As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2020

File No. 000-56126

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 1

to

FORM 10

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.

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

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. There can be no guarantee that a public offering will take place and investors should not rely on a public offering for liquidity; investors may not have access to the amount they invested until the completion of a public offering or the liquidation of the Company.

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

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.

In connection with an investment in the Company, please note the following:

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:

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.

The Company

We are a financial services company that primarily lends to and invests in corporate 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 prior to the effective date of this Registration Statement. 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, including the equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs. 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” (i.e., loans to companies with existing debt). Therefore, our investments may result in an above average amount of risk and volatility or loss of principal. Our corporate debt securities and CLO debt investments typically have maturities of three to ten years. To a limited extent, we may enter into derivatives 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 or to earn income and enhance our total returns. 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 conducted and expect to conduct additional 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”). As set forth in the Subscription Agreement, if an investor fails to pay all or a portion of the Drawdown, and such default remains uncured for a period of ten days (such investor, a “Defaulting Investor”), the Company will be permitted to pursue any remedies against the Defaulting Investor available under the Subscription Agreement or at law or at equity, including prohibiting the Defaulting Investor from purchasing additional shares of common stock, offering up to 100% of the Defaulting Investor’s shares of common stock to the other investors for purchase at a price equal to the lesser of the then-current net asset value of such shares of common stock or the highest price reasonably obtainable by the Company therefor, or transferring up to 50% of the Defaulting Investor’s shares of common stock to the other investors. See “Item 1. Business—The Private Offering.” 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 is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. 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 December 31, 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 and is responsible for the day to day management of the portfolio. 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. 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. 

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 $10.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 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 have 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, we believe that private equity sponsors have a large pool of uninvested private equity capital. 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 (which we define as companies in the United States with annual revenues between $10 million and $2.5 billion), 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 CLO structured credit that typically owns corporate debt securities. 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. A significant portion of the loans in which the Company may invest or get exposure to through its investments in structured securities may be deemed “Covenant-Lite Loans,” which means the loans contain fewer or no maintenance covenants than other loans and do not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Investments—Covenant-Lite Loans” below.

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, investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers and 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 the number of non-U.S. borrowers.

In addition, to a lesser extent, 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, 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, including through borrowing funds or issuing senior securities, and use derivatives, both for hedging purposes and to earn income and enhance total returns. The Investment Advisor may employ techniques to hedge investment risk, including without limitation, the use of forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors. The Investment Advisor may use derivatives to earn income and enhance total returns by investing in derivatives securities and monitoring such investments to ensure that each holding is maintaining its investment potential.

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 various asset classes across 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 have 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.

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.

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 the London Interbank Offered Rate (“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.

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:

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. As used herein, “total net assets” means our total assets minus our total liabilities.

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.

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 the same period, excluding the most recently completed quarter, 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, excluding the most recently completed quarter, 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, excluding the most recently completed quarter, 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:

“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 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.

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

The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the Incentive Fee based on “adjusted net investment income” that will be in place subsequent to a Listing:

Example 1—Income Incentive Fee:

Assumptions

Alternative 1

Additional Assumptions

Adjusted net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate, therefore there is no Income Incentive Fee.

Alternative 2

Additional Assumptions

Adjusted net investment income exceeds hurdle rate, therefore there is an Income Incentive Fee.

Income Incentive Fee

= 100% × “Catch-Up” + the greater of 0% AND (12.5% × (adjusted net investment income – 1.6875%)

= (100% × (1.6000% - 1.5000%)) + 0%

= 100% × 0.1000%

= 0.1000%

Alternative 3

Additional Assumptions

Adjusted net investment income exceeds hurdle rate, therefore there is an Income Incentive Fee.

Income Incentive Fee

= 100% × “Catch-Up” + the greater of 0% AND (12.5% × (adjusted net investment income - 1.6875%)

= (100% × (1.6875% - 1.5000%)) + (12.5% × (2.0000% - 1.6875%))

= 0.1875% + (12.5% × 0.3125%)

= 0.1875% + 0.0039%

= 0.1914%

Alternative 4

Additional Assumptions

= 1.60% - (9.00% - 8.00%)

= 1.60% - 1.00%

= 0.60%

Adjusted net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate, therefore there is no Income Incentive Fee.

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 have entered 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 has 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.

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 have also engaged 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 entered into and expect to enter into additional Subscription Agreements with a number of investors for the private placement of the Company’s common stock (the “Private Offering”). Each investor made or 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 such Defaulting Investor being subject to certain default provisions set forth in that investor’s Subscription Agreement, which may include causing the Defaulting Investor to offer up to 100% of the Defaulting Investor’s shares of common stock to the other investors for purchase at a price equal to the lesser of the then-current net asset value of such shares of common stock or the highest price reasonably obtainable by the Company therefor, or causing the Defaulting Investor to transfer up to 50% of the Defaulting Investor’s shares of common stock to the other investors. 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.

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.

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. We will comply with the conditions set forth in Section 63(2) of the 1940 Act when selling our common stock at a price below net asset value. 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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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. Stockholders” and “—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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. The closing of a Credit Facility is contingent on a number of conditions including, without limitation, 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 or the timing thereof.

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.

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.

Risks Associated with the Discontinuation of LIBOR

In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the phase out of the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. To identify a successor rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”), a U.S. based group convened by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was formed. Similarly, financial regulators in the UK, the European Union, Japan, and Switzerland formed working groups with the aim of recommending alternatives to LIBOR denominated in their local currencies. The ARRC is comprised of a diverse set of private-sector entities and a wide array of official-sector entities, banking regulators, and other financial sector regulators. The ARRC has identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions. Although SOFR appears to be the preferred replacement rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, it is unclear if other benchmarks may emerge or if other rates will be adopted outside of the U.S.

The expected discontinuation of LIBOR could have a material impact on our business. We expect that the dollar amount of our debt investments and borrowings that will be linked to LIBOR with maturity dates after the anticipated discontinuation date of 2021 will be material. We anticipate operational challenges in connection with the transition away from LIBOR including, but not limited to, amending loan agreements with borrowers on investments that may have not included fallback language and adding effective fallback language to new agreements in the event that LIBOR is discontinued before maturity. Beyond these challenges, we anticipate there may be additional risks to our processes and information systems that will need to be identified and evaluated by us. Due to the uncertainty of the replacement for LIBOR, the potential effect of any such event on our business and results of operations cannot yet be determined. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR, which could have an adverse impact on the market value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit we may hold or may be due to us and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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 at least once annually. 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.

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.

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 Associated with Cybersecurity and Cyber Incidents

Our business relies on secure information technology systems. These systems are subject to potential attacks, including through adverse events that threaten the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources (i.e., cyber incidents). These attacks could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption and result in disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by the Investment Advisor and third-party service providers. We, along with our Investment Advisor, have implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of the risk of a cyber incident, may be ineffective and do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. In addition, the costs related to cyber or other security threats or disruptions may not be fully insured or indemnified by other means. Furthermore, cybersecurity has become a top priority for regulators around the world, and some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security breaches involving certain types of personal data. If we fail to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, we could suffer financial losses, a disruption of our businesses, liability to investors, regulatory intervention or reputational damage.

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. In addition, a significant portion of the loans in which we may invest may be Covenant-Lite Loans. Generally, Covenant-Lite Loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in Covenant-Lite Loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Covenant-Lite Loans

A significant number of high yield loans in the market, in particular the broadly syndicated loan market, may consist of Covenant-Lite Loans. A significant portion of the loans in which the Company may invest or get exposure to through its investments in CDOs or other types of structured securities may be deemed to be Covenant-Lite Loans and it is possible that such loans may comprise a majority of the Company’s portfolio. Such loans do not require the borrower to maintain debt service or other financial ratios and do not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. Ownership of Covenant-Lite Loans may expose the Company to different risks, including with respect to liquidity, price volatility, ability to restructure loans, credit risks and less protective loan documentation, than is the case with loans that contain financial maintenance covenants.

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.

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.

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.

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, including preferred stock or common stock, or acquire warrants to purchase 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.

Municipal Bonds

We may in certain limited circumstances invest in municipal bonds or loans. The yield and/or value of our investments in municipal securities may be adversely affected by events tied to the municipal securities markets, which can be very volatile and significantly impacted by unfavorable legislative or political developments and negative changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers and the economy. For example, a credit rating downgrade, bond default or bankruptcy involving an issuer within a particular state or territory could affect the market values and marketability of many or all municipal obligations of that state or territory and the value of municipal securities held by us may be adversely affected. Income from municipal securities could also be declared taxable because of changes in tax laws or interpretations by taxing authorities or as a result of noncompliant conduct of a municipal issuer. Additionally, the relative amount of publicly available information about municipal securities is generally less than that for corporate securities.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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:

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, including emerging market 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.

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 primarily for hedging purposes and not for income or enhancing total returns, 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 Derivatives Transactions

While not our primary investment objective, we may engage in various derivatives transactions to facilitate portfolio management and to earn income or enhance total return, in addition to engaging in derivatives transactions for hedging and risk management purposes. The use of derivatives transactions to earn income or enhance total return may be particularly speculative. Derivatives transactions involve risks. There may be imperfect correlation between the value of derivative instruments and the underlying assets. Derivatives transactions may be subject to risks associated with the possible default of the other party to the transaction. Derivative instruments may be illiquid. Certain derivatives transactions may have economic characteristics similar to leverage, in that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain derivatives transactions that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested. Furthermore, our ability to successfully use derivatives transactions depends on our Investment Advisor’s ability to predict pertinent securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors, which cannot be assured.

The use of derivatives transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require us to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation we can realize on an investment or may cause us to hold a security that we might otherwise sell. Derivatives transactions involve risks of mispricing or improper valuation. The documentation governing a derivative instrument or transaction may be unfavorable or ambiguous. Derivatives transactions may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase our expenses. Various legislative and regulatory initiatives may impact the availability, liquidity and cost of derivative instruments, limit or restrict our ability to use certain derivative instruments or transact with certain counterparties as a part of our investment strategy, increase the costs of using derivative instruments or make derivative instruments less effective. In connection with certain derivatives transactions, we may be required to segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover such transactions. We may earn a lower total return on our portfolio than we might otherwise earn if we did not have to segregate assets in respect of, or otherwise cover, our derivatives transactions positions. Segregating assets and covering positions will not limit or offset losses on related positions.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 $10.3 billion of assets under management and 31 employees as of December 31, 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 conducted and expect to conduct additional 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.

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 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.

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:

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

Contractual Obligations

As of January 16, 2020, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, in consultation 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 and subject to the fiduciary duties owed to the Company by employees of Palmer Square in connection with the Resource Sharing Agreement, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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:

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. Currently, the SEC staff takes the position that if a BDC fails to opt out of the Control Share Act, its actions are inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act.

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:

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:

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.

Exclusive Forum

Our Articles of Incorporation provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of a different forum, and except for any claims made under the federal U.S. securities laws, 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.

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.

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.

Set forth below is a list of our financial statements attached to this Registration Statement.

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.

(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

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.

Date: January 16, 2020

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2019

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (referred to hereafter as the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, and the related statement of operations for the period from August 26, 2019 (organization of the Company) through December 31, 2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and the results of its operations for the period from August 26, 2019 (organization of the Company) through December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Kansas City, Missouri

January 16, 2020

We have served as the auditor of Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. since 2019.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc.

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2019

Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (the “Company”) was organized as a Maryland corporation on August 26, 2019 and structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company. The Company is a financial services company that primarily lends to and invests in corporate debt securities of privately held companies. The Company’s 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 its 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, including the equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs. To a limited extent, the Company may enter into derivatives 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 the Company’s portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates or to earn income and enhance the Company’s total returns. The Company may receive or purchase warrants or rights to acquire equity or other securities in connection with making a debt investment in a company.

The Company intends to elect to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 prior to the effective date of its registration statement on Form 10. In addition, for tax purposes, the Company intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The Company will be externally managed by Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC (the “Adviser”), an investment adviser that is registered with the Securities Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. No management fees will be paid to the Adviser until commencement of commercial operations.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company has had no operations other than those actions relating to organizational and registration matters, including the sale and issuance to the Adviser of 75 shares of the Company at an aggregate purchase amount of $1,500. The proceeds of the 75 shares were held in cash. The Company has authority to issue 100 shares of stock, consisting of 100 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, under its Articles of Incorporation.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company will be an investment company and applies specific accounting and financial reporting requirements under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

(a) Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(b) Indemnifications

In the normal course of business the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements cannot be known; however, the Company expects any risk of loss to be remote.

(c) Cash

Cash is comprised of cash on deposit with major financial institutions. The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions to minimize credit risk exposure.

(d) Income Taxes

The Company intends to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, for the taxable year ending December 31, 2020. So long as the Company maintains its status as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its stockholders as dividends.

To qualify as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, to qualify for RIC tax treatment, the Company must distribute to its stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” for that year, which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess of its realized net short-term capital gains over its realized net long-term capital losses. In order for the Company not to be subject to U.S. federal excise taxes, it must distribute annually an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one year period ending October 31 in such calendar year and (iii) any net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. The Company, at its discretion, may carry forward taxable income in excess of calendar year dividends and pay a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on this income.

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

(e) Organizational Costs

Organizational costs to establish the Company are charged to expense as incurred. These expenses consist primarily of legal fees and other costs of organizing the Company.

(f) Offering Costs

Offering costs in connection with the offering of common shares of the Company are capitalized as a deferred charge and amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over 12 months from the commencement of operations, which has not yet occurred. These expenses consist primarily of legal fees and other costs incurred with Company’s share offerings, the preparation of the Company’s registration statement, and registration fees.

(g) New Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

(a) Administration Agreement

The Company has entered into an Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with the Adviser (in such capacity, the “Administrator”). The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator will furnish office facilities and equipment and will provide clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services at such facilities. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will perform, or oversee the performance of, required administrative services, which will include being responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports to stockholders and reports and other materials filed with the SEC. In addition, the Administrator will assist the Company in determining and publishing the Company’s net asset value, oversee the preparation and filing of tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports and other materials to stockholders, and generally oversee the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will also provide managerial assistance on the Company’s behalf to those portfolio companies that have accepted the offer to provide such assistance.

Under the Administration Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Administrator based upon its 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 the Company’s allocable portion of the cost of its officers (including the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance 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. In addition, if requested to provide managerial assistance to portfolio companies, the Administrator will be reimbursed based on the services provided. The Administration Agreement has an initial term of two years and may be renewed with the approval of the Company’s board of directors (the “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, the Company will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without any incremental profit to the Administrator.

In addition, the Administrator has, pursuant to a sub-administration agreement, engaged U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC to act on behalf of the Company’s Administrator in the performance of certain other administrative services. The Company has also engaged U.S. Bank, National Association or its affiliates (“US Bank”) directly to serve as custodian, transfer agent, distribution paying agent and registrar.

(b) Investment Advisory Agreement

The Adviser serves as the investment adviser of the Company and is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser’s primary business is to provide a variety of investment management services, including an investment program for the Company. The Adviser is responsible for all business activities and oversight of the investment decisions made for the Company.

Upon commencement of operations and in return for providing management services to the Company, the Company will pay the adviser a base management fee, calculated and paid quarterly in arrears at an annual rate of 2.00% of the average value 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 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 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 Adviser, 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 the listing of the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange (a “Listing”). If a Listing does not occur, such fee waiver will remain in place through liquidation of the Company. The Adviser 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.

Additionally, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will not be entitled to an incentive fee prior to a Listing. Following a Listing, the Adviser 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 the same period, excluding the most recently completed quarter, 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, excluding the most recently completed quarter, 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, excluding the most recently completed quarter, 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 Adviser an Income Incentive Fee with respect to its “adjusted net investment income” in each calendar quarter as follows:

“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 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 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 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 the Company has 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 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 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 the Company has not yet received in cash.

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

Certain organizational costs were paid by the Adviser, subject to recoupment to the Adviser from the Company and are estimated to be $28,635. The remaining organizational costs will be paid by the Company and are estimated to be $94,942. Total organizational costs are estimated to be approximately $123,577.

Certain offering costs were paid by the Adviser, subject to recoupment to the Adviser from the Company and are estimated to be $2,009. The remaining offering costs will be paid by the Company and are estimated to be $498,237. The total amount of the offering costs incurred by the Company is estimated to be approximately $500,246.

The Company conducted and expects to conduct additional private offerings of common stock to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 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 entered into with the Company. Investors will be required to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments each time the Company delivers a notice to the investors.

With respect to distributions, the Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of dividends and other distributions on behalf of the Company’s stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and the Company declares, 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. Prior to a Listing, the Board will use newly-issued shares of the Company’s common stock to implement the dividend reinvestment plan. 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.

In preparing these seed financials, the Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure resulting from subsequent events through January 16, 2020. This evaluation noted the following subsequent event that necessitated disclosures and/or adjustments.

As of January 16, 2020, the Company had approximately $208.6 million in total undrawn Capital Commitments from investors. These undrawn Capital Commitments will no longer remain in effect following the completion of an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock.

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