall Capital Commitment to the Fund and other investments that are not readily marketable is not disproportionate to the Subscriber’s net worth and the Subscriber has no need for immediate liquidity of the Subscriber’s investment in the Fund.

 

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(k) The Subscriber understands that the Fund intends to file or has filed an election to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act and intends to elect or has elected to be treated as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to these elections, the Subscriber shall be required to furnish certain information to the Fund as required under U.S. Treasury Regulation §1.852-6(a) and other regulations. If the Subscriber is unable or refuses to provide such information directly to the Fund, the Subscriber understands that it shall be required to include additional information on its income tax return as provided in U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.852-7.

 

(l) None of the information concerning the Subscriber nor any statement, certification, representation or warranty made by the Subscriber in this Subscription Agreement or in any document required to be provided under this Subscription Agreement (including any Form W-9 or the relevant Forms W-8 (W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8IMY, W-8ECI or W-8EXP), as applicable, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein or herein not misleading.

 

(m) The Subscriber has read and understands the provisions of the Memorandum. In particular, the Subscriber has carefully reviewed the various risks of an investment in the Fund, including the risks summarized under “RISK FACTORS” in the Memorandum. In addition, the Subscriber understands that various potential and actual conflicts of interest may arise from the overall investment activities of the Investment Advisor and the Fund, and the Subscriber has carefully reviewed the various conflicts summarized under “POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST” in the Memorandum. The Subscriber consents to such potential and actual conflicts of interest and hereby waives any claim with respect to the existence of any such conflict of interest.

 

(n) The Subscriber has obtained, in its judgment, sufficient information from the Fund and any of its authorized representatives, to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the Fund, and that after all necessary advice and analysis, has determined that its investment in the Fund is suitable and appropriate and further, that the Subscriber is willing and able to bear the economic and other risks of an investment in the Fund for an indefinite period of time.

 

(o) The Subscriber understands the investment objectives and policies of, and the investment strategies that may be pursued by, the Fund and the Investment Advisor with respect to the Fund. The purchase of Shares by the Subscriber is consistent with the investment purposes and objectives and cash flow requirements of the Subscriber and will not adversely affect the Subscriber’s overall need for diversification and liquidity.

 

(p) The Subscriber maintains the Subscriber’s domicile, and is not merely a transient or temporary resident, at the principal address shown on the signature page of this Subscription Agreement.

 

(q) The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that any changes made by the Subscriber to any of the documents delivered to the Subscriber in connection with the Offering shall not be effective unless the Fund consents to such changes.

 

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(r) The Subscriber has not reproduced, duplicated, distributed or delivered the Memorandum or the Operative Documents to any other person, except to the Subscriber’s professional advisors or as instructed by the Fund.

 

(s) The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that amounts paid to the Subscriber will be paid to the account indicated on the signature page hereto unless written instructions are received from the Subscriber to the effect that payments are to be made to another account. The Fund reserves the right to object to the Subscriber’s choice of another account in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

(t) Prospective Subscribers should check the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) website at http://www.treas.gov/ofac before making the following representations.

 

The Subscriber represents that any amounts it will contribute to the Fund will not be directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene U.S. Federal, state and international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws.

 

OFAC prohibits, among other things, the engagement in transactions with, and the provisions of services to, certain foreign countries, territories, entities and individuals. The lists of OFAC prohibited countries, territories, persons and entities can be found on the OFAC website.

 

The Subscriber hereby represents and warrants, to the best of its knowledge, that none of:

 

(i) the Subscriber;

 

(ii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, the Subscriber;

 

(iii) if the Subscriber is a privately held entity, any person having a beneficial interest in the Subscriber; or

 

(iv) any person for whom the Subscriber is acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment

 

(A) is a country, territory, individual or entity named on an OFAC list, or is an individual or entity that resides or has a place of business in a country or territory named on such lists;

 

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(B) is a senior foreign political figure1, or any immediate family member2 or close associate3 of a senior foreign political figure within the meaning of the Department of Treasury’s Guidance on Enhanced Scrutiny for Transactions That May Involve the Proceeds of Foreign Official Corruption4 and as referenced in the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, as amended (the “Patriot Act”);5 or

 

(C) is a “foreign shell bank”6 or transacts business with a “foreign shell bank”.

 

The Subscriber agrees to promptly notify the Fund should the Subscriber become aware of any change in the information set forth in these representations. The Subscriber is advised that, by law, the Fund may be obligated to “freeze the account” of the Subscriber by prohibiting additional contributions, refusing to process a distribution to Subscriber or suspending other rights the Subscriber may have under this Subscription Agreement or the Operative Documents, and the Fund may also be required to report such action and to disclose the Subscriber’s identity to OFAC.

 

The Subscriber understands that the Fund may not accept any contributed amounts from the Subscriber if it cannot make the representations set forth above and the Fund may return any contributed amounts to the Subscriber if the information provided to the Fund is incomplete or is deemed suspicious.

 

If the Subscriber is an investment entity, then the Subscriber hereby represents and warrants to the Fund that the Subscriber is aware of the requirements of the Patriot Act, the regulations administered by OFAC and other applicable U.S. Federal, state or non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations (collectively, the “anti- money laundering/OFAC laws”). The Subscriber further represents and warrants that it has anti-money laundering policies and procedures in place reasonably designed to verify the identity of its beneficial owners and/or underlying investors (as applicable) and their sources of funds. Such policies and procedures are properly enforced and are consistent with the anti-money laundering/OFAC laws. The Subscriber hereby represents and warrants to the Fund that, to the best of its knowledge, the Subscriber’s beneficial owners and/or underlying investors (as applicable) are not individuals, entities or countries that may subject the Fund to criminal or civil violations of any anti-money laundering/OFAC laws. The Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Fund, or any other party on behalf of the Fund, may be required and shall be entitled to reveal any information regarding the Fund and the Subscriber’s investment in the Fund, including details of the Subscriber’s identity, to their regulators and/or any other government agency within their jurisdiction, as they shall, in their sole and absolute discretion, consider appropriate. The Subscriber will promptly provide any additional documentation the Fund may request in the future to the extent the Fund determines necessary in order to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws or policies or other applicable laws.

 

 

1 A “senior foreign political figure” is defined as a current or former senior official in the executive, legislative, administrative, military or judicial branches of a non-U.S. government (whether elected or not); a senior official of a major non-U.S. political party; or a senior executive of a non-U.S. government-owned commercial enterprise. In addition, a “senior foreign political figure” includes any corporation, business or other entity that has been formed by, or for the benefit of, a senior foreign political figure. Senior executives are individuals with substantial authority over policy, operations or the use of government-owned resources.

2 “Immediate family” of a senior foreign political figure typically includes the figure’s parents, siblings, spouse, children and in-laws.
3 A “close associate” of a senior foreign political figure is a person who is widely and publicly known to maintain an unusually close relationship with the senior foreign political figure, and includes a person who is in a position to conduct substantial domestic and international financial transactions on behalf of the senior foreign political figure.
4 For a more extensive discussion of the preceding terms and definitions, see http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/2001/sr0103a1.pdf.
5 The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-56 (2001).
6 A “foreign shell bank” is a foreign bank that does not have a physical presence in any country.

 

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(u) The Subscriber has indicated in Section 6.5 whether it is a “Benefit Plan Investor”. If it is not a Benefit Plan Investor on the date this Subscription Agreement is signed, the Subscriber agrees to notify the Fund in writing in advance if it anticipates becoming a Benefit Plan Investor at any time while it continues to hold any Shares in the Fund and to provide the information concerning its Benefit Plan Investor status required in Section 6.5. If the Subscriber is an entity that is a Benefit Plan Investor, it has indicated in Section 6.5 the percentage of its equity interests that are held by Benefit Plan Investors and will promptly notify the Fund in writing if that percentage changes.

 

(v) If the Subscriber is an insurance company and is investing the assets of its general account (or the assets of any wholly-owned subsidiary of its general account) in the Fund, it has indicated in Section 6.5 whether its assets include “plan assets” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and the percentage of its assets that constitute “plan assets”. The Subscriber will promptly notify the Fund in writing if that percentage changes.

 

(w) If the Subscriber is a Benefit Plan Investor, the Subscriber acknowledges that it is intended that the Fund will not hold “plan assets”, as described in Section 6.5, of any Benefit Plan Investor that acquires Interests in the Fund. Accordingly, the Subscriber agrees that the Fund may at any time require the Subscriber to sell all or any portion of its Shares as, in the opinion of the Fund, is necessary to attempt to ensure that the assets of the Fund do not include “plan assets”.

 

(x) If the Subscriber is or will be, or is or will be acting on behalf of, an ERISA Plan or a Tax-Favored Plan, as those terms are defined in Section 6.5, or an entity that is a “Benefit Plan Investor” by reason of holding plan assets of any ERISA Plan or Tax-Favored Plan as described in Section 6.5 (each of the foregoing, a “Plan”): (i) the person or entity signing this Subscription Agreement is a fiduciary of each the Plan (the “Plan Fiduciary”); (ii) the decision to invest in the Fund was made by the Plan Fiduciary; (iii) the Plan Fiduciary is unrelated to the Fund and the Investment Advisor and any person affiliated therewith and is duly authorized to make such an investment decision on behalf of the Plan; (iv) the acquisition and subsequent holding of the Shares do not and will not constitute a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 the Code; (v) the Plan’s subscription to invest in the Fund and the purchase of Shares contemplated hereby is in accordance with the terms of the Plan’s governing instruments; and (vi) the Plan Fiduciary has not relied on, and is not relying on, the investment advice of the Fund nor any of its directors, officers, employees, or representatives with respect to the Plan’s investment in the Fund, and neither the Fund nor any of its directors, officers, employees, or representatives, has any investment discretion with respect to the assets of the Plan which will be used to purchase the Shares.

 

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(y) If the Subscriber is a “governmental plan” within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA, a “church” plan within the meaning of Section 3(33) of ERISA, a non-U.S. plan or other plan subject to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. law similar to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code (collectively, “Other Plans”), or a trust, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that is deemed to hold assets of an Other Plan under applicable law, then the Subscriber represents, warrants and agrees that: (i) the assets of the Fund will not be considered to include the assets of such Other Plan under the provisions of applicable law as a result of the Subscriber’s investment in the Fund; (ii) there is no federal, state, local or non-U.S. law, rule, regulation or constitutional provision applicable to the Other Plan that could in any respect affect the operation of the Fund, or prohibit any action contemplated by the Fund’s governing documents or related disclosures; and (iii) the Subscriber’s investment in the Fund is in accordance with the constituent documents of the Other Plan and will not result in a breach of any law, statute, rule, regulation or order of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Subscriber or any of its assets, including, without limitation, any law substantially similar to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

(z) In the event that the Subscriber is acting as agent, representative or nominee for another party (a “Beneficial Owner”), the Subscriber understands and acknowledges that the representations, warranties and agreements made herein are made by the Subscriber: (i) with respect to the Subscriber; and (ii) with respect to each Beneficial Owner of the Shares subscribed for hereby. The Subscriber represents and warrants that the Subscriber has all requisite power and authority from said Beneficial Owner(s) to execute and perform the obligations under this Subscription Agreement and has anti-money laundering policies and procedures in place reasonably designed to verify the identity of each Beneficial Owner and the sources of each Beneficial Owner’s funds. Such policies and procedures are properly enforced and are consistent with anti-money laundering/OFAC laws such that the Fund may rely on this representation. The Subscriber agrees, except to the extent specifically prohibited by applicable law, to indemnify the Fund and its officers, agents and affiliates for any and all costs, fees and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) in connection with any damages resulting from the Subscriber’s or any Beneficial Owner’s misrepresentation or misstatement contained herein, or the assertion of the Subscriber’s lack of proper authorization from each Beneficial Owner of the Shares subscribed for hereby to enter into this Subscription Agreement or perform the obligations thereof.

 

(aa) The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Fund may release and disclose to any service provider to the Fund, to regulatory, taxing or law enforcement authorities in any applicable jurisdiction to which any of the Fund and/or the Investment Advisor is or may be subject, copies of this Subscription Agreement and Subscription Documents Booklet and confidential information concerning the Subscriber, and if applicable, person(s) with a direct or indirect beneficial interest in the Shares or in the Subscriber itself, in their respective possession, whether provided by the Subscriber to the Fund or otherwise, including details of the Subscriber’s holdings in the Fund, historical and pending transactions in the Shares and the values thereof, if the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion, determines that it is required or advisable to do so in order to ensure compliance with applicable law. Any such disclosure pursuant to the foregoing shall not be treated as a breach of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed on any of the Fund or any other such person, by law or otherwise.

 

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(bb) The Subscriber acknowledges, understands and agrees that it may receive or have access to confidential information relating to the Investment Advisor and the Fund, including, without limitation, underlying investments, portfolio positions, valuations, information regarding potential investments and all financial and performance information (collectively, “Confidential Information”), which is proprietary in nature and nonpublic. Whether or not this Subscription Agreement is accepted by the Fund, the Subscriber covenants and agrees that it shall not directly or indirectly, use, utilize or communicate or otherwise disclose such Confidential Information to any person or entity for any purpose whatsoever except: (i) as required by law; (ii) as permitted in writing by the Fund; or (iii) to the extent that such Confidential Information becomes public, other than from a violation of such Subscriber of this Subscription Agreement. Furthermore, the Subscriber has not reproduced, duplicated or delivered the Memorandum, this Subscription Agreement, the Operative Documents or any other document provided by the Fund to any other person, except professional advisers to the Subscriber or as instructed by the Fund.

 

(cc) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure (as such terms are used in Sections 6011, 6111 and 6112 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of its investment in the Fund, its former investment in the Fund (if the Subscriber has withdrawn from the Fund) and any transactions entered into by the Fund or pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Subscriber relating to such tax treatment and tax structure; provided that the Subscriber shall not disclose any information for which nondisclosure is reasonably necessary in order to comply with applicable law.

 

(dd) If the Subscriber is an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a self-directed pension plan, and this Subscription Agreement is being executed by a custodian or a directed trustee on behalf of such Subscriber, the individual who established the IRA or the person who directed the pension plan’s investment in the Fund, as the case may be: (i) has directed the custodian or trustee of the Subscriber to execute this Subscription Agreement on the line set forth below for Authorized Signatory; (ii) has exclusive authority with respect to the decision to invest in the Fund; and (iii) has signed below to indicate that he or she has reviewed, directed and certifies to the accuracy of the representation and warranties made by the Subscriber herein.

 

(ee) (i) The Subscriber understands, acknowledges and agrees that pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, (or any amended or successor version) and any current or future regulations promulgated under such Sections or any official interpretations thereof (“FATCA”) the Fund is required to obtain from Subscriber certain identifying information, including, without limitation, name and address, and documentation, about Subscriber and Subscriber’s direct and indirect owners, and whether Subscriber or any such owner is a U.S. person or entity, and other tax-related information and documentation (collectively, the “FATCA Information”).

 

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(ii) The Subscriber (A) agrees to promptly deliver all FATCA Information upon request by the Fund, the Investment Advisor or the Administrator and to certify such information in such form as may be required, and (B) understands, acknowledges and agrees that the FATCA Information may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other governmental tax authorities by the Fund, the Investment Advisor or the Administrator.

 

(iii) The Subscriber understands, acknowledges and agrees that if the Subscriber does not provide the requested FATCA Information, the Fund may, at its sole option and in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity, immediately redeem the Subscriber’s Shares in accordance with the procedures set forth elsewhere herein or prohibit the Subscriber from purchasing additional Shares or participating in additional investments in the Fund, decline or delay redemption requests, if any, by the Subscriber and/or deduct from such Subscriber’s account and retain amounts sufficient to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund from any and all withholding taxes, interest, penalties and other losses or liabilities suffered by the Fund on account of the Subscriber’s not providing all requested FATCA Information in a timely manner, and to ensure that such withholding taxes, interest, penalties and other losses or liabilities are economically borne by the Subscriber. The Subscriber shall have no claim against the Fund, the Administrator, the Investment Adviser or any of their respective affiliates for any form of damages or liability as a result of any of the aforementioned actions.

 

(iv) The Subscriber further agrees to notify the Fund, the Investment Advisor and the Administrator immediately of any change in any of the FATCA Information previously provided to the Fund, the Investment Advisor or the Administrator. In the event of any change in the applicable status of Subscriber for purposes of FATCA or the FATCA Agreements, the Subscriber hereby agrees to promptly inform the Fund, the Investment Advisor and the Administrator thereof and execute and deliver any applicable new IRS Forms or other tax-related documentation and information as necessary for the Fund to comply with its obligations under FATCA.

 

2.2. Additional Information and Subsequent Changes. The Fund may request from the Subscriber such additional information as it may deem necessary to evaluate the eligibility of the Subscriber to acquire the Shares. The Fund and/or the Investment Advisor from time to time may also request additional information from the Subscriber to enable them to determine their compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, to preserve the Fund’s tax status, and/or for other reasons, including, without limitation, information regarding the Subscriber (and its beneficial owner) that will enable the Fund to comply with its tax reporting and withholding obligations, including its obligations set forth under Code Sections 1471-1474 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. The Subscriber agrees to provide such information as may reasonably be requested.

 

The Subscriber also agrees to promptly notify the Fund in writing if there is any change with respect to any of the information or representations made herein.

 

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2.3. Exculpation. The Subscriber hereby agrees that none of the Fund or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, principals, members or employees, shall incur any liability (i) in respect of any action taken upon any information provided to the Fund by the Subscriber or for relying on any notice, consent, request, instructions or other instrument believed, in good faith, to be genuine or to be signed by properly authorized persons on behalf of the Subscriber, including any document transmitted by facsimile, or (ii) for adhering to the anti-money laundering obligations set out herein or anti-money laundering laws and regulations of the United States or any similar law whether nor or hereinafter in effect.

 

2.4. Indemnification. The Subscriber understands that the acceptance of its offer to subscribe for the Shares was made in reliance upon the Subscriber’s representations and warranties set forth in this Article II. The Subscriber hereby agrees, except to the extent specifically prohibited by applicable law, to indemnify the Fund, the Investment Advisor, the Administrator and each of their respective affiliates and to defend and hold each of them harmless from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) due to or arising out of a breach of any representation, warranty or agreement of the Subscriber contained in this Subscription Agreement or in any other document provided by the Subscriber to the Fund in connection with the Subscriber’s purchase of the Shares. The Subscriber hereby agrees, except to the extent specifically prohibited by applicable law, to indemnify the Fund, the Investment Advisor, the Administrator and each of their respective affiliates, and to defend and hold each of them harmless against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) arising as a result of the sale or distribution of the Shares or any part thereof by the Subscriber in violation of the Securities Act or other applicable law or any misrepresentation or breach by the Subscriber with respect to the matters set forth herein. The Subscriber hereby agrees, except to the extent specifically prohibited by applicable law, to indemnify the Fund, the Investment Advisor, the Administrator and each of their respective affiliates, and to defend and hold each of them harmless against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) arising as a result of its or their reliance on facsimile or other instructions, or the assertion of the Subscriber’s lack of proper authorization from the beneficial owner(s) to execute and perform the obligations under this Subscription Agreement. In addition, the Subscriber agrees, except to the extent specifically prohibited by applicable law, to indemnify the Fund, the Investment Advisor, the Administrator and each of their respective affiliates and to defend and hold each of them harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) to which they may be put or which they may incur or sustain by reason of or in connection with any misrepresentation made by the Subscriber with respect to the matters about which representations and warranties are required by the terms of this Subscription Agreement, or any breach of any such warranties or any failure to fulfill any covenants or agreements set forth herein or included in the Memorandum. The Subscriber acknowledges that due to anti-money laundering/OFAC laws operating within their respective jurisdictions, the Fund, and any entity acting on the Fund’s behalf, may require further identification of the Subscriber before applications can be processed. The Subscriber agrees that the Fund, the Investment Advisor, and the Administrator shall be held harmless and indemnified by the Subscriber against any loss arising from the failure to process this application if such information as has been required from the Subscriber has not been provided by the Subscriber. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber does not waive any rights granted to it under applicable securities laws.

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY THE FUND

 

3.1. Representations and Warranties by the Fund. The Fund represents and warrants to the Subscriber that:

 

(a) At the Closing and on the first Drawdown Date, the Fund will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Maryland; (ii) the Fund will have all requisite power and authority to sell the Shares as provided herein; (iii) the sale of the Shares will not violate or conflict with any provision document or instrument by which the Fund is bound as of the first Drawdown Date; (iv) the sale of the Shares will have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the Fund’s behalf; and (v) this Subscription Agreement will have been duly executed and delivered by the Fund and will constitute a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Fund.

 

(b) On the first Drawdown Date, the Fund will have full power to conduct its business as described in the Memorandum.

 

(c) Neither the execution nor the delivery of this Subscription Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions as contemplated herein, nor compliance with the terms, conditions or provisions hereof will result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Fund is a party.

 

(d) To the actual knowledge of the Fund, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Fund is a party or to which any of the Fund property at the date hereof is subject.

 

ARTICLE IV

TRANSFERABILITY

 

4.1. General Restrictions on Transfer.

 

(a) Prior to any Liquidity Event, the Subscriber may not Transfer all or any portion of its Shares or Capital Commitment unless the Transfer is made in accordance with applicable securities laws and is otherwise in compliance with the transfer restrictions set forth in Appendix E. Each transferee must agree to be bound by these restrictions and all other obligations as an investor in the Fund. Following a Liquidity Event, the Subscriber shall be restricted from selling or disposing of its Shares by applicable securities laws, contractually by a lock-up agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 4.2(a) and with the underwriters of the Qualified IPO, if any.

 

(b) The Subscriber acknowledges that the Subscriber is aware and understands that there are other substantial restrictions on the transferability of its Capital Commitment or Shares under this Subscription Agreement, the Charter and applicable law, including the fact that (A) there is no established market for the Shares and it is possible that no public market for the Shares will develop; (B) the Shares are not currently, and Shareholders have no rights to require that the Shares be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of the various states or any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and therefore the Shares cannot be Transferred unless subsequently registered or unless an exemption from such registration is available; and (C) the Subscriber may have to hold the Shares herein subscribed for and bear the economic risk of this investment indefinitely, and it may not be possible for the Subscriber to liquidate its investment in the Fund.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber covenants that it shall not Transfer all or any part of the Shares or its Capital Commitment (or purport to do so) if such Transfer would cause (A) the Fund or the Investment Advisor to be in violation of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the U.S. Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended, the Patriot Act, or any similar U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. law or regulation; or (B) the Shares to be held by a country, territory, entity or individual currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC or any entity or individual that resides or has a place of business in, or is organized under the laws of, a country or territory that is subject to any sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

4.2. Liquidity Event-Related Restrictions.

 

(a) The Subscriber agrees that for a period beginning on the closing date of any Liquidity Event, and continuing to and including at least 360 calendar days thereafter, the Subscriber shall not, without the prior written consent of the Fund and unless in accordance with applicable securities and other laws, (i) Transfer any portion of its Capital Commitment, (ii) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the SEC in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder with respect to, any Shares of the Fund or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, or warrants or other rights to purchase Shares, (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Shares, or warrants or other rights to purchase Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iv) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) (collectively, the “Prohibited Activities”). The Subscriber agrees that the specific terms of the foregoing restrictions on Prohibited Activities, including the exact time periods of such restrictions, and any other limitations on the sale of Shares in connection with or following a Liquidity Event shall be agreed prior to the Liquidity Event between, on the one hand, the Board and/or the Investment Advisor, acting on behalf of the Stockholders, and on the other hand, the underwriters or other similar institutions, acting on the Fund’s behalf, in connection with a Liquidity Event, and that the Subscriber shall be bound by any such terms and limitations.

 

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ARTICLE V

SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

5.1. Power of Attorney and Irrevocable Proxy.

 

(a) The Subscriber hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Fund (hereinafter, the “Attorney”), as the Subscriber’s true and lawful agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and full power and authority in its name, place and stead for its use and benefit, to approve, make, execute, sign, acknowledge, swear to, record and file:

 

(1) all instruments, documents and certificates which, from time to time, may be required by the law of the United States of America, the State of Maryland or any state in which the Fund shall determine to do business, or any political subdivision or agency thereof, to execute, implement and continue the valid and subsisting existence of the Fund, or which the Fund deems to be advisable to file;

 

(2) any and all filings required to be made by the Subscriber under the Exchange Act with respect to any of the Fund’s securities that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Subscriber under the Exchange Act;

 

(3) all certificates and other instruments deemed advisable by the Fund in order for the Fund to enter into any borrowing or other financing arrangement and to grant any pledge or other security interest, including over the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment or Shares, in connection therewith;

 

(4) all certificates and other instruments deemed advisable by the Fund to comply with the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and applicable law or regulation to permit the Fund to become or to continue as a BDC;

 

(5) all conveyances and other instruments necessary or appropriate to effect the dissolution and liquidation of the Fund including, but not limited to, any stockholder vote to effect the same;

 

(6) all other instruments or papers not inconsistent with the terms of this Subscription Agreement that may be required by law to be filed on behalf of the Fund; and

 

(7) any amendment or modification to any of the foregoing and all other certificates, instruments and documents which said attorney-in-fact determines in its sole discretion are necessary or desirable to effect the provisions of this Subscription Agreement or any Other Subscription Agreement and the purposes of the Fund.

 

(b) The Attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary relating to the foregoing as fully as the Subscriber might or could do if personally present and the Subscriber hereby ratifies and confirms all that said Attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

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(c) It is expressly understood and intended by the Subscriber that the power of attorney hereby granted is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable. Said power of attorney may be exercised by the Fund either by signing separately as attorney-in-fact for the Subscriber, voting the Shares consistent with the foregoing power of attorney, or, after listing all of the Investors executing an instrument, by a single signature of the Fund acting as attorney-in-fact for all of them. Said power of attorney shall survive the death, incapacity, dissolution or termination of the Subscriber or the assignment of the Subscriber’s Shares or any part thereof.

 

(d) This power of attorney does not supersede the terms of this Subscription Agreement or any written agreement between the Fund and the Subscriber nor is it to be used to deprive the Subscriber of its rights as a Stockholder (following the closing of any purchase of Shares), and is intended only to provide a simplified system for execution of documents. The Subscriber shall execute and deliver to the Fund, within five days after the receipt of a request therefor, such confirmatory powers of attorney as the Fund may request.

 

ARTICLE VI

SUITABILITY REQUIREMENTS

 

6.1. General. The information contained herein is being furnished to the Fund in order for the Fund to determine whether the Subscription may be accepted pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D. The Subscriber understands that: (i) the Fund will rely upon the following information; (ii) the Shares will not be registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon the exemptions from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D; and no subscription for Shares will be accepted unless the Subscriber is an Accredited Investor. In accordance with the foregoing, the Subscriber makes the representations and warranties to the Fund as set forth in Section 6.2 (if an individual), Sections 6.3 (if any entity), 6.4 (if an entity), 6.5 (all Subscribers), 6.7 (all Subscribers), 6.8 (all Subscribers) and 6.9 (all Subscribers), as applicable. If the Subscriber is an IRA, please complete Section 6.2 with respect to the Subscriber’s beneficial owner.

 

6.2. Individual Qualification as an Accredited Investor. In order to qualify as an Accredited Investor, the Subscriber must meet one of the following criteria:

 

(Please check the box at the end of each applicable Section)

 

1. The Subscriber is a natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person’s spouse, at the time of purchase, exceeds $1,000,000 (excluding the value of the primary residence of such natural person and any indebtedness secured by the residence, but including indebtedness secured by the residence in excess of its estimated fair market value and any indebtedness incurred 60 days before the proposed Closing (unless such indebtedness is used to purchase the residence)): ☐

 

2. The Subscriber is a natural person who has had income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with the Subscriber’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same in the current year: ☐

 

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3. The Subscriber is a director, executive officer, or general partner of the Fund, or a director, executive officer, or general partner of the Investment Advisor of the Fund: ☐

 

6.3. Entity Qualification as an Accredited Investor. In order to qualify as an Accredited Investor, the Subscriber must meet one of the following criteria:

 

(Please check the box at the end of each applicable Section)

 

1. A bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity: ☐

 

2. A broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Exchange Act: ☐

 

3. An insurance company as defined in Section 2(13) of the Securities Act: ☐

 

4. An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act: ☐

 

5. A business development company as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act: ☐

 

6. A Small Business Investment Company licensed by the Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended: ☐

 

7. A private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Advisers Act: ☐

 

8. An employee benefit plan within the meaning of Title I of ERISA: (a) whose investment decisions are made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA, which is either a bank, insurance company or registered investment adviser; or (b) having total assets in excess of $5,000,000; or (c) if self-directed, the investment decisions are made solely by persons that are Accredited Investors: ☐

 

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9. An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or company, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring an Interest, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000: ☐

 

10. A trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000 not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring an Interest, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated investor as described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act: ☐

 

11. A plan which has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 and which is established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees: ☐

 

12. A revocable trust which may be amended or revoked at any time by the grantors thereof, and all such grantors are Accredited Investors: ☐

 

13. An entity in which all of the equity owners are Accredited Investors: ☐

 

6.4. Additional Representations for Entities. If the Subscriber is a corporation, company, trust or other entity, the Subscriber must complete each applicable item below:

 

1. Have the beneficial owners of the Subscriber’s securities been provided the opportunity to decide whether or not to participate, or the extent of their participation, in particular investments made by the Subscriber, including the Subscription (i.e., the investors in the Subscriber have been permitted to determine whether their capital will form part of the specific capital invested by the Subscriber in the Fund)?

 

Yes ☐  No  ☐

 

If the Subscriber answered “Yes” to item 1, please complete items 2 and 3 below. Otherwise, please proceed to Section 6.5.

 

2. Each such beneficial owner participating in the Subscription is an Accredited Investor:

 

Yes  ☐  No  ☐

 

3. Please indicate the total number of the Subscriber’s beneficial owners participating in the Subscription: ____________________

 

4. Please indicate the date of formation of the Subscriber:

 

____________________

 

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6.5. Benefit Plan Investor.

 

1. Please indicate whether or not the Subscriber is or will be, or is or will be acting on behalf of, a “Benefit Plan Investor.”

 

Yes  ☐  No ☐

 

A “Benefit Plan Investor” is defined in Section 3(42) ERISA, and applicable regulations of the Department of Labor (together, the “Plan Asset Rule”). Under the Plan Asset Rule, a Benefit Plan Investor includes: (i) an employee benefit plan which is subject to Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, such as a U.S. private sector employee pension plan (an “ERISA Plan”); (ii) a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code, such as a Keogh plan covering only partners or other self-employed individuals or an IRA (a “Tax-Favored Plan”); or (iii) an entity which is deemed to hold the “plan assets” of investing ERISA Plans or Tax-Favored Plans, generally because twenty-five (25%) percent or more of the value of any class of equity interests of such entity is held by other Benefit Plan Investors. For purposes of determining whether the 25% percent threshold has been met or exceeded, the value of any equity interests held by a person (other than a Benefit Plan Investor) who has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of the entity, or any person who provides investment advice for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets, or any affiliate of such a person, is disregarded. In addition, certain other entities, such as insurance company general and separate accounts and bank collective investment trust funds, are considered to hold plan assets if any of their interests are held by Benefit Plan Investors.

 

2. If the Subscriber answered “Yes” to (1), please indicate what type of Benefit Plan Investor the Subscriber is by checking the appropriate box:

 

 

A.☐

ERISA Plan.
     
  B.☐ Tax-Favored Plan.
     
  C.☐ Insurance company separate account, common or collective trust of a bank, or group trust which is exempt from taxation pursuant to the principles of Rev.  Rul.  81-100.
     
  D. ☐ Insurance company general account whose assets include “plan assets”.
     
  E. ☐ Entity (other than those described in C and D above) holding “plan assets”.

 

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3. If the Subscriber checked box C or E in (2) above, the Subscriber represents that the value of its assets attributable to Benefit Plan Investors as a percentage of the total value of its assets is not and will not be more than (please check the applicable box). Subscribers that are insurance company general accounts should omit this question and proceed to (4) below:

 

10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
                   
60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

 

4. Is the Subscriber, or is the Subscriber acting on behalf of, an insurance company general account, or investing assets of an insurance company general account as described in Department of Labor Advisory Opinion 2005-19A?

 

Yes ☐   No ☐

 

If the Subscriber answered “Yes”, please specify the maximum percentage of the Subscriber’s assets that would constitute “plan assets” under ERISA:

 

0%

10% 20% 30% 40%  
                     
50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

 

5. Please indicate whether the Subscriber is an Other Plan Investor that is subject to any laws, rules or regulations similar to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 4975 of the Code (an “Other Law”):

 

Yes ☐   No ☐

 

If the Subscriber answered “Yes”, please specify the Other Law:

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

6. If the Subscriber is an IRA or other Benefit Plan Investor, please provide the EIN of the applicable trustee or custodian:

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

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6.6. Reserved.

 

6.7. Government Entities.

 

(a) Is the Subscriber a “government entity”?

 

Yes ☐   No ☐

 

A “government entity” is defined in Rule 206(4)-5 promulgated under the Advisers Act (the “Pay to Play Rule”) as any State or political subdivision of a State, including: (i) any agency, authority, or instrumentality of the State or political subdivision; (ii) a pool of assets sponsored or established by the State or political subdivision or any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof, including, but not limited to, a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in section 414(j) of the Code) or a State general fund; (iii) a plan or program of a government entity; and (iv) officers, agents, or employees of the State or political subdivision or any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof, acting in their official capacity.

 

(b) If the Subscriber is acting as trustee, custodian or nominee for a beneficial owner that is a government entity, please provide the name of the government entity:

 

___________________________________________________________________________

  

(c) If the Subscriber is an entity substantially owned by a government entity (e.g., a single investor vehicle) and the investment decisions of such entity are made or directed by such government entity, please provide the name of the government entity:

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

Please note that, if the Subscriber enters the name of a government entity in this Section 6.7, the Fund will treat the Subscriber as if it were the government entity for purposes of the Pay to Play Rule.

 

(d) If the Subscriber is (i) a government entity, (ii) acting as trustee, custodian or nominee for a beneficial owner that is a government entity, or (iii) an entity described in Item C, the Subscriber hereby certifies that other than the Pay to Play Rule, no “pay to play” or other similar compliance obligations would be imposed on the Fund and the Investment Advisor in connection with the Subscription.

 

If the Subscriber cannot make this certification, indicate in the space below all other “pay to play” laws, rules or guidelines, or lobbyist disclosure laws or rules, the Fund, the Investment Advisor, employees or third-party placement agents would be subject to in connection with the Subscription:

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

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6.8. Investment Companies. Is the Subscriber (i) a private investment company which is not registered under the Investment Company Act in reliance on Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) thereof; (ii) an “investment company” registered under the Investment Company Act or (iii) a “business development company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act?

 

Yes ☐  No ☐

 

If the box above was checked “Yes,” please contact the Fund for additional information that will be required.

 

6.9. Controlling Person. Is the Subscriber or will the Subscriber be a person (including an entity) that has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of the Fund or a person who provides investment advice with respect to the assets of the Fund or an “affiliate” of such a person? For purposes of this representation and agreement, an “affiliate” is any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such person, including by reason of having the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of such person.

 

Yes  ☐  No ☐

 

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1. Addresses and Notices. The address of each party for all purposes shall be the address set forth on the first page of this Subscription Agreement, as to the Fund, or on the signature page annexed hereto, as to the Subscriber, or such other address of which the other party has received written notice. Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent to such party at such address by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or by any other means approved by the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

7.2. Titles and Captions. All Article and Section titles or captions in this Subscription Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Subscription Agreement and do not in any way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof.

 

7.3. Assignability. This Subscription Agreement is not transferable or assignable by the Subscriber.

 

7.4. Pronouns and Plurals. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms. The singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

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7.5. Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or forbear from taking all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Subscription Agreement. Each party shall bear its own expenses in connection therewith.

 

7.6. Governing Law; Forum/Jurisdiction/Venue. This Subscription Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles. With the exception of any causes of action which must, pursuant to Maryland law, be commenced in Maryland courts, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Federal and state courts sitting in Johnson County, Kansas with respect to all legal proceedings arising out of or related to this Subscription Agreement or the subject matter thereof and agree that process, orders, judgments or other documents of any kind relating to court proceedings against such party served either personally or by registered mail shall constitute adequate service of process with respect to any proceedings brought hereunder and hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to such jurisdiction or venue on the basis that such proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum. The parties hereto hereby waive all rights to trial by jury in any action, suit or proceeding brought to enforce or defend any rights or remedies under this Subscription Agreement.

 

7.7. Permitted Transactions and Binding Effect. This Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, administrators, successors, legal representatives, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns. If the Subscriber is more than one person, the obligation of the Subscriber shall be joint and several and the agreements, representations, warranties and acknowledgments herein contained shall be deemed to be made by and be binding upon each such person and the Subscriber’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors.

 

7.8. Integration. This Subscription Agreement, together with any other document that may be delivered in connection herewith and signed by both parties hereto, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all contemporaneous and prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, pertaining thereto. No covenant, representation or condition not expressed in this Subscription Agreement shall affect or be deemed to interpret, change or restrict the express provisions hereof.

 

7.9. No Oral Agreements or Representations. Any representation, promise or agreement subsequent to the execution of this Subscription Agreement must be in writing and signed by the Fund or its duly authorized agent in order to be reasonably relied upon or enforced.

 

7.10. Amendment. This Subscription Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only with the written approval of all parties.

 

7.11. Reserved.

 

7.12. Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, agreement, term or condition of this Subscription Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy available upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or of such or any other covenant, agreement, term or condition.

 

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7.13. Rights and Remedies. The rights and remedies of each of the parties hereunder shall be mutually exclusive, and the implementation of one or more of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall not preclude the implementation of any other provision.

 

7.14. Counterparts. This Subscription Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties notwithstanding that all the parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.

 

7.15. Construction. The language used in this Subscription Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of construing agreements against the drafter (i.e., contra proferentem) will be applied against any party.

 

7.16. Severability. The provisions of this Subscription Agreement are severable and if any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or any other clause or provision of this Subscription Agreement in any jurisdiction.

 

7.17. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided herein, the parties acknowledge that by the execution of this Subscription Agreement they do not intend to create rights in any person or entity other than themselves and no such third person or entity shall be justified in relying upon any provision of this Subscription Agreement.

 

7.18. Electronic Communication. The Subscriber hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Fund and/or the Investment Advisor may deliver and make reports, statements and other communications, including, without limitation, the Memorandum, the Operative Documents, this Subscription Agreement, Forms 1099 and other tax related information and documentation (“Account Communications”), available to the Subscriber in electronic form, such as e-mail or by posting on a web site in lieu of or in addition to sending such communications as hard copies via fax or mail. E-mail messages are not secure and may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, interfered with or deleted without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. The Fund makes no warranties in relation to these matters. The Fund reserves the right to intercept, monitor and retain e-mail messages to and from its systems as permitted by applicable law. If the Subscriber has any doubts about the authenticity of an e-mail purportedly sent by the Fund, the Subscriber must contact the Fund immediately. It is the Subscriber’s affirmative obligation to notify the Fund in writing if the Subscriber’s e-mail address set forth on the signature page hereto changes. The Subscriber may revoke or restrict its consent to electronic delivery of Account Communications at any time by notifying the Fund, in writing, of the Subscriber’s intention to do so, and will thereafter receive such Account Communications in paper form.

 

*** THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN

INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ***

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Subscriber has executed, and the Fund has accepted, this Subscription Agreement as of the date set forth below.

 

     
Social Security or Employer Identification Number   Print Name of Subscriber
     
Signature for Individual Subscribers:    
     
     
Signature of Subscriber  

Date(s) of Birth of Subscriber(s)

     
     
    Residence (if an individual) or Principal Place of Business (if an entity):
     
     
Signature of Subscriber, if Joint Ownership   Street
     
Signature for Subscriber Other than Individual:    
     
By:                                              
Signature of Authorized Signatory   City                         State                         Zip Code
     
     
    Mailing Address of Subscriber (if different from principal address):
     
     
Print Name and Title of Authorized Signatory   Street (No P.O. Boxes Please)
     
For Subscribers acting on behalf of Individual Beneficial Owners (including IRAs):    
    City                        State                        Zip Code
     
     
Print Name of Individual Beneficial Owner   Telephone Number of Subscriber
     
     
Signature of Individual Beneficial Owner   Facsimile Number of Subscriber
     
     
Social Security Number of Individual Beneficial Owner   E-Mail Address of Subscriber
     
If Joint Ownership, check one:   If Other than Individual Subscribers, check one:
     
☐ Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship General Partnership ☐ Trust
☐ Tenants-in-Common   Limited Partnership ☐ “Grantor” Trust
☐ Community Property   Corporation ☐ Limited Liability Company
☐ Estate   S Corporation ☐ Other
        (specify): ____________
     

$__________________________________

Capital Commitment

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

PAYMENT INFORMATION. Set forth below is the relevant information regarding the origin of the funds being invested by the Subscriber:   WIRING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISTRIBUTIONS. If applicable, set forth below is the relevant information regarding wiring instructions for cash distributions from Fund investments. If left blank, any such distributions will be sent to the account listed under “PAYMENT INFORMATION” herein:
     

(a) Name of the bank from which the check is issued or the payment is being wired (the “Bank”):

 

                                                                                       

 

(b) Location of Bank:                                                      

(c) ABA#:                                                                          

(d) SWIFT Address:                                                       

(e) If the Subscriber is a customer of the Bank,

please provide account number:

 

(a) Name of the bank to which the payment is being wired:

 

 

                                                                                                            

 

(b) Location of such bank:                                                          

(c) ABA#:                                                                              

(d) SWIFT Address:                                                                 

(e) If the Subscriber is a customer of such bank, please provide account number:

                                                                                                                                                                                                             
   

ADVISORY FIRM. If referred by an outside investment advisory or similar firm, please complete the following:

 

(a) Advisory Firm Name:                                                       

(b) Contact Person:                                                     

(c) Work Telephone:                                                         

(d) Facsimile:                                                                       

(e) Email:                                                                              

(f) NSCC DTCC Rep#:

_____________________________________________

(g) NSCC DTCC Branch#:

 

ADVISORY FIRM, cont. Please indicate what you would like us to provide to the Advisory Firm identified herein:

 

☐ All Below

☐ SEC Reports

☐ Drawdown Notices (if applicable)

☐ Signed Subscription Documents

I authorize you to take instructions from representatives of such investment advisory firm with respect to the delivery account related statements and communications, withdrawals, contributions or transfer instructions. _____ (initial)

                                                                                               
     

FOREGOING SUBSCRIPTION ACCEPTED:

 

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

 

By:                                                                                        

Name:

Title:

 

Date:                                                                                                

   

 

31

 

 

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATION WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENT FOR AN IRA

 

If the Subscriber is an individual retirement account (an “IRA”) or a self-directed pension, and this Subscription Agreement is being executed by a custodian or directed trustee on behalf of such subscriber, then the individual who established the IRA or who directed the plan’s investment in the Fund, as the case may be: (i) has directed the custodian or trustee of the Subscriber to execute this Subscription Agreement on the signature page; and (ii) has exclusive authority with respect to the decision to invest in the Fund; and (iii) has signed below to indicate that he or she has reviewed, directed and certifies to the accuracy of the representation and warranties made by the Subscriber herein.

 

____________________________________

Type Name

 

____________________________________

Signature

 

Name and Address of Custodian

and Contact Individual:

 

___________________________

 

___________________________

 

___________________________

 

Account or other Reference Number:

 

___________________________

 

Trustee/Custodian’s Tax I.D. Number:

 

___________________________

 

**** IRA custodian or trustee in every case must sign acknowledgment on next page****

 

32

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PAGE

 

Acknowledgement of Custodian of Self-Directed Individual Retirement Account

 

Subscriber Name:                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

The undersigned, being the custodian of the above named individual retirement account, hereby acknowledges this subscription.

 

By:     Signature:  
  Name of Authorized Signatory     Name of Custodian (Please Type or Print)
  (Please Type or Print)      

 

33

 

 

APPENDIX A

BYLAWS OF THE FUND

 

[See attached]

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX B

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE FUND

 

[See attached]

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX C

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

[See attached]

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX D

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

[See attached]

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX E

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

 

This Appendix E is attached to and made a part of the Subscription Agreement with the Subscriber. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Subscription Agreement.

 

Prior to a Liquidity Event, no Transfer of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment or all or any portion of the Subscriber’s Shares may be made without (a) registration of the Transfer on the Fund’s books and (b) the prior written consent of the Fund. In any event, the consent of the Fund may be withheld (i) if the creditworthiness of the proposed transferee, as determined by the Fund in its sole discretion, is not sufficient to satisfy all obligations under the Subscription Agreement or (ii) unless, in the opinion of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) satisfactory in form and substance to the Fund such Transfer would not violate the Securities Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or “blue sky” laws applicable to the Fund or the Shares to be Transferred.

 

In addition, prior to a Liquidity Event that is sufficient to cause us to treat our Shares as a “publicly-offered security” for purposes of ERISA, initial or additional investments by Benefit Plan Investors may be restricted. Specifically, subscriptions for Shares by, or transfers of Shares to, Benefit Plan Investors may be rejected, and existing Benefit Plan Investors may be required to redeem all or a portion of their Shares. Any such restrictions or mandatory redemptions will be effected in such manner as the Company determines, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate under the circumstances if such transfer could (1) result in the Fund’s assets being considered to be “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (2) constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a non-exempt violation of any laws similar to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

Any person that acquires all or any portion of the Capital Commitment of the Subscriber in a Transfer permitted under this Appendix E shall be obligated to pay to the Fund the appropriate portion of any amounts thereafter becoming due in respect of the Capital Commitment committed to be made by its predecessor in interest. The Subscriber agrees that, notwithstanding the Transfer of all or any fraction of its Capital Commitment, as between it and the Fund it shall remain liable for its Capital Commitment prior to the time, if any, when the purchaser, assignee or transferee of such Capital Commitment, or fraction thereof, executes and delivers to the Fund documentation evidencing such person’s obligations to fund such Capital Commitment.

 

The Fund shall not recognize for any purpose any purported Transfer of all or any portion of the Shares and/or Capital Commitment and shall be entitled to treat the transferor of the Shares and/or Capital Commitment, as applicable, as the absolute owner or obligor thereof in all respects, and shall incur no liability for distributions or dividends made in good faith to it, unless the Fund shall have given its prior written consent thereto and there shall have been filed with the Fund a dated notice of such Transfer, in form satisfactory to the Fund, executed and acknowledged by both the seller, assignor or transferor and the purchaser, assignee or transferee, and such notice (a) contains the acceptance by the purchaser, assignee or transferee of all of the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement and its agreement to be bound thereby, and (b) represents that such Transfer was made in accordance with this Subscription Agreement, the provisions of the Memorandum and all applicable laws and regulations applicable to the transferee and the transferor.

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE(S)

 

 

 

 

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE(S)

 

(To Be Signed By All Subscribers)

 

Set forth below are the names of persons authorized by the Subscriber to give and receive instructions between the Fund and the Subscriber, together with their respective signatures. Such persons are the only persons so authorized until further written notice to the Fund signed by one or more of such persons. (Please attach additional pages if needed)

 

Name / Title

Signature
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING SUPPLEMENT

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Supplement

 

You (the “Subscriber”) must complete this supplement (the “Anti-Money Laundering Supplement”) in order to become a shareholder of Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (the “Fund”). Your subscription agreement will not be deemed complete, and you will not be issued shares of common stock of the Fund (the “Shares”), regardless of whether you have already wired funds, until all of the required documentation listed below is received by the Fund. For additional information, please contact the Fund at (816) 994-3201.

 

I: PAYMENT INFORMATION

 

(a) Name of Subscriber:                                                                                                                              

 

(b) Country of Birth of Subscriber:                                                                                                            

 

(c) Citizenship of Subscriber:                                                                                                                     

 

(d) Name of the bank from which your payment to the Fund is being wired
(the “Wiring Bank”):                                                                                                                              

 

(e) Is the Wiring Bank located in a FATF Country*? YES ☐   NO 

 

If yes, please answer question (d) below.

 

If no, please skip to Item II below.  

 

(f) Are you a customer of the Wiring Bank? YES ☐   NO ☐

 

You must wire the payment from an account in your name.

 

II: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The following materials must be provided to the Fund:

 

For Individuals or Participants in Individual Retirement Accounts, Keogh Plans and Other Self- Directed Defined Contribution Plans

 

A certified copy of a government issued form of picture identification (e.g., passport).

 

 

* As of the date hereof, countries and regional organizations that are members of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (each, a “FATF Country”) are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Gulf Co-operation Council, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

 

 

 

 

A certified copy of proof of current address (e.g., current utility bill).

 

For Fund of Funds or Entities that Invest on Behalf of Third Parties that are Not Located in the U.S. or Other FATF Country

 

☐  A certified copy of a certificate of due formation and organization and continued authorization to conduct business in the jurisdiction of its organization (e.g., certificate of good standing).

 

A certified copy of an incumbency certificate attesting to the title of the individual executing the Anti-Money Laundering Supplement on behalf of the prospective Subscriber (a sample Incumbency Certificate is attached hereto as Exhibit A).

 

A completed copy of Exhibit B certifying that the Subscriber has adequate anti-money laundering policies and procedures in place that are consistent with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and OFAC (as defined below).

 

A letter of reference from a local office of a reputable bank or brokerage firm which is incorporated, or has its principal place of business located, in a FATF Country certifying that the prospective Subscriber maintains an account at such bank/brokerage firm and containing a statement affirming the prospective Subscriber’s integrity (a sample Letter of Reference is attached hereto as Exhibit C).

 

For All Other Entity Subscribers

 

A certified copy of a certificate of due formation and organization and continued authorization to conduct business in the jurisdiction of its organization (e.g., certificate of good standing).

 

A certified copy of an incumbency certificate attesting to the title of the individual executing the Anti-Money Laundering Supplement on behalf of the prospective Subscriber (a sample Incumbency Certificate is attached hereto as Exhibit A).

 

A letter of reference from a local office of a reputable bank or brokerage firm which is incorporated, or has its principal place of business located, in a FATF Country certifying that the prospective Subscriber maintains an account at such bank/brokerage firm for a length of time and containing a statement affirming the prospective Subscriber’s integrity (a sample Letter of Reference is attached hereto as Exhibit C).

 

If the prospective Subscriber is a privately-held entity, a completed copy of Exhibit D listing the name of each person who directly, or indirectly through intermediaries, is the beneficial owner of 25% or more of any voting or non-voting class of equity interests of the prospective Subscriber.

 

If the prospective Subscriber is a trust, a completed copy of Exhibit E listing the current beneficiaries of the trust that have, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of any interest in the trust, the settlor of the trust and the trustees.

 

Note: Copies should either be certified as being true and correct or otherwise notarized. A certifier must be a suitable person, generally a lawyer, accountant, director or manager of a regulated financial institution, a notary public, a member of the judiciary or senior civil servant, or a confirmed director or officer of an entity.

 

 

 

  

REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE SUBSCRIBER

 

You should check the website of the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) at http://www.treas.gov/ofac before making the following representations.

 

(A) The Subscriber represents that the amounts contributed by it to the Fund were not and are not directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws and regulations.

 

Federal regulations and executive orders administered by OFAC prohibit, among other things, the engagement in transactions with, and the provision of services to, certain foreign countries, territories, entities and individuals.** The lists of OFAC prohibited countries, territories, persons and entities can be found on the OFAC website at http://www.treas.gov/ofac. In addition, the programs administered by OFAC (“OFAC Programs”) prohibit dealing with individuals or entities in certain countries regardless of whether such individuals or entities appear on the OFAC lists.

 

The Subscriber represents and warrants that, to the best of its knowledge, none of:

 

(1) the Subscriber;

 

(2) any person controlling or controlled by the Subscriber;

 

(3) if the Subscriber is a privately held entity, any person having a beneficial interest in the Subscriber; or

 

(4) any person for whom the Subscriber is acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment

 

is a country, territory, individual or entity named on an OFAC list, nor is a person or entity prohibited under the OFAC Programs.

 

Please be advised that the Fund may not accept any amounts from a prospective Subscriber if it cannot make the representation set forth in the preceding paragraph. If an existing Subscriber cannot make these representations, the Fund may require the redemption, withdrawal or other cancellation of the Shares.

 

(B) The Subscriber agrees to notify the Fund promptly in writing should the Subscriber become aware of any change in the information set forth in these representations. The Subscriber is advised that, by law, the Fund may be obligated to “freeze the account” of such Subscriber, either by prohibiting additional investments from the Subscriber, refusing to process a distribution and/or segregating the assets in the account in compliance with governmental regulations, and the Fund may also be required to report such action and to disclose the Subscriber’s identity to OFAC or other applicable governmental and regulatory authorities.

  

 

** These individuals include specially designated nationals, specially designated narcotics traffickers and other parties subject to OFAC sanctions and embargo programs.

 

 

 

 

(C) The Subscriber represents and warrants that, to the best of its knowledge, none of:

 

(1) the Subscriber;

 

(2) any person controlling or controlled by the Subscriber;

 

(3) if the Subscriber is a privately held entity, any person having a beneficial interest in the Subscriber; or

 

(4) any person for whom the Subscriber is acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment

 

is a senior foreign political figure,*** or any immediate family member**** or close associate***** of a senior foreign political figure as such terms are defined in the footnotes below.

 

(D) If the Subscriber is a non-U.S. banking institution (a “Foreign Bank”) or if the Subscriber receives deposits from, makes payments on behalf of, or handles other financial transactions related to a Foreign. Bank, the Subscriber represents and warrants to the Fund that:

 

(1) the Foreign Bank has a fixed address, other than solely an electronic address, in a country in which the Foreign Bank is authorized to conduct banking activities;

 

(2) the Foreign Bank employs one or more individuals on a full-time basis;

 

(3) the Foreign Bank maintains operating records related to its banking activities;

 

(4) the Foreign Bank is subject to inspection by the banking authority that licensed the Foreign Bank to conduct banking activities; and

 

(5) the Foreign Bank does not provide banking services to any other Foreign Bank that does not have a physical presence in any country and that is not a regulated affiliate.

 

(E) The Subscriber understands and agrees that any distributions paid to it will be paid to the same account from which the Subscriber’s investment in the Fund was originally remitted, unless the Fund, in its sole and absolute discretion, agrees otherwise.

 

(F) The Subscriber agrees that, upon the request of the Fund, it will provide such information as the Fund requires to satisfy applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the Subscriber’s anti-money laundering policies and procedures, background documentation relating to its directors, trustees, settlors and beneficial owners, and audited financial statements, if any.

 

 

*** A “senior foreign political figure” is defined as a senior official in the executive, legislative, administrative, military or judicial branches of a non-U.S. government (whether elected or not), a senior official of a major non-U.S. political party, or a senior executive of a non-U.S. government-owned corporation. In addition, a “senior foreign political figure” includes any corporation, business or other entity that has been formed by, or for the benefit of, a senior foreign political figure.

 

**** “Immediate family” of a senior foreign political figure typically includes the figure’s parents, siblings, spouse, children and in-laws.

 

***** A “close associate” of a senior foreign political figure is a person who is widely and publicly known to maintain an unusually close relationship with the senior foreign political figure, and includes a person who is in a position to conduct substantial U.S. and non-U.S. financial transactions on behalf of the senior foreign political figure.

 

 

 

  

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

ALL SUBSCRIBERS MUST COMPLETE THIS SECTION.

 

The undersigned hereby represents that: (i) the information contained herein is complete and accurate and may be relied upon; and (ii) the anti-money laundering/OFAC representations contained herein are true and correct.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Anti-Money Laundering Supplement this ___ day of __________, 20__.

 

 INDIVIDUALS

ENTITIES
                                                                                              
Signature
                                                                                           
Print Name of Entity
                                                                                           
Print Name
                                                                                          
Authorized Signature
                                                                                           
Additional Subscriber Signature
                                                                                           
Print Name and Title
                                                                                           
Print Name
 

 

Name of Trustees or Other Fiduciaries Exercising Investment
Discretion with Respect to Benefit Plan or Trust

 

Signature   Printed Name   Title
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Agreement of Custodian of Individual Retirement Account

 

The undersigned, being the custodian of the above named individual retirement account, hereby accepts and agrees to this Anti-Money Laundering Supplement.

 

By:                                                                                
Signature of Authorized Signatory

                                                                                 
Name of Custodian (Please Type or Print)
   
                                                                                          
Name of Authorized Signatory (Please Type or Print)
 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE

 

The undersigned, being the _________________________of ____________________________
                                                                          Insert Title                              Insert Name of Entity

a ______________________ organized under the laws of ____________________________________
       Insert Type of Entity                                                             Insert Jurisdiction of Organization

 

(the “Subscriber”), does hereby certify on behalf of the Subscriber that the persons named below are directors and/or officers of the Subscriber and that the signature at the right of said name, respectively, is the genuine signature of said person and that the persons listed below are each an authorized signatory for the Subscriber.

 

Name   Title   Signature
                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand as of the ___ day of ______________, 20__.

 

   
  Name: Print Name of Signatory #1
  Title: Print Title of Signatory #1

 

The undersigned, ____________________________, being the duly authorized __________________________
                                                Insert Name of Signatory #2                                                                  Insert Title

of the Subscriber, does hereby certify that                                                                                          is a duly authorized officer of

               Insert Name of Signatory #1

______________________ and that the signature set forth above is [his][her] true and correct signature.

Insert Name of Subscriber

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certificate as of the ___ day of_____________, 20__.

 

   
  Name: Print Name of Signatory #2
  Title: Print Title of Signatory #2

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

AML CERTIFICATION FORM FOR FUND OF FUNDS OR ENTITIES THAT INVEST ON BEHALF OF THIRD PARTIES THAT ARE NOT LOCATED IN A FATF COUNTRY

 

The undersigned, being the _______________________of _________________________________
                                                                       Insert Title                                      Insert Name of Entity

a __________________________ organized under the laws of ____________________________________
            Insert Type of Entity                                                                Insert Jurisdiction of Organization

 

(the “Subscriber”), does hereby certify on behalf of the Subscriber that it is aware of applicable anti- money laundering laws and regulations, including the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and the regulations administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (collectively, the “anti-money laundering/OFAC laws”). The Subscriber has anti-money laundering policies and procedures in place reasonably designed to verify the identity of its beneficial holders underlying investors and their sources of funds. Such policies and procedures are properly enforced and are consistent with the anti-money laundering/OFAC laws such that Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (the “Fund”) may rely on this Certification.

 

The Subscriber hereby represents to the Fund that, to the best of its knowledge, the Subscriber’s beneficial holders underlying investors are not individuals, entities or countries that may subject the Fund to criminal or civil violations of any anti-money laundering/OFAC laws. The Subscriber has read the section entitled “Representations and Covenants of the Subscriber” in the Fund’s Anti- Money Laundering Supplement. The Subscriber has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that its beneficial holders underlying investors are able to certify to such representations. The Subscriber agrees to promptly notify the Fund in writing should the Subscriber have any questions relating to any of the investors or become aware of any changes in the representations set forth in this Certification.

 

Date:______________, 20__ By:________________________
  Name:
  Title:

 

 

 

  

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM LETTER OF REFERENCE

 

[LETTERHEAD OF LOCAL OFFICE OF FATF MEMBER BANKING INSTITUTION OR BROKERAGE FIRM]

 

Date:_______________, 20__

 

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 315

Mission Woods, KS 66205

Telephone: (816) 994-3200

Email: investorrelations@palmersquarecap.com

 

To whom it may concern:

 

I, _________________, the ___________________ of ____________________________
                             Name                                   Title                              Insert Name of Institution

certify that ________________________ has maintained an account at our institution for ____________ years and, during
                         Name of Subscriber

this period, nothing has occurred that would give our institution cause to be concerned regarding the integrity of ______________________.

Name of Subscriber                       

 

Do not hesitate to contact me at __________________________if you have any further questions.
                                                                           Insert Telephone No.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  Name:  
 

Title: 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

 

To Be Completed By Entity Subscriber That Are Privately Held Entities

 

Instructions: Please complete and return this Exhibit D and provide the name of every person who is directly, or indirectly through intermediaries, the beneficial owner of 25% or more of any voting or non- voting class of equity interests of the Subscriber. If the intermediary’s shareholders or partners are not individuals, continue up the chain of ownership listing their 25% or more equity interest holders until individuals are listed. If there are no 25% beneficial owners, please write None.

 

 

Full Name

If Shareholder is an Individual, Insert Name and Address of Principal Employer and Position

Citizenship
(for Individuals) or
Principal Place of

Business (for Entitles)

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

  

EXHIBIT E

 

TRUST OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

 

To Be Completed By Entity Subscriber That Are Trusts

 

Instructions: Please complete and return this Exhibit E and provide the name of: (i) every current beneficiary that has, directly or indirectly, an interest of 25% or more in the trust; (ii) every person who contributed assets to the trust (settlors or grantors); and (iii) every trustee. If there are intermediaries that are not individuals, continue up the chain of ownership listing their 25% or more equity interest holders until individuals are listed.

 

 

Full Name and Address

Status

(Beneficiary/Settlor/Trustee)

Citizenship

(for Individuals) or
Principal Place of

Business (for Entities)

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN ELECTION FORM

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan Election Form

 

As described in the Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”), by and between the undersigned Subscriber and Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (the “Fund”), the Fund has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, as may be amended (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”), pursuant to which, for any stockholders who do not “opt-out” of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, the Fund shall reinvest all cash distributions declared by the Fund’s board of directors on behalf of any stockholder of the Fund in exchange for a number of newly issued Shares.

 

A Subscriber may elect to “opt-out” of such Dividend Reinvestment Plan below. Amounts reinvested in the Fund pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan shall have no effect on the amount of a Subscriber’s Undrawn Commitment (as defined in the Subscription Agreement). If you wish to “opt-out” and receive Fund distributions in cash, please indicate by checking the “opt-out” box below.

  

 

  ☐   Opt-out of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan to receive cash distributions

 

 

If the Subscriber is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or any other entity, the person signing this Form is authorized to represent such entity and has the full power and authority under such entity’s governing instruments to execute and deliver this Form.

 

Date:_____________________

___________________________________________

Subscriber

 

 

___________________________________________

Signature

 

 

___________________________________________

Name and Title of Authorized Signatory (if applicable)

 

 

 

 

PALMER SQUARE CAPITAL BDC INC.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVACY
AND CERTAIN INFORMATION SHARING

 

 

 

  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVACY
AND CERTAIN INFORMATION SHARING

 

This Privacy Policy explains the manner in which the Fund and the Investment Advisor (collectively, “Company Entities”) collect, utilize and maintain nonpublic personal information about Fund investors, as required under U.S. Federal legislation. There may be additional rights under other laws that apply to you. The Company Entities reserve the right to change or revoke this Privacy Policy at any time.

 

Collection of Investor Information

 

The Company Entities collect personal information about Fund investors through the following sources:

 

Subscription forms, investor questionnaires and other information provided by the investor in writing, in person, by telephone, electronically or by any other means. This information includes name, address, nationality, employment information, and financial and investment qualifications; and

 

Investors’ transactions with the Company Entities, including account balances, investments and redemptions.

 

The Company Entities do not obtain nonpublic personal information from any other source.

 

Disclosure of Nonpublic Personal Information

 

The Company Entities do not disclose nonpublic personal information about Fund investors to nonaffiliated third parties or to affiliated entities, except as permitted by U.S. law. For example, the Company Entities may share nonpublic personal information in the following situations:

 

To respond to a subpoena or court order, judicial process or regulatory authorities;

 

To protect against fraud, unauthorized transactions (such as money laundering), claims or other liabilities;

 

To service providers in connection with the administration and servicing of the Company Entities, which may include attorneys, accountants, auditors, or other professionals;

 

To service or process Fund transactions; and

 

Upon consent of an investor to release such information, including authorization to disclose such information to persons acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity on behalf of the investor.

   

Protection of Investor Information

 

The Company Entities maintain safeguards that comply with U.S. Federal standards to protect investor information. The Company Entities restrict access to the personal and account information of investors to those persons who need to know such information in the course of their job responsibilities. Third parties with which the Company Entities share investor information must agree to follow appropriate standards of security and confidentiality.