As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2020
Registration File No. 333-240039
Registration File No. 811-23579
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM N-2
☑ REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
☒ Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
☐ Post-Effective Amendment No
☑ REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
☒ Amendment No. 1
Flat Rock Core Income Fund
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Robert K. Grunewald
Chief Executive Officer
1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 596-3413
(Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Principal Executive Offices)
The Corporation Trust Company
Corporation Trust Center
1209 Orange St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Owen J. Pinkerton, Esq.
Thompson Hine LLP
1919 M Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 331-8800
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box ☐
If any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box ☒
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following box ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
☒ | when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c) of the Securities Act |
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
☒ | Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”)). |
☐ | Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act. |
☒ | Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act). |
☐ | A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form). |
☐ | Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act). |
☐ | Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934). |
☒ | If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. |
☒ | New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing). |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Title of Securities Being Registered |
Amount
Being Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Amount of Registration
Fee(2) |
||||||||||||
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.001 par value per Share | N/A | $ | N/A | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 129.80 |
(1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, in accordance with Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act. |
(2) | Registration fees in the amount of $129.80 were paid in connection with the initial filing of the registration statement on Form N-2 on July 23, 2020. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
Up to $[________] in Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Flat Rock Core Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund will offer to repurchase at least 5% of outstanding shares on a quarterly basis in accordance with the Fund’s repurchase policy. The repurchase offers are expected to be made in January, April, July and October of each year, beginning with the initial repurchase offer to be conducted in January 2021. For more information on the Fund’s repurchase policies and risks, please see “Repurchase Offers/Interval Fund Risk” in this Prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This Prospectus concisely provides the information that a prospective investor should know about the Fund before investing. You are advised to read this Prospectus carefully and to retain it for future reference. Additional information about the Fund, including a statement of additional information (“SAI”) dated [ ], 2020, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The table of contents of the SAI appears at Appendix A on page A-1 of this Prospectus. The SAI is available upon request and without charge by writing the Fund at c/o Flat Rock Global, LLC, 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10019. You may also request a free copy of the Fund’s SAI, annual and semi-annual reports when available, and other information about the Fund or make shareholder inquiries by calling (212) 596-3413 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.flatrockglobal.com. The SAI, which is incorporated by reference into (legally made a part of) this Prospectus, is also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s website is provided solely for the information of prospective shareholders and is not intended to be an active link.
Prospective investors should not construe the contents of this Prospectus or the SAI as legal, tax, or financial advice. Each prospective investor should consult his or her own professional advisers as to the legal, tax, financial, or other matters relevant to the suitability of an investment in the Fund for such investor.
Investment Objective. The Fund’s investment objective is the preservation of capital while generating current income from its debt investments and seeking to maximize the portfolio’s total return.
Principal Investment Strategies. The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in a portfolio composed primarily of senior secured loans of U.S. middle-market companies (“Senior Loans”) and investment vehicles, such as collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), business development companies (“BDCs”) or senior loan facilities that provide the Fund with exposure to Senior Loans. The Fund expects that most of its Senior Loans will be made to borrowers with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of between $5 million and $75 million annually. The Fund may invest in lower grade investments, commonly called “junk,” which are either rated below investment grade by one or more nationally-recognized statistical rating agencies at the time of investment or may be unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest without restriction as to credit rating or maturity/duration. See “Investment Objective, Strategies, and Risks.”
Investment Adviser. Flat Rock Global, LLC (the “Adviser”), located at 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10019, serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Fund.
Predecessor Fund. Flat Rock Capital Corp. (the “Predecessor Fund”), a Maryland corporation that is an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, is expected to be reorganized into the Fund as of the date the Fund commences operations. The Adviser has managed the Predecessor Fund since 2017.
Securities Offered. The Fund engages in a continuous offering of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and is authorized as a Delaware statutory trust to issue an unlimited number of shares. The Fund is offering to sell, through its principal underwriter, ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”), under the terms of this Prospectus, up to $[________] in common shares of beneficial interest, at a price equal to the net asset value (“NAV”) per share. Shares are not subject to a sales load or early withdrawal charges. The minimum initial investment is $1,000. Minimum investment amounts may be waived in the discretion of the Fund or the Adviser. Subsequent investments may be made with at least $1,000. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund’s shares but will use commercially reasonable efforts to sell the shares. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Price to Public | Proceeds to Registrant | |
At current NAV | Amount invested at current NAV |
Investing in the Fund’s shares involves risks, including the following:
● | Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any securities exchange, which makes them inherently illiquid. |
● | There is no secondary market for the Fund’s shares, and it is not anticipated that a secondary market will develop. Thus, an investment in the Fund may not be suitable for investors who may need the money they invest in a specified timeframe. |
● | The shares of the Fund are not redeemable. |
● | Although the Fund will offer to repurchase at least 5% of outstanding shares on a quarterly basis in accordance with the Fund’s repurchase policy, the Fund will not be required to repurchase shares at a shareholder’s option nor will shares be exchangeable for units, interests or shares of any security. |
● | The Fund is not required to extend, and shareholders should not expect the Fund’s Board of Trustees to authorize, repurchase offers in excess of 5% of outstanding shares. |
● | Regardless of how the Fund performs, an investor may not be able to sell or otherwise liquidate his or her shares whenever such investor would prefer and, except to the extent permitted under the quarterly repurchase offer, will be unable to reduce his or her exposure on any market downturn. |
● | The Fund’s distributions may be funded from unlimited amounts of offering proceeds or borrowings, which may constitute a return of capital and reduce the amount of capital available to the Fund for investment. Any capital returned to shareholders through distributions will be distributed after payment of fees and expenses. The amounts and timing of distributions that the Fund may pay, if any, is uncertain. | |
● | A return of capital to shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result of such reduction in tax basis, shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the shareholder’s original investment. |
● | Shares are speculative and involve a high degree of risk, including the risk associated with below-investment grade securities and leverage. |
See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [ ] of this Prospectus.
Flat Rock Global, LLC
Investment Adviser
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website, www.flatrockglobal.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by following the instructions included with paper Fund documents that have been mailed to you.
You may also elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, by following the instructions included with paper Fund documents. Your election to receive reports in paper form will apply to all funds held with the fund complex or your financial intermediary.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the shares. You should review the more detailed information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus (the “Prospectus”) and in the statement of additional information (“SAI”), particularly the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”
The Fund
Flat Rock Core Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) that operates as an interval fund. The Fund will offer to make repurchases of at least 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares at a price equal to net asset value (“NAV”) per share on a quarterly basis. See “Quarterly Repurchases of Shares.”
The Fund will acquire all of the assets and liabilities and adopt the performance history of Flat Rock Capital Corp. (the “Predecessor Fund”) immediately prior to the Fund’s commencement of operations.
Closed-End Fund Structure. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds do not redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. Rather, closed-end fund shares typically trade in the secondary market via a stock exchange. Unlike many closed-end funds, however, the Fund’s shares will not be listed on a stock exchange and are subject to restrictions on transfer. Instead, the Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers to shareholders by offering to repurchase no less than 5% of the shares outstanding at NAV, which is discussed in more detail below. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the quarterly repurchase offer and should be viewed as a long-term investment. The Fund, similar to a mutual fund, is subject to continuous asset in-flows, although not subject to the continuous out-flows.
Investor Suitability. An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. It is possible that you will lose money. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the shares and should be viewed as a long-term investment. Before making your investment decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment objectives and personal financial situation and (ii) consider factors such as your personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs.
Investment Objective and Policies
Investment Objective. The Fund’s investment objective is the preservation of capital while generating current income from its debt investments and seeking to maximize the portfolio’s total return.
Investment Policies. The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in a portfolio composed primarily of senior secured loans of U.S. middle-market companies (“Senior Loans”) and investment vehicles, such as collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), business development companies (“BDCs”) or senior loan facilities that provide the Fund with exposure to Senior Loans. The Fund expects that most of its Senior Loans will be made to borrowers with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of between $5 million and $75 million annually. The Fund may invest in lower grade investments, commonly called “junk,” which are either rated below investment grade by one or more nationally-recognized statistical rating agencies at the time of investment or may be unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest without restriction as to credit rating or maturity/duration. The Fund may invest without restriction as to credit rating or maturity/duration. To the extent that it invests in CLOs, the Fund expects to invest in the junior debt tranches of such CLOs. Additionally, the Fund may from time to time hold or invest in equity securities and other debt or equity securities generally arising from a restructuring of Senior Loan positions previously held by the Fund.
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The Fund’s investment strategy is identical in all material respects to the investment strategy pursued by the Predecessor Fund.
The Fund may employ leverage, including borrowing from banks, in an amount of up to 33-1/3% of the Fund’s assets (defined as net assets plus borrowings). Leverage is primarily used to manage cash flows and increase the Fund’s ability to purchase investments to potentially take advantage of market opportunities.
The Adviser invests the Fund’s assets using an investment process that consists of four distinct phases: origination, credit evaluation, execution, and monitoring. During the origination phase, the Adviser sources investment opportunities through access to a network of individual contacts developed by its investment team in the financial services and related industries. Among these contacts is an extensive network of private equity firms and relationships with leading middle-market senior lenders. The Adviser evaluates the value of a business in a downside scenario, considering key criteria including (1) strong and resilient underlying business fundamentals, (2) a substantial equity cushion in the form of capital ranking junior in right of payment to our investment and (3) a conclusion that overall “downside” risk is manageable. The Adviser, through a consistent approach to credit evaluation and careful attention to the details of execution, seeks to close deals as fast or faster than competitive financing providers while maintaining discipline with respect to credit, pricing and structure to ensure the ultimate success of the financing. The Adviser considers observation rights (the ability to participate in portfolio company board meetings without being a member of the board), where appropriate, regular dialogue with company management and sponsors and detailed, internally generated monitoring reports to be critical to our performance. See “Asset Allocation Investment Process” below.
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a portfolio composed primarily of Senior Loans of U.S. middle-market companies. The Adviser intends to achieve our investment objective by (i) accessing the established loan origination channels developed by our management team, (ii) selecting investments within our core middle-market focus, (iii) partnering with experienced private equity firms, or sponsors, in many cases with whom our management team has invested alongside in the past, (iv) implementing disciplined underwriting standards and (v) drawing upon the aggregate experience and resources of our management team. The Adviser expects that most of the Fund’s Senior Loans will be made to borrowers with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually. Target businesses will typically exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
● | Annual EBITDA of $5 million to $75 million; |
● | Sustainable leading positions in their respective markets; |
● | Scalable revenues and operating cash flow; |
● | Experienced management teams with successful track records; |
● | Stable, predictable cash flows with low technology and market risks; |
● | A substantial equity cushion in the form of capital ranking junior to our investment; |
● | Low capital expenditures requirements; |
● | A North American base of operations; |
● | Strong customer relationships; |
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● | Products, services or distribution channels having distinctive competitive advantages; |
● | Distinct strategy that requires high start-up costs or other obstacles that limit new competitors from easily entering the market; and |
● | Demonstrated growth strategies. |
The Adviser believes that the criteria listed above are important in identifying and investing in prospective portfolio companies, not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company. See “Investment Objective, Policies, and Strategies.” The Fund may engage in frequent portfolio turnover, and frequency of portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor if the Adviser considers it advantageous to purchase or sell securities.
Assets that cannot be invested promptly in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective will be held in cash or invested in cash equivalents.
To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities.
The Fund’s investment objective and policies, other than those policies identified in this Prospectus as “fundamental,” may be changed without the approval of shareholders.
Investment Strategy and Criteria Used in Selecting Investments
The Fund will employ a four-phase approach to investing in Senior Loans and investment vehicles that provide the Fund with exposure to Senior Loans. Investments will be made in Senior Loans to U.S. middle market companies based upon fundamental evaluation with specific attention to revenues and operating cash flows, customer relationships, and demonstrated growth strategies. The Fund will also evaluate investment opportunities in CLOs and senior loan facilities that provide it with exposure to Senior Loans as well as equity and debt investments in BDCs that own a portfolio primarily comprised of Senior Loans.
See “Investment Objective, Policies and Strategies” for further information on the Fund’s investment strategies and portfolio composition.
Management of the Fund
The services necessary for the Fund’s daily operations are provided by various service providers. See “Management of the Fund.”
Investment Adviser. Flat Rock Global, LLC, located at 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10019, serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Fund. As of June 30, 2020, the Adviser manages more than $150 million in assets in the Predecessor Fund, a closed-end interval fund and a private fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement has an initial two-year term and is subject to annual renewal thereafter by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”)). The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Adviser is entitled to receive a management fee at the annual rate of 1.375% of average gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed quarters, payable quarterly in arrears. (the “Advisory Fee”). See “Management of the Fund.”
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In addition to the Advisory Fee, the Adviser in entitled to an incentive fee. The incentive fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to 15.0% of our “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, and is subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on our “adjusted capital,” equal to 1.75% per quarter (or an annualized hurdle rate of 7.00%), subject to a “catch-up” feature, which allows the Adviser to recover foregone incentive fees that were previously limited by the hurdle rate. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the management fee, expenses reimbursed to the Adviser for any administrative services provided by the Adviser and any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding preferred shares, but excluding the incentive fee). “Adjusted capital” means the cumulative gross proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of shares (including pursuant to the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan), reduced by amounts paid in connection with purchases of the Fund’s shares pursuant to the Fund’s Repurchase Program.
The calculation of the incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income for each quarter is as follows:
● | No incentive fee is payable in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% per quarter (or an annualized rate of 7.00%); |
● | 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.0586%. We refer to this portion of our pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.0586%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an incentive fee of 15.0% on all of our pre-incentive fee net investment income when our pre-incentive fee net investment income reaches 2.0586% in any calendar quarter; and |
● | 15.0% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.0586% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved (15.0% of all pre-incentive fee net investment income thereafter will be allocated to the Adviser). |
Predecessor Fund. Flat Rock Capital Corp. (the “Predecessor Fund”), a Maryland corporation that is an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act, is expected to be reorganized into the Fund as of the date the Fund commences operations (i.e., on or about ____________, 2020). Upon such reorganization, the Fund will acquire the assets and adopt the performance history of the Predecessor Fund. The investment objective, investment strategies, and limitations of the Fund are identical in all material respects to those of the Predecessor Fund.
The Adviser has managed the Predecessor Fund since 2017. Financial statements of the Predecessor Fund have been filed as part of the SAI.
Administrator and Accounting Agent. ALPS Fund Services, Inc., located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203, serves as the administrator and accounting agent for the Fund (the “Administrator”).
Transfer Agent. DST Systems, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) serves as transfer agent for the Fund.
Custodian. U.S. Bank serves as the Fund’s custodian (the “Custodian”).
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Summary of Risks
Investing in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, before investing you should consider carefully the risks that you assume when you invest in the Fund’s shares. The following is only a summary of certain of these risks; see “Risk Factors” for further information on the Fund’s principal investment risks. There can be no assurance that the order of risks below should be taken as an indication of the potential magnitude or probability of the possible consequences of the risks summarized below.
Senior Loan Risk. Investing in Senior Loans involves a number of significant risks. Below investment grade Senior Loans have historically experienced greater default rates than has been the case for investment grade securities. The Fund intends to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio composed primarily of securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies, or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated.
Capital Markets Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that from time to time, global capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability, which could be prolonged and which could materially and adversely impact the broader financial and credit markets, have a negative impact on the valuations of the Fund’s investments and reduce the availability of debt and equity capital.
Competition Risk. The Fund will compete for investments with other investment companies, including BDCs, and investment funds (including private equity funds and mezzanine debt funds), as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, also make similar investments in Senior Loans.
Covenant-lite Loans Risk. Many of the debt investments the Fund may acquire in the secondary market may have less restrictive covenant terms that provide it with fewer protections, called “covenant-lite” loans, that generally provide for fewer restrictions on the borrower’s operations and use of proceeds than do debt instruments that contain traditional financial and operating covenants.
Credit Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, and may fail, or become less able to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. The strategies utilized by the Adviser require accurate and detailed credit analysis of issuers, and there can be no assurance that its analysis will be accurate or complete.
Equity Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in equity securities in various portfolio companies. Although equity securities historically have generated higher average total returns than debt securities over the long term, equity securities may experience more volatility in those returns than debt securities. The equity securities the Fund may acquire may fail to appreciate, decline in value or lose all value, and the Fund’s ability to recover its investment will depend on its portfolio company’s success.
Market Risk. Conditions in the U.S. and many foreign economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in certain instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. These events have reduced the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, and have made it more difficult for some borrowers to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments.
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Geopolitical Risk. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your Fund investment.
Interest Rate Risk. The Fund’s debt investments are likely to be based on floating rates, such as the London interbank offered rate, or LIBOR, EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on the Fund’s investments, the value of its shares and its rate of return on invested capital. A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could also have an adverse impact on its investment income.
Collateral Risk. To the extent a Credit Investment is secured, there can be no assurance as to the amount of any funds that may be realized from recovering and liquidating any collateral or the timing of such recovery and liquidation and hence there is no assurance that sufficient funds (or, possibly, any funds) will be available to offset any payment defaults that occur under the Credit Investment. An investment may represent an indirect ownership or lien on collateral that may have no value. As a result, any investment product with collateral may be unsecured. The value of the collateral may, at any point, be worth less than the value of the original investment.
Collateral Liquidation Risk. To the extent a Credit Investment is secured, there can be no assurance as to the amount of any funds that may be realized from recovering and liquidating any collateral or the timing of such recovery and liquidation and hence there is no assurance that sufficient funds (or, possibly, any funds) will be available to offset any payment defaults that occur under the Credit Investment.
LIBOR Risk. The Fund typically uses LIBOR as a reference rate in term loans it extends to portfolio companies such that the interest due to the Fund pursuant to a term loan extended to a partner company is calculated using LIBOR. 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 for LIBOR-based securities or the value of the Fund’s portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund’s investments are subject to liquidity risk. To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, such as high-yield obligations and other derivative instruments, it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value.
Subordinate Claims Risk. Even though the Fund intends to generally invest in Credit Instruments, if one of its portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize the Fund’s debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of its claim to that of other creditors. In situations where a bankruptcy carries a high degree of political significance, the Fund’s legal rights may be subordinated to other creditors.
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OID and PIK Interest Income Risk. Although the Fund does not expect that a significant portion of its income will be comprised of original issue discount (“OID”), which may include payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, the Fund may make investments that include OID and PIK components. To the extent OID and PIK interest income constitute a portion of the Fund’s income, it 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
Private Placements Risk. Certain of the instruments in which the Fund may invest are restricted securities in that their disposition is restricted by the federal securities laws or otherwise, such as securities offered in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
CLO Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that conditions in the market for Senior Loans may deteriorate, which may cause pricing levels to decline. As a result, the Fund may suffer unrealized depreciation and could incur realized losses in connect with the sale of over-the-counter debt securities.
BDC Risk. The Fund may invest in BDCs. BDCs have little or no operating history and may carry risks similar to those of a private equity or venture capital fund. BDC company securities are not redeemable at the option of the shareholder and they may trade in the market at a discount to their net asset value. A significant portion of a BDC’s investments are recorded at fair value as determined by its board of directors which may create uncertainty as to the value of the BDC’s investments. Non-traded BDCs are illiquid and it may not be possible to redeem shares or to do so without paying a substantial penalty. Publicly-traded BDCs usually trade at a discount to their net asset value because they invest in unlisted securities and have limited access to capital markets.
Hedging Risk. The Fund may enter into interest rate or currency hedges. Hedging against interest rate and currency fluctuations expose the Fund to additional risks and could harm its financial performance. The Fund’s use of hedging would not eliminate the risk that the value of its investments could decline or that its investment performance would be better off if it did not hedge. The effectiveness of the Fund’s hedging is dependent on the price it pays for the hedge and the correlation of the hedge to the risk it is designed to mitigate.
Volatility Risk. The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time.
Issuer and Non-Diversification Risk. Since the Fund is non-diversified, it may invest a high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. When the Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more diversified portfolio might be.
Active Trading Risks. The Fund is actively managed and may purchase and sell investments without regard to the length of time held. Active trading may have a negative impact on performance by increasing brokerage and other transaction costs and may generate greater amounts of net short-term capital gains, which, for taxable accounts, would be subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates.
Leveraging Risk. The Fund’s use of leverage (as described under “Leverage” in the body of this Prospectus) creates the opportunity for increased returns in the Fund, but it also creates special risks. To the extent used, there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies will be successful.
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Valuation Risk. This is the risk that the Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments that may be illiquid or may become illiquid, and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. The Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.
Service Provider Risk. The Fund will rely on service providers selected by the Adviser, third party originators or by borrowers to store, transfer, buy, sell, liquidate, record or otherwise service assets. To the extent that a service provider or the technology deployed by a service provider fails to perform these tasks, the Fund’s investments may be adversely affected.
Repurchase Offers/Interval Fund Risk. Unlike many closed-end investment companies, the Fund’s shares are not listed on any national securities exchange and are not publicly traded. There is currently no secondary market for the shares and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. Repurchases by the Fund of its shares typically will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, payment for repurchased shares may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio holdings earlier than the Adviser otherwise would liquidate such holdings, potentially resulting in losses, and may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover. The Adviser may take measures to attempt to avoid or minimize such potential losses and turnover, and instead of liquidating portfolio holdings, may borrow money to finance repurchases of shares. If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on any such borrowings will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their shares in a repurchase offer by increasing the Fund’s expenses and reducing net investment income. The Fund’s repurchase offers are shareholders’ only means of liquidity with respect to their shares.
Distribution Policy Risk. All or a portion of a distribution from the Fund may consist of a return of capital, as opposed to representing a distribution of income generated by the Fund. A return of capital generally is a return of a shareholder’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk. The Fund, its service providers, and third-party fund distribution platforms’ and shareholders’ ability to transact with the Fund, may be negatively impacted due to operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents.
Reinvestment Risk. Income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called debt obligations at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of debt obligations may exercise an option to redeem securities prior to maturity, forcing the Fund to invest in lower-yielding securities.
Middle Market Company Risk. The Fund will invest in middle market companies. Investing in middle-market companies is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk of credit loss, and therefore the Fund’s securities may not be suitable for someone with a low tolerance for risk. Middle-market companies are more likely to be considered lower grade investments, commonly called “junk,” which are either rated below investment grade by one or more nationally-recognized statistical rating agencies at the time of investment or may be unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
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Prepayment Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that its investments in Credit Instruments may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, the Fund will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies.
See “Risk Factors” for further information on the Fund’s principal investment risks.
Repurchases of Shares
The Fund is an interval fund and, as such, has adopted a fundamental policy to make quarterly repurchase offers, at NAV, of no less than 5% of the shares outstanding. There is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to sell all of the shares they desire in a quarterly repurchase offer because shareholders, in total, may wish to sell more than 5% of the Fund’s shares. Liquidity will be provided to shareholders only through the Fund’s quarterly repurchases. Following a quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund is required to maintain liquid securities, cash or access to a bank line of credit in amounts sufficient to meet the quarterly redemption amount. See “Quarterly Repurchases of Shares.”
Distributions
The Fund’s distribution policy is to make quarterly distributions to shareholders. If, for any distribution, investment company taxable income (which term includes net short-term capital gain), if any, and net tax-exempt income, if any, is less than the amount of the distribution, then the difference will generally be a tax-free return of capital distributed from the Fund’s assets. The Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year will include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the year, as well as all net capital gain realized during the year. If the total distributions made in any calendar year exceed investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions to a shareholder in excess of the earnings and profits would first be a tax-free return of capital to the extent of such shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. After such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the distribution would constitute capital gain for such shareholder (assuming the shares are held as capital assets).
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year for taxation as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In order for the Fund to qualify as a RIC, it must meet an income and asset diversification test each year. If the Fund so qualifies and satisfies certain distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on RICs, such as the Fund, to the extent they do not meet certain distribution requirements by the end of each calendar year. The Fund generally anticipates meeting these distribution requirements. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
Dividend Reinvestment Policy
Unless a shareholder elects otherwise, the shareholder’s distributions will be reinvested in additional shares under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment policy. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment policy will receive all distributions in cash paid to the shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). See “Dividend Reinvestment Policy.”
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Shareholder Transaction Expenses |
Percentage of
Offering Price |
|
Maximum Sales Load | None | |
Early Withdrawal Charges on Shares Repurchased Within 365 Days of Purchase | None |
Percentage of
Net Assets Attributable to Shares of Beneficial Interest |
||||
Annual Fund Operating Expenses | ||||
Management Fees(1) | 2.1 | % | ||
Incentive Fees | 1.2 | % | ||
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds(2) | 2.7 | % | ||
Other Expenses(3) | 1.3 | % | ||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(4) | 0.1 | % | ||
Total Annual Expenses | 7.4 | % |
(1) | The Fund pays a management fee to the Adviser in an annual amount equal to 1.375% of average gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed quarters, payable quarterly in arrears. |
(2) | These expenses represent estimated interest payments the Fund expects to incur in connection with its expected borrowing during the current fiscal year. Additionally, the interest rate used is based on an estimate of applicable market rates and is subject to change. |
(3) | The purpose of the table above is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses you will bear directly or indirectly as an Investor in the Fund. The “Other Expenses” shown above are estimated based on average net assets of the Predecessor Fund for the current fiscal year. For a more complete description of the various costs and expenses of the Fund, see “Fees and Expenses.” |
(4) | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies. These indirect costs may include performance fees paid to the acquired fund’s adviser or its affiliates. It does not include brokerage or transaction costs incurred by the acquired funds. The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the Fund’s financial highlights because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Fund. Therefore, amounts may not agree with the Fund’s financial highlights. |
The Fund Expenses Table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
The following example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment. The example assumes annual expenses attributable to shares remain unchanged from the levels described in the Fund Expenses Table above and assumes shares earn a 5% annual return.
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||
$71 | $209 | $341 | $646 |
The purpose of the above table is to help a holder of shares understand the fees and expenses that such holder would bear directly or indirectly. The example should not be considered a representation of actual future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.
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The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance since inception of the Predecessor Fund. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The Fund, as the accounting successor of a reorganization, has adopted the operating history of the Predecessor Fund for financial reporting purposes. Therefore, the financial highlights shown below are those of the Predecessor Fund. The information shown below has been derived from the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights, which have been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the SAI, which is available upon request.
For the Year Ended |
For the Period
May 3,
|
|||||||||||
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2017 |
||||||||||
Total investment income | $ | 6,695,755 | $ | 2,478,527 | $ | 443,683 | ||||||
Total expenses | 4,149,972 | 1,697,528 | 849,691 | |||||||||
Less: Management fee waiver | (265,221 | ) | (625,782 | ) | (245,438 | ) | ||||||
Less: Incentive fee waiver | (408,149 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
Less: Expense reimbursement | - | (101,939 | ) | (520,033 | ) | |||||||
Net expenses | 3,476,602 | 969,807 | 84,220 | |||||||||
Net investment income | 3,219,153 | 1,508,720 | 359,463 | |||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments | (59,546 | ) | 246,416 | (180,964 | ) | |||||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments | 10,041 | (590,623 | ) | 263,415 | ||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 3,169,648 | $ | 1,164,513 | $ | 441,914 | ||||||
Per share information - basic and diluted | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 1.37 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.69 | ||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.01 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.13 | ) | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 1.36 | 1.01 | 0.56 | |||||||||
Distributions from net investment income | $ | (1.34 | ) | $ | (1.30 | ) | $ | (0.54 | ) | |||
Balance sheet data: | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 105,629,206 | $ | 78,534,264 | $ | 31,142,156 | ||||||
Net assets | $ | 55,969,870 | $ | 36,855,107 | $ | 20,669,649 | ||||||
Other data: | ||||||||||||
Total return based on net asset value | 6.89 | % | 5.07 | % | 2.80 | % | ||||||
Number of portfolio company investments at period end | 18 | 23 | 11 | |||||||||
Total portfolio investments for the period | $ | 82,541,296 | $ | 61,194,099 | $ | 19,718,232 | ||||||
Proceeds from sales and prepayments of investments | $ | 70,610,873 | $ | 45,332,922 | $ | 17,119,869 |
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The Fund is a newly organized, continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 11, 2020. The Fund’s principal office is located at 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10019 and its telephone number is (212) 596-3413.
The net proceeds of the continuous offering of shares will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies (as stated below) as soon as practicable after receipt, but in no event later than three months after receipt, consistent with market conditions and availability of suitable investments. The Fund pays its organizational and offering expenses incurred with respect to its continuous offering. Pending investment of net proceeds in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, the Fund invests in money market or short-term, fixed-income mutual funds. Investors should expect, therefore, that before the Fund has fully invested proceeds in accordance with its investment objective and policies, the Fund’s assets would earn interest income at a modest rate which may be less than the Fund’s distribution rate. As a result, the Fund’s distributions during this period may consist, in whole or in part, of a return of capital. Any invested capital that is returned to the shareholder will be reduced by the Fund’s fees and expenses.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
Investment Objective. The Fund’s investment objective is the preservation of capital while generating current income from its debt investments and seeking to maximize the portfolio’s total return. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved, and you could lose all of your investment in the Fund.
The Fund’s investment objective is “non-fundamental,” which means that it may be changed by the Board without the approval of shareholders. The Fund will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ notice prior to changing the Fund’s investment objective.
Investment Policies. The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in a portfolio composed primarily of senior secured loans of U.S. middle-market companies (“Senior Loans”) and investment vehicles, such as CLOs, BDCs or senior loan facilities that provide the Fund with exposure to Senior Loans. The Fund expects that most of its Senior Loans will be made to borrowers with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of between $5 million and $75 million annually. The Fund may invest in lower grade investments, commonly called “junk,” which are either rated below investment grade by one or more nationally-recognized statistical rating agencies at the time of investment or may be unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest without restriction as to credit rating or maturity/duration. To the extent that it invests in CLOs, the Fund expects to invest in the junior debt tranches of such CLOs. Additionally, the Fund may from time to time hold or invest in equity securities and other debt or equity securities generally arising from a restructuring of Senior Loan positions previously held by the Fund. See “Investment Objective, Strategies, and Risks.”
The Fund’s investment strategy is identical in all material respects to the investment strategy pursued by the Predecessor Fund.
Principal Investment Strategies. The Fund intends to achieve this objective by investing in a portfolio composed primarily of Senior Loans of U.S. middle-market companies and further by (i) accessing the established loan origination channels developed by its management team, (ii) selecting investments within its core middle-market focus, (iii) partnering with experienced private equity firms, or sponsors, in many cases with whom the Fund’s management team has invested alongside in the past, (iv) implementing disciplined underwriting standards and (v) drawing upon the aggregate experience and resources of its management team. The Fund expects that most of its Senior Loans will be made to borrowers with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of between $5 million and $75 million annually.
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To enhance its opportunity for gain, the Fund intends to employ leverage as market conditions permit and at the discretion of the Adviser, but in no event will leverage employed exceed the amount permitted by the 1940 Act, which for the Fund is currently 33.33% of the value of its assets. The Fund believes when properly financed and hedged, its investment strategy can produce attractive risk-adjusted returns. See “Investment Objective, Policies, and Strategies.” The Fund may engage in frequent portfolio turnover, and frequency of portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor if the Adviser considers it advantageous to purchase or sell securities.
Assets that cannot be invested promptly in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective will be held in cash or invested in cash equivalents.
To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities.
The Fund’s investment objective and policies, other than those policies identified in this Prospectus as “fundamental,” may be changed without the approval of shareholders.
Investment Strategy and Criteria Used in Selecting Investments
A Senior Loan is a type of corporate debt instrument extending credit to a borrower, usually one with existing outstanding debt, that is originated, structured, negotiated and administered by a financial institution or consortium of financial institutions. These consortiums may then syndicate loans of third-party investors. These investors are known as the primary market. After being placed into the primary market, other investors may seek to buy and sell Senior Loan positions to other third-party investors in over-the-counter transactions. This is known as the secondary market. Senior Loan investors in both the primary and secondary markets may include institutional investors, domestic and foreign banks, finance companies and securities firms. The Fund intends to invest in Senior Loans through both the primary and secondary markets.
Generally, Senior Loans are not rated investment grade by credit ratings agencies, and typically have high interest rates associated with them. Senior Loans are typically used as capital for a corporate transaction such as a merger, acquisition or leveraged buyout, a recapitalizations of the borrower’s balance sheet, as capital for refinancing existing debt, or to fund general corporate purposes or significant corporate projects.
Terms of a Senior Loan
A Senior Loan’s terms typically include floating interest rates, meaning that the interest from the loan is some specified percentage, or spread, added to a market index rate. Spreads are typically expressed in basis points and are defined at origination and may be adjusted over the life of a loan to account for changes in a borrower’s credit profile according to predefined credit covenants. Market spreads vary according to market dynamics. Interest rates are periodically reset to reflect changes in market index rates. The specified percentage depends on the perceived creditworthiness of the borrower, the loan terms, the security underlying the loan, the existing debt of the borrower, and other factors. The market index rate most typically used is LIBOR, usually the three-month LIBOR rate. Senior Loans also have comparatively short maturities relative to traditional corporate debt instruments such as high-yield bonds. Senior Loans are generally secured by some or even all of the assets of a borrower. This broad security interest means a higher recovery rate than for unsecured bonds or debt instruments subordinate in priority to the Senior Loans. Interest on Senior Loans is generally payable monthly or quarterly.
13
The Senior Loan Market
There is no uniform definition of the criteria of the Senior Loan market. Some industry practitioners define a Senior Loan market participant based on the applicable spread over the market index rate. Others define a Senior Loan market participant based on the issuer’s credit rating. Senior Loans are generally rated “Ba1” or lower by Moody’s, “BB+” or lower by Standard & Poors, or “BB+” or lower by Fitch Ratings, Inc., or Fitch (collectively, “below investment grade”). Others define a Senior Loan market participant based on the size of the issuer. The Fund expects most of its Senior Loans will be made to borrowers with EBITDA of between $5 million and $75 million annually.
Collateral of a Senior Loan
Senior Loans may be structured with various lien priorities on underlying collateral, with the market primarily split between first lien loans and second lien loans. Principal payments of second lien loans are generally paid after payments to first lien loans or other loans with seniority in priority of payments. As a result, second lien loans generally have a higher spread compared to first lien loans. The market for second lien loans is significantly smaller and less liquid than the market for first lien loans.
Market Opportunity
The Fund believes that the banking and financial services crisis, which began in the summer of 2007, created an opportunity for specialty financial services companies with experience negotiating, structuring and managing Senior Loan investments to capitalize on compelling opportunities to generate attractive yields for investors seeking current income. The Fund believes the following factors create favorable investment opportunities to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders.
● | The Senior Loan market provides investors seeking current income with an attractive risk-adjusted return profile. The interest on a Senior Loan is determined based on a spread over a market index rate that resets periodically. Further, the Fund expects the terms of its Senior Loans will generally provide for a “floor,” or minimum market index rate, thus providing protection during a period of dramatically falling interest rates. The Fund believes these characteristics offer it a form of interest rate protection in periods of rising and falling interest rates. |
● | Senior Loans are typically collateralized by a company’s assets and structured with first lien or second lien priority on collateral. The structure of these loans provides for greater security and potential recovery in the event of default compared to other subordinated fixed-income products which have a lesser claim on the collateral or may be unsecured. These structural characteristics, combined with reduced volatility, attractive credit fundamentals and favorable liquidity, provide investors with an opportunity to generate attractive returns on an absolute and risk-adjusted basis. |
● | Regulatory reform is making Senior Loans less attractive to banks. Due to the financial services crisis that began in the summer of 2007, banks became subject to increased regulatory restrictions which resulted in more stringent requirements concerning loan underwriting standards, documentation, and risk retention standards. As a result, the Fund believes the costs to comply with these guidelines has increased expenses in connection with holding Senior Loans, which has decreased the attractiveness of the terms of these loans from traditional providers of capital such as banks. These additional costs have led to a decreased ability and interest among traditional lenders in holding Senior Loans on their balance sheets. The Fund believes that alternative providers of capital to the Senior Loan market, such as the Fund, stand to benefit from this changed financial landscape. |
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● | Strong demand for debt capital. The Fund believes borrowers will continue to require capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. The financial difficulties and widespread consolidation in the U.S. financial services industry has reduced the capacity of lenders able to meet this demand. In addition, the Fund believes the large amount of uninvested capital held by funds of private equity firms will continue to drive demand for Senior Loans. The Fund believes that private equity firms will be active participants in acquisitions as a result of this uninvested capital, as these firms seek to generate yield for their investors. As private equity firms consider various acquisitions, they will seek to augment the use of their capital in such transactions with capital provided from other sources. One primary use of Senior Loans is to finance acquisitions by private equity firms. Thus, the Fund expects that private equity firms will continue to pursue acquisitions and to seek to leverage their equity investments with Senior Loans funded by alternative providers, such as the Fund. |
● | Borrowers’ conservative capital structures. Following the recession caused by the credit crisis, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines as occurring between December 2007 and June 2009, lenders have required borrowers to decrease their leverage ratios, specifically to protect lenders during periods of economic downturns. The Fund believes that these conservative requirements have resulted in an improved financial condition of the borrowers and thus their ability to meet the terms of their debt obligations. The Fund further believes that these developments have increased the attractiveness of Senior Loans, as well as all debt instruments, to alternative providers of capital, such as the Fund. |
Investment Criteria
Target businesses will typically exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
● | Annual EBITDA of $5 million to $75 million; |
● | Sustainable leading positions in their respective markets; |
● | Scalable revenues and operating cash flow; |
● | Experienced management teams with successful track records; |
● | Stable, predictable cash flows with low technology and market risks; |
● | A substantial equity cushion in the form of capital ranking junior to our investment; |
● | Low capital expenditures requirements; |
● | A North American base of operations; |
● | Strong customer relationships; |
● | Products, services or distribution channels having distinctive competitive advantages; |
● | Distinct strategy that requires high start-up costs or other obstacles that limit new competitors from easily entering the market; and |
● | Demonstrated growth strategies. |
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While the Fund believes that the criteria listed above are important in identifying and investing in prospective portfolio companies, not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company.
Additionally, the Fund may from time to time hold or invest in equity securities and other debt or equity securities generally arising from a restructuring of Senior Loan positions previously held by it. The Adviser will also periodically evaluate all investments, both individually and as a component of our overall portfolio, to determine whether the Fund should acquire or dispose of any assets that are not Senior Loans on an opportunistic basis.
Other Information Regarding Investment Strategy. The Fund may, from time to time, take defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategy, including in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such times, the Adviser may determine that the Fund should invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including money market instruments, prime commercial paper, repurchase agreements, Treasury bills and other short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. In these and in other cases, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Adviser may invest the Fund’s cash balances in any investments it deems appropriate. The Adviser expects that such investments will be made, without limitation and as permitted under the 1940 Act, in money market funds, repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency securities, municipal bonds and bank accounts. Any income earned from such investments is ordinarily reinvested by the Fund in accordance with its investment program. Many of the considerations entering into recommendations and decisions of the Adviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers are subjective.
The frequency and amount of portfolio purchases and sales (known as the “portfolio turnover rate”) may vary (potentially greatly) from year to year and will not be a limiting factor when the Adviser deems portfolio changes appropriate. The Fund may engage in short-term trading strategies, and securities may be sold without regard to the length of time held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. These policies may have the effect of increasing the annual rate of portfolio turnover of the Fund. Higher rates of portfolio turnover may result in higher transaction costs and may generate short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income. If securities are not held for the applicable holding periods, dividends paid on them will not qualify for the advantageous federal tax rates. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” herein.
16
An investment in the Fund’s shares is subject to risks. The value of the Fund’s investments will increase or decrease based on changes in the prices of the investments it holds. This will cause the value of the Fund’s shares to increase or decrease. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. By itself, the Fund does not constitute a complete investment program. Before investing in the Fund you should consider carefully the following risks the Fund faces, together with the other information contained in the Prospectus. If any of these risks discussed in this Prospectus occurs, the Fund’s results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. There may be additional risks that the Fund does not currently foresee or consider material. You may wish to consult with your legal or tax advisers before deciding whether to invest in the Fund.
Senior Loans. Investing in Senior Loans involves a number of significant risks. Below investment grade Senior Loans have historically experienced greater default rates than has been the case for investment grade securities. The Fund intends to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio composed primarily of securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies, or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They may also be difficult to value and illiquid. There can be no assurance as to the levels of defaults or recoveries that may be experienced on the Fund’s investments in Senior Loans. Senior Loans in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies with limited financial resources and limited access to alternative financing. Issuers of Senior Loans may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that the Fund holds. Such developments may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of collateral backing its investments. This could lead to a decline in value of the Fund’s Senior Loan investments, which could result in a decline in the Fund’s net earnings and NAV.
Capital Markets. From time to time, the global capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability, which could be prolonged and which could materially and adversely impact the broader financial and credit markets, have a negative impact on the valuations of the Fund’s investments and reduce the availability to it of debt and equity capital. For example, between 2008 and 2009, instability in the global capital markets resulted in disruptions in liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of major domestic and international financial institutions. In particular, the financial services sector was negatively impacted by significant write-offs as the value of the assets held by financial firms declined, impairing their capital positions and abilities to lend and invest. While the Fund’s investments are generally not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require it to assume as part of its valuation process that its investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if the Fund plans on holding an investment through its maturity) and impairments of the market values or fair market values of its investments, even if unrealized, must be reflected in its financial statements for the applicable period, which could result in significant reductions to the Fund’s net asset value for the period. Equity capital may also be difficult to raise during periods of adverse or volatile market conditions. If the Fund is unable to raise capital or refinance existing debt on acceptable terms, then it may be limited in its ability to make new commitments or to fund existing commitments to its portfolio companies. Significant changes in the capital markets may also affect the pace of the Fund’s investment activity and the potential for liquidity events involving its investments. Thus, the illiquidity of the Fund’s investments may make it difficult for it to sell such investments to access capital if required, and as a result, the Fund could realize significantly less than the value at which it has recorded its investments if it were required to sell them for liquidity purposes.
Availability of Investment Opportunities; Competition. The activity of identifying, completing and realizing the types of investment opportunities targeted by the Adviser for the Fund is highly competitive and involves a significant degree of uncertainty. The Fund competes for investment opportunities with other investment companies and private investment vehicles, as well as the public debt markets, individuals and financial institutions, including investment banks, commercial banks and insurance companies, business development companies, strategic industry acquirers, hedge funds and other institutional investors, investing directly or through affiliates. Over the past several years, a number of such investment vehicles have been formed (and many such existing entities have grown in size). Additional entities with a similar investment objective may be formed in the future by other unrelated parties. It is possible that competition for appropriate investment opportunities may increase, thus reducing the number of opportunities available to the Fund. Such supply-side competition may adversely affect the terms upon which investments can be made by the Fund. Moreover, transaction sponsors unaffiliated with the Fund or the Adviser may be reluctant to present investment opportunities to the Fund because of its affiliation with the Adviser and its lack of affiliation with the transaction sponsor. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to locate and complete investments which satisfy the Fund’s investment objective or to realize upon their values.
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“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk. Some of the obligations, such as loans in which the Fund may invest, or get exposure to through its investments in structured securities, may be “covenant-lite,” which means the obligation contains fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. The Fund may experience delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant-lite obligations.
Credit Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, and may fail, or become less able, to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. The strategies utilized by the Adviser require accurate and detailed credit analysis of issuers, and there can be no assurance that its analysis will be accurate or complete. The Fund may be subject to substantial losses in the event of credit deterioration or bankruptcy of one or more issuers in its portfolio.
Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. The Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a debt security is unable or unwilling, or is perceived (whether by market participants, rating agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling, to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. Companies in which the Fund invests could deteriorate as a result of, among other factors, an adverse development in their business, a change in the competitive environment or an economic downturn. As a result, companies that the Adviser may have expected to be stable may operate, or expect to operate, at a loss or have significant variations in operating results, may require substantial additional capital to support their operations or maintain their competitive position, or may otherwise have a weak financial condition or be experiencing financial distress. In addition, inadequacy of collateral or credit enhancement for a debt obligation may affect its credit risk. Although the Fund may invest in investments that the Adviser believes are secured by specific collateral, the value of which may exceed the principal amount of the investments at the time of initial investment, there can be no assurance that the liquidation of any such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal payments with respect to such investment, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing an investment. Under certain circumstances, collateral securing an investment may be released without the consent of the Fund.
Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument, and debt obligations which are rated by rating agencies may be subject to downgrade. The credit ratings of debt instruments and obligations represent the rating agencies’ opinions regarding their credit quality and are not a guarantee of future credit performance of such securities. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of the timely payment of principal and interest (or dividends) and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. The ratings assigned to securities by rating agencies do not purport to fully reflect the true risks of an investment. Further, in recent years, many highly-rated structured securities have been subject to substantial losses as the economic assumptions on which their ratings were based proved to be materially inaccurate. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for the Fund to sell it. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. Rating agencies might not always change their credit rating on an issuer or security in a timely manner to reflect events that could affect the issuer’s ability to make timely payments on its obligations. Credit risk is typically greater for securities with ratings that are below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). Since the Fund can invest significantly in high-yield investments considered speculative in nature and unsecured investments, this risk may be substantial. The Fund’s right to payment and its security interest, if any, may be subordinated to the payment rights and security interests of more senior creditors. This risk may also be greater to the extent the Fund uses leverage or derivatives in connection with the management of the Fund. Changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of an issuer, or a downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities, could affect the Fund’s performance.
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Equity Risk. Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, the equity securities of a particular sector, or a particular company.
Market Risk. Overall stock and bond market risks may also affect the value of the Fund. Factors such as domestic economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels and political events affect the securities markets. Stocks and bonds involve the risk that they may never reach what the manager believes is their full market value, either because the market fails to recognize the security’s intrinsic worth or the manager misgauged that worth. They also may decline in price, even though, in theory, they are already undervalued.
Geopolitical Risk. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your Fund investment.
Interest Rate Risk. Investments in investment grade and non-investment grade fixed-income securities that are influenced by interest rates are subject to interest rate risk. The value of the Fund’s fixed-income investments typically will fall when interest rates rise. The Fund may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates if it invests in debt securities with intermediate and long terms to maturity. The prices of fixed income securities are also affected by their durations. Debt securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than debt securities with shorter durations. For example, if a bond has a duration of three years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in a 3% decrease in the value of the bond, whereas if a bond has a duration of one year, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in a 1% decrease in value. Yields of debt securities will fluctuate over time. Following the financial crisis that started in 2008, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to each other overnight) at or near zero percent. Interest rates may rise significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain European countries and Japan have recently experienced negative interest rates on deposits and debt securities have traded at negative yields. Negative interest rates may become more prevalent among non-U.S. issuers, and potentially within the United States. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates. To the extent the Fund holds an investment with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund would generate a negative return on that investment.
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Collateral Risk. To the extent a Senior Loan is secured, there can be no assurance as to the amount of any funds that may be realized from recovering and liquidating any collateral or the timing of such recovery and liquidation and hence there is no assurance that sufficient funds (or, possibly, any funds) will be available to offset any payment defaults that occur under the Senior Loan. For example, with respect to real estate-related loans, the real property security for the loan may decline in value, which could result in the loan amount being greater than the property value and therefore increase the likelihood of borrower default. In addition, if it becomes necessary to recover and liquidate any collateral with respect to a secured Credit Investment, it may be difficult to sell such collateral and there will likely be associated costs that would reduce the amount of funds otherwise available to offset the payments due under the loan. An investment may represent an indirect ownership or lien on collateral that may have no value. As a result, any investment product with collateral may be unsecured. The value of the collateral may, at any point, be worth less than the value of the original investment.
It is possible that the same collateral could secure multiple obligations of a borrower or obligor. To the extent that collateral secures more than one obligation, the liquidation proceeds of such collateral may not be sufficient to fully cover all such loans.
Collateral Liquidation Risk. Collateral on loan instruments may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there can be no guarantee that the collateral can be liquidated and any costs associated with such liquidation could reduce or eliminate the amount of funds otherwise available to offset the payments due under the loan. The Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Additionally, collateral might be subject to price volatility, making it difficult to predict liquidation proceeds. The value of collateral securing a loan may also decline over time and may become insufficient. It is also possible that the same collateral could secure multiple loans, in which case the liquidation proceeds of the collateral may be insufficient to cover the payments due on all the loans secured by that collateral.
LIBOR Risk. The Fund’s investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”), Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). “). In June 2017, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a group of large U.S. banks working with the Federal Reserve, announced its selection of a new Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is intended to be a broad measure of overnight U.S. Treasury repurchase agreement rates, as an appropriate replacement for U.S. dollar LIBOR. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing the SOFR in 2018, with the expectation that it could be used on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. Bank working groups and regulators in other countries have suggested other alternatives for their markets to replace sterling LIBOR. On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor require banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse impact on the Fund or its investments, including increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR.
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In advance of 2021, regulators and market participants are working together to identify or develop successor Reference Rates. Additionally, prior to 2021, it is expected that market participants will focus on the transition mechanisms by which the Reference Rates in existing contracts or instruments may be amended, whether through marketwide protocols, fallback contractual provisions, bespoke negotiations or amendments or otherwise. Nonetheless, the termination of certain Reference Rates presents risks to the Fund. At this time, it is not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative Reference Rates or any other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere. The elimination of a Reference Rate or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of Reference Rates could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any securities or payments linked to those Reference Rates and other financial obligations held by the Fund or on its overall financial condition or results of operations. In addition, any substitute Reference Rate and any pricing adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund’s investments are subject to liquidity risk. To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, such as high-yield obligations and other derivative instruments, it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value. During such periods, certain investments held by the Fund may be difficult or impossible to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices. As a result, the Fund may have to lower the price on certain securities that it is trying to sell, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance. Additionally, the market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s NAV or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to the Fund. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing illiquid investments than investments with more active markets.
Bond markets have consistently grown over the years while the capacity for traditional dealer counterparties to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace and in some cases has decreased. The market-making capacity of dealers in certain types of securities has been reduced in recent years, in part as a result of structural and regulatory changes, such as fewer proprietary trading desks and increased regulatory capital requirements for broker-dealers. Further, many broker-dealers have reduced their inventory of certain debt securities. This could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to buy or sell debt securities and increase the related volatility and trading costs. Such issues may be exacerbated during periods of economic uncertainty. In such cases, the Fund, due to the difficulty in purchasing and selling such securities or instruments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector.
Further, fixed income securities with longer maturities face heightened levels of liquidity risk as compared to fixed income securities with shorter maturities. Many of the Fund’s investments may be illiquid. Illiquid securities may become harder to value, especially in changing markets. The risks associated with illiquid instruments may be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund’s operations require cash (such as in connection with repurchase offers) and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet its short-term needs or incurring losses on the sale of illiquid instruments. It may also be the case that other market participants may be attempting to liquidate fixed income holdings at the same time as the Fund, causing increased supply in the market and contributing to liquidity risk and downward pricing pressure.
To the extent consistent with the repurchase liquidity requirement for interval funds set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may invest without limitation in illiquid investments, which may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the Fund would like or at the price that the Fund believes the security is currently worth. At any given time, the Fund’s portfolio may be substantially illiquid. The term “illiquid securities” for this purpose means any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.
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The Fund may be subject to significant delays in disposing of illiquid securities, which may entail registration expenses and other transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. The Fund’s ability to realize full value in the event of the need to liquidate certain assets may be impaired and/or result in losses to the Fund. The Fund may be unable to sell its investments, even under circumstances when the Adviser believes it would be in the best interests of the Fund to do so. Illiquid investments may also be difficult to value and their pricing may be more volatile than more liquid investments, which could adversely affect the price at which the Fund is able to sell such instruments. Furthermore, as a result of such potential illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions, if necessary, to raise cash to meet its obligations. Illiquidity risk also may be greater in times of financial stress. The risks associated with illiquid instruments may be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund’s operations require cash (such as in connection with repurchase offers) and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet its short-term needs or incurring losses on the sale of illiquid instruments.
Lender Liability and Equitable Subordination Risk. A number of judicial decisions in the United States have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lenders or bondholders on the basis of various evolving legal theories (commonly referred to as “lender liability”). Generally, lender liability is founded upon the premise that an institutional lender or bondholder has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing owed to the borrower or issuer or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower or issuer resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or issuer or its other creditors or stockholders. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may 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 lender or bondholder: (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 other creditors of such borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lender or bondholder to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called “equitable subordination.” The Fund does not intend to engage in conduct that would form the basis for a successful cause of action based upon the equitable subordination doctrine; however, because of the nature of the debt obligations, the Fund may be subject to claims from creditors of an obligor that debt obligations of such obligor which are held by the Fund should be equitably subordinated.
Because affiliates of, or persons related to, the Adviser may hold equity or other interests in obligors of the Fund, the Fund could be exposed to claims for equitable subordination or lender liability or both based on such equity or other holdings.
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OID and PIK Interest Risk. Although the Fund does not expect that a significant portion of its income will be comprised of original issue discount (“OID”), which may include payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, the Fund may make investments that include OID and PIK components. To the extent OID and PIK interest income constitute a portion of the Fund’s income, it will be exposed to risks associated with such income being required to be included in an accounting income and taxable income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:
● | OID instruments and PIK securities may have unreliable valuations because the accretion of OID as interest income and the continuing accruals of PIK securities require judgments about their collectability and the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. |
● | OID instruments may create heightened credit risks because the inducement to the borrower to accept higher interest rates in exchange for the deferral of cash payments typically represents, to some extent, speculation on the part of the borrower. |
● | For accounting purposes, cash distributions to shareholders that include a component of accreted OID income do not come from paid-in capital, although they may be paid from offering proceeds. Thus, although a distribution of accreted OID income may come from the cash invested by the shareholders, the 1940 Act does not require that shareholders be given notice of this fact. |
● | The higher interest rates on PIK securities reflects the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with such instruments and PIK securities generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans. |
● | The presence of accreted OID income and PIK interest income create the risk of non-refundable cash payments to the Adviser in the form of incentive fees on income based on non-cash accreted OID income and PIK interest income accruals that may never be realized. |
● | Even if the conditions for income accrual under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) are satisfied, borrowers could still default when actual payment is due at the maturity of such loan. |
● | PIK interest has the effect of generating investment income and increasing the incentive fees payable at a compounding rate. In addition, the deferral of PIK interest also reduces the loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate. |
Private Placements Risk. Certain of the instruments in which the Fund may invest are restricted securities in that their disposition is restricted by the federal securities laws or otherwise, such as securities offered in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. A private placement involves the sale of securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act or relevant provisions of applicable non-U.S. law to certain institutional and qualified individual purchasers, such as the Fund. In addition to the general risks to which all securities are subject, restricted securities may not be listed on a national securities exchange and may have no active trading market. They may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets. The Fund may not be able to sell a Section 4(a)(2) security when the Sub-Advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the security at a lower price than the Fund believes is its fair market value. Although there is a substantial institutional market for Section 4(a)(2) securities, it is not possible to predict exactly how the market for such securities will develop. A Section 4(a)(2) security that was liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and the Fund may receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security, so it may be less able to predict a loss. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering Section 4(a)(2) securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. If, during such a delay, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed at the time it decided to seek registration of the security.
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One effect of Rule 144A is that certain restricted securities may be considered liquid, though no assurance can be given that a liquid market for Rule 144A Securities will develop or be maintained. However, where a substantial market of qualified institutional buyers has developed for certain unregistered securities purchased by the Fund pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Fund intends to treat such securities as liquid securities in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Because it is not possible to predict with assurance how the market for Rule 144A Securities will develop, the Board has directed the Adviser to monitor carefully the Fund’s investments in such securities with particular regard to trading activity, availability of reliable price information and other relevant information. To the extent that, for a period of time, qualified institutional buyers cease purchasing restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144A, the Fund’s investing in such securities may have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in its investment portfolio during such period. Private placements may also raise valuation risks.
CLO Risk. CLOs are securities backed by an underlying portfolio of loan obligations. CLOs issue classes or “tranches” that vary in risk and yield and may experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, decrease of market value due to collateral defaults and removal of subordinate tranches, market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class. Investments in CLO securities may be riskier and less transparent than direct investments in the underlying loans and debt obligations. The risks of investing in CLOs depend largely on the tranche invested in and the type of the underlying loans in the tranche of the CLO in which the Fund invests. The tranches in a CLO vary substantially in their risk profile, and debt tranches are more senior than equity tranches. The senior tranches are relatively safer because they have first priority on the collateral in the event of default. As a result, the senior tranches of a CLO generally have a higher credit rating and offer lower coupon rates than the junior tranches, which offer higher coupon rates to compensate for their higher default risk. The Fund expects that it will primarily invest in junior debt tranches of CLOs. The CLOs in which the Fund may invest may incur, or may have already incurred, debt that is senior to the Fund’s investment. CLOs also carry risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk and credit risk. Investments in CLOs may be subject to certain tax provisions that could result in the Fund incurring tax or recognizing income prior to receiving cash distributions related to such income. CLOs that fail to comply with certain U.S. tax disclosure requirements may be subject to withholding requirements that could adversely affect cash flows and investment results. Any unrealized losses the Fund experiences with respect to its CLO investments may be an indication of future realized losses. Equity tranches are unrated and equity investors receive no principal payments, if any, until all debt obligations are paid.
BDC Risk. BDCs may carry risks similar to those of a private equity or venture capital fund. BDC company securities are not redeemable at the option of the shareholder and they may trade in the market at a discount to their net asset value. A BDC is a form of investment company that is required to invest at least 70% of its total assets in securities (typically debt) of private companies, thinly traded U.S. public companies, or short-term high quality debt securities. The BDCs held by the Fund may leverage their portfolios through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock. While leverage often serves to increase the yield of a BDC, this leverage also subjects a BDC to increased risks, including the likelihood of increased volatility and the possibility that a BDC’s common share income will fall if the dividend rate of the preferred shares or the interest rate on any borrowings rises. A significant portion of a BDC’s investments are recorded at fair value as determined by its board of directors which may create uncertainty as to the value of the BDC’s investments. Non-traded BDCs are illiquid and it may not be possible to redeem shares or to do so without paying a substantial penalty. Publicly-traded BDCs usually trade at a discount to their net asset value because they invest in unlisted securities and have limited access to capital markets. BDCs are subject to high failure rates among the companies in which they invest and federal securities laws impose restraints upon the organization and operations of BDCs that can limit or negatively impact the performance of a BDC. However, the Fund does not believe it would be liable for the actions of any entity in which it invests and that only its investment is at risk. Also, BDCs may engage in certain principal and joint transactions that a mutual fund or closed-end fund may not without an exemptive order from the SEC.
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Hedging Risks. The Fund may enter into interest rate or currency hedges. Hedging against interest rate and currency fluctuations expose the Fund to additional risks and could harm its financial performance. The Fund’s use of hedging would not eliminate the risk that the value of its investments could decline or that its investment performance would be better off if it did not hedge. The effectiveness of the Fund’s hedging is dependent on the price it pays for the hedge and the correlation of the hedge to the risk it is designed to mitigate. It may arise that the cost of a hedging instrument exceeds its expected benefits or that an instrument may not hedge all of the risk for which it was designed to mitigate. Additionally, the use of hedging instruments exposes the Fund to counterparty risk including the failure to perform under the contract such as nonpayment. In the case of the early termination of a hedge agreement upon the occurrence of certain events of default or termination events set forth in the hedge agreement the Fund may be required to make a payment to the hedge provider.
Volatility Risk. The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Market interest rate changes may also cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience volatility. This is because the value of an obligation asset in the Fund is partially a function of whether it is paying what the market perceives to be a market rate of interest for the particular obligation given its individual credit and other characteristics. If market interest rates change, an obligation’s value could be affected to the extent the interest rate paid on that obligation does not rest at the same time. Because the Fund may use some instruments, such as derivatives, that involve economic leverage, this economic leverage will increase the volatility of a derivative instrument, as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the reference asset.
Issuer and Non-Diversification Risk. Since the Fund is non-diversified, it may invest a high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. When the Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more diversified portfolio might be. Some of those issuers may also present substantial credit or other risks. Since the Fund is non-diversified, its NAV per share and total return may also fluctuate more or be subject to declines in weaker markets than a diversified fund. Investments in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk, price volatility and potential losses than if assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.
Active Trading Risks. The Fund is actively managed and may purchase and sell investments without regard to the length of time held. Active trading may have a negative impact on performance by increasing brokerage and other transaction costs and may generate greater amounts of net short-term capital gains, which, for taxable accounts, would be subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates. The Fund will invest and trade in a variety of different securities, and utilize a variety of investment instruments and techniques. Each security and each instrument and technique involves the risk of loss of capital. While the Adviser will attempt to moderate these risks, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s investment activities will be successful or that the shareholders will not suffer losses.
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Leveraging Risk. The Fund's use of leverage (as described under "Leverage" in the body of this Prospectus) creates the opportunity for increased returns in the Fund, but it also creates special risks. To the extent used, there is no assurance that the Fund's leveraging strategies will be successful. Leverage is a speculative technique that may expose the Fund to greater risk and increased costs. Leverage tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in the Fund's exposure to an asset or class of assets and may cause the Fund's NAV per share to be volatile.
Any investments of the net proceeds that the Fund obtains from its sources of leverage (including through borrowings, as well as from any future issuance of preferred shares) will be made in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies as described in this Prospectus. Interest or other expenses payable by the Fund with respect to its leverage (or distributions payable with respect to any outstanding preferred shares) will generally be based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund's portfolio investments provide a higher rate of return (net of applicable Fund expenses) than the interest rates and other costs to the Fund of such leverage, the investment of the proceeds thereof will generate more income than will be needed to pay the costs of the leverage. If so, and all other things being equal, the excess may be used to pay higher distributions to shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. If, however, the cost of obtaining leverage rises relative to the rate of return on the Fund's portfolio, the interest and other costs of leverage to the Fund (including interest expenses on borrowings and the distribution rate on any outstanding preferred shares) could exceed the rate of return on the debt obligations and other investments held by the Fund, thereby reducing return to shareholders. In addition, fees and expenses of any form of leverage used by the Fund will be borne entirely by the shareholders (and not by preferred shareholders, if any) and will reduce the investment return of the Shares. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Fund's use of leverage will result in a higher return on the Shares, and it may result in losses.
Leverage creates several major types of risks for shareholders, including:
● | the likelihood of greater volatility of the Fund's NAV per share, and of the investment return to shareholders, than a comparable portfolio without leverage; |
● | the possibility either that Share distributions will fall if the interest and other costs of leverage rise, or that distributions paid on Shares will fluctuate because such costs vary over time; and |
● | the effects of leverage in a declining market or a rising interest rate environment, as leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the Fund's NAV per share than if the Fund were not leveraged. |
In addition, the counterparties to the Fund's leveraging transactions will have priority of payment over the Fund's shareholders.
The Fund may create leverage directly or indirectly by engaging in borrowing for other than temporary, defensive, or emergency purposes, investing in certain derivatives including total return swaps (including contracts for difference), credit default swaps, and forward currency contracts (including non-deliverable forwards), and engaging in forward-commitment transactions. The Fund's use of such transactions gives rise to associated leverage risks described above, and may adversely affect the Fund's income, distributions and total returns to shareholders. The Fund manages some of its derivative positions by segregating (which may include earmarking) an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the notional value or the market value, as applicable, of those positions. The Fund may also offset derivatives positions against one another or against other assets to manage effective market exposure resulting from derivatives in its portfolio. To the extent that any offsetting positions do not correlate with one another as expected, the Fund may perform as if it is leveraged through use of these derivative strategies.
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The fees received by the Adviser are based on the average daily managed assets of the Fund (which include any assets attributable to leverage). Therefore, the Adviser has a financial incentive to cause the Fund to use leverage (e.g., borrowings) or to issue preferred shares, which may create a conflict of interest, on the one hand, and the shareholders, on the other hand. The Fund may face additional risks, depending on the type of leverage used.
Valuation Risk. This is the risk that the Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments that may be illiquid or may become illiquid, and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. The Fund's ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, the Fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Investors who purchase or tender Shares for repurchase when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more Shares, or lower or higher repurchase proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Service Provider Risk. The Fund will rely on service providers selected by the Adviser, third party originators or by borrowers to store, transfer, buy, sell, liquidate, record or otherwise service assets. To the extent that a service provider or the technology deployed by a service provider fails to perform these tasks, the Fund’s investments may be adversely affected. These risks could affect the value of a particular investment, including the possible loss of the entire invested amount. An investment may represent an indirect ownership, or lien on collateral which may have no value. As a result, any investment product with collateral may be unsecured. The value of the collateral may at any point be worth less than the value of the original investment.
Repurchase Offers/Interval Fund Risk. The Fund is a closed-end investment company structured as an "interval fund" and is designed for long-term investors. Unlike many closed-end investment companies, the Fund's shares are not listed on any national securities exchange and are not publicly traded. There is currently no secondary market for the shares and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. In order to provide liquidity to shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, conducts quarterly offers to repurchase its outstanding Shares at NAV per share, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee, subject to approval of the Board. In all cases, such repurchase offers will be for at least 5% and not more than 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV per share, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act. The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers in the amount of 5% of its outstanding shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund's shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments (including by borrowing to obtain such investments), which may harm the Fund's investment performance. Moreover, a reduction in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), may increase the Fund's portfolio turnover, and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. Also, the sale of securities to fund repurchases could reduce the market price of those securities, which in turn would reduce the Fund's NAV per share.
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The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Fund's investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Fund's investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Fund's repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Fund's repurchase obligations, the Fund may, if necessary, sell investments, and is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the Investment Company Act to meet such repurchase obligations. If, as expected, the Fund employs investment leverage, repurchases of shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing the Fund's expenses and reducing any net investment income. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell a significant amount of additional Shares so as to mitigate these effects. Repurchase of the Fund's Shares will tend to reduce the amount of outstanding Shares and, depending upon the Fund's performance, its net assets. A reduction in the Fund's net assets would increase the Fund's expense ratio, to the extent that additional Shares are not sold and expenses otherwise remain the same (or increase). If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV per share of Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV per share for tendered Shares is determined. In addition, to the extent the Fund sells portfolio holdings in order to fund repurchase requests, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event for the shareholders of repurchased shares, and potentially even for shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase offer.
Distribution Policy Risk. All or a portion of a distribution from the Fund may consist of a return of capital, as opposed to representing a distribution of income generated by the Fund. A return of capital generally is a return of a shareholder’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities. shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Fund is net profit. shareholders should note that return of capital will reduce the tax basis of their shares.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk. The Fund, its service providers, and third-party fund distribution platforms' and shareholders' ability to transact with the Fund, may be negatively impacted due to operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as the securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. A cybersecurity incident could, among other things, result in the loss or theft of customer data or funds, customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems (also known as "denial of services"), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, interference with the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV per share, impediments to trading, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs.
The occurrence of any of these problems could result in a loss of information, regulatory scrutiny, reputational damage and other consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund or its shareholders. The Adviser, through its monitoring and oversight of Fund service providers, endeavors to determine that service providers take appropriate precautions to avoid and mitigate risks that could lead to such problems. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address these problems, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, and it is not possible for the Adviser, Fund service providers, or third-party fund distribution platforms to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which the Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
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Reinvestment Risk. Income from the Fund's portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called debt obligations at market interest rates that are below the portfolio's current earnings rate. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of debt obligations may exercise an option to redeem securities prior to maturity, forcing the Fund to invest in lower-yielding securities. The Fund also may choose to sell higher yielding portfolio securities and to purchase lower yielding securities to achieve greater portfolio diversification, because the portfolio managers believe the current holdings are overvalued or for other investment-related reasons. A decline in income received by the Fund from its investments is likely to have a negative effect on distribution levels, NAV per share and/or overall return of the Shares.
Middle Market Risk. Investing in middle-market companies is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk of credit loss, and therefore the Fund’s securities may not be suitable for someone with a low tolerance for risk. Middle-market companies are more likely to be considered lower grade investments, commonly called “junk,” which are either rated below investment grade by one or more nationally-recognized statistical rating agencies at the time of investment or may be unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Lower grade securities or comparable unrated securities are considered predominantly speculative regarding the portfolio company’s ability to pay interest and principal and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments. These risks are likely to increase during volatile economic periods.
Prepayment Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that its investments in Senior Loans may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, the Fund will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt representing the Senior Loan being prepaid, and the Fund could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, the Fund’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to the Fund. Additionally, prepayments, net of prepayment fees, could negatively impact return on equity.
Trustees and Officers
The Board is responsible for the overall management of the Fund, including supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser. The Board consists of three individuals, two of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Fund, the Adviser, or the Fund’s Distributor (“Independent Trustees”). The Trustees are responsible for the Fund’s overall management, including adopting the investment and other policies of the Fund, electing and replacing officers and selecting and supervising the Adviser. The name and business address of the Trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliates during the past five years, as well as a description of the Board’s committee and leadership structure, are set forth under “Management” in the SAI.
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Investment Adviser
Flat Rock Global, LLC (the “Adviser”) is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 1.375% of average gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed quarters, payable quarterly in arrears (the “Advisory Fee”).
In addition to the Advisory Fee, the Adviser in entitled to an incentive fee. The incentive fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to 15.0% of our “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, and is subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on our “adjusted capital,” equal to 1.75% per quarter (or an annualized hurdle rate of 7.00%), subject to a “catch-up” feature, which allows the Adviser to recover foregone incentive fees that were previously limited by the hurdle rate. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the management fee, expenses reimbursed to the Adviser for any administrative services provided by the Adviser and any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding preferred shares, but excluding the incentive fee). “Adjusted capital” means the cumulative gross proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of shares (including pursuant to the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan), reduced by amounts paid in connection with purchases of the Fund’s shares pursuant to the Fund’s Repurchase Program.
The calculation of the incentive fee on pre-incentive fee net investment income for each quarter is as follows:
● | No incentive fee is payable in any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75% per quarter (or an annualized rate of 7.00%); |
● | 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.0586%. We refer to this portion of our pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.0586%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an incentive fee of 15.0% on all of our pre-incentive fee net investment income when our pre-incentive fee net investment income reaches 2.0586% in any calendar quarter; and |
● | 15.0% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.0586% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved (15.0% of all pre-incentive fee net investment income thereafter will be allocated to the Adviser). |
Quarterly Incentive Fee Fund’s
pre-incentive fee net investment income
(expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s adjusted capital)
These calculations will be appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted, if appropriate, for any equity capital raises or repurchases during the current calendar quarter.
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Example: Subordinated Incentive Fee on Income for Each Calendar Quarter
Scenario 1
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.25%
Preferred return(1) = 1.75%
Base management fee(2) = 0.34375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2%
Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (base management fee + other expenses)) = 0.70625%
Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the preferred return rate; therefore there is no subordinated incentive fee on income payable.
Scenario 2
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.75%
Preferred return(1) = 1.75%
Base management fee(2) = 0.34375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2%
Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.20625%
Subordinated incentive fee on income | = 100% x pre-incentive fee net investment income (subject to “catch-up”)(4) |
= 100% x (2.20625% – 1.75%) | |
= 0.45625% |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds the preferred return rate, but does not fully satisfy the “catch-up” provision, therefore the subordinated incentive fee on income is 0.45625%.
Scenario 3
Assumptions
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.25%
Preferred return(1) = 1.75%
Base management fee(2) = 0.34375%
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(3) = 0.2%
Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income – (base management fee + other expenses)) = 2.70625%
Catch up = 100% x pre-incentive fee net investment income (subject to “catch-up”) (4)
Subordinated incentive fee on income = 100% x “catch-up” + (15.0% x (pre-incentive fee net investment income – 2.0586%))
Catch up | = 2.0586% – 1.75% |
= 0.3086% |
Subordinated incentive fee on income = (100% x 0.3086%) + (15.0% x (2.706254% – 2.0586%))
= 0.3086% + (15% x 0.647654%) | |
= 0.3086% + 0.0971481% = 0.4057481% |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds the fixed preferred return and fully satisfies the “catch-up” provision, therefore the subordinated incentive fee on income is 0.405138%.
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(1) | Represents 7.0% annualized preferred return. |
(2) | Represents 1.375% annualized base management fee on average total assets. |
(3) | Excludes organization and offering expenses. |
(4) | The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide our Adviser with an incentive fee of 15.0% on all pre-incentive fee net investment income when our net investment income exceeds 2.0586% in any calendar quarter. |
* | The returns shown are for illustrative purposes only. There is no guarantee that positive returns will be realized and actual returns may vary from those shown in the examples above. |
The Adviser serves as investment Adviser to the Fund pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement has an initial two-year term and is subject to annual renewal thereafter by the Board. Subject to the authority of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Adviser is responsible for selecting appropriate investment strategies, managing any sub-advisers, and assuring that investments are made according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. A discussion of the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement will be set forth in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.
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The principal offices of the Adviser are located at 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10019, and its telephone number is (212) 596-3413. The Adviser or its designee maintains the Fund’s accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained under the 1940 Act at its offices, or the offices of the Administrator.
Fund Expenses
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will not seek or be entitled to reimbursement from the Fund for any of the following offering expenses: transfer agent fees; fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts (including attendance at investment conferences and similar events); federal and state registration fees; and all other organization and offering expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its obligations.
The Fund, either directly or through reimbursement to Adviser, shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including (without limitation) fees and expenses relating to: the cost of calculating the net asset value of the Shares, including the cost of any third-party valuation services; the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of the Shares and other securities; management and incentive fees payable to Adviser pursuant to this Agreement; transfer agent and custodial fees; fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts (including attendance at investment conferences and similar events); federal and state registration fees; federal, state and local taxes; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Fund’s investments; the fees and expenses of any member of the Board who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or a sub-adviser; brokerage commissions for the Fund’s investments; costs of proxy statements, shareholders’ reports and notices; costs associated with the Fund’s reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws; fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums; direct costs such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff costs; and fees and expenses associated with independent accountants, independent and internal audit, and outside legal costs.
Portfolio Managers
Robert K. Grunewald has served as portfolio manager since the Fund’s inception. Mr. Grunewald has over 25 years of experience with middle-market finance, BDCs and asset management. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser since 2016, President and Chief Executive Officer of Flat Rock Capital Corp. since 2017, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Flat Rock Opportunity Fund since 2018. From 2011 to 2015, Mr. Grunewald served as the President and Chief Investment Officer of Business Development Corp. of America.
Richard A. Petrocelli has served as portfolio manager since the Fund’s inception. He has served as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser since 2016, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Flat Rock Capital Corp. since 2017, and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Flat Rock Opportunity Fund since 2018. From 2014-2015, Mr. Petrocelli served as Chief Financial Officer of Fifth Street Finance Corp. and Fifth Street Senior Floating Rate Corp. Prior to 2014, Mr. Petrocelli spent 16 years with Saratoga Partners, including as Chief Financial Officer to Saratoga Investment Corp.
The SAI provides additional information about the Fund’s portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of Fund shares.
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Administrator
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203, will serve as administrator of the Fund. Pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrator will furnish the Fund with the provisions of clerical and other administrative services, including marketing, investor relations and accounting services and maintenance of certain books and records on its behalf. In addition, the Administrator will perform the calculation and publication of the Fund’s NAV and will oversee the preparation and filing of the Fund’s tax returns, the payment of its expenses and the performance oversight of various third- party service providers.
In accordance with the Administrative Services Agreement, the Administrator will be paid the greater of a minimum fee or fees based on the annual net assets of the Fund plus out of pocket expenses, payable quarterly in arrears, in connection with providing services to the Fund.
Transfer Agent
DST Systems, Inc., located at 430 W 7th Street, Suite 219238, Kansas City, MO 64105, serves as the Transfer Agent.
Custodian
U.S. Bank, with principal offices at 1555 N. Rivercenter Drive, MK-WI-5302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, serves as custodian for the securities and cash for the Fund’s portfolio. Under the Custody Agreement, U.S. Bank holds the Fund’s assets in safekeeping and keeps all necessary records and documents relating to its duties.
Control Persons
A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. As of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, there are no control persons of the Fund, as the Fund has not commenced operations.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund determines the NAV of its shares daily, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). Each time the Fund calculates NAV, it will accrue as a liability any amounts owed to the Adviser as payment for incentive fees, which could vary over time. In computing its NAV, portfolio securities of the Fund are valued at their current market values determined on the basis of market quotations. If market quotations are not readily available, securities are valued at fair value pursuant to valuation policies approved by the Board. The Board is responsible for the valuation of the Fund’s portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available, as determined in good faith pursuant to the Fund’s valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. The Board has delegated day-to-day responsibility for implementing the portfolio valuation process set forth in the Fund’s valuation policy to the Adviser and has authorized the Adviser to utilize the independent third-party pricing services and independent third-party valuation services that have been approved by the Board. Portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are readily available are valued at market value. In circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, the Board has adopted methods for determining the fair value of such securities and other assets. Valuations of the Fund’s investments are disclosed in reports publicly filed with the SEC.
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The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of the Fund’s financial statements likely will be the valuation of its investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded. There generally is no single method for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value usually requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments the Fund makes. The Fund will be required to specifically fair value each individual investment on a quarterly basis.
Debt securities and other instruments not traded on an exchange may be valued based on prices supplied by a pricing agent(s), based on broker or dealer supplied valuations, based on model pricing, or based on matrix pricing, which is a method of valuing securities or other assets by reference to the value of other securities or other assets with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. If market quotations are not readily available, securities or other assets will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. In these cases, the Fund’s NAV will reflect certain portfolio investment’s fair value rather than their market price. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for an investment may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that investment. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available.
The Fund intends to invest directly in Senior Loans (either in the primary or secondary markets). In valuing such investments, the Adviser will prepare an analysis of each Senior Loan, including a financial summary, covenant compliance review, recent trading activity in the security, if known, and other business developments related to the issuer of such Senior Secured Loan.
All available information, including non-binding indicative bids which may not be considered reliable, typically will be presented to the Board to consider in making its fair value determinations. In some instances, there may be limited trading activity in a security even though the market for the security is considered not active. In such cases the Board will consider the number of trades, the size and timing of each trade, and other circumstances around such trades, to the extent such information is available. The Fund will engage third-party valuation firms to provide assistance to the Board in valuing a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments. The Board expects to evaluate the impact of such additional information and factor it into its consideration of fair value.
As a general matter, certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of a fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible, on the other. For example, it is possible that the accounts managed by the Adviser could have different investment strategies that, at times, might conflict with one another to the possible detriment of the Fund. Alternatively, to the extent that the same investment opportunities might be desirable for more than one account, possible conflicts could arise in determining how to allocate them. Other potential conflicts might include conflicts created by specific portfolio manager compensation arrangements, and conflicts relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute Fund portfolio trades and/or specific uses of commissions from Fund portfolio trades (for example, research, or “soft dollars,” if any).
The Adviser currently or in the future may provide investment advisory and other services, directly and through affiliates, to various affiliated entities, including other investment funds and separately managed accounts other than the Fund (“Adviser Accounts”). The Fund has no interest in these activities. The Adviser and the investment professionals, who on behalf of the Adviser provide investment advisory services to the Fund, are engaged in activities other than on behalf of the Fund, may have differing economic interests in respect of such activities, and may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time and activity between the Fund and the Adviser Accounts. Such persons devote only so much time to the affairs of the Fund as in their judgment is necessary and appropriate.
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The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to Flat Rock Opportunity Fund, a closed-end fund that operates as an interval fund that invests primarily in the junior and equity tranches of CLOs that hold a portfolio of Senior Loans. To the extent that the Fund competes with Flat Rock Opportunity Fund or other entities managed by the Adviser or any of its affiliates for a particular investment opportunity, the Adviser will allocate investment opportunities across the entities for which such opportunities are appropriate, consistent with (1) its internal conflict-resolution and allocation policies and (2) the requirements of the Advisers Act. The Adviser’s allocation policies are intended to ensure that the Fund may generally share equitably with other investment funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in investment opportunities, particularly those involving a security with limited supply or involving differing classes of securities of the same issuer which may be suitable for the Fund and such other investment funds.
For additional information about conflicts of interest relevant to the Fund, see “Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.
QUARTERLY REPURCHASES OF SHARES
The Fund does not currently intend to list its shares on any securities exchange and do not expect any secondary market for them to develop in the foreseeable future. Therefore, shareholders should expect that they will be unable to sell their shares for an indefinite time or at a desired price. No shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase such shareholder’s shares or any portion thereof. Shareholders may not transfer their investment from the Fund to any other registered investment company. Because no public market exists for the shares, and none is expected to develop in the foreseeable future, shareholders will not be able to liquidate their investment, other than through our Repurchase Program, or, in limited circumstances, as a result of transfers of shares to other investors.
To provide shareholders with limited liquidity, the Fund is structured as an “interval fund” and intends to conduct quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements (as discussed below). In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding shares. Quarterly repurchases will occur in the months of January, April, July and October starting in January 2021. The offer to purchase shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Repurchase Offer Notice will be sent to shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the Repurchase Request Deadline, which is ordinarily on the third Friday of the month in which the repurchase occurs. The Fund determines the NAV applicable to repurchases on the Repurchase Request Deadline. However, the NAV will be calculated no later than the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Fund distributes payments to shareholders between one and three business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven calendar days after such date. The Fund’s shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and no secondary market is expected to develop for the shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, the shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject it and shareholders to special risks.
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Determination of Repurchase Offer Amount
The Board, or a committee thereof, in its sole discretion, will determine the number of shares that the Fund will offer to repurchase (the “Repurchase Offer Amount”) for a given Repurchase Request Deadline. The Repurchase Offer Amount, however, will be no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the total number of shares outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline.
If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than 100 shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered. In addition, the Fund will accept the total number of shares tendered in connection with required minimum distributions from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan. It is the shareholder’s obligation to both notify and provide the Fund with supporting documentation of a required minimum distribution from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan.
Notice to Shareholders
No less than 21 days and more than 42 days before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall send to each shareholder of record and to each beneficial owner of the shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification (“Shareholder Notification”). The Shareholder Notification will contain information shareholders should consider in deciding whether to tender their shares for repurchase. The notice also will include detailed instructions on how to tender shares for repurchase, state the Repurchase Offer Amount and identify the dates of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the scheduled Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date the repurchase proceeds are scheduled for payment (the “Repurchase Payment Deadline”). The notice also will set forth the NAV that has been computed no more than seven days before the date of notification, and how shareholders may ascertain the NAV after the notification date.
Repurchase Price
The repurchase price of the shares will be the NAV as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Repurchase Pricing Date. You may call the Fund at (212) 596-3413 to learn the NAV. The Repurchase Offer Notice also will provide information concerning the NAV, such as the NAV as of a recent date or a sampling of recent NAVs, and a toll-free number for information regarding the repurchase offer.
Repurchase Amounts and Payment of Proceeds
Shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate Repurchase Offer Amount established for that Repurchase Request Deadline. Payment pursuant to the repurchase offer will be made by check to the shareholder’s address of record or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act, regulations thereunder and other pertinent laws.
If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of shares not to exceed 2.00% of its outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if shareholders tender shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2.00% of the outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than 100 shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered. In addition, the Fund will accept the total number of shares tendered in connection with required minimum distributions from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan. It is the shareholder’s obligation to both notify and provide the Fund with supporting documentation of a required minimum distribution from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan.
For additional information about the Fund’s quarterly repurchase offers, see “Quarterly Repurchase Offers” in the SAI.
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Subject to the Board’s discretion and applicable legal restrictions, the Fund intends to authorize and declare ordinary cash distributions on a monthly basis and to pay such distributions on a monthly basis. The Fund’s distributions may be funded from unlimited amounts of offering proceeds or borrowings, which may constitute a return of capital and reduce the amount of capital available to it for investment. Any capital returned to shareholders through distributions will be distributed after payment of fees and expenses.
The Fund intends to make a distribution each month to its shareholders of the net investment income of the Fund after payment of Fund operating expenses. The distribution rate may be modified by the Board from time to time.
To the extent that any portion of the Fund’s monthly distributions is considered a return of capital to shareholders, such portion would not be considered dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and would represent a return of the amounts that such shareholders invested. Although such return of capital distributions are not currently taxable to shareholders, such distributions will have the effect of lowering a shareholder’s tax basis in such shares, and could result in a higher tax liability when the shares are sold, even if they have not increased in value, or in fact, have lost value. The Fund’s final distribution for each tax year is expected to include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the tax year, as well as any undistributed net capital gain realized during the tax year. If the total distributions made in any tax year exceed investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. This distribution policy, may, under certain circumstances, have adverse consequences to us and our shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a shareholder’s assets being invested in us and, over time, increase our expense ratio. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell securities at a time it would not otherwise do so to manage the distribution of income and gain.
Each year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions (i.e., paid from ordinary income, paid from net capital gains on the sale of securities, and/or a return of capital, which is a nontaxable distribution) will be furnished to shareholders subject to IRS reporting. The Fund’s ordinary distributions may exceed its earnings, especially during the period before it has substantially invested the proceeds from this offering. To the extent that the Fund pays distributions to shareholders using proceeds it receives from its distributions, such distributions generally would constitute a return of investor capital and generally will lower an investor’s tax basis in his or her shares. A return of capital generally is a return of an investor’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all.
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As discussed in the “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” section, to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund is required to distribute on a timely basis with respect to each tax year dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount at least equal to the sum of 90% of “investment company taxable income” and net tax-exempt interest income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, for such tax year. To avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, the Fund is required to distribute in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income for previous calendar years that were not distributed during such calendar years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax. The Fund can offer no assurance that it will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions. If the Fund issues senior securities, it will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes it to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of its borrowings. Any such limitations would adversely impact the Fund’s ability to make distributions to shareholders.
The Board reserves the right to change the quarterly distribution policy from time to time.
The Fund operates under a distribution reinvestment policy administered by DST Systems, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”). Unless a shareholder elects otherwise, the shareholder’s distributions will be reinvested in additional shares under the Fund’s distribution reinvestment policy. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Fund’s distribution reinvestment policy will receive all distributions in cash paid to the shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). Pursuant to the policy, the Fund’s income dividends or capital gains or other distributions, net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, are reinvested in the Fund.
Shareholders automatically participate in the distribution reinvestment policy, unless and until an election is made to withdraw from the policy on behalf of such participating shareholder. Shareholders who do not wish to have distributions automatically reinvested should so notify the Transfer Agent in writing at P.O. Box [________], Kansas City, Missouri 64121. Such written notice must be received by the Transfer Agent 30 days prior to the record date of the distribution or the shareholder will receive such distribution in shares through the distribution reinvestment policy. Under the distribution reinvestment policy, the Fund’s distributions to shareholders are reinvested in full and fractional shares as described below.
When the Fund declares a distribution, the Transfer Agent, on the shareholder’s behalf, will receive additional authorized newly issued shares from the Fund. The number of shares to be received when distributions are reinvested will be determined by dividing the amount of the distribution by our NAV per share.
The Transfer Agent will maintain all shareholder accounts and furnish written confirmations of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. The Transfer Agent will hold shares in the account of the shareholders in non-certificated form in the name of the participant, and each shareholder’s proxy, if any, will include those shares purchased pursuant to the distribution reinvestment policy. Each participant, nevertheless, has the right to request certificates for whole and fractional shares owned. The Fund will issue certificates in its sole discretion.
In the case of shareholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners participating under the distribution reinvestment policy, the Transfer Agent will administer the distribution reinvestment policy on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount of shares registered in the shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners participating under the distribution reinvestment policy.
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Neither the Transfer Agent nor the Fund shall have any responsibility or liability beyond the exercise of ordinary care for any action taken or omitted pursuant to the distribution reinvestment policy, nor shall they have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities except as expressly set forth herein. Neither shall they be liable under the distribution reinvestment policy for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omissions to act, including, without limitation, failure to terminate a participant’s account prior to receipt of written notice of his or her death or with respect to prices at which shares are purchased or sold for the participants account and the terms on which such purchases and sales are made, subject to applicable provisions of the federal securities laws.
The automatic reinvestment of distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such distributions. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the distribution reinvestment policy. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases under the distribution reinvestment policy; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the distribution reinvestment policy to include a service charge payable by the participants.
All correspondence concerning the distribution reinvestment policy should be directed to the Transfer Agent at P.O. Box [________], Kansas City, Missouri 64121. Certain transactions can be performed by calling the toll-free number (844) 292-0365.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Fund and to an investment in the Fund’s shares. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, the Fund has not described tax consequences that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts and financial institutions. This summary assumes that investors hold their shares as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. The Fund has not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding this offering. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if the Fund invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.
A “U.S. shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of the Shares who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
● | a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
● | a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; |
● | a trust, if a court in the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all decisions of the trust, or the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or |
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● | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
A “non-U.S. shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of shares that is not a U.S. shareholder. If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder that is a partner in a partnership holding shares should consult with the shareholder’s tax advisers with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the shares.
Tax matters are complex and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in shares will depend on the facts of the shareholder’s particular situation. The Fund encourages all investors to consult their respective tax advisers regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.
Election to be Taxed as a RIC
The Fund intends to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Fund generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any income that the Fund distributes to its shareholders from the Fund’s tax earnings and profits. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, in order to obtain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must distribute to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income,” which is generally its net ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).
Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company
If the Fund (i) qualifies as a RIC and (ii) satisfies the Annual Distribution Requirement then the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of the Fund’s income distributed (or deemed distributed) to shareholders. The Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) to its shareholders. The Fund will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless the Fund distributes, in a timely manner, an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s net ordinary income for each calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) any income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax, (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). The Fund generally will endeavor in each taxable year to avoid any U.S. federal excise tax on its earnings.
In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund must, among other things:
● | derive in each taxable year at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities, loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stock or securities (the 90% Income Test); and |
● | diversify the Fund’s holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: |
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● | at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets and more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and |
● | no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets is 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 the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” (the “Diversification Tests”). |
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which the Fund does not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. The Fund may also have to include in income other amounts that the Fund has not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. The Fund anticipates that a portion of the Fund’s income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash.
Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to the Fund’s shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though the Fund will not have received all of the corresponding cash amount. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. The Fund may have to sell some of the Fund’s investments at times or at prices the Fund would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, the Fund may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
If the Fund has to borrow funds or sell assets in order to satisfy the annual Distribution Requirements, the Fund may fail to meet the Diversification Tests and the 1940 Act prohibition on making distributions while debt obligations and senior securities are outstanding, unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. Further, if the Fund disposes of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, the Fund may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
Distributions by the Fund generally are taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, the Fund’s net ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. shareholders to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. To the extent such distributions paid by the Fund to non-corporate shareholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions (“Qualifying Dividends”) may be eligible for a current maximum tax rate of 20%. It is anticipated that distributions paid by the Fund will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the current 20% maximum rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gains (which is generally the Fund’s realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly designated by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. shareholder as long-term capital gains that are currently taxable at a current maximum rate of 20% in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. shareholder’s holding period for these shares and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in such shareholder’s shares and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. shareholder.
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The Fund may retain some or all of the Fund’s realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses but designate the retained net capital gain as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, the Fund will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. shareholder will be required to include the shareholder’s share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. shareholder, and the U.S. shareholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to the shareholder’s allocable share of the tax paid thereon by the Fund. Because the Fund expects to pay tax on any retained capital gains at the Fund’s regular corporate tax rate, and because that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by U.S. shareholders taxed at individual rates on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual U.S. shareholders will be treated as having paid will exceed the tax the shareholders owe on the capital gain distribution and such excess generally may be refunded or claimed as a credit against the U.S. shareholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. shareholder’s cost basis for the shareholder’s shares. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, the Fund must provide written notice to the Fund’s shareholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. The Fund cannot treat any of the Fund’s investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.”
The Fund does not expect that special share distributions that the Fund pays ratably to all investors from time to time, if any, will be taxable. However, in the future, the Fund may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash or shares at the election of each shareholder. Under certain applicable provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations, distributions payable in cash or in shares of stock at the election of shareholders are treated as taxable dividends whether a shareholder elects to receive cash or shares. The Internal Revenue Service has issued private rulings indicating that this rule will apply even where the total amount of cash that may be distributed is limited to no more than 20% of the total distribution. Under these rulings, if too many shareholders elect to receive such shareholders’ distributions in cash, each such shareholder would receive a pro rata share of the total cash to be distributed and would receive the remainder of the shareholder’s distribution in shares. If the Fund decides to make any distributions consistent with these rulings that are payable in part in shares, taxable shareholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend (whether received in cash, shares, or a combination thereof) as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly reported as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. shareholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. shareholder sells the shares it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of the shares at the time of the sale.
For purposes of determining (i) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, 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 the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the Fund’s U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
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If an investor purchases shares shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it may represent a return of that shareholder’s investment.
A shareholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of the shareholder’s shares. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shareholder has held these shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of the Fund’s shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of the shares may be disallowed if other shares are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.
In general, individual U.S. shareholders currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their 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 the shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. In addition, individuals with income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly) and certain estates and trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,” which generally includes net income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents, and net capital gains (other than certain amounts earned from trades or businesses).
Corporate U.S. shareholders 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 shareholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code.
If the Fund is not a publicly offered RIC for any period, a non-corporate shareholder’s pro rata portion of the Fund’s affected expenses, including the Fund’s management fees, will be treated as an additional dividend to the shareholder. A “publicly offered” RIC is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. While the Fund anticipates that it will constitute a publicly offered RIC for the Fund’s first tax year, there can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact so qualify for any of the Fund’s taxable years.
The Fund will send to each of the Fund’s U.S. shareholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice reporting the amounts includible in such U.S. shareholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (including the amount of dividends, if any, eligible for the current 20% maximum rate). Dividends paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because the Fund’s income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. shareholder’s particular situation.
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The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax, or backup withholding from all distributions to any non-corporate U.S. shareholder (i) who fails to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such shareholder is exempt from backup withholding or (ii) with respect to whom the IRS notifies the Fund that such shareholder 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 the shareholder’s social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is provided to the IRS.
Taxation of non-U.S. Shareholders
Whether an investment in the shares is appropriate for a non-U.S. shareholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a non-U.S. shareholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their respective tax advisers before investing in the shares. Distributions of the Fund’s investment company taxable income to non-U.S. shareholders (including interest income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized long-term capital losses, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to non-U.S. shareholders directly) will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits unless an applicable exception applies. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder, and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the non-U.S. shareholder 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. shareholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisers.
For distributions made to non-U.S. shareholders, no withholding is required and the distributions generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax if (i) the distributions are properly reported to the Fund’s shareholders as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” (ii) the distributions were derived from sources specified in the Code for such dividends and (iii) certain other requirements were satisfied.
Actual or deemed distributions of the Fund’s net capital gains to a non-U.S. shareholder, and gains realized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon the sale of the Shares, will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (i) the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. shareholder in the United States or (ii) such non-U.S. shareholder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the year of the distribution or gain.
If the Fund distributes the Fund’s net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a non-U.S. shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the shareholder’s allocable share of the tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. shareholder 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. shareholder, distributions (both actual and deemed) and gains realized upon the sale of the Fund’s shares that are effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty). Accordingly, investment in the shares may not be appropriate for a non-U.S. shareholder.
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A non-U.S. shareholder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the non-U.S. shareholder provides the Fund or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.
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, and the gross proceeds from the sale of any property that could produce U.S.-source interest or dividends received after December 31, 2018. 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. Depending on the status of a non-U.S. shareholder and the status of the intermediaries through which they hold their shares, non-U.S. shareholders could be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to distributions on their Shares and proceeds from the sale of their Shares. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to us to enable us to determine whether withholding is required, such as W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or other applicable series W-8.
Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the shares.
Failure to Qualify as a RIC
If the Fund is unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Fund will be subject to tax on all of the Fund’s taxable income at regular corporate rates, regardless of whether the Fund makes any distributions to the Fund’s shareholders. Distributions would not be required, and any distributions would be taxable to the Fund’s shareholders as ordinary
dividend income. Subject to certain limitations in the Code, such distributions would be eligible for the current 20% maximum rate to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate distributees would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain.
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Possible Tax Law Changes
The foregoing discussion is only a summary and is based upon existing federal income tax law. Shareholders should recognize that the federal income tax treatment of an investment in the Fund may be modified at any time by legislative, judicial, or administrative action. Any such changes may have a retroactive effect with respect to existing transactions and investments and may modify the statements made above. In particular, the Tax Act includes sweeping changes to U.S. tax laws and represents the most significant changes to the Code since 1986. Shareholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisor with respect to the impact of recent legislation, including the Tax Act, on their investment in the Shares.
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TO DESCRIBE FULLY THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND. SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND SHARES
The Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust established under the laws of the State of Delaware upon the filing of a Certificate of Trust with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 11, 2020.
Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund’s issuance of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share. There is currently no market for our shares and we do not expect that a market for our shares will develop in the foreseeable future. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and as permitted by Delaware law, shareholders are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations organized for profit under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “DGCL”) and therefore generally will not be personally liable for our debts or obligations.
Shares
Under the terms of the Declaration of Trust, all shares, when consideration for shares is received by the Fund, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to shareholders if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board. Shares will have no preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion, exchange or redemption rights, and will be freely transferable. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board shall have the power to repurchase or redeem shares. In the event of the Fund’s dissolution, after the Fund pays or adequately provides for the payment of all claims and obligations of the Fund, and upon the receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements deemed necessary by the Board, each share will be entitled to receive, according to its respective rights, a pro rata portion of the Fund’s assets available for distribution for the applicable class, subject to any preferential rights of holders of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares, if any. Each whole share will be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional share will be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to vote on all matters on which a vote of shareholders is required by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board. There will be no cumulative voting in the election or removal of Trustees. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Fund is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Fund only expects to hold shareholder meetings to the extent required by the 1940 Act or pursuant to special meetings called by the Board or a majority of shareholders.
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Preferred Shares and Other Securities
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board may, subject to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions and the requirements of the 1940 Act, authorize and cause the Fund to issue securities of the Fund other than common shares of beneficial interest (including preferred Shares, debt securities or other senior securities), by action of the Board without the approval of shareholders. The Board may determine the terms, rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of such securities as the Board sees fit.
Preferred Shares could be issued with rights and preferences that would adversely affect shareholders. Preferred shares could also be used as an anti-takeover device. Every issuance of preferred shares will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (i) immediately after issuance of preferred shares and before any distribution is made with respect to the shares and before any purchase of shares is made, the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference of such preferred shares together with the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference or aggregate value of all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of the Fund’s total assets after deducting the amount of such distribution or purchase price, as the case may be; and (ii) the holders of preferred shares, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two Trustees at all times and to elect a majority of the Trustees if distributions on such preferred shares are in arrears by two years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred shares. The Fund does not plan to issue preferred shares within twelve months of the effectiveness of its registration statement.
The following table shows the amounts of the Fund’s shares that have been authorized and are outstanding as of [________], 2020:
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | |||||||||
Title of Class |
Amount
Authorized |
Amount Held
by Fund or for its Account |
Amount
Outstanding Excluding Amount Shown Under (3) |
|||||||||
Shares of beneficial interest | Unlimited | None | [_____] |
Limitation on Liability of Trustees and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, Trustees and officers of the Fund will not be subject in such capacity to any personal liability to the Fund or shareholders, unless the liability arises from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for the Trustee’s or officer’s duty.
Except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Fund will indemnify and hold harmless any current or former Trustee or officer of the Fund against any liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees relating to the defense or disposition of any action, suit or proceeding with which such person is involved or threatened), while and with respect to acting in the capacity of a Trustee or officer of the Fund, except with respect to matters in which such person did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Fund, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, matters for which such person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Fund will not indemnify any Trustee or officer for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties of his or her position. The Fund will provide indemnification to Trustees and officers prior to a final determination regarding entitlement to indemnification as described in the Declaration of Trust.
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The Fund has entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties thereunder, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss the Fund suffers.
Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Fund will advance the expenses of defending any action for which indemnification is sought if the Fund receives a written undertaking by the indemnitee which provides that the indemnitee will reimburse the Fund unless it is subsequently determined that the indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification.
Number of Trustees; Appointment of Trustees; Vacancies; Removal
The Declaration of Trust provides that the number of Trustees shall be no less than one and no more than 15, as determined in writing by a majority of the Trustees then in office. As set forth in the Declaration of Trust, a Trustee’s term of office shall continue until his or her death, resignation or removal. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, individuals may be appointed by the Trustees at any time to fill vacancies on the Board by the appointment of such persons by a majority of the Trustees then in office. Each Trustee shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been appointed pursuant to the Declaration of Trust. To the extent that the 1940 Act requires that Trustees be elected by shareholders, any such Trustees will be elected by a plurality of all shares voted at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present.
The Declaration of Trust provides that any Trustee may be removed (provided that after the removal the aggregate number of Trustees is not less than the minimum required by the Declaration of Trust) (i) with cause, by at least two-thirds (66⅔%) of the remaining Trustees; or (ii) without cause, by all of the remaining Trustees.
Action by Shareholders
The Declaration of Trust provides that shareholder action can be taken only at a meeting of shareholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. Subject to the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board specifying a greater or lesser vote requirement, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the shareholders with respect to any matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders.
Amendment of Declaration of Trust and Bylaws
Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Board may amend the Declaration of Trust without any vote of shareholders. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and bylaws, the Board has the exclusive power to amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws at any time.
No Appraisal Rights
In certain extraordinary transactions, some jurisdictions provide the right to dissenting shareholders to demand and receive the fair value of their shares, subject to certain procedures and requirements set forth in such statute. Those rights are commonly referred to as appraisal rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that shares shall not entitle shareholders to appraisal rights.
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Conflict with Applicable Laws and Regulations
The Declaration of Trust provides that if and to the extent that any provision of the Declaration of Trust conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the provisions under the Code applicable to the Fund as a RIC or other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the Declaration of Trust or affect the validity of any action taken or omitted to be taken prior to such determination.
Liability of Shareholders
Shareholders in the Fund will be shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust as provided under Delaware law. Under Delaware law and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, an Investor will not be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Fund solely by reason of being a shareholder, except that the Investor may be obligated to repay any funds wrongfully distributed to the shareholder.
Duty of Care of the Board and the Adviser
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that none of the Trustees, officers or the Adviser (including certain of the Adviser’s affiliates, among others) shall be liable to the Fund or any of the shareholders for any loss or damage occasioned by any act or omission in the performance of their respective services as such in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust also contains provisions for the indemnification, to the extent permitted by law, of the Trustees and officers by the Fund, but not by the shareholders individually, against any liability and expense to which any of them may be liable which arises in connection with the performance of their activities on behalf of the Fund. None of these persons will be personally liable to any shareholder for contributions by such shareholder to the capital of the Fund or by reason of any change in the U.S. federal or state income tax laws applicable to the Fund or its shareholders. The rights of indemnification and exculpation provided under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust do not provide for indemnification of a Trustee for any liability, including liability under U.S. federal securities laws which, under certain circumstances, impose liability even on persons that act in good faith, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such indemnification would be in violation of applicable law.
Term, Dissolution and Liquidation
Unless dissolved as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Fund shall have perpetual existence. The Fund may be dissolved at any time by vote of a majority of the shares of the Fund entitled to vote or by the Board by written notice to the shareholders. Upon dissolution of the Fund, the Trustees shall pay or make reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Fund, including all contingent, conditional or unmatured claims and obligations known to the Fund, and all claims and obligations which are known to the Fund but for which the identity of the claimant is unknown. If there are sufficient assets held, such claims and obligations shall be paid in full and any such provisions for payment shall be made in full. If there are insufficient assets held with respect to the Fund, such claims and obligations shall be paid or provided for according to their priority and, among claims and obligations of equal priority, ratably to the extent of assets available therefor. Any remaining assets (including without limitation, cash, securities or any combination thereof) held with respect to the Fund shall be distributed to the shareholders of, ratably according to the number of Shares held by the several shareholders on the record date for such dissolution distribution.
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Amendment of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust may be amended with the approval of (i) the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, if required by the 1940 Act, or (ii) if required, the approval of the shareholders by such vote as is required by the 1940 Act.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of the Board. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging attempts to acquire control of the Fund, which attempts could have the effect of increasing the expenses of the Fund and interfering with the normal operation of the Fund. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection. A Trustee may be removed from office (i) with cause only by a written instrument signed or adopted by two-thirds of the remaining Trustees; or (ii) without cause only by a written instrument signed or adopted by all of the remaining Trustees. The Declaration of Trust does not contain any other specific inhibiting provisions that would operate only with respect to an extraordinary transaction such as a merger, reorganization, tender offer, sale or transfer of substantially all of the Fund’s asset, or liquidation. Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter, within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and acts as the distributor of the Fund’s shares on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Fund’s shares are offered for sale through the Distributor at NAV. The Distributor also may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker-dealers for the sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares. No arrangement has been made to place funds received in an escrow, trust or similar account. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund’s shares, but will use its reasonable efforts to sell the shares. Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any national securities exchange and the Distributor will not act as a market maker in Fund shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Fund’s Administrator.
The Adviser or its affiliates, in the Adviser’s discretion and from their own resources (which may include the Adviser’s legitimate profits from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund), may pay additional compensation to brokers or dealers in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares (the “Additional Compensation”). In return for the Additional Compensation, the Fund may receive certain marketing advantages including access to a broker’s or dealer’s registered representatives, placement on a list of investment options offered by a broker or dealer, or the ability to assist in training and educating the broker’s or dealer’s registered representatives. The Additional Compensation may differ among brokers or dealers in amount or in the manner of calculation: payments of Additional Compensation may be fixed dollar amounts, or based on the aggregate value of outstanding shares held by shareholders introduced by the broker or dealer, or determined in some other manner. The receipt of Additional Compensation by a selling broker or dealer may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and its broker or dealer who is recommending the Fund over other potential investments.
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Purchasing Shares
Investors may purchase shares directly from the Fund in accordance with the instructions below. Investors may buy and sell shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries and their agents that have made arrangements with the Fund and are authorized to buy and sell shares of the Fund (collectively, “Financial Intermediaries”). Orders will be priced at the appropriate price next computed after it is received by a Financial Intermediary. A Financial Intermediary may hold shares in an omnibus account in the Financial Intermediary’s name or the Financial Intermediary may maintain individual ownership records. The Fund may pay the Financial Intermediary for maintaining individual ownership records as well as providing other shareholder services. Financial intermediaries may charge fees for the services they provide in connection with processing your transaction order or maintaining an investor’s account with them. Investors should check with their Financial Intermediary to determine if it is subject to these arrangements. Financial Intermediaries are responsible for placing orders correctly and promptly with the Fund, forwarding payment promptly. Orders transmitted with a Financial Intermediary before the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on a day that the NYSE is open for business on the days the Fund calculates NAV, will be priced based on the Fund’s NAV next computed after it is received by the Financial Intermediary.
By Mail
To make an initial purchase by mail, complete an account application and mail the application, together with a check made payable to Flat Rock Core Income Fund to:
P.O. Box 219238
Kansas City, MO 64121
All checks must be in US Dollars drawn on a domestic bank. The Fund will not accept payment in cash or money orders. The Fund also does not accept cashier’s checks in amounts of less than $10,000. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will neither accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares, nor post-dated checks, post-dated on-line bill pay checks, or any conditional purchase order or payment.
It is the policy of the Fund not to accept applications under certain circumstances or in amounts considered disadvantageous to shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application.
By Wire — Initial Investment
To make an initial investment in the Fund, the transfer agent must receive a completed account application before an investor wires funds. Investors may mail or overnight deliver an account application to the transfer agent. Upon receipt of the completed account application, the transfer agent will establish an account. The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be provided to an investor’s bank to send the wire. An investor’s bank must include both the name of the Fund, the account number, and the investor’s name so that monies can be correctly applied. If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at (212) 596-3413 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.
Before sending a wire, investors must contact the Transfer Agent at [ ] to advise them of the intent to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of the wire. Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to be eligible for same day pricing. The Fund, and its agents, including the transfer agent and custodian, are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.
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Automatic Investment Program — Subsequent Investments
You may participate in the Fund’s automatic investment program, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at [ ] for more information about the Fund’s automatic investment program.
By Telephone
Investors may purchase additional shares of the Fund by calling [ ]. If an investor elected this option on the account application, and the account has been open for at least 15 days, telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Banking information must be established on the account prior to making a purchase. Orders for shares received prior to 4 p.m. Eastern time will be purchased at the appropriate price calculated on that day.
Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waits. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction.
In compliance with the USA Patriot Act of 2001, the Transfer Agent will verify certain information on each subscription agreement. As requested on the subscription agreement, investors must supply full name, date of birth, social security number and residential street address. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. Investors may call at [ ] for additional assistance.
If the Transfer Agent does not have a reasonable belief of the identity of a customer, the account will be rejected or the customer will not be allowed to perform a transaction on the account until such information is received. The Transfer Agent also may reserve the right to close the account within five business days if clarifying information/documentation is not received.
The Board has engaged Thompson Hine LLP, located at 1919 M Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, to serve as the Fund’s legal counsel. Certain legal matters regarding the validity of the shares offered hereby will be passed upon for the Fund by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., One Rodney Square, 920 North King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Cohen and Company, Ltd. (“Cohen”) is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and audits the Fund’s financial statements. Cohen is located at 1350 Euclid Ave # 800, Cleveland, OH 44115.
Reports to Shareholders
The Fund will send to its shareholders unaudited semi-annual and audited annual reports, including a list of investments held.
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Householding
In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate annual and semi-annual reports by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders reasonably believed to be from the same family or household. Once implemented, a shareholder must call [ ] to discontinue householding and request individual copies of these documents. Once the Fund receives notice to stop householding, individual copies will be sent beginning thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
Other Information
The Prospectus and the SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed with the SEC (file nos.: 333-240039; 811-23579). The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov. See the cover page of this Prospectus for information about how to obtain a paper copy of the Registration Statement or SAI without charge.
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PRIVACY NOTICE |
Rev. [ ] 2020 |
FACTS | WHAT DOES FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? | |
Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. | |
What? | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: | |
Social Security number Assets Retirement Assets Transaction History Checking Account Information |
Purchase History Account Balances Account Transactions Wire Transfer Instructions |
|
When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. | ||
How? | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Flat Rock Core Income Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
REASONS WE CAN SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION |
Does
Flat Rock Core Income
Fund share? |
Can
you limit this
sharing? |
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus | Yes | No |
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you | No | We don't share |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | No | We don't share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences | No | We don't share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness | No | We don't share |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | No | We don't share |
QUESTIONS? | Call (212) 596-3413 |
WHO WE ARE | |
Who is providing this notice? | Flat Rock Core Income Fund |
|
|
55
WHAT WE DO | |
How does Flat Rock Core Income Fund protect my personal information? |
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. |
How does Flat Rock Core Income Fund collect my personal information? |
We collect your personal information, for example, when you
● Open an account
● Provide account information
● Give us your contact information
● Make deposits or withdrawals from your account
● Make a wire transfer
● Tell us where to send the money
● Tells us who receives the money
● Show your government-issued ID
● Show your driver’s license
We also collect your personal information from other companies. |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? |
Federal law gives you the right to limit only
● Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness
● Affiliates from using your information to market to you
● Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
|
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. | |
DEFINITIONS | |
Affiliates |
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
● Flat Rock Core Income Fund does not share with our affiliates for marketing purposes.
|
Nonaffiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
● Flat Rock Core Income Fund does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
|
Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
● Flat Rock Core Income Fund doesn’t jointly market.
|
56
57
PROSPECTUS
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
Up to $[____] Million in Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
[ ], 2020
Flat Rock Global, LLC
Investment Adviser
All dealers that buy, sell or trade the Fund’s shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a Prospectus when acting on behalf of the Fund’s Distributor.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
The information in this SAI is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This SAI is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
[ ], 2020
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
Principal Executive Offices
1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10019
(212) 596-3413
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of Flat Rock Core Income Fund (the “Fund”), dated [ ], 2020 (the “Prospectus”), as it may be supplemented from time to time. The Prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference into this SAI (legally made a part of this SAI). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this SAI have the meanings given to them in the Prospectus. This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing the shares of the Fund.
You should obtain and read the Prospectus and any related Prospectus supplement prior to purchasing any of the Fund’s securities. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling the Fund toll-free at [ ] or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.flatrockglobal.com. Information on the website is not incorporated herein by reference. The Fund’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public on the SEC’s Internet web site at www.sec.gov.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
The Fund is a newly organized, continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that operates as an interval fund. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 11, 2020. The Fund’s principal offices are located at 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor New York, New York 10019, and its telephone number is (212) 596-3413. The investment objective and principal investment strategies of the Fund, as well as the principal risks associated with the Fund’s investment strategies, are set forth in the Prospectus. Certain additional investment information is set forth below. The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid and non-assessable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.
The Fund engages in a continuous offering of its shares, sold through its Prospectus. The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.
Flat Rock Global, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is the preservation of capital while generating current income from its debt investments and seeking to maximize the portfolio’s total return.
Fundamental Policies
The Fund’s stated fundamental policies, which may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, are listed below. For the purposes of this SAI, “majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, duly called, (a) of 67% or more of the shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy; or (b) of more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less.
(1) | The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, including the value of the assets purchased with the proceeds of its indebtedness, if any). |
(2) | The Fund may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act (which currently limits the issuance of a class of senior securities that is indebtedness to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or, if the class of senior security is stock, to no more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets). |
(3) | The Fund may not purchase securities on margin, except the Fund may (a) obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities; (b) enter into repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements (and purchase securities using the proceeds of such transactions) and (c) pay or transfer margin or collateral in connection with engaging in transactions in derivatives. |
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(4) | The Fund may not underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities. The Fund may invest in restricted securities (those that must be registered under the Securities Act before they may be offered or sold to the public). |
(5) | The Fund may not invest 25% or more of the market value of the Fund’s total assets in the securities of companies or entities engaged in any one industry or group of industries. This limitation does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. |
(6) | The Fund may not purchase or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments, except that the Fund may purchase and sell forward and futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by or linked to commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities, and may invest in commodity pools and other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts. |
(7) | The Fund may not make loans to others, except (a) where each loan is represented by a note executed by the borrower, (b) through the purchase of debt securities or other investments in accordance with its investment objective and policies, (c) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement, in a manner consistent with the Fund’s investment policies or as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, is deemed to be a loan, and (d) by loaning portfolio securities. |
(8) | The Fund will purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate, securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate (e.g. mortgage loans evidenced by notes or other writings defined to be a type of security), mortgage-related securities or investments in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts). |
(9) | The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act for no less than for 5% of the Fund’s shares outstanding at net asset value (“NAV”) less any repurchase fee, unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements, and each repurchase pricing shall occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the 14th is not a business day. |
If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.
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Non-Fundamental Policies. The Fund has not adopted any non-fundamental policies.
Additional Information About Principal and Non-Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
Non-Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts, as well as other “hybrid” forms of American Depositary Receipts, including European Depositary Receipts and Global Depositary Receipts. American Depositary Receipts are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer’s home country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding distributions and interest and corporate actions. American Depositary Receipts are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, American Depositary Receipts continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, which are described below.
Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in non-U.S. companies and other foreign securities. Purchases of foreign securities entail certain risks. For example, there may be less information publicly available about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and foreign companies generally are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S. Other risks associated with investments in foreign securities include changes in restrictions on foreign currency transactions and rates of exchanges, changes in the administrations or economic and monetary policies of foreign governments, the imposition of exchange control regulations, the possibility of expropriation decrees and other adverse foreign governmental action, the imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, delays in settlement of securities transactions and greater price volatility. In addition, investing in foreign securities will generally result in higher commissions than investing in similar domestic securities.
Money Market Instruments. The Fund may invest, for defensive purposes or otherwise, some or all of its assets in high quality fixed-income securities, money market instruments and money market mutual funds, or hold cash or cash equivalents in such amounts as the Adviser deems appropriate under the circumstances. In addition, the Fund or a private investment fund in which the Fund invests, including but not limited to private debt funds and private real estate funds managed by unaffiliated institutional asset managers, or a public investment fund in which the Fund invests managed by unaffiliated institutional asset managers, may invest in these instruments pending allocation of its respective offering proceeds. Money market instruments are high quality, short-term fixed-income obligations, which generally have remaining maturities of one year or less and may include U.S. government securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and repurchase agreements.
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Restricted and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of illiquid securities at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations.
The Fund may purchase certain securities (“Rule 144A Securities”) eligible for resale to qualified institutional buyers as contemplated by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the resale of certain restricted securities to certain qualified institutional buyers. One effect of Rule 144A is that certain restricted securities may be considered liquid, though no assurance can be given that a liquid market for Rule 144A Securities will develop or be maintained. However, where a substantial market of qualified institutional buyers has developed for certain unregistered securities purchased by the Fund pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Fund intends to treat such securities as liquid securities in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Because it is not possible to predict with assurance how the market for Rule 144A Securities will develop, the Board has directed the Adviser to monitor carefully the Fund’s investments in such securities with particular regard to trading activity, availability of reliable price information and other relevant information. To the extent that, for a period of time, qualified institutional buyers cease purchasing restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144A, the Fund’s investing in such securities may have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in its investment portfolio during such period.
Special Situations. The Fund may invest in companies undergoing work-outs, liquidations, reorganizations, bankruptcies, insolvencies or other fundamental changes or similar transactions. In any investment opportunity involving any such type of special situation, there exists the risk that the contemplated transaction either will be unsuccessful, will take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or new securities the value of which will be less than the purchase price to the Fund of the securities or other financial instruments in respect of which such distribution is received. Similarly, if an anticipated transaction does not in fact occur, the Fund may be required to sell its investment at a loss. The consummation of such transactions can be prevented or delayed by a variety of factors, including but not limited to (i) intervention of a regulatory agency; (ii) market conditions resulting in material changes in securities prices; (iii) compliance with any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or securities laws; and (iv) the inability to obtain adequate financing. Because there is substantial uncertainty concerning the outcome of transactions involving financially troubled companies in which the Fund intends to invest, there is a potential risk of loss by the Fund of its entire investment in such companies.
Equity Securities. In addition to common stocks, the Fund may invest in equity securities, including preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and depository receipts.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally distributions as well) but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed distribution rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to credit securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior credit security with similar stated yield characteristics. Unlike interest payments on credit securities, preferred stock distributions are payable only if declared by the board of directors or equivalent body. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.
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Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the distribution paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible income securities in that they ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities. The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument.
Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Debt Securities. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash equivalents and short-term debt securities. Short-term debt investments having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less when purchased will be valued at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Short-term debt securities are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
(1) | U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by other U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration and Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate. In 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) into conservatorship. As conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and of any shareholder, officer or director of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the assets of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. There is no assurance that the obligations of such entities will be satisfied in full, or that such obligations will lose value or default. The Adviser will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so; |
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(2) | Certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured by the FDIC; and |
(3) | Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Adviser will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest. |
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis and may purchase or sell securities on a “forward commitment” basis in order to acquire the security or to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. When such transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund will enter into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. If the Fund disposes of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or disposes of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it might incur a gain or loss. At the time the Fund enters into a transaction on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, it will designate on its books and records cash or liquid credit securities equal to at least the value of the when-issued or forward commitment securities. The value of these assets will be monitored daily to ensure that their marked-to-market value will at all times equal or exceed the corresponding obligations of the Fund. There is always a risk that the securities may not be delivered and that the Fund may incur a loss. Settlements in the ordinary course, which may take substantially more than five business days, are not treated by the Fund as when-issued or forward commitment transactions and accordingly are not subject to the foregoing restrictions.
Securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis are subject to changes in value (generally changing in the same way, i.e., appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates rise) based upon the public’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, actual or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities purchased with a forward commitment or when-issued basis may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued basis can involve the additional risks that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis when the Fund is fully invested may result in greater potential fluctuation in the value of the Fund’s net assets and its NAV per share.
The risks and effect of settlements in the ordinary course on the Fund’s NAV are not the same as the risks and effect of when-issued and forward commitment securities.
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The purchase price of when-issued and forward commitment securities are expressed in yield terms, which reference a floating rate of interest, and is therefore subject to fluctuations of the security’s value in the market from the date of the Fund’s commitment (the “Commitment Date”) to the date of the actual delivery and payment for such securities (the “Settlement Date”). There is a risk that, on the Settlement Date, the Fund’s payment of the final purchase price, which is calculated on the yield negotiated on the Commitment Date, will be higher than the market’s valuation of the security on the Settlement Date. This same risk is also borne if the Fund disposes of its right to acquire a when-issued security, or its right to deliver or receive a forward commitment security, and there is a downward market movement in the value of the security from the Commitment Date to the Settlement Date. No income accrues to the Fund during the period from the Commitment Date to the Settlement Date. On the other hand, the Fund may incur a gain if the Fund invests in when-issued and forward commitment securities and correctly anticipates the rise in interest rates and prices in the market.
The settlements of secondary market purchases of senior loans in the ordinary course, on a settlement date beyond the period expected by loan market participants (i.e. T+7 for par loans and T+20 for distressed loans, in other words, more than seven or twenty business days beyond the trade date, respectively) are subject to the delayed compensation mechanics prescribed by the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (“LSTA”). For par loans, income accrues to the buyer of the senior loan (the “Buyer”) during the period beginning on the last date by which the senior loan purchase should have settled (T+7) to and including the actual settlement date. Should settlement of a par senior loan purchase in the secondary market be delayed beyond the T+7 period prescribed by the LSTA, the Buyer is typically compensated for such delay through a payment from the seller of the senior loan (this payment may be netted from the wire released on settlement date for the purchase price of the senior loan paid by the Buyer). In brief, the adjustment is typically calculated by multiplying the notional amount of the trade by the applicable margin in the Loan Agreement pro-rated for the number of business days (calculated using a year of 360 days) beyond the settlement period prescribed by the LSTA, plus any amendment or consent fees that the Buyer should have received. Furthermore, the purchase of a senior loan in the secondary market is typically negotiated and finalized pursuant to a binding trade confirmation, and therefore, the risk of non-delivery of the security to the Fund is reduced or eliminated when compared with such risk when investing in when-issued or forward commitment securities.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to the investment restrictions set forth herein. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and interest payment. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may designate on its books and records liquid instruments having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If the Fund establishes and maintains such a segregated account, a reverse repurchase agreement will not be considered a borrowing by the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act; however, under certain circumstances in which the Fund does not establish and maintain such a segregated account, such reverse repurchase agreement will be considered a borrowing for the purpose of the Fund’s limitation on borrowings. The use by the Fund of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by the Fund in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. Also, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.
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Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities agrees to repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during the Fund’s holding period. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans collateralized by the underlying security that is the subject of the repurchase contract. The Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements with registered securities dealers or domestic banks that, in the opinion of the Adviser, present minimal credit risk. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but the Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. The Adviser will monitor the value of the collateral at the time the transaction is entered into and at all times subsequent during the term of the repurchase agreement in an effort to determine that such value always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price. In the event the value of the collateral declines below the repurchase price, the Adviser will demand additional collateral from the issuer to increase the value of the collateral to at least that of the repurchase price, including interest.
Short Sales. The Fund may engage in short sales of securities, particularly of corporate bonds and other fixed-income instruments. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own as a means of attractive financing for purchasing other assets or in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. The Fund may make short sales for purposes of financing and risk management and to maintain portfolio flexibility or to enhance income or gain.
When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities.
The Fund’s obligation to replace the borrowed security may be secured by collateral deposited with the broker-dealer, usually cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities. The Fund may also be required to designate on its books and records similar collateral with its custodian to the extent, if any, necessary so that the aggregate collateral value is at all times at least equal to the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security regarding payment over of any payments received by the Fund on such security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited with such broker-dealer.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited.
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Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board. The responsibilities of the Board include, among other things, the oversight of our investment activities, the quarterly valuation of our assets, oversight of our financing arrangements and corporate governance activities. The Board consists of three trustees, two of whom are not “interested persons,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, of our company or of the Adviser and are “independent” as determined by the Board. We refer to these individuals as our Independent Trustees. The Board elects our executive officers, who serve at the discretion of the Board.
Board of Trustees
Under our Declaration of Trust, each trustee shall serve during the continued lifetime of the Fund and will not be subject to a term limit. The Fund does not intend to hold annual meetings of its shareholders.
Trustees
We have divided the trustees into two groups — Interested Trustees and Independent Trustees. Information regarding the members of the Board is as follows:
Interested Trustee
The following trustee is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act.
Name | Age | Trustee Since |
Number
of Portfolios in
Principal Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
|||||
Robert K. Grunewald | 57 | 2020 | 2 |
Independent Trustees
The following trustees are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act.
Name | Age | Trustee Since |
Number of
Portfolios in
Principal Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee |
|||||
R. Scott Coolidge | 65 | 2020 | 2 | |||||
Marshall H. Durston | 61 | 2020 | 2 |
The address for each trustee is c/o Flat Rock Core Income Fund, 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
Executive Officers Who are Not Trustees
Information regarding our executive officers who are not trustees is as follows:
Name | Age | Position(s) Held | ||
Richard A. Petrocelli | 51 | Chief Financial Officer |
The address for each executive officer is c/o Flat Rock Core Income Fund, 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
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Biographical Information
The following is information concerning the business experience of the Board and executive officers. The Board believes that, collectively, the trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, which allow our Board to operate effectively in governing the Fund and protecting the interests of its shareholders. Below is a description of the various experiences, qualifications, attributes and/or skills with respect to each trustee considered by the Board.
Interested Trustee
Robert K. Grunewald. Robert K. Grunewald has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Trustees since inception. Mr. Grunewald has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Flat Rock Capital Corp. since its inception and as Chairman of its board of directors since May 2017. In addition, Mr. Grunewald serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser, our investment adviser. Mr. Grunewald previously served as the President and Chief Investment Officer of Business Development Corp. of America (BDCA). During his tenure at BDCA, Mr. Grunewald grew the company from $2.5 million of assets under management to $2.5 billion. Mr. Grunewald also established the firm’s loan management systems as well as their policies and procedures. While at BDCA, Mr. Grunewald also founded AR Capital BDC Income Fund, the first open-end mutual fund dedicated to investing in the BDC sector.
Mr. Grunewald has over 25 years of experience with middle-market finance, BDCs and asset management. Within the finance industry, he has participated as a lender, investment banker, M&A advisor, private equity investor and hedge fund manager. As head of Financial Services M&A at NationsBank/Montgomery Securities from 1992 through 1997, Mr. Grunewald and his team completed numerous assignments for clients throughout the specialty finance industry. In 1997, Mr. Grunewald was recruited to lead the Specialty Finance Investment Banking Practice at what became Wachovia Securities. At Wachovia, Mr. Grunewald managed a number of high profile transactions, including initial public offerings and secondary offerings for some of the largest publicly-traded BDCs and finance companies including Capital Source, Ares Capital, American Capital Strategies, Allied Capital, and Gladstone Capital.
In 2006, Mr. Grunewald joined ACAS, a publicly-traded BDC and global asset manager. As head of the Financial Services Investment Practice from 2006 through 2009, Mr. Grunewald and his team focused on investment activity in the specialty finance, insurance, and asset management sectors. While at ACAS he founded two highly successful financial services companies: Core Financial Holdings, a diversified commercial finance company and asset based lender, and American Capital Agency Corporation (NASDAQ: “AGNC”), a publicly traded mortgage REIT.
Mr. Grunewald holds an MBA from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Notre Dame.
Independent Trustees
R. Scott Coolidge. Mr. Coolidge has served on the Fund’s board of trustees since 2020 and was previously a member of Flat Rock Capital Corp.’s board of directors from its inception in 2017. Mr. Coolidge is also a trustee of Flat Rock Opportunity Fund. Mr. Coolidge has been a Partner at Human Capital Advisors, a company that provides human resource consulting services to corporations and boards of directors, since 2015. Prior to joining Human Capital Advisors, Mr. Coolidge served at Freddie Mac from 2003 through 2015 as a Senior Vice President and Vice President, providing strategic leadership in all dimensions of human resources including talent management, and setting compensation and benefit strategy. From 1993 through 2003, Mr. Coolidge was a Partner or Principal at Towers Perin managing the firm’s executive and employee compensation practices in the Southeast Region.
Mr. Coolidge holds a Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University.
The Fund believes that Mr. Coolidge’s experience in strategic leadership and ability to develop and execute mission critical human resource initiatives, change management and strategic communications has provided Mr. Coolidge with the experience, skills and attributes necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of a director and that Mr. Coolidge is a highly qualified member of the Fund’s board of trustees.
Marshall H. Durston. Mr. Durston has served on the Fund’s board of trustees since 2020 and was previously a member of Flat Rock Capital Corp.’s board of directors from August 2020. Since 2010, Mr. Durston has served as Managing Director of Spaulding & Slye Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”). In his capacity as Managing Director, he is responsible for the performance of a portfolio of properties valued at approximately $1 billion. From 2006 to 2010, prior to the acquisition of Spaulding and Slye Investments by JLL, he served as President of Spaulding & Slye Investments, and between 1983 and 2006 he served in various roles within the company, including Regional Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Chief Investment Officer.
Mr. Durston holds a B.A. in Economics from Dennison University. Mr. Durston also sits on the Board of Trustees of New Hope Housing, and the Bucknell University Advisory Board and Career Development Committee.
The Fund believes that Mr. Durston’s leadership positions at JLL and his experience in capital markets and investing activities has provided him with the experience, skills and attributes necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of a director and that Mr. Durston is a highly qualified member of the Fund’s board of trustees.
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Executive Officers Who are not Trustees
Richard A. Petrocelli. Richard A. Petrocelli has served as our Chief Financial Officer since inception. Mr. Petrocelli has also served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Flat Rock Capital Corp. since its inception and as its Chief Compliance Officer since May 2017. Previously, Mr. Petrocelli spent 16 years at Saratoga Partners, a middle market private equity firm, where he was Managing Director and chief financial officer. Additionally, he served as chief financial officer and chief compliance officer of Saratoga Partner’s publicly-traded business development company, Saratoga Investment Corp. (NYSE:SAR). Additionally, Mr. Petrocelli was responsible for sourcing and underwriting middle market private equity and debt investments during his tenure at Saratoga. Mr. Petrocelli also spent one year as CFO of two business development companies managed by Fifth Street Asset Management from July 2014 to July 2015. Mr. Petrocelli served as Vice President of Finance for Gabelli Asset Management from 1993 to 1998. At Gabelli, Mr. Petrocelli was responsible for financial reporting and analysis for Gabelli’s alternative asset management business, Gabelli Securities. Mr. Petrocelli received his B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University and earned an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
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Committees of the Board of Trustees
The Board currently has two committees: an audit committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee.
Audit Committee. The audit committee operates pursuant to a charter approved by the Board. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the audit committee. The primary function of the audit committee is to serve as an independent and objective party to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for overseeing and monitoring the quality and integrity of our financial statements, the adequacy of our system of internal controls, the review of the independence, qualifications and performance of our registered public accounting firm, and the performance of our internal audit function. The audit committee’s responsibilities include selecting our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with such independent registered public accounting firm the planning, scope and results of its audit of our financial statements, pre-approving the fees for services performed, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy of internal control systems and reviewing our financial statements and periodic reports. The audit committee also establishes guidelines and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the valuation of our investments. The audit committee is responsible for aiding the Board in determining the fair value of debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or for which current market values are not readily available. The current members of the audit committee are Mr. Durston and Mr. Coolidge. The Board has elected Mr. Durston as the chair of the audit committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Durston qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Each of the members of the audit committee meet the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and, in addition, is not an “interested person,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a) (19) of the 1940 Act, of the Fund or of the Adviser.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for selecting, researching, and nominating trustees for election by our shareholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on the Board or a committee of the Board, developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the Board and our management. Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consider shareholders’ proposed nominations for trustees. The current members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Mr. Coolidge and Mr. Durston, each of whom are considered independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Mr. Coolidge serves as the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
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Compensation of Trustees
Our independent trustees receive an annual fee of $1 plus reimbursement of any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their service on the board of trustees. In addition, the chairman of the audit committee receives an annual fee of $1 and the chairman of each of the nominating and corporate governance committee receives an annual fee of $1 for their additional services, if any, in these capacities. In addition, our independent trustees will receive compensation for the in-person attendance of certain industry-related events and seminars in the amount of (1) $1 for each day of an external seminar, conference, panel, forum or other industry-related event that does not exceed four hours or (2) $1 for each day of an external seminar, conference, panel, forum or other industry-related event that exceeds four hours. In addition, we purchase trustees’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our trustees and officers.
Once we raise significant capital, the above fee schedule will be reviewed, revised and conformed to reflect the increased responsibilities and contribution of our independent trustees.
We do not pay compensation to our trustees who also serve in an executive officer or interested trustee capacity.
The following table sets forth compensation expected to be received by the Independent Trustees for the first fiscal year:
Name |
Aggregate
Compensation from Fund |
Pension or
Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses |
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
Total
Compensation from Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Directors |
||||||||||||
Robert K. Grunewald | None | None | None | None | ||||||||||||
R. Scott Coolidge | $ | 2 | None | None | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Marshall H. Durston | $ | 2 | None | None | $ | 2 |
Staffing
We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees of the Adviser, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by the Adviser. In addition, we will reimburse the Adviser for any such costs and expenses which have been paid by the Adviser on our behalf, including the allocable portion of the compensation of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staff.
Compensation of Executive Officers
None of our officers will receive direct compensation from us. The compensation of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer will be paid by the Adviser, subject to reimbursement by us of an allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered by them to us. To the extent that the Adviser outsources any of its functions, we will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis without profit to the Adviser.
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Trustee Beneficial Ownership of Shares
The table below shows the dollar range of securities of the Fund beneficially owned by each Trustee as of September [ ], 2020.
Name of Trustee |
Dollar
Range of
Equity Securities in the Fund(2)(3) |
Aggregate
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Director in Family of Investment Companies(4) |
||
Interested Trustees | ||||
Robert K. Grunewald | [ ] | [ ] | ||
Independent Trustees | ||||
R. Scott Coolidge | -- | -- | ||
Marshall H. Durston | -- | -- |
(1) | Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, or Over $100,000. |
(2) | Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act. |
(3) | The dollar range of equity beneficially owned is based on the initial offering price of $[ ] per share. |
(4) | The family of investment companies includes Flat Rock Capital Opportunity Fund. |
Board Leadership Structure
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board. Among other things, our Board sets broad policies for us and approves the appointment of our investment adviser, administrator and officers. The role of our Board, and of any individual trustee, is one of oversight and not of management of our day-to-day affairs.
Under our bylaws, the Chief Executive Officer, or if provided otherwise by the Board, any trustee chosen by the Board may serve as chair to preside over meetings of the Board and meetings of shareholders and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board. Robert K. Grunewald will serve as chairman of the Board and is an “interested person” by virtue of his role as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser. We believe that it is in the best interests of our shareholders for Mr. Grunewald to serve as chair of the Board because of his significant experience in matters of relevance to our business.
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The Board believes that while independent oversight of management is an important component of an effective board of trustees, the most effective leadership structure for the Fund at the present time is for Mr. Grunewald to serve as the principal executive officer of the Fund and also serve as Chairman of the Board. The independent trustees believe that because Mr. Grunewald is ultimately responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Fund and for executing the Fund’s strategy, and because the performance of the Fund is an integral part of Board deliberations, Mr. Grunewald is the trustee best qualified to act as Chairman of the Board. The Board retains the authority to modify this structure to best address the Fund’s unique circumstances, and to advance the best interests of all shareholders, as and when appropriate. In addition, although we do not have a lead independent trustee, the Board believes that the current structure is appropriate, as the Fund has no employees and is externally managed by the Adviser, whereby all operations are conducted by the Adviser or its affiliates.
We recognize that different board leadership structures are appropriate for companies in different situations. We re-examine our corporate governance policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet our needs.
All of the Independent Trustees play an active role on the Board. The Independent Trustees compose a majority of the Board and will be closely involved in all material deliberations related to us. The Board believes that, with these practices, each Independent Trustee has an equal involvement in the actions and oversight role of the Board and equal accountability to us and our shareholders. Our Independent Trustees are expected to meet separately (i) as part of each regular Board meeting and (ii) with our chief compliance officer, as part of at least one Board meeting each year.
The Board believes that its leadership structure is the optimal structure for us at this time. The Board, which will review its leadership structure periodically as part of its annual self-assessment process, further believes that its structure is presently appropriate to enable it to exercise its oversight of us.
Board Role in Risk Oversight
The Board will oversee our business and operations, including certain risk management functions. Risk management is a broad concept comprising many disparate elements (for example, investment risk, issuer and counterparty risk, compliance risk, operational risk, and business continuity risk). The Board will implement its risk oversight function both as a whole and through its committees. In the course of providing oversight, the Board and its committees will receive reports on our and the Adviser’s activities, including reports regarding our investment portfolio and financial accounting and reporting. The Board will also receive a quarterly report from our chief compliance officer, who reports on our compliance with the federal and state securities laws and our internal compliance policies and procedures as well as those of the Adviser, DST Systems, Inc., the Transfer Agent and other service providers. The audit committee’s meetings with our independent registered public accounting firm will also contribute to its oversight of certain internal control risks. In addition, the Board will meet periodically with the Adviser to receive reports regarding our operations, including reports on certain investment and operational risks, and our Independent Trustees will be encouraged to communicate directly with senior members of our management.
The Board believes that this role in risk oversight is appropriate. We believe that we have robust internal processes in place and a strong internal control environment to identify and manage risks. However, not all risks that may affect us can be identified or eliminated, and some risks are beyond the control of us, the Adviser and our other service providers.
Each of the Fund, the Adviser, and the Distributor have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act (collectively the “Ethics Codes”). Rule 17j-1 and the Ethics Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by covered personnel (“Access Persons”). The Ethics Codes apply to the Fund and permit Access Persons to, subject to certain restrictions, invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Under the Ethics Codes, Access Persons may engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements.
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PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Fund, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser involving a conflict of interest.
Information regarding how the Adviser voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 will be available (1) on our website at www.flatrockglobal.com; and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling (212) 596-3413 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Investment Adviser
Flat Rock Global, LLC, located at 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019, serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The Adviser is Delaware limited liability company that was formed on November 28, 2016. The Adviser is controlled by Robert K. Grunewald, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Grunewald has over 25 years of experience in BDCs, middle market finance, private equity and investment banking. In addition, Western Asset Management Company, a globally integrated fixed-income manager with $460 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2019, has a 19.1% ownership interest in the Adviser. Western Asset Management Company is an independent affiliate of Legg Mason.
Under the general supervision of the Board, the Adviser will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the net assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect to the Fund, and determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged. In addition, the Adviser will supervise and provide oversight of the Fund’s service providers. The Adviser will also furnish to the Fund office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the management of the Fund. The Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services stated in the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation of its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser, and in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to a fee consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee.
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The management fee is calculated and payable monthly in arrears at the annual rate of 1.375% of the Fund’s average daily total assets during such period. For purposes of calculating the management fee, the term “total assets” includes any assets, including any assets acquired with the proceeds of leverage.
The incentive fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to 15.0% of the Fund’s “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, and is subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on the Fund’s “adjusted capital,” equal to 2.00% per quarter (or an annualized hurdle rate of 8.00%), subject to a “catch-up” feature, which allows the Adviser to recover foregone incentive fees that were previously limited by the hurdle rate. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the management fee, expenses reimbursed to the Adviser and any interest expenses and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding preferred shares, but excluding the incentive fee). “Adjusted capital” means the cumulative gross proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of shares (including pursuant to the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan), reduced by amounts paid in connection with purchases of shares pursuant to the Fund’s Repurchase Program.
The Adviser may, from time to time, voluntarily waive all or a portion of its management fee and incentive fee, and to the extent necessary, bear other expenses or make payments to the Fund in order to limit net expenses. The waiver is not contractual and may be terminated at any time. Additionally, the waiver is permanent, and any fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed may not be recouped by the Adviser.
Fund Expenses
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will not seek or be entitled to reimbursement from the Fund for any of the following offering expenses: transfer agent fees; fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts (including attendance at investment conferences and similar events); federal and state registration fees; and all other organization and offering expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its obligations.
The Fund, either directly or through reimbursement to the Adviser, shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including (without limitation) fees and expenses relating to: the cost of calculating the net asset value of the Shares, including the cost of any third-party valuation services; the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of the Shares and other securities; management and incentive fees payable to the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement; transfer agent and custodial fees; fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts (including attendance at investment conferences and similar events); federal and state registration fees; federal, state and local taxes; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Fund’s investments; the fees and expenses of any member of the Board who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or a sub-adviser; brokerage commissions for the Fund’s investments; costs of proxy statements, shareholders’ reports and notices; costs associated with the Fund’s reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws; fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums; direct costs such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff costs; and fees and expenses associated with independent accountants, independent and internal audit, and outside legal costs.
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The management of our investment portfolio is the responsibility of the Adviser and its investment committee, which is currently comprised of Robert K. Grunewald and Richard A. Petrocelli. Approval of an investment requires a unanimous vote of the Adviser’s investment committee. For more information regarding the business experience of Messrs. Grunewald, Petrocelli and Bates, see “Management of the Fund”. The Adviser is currently staffed with 9 employees, including the investment personnel noted above. In addition, the Adviser may retain additional investment personnel in the future based upon its needs.
Other Accounts Managed
Other Accounts Managed |
Other
Accounts for which
Advisory Fee is Based on Performance |
|||||||||||||||||
Name | Account Type | Number of Accounts | Total Assets | Number of Accounts | Total Assets | |||||||||||||
Robert K. Grunewald | Registered Investment Companies | |||||||||||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||
Other Accounts | ||||||||||||||||||
Richard A. Petrocelli | Registered Investment Companies | |||||||||||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||
Other Accounts |
The table below shows the dollar range of the Fund’s shares beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of September [ ], 2020:
Name of Portfolio Manager
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund(2) |
|||
Robert K. Grunewald | [ ] | |||
Richard A. Petrocelli | [ ] |
(1) | Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, $100,001 – $500,000, $500,001 – $1,000,000 or Over $1,000,000. |
(2) | Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act. |
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Portfolio Manager Compensation
It is anticipated that the Fund’s portfolio manager will be paid on the success of the Fund including base salary and bonus.
QUARTERLY REPURCHASES OF SHARES
Once each quarter, the Fund will offer to repurchase at NAV no less than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements (as discussed below). The offer to purchase shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). Shareholders will be notified in writing of each quarterly repurchase offer and the date the repurchase offer ends (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”). Shares will be repurchased at the NAV per share determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline, or the next business day if the 14th day is not a business day (each a “Repurchase Pricing Date”).
Shareholders will be notified in writing about each quarterly repurchase offer, how they may request that the Fund repurchase their shares and the Repurchase Request Deadline. Shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate repurchase amounts established for that Repurchase Request Deadline. The time between the notification to shareholders and the Repurchase Request Deadline is generally 30 days, but may vary from no more than 42 days to no less than 21 days. Payment pursuant to the repurchase will be made by checks to the shareholder’s address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Repurchase Payment Deadline (defined below), which will be no more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act, regulations thereunder and other pertinent laws.
The Fund expects that its first Repurchase Request Deadline will occur no later than [ ], 2020.
Repurchase Offer Policy Summary of Terms
1. The Fund will make repurchase offers at periodic intervals pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as that rule may be amended from time to time. Rule 23c-3 establishes requirements that closed-end funds must follow when making repurchase offers to their shareholders.
2. The repurchase offers will be made in January, April, July and October of each year.
3. Repurchase requests must be submitted by the deadline included in the Shareholder Notification (defined below) (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”).
4. The maximum time between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the next date on which the Fund determines the NAV applicable to the purchase of shares (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”) is 14 calendar days (or the next business day if the fourteenth day is not a business day).
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The Fund may not condition a repurchase offer upon the tender of any minimum amount of shares. The Fund may deduct from the repurchase proceeds only a repurchase fee that is paid to the Fund and is reasonably intended to compensate the Fund for expenses directly related to the repurchase. The repurchase fee may not exceed 2% of the proceeds. The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee.
The Fund may rely on Rule 23c-3 only so long as the Board satisfies the fund governance standards defined in Rule 0-1(a)(7) under the 1940 Act.
Determination of Repurchase Offer Amount
The Board, or a committee thereof, in its sole discretion, will determine the number of shares that the Fund will offer to repurchase (the “Repurchase Offer Amount”) for a given Repurchase Request Deadline. The Repurchase Offer Amount will be no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the total number of shares outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline. However, investors should not rely on repurchase offers being made in amounts in excess of 5% of Fund shares.
If shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders who own less than one hundred shares and who tender all of their shares, before prorating other amounts tendered. In addition, the Fund will accept the total number of shares tendered in connection with required minimum distributions from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan. It is the shareholder’s obligation to both notify and provide the Fund supporting documentation of a required minimum distribution from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan.
Notice to Shareholders
Approximately 30 days (but no less than 21 days and more than 42 days) before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall send to each shareholder of record and to each beneficial owner of the shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification (“Shareholder Notification”). The Shareholder Notification will contain the following information:
1. A statement that the Fund is offering to repurchase its shares from shareholders at NAV;
2. Any fees applicable to such repurchase, if any;
3. The Repurchase Offer Amount;
4. The dates of the Repurchase Request Deadline, Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date by which the Fund must pay shareholders for any shares repurchased (which shall not be more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date) (the “Repurchase Payment Deadline”);
5. The risk of fluctuation in NAV between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Pricing Date, and the possibility that the Fund may use an earlier Repurchase Pricing Date;
6. The procedures for shareholders to request repurchase of their shares and the right of shareholders to withdraw or modify their repurchase requests until the Repurchase Request Deadline;
7. The procedures under which the Fund may repurchase such shares on a pro rata basis if shareholders tender more than the Repurchase Offer Amount;
8. The circumstances in which the Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer;
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9. The NAV of the shares computed no more than seven days before the date of the notification and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the NAV thereafter; and
10. The market price, if any, of the shares on the date on which such NAV was computed, and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the market price thereafter.
The Fund must file Form N-23c-3 (“Notification of Repurchase Offer”) and three copies of the Shareholder Notification with the SEC within three business days after sending the notification to shareholders.
Notification of Beneficial Owners: Where the Fund knows that shares subject to a repurchase offer are held of record by a broker, dealer, voting trustee, bank, association or other entity that exercises fiduciary powers in nominee name or otherwise, the Fund must follow the procedures for transmitting materials to beneficial owners of securities that are set forth in Rule 14a-13 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Repurchase Requests: Repurchase requests must be submitted by shareholders by the Repurchase Request Deadline. The Fund shall permit repurchase requests to be withdrawn or modified at any time until the Repurchase Request Deadline, but shall not permit repurchase requests to be withdrawn or modified after the Repurchase Request Deadline.
Repurchase Requests in Excess of the Repurchase Offer Amount: If shareholders tender more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if shareholders tender shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall repurchase the shares tendered on a pro rata basis. This policy, however, does not prohibit the Fund from:
1. Accepting all repurchase requests by persons who own, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of not more than 100 shares and who tender all of their stock for repurchase, before prorating shares tendered by others, or
2. Accepting by lot shares tendered by shareholders who request repurchase of all shares held by them and who, when tendering their shares, elect to have either (i) all or none or (ii) at least a minimum amount or none accepted, if the Fund first accepts all shares tendered by shareholders who do not make this election.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers: The Fund shall not suspend or postpone a repurchase offer except pursuant to a vote of a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, and only:
1. If the repurchase would cause the Fund to lose its status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code;
2. To the extent the Fund is listed in the future, if the repurchase would cause the shares that are the subject of the offer that are either listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association to be neither listed on any national securities exchange nor quoted on any inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association;
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3. For any period during which the New York Stock Exchange or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary week-end and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted;
4. For any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or
5. For such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
If a repurchase offer is suspended or postponed, the Fund shall provide notice to shareholders of such suspension or postponement. If the Fund renews the repurchase offer, the Fund shall send a new Shareholder Notification to shareholders.
Computing Net Asset Value: The Fund’s current NAV shall be computed no less frequently than weekly, and daily on the five business days preceding a Repurchase Request Deadline, on such days and at such specific time or times during the day as set by the Board. Currently, the Board has determined that the Fund’s NAV shall be determined daily following the close of the New York Stock Exchange. The Fund’s NAV need not be calculated on:
1. Days on which changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities will not materially affect the current NAV of the shares;
2. Days during which no order to purchase shares is received, other than days when the NAV would otherwise be computed; or
3. Customary national, local, and regional business holidays described or listed in the Prospectus.
Liquidity Requirements: From the time the Fund sends a Shareholder Notification to shareholders until the Repurchase Pricing Date, a percentage of the Fund’s assets equal to at least 100% of the Repurchase Offer Amount (the “Liquidity Amount”) shall consist of assets that individually can be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment, within a period equal to the period between a Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Payment Deadline, or of assets that mature by the next Repurchase Payment Deadline. This requirement means that individual assets must be salable under these circumstances. It does not require that the entire Liquidity Amount must be salable. In the event that the Fund’s assets fail to comply with this requirement, the Board shall cause the Fund to take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure compliance.
Liquidity Policy: The Board may delegate day-to-day responsibility for evaluating liquidity of specific assets to the Adviser but shall continue to be responsible for monitoring the Adviser’s performance of its duties and the composition of the portfolio. Accordingly, the Board has approved this policy that is reasonably designed to ensure that the Fund’s portfolio assets are sufficiently liquid so that the Fund can comply with its fundamental policy on repurchases and comply with the liquidity requirements in the preceding paragraph.
1. In evaluating liquidity, the following factors are relevant, but not necessarily determinative:
(a) The frequency of trades and quotes for the security.
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(b) The number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of potential purchasers.
(c) Dealer undertakings to make a market in the security.
(d) The nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offer and the mechanics of transfer).
(e) The size of the fund’s holdings of a given security in relation to the total amount of outstanding of such security or to the average trading volume for the security.
2. If market developments impair the liquidity of a security, the Adviser should review the advisability of retaining the security in the portfolio. The Adviser should report the basis for its determination to retain a security at the next Board meeting.
3. The Board shall review the overall composition and liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio on a quarterly basis.
4. These procedures may be modified as the Board deems necessary.
Registration Statement Disclosure: The Fund’s registration statement must disclose its intention to make or consider making such repurchase offers.
Annual Report Disclosure: The Fund shall include in its annual report to shareholders the following:
1. Disclosure of its fundamental policy regarding periodic repurchase offers.
2. Disclosure regarding repurchase offers by the Fund during the period covered by the annual report, which disclosure shall include:
a. the number of repurchase offers,
b. the repurchase offer amount and the amount tendered in each repurchase offer,
c. and the extent to which in any repurchase offer the Fund repurchased stock pursuant to the procedures in paragraph (b)(5) of this section.
Involuntary Repurchases. The Fund may, at any time, repurchase at NAV shares of a shareholder, or any person acquiring shares from or through a shareholder, if: the shares have been transferred or have vested in any person other than by operation of law as the result of the death, dissolution, bankruptcy or incompetency of a shareholder; ownership of the shares by the shareholder or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation of, or require registration of the shares, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities or other laws of the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction; continued ownership of the shares may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund or may subject the Fund or any shareholders to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences; the shareholder owns shares having an aggregate NAV less than an amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; or in accordance with the Fund’s Trust Agreement and Section 23 of the 1940 Act and Rule 23c-2 thereunder. The Adviser may tender for repurchase in connection with any repurchase offer made by the Fund shares that it holds in its capacity as a shareholder.
23 |
Transfers of Shares. No person may become a substituted shareholder without the written consent of the Board, which consent may be withheld for any reason in the Board’s sole and absolute discretion. Shares may be transferred only (i) by operation of law pursuant to the death, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a shareholder or (ii) with the written consent of the Board, which may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. The Board may, in its discretion, delegate to the Adviser its authority to consent to transfers of shares. Each shareholder and transferee is required to pay all expenses, including attorneys and accountants fees, incurred by the Fund in connection with such transfer.
ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter, within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and acts as the distributor of the Fund’s shares on a reasonable efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Fund’s shares are offered for sale through the Distributor at NAV. The Distributor also may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker-dealers for the sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares. No arrangement has been made to place funds received in an escrow, trust or similar account. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund’s shares, but will use its reasonable efforts to sell the shares. Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any national securities exchange and the Distributor will not act as a market maker in Fund shares.
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the Adviser’s portfolio managers who are employees of the Adviser. Generally, the Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by them on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund's use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.
In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:
● | the best net price available; |
● | the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer; |
● | the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and |
● | the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis. |
Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Eligible research or brokerage services through which portfolio transaction are executed may include research reports on particular industries and companies, economic surveys and analyses, recommendations as to specific securities, online quotations, news services, financial publications and other products and services (e.g., software based applications for market quotes and news, database programs providing investment and industry data) providing lawful and appropriate assistance to the portfolio manager and its designees in the performance of their investment decision-making responsibilities on behalf of the Fund. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.
24 |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
A control person generally is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such company. As of September [ ], 2020, there were no control persons of the Fund.
The following table sets forth, as of September [ ], 2020, information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Shares by:
● | each Trustee and executive officer; |
● | all of the Trustees and executive officers as a group; and |
● | each person known by the Fund to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding Shares. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the applicable rules of the SEC. There are no Shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of September [ ], 2020.
Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||||||
Number of | ||||||||
Name(1) | Shares | Percentage | ||||||
5% Holders: | ||||||||
Interested Trustees: | ||||||||
Robert K. Grunewald | [ ] | [ ] | ||||||
Independent Trustees: | ||||||||
R. Scott Coolidge | -- | -- | ||||||
Marshall H. Durston | -- | -- | ||||||
Executive Officers: | ||||||||
Richard A. Petrocelli | [ ] | [ ]% | ||||||
All trustees and executive officers as a group (5 persons) | [ ] | [ ]% |
* | Less than one percent. |
(1) | The address of each beneficial owner is c/o Flat Rock Core Income Fund, 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019. |
25 |
Each share represents a proportional interest in the assets of the Fund. Each share has one vote at shareholder meetings, with fractional shares voting proportionally, on matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. There are no cumulative voting rights. Shares do not have pre-emptive or conversion or redemption provisions. In the event of a liquidation of the Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders after all expenses and debts have been paid.
Administrator. ALPS Fund Services, Inc., located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203, will serve as the administrator for the Fund.
Transfer Agent. DST Systems, Inc. will serve as transfer agent for the Fund.
Fund Counsel. Thompson Hine LLP, located at 1919 M Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, is counsel to the Fund.
Custodian. U.S. Bank, with principal offices at 1555 N. Rivercenter Drive, MK-WI-5302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, serves as custodian for the securities and cash for the Fund’s portfolio. Under the Custody Agreement, U.S. Bank holds the Fund’s assets in safekeeping and keeps all necessary records and documents relating to its duties.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Cohen and Company, Ltd. (“Cohen”) is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and audits the Fund’s financial statements and provides other audit, tax, and related services for the Fund. Cohen is located at 1350 Euclid Ave # 800, Cleveland, OH 44115.
This SAI provides financial information regarding the Fund and the Predecessor Fund, respectively. Set forth below are the audited financial statements of the Fund and the Predecessor Fund, the related reports of Cohen, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and, the related reports of Cohen and KPMG, LLP, the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firms.
26 |
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
(A Delaware Statutory Trust)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
See Notes to Financial Statements.
27 |
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
(A Delaware Statutory Trust)
Statement of Operations
See Notes to Financial Statements.
28 |
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
(A Delaware Statutory Trust)
Notes to Financial Statements
29 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
30 |
PART C — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(1) Financial Statements:
Part A: | Financial Highlights. | |
Part B: | To be filed by amendment. |
(2) Exhibits
(a)(1) | ||
(a)(2) | Certificate of Amendment of the Registrant* | |
(a)(3) | Form of Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust.(2) | |
(b) | Form of Bylaws of the Registrant.(2) | |
(e) | Distribution Reinvestment Plan of the Registrant.** | |
(g)(1) | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement by and between the Registrant and Flat Rock Global, LLC.* | |
(h)(1) | Form of Distribution Agreement by and between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc.** | |
(j) | Custody Agreement by and between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association.* | |
(k)(1) | Form of Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement by and between the Registrant and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.* | |
(l) | Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.** | |
(n) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.** | |
(p) | Form of Subscription Agreement.** | |
(r)(1) | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant.* | |
(r)(2) | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Flat Rock Global.(3) |
* | Filed herewith. |
** | To be filed by subsequent amendment. |
(1) |
Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-239281) filed on June 19, 2020. |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-240039) filed on July 23, 2020. |
(3) | Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-239281) filed on September 2, 2020. |
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
Not applicable.
Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
Not applicable.
C-1 |
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
The Registrant is not aware of any person that is directly or indirectly under common control with the Registrant, except that the Registrant may be deemed to be controlled by Flat Rock Global LLC, the Registrant’s investment adviser. Information regarding the ownership of Flat Rock Global LLC is set forth in its Form ADV as filed with the SEC (File No. 801-11062).
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities
Number of Holders of Securities as of September [_], 2020 | ||
Name of Class | Number of Record Holders | |
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest | [__] |
Item 30. Indemnification
Reference is made to Article VIII, Section 2 of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”). The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will comply the indemnification provisions of the Declaration of Trust in a manner consistent with Release 40-11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), so long as the interpretation therein of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of the 1940 Act remains in effect. The Registrant maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an independent trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Registrant against certain liability asserted against and incurred by, or arising out of, his or her position. However, in no event will the Registrant pay that portion of the premium, if any, for insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which the Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which the investment adviser of the Registrant, and each member, trustee, director, executive officer, or partner of any such investment adviser, is or has been, at any time during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of member, trustee, officer, employee, partner or director, is set forth in the Registrant’s prospectus in the section entitled “Management of the Fund.” Information as to the members and officers of the Adviser is included in its Form ADV as filed with the SEC (File No. 801-110612), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Distributors, Inc., the Fund’s administrator and distributor, respectively, maintain certain required accounting related and financial books and records of the Registrant at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203 and 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203, respectively. DST Systems, Inc., the Transfer Agent, maintains certain required accounting related and financial books and records of the Registrant at 430 W 7th Street, Suite 219238, Kansas City, MO 64105. U.S. Bank, the Fund’s custodian, maintains certain required accounting related and financial books and records of the Registrant at 1555 N. Riverside Drive, MK-WI-5302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212. The other required books and records are maintained by the Adviser at 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
Item 33. Management Services
Not Applicable.
C-2 |
Item 34. Undertakings
1. | The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if: (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value of the Registrant declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement; or (2) the net asset value of the Registrant increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus. |
2. | Not Applicable. |
3. | Not Applicable. |
4. | The Registrant undertakes |
(a) | to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement: |
(i) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act; |
(ii) | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and |
(iii) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. |
(b) | for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(c) | to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(d) | that, for the purpose of determining liability under the 1933 Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the 1933 Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the 1933 Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use. |
(e) | that, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the 1933 Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser: |
(i) | any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act; |
(ii) | the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the 1933 Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and |
(iii) | any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
5. | The Registrant undertakes that: |
(a) | for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the 1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and |
(b) | for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
6. | The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, the Registrant’s statement of additional information. |
C-3 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 30th day of September, 2020.
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND | ||
By: | /s/ Robert K. Grunewald | |
Robert K. Grunewald | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
The undersigned trustees and officers of Flat Rock Core Income Fund hereby constitute and appoint Robert K. Grunewald and Richard A. Petrocelli, and each of them with full power to act without the other and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, as our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact with full power to execute in our name and on our behalf in the capacities indicated below, this Registration Statement on Form N-2 and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and thereby ratify and confirm that all such attorneys-in-fact, or any of them, or their substitutes shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title | Date | ||
/s/ Robert K. Grunewald |
Chairman of the
Board of Trustees and
|
September 30, 2020 | ||
Robert K. Grunewald
(Principal executive officer) |
Chief Executive Officer | |||
/s/ Richard A. Petrocelli |
Chief Financial Officer | September 30, 2020 | ||
Richard A. Petrocelli
(Principal financial and accounting officer) |
||||
/s/ R. Scott Coolidge | Independent Trustee | September 30, 2020 | ||
R. Scott Coolidge | ||||
/s/ Marshall H. Durston | Independent Trustee | September 30, 2020 | ||
Marshall H. Durston |
C-4
Exhibit (a)(2)
STATE OF DELAWARE
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
Pursuant to Title 12, Section 3810(b) of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the undersigned Trust executed the following Certificate of Amendment:
1. | Name: The name of the statutory trust amended hereby is FLAT ROCK CAPITAL CREDIT FUND. |
2. | Amendment: The Certificate of Trust is hereby amended by changing the name of the statutory trust to FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND. |
3. | Effective Date: This Certificate of Amendment shall be effective upon filing. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Trust has executed this Certificate of Amendment on the 18th day of August 2020.
By: | /s/ Robert K. Grunewald | |
Name: | Robert K. Grunewald | |
Title: | President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee |
Exhibit (g)(1)
FORM OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This Form of Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the __th day of __________, 2020, by and between Flat Rock Core Income Fund, a Delaware Statutory Trust (the “Fund”), and Flat Rock Global, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser” or “Flat Rock Global”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) that operates as an interval fund;
WHEREAS, Flat Rock Global is a private investment management firm that has registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain Flat Rock Global to furnish investment advisory services to the Fund and to provide for the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and Flat Rock Global wishes to be retained to provide such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by both parties, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Duties of the Adviser.
(a) Retention of Adviser. The Fund hereby employs Flat Rock Global to act as the investment adviser to the Fund, to manage the activities of the Fund and to make investment decisions with respect to the Fund’s portfolio, subject to the supervision of the board of trustees of the Fund (the “Board”), for the period and upon the terms set forth herein:
(i) in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-240039) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 23, 2020, as amended from time to time, or such subsequent registration statement filed on Form N-2 (the “Registration Statement”) to be used in connection with the public offering of common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) in the Fund’s offering (the “Offering”);
(ii) during the term of this Agreement in accordance with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, in each case as amended from time to time; and
(iii) in accordance with the 1940 Act.
(b) Responsibilities of Adviser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Flat Rock Global shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement:
(i) determine the composition and allocation of the portfolio of the Fund, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes;
(ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Fund;
(iii) execute, monitor and service the Fund’s investments;
1
(iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Fund shall purchase, retain, or sell;
(v) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio investments; and
(vi) provide the Fund with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Fund may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds.
(c) Power and Authority. To facilitate Flat Rock Global’s performance of these responsibilities, but subject to the restrictions contained herein, the Fund hereby delegates to Flat Rock Global, and Flat Rock Global hereby accepts, the power and authority on behalf of the Fund to effectuate investment decisions for the Fund, including the execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Fund’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Fund. In the event that the Fund determines to obtain debt financing, Flat Rock Global shall arrange for such financing on the Fund’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board.
(d) Acceptance of Engagement. Flat Rock Global hereby accepts such engagement and agrees during the term of this Agreement to render the services described herein for the compensation provided herein, subject to the limitations contained herein.
(e) Sub-Advisers. Flat Rock Global is hereby authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser”) pursuant to which Flat Rock Global may obtain the services of the Sub-Adviser(s) to assist Flat Rock Global in fulfilling its responsibilities hereunder. Specifically, Flat Rock Global may retain a Sub-Adviser to recommend specific securities or other investments based upon the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, and work, along with Flat Rock Global, in sourcing, structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of such investments and monitoring investments on behalf of the Fund, subject to the oversight of Flat Rock Global and the Fund.
(i) Flat Rock Global and not the Fund shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that Flat Rock Global shall have the right to direct the Fund to pay directly any Sub-Adviser the amounts due and payable to such Sub-Adviser from the fees and expenses payable to Flat Rock Global under this Agreement.
(ii) Any sub-advisory agreement entered into by Flat Rock Global shall be in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act including, without limitation, the requirements relating to Board and Fund shareholder approval thereunder, and other applicable federal and state law.
(iii) Any Sub-Adviser shall be subject to the same fiduciary duties imposed on Flat Rock Global pursuant to this Agreement, the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act, as well as other applicable federal and state law, taking into account any limitations of the scope of responsibilities of such Sub-Adviser.
(f) Independent Contractor Status. Flat Rock Global shall, for all purposes herein provided, be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act on behalf of or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.
2
(g) Record Retention. Subject to review by, and the overall control of, the Board, Flat Rock Global shall maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of Flat Rock Global that relate to investment advisory activities performed by Flat Rock Global hereunder as required under the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act. Flat Rock Global shall at all reasonable times have access to the books and records of the Fund. Flat Rock Global agrees that all records that it maintains and keeps for the Fund shall at all times remain the property of the Fund, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered to the Fund upon the termination of this Agreement or otherwise on written request by the Fund. Flat Rock Global further agrees that the records that it maintains and keeps for the Fund shall be preserved in the manner and for the periods prescribed by the 1940 Act, unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Flat Rock Global shall have the right to retain copies, or originals where required by Rule 204-2 promulgated under the Advisers Act, of such records to the extent required by applicable law. Flat Rock Global shall maintain records of the locations where books, accounts and records are maintained among the persons and entities providing services directly or indirectly to Flat Rock Global or the Fund.
2. Expenses.
(a) Adviser Personnel. All investment personnel of Flat Rock Global, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory services and managerial assistance hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by Flat Rock Global and not by the Fund.
(b) Costs. Subject to the limitation on reimbursement of Flat Rock Global as set forth in Section 2(c) below, the Fund, either directly or through reimbursement to Flat Rock Global, shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including (without limitation) fees and expenses relating to:
(i) the cost of calculating the net asset value of the Shares, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;
(ii) the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of the Shares and other securities;
(iii) management and incentive fees payable to Flat Rock Global pursuant to this Agreement;
(iv) transfer agent and custodial fees;
(v) fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts (including attendance at investment conferences and similar events);
(vi) federal and state registration fees;
(vii) federal, state and local taxes;
(viii) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Fund’s investments;
(ix) the fees and expenses of any member of the Board who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser;
(x) brokerage commissions for the Fund’s investments;
3
(xi) costs of proxy statements, shareholders’ reports and notices;
(xii) costs associated with the Fund’s reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws;
(xiii) fidelity bond, trustees and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;
(xiv) direct costs such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff costs; and
(xv) fees and expenses associated with independent accountants, independent and internal audit, and outside legal costs; and
(xvi) all other offering expenses incurred by Flat Rock Global in performing its obligations.
3. Compensation of the Adviser. The Fund agrees to pay, and Flat Rock Global agrees to accept, as compensation for the services provided by Flat Rock Global hereunder, a management fee (“Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (“Incentive Fee”) as hereinafter set forth. Any of the fees payable to Flat Rock Global under this Section 3 for any partial month or calendar quarter shall be appropriately prorated. The fees payable to Flat Rock Global as set forth in this Agreement shall be calculated using a detailed calculation policy and procedures approved by Flat Rock Global and the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees (as defined below), and shall be consistent with the calculation of such fees as set forth in this Section. Flat Rock Global may agree to temporarily or permanently waive, in whole or in part, the Management Fee and/or the Incentive Fee. Prior to the payment of any fee to Flat Rock Global, the Fund shall obtain written instructions from Flat Rock Global with respect to any deferral or waiver of any portion of such fees. Any portion of a deferred fee payable to Flat Rock Global and not paid over to Flat Rock Global with respect to any month, calendar quarter or year shall be deferred without interest and may be paid over in any such other month prior to the occurrence of the termination of this Agreement, as Flat Rock Global may determine upon written notice to the Fund.
(a) Management Fee. The management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.375% of the Fund’s average daily total assets. The management fee is payable quarterly in arrears, and is calculated based on the average daily value of the Fund’s total assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.
(b) Incentive Fee. Flat Rock Global shall receive an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) calculated as set forth below. In the case of a liquidation of the Fund or if this Agreement is terminated, the Incentive Fee will also become payable as of the effective date of liquidation or termination.
(i) | The Incentive Fee is earned on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, as defined below, and shall be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal quarter beginning on and after the Effective Date. The Incentive Fee for each fiscal quarter will be calculated as follows: |
(A) No Incentive Fee will be payable in any fiscal quarter in which the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed a quarterly return of 1.50% per quarter on Adjusted Capital, as defined below (the “Quarterly Return”);
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(B) 100% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Quarterly Return, but is less than or equal to 1.764% of Adjusted Capital in any quarter, will be payable to Flat Rock Global;
(C) For any fiscal quarter in which Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 1.764% of Adjusted Capital, the Incentive Fee shall equal 15% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 3(b):
(A) “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees, other than fees for providing managerial assistance, such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Fund receives from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses reimbursed to Flat Rock Global under this Agreement and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest and zero-coupon securities), accrued income that the Fund has not yet received in cash. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.
(B) “Adjusted Capital” shall mean (i) cumulative gross proceeds generated from sales of the Fund’s Shares, less (ii) distributions from non-liquidating dispositions of the Fund’s investments paid to shareholders.
4. Covenants of the Adviser.
(a) Registration of Adviser. Flat Rock Global covenants that it is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will maintain such registration until the expiration or termination of this Agreement. Flat Rock Global agrees that its activities will at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments.
5. Payment of and Limitations on Brokerage Commissions.
(b) Brokerage Commissions. Flat Rock Global is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Fund to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if Flat Rock Global determines in good faith, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund’s portfolio, and constitutes the best net results for the Fund.
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6. Other Activities of the Adviser. The services of Flat Rock Global to the Fund are not exclusive, and Flat Rock Global may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment-based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to those of the Fund, so long as its services to the Fund hereunder are not impaired thereby, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any manager, partner, member (including its members and the owners of its members), officer or employee of Flat Rock Global to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith (including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the Fund’s portfolio companies, subject to applicable law). Flat Rock Global assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder. It is understood that trustees, officers, employees and shareholders of the Fund are or may become interested in Flat Rock Global and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, members, managers or otherwise, and that Flat Rock Global and directors, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, members and managers of Flat Rock Global and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Fund as shareholders or otherwise.
7. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees. If any person who is a manager, partner, member, officer or employee of Flat Rock Global is or becomes a trustee, officer and/or employee of the Fund and acts as such in any business of the Fund, then such manager, partner, member, officer and/or employee of Flat Rock Global shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Fund, and not as a manager, partner, member, officer or employee of Flat Rock Global or under the control or direction of Flat Rock Global, even if paid by Flat Rock Global.
8. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification. Flat Rock Global (and its officers, managers, partners, members (and their members, including the owners of their members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with Flat Rock Global) shall not be liable to the Fund for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Flat Rock Global in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services, and the Fund shall indemnify, defend and protect Flat Rock Global (and its officers, managers, partners, members (and their members, including the owners of their members), agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with Flat Rock Global, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnitee in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Fund or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of Flat Rock Global’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnitees against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnitees to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Fund or its security holders to which the Indemnitees would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of any Indemnitee’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of Flat Rock Global’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).
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9. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement.
(a) Term and Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect for two years, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Fund’s trustees who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”).
(b) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (a) by the Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to Flat Rock Global, (i) upon the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or (ii) by the vote of the Fund’s Independent Trustees, or (b) by Flat Rock Global upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). The provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and Flat Rock Global shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement.
10. Notices. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.
To the Board or the Fund |
Flat Rock Core Income Fund 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10019 Attention: Robert K. Grunewald |
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To Flat Rock Global: |
Flat Rock Global, LLC 1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10019 Attention: Robert K. Grunewald |
11. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only by written mutual consent of Flat Rock Global and the Fund, but the consent of the Fund must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original copy and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all parties shall not have signed the same counterpart. To facilitate execution of this Agreement, the parties may execute and exchange the signature page by facsimile or PDF counterparts. Further, the parties agree that electronic signatures, such as DocuSign or similar electronic signing software, will be deemed to be originals.
13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.
14. Governing Law. Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, if any. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
15. The Flat Rock Name. Flat Rock Global has a proprietary interest in the name “Flat Rock.” Flat Rock Global hereby grants to the Fund a non-transferable, non-assignable, non-exclusive royalty-free right and license to use the name “Flat Rock” during the term of this Agreement. Accordingly, and in recognition of this right, if at any time the Fund ceases to retain Flat Rock Global to perform advisory services for the Fund, the Fund will, promptly after receipt of written request from Flat Rock Global, cease to conduct business under or use the name “Flat Rock” or any derivative thereof and the Fund shall change its name and the names of any of its subsidiaries to a name that does not contain the name “Flat Rock” or any other word or words that might, in the reasonable discretion of Flat Rock Global, be susceptible of indication of some form of relationship between the Fund and Flat Rock Global. At such time, the Fund will also make any changes to any trademarks, servicemarks or other marks necessary to remove any references to the word “Flat Rock.” Consistent with the foregoing, it is specifically recognized that Flat Rock Global has in the past and may in the future organize, sponsor or otherwise permit to exist other investment vehicles and financial and service organizations having “Flat Rock” as a part of their name, all without the need for any consent (and without the right to object thereto) by the Fund. Flat Rock Global shall govern the Fund’s use of the name “Flat Rock” and the Fund’s use of the “Flat Rock” name will be in strict accordance with any quality standards and specifications that may be established by Flat Rock Global and communicated to the Fund from time to time.
[Signature page to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Investment Advisory Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND, | ||
a Delaware Statutory Trust | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
FLAT ROCK GLOBAL, LLC, | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Investment Advisory Agreement]
Exhibit (j)
_____________________
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
_____________________
dated as of September 29, 2020
by and between
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
(“Company”)
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(“Custodian”)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
1. | DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||
2. | APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN | 5 | ||
3. | DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN | 6 | ||
4. | REPORTING | 13 | ||
5. | DEPOSIT IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS | 14 | ||
6. | RESERVED | 14 | ||
7. | CERTAIN GENERAL TERMS | 14 | ||
8. | COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN | 17 | ||
9. | RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN | 17 | ||
10. | SECURITY CODES | 20 | ||
11. | TAX LAW | 20 | ||
12. | EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION | 21 | ||
13. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 22 | ||
14. | PARTIES IN INTEREST; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFIT | 22 | ||
15. | NOTICES | 22 | ||
16. | CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION | 23 | ||
17. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT; COUNTERPARTS | 23 | ||
18. | AMENDMENT; WAIVER | 23 | ||
19. | SUCCESSOR AND ASSIGNS | 24 | ||
20. | SEVERABILITY | 24 | ||
21. | REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS | 24 | ||
22. | OTHER BUSINESS | 24 | ||
23. | REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS | 25 | ||
24. | MISCELLANEOUS | 25 | ||
SCHEDULES | ||||
SCHEDULE A – Trade Confirmation | A-1 | |||
SCHEDULE B – Initial Authorized Persons | B-1 |
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THIS CUSTODY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of September 29, 2020 and is by and between Flat Rock Core Income Fund (and any successor or permitted assign), a corporation organized under the laws of the Delaware, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (or any successor or permitted assign acting as custodian hereunder, the “Custodian”), a national banking association.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is a closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain U.S. Bank National Association to act as custodian for the Company and each Subsidiary hereafter identified to the Custodian;
WHEREAS, the Company desires that certain of the Company’s Securities (as defined below) and cash be held and administered by the custodian pursuant to this Agreement; and
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | DEFINITIONS |
1.1 Defined Terms. In addition to terms expressly defined elsewhere herein, the following words shall have the following meanings as used in this Agreement:
“Account” or “Accounts” means the Cash Account, the Securities Account, any Subsidiary Cash Account and any Subsidiary Securities Account, collectively.
“Agreement” means this Custody Agreement (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof).
“Authorized Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
“Business Day” means a day on which the Custodian or the relevant sub-custodian is open for business in the market or country in which a transaction is to take place.
“Cash Account” means the trust accounts to be established at the Custodian to which the Custodian shall deposit and hold any cash Proceeds received by it from time to time from or with respect to the Securities or the sale of the common stock of the Company, as applicable, which accounts shall be designated the “Flat Rock Capital Corp. Cash Interest Proceeds Account” and the “Flat Rock Capital Corp. Cash Principal Proceeds Account.”
“Company” means Flat Rock Core Income Fund., its successors or permitted assigns.
“Confidential Information” means any databases, computer programs, screen formats, screen designs, report formats, interactive design techniques, and other similar or related information that may be furnished to the Company by the Custodian from time to time pursuant to this Agreement.
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“Custodian” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
“Eligible Investment” means any investment that at the time of its acquisition is one or more of the following:
(a) United States government and agency obligations;
(b) commercial paper having a rating assigned to such commercial paper by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (or, if neither such organization shall rate such commercial paper at such time, by any nationally recognized rating organization in the United States of America) equal to one of the two highest ratings assigned by such organization, it being understood that as of the date hereof such ratings by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services are “A1+” and “A1” and such ratings by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. are “P1” and “P2”;
(c) interest bearing deposits in United States dollars in United States banks with an unrestricted surplus of at least U.S. $250,000,000, maturing within one year; and
(d) money market funds (including funds of the bank serving as Custodian or its affiliates) or United States government securities funds designed to maintain a fixed share price and high liquidity.
“Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in Section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
“Federal Reserve Bank Book-Entry System” means a depository and securities transfer system operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States on which are eligible to be held all United States Government direct obligation bills, notes and bonds.
“Financing Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).
“Loan” means any U.S. dollar denominated commercial loan, or participation therein, made by a bank or other financial institution that by its terms provides for payments of principal and/or interest, including discount obligations and payment-in-kind obligations, acquired by the Company from time to time.
“Loan Assignment Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).
“Noteless Loan” means a Loan with respect to which (i) the related loan agreement does not require the obligor to execute and deliver an Underlying Note to evidence the indebtedness created under such Loan and (ii) no Underlying Notes are outstanding with respect to the portion of the Loan transferred to the issuer or the prior holder of record.
“Participation” means an interest in a Loan that is acquired indirectly by way of a participation from a selling institution.
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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary thereof) unincorporated organization, or any government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Proceeds” means, collectively, (i) the net cash proceeds to the Company of the initial public offering by the Company and any subsequent offering by the Company of any class of securities issued by the Company, (ii) cash distributions, earnings, dividends, fees and other cash payments paid on the Securities (or, as applicable, Subsidiary Securities) by or on behalf of the issuer or obligor thereof, or applicable paying agent, (iii) the net cash proceeds of the sale or other disposition of the Securities (or, as applicable, Subsidiary Securities) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (and any Reinvestment Earnings from investment of the foregoing, as defined in Section 3.6(b) hereof) and (iv) the net cash proceeds to the Company of any borrowing or other financing by the Company.
“Proper Instructions” means instructions (including Trade Confirmations) received by the Custodian in form acceptable to it, from the Company, or any Person duly authorized by the Company in any of the following forms acceptable to the Custodian:
(a) in writing signed by an Authorized Person (and delivered by hand, by mail, by overnight courier or by telecopier);
(b) by electronic mail from an Authorized Person;
(c) in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro mechanical or electronic devices; or
(d) such other means as may be agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the party giving such instructions, including oral instructions.
“Reinvestment Earnings” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Securities” means, collectively, the (i) investments, including Loans, acquired by the Company and delivered to the Custodian by the Company from time to time during the term of, and pursuant to the terms of, this Agreement and (ii) all dividends in kind (e.g., non-cash dividends) from the investments described in clause (i).
“Securities Account” means the segregated trust account to be established at the Custodian to which the Custodian shall deposit or credit and hold the Securities (other than Loans) received by it pursuant to this Agreement, which account shall be designated the “Flat Rock Capital Corp. Securities Custody Account”.
“Securities Depository” means The Depository Trust Company and any other clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), which acts as a system for the central handling of Securities where all Securities of any particular class or series of an issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of the Securities.
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“Securities System” means the Federal Reserve Book-Entry System, a clearing agency which acts as a Securities Depository, or another book entry system for the central handling of securities (including an Eligible Securities Depository).
“Street Delivery Custom” means a custom of the United States securities market to deliver securities which are being sold to the buying broker for examination to determine that the securities are in proper form.
“Street Name” means the form of registration in which the securities are held by a broker who is delivering the securities to another broker for the purposes of sale, it being an accepted custom in the United States securities industry that a security in Street Name is in proper form for delivery to a buyer and that a security may be re-registered by a buyer in the ordinary course.
“Subsidiary” means, collectively, any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company identified to the Custodian by the Company.
“Subsidiary Cash Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(b).
“Subsidiary Securities” collectively, the (i) investments, including Loans, acquired by a Subsidiary and delivered to the Custodian from time to time during the term of, and pursuant to the terms of, this Agreement and (ii) all dividends in kind (e.g., non-cash dividends) from the investments described in clause (i).
“Subsidiary Securities Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(a).
“Trade Confirmation” means a confirmation to the Custodian from the Company of the Company’s acquisition of a Loan, and setting forth applicable information with respect to such Loan, which confirmation may be in the form of Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof, subject to such changes or additions as may be agreed to by, or in such other form as may be agreed to by, the Custodian and the Company from time to time.
“UCC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b)(ii).
“Underlying Note” means the one or more promissory notes executed by an obligor to evidence a Loan.
1.2 Construction. In this Agreement unless the contrary intention appears:
(a) | any reference to this Agreement or another agreement or instrument refers to such agreement or instrument as the same may be amended, modified or otherwise rewritten from time to time; |
(b) | a reference to a statute, ordinance, code or other law includes regulations and other instruments under it and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or replacements of any of them; |
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(c) | any term defined in the singular form may be used in, and shall include, the plural with the same meaning, and vice versa; |
(d) | a reference to a Person includes a reference to the Person’s executors, successors and permitted assigns; |
(e) | an agreement, representation or warranty in favor of two or more Persons is for the benefit of them jointly and severally; |
(f) | an agreement, representation or warranty on the part of two or more Persons binds them jointly and severally; |
(g) | a reference to the term “including” means “including, without limitation,” and |
(h) | a reference to any accounting term is to be interpreted in accordance with generally accepted principles and practices in the United States, consistently applied, unless otherwise instructed by the Company. |
1.3 Headings. Headings are inserted for convenience and do not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
2. | APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN |
2.1 Appointment and Acceptance. The Company hereby appoints the Custodian as custodian of certain Securities and cash owned by the Company and the Subsidiaries (as applicable) and delivered to the Custodian from time to time during the period of this Agreement, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (which shall include any addendum hereto which is hereby incorporated herein and made a part of this Agreement), and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement with respect to it subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof.
2.2 Instructions. The Company agrees that it shall from time to time provide, or cause to be provided, to the Custodian all necessary instructions and information, and shall respond promptly to all inquiries and requests of the Custodian, as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder.
2.3 Company Responsible For Directions. The Company is solely responsible for directing the Custodian with respect to deposits to, withdrawals from and transfers to or from the Account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian has no responsibility for the Company’s compliance with the 1940 Act, any restrictions, covenants, limitations or obligations to which the Company may be subject or for which it may have obligations to third-parties in respect of the Account, and the Custodian shall have no liability for the application of any funds made at the direction of the Company. The Company shall be solely responsible for properly instructing all applicable payors to make all appropriate payments to the Custodian for deposit to the Account, and for properly instructing the Custodian with respect to the allocation or application of all such deposits.
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3. | DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN |
3.1 Segregation. All Securities and non-cash property held by the Custodian, as applicable, for the account of the Company (other than Securities maintained in a Securities Depository or Securities System) shall be physically segregated from other Securities and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement.
3.2 Securities Custody Account. The Custodian shall open and maintain in its trust department a segregated trust account in the name of the Company, subject only to order of the Custodian, in which the Custodian shall enter and carry, subject to Section 3.3(b), all Securities (other than Loans), cash and other assets of the Company which are delivered to it in accordance with this Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, the Custodian shall not be required to credit or deposit Loans in the Securities Account but shall instead maintain a register (in book-entry form or in such other form as it shall deem necessary or desirable) of such Loans, containing such information as the Company and the Custodian may reasonably agree.
3.3 Delivery of Securities to Custodian.
(a) | The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian certain of the Company’s Securities, cash and other investment assets, including payments of income, payments of principal and capital distributions received by the Company with respect to such Securities, cash or other assets owned by the Company at any time during the period of this Agreement. With respect to assets other than Loans, such assets shall be delivered to the Custodian in its role as, and (where relevant) at the address identified for, the Custodian. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, delivery of Securities to the Custodian shall be in Street Name or other good delivery form. The Custodian shall not be responsible for such Securities, cash or other assets until actually delivered to, and received by it. |
(b) | (i) In connection with its acquisition of a Loan or other delivery of a Security constituting a Loan, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a properly completed Trade Confirmation containing such information in respect of such Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder in respect of such Loan on which the Custodian may conclusively rely without further inquiry or investigation, in such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require. |
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(ii) Notwithstanding any term hereof or elsewhere to the contrary, (a) it is hereby expressly acknowledged that (i) interests in Loans may be acquired by the Company from time to time which are not evidenced by, or accompanied by delivery of, a Security or an instrument, as that term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(4a) of the UCC, and may be evidenced solely by delivery to the Custodian of a facsimile copy of an assignment agreement (“Loan Assignment Agreement”) in favor of the Company as assignee, (ii) any such Loan Assignment Agreement (and the registration of the related Loan on the books and records of the applicable obligor or bank agent) shall be registered in the name of the Company (or its nominee), and (iii) the Custodian shall have no duty to hold any documents related to such Loan (collectively, “Financing Documents”), that may be delivered to it, and (b) nothing herein shall require the Custodian to credit to the Securities Account or to treat as a financial asset (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC) any such Loan or other asset in the nature of a general intangible (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC) or to “maintain” a sufficient quantity thereof. The Custodian is not under a duty to examine any such Financing Documents, or any underlying credit agreements or loan documents for such Loan to determine the validity, sufficiency, marketability or enforceability of any Loan Assignment Agreement or other Financing Document (and shall have no responsibility for the genuineness or completeness thereof), or for the Company’s title to any related Loan. The Custodian may assume the genuineness of each such Financing Document it may receive and the genuineness and due authority of any signatures appearing thereon, and shall be entitled to assume that each such Financing Document it may receive is what it purports to be. If an original Security or Instrument is or shall be or become available with respect to any such Loan, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Company to make or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to determine whether any such original security or instrument has been or is required to be issued or made available in respect of any Loan or to compel or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian. |
(iii) The Custodian may assume the genuineness of any such Financing Document it may receive and the genuineness and due authority of any signatures appearing thereon, and shall be entitled to assume that each such Financing Document it may receive is what it purports to be. If an original “security” or “instrument” as defined in Section 8-102 and Section 9-102(a)(47) of the UCC, respectively, is or shall be or become available with respect to any Loan to be held by the Custodian under this Agreement, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Company to make or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to determine whether any such original security or instrument has been or is required to be issued or made available in respect of any Loan or to compel or cause delivery thereof to the Custodian.
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(iv) Contemporaneously with the acquisition of any Loan, the Company shall (1) cause any appropriate Financing Documents evidencing such Loan to be delivered to the Custodian; (2) if requested by the Custodian, provide to the Custodian an amortization schedule of principal payments and a schedule of the interest payable date(s) identifying the amount and due dates of all scheduled principal and interest payments for such Loan, (3) a properly completed Trade Confirmation containing such information in respect of such Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to enable the Custodian to perform its duties hereunder in respect of such Loan on which the Custodian may conclusively rely without further inquiry or investigation, in such form and format as the Custodian reasonably may require; (4) take all actions necessary for the Company to acquire good title to such Loan; and (5) take all actions as may be necessary (including appropriate payment notices and instructions to bank agents or other applicable paying agents) to cause (A) all payments in respect of the Loan to be made to the Custodian and (B) all notices, solicitations and other communications in respect of such Loan to be directed to the Company. The Custodian shall have no liability for any delay or failure on the part of the Company to provide necessary information to the Custodian, or for any inaccuracy therein or incompleteness thereof, or for any delay or failure on the part of the Company to give such effective payment instruction to bank agents and other paying agents, in respect of the Loans. With respect to each such Loan, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on any information and notices it may receive from time to time from the related bank agent, obligor or similar party with respect to the related Loan, and shall be entitled to update its records (as it may deem necessary or appropriate), or from the Company, on the basis of such information or notices received, without any obligation on its part independently to verify, investigate or recalculate such information.
3.4 Release of Securities.
(a) | The Custodian shall release and ship for delivery, or direct its agents or sub-custodian to release and ship for delivery, as the case may be, Securities of the Company held by the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian from time to time upon receipt of Proper Instructions (which shall, among other things, specify the Securities to be released, with such delivery and other information as may be necessary to enable the Custodian to perform), which may be standing instructions (in form acceptable to the Custodian) in the following cases: |
(i) | upon sale of such Securities by or on behalf of the Company, and such sale may, unless and except to the extent otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, be carried out by the Custodian: |
(A) | in accordance with the customary or established practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market where the transactions occur, including delivery to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent of such purchaser or dealer) against expectation of receiving later payment; or |
(B) | in the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operations of the Securities System; |
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(ii) | upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such Securities; |
(iii) | to a depositary agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for Securities; |
(iv) | to the issuer thereof or its agent when such Securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian); |
(v) | to an issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or into the name of any of its agents or sub-custodian or their nominees or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; |
(vi) | to brokers clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination in accordance with the Street Delivery Custom; |
(vii) | for exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the Securities of the issuer of such Securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian); |
(viii) | in the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities (unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian); and/or |
(ix) | for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions. |
3.5 Registration of Securities. Securities held by the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian (other than bearer securities, securities held in a Securities System or Securities that are Noteless Loans or Participations) shall be registered in the name of the Company or its nominee; or, at the option of the Custodian, in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the Custodian, or in the name of its agents or its sub-custodian or their nominees; or if directed by the Company by Proper Instruction, may be maintained in Street Name. The Custodian, its agents and its sub-custodian shall not be obligated to accept Securities on behalf of the Company under the terms of this Agreement unless such Securities are in Street Name or other good deliverable form.
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3.6 Bank Accounts, and Management of Cash
(a) | Proceeds from the Securities received by the Custodian from time to time shall be credited to the Cash Account. All amounts credited to the Cash Account shall be subject to clearance and receipt of final payment by the Custodian. Securities may also be delivered and held in the Cash Account by the Custodian. |
(b) | Amounts held in the Cash Account from time to time may be invested in Eligible Investments pursuant to specific written Proper Instructions (which may be standing instructions) received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person acting on behalf of the Company. Such investments shall be subject to availability and the Custodian’s then applicable transaction charges (which shall be at the Company’s expense). The Custodian shall have no liability for any loss incurred on any such investment. Absent receipt of such written instruction from the Company, the Custodian shall have no obligation to invest (or otherwise pay interest on) amounts on deposit in the Cash Account. In no instance will the Custodian have any obligation to provide investment advice to the Company. Any earnings from such investment of amounts held in the Cash Account from time to time (collectively, “Reinvestment Earnings”) shall be redeposited in the Cash Account (and may be reinvested at the written direction of the Company). |
(c) | In the event that the Company shall at any time request a withdrawal of amounts from the Cash Account, the Custodian shall be entitled to liquidate, and shall have no liability for any loss incurred as a result of the liquidation of, any investment of the funds credited to such account as needed to provide necessary liquidity. Investment instructions may be in the form of standing instructions (in the form of Proper Instructions acceptable to Custodian). |
(d) | The Company acknowledges that cash deposited or invested with any bank (including the bank acting as Custodian) may make a margin or generate banking income for which such bank shall not be required to account to the Company. |
(e) | The Custodian shall be authorized to open such additional accounts as may be necessary or convenient for administration of its duties hereunder, with notice to be provided to the Company. |
3.7 Foreign Exchange
(a) | Upon the receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian may (but shall not be obligated to) enter into all types of contracts for foreign exchange on behalf of the Company, upon terms acceptable to the Custodian and the Company (in each case at the Company’s expense), including transactions entered into with the Custodian, its sub-custodian or any affiliates of the Custodian or the sub-custodian. The Custodian shall have no liability for any losses incurred in or resulting from the rates obtained in such foreign exchange transactions; and absent specific and acceptable Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall not be deemed to have any duty to carry out any foreign exchange on behalf of the Company. The Custodian shall be entitled at all times to comply with any legal or regulatory requirements applicable to currency or foreign exchange transactions. |
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(b) | The Company acknowledges that the Custodian, any sub-custodian or any affiliates of the Custodian or any sub-custodian, involved in any such foreign exchange transactions may make a margin or generate banking income from foreign exchange transactions entered into pursuant to this section for which they shall not be required to account to the Company. |
3.8 Collection of Income. The Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian shall use reasonable efforts to collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to the Securities held hereunder to which the Company shall be entitled, to the extent consistent with usual custom in the securities custodian business in the United States. Such efforts shall include collection of interest income, dividends and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities if on the record date with respect to the date of payment by the issuer the Security is registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee (or in the name of its agent or sub-custodian, or their nominee); and interest income, dividends and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer such securities are held by the Custodian or its sub-custodian or agent; provided, however, that in the case of Securities held in Street Name, the Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts only to timely collect income. In no event shall the Custodian’s agreement herein to collect income be construed to obligate the Custodian to commence, undertake or prosecute any legal proceedings.
3.9 Payment of Moneys.
(a) | Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be standing instructions, the Custodian shall pay out from the Cash Account (or remit to its agents or its sub-custodian, and direct them to pay out) moneys of the Company on deposit therein in the following cases: |
(i) | upon the purchase of Securities for the Company pursuant to such Proper Instruction; and such purchase may, unless and except to the extent otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, be carried out by the Custodian: |
(A) | in accordance with the customary or established practices and procedures in the jurisdiction or market where the transactions occur, including delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or any agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such securities; or |
(B) | in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Securities System; |
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(ii) | for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange agreements for the accounts of the Company, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian, its agents or its sub-custodian, as contemplated by Section 3.8 above; and |
(iii) | for any other purpose directed by the Company, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of such payment, and naming the Person or Persons to whom such payment is to be made. |
(b) | At any time or times, the Custodian shall be entitled to pay (i) itself from the Cash Account, whether or not in receipt of express direction or instruction from the Company, any amounts due and payable to it pursuant to Section 8 hereof, and (ii) as otherwise permitted by Section 7.5, 9.4 or Section 12.5 below, provided, however, that in each case all such payments shall be accounted for to the Company. |
3.10 Proxies. The Custodian will, with respect to the Securities held hereunder, use reasonable efforts to cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such Securities proxies received by the Custodian from its agents or its sub-custodian or from issuers of the Securities being held for the Company, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and upon receipt of Proper Instructions shall promptly deliver such proxies, proxy soliciting materials and notices relating to such Securities. In the absence of such Proper Instructions, or in the event that such Proper Instructions are not received in a timely fashion, the Custodian shall be under no duty to act with regard to such proxies.
3.11 Communications Relating to Securities. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Company all written information (including pendency of calls and maturities of Securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith) received by the Custodian, from its agents or its sub-custodian or from issuers of the Securities being held for the Company. The Custodian shall have no obligation or duty to exercise any right or power, or otherwise to preserve rights, in or under any Securities unless and except to the extent it has received timely Proper Instruction from the Company in accordance with the next sentence. The Custodian will not be liable for any untimely exercise of any right or power in connection with Securities at any time held by the Custodian, its agents or sub-custodian unless:
(i) | the Custodian has received Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power; and |
(ii) | the Custodian, or its agents or sub-custodian are in actual possession of such Securities, |
in each case, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which such right or power is to be exercised. It will be the responsibility of the Company to notify the Custodian of the Person to whom such communications must be forwarded under this Section.
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3.12 Records. The Custodian shall create and maintain complete records relating to its activities under this Agreement with respect to the Securities, cash or other property held for the Company under this Agreement. All such records shall be the property of the Company and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Company, upon reasonable request and at least five Business Days’ prior written notice and at the Company’s expense. The Custodian shall, at the Company’s request, supply the Company with a tabulation of securities owned by the Company and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Company and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Company and the Custodian, include, to the extent applicable, the certificate numbers in such tabulations, to the extent such information is available to the Custodian.
3.13 Custody of Subsidiary Securities.
(a) | With respect to each Subsidiary identified to the Custodian by the Company, there shall be established at the Custodian a segregated trust account to which the Custodian shall deposit and hold any Subsidiary Securities (other than Loans) received by it (and any Proceeds received by it in the form of dividends in kind) pursuant to this Agreement, which account shall be designated the “[INSERT NAME OF SUBSIDIARY] Securities Account” (the “Subsidiary Securities Account”). |
(b) | With respect to each Subsidiary identified to the Custodian by the Company, there shall be established at the Custodian a segregated trust account to which the Custodian shall deposit and hold any cash Proceeds received by it from time to time from or with respect to Subsidiary Securities, which account shall be designated the “[INSERT NAME OF SUBSIDIARY] Cash Proceeds Account” (the “Subsidiary Cash Account”). |
(c) | To the maximum extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement regarding Securities of the Company, the Securities Account and the Cash Account shall be applicable to any Subsidiary Securities, Subsidiary Securities Account and Subsidiary Cash Account, respectively. The parties hereto agree that the Company shall notify the Custodian in writing as to the establishment of any Subsidiary as to which the Custodian is to serve as custodian pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and identify in writing any accounts the Custodian shall be required to establish for such Subsidiary as herein provided. |
4. | REPORTING |
(a) | For each Business Day, the Custodian shall render to the Company a daily report of (i) all deposits to and withdrawals from the Cash Account for such Business Day and the outstanding balance as of the end of such Business Day and (ii) an itemized statement of the Securities held pursuant to this Agreement and a report of settled trades of Securities as of the end of the prior Business Day. |
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(b) | The Custodian shall have no duty or obligation to undertake any market valuation of the Securities under any circumstance. |
(c) | The Custodian shall provide the Company with such reports as are reasonably available to it and as the Company may reasonably request from time to time, on the internal accounting controls and procedures for safeguarding securities, which are employed by the Custodian. |
5. | DEPOSIT IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS |
The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain Securities in a Securities System within the United States in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, and subject to the following provisions:
(a) | The Custodian may keep domestic Securities in a U.S. Securities System provided that such Securities are represented in an account of the Custodian in the U.S. Securities System which shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held by it as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers; |
(b) | The records of the Custodian with respect to Securities which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by book-entry those Securities belonging to the Company; |
(c) | If requested by the Company, the Custodian shall provide to the Company copies of all notices received from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of Securities for the account of the Company; and |
(d) | Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the Custodian shall not be liable to the Company for any direct loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim to the Company resulting from use of any Securities System (other than to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian itself, or from failure of the Custodian to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S. Securities System.) |
6. | RESERVED |
7. | CERTAIN GENERAL TERMS |
7.1 No Duty to Examine Financing Documents. Nothing herein shall obligate the Custodian to review or examine the terms of any underlying instrument, certificate, credit agreement, indenture, loan agreement, promissory note, or other financing document evidencing or governing any Security to determine the validity, sufficiency, marketability or enforceability of any Security or Loan (and shall have no responsibility for the genuineness or completeness thereof), or otherwise.
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7.2 Resolution of Discrepancies. In the event of any discrepancy between the information set forth in any report provided by the Custodian to the Company and any information contained in the books or records of the Company, the Company shall promptly notify the Custodian thereof and the parties shall cooperate to diligently resolve the discrepancy.
7.3 Improper Instructions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Custodian shall not be obligated to take any action (or forebear from taking any action), which it reasonably determines (at its sole option) to be contrary to the terms of this Agreement or applicable law. In no instance shall the Custodian be obligated to provide services on any day that is not a Business Day.
7.4 Proper Instructions
(a) | The Company will give a notice to the Custodian, in form acceptable to the Custodian, specifying the names and specimen signatures of persons authorized to give Proper Instructions (collectively, “Authorized Persons” and each is an “Authorized Person”) which notice shall be signed by an Authorized Person previously certified to the Custodian. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until it receives written notice from an Authorized Person of the Company to the contrary. The initial Authorized Persons are set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and made a part hereof (as such Schedule B may be modified from time to time by written notice from the Company to the Custodian); and the Company hereby represents and warrants that the true and accurate specimen signatures of such initial Authorized Persons are set forth on the “funds transfer authorization” documentation that has been provided separately to the Custodian by the Company. If such person elects to give the Custodian email or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Custodian in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Custodian’s reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Custodian shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Custodian’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflicting with or being inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. Any person providing such instructions or directions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Custodian, including without limitation the risk of the Custodian acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties. |
(b) | The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company (or any other person or entity), and shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company, in the event that a subsequent written confirmation of an oral instruction fails to conform to the oral instructions received by the Custodian. The Custodian shall not have an obligation to act in accordance with purported instructions to the extent that they conflict with applicable law or regulations, local market practice or the Custodian’s operating policies and practices. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss resulting from a delay while it obtains clarification of any Proper Instructions. |
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7.5 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. The Custodian may, at its discretion, without express authority from the Company:
(a) | make payments to itself as described in or pursuant to Section 3.9(b), or to make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Company; |
(b) | surrender Securities in temporary form for Securities in definitive form; |
(c) | endorse for collection cheques, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and |
(d) | in general attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Company. |
7.6 Evidence of Authority. The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate instrument or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed or otherwise given by or on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Person. The Custodian may receive and accept a certificate signed by any Authorized Person as conclusive evidence of:
(a) | the authority of any person to act in accordance with such certificate; or |
(b) | any determination or of any action by the Company as described in such certificate, |
and such certificate may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary from an Authorized Person of the Company.
7.7 Receipt of Communications. Any communication received by the Custodian on a day which is not a Business Day or after 3:30 p.m., Eastern time (or such other time as is agreed by the Company and the Custodian from time to time), on a Business Day will be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day (but in the case of communications so received after 3:30 p.m., Eastern time, on a Business Day the Custodian will use its best efforts to process such communications as soon as possible after receipt).
7.8 Actions on the Loans. The Custodian shall have no duty or obligation hereunder to take any action on behalf of the Company, to communicate on behalf of the Company, to collect amounts or proceeds in respect of, or otherwise to interact or exercise rights or remedies on behalf of the Company, with respect to any of the Loans. All such actions and communications are the responsibility of the Company.
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8. | COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN |
8.1 Fees. The Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services in accordance with the terms of that certain fee letter dated _____________, between the Company and the Custodian.
8.2 Expenses. The Company agrees to pay or reimburse to the Custodian upon its request from time to time all costs, disbursements, advances, and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) incurred, and any disbursements and advances made (including any account overdraft resulting from any settlement or assumed settlement, provisional credit, chargeback, returned deposit item, reclaimed payment or claw-back, or the like), in connection with the preparation or execution of this Agreement, or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or the administration of this Agreement or performance by the Custodian of its duties and services under this Agreement, from time to time (including costs and expenses of any action deemed necessary by the Custodian to collect any amounts owing to it under this Agreement).
9. | RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN |
9.1 General Duties. The Custodian shall have no duties, obligations or responsibilities under this Agreement or with respect to the Securities or Proceeds except for such duties as are expressly and specifically set forth in this Agreement, and the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Agreement. No implied duties, obligations or responsibilities shall be read into this Agreement against, or on the part of, the Custodian.
9.2 Instructions
(a) | The Custodian shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action unless it has such instruction (in the form of Proper Instructions) from the Company as it reasonably deems necessary, and shall be entitled to require, upon notice to the Company, that Proper Instructions to it be in writing. The Custodian shall have no liability for any action (or forbearance from action) taken pursuant to the Proper Instruction of the Company. |
(b) | Whenever the Custodian is entitled or required to receive or obtain any communications or information pursuant to or as contemplated by this Agreement, it shall be entitled to receive the same in writing, in form, content and medium reasonably acceptable to it and otherwise in accordance with any applicable terms of this Agreement; and whenever any report or other information is required to be produced or distributed by the Custodian it shall be in form, content and medium reasonably acceptable to it and the Company, and otherwise in accordance with any applicable terms of this Agreement. |
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9.3 General Standards of Care. Notwithstanding any terms herein contained to the contrary, the acceptance by the Custodian of its appointment hereunder is expressly subject to the following terms, which shall govern and apply to each of the terms and provisions of this Agreement (whether or not so stated therein):
(a) | The Custodian may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, instruction, statement, certificate, request, waiver, consent, opinion, report, receipt or other paper or document furnished to it (including any of the foregoing provided to it by telecopier or electronic means), not only as to its due execution and validity, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information therein contained, which it in good faith believes to be genuine and signed or presented by the proper person (which in the case of any instruction from or on behalf of the Company shall be an Authorized Person); and the Custodian shall be entitled to presume the genuineness and due authority of any signature appearing thereon. The Custodian shall not be bound to make any independent investigation into the facts or matters stated in any such notice, instruction, statement, certificate, request, waiver, consent, opinion, report, receipt or other paper or document, provided, however, that if the form thereof is specifically prescribed by the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall examine the same to determine whether it substantially conforms on its face to such requirements hereof. |
(b) | Neither the Custodian nor any of its directors, officers or employees shall be liable to anyone for any error of judgment, or for any act done or step taken or omitted to be taken by it (or any of its directors, officers of employees), or for any mistake of fact or law, or for anything which it may do or refrain from doing in connection herewith, unless such action constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part and in breach of the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be within powers conferred upon it, or taken by it pursuant to any direction or instruction by which it is governed hereunder, or omitted to be taken by it by reason of the lack of direction or instruction required hereby for such action. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation at any time to ascertain whether the Company is in compliance with the 1940 Act, the regulations thereunder, or the Company’s investment objectives and policies then in effect. |
(c) | In no event shall the Custodian be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including lost profits) whether or not it has been advised of the likelihood of such damages. |
(d) | The Custodian may consult with, and obtain advice from, legal counsel selected in good faith with respect to any question as to any of the provisions hereof or its duties hereunder, or any matter relating hereto, and the written opinion or advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Custodian in good faith in accordance with the opinion and directions of such counsel; the reasonable cost of such services shall be reimbursed pursuant to Section 8.2 above. |
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(e) | The Custodian shall not be deemed to have notice of any fact, claim or demand with respect hereto unless actually known by an officer working in its Corporate Trust Services group and charged with responsibility for administering this Agreement or unless (and then only to the extent received) in writing by the Custodian at the applicable address(es) as set forth in Section 15 and specifically referencing this Agreement. |
(f) | No provision of this Agreement shall require the Custodian to expend or risk its own funds, or to take any action (or forbear from action) hereunder which might in its judgment involve any expense or any financial or other liability unless it shall be furnished with acceptable indemnification. Nothing herein shall obligate the Custodian to commence, prosecute or defend legal proceedings in any instance, whether on behalf of the Company or on its own behalf or otherwise, with respect to any matter arising hereunder, or relating to this Agreement or the services contemplated hereby. |
(g) | The permissive right of the Custodian to take any action hereunder shall not be construed as duty. |
(h) | The Custodian may act or exercise its duties or powers hereunder through agents (including for the avoidance of doubt, sub-custodians) or attorneys, and the Custodian shall not be liable or responsible for the actions or omissions of any such agent or attorney appointed with reasonable due care. |
(i) | All indemnifications contained in this Agreement in favor of the Custodian shall survive the termination of this Agreement or earlier resignation or removal of the Custodian. |
9.4 Indemnification; Custodian’s Lien.
(a) | The Company shall and does hereby indemnify and hold harmless each of the Custodian and its directors, officers, agents or employees for and from any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses), and any and all losses, damages, claims and liabilities, that may arise, be brought against or incurred by the Custodian, whether direct, indirect or consequential, as a result of or arising from or in any way relating to any claim, demand, suit, action or proceeding (including any inquiry or investigation) by any person, including without limitation the Company or any Subsidiary, and any advances or disbursements made by the Custodian (including in respect of any Account overdraft, returned deposit item, chargeback, provisional credit, settlement or assumed settlement, reclaimed payment, claw-back or the like), as a result of, relating to, or arising out of this Agreement, or enforcement of any provision herein or the administration or performance of the Custodian’s duties hereunder, or the relationship between the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Subsidiary) and the Custodian created hereby, other than such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs and expenses as are directly caused by the Custodian’s own action or inaction constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part. |
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(b) | The Custodian shall have and is hereby granted a continuing lien upon and security interest in, and right of set-off against, the Account, and any funds (and investments in which such funds may be invested) held therein or credited thereto from time to time, whether now held or hereafter required, and all proceeds thereof, to secure the payment of any amounts that may be owing to the Custodian under or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, whether now existing or hereafter arising. |
9.5 Force Majeure. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall be without liability to the Company for any damage or loss resulting from or caused by events or circumstances beyond the Custodian’s reasonable control including nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, the interruption, disruption or suspension of the normal procedures and practices of any securities market, power, mechanical, communications or other technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or the like, fires, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters, civil and military disturbance, acts of war or terrorism, riots, revolution, acts of God, work stoppages, strikes, national disasters of any kind, or other similar events or acts; errors by the Company (including any Authorized Person) in its instructions to the Custodian; or changes in applicable law, regulation or orders.
10. | SECURITY CODES |
If the Custodian issues to the Company, security codes, passwords or test keys in order that it may verify that certain transmissions of information, including Proper Instructions, have been originated by the Company, the Company shall take all commercially reasonable steps to safeguard any security codes, passwords, test keys or other security devices which the Custodian shall make available.
11. | TAX LAW |
11.1 Domestic Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Company or the Custodian as custodian of the Securities or the Proceeds, by the tax law of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof. The Custodian shall be kept indemnified by and be without liability to the Company for such obligations including taxes, (but excluding any income taxes assessable in respect of compensation paid to the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement) withholding, certification and reporting requirements, claims for exemption or refund, additions for late payment interest, penalties and other expenses (including legal expenses) that may be assessed against the Company, or the Custodian as custodian of the Securities or Proceeds.
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11.2 Foreign Tax Law. It shall be the responsibility of the Company to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Company by the tax law of foreign (e.g., non-U.S.) jurisdictions, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other government charges, certifications and government reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company with respect to any claims for exemption or refund under the tax law of the jurisdictions for which the Company has provided such information.
12. | EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND TERMINATION |
12.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective as of its due execution and delivery by each of the parties. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided. This Agreement may be terminated by the Custodian or the Company pursuant to Section 12.2.
12.2 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest of (a) occurrence of the effective date of termination specified in any written notice of termination given by either party to the other not later than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of termination specified therein, (b) such other date of termination as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties in writing.
12.3 Resignation. The Custodian may at any time resign under this Agreement by giving not less than sixty (60) days advance written notice thereof to the Company.
12.4 Successor. Prior to the effective date of termination of this Agreement, or the effective date of the resignation of the Custodian, as the case may be, the Company shall give Proper Instruction to the Custodian designating a successor Custodian, if applicable.
12.5 Payment of Fees, etc. Upon termination of this Agreement or resignation of the Custodian, the Company shall pay to the Custodian such compensation, and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements, as may be due as of the date of such termination or resignation. All indemnifications in favor of the Custodian under this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement or any resignation of the Custodian.
12.6 Final Report. In the event of any resignation of the Custodian, the Custodian shall provide to the Company a complete final report or data file transfer of any Confidential Information as of the date of such resignation.
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13. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
13.1 Representations of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Custodian that:
(a) | it has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and it has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement so as to constitute its valid and binding obligation; and |
(b) | in giving any instructions which purport to be “Proper Instructions” under this Agreement, the Company will act in accordance with the provisions of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws and any applicable laws and regulations. |
13.2 Representations of the Custodian. The Custodian hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:
(a) | it has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; |
(b) | it has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement so as to constitute its valid and binding obligations; and |
(c) | that it maintains business continuity policies and standards that include data file backup and recovery procedures that comply with all applicable regulatory requirements. |
14. | PARTIES IN INTEREST; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFIT |
This Agreement is not intended for, and shall not be construed to be intended for, the benefit of any third parties and may not be relied upon or enforced by any third parties (other than successors and permitted assigns pursuant to Section 19).
15. | NOTICES |
Any Proper Instructions shall be given to the following address (or such other address as either party may designate by written notice to the other party), and otherwise any notices, approvals and other communications hereunder shall be sufficient if made in writing and given to the parties at the following address (or such other address as either of them may subsequently designate by notice to the other), given by (i) certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, (ii) recognized courier or delivery service, or (iii) confirmed telecopier or telex, with a duplicate sent on the same day by first class mail, postage prepaid:
(a) | if to the Company or any Subsidiary, to |
Flat Rock Core Income Fund
1350 6th Avenue 18th floor
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: 212.596.3413
Attention: Rich Petrocelli
Email: Rich@flatrockglobal.com
With a copy to:
[__]
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(b) | if to the Custodian, to |
U.S. Bank National Association
CDO Group/ Corporate Trust Services
214 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202-1078
Telephone: (704) 335-4624
Attention: Jeremy Edmiston
Email: jeremy.edmiston@usbank.com
16. | CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION |
This Agreement shall be construed, and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York for all purposes (without regard to its choice of law provisions); except to the extent such laws are inconsistent with federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, in which case such federal securities laws shall govern. The Custodian and the Company each waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this agreement, any other agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
17. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT; COUNTERPARTS |
17.1 Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with regard to the matters addressed herein and supersedes and terminates as of the date hereof, all prior agreements, agreements or understandings, oral or written between the parties to this Agreement relating to such matters.
17.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and all counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
17.3 Facsimile Signatures. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission or pdf shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
18. | AMENDMENT; WAIVER |
18.1 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an express written instrument duly executed by each of the Company and the Custodian.
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18.2 Waiver. In no instance shall any delay or failure to act be deemed to be or effective as a waiver of any right, power or term hereunder, unless and except to the extent such waiver is set forth in an expressly written instrument signed by the party against whom it is to be charged.
19. | SUCCESSOR AND ASSIGNS |
19.1 Successors Bound. The covenants and agreements set forth herein shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party shall be permitted to assign their rights under this Agreement without the written consent of the other party; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Custodian to delegate certain duties or services to or perform them through agents or attorneys appointed with due care as expressly provided in this Agreement.
19.2 Merger and Consolidation. Any corporation or association into which the Custodian may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Custodian shall be a party, or any corporation or association to which the Custodian transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business, shall be the successor of the Custodian hereunder, and shall succeed to all of the rights, powers and duties of the Custodian hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
20. | SEVERABILITY |
The terms of this Agreement are hereby declared to be severable, such that if any term hereof is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remaining terms.
21. | REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS |
If, in performing its duties under this Agreement, the Custodian is required to decide between alternative courses of action, the Custodian may (but shall not be obliged to) request written instructions from the Company as to the course of action desired by it. If the Custodian does not receive such instructions within two (2) Business Days after it has requested them, the Custodian may, but shall be under no duty to, take or refrain from taking any such courses of action. The Custodian shall act in accordance with instructions received from the Company in response to such request after such two-Business Day period except to the extent it has already taken, or committed itself to take, action inconsistent with such instructions.
22. | OTHER BUSINESS |
Nothing herein shall prevent the Custodian or any of its affiliates from engaging in other business, or from entering into any other transaction or financial or other relationship with, or receiving fees from or from rendering services of any kind to the Company or any other Person. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute the Company and/or the Custodian (and/or any other Person) as members of any partnership, joint venture, association, syndicate, unincorporated business or similar assignment as a result of or by virtue of the engagement or relationship established by this Agreement.
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23. | REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS |
This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendment hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further production shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
24. | MISCELLANEOUS |
The Company acknowledges receipt of the following notice:
” IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT.
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For a non-individual person such as a business entity, a charity, a trust or other legal entity the Custodian will ask for documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity. The Custodian may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.”
[PAGE INTENTIONALLY ENDS HERE. SIGNATURES APPEAR ON NEXT PAGE.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer, intending the same to take effect as of the date first written above.
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND | ||
By: | /s/ Richard Petrocelli | |
Name: | Richard Petrocelli | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
US Bank National Association | ||
By: | /s/ Scott D. Ross | |
Name: | Scott D. Ross | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
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(Trade Confirmation)
[See Attached.]
A-1
Any of the following persons (each acting singly) shall be an Authorized Person (as this list may subsequently be modified by the Company from time to time by written notice to the Custodian):
NAME: | SPECIMEN SIGNATURE: |
B-1
Exhibit (k)(1)
FORM
OF ADMINISTRATION,
BOOKKEEPING AND PRICING SERVICES
AGREEMENT
THIS FORM OF AGREEMENT is made as of September __, 2020, between FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND, organized as a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“ALPS”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a closed-end management investment company operating as an interval fund;
WHEREAS, Flat Rock Global, LLC (“Investment Manager”) is the Fund’s investment adviser and is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain administrative and management services;
WHEREAS, ALPS provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services to investment companies; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint ALPS to perform certain administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services for the Fund, and ALPS has indicated its willingness to so act, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows.
1. | ALPS Appointment and Duties. |
(a) | The Fund hereby appoints ALPS to provide the administrative, bookkeeping and pricing services set forth in Appendix A hereto, as amended from time to time, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. ALPS hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such specified services. ALPS shall for all purposes be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly authorized in this Agreement, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund. The Fund acknowledges that ALPS does not render legal, tax or investment advice and that ALPS is not a registered broker-dealer. |
(b) | Consistent with Section 16 hereof, ALPS may employ or associate itself with such person(s) or organization(s) as ALPS believes to be desirable in the performance of its duties hereunder; provided that, in such event, the compensation of such person(s) or organization(s) shall be paid by and be the sole responsibility of ALPS, and the Fund shall bear no cost or obligation with respect thereto; and provided further that ALPS shall not be relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement in such event and shall be responsible for all acts of any such person(s) or organization(s) taken in furtherance of this Agreement to the same extent it would be for its own acts. |
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2. | ALPS Compensation; Expenses. |
(a) | In consideration for the services to be performed hereunder by ALPS, the Fund shall pay ALPS the fees listed in Appendix B hereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, fees billed for the services to be performed by ALPS under this Agreement are based on information provided by the Fund and such fees are subject to renegotiation between the parties to the extent such information is determined by ALPS to be materially different from what the Fund originally provided to ALPS. |
(b) | ALPS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein and in Appendix B. ALPS will not bear any of the costs of Fund personnel. Other Fund expenses incurred shall be borne by the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser, including, but not limited to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; expenses related to any requests from or as otherwise required by any regulatory body concerning the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser; taxes; costs of preferred shares; listing expenses; expenses related to assistance with any repurchase offer (if applicable); transfer agency and custodial expenses; interest; Fund directors’ or trustees’ fees; brokerage fees and commissions; state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund and investment advisory related legal expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund’s trustees or directors; printing and mailing of shareholder repo1ts, prospectuses, statements of additional info1mation, other offering documents, supplements, proxy materials and other communications to shareholders; securities pricing data and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); fees and expenses upon termination as provided in Section 15( e) hereof. |
3. | Right to Receive Advice. |
(a) | Advice of the Fund and Service Providers. If ALPS is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request directions, advice or instructions from the Fund or, as applicable, the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers. |
(b) | Advice of Counsel. If ALPS is in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to any action it should or should not take, ALPS may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund’s independent board members, the Fund’s investment adviser or ALPS, at the option of ALPS). |
(c) | Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between directions, advice or instructions ALPS receives from the Fund or any service provider and the advice ALPS receives from counsel, ALPS may in its sole discretion rely upon and follow the advice of counsel. ALPS will provide the Fund with prior written notice of its intent to follow advice of counsel that is materially inconsistent with directions, advice or instructions from the Fund. Upon request, ALPS will provide the Fund with a copy of such advice of counsel. |
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4. | Standard of Care; Limitation of Liability; Indemnification. |
(a) | ALPS shall be obligated to act in good faith and to exercise commercially reasonable care and diligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. |
(b) | In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard by ALPS in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement, ALPS and its affiliates, including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees, shall not be liable for, and the Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless such persons from, all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from the following: |
(i) | the inaccuracy of factual information furnished to ALPS by the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian or other service providers; |
(ii) | any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; |
(iii) | any actions taken on advice of counsel; |
(iv) | losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God, action or inaction of civil or military authority, war, terrorism, riot, fire, flood, sabotage, labor disputes, elements of nature or non-performance by a third party; |
(v) | ALPS’ reliance on any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information that ALPS reasonably believes to be genuine; |
(vi) | loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure; or |
(vii) | any liability of ALPS resulting from a representation, covenant or warranty that ALPS makes, or any indemnification that ALPS provides, on behalf of the Fund in an intermediary agreement relating to the Fund. |
(c) | ALPS shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser and their respective officers, directors, trustees, agents, and employees from and against any and all taxes, charges, expenses, disbursements, assessments, claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions, suits, judgments and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under applicable federal and state laws) arising directly or indirectly from ALPS’ willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement. |
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(d) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable under this Agreement to the other party hereto for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect losses or damages. The maximum amount of cumulative liability of ALPS to Fund or Investment Manager for losses arising out of the subject matter of, or in any way related to, this Agreement (including any indemnification obligation) shall not exceed the fees paid by the Fund to ALPS under this Agreement for the most recent 12 months immediately preceding the date of the event giving rise to the claim. |
(e) | In any case in which either party (the “Indemnifying Party”) may be asked to indemnify or hold the other party (the “Indemnified Party”) harmless, the Indemnified Party will notify the Indemnifying Party promptly after identifying any situation which it believes presents or appears likely to present a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party (although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Indemnified Party) and shall keep the Indemnifying Party advised with respect to all developments concerning such situation. The Indemnifying Party shall have the option to defend the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be the subject of this indemnification, and, in the event that the Indemnifying Party so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and thereupon the Indemnifying Party shall take over complete defense of the claim and the Indemnified Party shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in respect of such claim. The Indemnified Party will not confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Party will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent. |
5. | Activities of ALPS. The services of ALPS under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive and ALPS shall be free to render similar services to others. The Fund recognizes that, from time to time, directors, officers and employees of ALPS may serve as directors, officers and employees of other corporations or businesses (including other investment companies) and that such other corporations and businesses may include ALPS as part of their name and that ALPS or its affiliates may enter into administrative, bookkeeping, pricing agreements or other agreements with such other corporations and businesses. |
6. | Accounts and Records. The accounts and records maintained by ALPS shall be the property of the Fund. ALPS shall prepare, maintain and preserve such accounts and records as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. ALPS shall surrender such accounts and records to the Fund, in the form in which such accounts and records have been maintained or preserved, promptly upon receipt of instructions from the Fund. The Fund shall have access to such accounts and records at all times during ALPS’ normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by ALPS to the Fund at the Fund’s expense. ALPS shall assist the Fund, the Fund’s independent auditors, or, upon approval of the Fund, any regulatory body, in any requested review of the Fund’s accounts and records and reports by ALPS or its independent accountants concerning its accounting system and internal auditing controls will be open to such entities for audit or inspection upon reasonable request. |
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7. | Confidential and Proprietary Information. ALPS agrees that it will, on behalf of itself and its officers and employees, treat all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all records and information relative to the Fund and its current and former shareholders and other information germane thereto, as confidential and as proprietary information of the Fund. ALPS further agrees that it will not use, sell, transfer or divulge such information or records to any person for any purpose other than performance of its duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing from the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Approval may not be withheld where ALPS may be exposed to civil, regulatory, or criminal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when requested by the Fund. When requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, ALPS shall use reasonable commercial efforts to request confidential treatment of such information. ALPS shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of records and information relating to the Fund and its current and former shareholders. |
8. | Compliance with Rules and Regulations. ALPS shall comply (and to the extent ALPS takes or is required to take action on behalf of the Fund hereunder shall cause the Fund to comply) with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and codes of ethics, as well as all investment restrictions, policies and procedures adopted by the Fund of which ALPS has knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS). Except as set out in this Agreement, ALPS assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund. ALPS shall maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the services provided hereunder, and shall provide to the Fund a certification to such effect no less frequently than annually or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Fund. ALPS shall make available its compliance personnel and shall provide at its own expense summaries and other relevant materials relating to such program as reasonably requested by the Fund. |
The Fund acknowledges its compliance with: (i) the investment objective and certain policies and restrictions as disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information, as applicable; and (ii) certain SEC rules and regulations (collectively, “Po1ifolio Compliance”) is required daily and is the responsibility of the Fund’s investment adviser.
9. | Representations and Warranties of ALPS. ALPS represents and warrants to the Fund that: |
(a) | It is duly organized and existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado. |
(b) | It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
(c) | All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perfo1m this Agreement. |
(d) | It has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement in accordance with industry standards. |
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10. | Representations and Warranties of the Fund. The Fund represents and warrants to ALPS that: |
(a) | It is a statutory trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware and is registered with the SEC as a closed-end management investment company. |
(b) | It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-laws (collectively, the “Organizational Documents”) to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
(c) | The Board of Trustees of the Fund has duly authorized it to enter into and perform this Agreement. |
(d) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund agrees not to make any modifications to its registration statement or adopt any policies which would affect materially the obligations or responsibilities of ALPS hereunder without the prior written approval of ALPS, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
(e) | the (i) execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Fund does not breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Fund is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is subject; (ii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by ALPS and the Fund, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of Fund. |
If ALPS employees are acting in an executive officer or other capacity required under the Fund’s organization documents (including, but not limited to, chief compliance officer, controller, treasurer, or secretary) , whether paid or unpaid by the Fund, such employees shall be covered by the Fund’s Trustees & Officers/Errors & Omissions Policy (the “Policy”), and the Fund shall use reasonable effo1ts to ensure that such coverage be (i) reinstated should the Policy be cancelled; (ii) continued after such officer(s) cease to serve as officer(s) of the Fund on substantially the same terms as such coverage is provided for the other persons serving as officers of the Fund after such persons are no longer officers of the Fund; or (iii) continued in the event the Fund merges or terminates, on substantially the same terms as such coverage is continued for the other Fund officers (but, in any event, for a period of no less than six years). The Fund shall provide ALPS with proof of current coverage, including a copy of the Policy, and shall notify ALPS immediately should the Policy be cancelled or te1minated.
(f) | If ALPS employees are acting in an executive officer or other capacity required under the Fund’s organization documents (including, but not limited to, chief compliance officer, controller, treasurer, or secretary), whether paid or unpaid by the Fund, such named officer(s) are subject to the provisions of the Fund’s Organizational Documents regarding indemnification of its officers. |
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11. | Documents. The Fund has furnished or will furnish, upon request, ALPS with copies of the Fund’s Organizational Documents, advisory agreement, sub-advisory agreement (if applicable), custodian agreement, transfer agency agreement, administration agreement, other service agreements, current prospectus, statement of additional information, periodic Fund reports and all forms relating to any plan, program or service offered by the Fund. The Fund shall furnish, within a reasonable time period, to ALPS a copy of any amendment or supplement to any of the above-mentioned documents. Upon request, the Fund shall furnish promptly to ALPS any additional documents necessary or advisable to perform its functions hereunder. As used in this Agreement the terms “registration statement,” “prospectus” and “statement of additional information” shall mean any registration statement, prospectus and statement of additional info1mation filed by the Fund with the SEC and any amendments and supplements thereto that are filed with the SEC. |
12. | Consultation Between the Parties. ALPS and the Fund shall regularly consult with each other regarding ALPS’ performance of its obligations under this Agreement. In connection therewith, the Fund shall submit to ALPS reasonably contemporaneous with the filing with the SEC of final copies of its most recent registration statement (including exhibits) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act or post-effective amendments thereto; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Fund’s right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to any prospectus or statement of additional information, of whatever character, as the Fund may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional. |
13. | Liaison with Accountants, Custodians and Pricing Services; Assistance with Regulatory Examinations. |
(a) Accountants. ALPS shall act as a liaison with the Fund’s independent public accountants and shall provide account analyses, fiscal year summaries, and such other audit- related schedules as may be requested by the Fund’s independent public accountants or the Fund with respect to the services provided by ALPS hereunder. ALPS shall take all reasonable action in the performance of its duties under this Agreement to assure that the necessary information is made available to such independent public accountants as reasonably requested or required by the Fund.
(b) Pricing Services. ALPS shall utilize one or more pricing services, as directed by the Fund. The Fund shall identify in writing to ALPS the pricing service(s) to be utilized on behalf of the Fund. For those securities where prices are not provided by the pricing service(s), the Fund shall approve, in good faith, the method for determining the fair value of such securities and shall determine or obtain the valuation of the securities in accordance with such method and shall deliver to ALPS the resulting price(s). In the event the Fund desires to provide a price that varies from the price provided by the pricing service(s), the Fund shall promptly notify and supply ALPS with the valuation of any such security on each valuation date. All pricing changes made by the Fund will be provided to ALPS in writing or e-mail and must specifically identify the securities to be changed by security identifier, name of security, new price or rate to be applied, and, if applicable, the time period for which the new price(s) is/are effective.
(c) Custodians. The Fund acknowledges that ALPS may rely on and shall have no responsibility to validate the existence of assets reported by the Fund, the Adviser, or the Fund’s custodian, other than ALPS’ completion of a reconciliation of the assets reported by the parties. The Fund acknowledges its responsibility to validate the existence of assets rep1ied to ALPS. ALPS may rely, and has no duty to investigate the representations of the Adviser, Fund, or the Fund’s custodian.
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(d) Examinations. ALPS shall provide reasonable assistance in connection with any examination of or inquiry related to the Fund by a regulatory authority that includes a review of Fund’s records maintained by ALPS.
14. | Business Interruption Plan. ALPS shall maintain in effect a business interruption plan, and enter into any agreements necessary with appropriate parties making reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment customary in the industry. In the event of equipment failures, ALPS shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take commercially reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. |
15. | Duration and Termination of this Agreement. |
(a) | Initial Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above (the “Start Date”) and shall continue thereafter throughout the period that ends two (2) years after the Start Date (the “Initial Term”). |
(b) | Renewal Term. This Agreement shall renew at the end of the Initial Term and shall thereafter continue for successive annual periods (each a “Renewal Term” and collectively, with the Initial Term, each a “Term”) until terminated by either party upon not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice prior to the expiration of the then current renewal term or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof. This Agreement may only be terminated upon the end of the then applicable Term or for cause pursuant to Section 15(c) hereof. |
(c) | Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, either party may terminate this Agreement for cause immediately at any time, without penalty, without default and without the payment of any liquidated damages, upon notice to the other party upon written notice which shall describe the specific details of the circumstances upon which the termination under this Section 15(c) is based. For purposes of this Section 15, “cause” shall mean: |
(i) | The other party breaches any material term, condition or provision of this Agreement, which breach, if capable of being cured, is not cured within 30 calendar days after the non-breaching party gives the other party written notice of such breach. |
(ii) | ; |
(iii) | in the event a party is no longer permitted to perform its duties, obligations, or responsibilities hereunder pursuant to applicable law, or regulatory, administrative or judicial proceedings against a party which result in a determination that a party has violated, or has caused the other party to violate, in any material respect any applicable law, rule, regulation, order or code of ethics, or any material investment restriction, policy or procedure adopted by the a party of which a party had knowledge (it being understood that ALPS is deemed to have knowledge of all investment restrictions, policies or procedures set out in the Fund’s public filings or otherwise provided to ALPS); or |
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(iv) | financial difficulties on the part of a party which are evidenced by the authorization or commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United States Code, as from time to time in effect, or any applicable law other than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or reorganization of debtors or to the modification or alteration of the rights of creditors. |
(d) | Deliveries Upon Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement, ALPS agrees to cooperate in the orderly transfer of administrative duties and shall deliver to the Fund or as otherwise directed by the Fund (at the expense of the Fund) all records and other documents made or accumulated in the performance of its duties for the Fund hereunder. |
(e) | Fees and Expenses Upon Termination. Should either party exercise its right to terminate this agreement pursuant to Section 15 (b) hereof, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or costs associated with the movement of records and material will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, ALPS reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for additional services required as a result of the Fund liquidating or converting to another service provider. |
16. | Assignment. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the prior written consent of ALPS, or by ALPS without the prior written consent of the Fund. |
17. | Governing Law. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado and the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that the laws of the State of Colorado conflict with the 1940 Act or such rules, the latter shall control. |
18. | Names. The obligations of the Fund entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any director, shareholder, representative, or agent thereof are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the directors, shareholders, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the property of the Fund, and all persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the prope1iy of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund. |
19. | Amendments to this Agreement. This Agreement may only be amended by the parties in writing. |
20. | Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given when received or when sent by telex or facsimile, and shall be given to the following addresses (or such other addresses as to which notice is given): |
To ALPS:
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
1290 Broadway, Suite 1000
Denver, Colorado 80203
Attn: General Counsel
E-mail: notices@sscinc.com
Page 9 of 11
To the Fund:
Flat Rock Opportunity Fund
c/o Richard A. Petrocelli, Chief Financial Officer
and Chief Operating Officer
Flat Rock Global, LLC
1350 6th Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10019
21. | Counterparties. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparties, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. |
22. | Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that ALPS may embody in one or more separate documents its agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties and oral instructions. |
23. | Severability. Any covenant, provision, agreement or te1m contained in this Agreement that is prohibited or that is held to be void or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability, without in any way invalidating, effecting or impairing the other provisions hereof. |
24. | Survival. The provisions of Sections 4, 6, 7, 10(f), 10(g), 15(e), 17, 23 and this Section 24 hereof shall survive te1mination of this Agreement. |
[signature page follows]
Page 10 of 11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Richard A. Petrocelli | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
ALPS FUND SERVICES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Page 11 of 11
APPENDIX A
The following Services will be performed by ALPS under this Agreement and, as applicable, are contingent on the performance by Fund of its duties and obligations otherwise contained in this Agreement.
Fund Administration
● | Prepare annual and semi-annual financial statements |
● | Utilizing templates for standard layout and printing |
● | Prepare Forms N-CEN, N-CSRand N-PORT |
● | Host annual audits |
● | Calculate monthly SEC standardized total return performance figures |
● | Prepare required reports for quarterly Board meetings |
● | Monitor expense ratios |
● | Maintain budget vs. actual expenses |
● | Manage fund invoice approval and bill payment process |
● | Assist with placement of Fidelity Bond and E&O insurance |
● | Coordinate reporting to outside agencies including Morningstar, etc. |
Fund Accounting
● | Calculate daily NAVs as required by the Trust and in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), SEC Regulation S-X (or any successor regulation) and the Internal Revenue Code |
● | Transmit daily NAVs to NASDAQ, Transfer Agent and other third parties |
● | Reconcile cash and investment balances with the Custodian |
● | Provide data and reports to support preparation of financial statements |
● | Prepare and maintain required Fund Accounting records in accordance with the 1940 Act |
● | Obtainand apply security valuations as directed and determined by the Fund consistent with the Funds pricing/valuation policies |
● | Participate, when requested, in Fair Value Committee meetings as a non-voting member |
Legal Administration
● | Coordinate the preparation and filing of quarterly repurchase or tender offers |
● | Preparation of Repurchase Offer Notices (“Notices”) and circulation of notices to client, fund counsel, internal personnel, and Transfer Agent (including drafts)Two notices are prepared; a notice for direct shareholders and a notice for shareholders holding through an intermediary. |
● | Coordinate annual and periodic updates to one prospectus and statement of additional information |
● | Coordinate standard layout and printing of Prospectus |
● | File Forms N-CSR,N-PX and N-23c-3 |
● | Coordinate EDGARization and filing of above-referenced SEC documents |
● | Prepare, compile and distribute quarterly board meeting materials |
● | Participate in quarterly board meetings and prepare initial drafts of quarterly meeting minutes |
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Compliance Administration
● | Perform monthly prospectus & SAI, SEC investment restriction monitoring |
● | Provide warning/Alert notification with supporting documentation |
● | Provide quarterly compliance testing certification to Board of Trustees |
Tax Administration
● | Perform pre-trade analysis on illiquid investments to maintain RIC status of the fund |
● | Calculate dividend and capital gain distribution rates |
● | Prepare ROCSOP and required tax designations for Annual Report |
● | Prepare and coordinate filing of income and excise tax returns |
● | Audit firm to sign all returns as paid preparer |
● | Calculate/monitor book-to-tax differences |
● | Provide quarterly Subchapter M compliance monitoring and reporting |
● | Provide tax re-allocation data for shareholder 1099 reporting |
Revisions to, or the addition of new services to the services listed above (including but not limited to new or revised services related to regulatory changes or special projects) shall be subject to additional fees as determined by ALPS.
Additional Terms Applicable to the Services
1. | ALPS agrees to maintain at all times a program reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the services provided hereunder, and shall provide to the Fund a certification to such effect no less frequently than annually or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Fund. ALPS shall make available its compliance personnel and shall provide at its own expense summaries and other relevant materials relating to such program as reasonably requested by the Fund. |
2. | Portfolio compliance with: (i) the investment objective and certain policies and restrictions as disclosed in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, as applicable; and (ii) certain SEC rules and regulations (collectively, “Portfolio Compliance”) is required daily and is the responsibility of the Fund or its Management, as applicable. ALPS will perform Portfolio Compliance testing (post-trade, daily on a T+2 basis) to test the Fund’s Portfolio Compliance (the “Portfolio Compliance Testing”). The frequency and nature of the Portfolio Compliance Testing and the methodology and process in accordance with which the Portfolio Compliance Testing are conducted, are mutually agreed to between ALPS and the Investment Manager. ALPS will report violations, if any, to the Investment Manager and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer as promptly as practicable following discovery. |
3. | ALPS independently tests Portfolio Compliance based upon information contained in the source reports received by ALPS’ fund accounting department and supplemental data from certain third-party sources. As such, Portfolio Compliance Testing performed by ALPS is limited by the information contained in the fund accounting source reports and supplemental data from third-party sources. The Investment Manager agrees and acknowledges that ALPS’ performance of the Portfolio Compliance Testing shall not relieve the Fund or its Management of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such Portfolio Compliance, including on a pre-trade basis, and ALPS shall not be held liable for any act or omission of the Fund or its Management (or any other Party) as applicable, with respect to Portfolio Compliance. |
4. | The Fund and Investment Manager acknowledges that ALPS may rely on and shall have no responsibility to validate the existence of assets reported by the Fund, its management, Investment Manager, the Fund’s custodian or other Fund service provider, other than ALPS’ completion of a reconciliation of the assets reported by the parties. The Fund and Investment Manager acknowledges that it is the sole responsibility of the Fund to validate the existence of assets reported to ALPS. ALPS may rely, and has no duty to investigate the representations of the Fund, its management, Investment Manager, the Fund’s custodian or other Fund service provider. |
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5. | ALPS shall utilize one or more pricing services, as directed by the Fund. The Trust shall identify in writing to ALPS the pricing service(s) to be utilized on behalf of the Fund. For those securities where prices are not provided by the pricing service(s), the Fund shall approve the method for determining the fair value of such securities and shall determine or obtain the valuation of the securities in accordance with such method and shall deliver to ALPS the resulting price(s). In the event the Fund desires to provide a price that varies from the price provided by the pricing service(s), the Fund shall promptly notify and supply ALPS with the valuation of any such security on each valuation date. All pricing changes made by the Fund will be provided to ALPS in writing or e-mail and must specifically identify the securities to be changed by security identifier, name of security, new price or rate to be applied, and, if applicable, the time period for which the new price(s) is/are effective. |
In addition to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the below terms and conditions apply to the provision of the following Services (the listed Services known as “Modern Data Services”). For the purposes of this Agreement, “Market Data” shall mean third party market and reference data, including pricing, valuation, security master, corporate action and related data and “Data Supplier” shall mean a supplier of Market Data.
● | Preparation and Filing of Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN |
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1. | In connection with completion of the Modern Data Services, Market Data may be supplied to the Fund through an ALPS Associate(s) or directly by a Data Supplier (for the purposes of this appendix, Data Supplier shall include the Data Supplier’s third party suppliers). Any Market Data being provided to a Fund by ALPS or a Data Supplier is being supplied for the sole purpose of assisting the completion of the Modern Data Services. Accordingly, the Fund acknowledges that Market Data is proprietary to ALPS or its affiliates and/or the Data Suppliers and is provided on a limited internal-use license basis. Market Data may not be disseminated by the Fund to any other affiliated or non-affiliated entity, used to populate internal systems or to create a historical database, or for any other purpose in lieu of Fund obtaining a data license from ALPS or its affiliates or Data Supplier, as applicable. The Fund accepts responsibility for, and acknowledges it exercises its own independent judgment in, the selection of the Data Supplier(s) to provide the Market Data, its selection of the use or intended use of such, and any results obtained. Access to and delivery of Market Data is dependent on the Data Suppliers and may be interrupted or discontinued with or without notice to Fund. |
2. | The Fund acknowledges that (i) the Market Data is intended for use as an aid to institutional investors, registered brokers or professionals of similar sophistication in making informed judgments concerning characteristics of certain securities; and (ii) the Data Supplier and/or ALPS or its affiliates, as applicable, holds all title, license, copyright or similar intellectual property rights in the Market Data. |
3. | Neither ALPS or its affiliates or Data Supplier will have any liability for errors, omissions or malfunctions in the Market Data, except that ALPS will endeavor, upon receipt of notice from the Fund, to correct a malfunction, error, or omission in the Market Data utilized in the Modern Data Services that is identified by Fund. |
4. | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither ALPS or its affiliates nor Data Supplier shall be liable to Fund or any other Person for any losses related, directly or indirectly, to the Market Data, the provision of (or failure to provide) the Market Data, and/or the reliance by ALPS or its affiliates, Fund or any other Person on such Market Data. Further, the Fund shall indemnify ALPS and its affiliates and applicable Data Suppliers against, and hold such ALPS and its affiliates and Data Suppliers harmless from, any and all losses (including legal fees and costs to enforce this provision), that ALPS or its affiliates or Data Provider suffer, incur, or pay as a result of any third party claim or claim among the Parties arising out of or related to the Market Data or any data, information, service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom. |
5. | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, as it relates to the provision of the Modern Data Services, neither ALPS or its affiliates nor Data Supplier shall be liable for (i) any special, indirect or consequential damages (even if advised of the possibility of such), (ii) any delay by reason of circumstances beyond its control, including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure beyond its control of transportation or power supply, or (iii) any claim that arose more than one year prior to the institution of suit therefor. |
6. | THE FUND ACCEPTS THE MARKET DATA AS IS AND NEITHER ALPS OR ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY DATA SUPPLIER MAKE ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS OR ANY OTHER MATTER RELATED TO THE MARKET DATA. |
B. | Miscellaneous |
6. | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, ALPS: |
(i) | Does not maintain custody of any cash or securities. |
(ii) | Does not have the ability to authorize transactions. |
(iii) | Does not have the authority to enter into contracts on behalf of Fund or Investment Manager. |
(iv) | Is not responsible for determining the valuation of Fund’s assets and liabilities. |
(v) | Does not perform any management functions or make any management decisions with regard to the operation of Fund. |
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(vi) | Is not Fund’s tax or legal advisor and does not provide any tax or legal advice. |
(vii) | Is not obligated to perform any additional or materially different services due to changes in law or audit guidance. |
7. | If ALPS allows Fund, Investment Manager, Management, investors or their respective agents and representatives (“Users”) to (i) receive information and reports from ALPS and/or (ii) issue instructions to ALPS via web portals or other similar electronic mechanisms hosted or maintained by ALPS or its agents (“Web Portals”): |
(i) | Access to and use of Web Portals by Users shall be subject to the proper use by Users of usernames, passwords and other credentials issued by ALPS (“User Credentials”) and to the additional terms of use that are noticed to Users on such Web Portals. Fund shall be solely responsible for the results of any unauthorized use, misuse or loss of User Credentials by their authorized Users and for compliance by such Users with the terms of use noticed to Users with respect to Web Portals, and shall notify ALPS promptly upon discovering any such unauthorized use, misuse or loss of User Credentials or breach by Fund, Investment Manager, or Management or their authorized Users of such terms of use. Any change in the status or authority of an authorized User communicated by Fund shall not be effective until ALPS has confirmed receipt and execution of such change. |
(ii) | ALPS grants to the Fund and Investment Manager a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicenseable right during the term of this Agreement to access Web Portals solely for the purpose of accessing Client Data and, if applicable, issue instructions. Fund and Investment Manager will ensure that any use of access to any Web Portal is in accordance with ALPS’s terms of use, as noticed to the Users from time to time. This license does not include: (i) any right to access any data other than Client Data; or (ii) any license to any software. |
(iii) | Fund and Investment Manager will not (A) permit any third party to access or use the Web Portals through any time-sharing service, service bureau, network, consortium, or other means; (B) rent, lease, sell, sublicense, assign, or otherwise transfer its rights under the limited license granted above to any third party, whether by operation of law or otherwise; (C) decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, or attempt to reconstruct or discover any source code or underlying ideas or algorithms associated with the Web Portals by any means; (D) attempt to modify or alter the Web Portal in any manner; or (E) create derivative works based on the web portal. Fund and Investment Manager will not remove (or allow to be removed) any proprietary rights notices or disclaimers from the Web Portal or any reports derived therefrom. |
(iv) | ALPS reserves all rights in ALPS systems and in the software that are not expressly granted to Fund or Investment Manager hereunder. |
(v) | ALPS may discontinue or suspend the availability of any Web Portals at any time without prior notice; ALPS will endeavor to notify Fund or Investment Manager as soon as reasonably practicable of such action. |
8. | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Fund has ultimate authority over and responsibility for its tax matters and financial statement tax disclosures. All memoranda, schedules, tax forms and other work product produced by ALPS are the responsibility of Fund and are subject to review and approval by Fund and Fund’s auditors, or tax preparers, as applicable and ALPS bears no responsibility for reliance on tax calculations and memoranda prepared by ALPS. |
9. | ALPS shall provide reasonable assistance to responding to due diligence and analogous requests for information from investors and prospective investors (or others representing them); provided, that ALPS may elect to provide these services only upon Fund agreement in writing to separate fees in the event responding to such requests becomes, in ALPS’s sole discretion, excessive. |
10. | Reports and information shall be deemed provided to Fund and Investment Manager if they are made available to Fund online through ALPS’s Web Portal. |
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APPENDIX B
1. | Fees |
(a) | Assumptions |
The Parties have agreed to the fees based on the portfolio investment, trading activity levels and other assumptions set forth in the proposal dated June 2020. For the avoidance of any doubt, the fees, including any minimum fees apply irrespective of whether any of the assumptions have been met; provided, however increases in complexity of the assumptions may result in additional charges.
(b) | Fund Administration, Fund Accounting, Tax Administration, Legal Administration and Compliance Administration Services |
All fees will be calculated daily and billed monthly by ALPS. The fees to be paid to ALPS by the Fund shall be the GREATER OF (i) an annual minimum fee of $ * per Fund (except that first year annual minimum shall be $ ), OR (ii) the results of an application of the following basis point fee schedule on the Fund’s Average Daily Fund Assets (defined as the Fund’s total assets, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding)):
Average Daily Fund Assets | Annual Basis Point Fee | |||
Between $0 through $250m | ||||
$250m up to $500m | ||||
$500m up to $1b | ||||
$1.b and above |
* Indicates that the minimum fee is subject to an annual cost of living adjustment.
In addition to the fees shown above, an additional annual fee of $ per each additional share class above one (1) share class will apply.
Report Modernization $ per year/ per fund
2. | Fees for Additional Services; Expenses |
Except to the extent Services are listed in Schedule A and fixed fees are provided above, fees for conversion, setup and implementation, tax related services, financial statements and audit support, data extracts, development work, customized reports and other services not listed in this Agreement will be billed at ALPS’s standard rates, currently $250 per hour. Fees for reviews of client data maintained by ALPS by government authorities in connection with those authorities’ oversight or regulation of Fund or otherwise not caused by ALPS also will be billed at ALPS’ standard rates if applicable.
Fees assume that Fund will supply trades and other required data in either (i) industry standard file formats, i.e., commercially available Order Management System (OMS) or SWIFT formats, or (ii) ALPS standard formats. Any other file formats that require ALPS development will be billed separately at ALPS standard rates. These development charges are not included in the listed conversion fees, if any.
Any and all charges for Market Data and, as may be agreed in writing, fees for ALPS calculated values for over the counter derivatives will be billed to Fund separately. If Fund requests that ALPS use Market Data licensed by Fund in connection with the Services, then ALPS shall charge a set-up fee of $3,000 and a monthly maintenance fee of $250 for each such Data Supplier. In addition to any fees, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including expenses incurred by ALPS for travel, lodging, meals, telephone, shipping, duplicating and cost of data will be billed to Fund. For any work to be billed at ALPS’s standard rates, estimates will be provided prior to work being started.
Background Check
ALPS may itself and through its agents conduct a background check on Fund, management and any of their respective Affiliates, members, shareholders, directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and contractors (including submitting personal information to a credit reference agency). Fund will cooperate with ALPS in providing and/or obtaining information necessary to conduct the background check. ALPS may terminate the Agreement within 30 days of receipt of the results of the background check if ALPS, in its sole discretion, determines that it is inadvisable for ALPS to provide services under the Agreement.
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3. | Payment and Fee Changes |
Payment shall be made to ALPS or its affiliates by wire transfer or at the address on the fee statement or invoice or at such other address as ALPS may specify. Unless otherwise stated, fees are billed monthly in advance and are due and payable in advance on the first day of each calendar month. Bills for expenses are due and payable upon receipt of ALPS’s invoice. Payment for fees and expenses may be made automatically by auto-debit to the account designated by Fund upon Fund approval of the applicable invoice.
A late payment charge of 1½% per month, or the maximum rate allowed by Law, whichever is less, will be added to all amounts due under this Agreement if they are not paid within 30 days of the due date. If an invoice turned over for collection, Fund shall pay all of ALPS’s collection costs, including attorney’s fees. ALPS reserves the right, in its sole discretion to discontinue all Services upon 10 days’ written notice to Fund without any liability to Fund, or any other Person if an invoice is more than 30 days past due on any amounts owed to ALPS under this Agreement.
Fund is responsible for payment for all billed and unbilled fees through the date of termination of this Agreement. ALPS shall have the right to withhold services, documentation and records until such amounts have been paid.
Fund shall reimburse ALPS for any applicable sales, use, property or other taxes and customs duties paid or payable by ALPS in connection with the Services or property (such as Market Data) delivered in connection with this Agreement. Fund shall have no liability for any taxes based upon the net income of ALPS. All taxes owed by Fund hereunder shall become due and payable when billed by ALPS to Fund, or when assessed, levied or billed by the appropriate tax authority, even if such billing occurs subsequent to termination of this Agreement. When ALPS’s contracting entity is a U.S. corporation, Fund shall recognize ALPS as such for purposes of any government and double taxation convention. All amounts payable to ALPS hereunder are payable in United States dollars.
ALPS reserves the right to review and increase its fees upon the prior approval of Fund. If ALPS proposes a fee amendment, the amendment will become effective as agreed in writing between the Parties. If no agreement is reached within 15 days of ALPS’s proposal, ALPS may terminate this Agreement upon 90 days written notice to Fund. Such termination is effective at the end of the next calendar quarter ending not less than 90 days following the date of the termination notice.
On each January 1 (pro-rated for a previous partial year), all fees for the following year shall be increased by the amount the last published US Consumer Price Index – All Urban Consumers - U.S. City Average - All Items compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (“CPI-U”) has increased since the CPI-U that was published immediately before January 1 of the previous year, plus three percent (US CPI + 3%). In the absence of CPI-U being published, the Parties shall agree in writing to use another index that most closely resembles CPI-U.
4. | Other Expenses |
Fund shall be responsible for security pricing and data fees, Bloomberg fees, Gainskeeper fees, PFIC Analyzer, bank loan sub-accounting fees, Blue Sky permit processing fees and state registration fees, SSAE 18 control review reports, travel expenses to Board meetings and on-site reviews, typesetting, printing, filing and mailing fees (including additional fees or surcharges related to expedited typesetting, printing, filing and mailing events), FINRA advertising/filing fees (including additional ALPS fees for expedited reviews), registered representative state licensing fees, fulfillment costs, confirmations and investor statements, postage, statement paper, IRA custodial fees, NSCC interface fees, wire fees and other bank charges, E*Delivery services, customized programming/enhancements, enhanced reporting activities and other expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its duties under its Agreement with the Fund and administrative handling fees attributable to management of such expenses. For expenses of a third party from which the Administrator receives services as part of an existing ALPS relationship or agreement, the Fund may be billed the amount attributable to the services it received, calculated before application of any discount that ALPS may receive as part of its overall relationship with the supplier (if applicable).
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Exhibit (r) (1)
FLAT ROCK CORE INCOME FUND
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
__________, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
PURPOSE OF THIS CODE | 1 |
CODE OF ETHICS | 2 |
Scope of this Code of Ethics | 2 |
Definitions | 2 |
Standards of conduct | 4 |
Prohibited transactions | 4 |
STATEMENT ON THE PROHIBITION OF INSIDER TRADING | 5 |
Penalties for Insider Trading | 9 |
Controlling the Flow of Sensitive Information | 9 |
Procedures to Implement this Code of Ethics | 10 |
Reporting Requirements | 11 |
Pre-Clearance Reports | 11 |
Initial Holdings Reports | 11 |
Quarterly Transaction Reports | 11 |
Annual Holdings Reports | 12 |
Annual Certification of Compliance | 12 |
ADMINISTRATION OF THIS CODE OF ETHICS | 13 |
SANCTIONS FOR CODE VIOLATIONS | 13 |
APPLICATION/WAIVERS | 13 |
RECORDS | 13 |
REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS | 14 |
Appedix A - ACKNOWLEDGMENT REGARDING | A-1 |
Appedix B - PRE-CLEARANCE FORM | B-1 |
Appedix C - INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT | C-1 |
Appedix D - QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORT | D-1 |
Appedix E - ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT | E-1 |
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CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
INTRODUCTION
Ethics are important to Flat Rock Core Income Fund (the “Fund”) and to its management. The Fund is committed to the highest ethical standards and to conducting its business with the highest level of integrity.
All officers, trustees and other personnel of the Fund and the Fund’s investment adviser, Flat Rock Global, LLC (the “Adviser” or “Flat Rock Global”), are responsible for maintaining this level of integrity and for complying with the policies contained in this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Statement on the Prohibition of Insider Trading (this “Code”). If you have a question or concern about what is proper conduct for you or anyone else, please contact the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer or any member of the Fund’s management, or follow the procedures outlined in applicable sections of this Code.
The Fund is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a continuously offered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund.
This Code has been adopted by the board of trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) in accordance with Rule 17j-l(c) under the 1940 Act, Item 406 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the May 9, 1994 Report of the Advisory Group on Personal Investing by the Investment Company Institute (the “Report”). Rule 17j-l generally describes fraudulent or manipulative practices with respect to purchases or sales of securities held or to be acquired by business development companies if effected by access persons of such a company.
PURPOSE OF THIS CODE
This Code is intended to:
● | help you recognize ethical issues and take the appropriate steps to resolve these issues; |
● | deter ethical violations to avoid any abuse of position of trust and responsibility; |
● | maintain confidentiality of the Fund’s business activities; |
● | assist you in complying with applicable securities laws; |
● | assist you in reporting any unethical or illegal conduct; and |
● | reaffirm and promote the Fund’s commitment to a corporate culture that values honesty, integrity and accountability. |
Further, it is the policy of the Fund that no affiliated person of the Fund shall, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of any security held or to be acquired by the Fund:
● | employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund; |
● | make any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to the Fund a material fact in order to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, not misleading; |
● | engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the Fund; or |
● | engage in any manipulative practices with respect to the Fund’s business activities. |
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All employees, as a condition of employment or continued employment, will acknowledge annually, in writing, that they have received a copy of this Code, read it, and understand that this Code contains the Fund’s expectations regarding their conduct.
CODE OF ETHICS
The persons specified in the following discussion will be subject to the provisions of this Code of Ethics (this “Code of Ethics”).
SCOPE OF THIS CODE OF ETHICS
In order to prevent the Fund’s Access Persons (as defined below) from engaging in any of these prohibited acts, practices or courses of business, the Board has adopted this Code of Ethics.
DEFINITIONS
In addition to terms expressly defined elsewhere herein, the following words shall have the following meanings as used in this Code of Ethics:
Access Person. “Access Person” means any trustee, officer, partner, employee or Advisory Person (as defined below) of the Fund or Flat Rock Global; provided, however, that the term “Access Person” will not include an Independent Trustee (as defined below) or any person who is subject to a separate code of ethics, provided that such code of ethics is compliant with Rule 17j-1.
Advisory Person. “Advisory Person” means: (i) any trustee, officer or employee of the Fund or Flat Rock Global or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or Flat Rock Global, who, in connection with his or her regular duties, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a Covered Security (as defined below) by the Fund or Flat Rock Global, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and (ii) any natural person in a control relationship to the Fund or Flat Rock Global who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of a Covered Security. An Advisory Person shall not include an Independent Trustee.
Automatic Investment Plan. “Automatic Investment Plan” refers to any program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation, including a distribution reinvestment plan.
Beneficial Interest. “Beneficial Interest” includes any entity, person, trust or account with respect to which an Access Person exercises investment discretion or provides investment advice. A beneficial interest shall be presumed to include all accounts in the name of or for the benefit of the Access Person, his or her spouse, dependent children or any person living with him or her or to whom he or she contributed economic support.
Beneficial Ownership. “Beneficial Ownership” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Exchange Act, except that the determination of direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership shall apply to all securities, and not just equity securities, that an Access Person has or acquires. Rule 16a-1(a)(2) provides that the term “beneficial owner” means any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any equity security. Therefore, an Access Person may be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of securities held by members of his or her immediate family sharing the same household, or by certain partnerships, trusts, corporations or other arrangements.
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Blackout Period. “Blackout Period” means that timeframe in which the Fund or Flat Rock Global or an Access Person, or Independent Trustee with knowledge of the Fund’s or Flat Rock Global’s trading activity, may not engage in trading in an issue, or its related securities, appearing on the Fund’s or Flat Rock Global’s Restricted List as described below.
Control. “Control” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act.
Covered Security. “Covered Security” means a security as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act and that it is eligible for purchase by the Fund or Flat Rock Global under its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. A security that is otherwise a “Covered Security” under this definition is excluded therefrom, however, if it falls into one of the following categories: (i) direct obligations of the government of the United States; (ii) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments including repurchase agreements; and (iii) shares issued by registered open-end investment companies (i.e., mutual funds or exchange-traded funds).
Independent Trustee. “Independent Trustee” means a trustee of the Fund or Flat Rock Global who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
Initial Public Offering. “Initial Public Offering” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Limited Offering. “Limited Offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 of the Securities Act.
Purchase or Sale of a Covered Security. “Purchase or Sale of a Covered Security” is broad and includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security, or the use of a derivative product to take a position in a Covered Security.
Restricted List. “Restricted List” means the list that identifies those securities which the Fund, Flat Rock Global or their Access Persons may not trade due to some restriction under the securities laws whereby the Fund, Flat Rock Global or their Access Persons may be deemed to possess material nonpublic information (as it is described within the Insider Trading Policy Statement) about the issuer of such securities.
Supervised Person. A “Supervised Person” means any partner, officer, trustee (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions) or employee of any entity that provides investment advice on behalf of the Fund or Flat Rock Global and is subject to the supervision and control of the Fund or Flat Rock Global; provided, however, that Supervised Person shall not include Independent Trustees.
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STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
1. No Access Person, Supervised Person or Independent Trustee shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any business transaction or arrangement for personal profit that is not in the best interests of the Fund or its shareholders or Flat Rock Global; nor shall he or she make use of any confidential information gained by reason of his or her employment by or affiliation with the Fund, Flat Rock Global, or any of their affiliates, in order to derive a personal profit for himself or herself or for any Beneficial Interest, in violation of the fiduciary duty owed to the Fund and its shareholders and to Flat Rock Global.
2. Any Access Person recommending or authorizing the purchase or sale of a Covered Security by the Fund or Flat Rock Global shall, at the time of such recommendation or authorization, disclose any Beneficial Interest in, or Beneficial Ownership of, such Covered Security or the issuer thereof.
3. No Access Person, Supervised Person or Independent Trustee shall dispense any information concerning securities holdings or securities transactions of the Fund or Flat Rock Global to anyone outside the Fund or Flat Rock Global without obtaining prior written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer, or such person or persons as these individuals may designate to act on their behalf. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, such Access Person may dispense such information without obtaining prior written approval:
● | when there is a public report containing the same information; |
● | when such information is dispensed in accordance with compliance procedures established to prevent conflicts of interest between the Fund, Flat Rock Global and their affiliates; |
● | when such information is reported to trustees of the Fund or Flat Rock Global; or |
● | in the ordinary course of his or her duties on behalf of the Fund or Flat Rock Global. |
4. All personal securities transactions should be conducted consistent with this Code of Ethics and the Insider Trading Policy Statement and in such manner as to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest, the appearance of a conflict of interest, or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility within the Fund and Flat Rock Global.
5. Flat Rock Global owes the Fund a duty of undivided loyalty. As an investment adviser, Flat Rock Global has a fiduciary responsibility to the Fund. The Fund’s interests must always be placed first.
PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
1. General Prohibition. No Access Person shall execute a personal securities transaction (directly or indirectly) in any Covered Security (including any security issued by the issuer of such Covered Security) unless such Access Person shall have obtained prior written approval for such transaction from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
2. Securities Appearing on the Portfolio and Pipeline Reports and Restricted List. The holdings of the Fund are detailed in a portfolio report (the “Portfolio Report”) that will be distributed weekly, if not more frequently, to all Access Persons. Access Persons will also receive, as frequently as necessary, the names of those entities that are being considered for investment by the Fund in a pipeline report (the “Pipeline Report”). Access Persons are required to review these reports shortly after their distribution and review the Restricted List on a periodic basis. These reports will indicate if there are publicly available securities associated with each holding. Transactions in such publicly available securities are subject to the pre-approval requirements noted above in Section 1. An Access Person who becomes aware that the Fund is considering the purchase or sale of any Covered Security, via a Pipeline Report or otherwise, must immediately notify the Chief Compliance Officer of any interest that such Access Person may have in any outstanding Covered Security (including any security issued by the issuer of such Covered Security). An Access Person shall similarly notify the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer of any other interest or connection that such Access Person might have in or with such issuer.
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3. Securities Associated with Affiliated and Related Party Transactions. Access Persons will be advised of portfolio holdings as well as situations where the Fund may engage in other transactions creating affiliated or relationships with other parties. Typically, securities issued by such affiliated or otherwise related parties will be included on the Fund’s Restricted List. However, should an Access Person have a question about investing in any security that might have a tangential relationship to the Fund or its Portfolio, the Access person should seek the guidance of the Chief Compliance Officer prior to engaging in a securities transaction.
4. Initial Public Offerings and Limited Offerings. Access Persons of the Fund must obtain pre-approval from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer before directly or indirectly acquiring Beneficial Ownership in any securities in an Initial Public Offering or in a Limited Offering.
5. Fund Acquisition of Shares in Companies that Access Persons Hold Through Limited Offerings. Access Persons who have been authorized to acquire securities in a Limited Offering must disclose that investment to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer when they are involved in the Fund’s subsequent consideration of an investment in the issuer, and the Fund’s decision to purchase such securities must be independently reviewed by investment personnel with no personal interest in that issuer.
Management of the Restricted List
The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will manage placing and removing names from the Restricted List. Should an Access Person learn of material non-public information concerning the issuer of any security, that information must be provided to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer so that the issuer can be included on the Restricted List. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will note the nature of the information learned, the time the information was learned and the other persons in possession of this information. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will maintain this information in a log. Upon the receipt of such information, the Chief Compliance Officer will revise and circulate the Restricted List to all Access Persons. Flat Rock Global is directed to advise the Fund when it has obtained information causing Flat Rock Global to be restricted from trading in the securities of any entities being considered for investment in the Fund’s portfolio. The contents of the Restricted List are highly confidential and must not be disclosed to any person or entity outside of the Fund absent approval of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
STATEMENT ON THE PROHIBITION OF INSIDER TRADING
Failure by you to recognize the importance of safeguarding information and using information appropriately is greatly detrimental both to your and to the Fund’s future. The information provided below should provide a useful guide about what constitutes insider trading and material inside information.
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SUMMARY OF THE FUND’S BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
The Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act that operates as an interval fund. The Fund offers investors access to private securities with a focus on debt investments in senior secured loans of U.S. middle-market companies, which the Fund refers to as Senior Loans. Generally, these loans are held with private companies that do not have any publicly-traded securities. In certain instances, however, there may be publicly-traded securities available in the marketplace for issuers in which the Fund holds a position.
It is not expected that, in the course of its trading activities, the Fund will receive access to information that is not already in the public domain. However, certain data sources may make information available to the Fund that has not been fully disseminated in the marketplace. If this situation arises and the Fund has an opportunity to opt to receive the information, the Access Person that encounters this situation will raise the situation with his or her supervisors and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer to decide whether to opt to receive the information or decline to receive the information. If the decision is made to receive the information, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will update the Restricted List as it is discussed in this Code of Ethics.
In the unlikely event that you come into possession of information that is not publicly available, either through your work with the Fund or outside of the workplace, you will be required to adhere to this Statement on the Prohibition of Insider Trading (this “Statement”) as described in the following pages. You will also be subject to certain reporting requirements in connection with complying with this Code of Ethics beginning with the requirement to notify the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
BACKGROUND
The securities laws and the rules and regulations of the self-regulatory organizations are designed to ensure that the securities markets are fair and honest, that material information regarding a company is publicly available, and that a security’s price and volume are determined by the free interplay of economic forces. The anti-fraud rules of the federal securities laws prohibit, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security:
· | making an untrue statement of a material fact; |
· | omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made not misleading; and |
· | engaging in acts, practices or courses of business which would be fraudulent or deceptive. |
Violation of these provisions is a crime that may result in imprisonment and can have other very serious repercussions for both the Fund and the employee. Violators may be censured by the government or self-regulatory organizations, suspended, barred from the securities business or fined. In addition, violations may result in liability under the federal securities laws, including the Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1984 and the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988. The Fund’s actions with respect to any violations will be swift and forceful, since it is the victim of any such abuse.
A violation of the Fund’s policies and procedures regarding confidential information or the use thereof and disclosure may result in dismissal, suspension without pay, loss of pay or bonus, loss of severance benefits, demotion or other sanctions, whether or not the violation of the Fund’s policy or procedure also constituted a violation of law. Trading while in possession of or tipping on the basis of non-public information could also result in civil or criminal liability which could lead to imprisonment, fines and/or a requirement of disgorgement of any profits realized and, as a result of the violation, to an injunction prohibiting the violator from being employed in the securities industry. The Fund may initiate or cooperate in proceedings resulting in such penalties.
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POLICY
No person to whom this Statement applies, including officers, trustees or employees of the Fund and Flat Rock Global, may trade, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of material non-public information, nor may any officer, trustee or employee communicate material non-public information to others in violation of the law. This conduct is referred to as “insider trading.” Any questions regarding this policy and procedure should be directed to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
While the law concerning insider trading is not rigid, it generally is understood to prohibit:
· | trading by an insider while in possession of material non-public information; |
· | trading by a non-insider while in possession of material non-public information where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider’s duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; and |
· | communicating material non-public information to others. |
The elements of a claim for insider trading and the penalties for unlawful conduct are described below.
WHO IS AN INSIDER?
The concept of an “insider” is broad and includes officers, directors, trustees and employees of a company. In addition, a person can be a “temporary insider” if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company’s affairs and, as a result, is given access to information solely for the company’s purposes. A temporary insider can include, by way of example, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers and employees of such organizations. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, a company must expect the outsider to keep the disclosed non-public information confidential and the relationship must at least imply such a duty before the outsider will be considered an insider.
WHAT IS MATERIAL INFORMATION?
Trading on non-public information is not a basis for liability unless the non-public information is material. Information generally is considered “material” if (i) there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider the non-public information important in making an investment decision, or (ii) the non-public information is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. Non-public information that should be considered material includes, but is not limited to: dividend changes; earnings estimates not previously disseminated; material changes in previously released earnings estimates; significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements; major litigation; liquidation problems; and extraordinary management developments.
Material information does not have to relate to a company’s business. For example, in Carpenter v. United States 108 S. Ct. 316 (1987), the U.S. Supreme Court considered as material certain information about the contents of a forthcoming newspaper column that was expected to affect the market price of a security. In that case, a Wall Street Journal reporter was found criminally liable for disclosing to others the dates that reports on various companies would appear in the Wall Street Journal and whether or not those reports would be favorable.
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Any questions that you may have as to whether information is material must be addressed with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer before acting in any way on such information.
WHAT IS NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION?
Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated to the marketplace. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is public. For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, or appearing in Reuters, Bloomberg or a Dow Jones publication or in any other publication of general circulation would generally be considered “public.” In certain instances, information disseminated to certain segments of the investment community may be deemed “public” (e.g., research communicated through institutional information dissemination services such as First Call). The fact that information has been disclosed to a few members of the public does not make it public for insider trading purposes. To be “public,” the information must have been disseminated in a manner designed to reach investors generally, and the investors must be given the opportunity to absorb the information. Even after public disclosure of information, you must wait until the close of business on the second trading day after the information was publicly disclosed before you can treat the information as public.
BASIS FOR LIABILITY
Described below are circumstances under which a person or entity may be deemed to have traded on inside information.
1. Fiduciary Duty Theory. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court found that there is no general duty to disclose before trading on material non-public information, but that such a duty arises where there is a fiduciary relationship between the parties to the transaction. In such case, one party has a right to expect that the other party will not disclose any material non-public information and will refrain from trading. Chiarella v. U.S., 445 U.S. 22 (1980).
Insiders such as employees of an issuer are ordinarily considered to have a fiduciary duty to the issuer and its shareholders. In Dirks v. SEC, 463 U.S. 646 (1983), the U.S. Supreme Court stated alternative theories by which such fiduciary duties are imposed on non-insiders: (1) they can enter into a confidential relationship with the company (e.g. attorneys and accountants, etc.) (“temporary insiders”); or (2) they can acquire a fiduciary duty to the company’s shareholders as “tippees” if they are aware or should have been aware that they have been given confidential information by an insider or temporary insider who has violated his or her fiduciary duty to the company’s shareholders.
In the “tippee” situation, a breach of duty occurs only if the insider or temporary insider personally benefits, directly or indirectly, from the disclosure. The benefit does not have to be of a financial nature, but can be a gift, a reputational benefit that will translate into future earnings, or even evidence of a relationship that suggests a quid pro quo.
2. Misappropriation Theory. Another basis for insider trading liability is the “misappropriation” theory, where liability is established when trading occurs on material non-public information that was stolen or misappropriated from another person. In Carpenter v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court found that a columnist defrauded The Wall Street Journal by communicating information prior to its publication to another person who used the information to trade in the securities markets. It should be noted that the misappropriation theory can be used to reach a variety of individuals not previously thought to be encompassed under the fiduciary duty theory.
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PENALTIES FOR INSIDER TRADING
Penalties for trading on or communicating material non-public information are severe, both for individuals involved in such conduct and their employers. A person can be subject to some or all of the penalties below even if he or she does not personally benefit from the violation. Penalties include the following:
· | jail sentences; |
· | civil injunction; |
· | treble damages; |
· | disgorgement of profits; |
· | fines for the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited; and |
· | fines for the employer or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided. |
CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION
The following procedures have been established to assist the officers, trustees and employees of the Fund in controlling the flow of sensitive information so as to avoid the possibility of trading on material non-public information either on behalf of the Fund or for themselves and to assist the Fund and its supervisory personnel in surveilling for, and otherwise preventing and detecting, insider trading. Every officer, trustee and employee of the Fund must follow these procedures or risk serious sanctions by one or more regulatory authorities and/or the Fund, including dismissal, substantial personal liability and criminal penalties. If you have any questions about these procedures you should consult the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
1. Identifying Inside Information. Before trading for yourself or others in the securities of a company about which you have what you believe to be inside information, ask yourself the following questions:
· | Is the information non-public? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been effectively communicated to the marketplace? To what extent, for how long, and by what means has the information been disseminated? If information is non-public, it normally may not be used in connection with effecting securities transactions; however, if you have any doubts whatsoever as to whether the information is non-public, you must ask the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer prior to trading on, or communicating (except in accordance with the procedures and requirements herein) such information. |
· | Is the information material? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making his or her investment decision? Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed? |
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If, after consideration of the above, you believe that the information may be material and non-public, or if you have questions in that regard, you should take the following steps:
· | Report the matter immediately to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. |
· | Do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others. |
· | Do not communicate the information inside or outside of the Fund, other than to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. |
· | After the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer has reviewed the issue, you will be instructed to continue the prohibitions against trading and communication, or you will be allowed to communicate the information and then trade. |
2. Restricting Access to Material Non-public Information. Information in your possession that you identify as material and non-public may not be communicated to anyone, except as provided in paragraph 1 above. In addition, care should be taken so that such information is secure. For example, files containing material non-public information should be sealed and access to computer files containing material non-public information should be restricted.
3. Personal Security Trading. All officers, trustees and employees must trade in accordance with the provisions of this Code of Ethics as well as this Statement in order to assist the Fund with monitoring for violations of the law.
4. Restricted List. As defined in this Code of Ethics, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will maintain a Restricted List. Disclosure outside of the Fund as to what issuers and/or securities are on the Restricted List could therefore constitute tipping and is strictly prohibited.
5. Supervision/Investigation. Should the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer learn that a violation of this Statement is suspected, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer shall alert the Chief Executive Officer of the Fund. Together, these parties will determine who should conduct further investigation, if they determine an investigation is necessary.
PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THIS CODE OF ETHICS
The following reporting procedures have been established to assist Access Persons in avoiding a violation of this Code of Ethics, and to assist the Fund in preventing, detecting and imposing sanctions for violations of this Code of Ethics. Every Access Person must follow these procedures. Questions regarding these procedures should be directed to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
All Access Persons are subject to the reporting requirements set forth in the next section, except as follows:
● | with respect to transactions effected for, and Covered Securities (including any security issued by the issuer of such Covered Security) held in, any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control; and |
● | those transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan. |
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REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Chief Compliance Officer shall furnish each employee with a copy of this Code of Ethics along with any amendments, upon commencement of employment and annually thereafter.
Each Supervised Person is required to certify, through a written acknowledgment, within 10 days of commencement of employment, that he or she has received, read and understands all aspects of this Code of Ethics and recognizes that he or she is subject to the provisions and principles detailed herein. In addition, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer shall notify each Access Person of his or her obligation to file an initial holdings report, quarterly transaction reports, and annual holdings reports, as described below.
PRE-CLEARANCE REPORTS
Access Persons of the Fund must obtain approval from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer prior to entering into a transaction in any Covered Securities, as well as Initial Public Offerings and Limited Offerings. The pre-clearance form shall include the name of the Access Person, the date, the name of the broker who will execute the transaction, the name of the security, quantity, whether the transaction is a purchase or sale, total anticipated dollar value and any pertinent instructions (for example, good until cancelled, limit, etc.). There will also be a line for approval or disapproval along with space for comments and the date.
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORTS
Each Access Person must, no later than 10 days after the person becomes an Access Person, submit to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer or other designated person a report of the Access Person’s current securities holdings. The information provided must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person. The report must include the following:
● | the title and type of the security and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the number of shares held for each security, and the principal amount; |
● | the name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and |
● | the date the Access Person submits the report. |
QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORTS
Each Access Person must, no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, submit to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer or other designated person a report of the Access Person’s transactions involving a Covered Security (including any security issued by the issuer of such Covered Security) in which the Access Person had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership. The report must cover all transactions occurring during the calendar quarter most recently ending. Independent Trustees must file such a report if such trustee knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a trustee of the Fund, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately preceding or after the date of the transaction in a Covered Security by the trustee such Covered Security is or was purchased or sold by the Fund or Flat Rock Global considered purchasing or selling such Covered Security. The report must contain the following information:
● | the date of the transaction; |
● | the title and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, of each reportable security involved, the interest rate and maturity date of each reportable security involved, the number of shares of each reportable security involved, and the principal amount of each reportable security involved; |
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● | the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or other type of acquisition or disposition); |
● | the price of the security at which the transaction was effected; |
● | the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected, and the date the account(s) were established; and |
● | the date the Access Person submits the report. |
ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORTS
Each Access Person must submit, to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer or other designated person, an annual holdings report reflecting holdings as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted. The annual holdings report must be submitted at least once every 12 months, on a date to be designated by the Fund. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will notify every Access Person of the date. Each report must include:
● | the title and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, of each reportable security involved, the interest rate and maturity date of each reportable security involved, the number of shares of each reportable security involved, and the principal amount of each reportable security involved; |
● | the name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and | |
● | the date the Access Person submits the report. |
ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
All Access Persons must annually certify, through a written acknowledgment, to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer that: (1) they have read, understood and agree to abide by this Code of Ethics; (2) they have complied with all applicable requirements of this Code of Ethics; and (3) they have reported all transactions and holdings that they are required to report under this Code of Ethics.
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ADMINISTRATION OF THIS CODE OF ETHICS
The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer has overall responsibility for administering this Code of Ethics and reporting on the administration of and compliance with this Code of Ethics and related matters to the Board and the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”).
The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer shall review all reports to determine whether any transactions recorded therein constitute violations of this Code of Ethics. Before making any determination that a violation has been committed by a person subject to this Code of Ethics, such person shall be given an opportunity to supply additional explanatory material. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain copies of the reports as required by Rule 17j-1(f) under the 1940 Act.
No less frequently than annually the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer must furnish to the Board and Audit Committee, and the Board and/or Audit Committee must consider, a written report that describes any issues arising under this Code of Ethics or its procedures since the last report to the Board, including but not limited to, information about material violations of this Code of Ethics or its procedures and any sanctions imposed in response to material violations. This report should also certify that the Fund has adopted procedures reasonably designed to prevent persons subject to this Code of Ethics from violating this Code of Ethics.
SANCTIONS FOR CODE VIOLATIONS
All violations of this Code of Ethics will result in appropriate corrective action, up to and including dismissal. If the violation involves potentially criminal activity, the individual or individuals in question will be reported, as warranted, to the appropriate authorities.
APPLICATION/WAIVERS
All the trustees, officers and employees of the Fund and Flat Rock Global are subject to this Code of Ethics.
Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Fund or Flat Rock Global govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of all persons who are subject to this Code of Ethics, they are superseded by this Code of Ethics to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code of Ethics.
Any amendment or waiver of this Code of Ethics for an executive officer or member of the Board must be made by the Board and disclosed on a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days following such amendment or waiver.
RECORDS
The Fund shall maintain records with respect to this Code of Ethics in the manner and to the extent set forth below, which records may be maintained on microfilm or electronic storage media under the conditions described in Rule 31a-2(f) under the 1940 Act and shall be available for examination by representatives of the SEC:
1. A copy of this Code of Ethics and any other code of ethics of the Fund that is, or at any time within the past five years has been, in effect shall be maintained in an easily accessible place;
2. A record of any violation of this Code of Ethics and of any action taken as a result of such violation shall be maintained in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs;
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3. A copy of each report made by an Access Person or duplicate account statement received pursuant to this Code of Ethics, shall be maintained for a period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made or the information is provided, the first two years in an easily accessible place;
4. A record of all persons who are, or within the past five years have been, required to make reports pursuant to this Code of Ethics, or who are or were responsible for reviewing these reports, shall be maintained in an easily accessible place;
5. A copy of each report made to the Board shall be maintained for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and
6. A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the direct or indirect acquisition by an Access Person of Beneficial Ownership in any Covered Securities or in an Initial Public Offering or a Limited Offering shall be maintained for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.
REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS
This Code of Ethics may be revised, changed or amended at any time by the Board. Following any material revisions or updates, an updated version of this Code of Ethics will be distributed to you, and will supersede the prior version of this Code of Ethics effective upon distribution. The Fund may ask you to sign an acknowledgement confirming that you have read and understood any revised version of this Code of Ethics, and that you agree to comply with the provisions thereof.
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APPENDIX A
Flat Rock Core Income Fund (the “Fund”)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT REGARDING
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
This acknowledgment is to be signed and returned to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer and will be retained as part of your permanent personnel file. |
I have received a copy of the Fund’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, including the Statement on the Prohibition of Insider Trading (the “Code”), read it, and understand that the Code contains the expectations of the Fund regarding employee conduct, ethical behavior and the prohibition of trading on insider information. I agree to observe the policies and procedures contained in the Code and have been advised that, if I have any questions or concerns relating to such policies or procedures, I understand that I have an obligation to report to the Audit Committee, the Chief Compliance Officer or other such designated officer, any suspected violations of the Code of which I am aware. I also understand that the Code is issued for informational purposes and that it is not intended to create, nor does it represent, a contract of employment.
_________________________________
Name (please print)
_________________________________
Signature
_________________________________
Date
The failure to read and/or sign this acknowledgment in no way relieves you of your responsibility to comply with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. |
A-1
APPENDIX B
Flat Rock Core Income Fund
(the “Fund”)
PRE-CLEARANCE FORM
Use this form to request pre-clearance of a transaction to purchase a Limited Offering, Initial Public Offering or to purchase or sell any Covered Security. Please submit this form, together with a copy of the Limited Offering documentation, or other applicable documentation, to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer at least five (5) business days before the planned investment.
Employee Name: | Date: |
Issuer/Investment Name:
Terms of Purchase (price, purchaser – individual, joint, entity, etc.):
Proposed Transaction Date:
How did you learn about this opportunity?
Related to a Portfolio or Pipeline security?
Approved: | Date: | |
Not Approved: | Date: | |
Comments: |
B-1
APPENDIX C
Flat Rock Core Income Fund
(the “Fund”)
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT
As of _______, 20__
To: | Chief Compliance Officer |
A. Securities Holdings. I have listed below (or attached hereto a listing) all of my securities holdings held by me or Beneficial Owners as defined in the Fund’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Title of Security | CUSIP Number | Interest Rate and Maturity Date (If Applicable) | Date of Transaction | Number of Shares or Principal Amount | Dollar Amount of Transaction | Nature of Transaction (Purchase, Sale, Other) | Price | Broker/ Dealer or Bank Through Whom Effected | ||||||||
B. Brokerage Accounts. I, or a Beneficial Owner, have established the following accounts in which securities are held for my direct or indirect benefit:
Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank: | |
Date: | Signature: | ||||
Name (please print): |
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APPENDIX D
Flat Rock Core Income Fund
(the “Fund”)
QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORT
For the Calendar Quarter Ended: ________, 20__
To: | Chief Compliance Officer |
A. Securities Transactions. During the quarter referred to above, the following transactions were effected in securities of which I had, or by reason of such transactions acquired, direct or indirect beneficial ownership, and which are required to be reported pursuant to the Fund’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics:
Title of Security | CUSIP Number | Interest Rate and Maturity Date (If Applicable) | Date of Transaction | Number of Shares or Principal Amount | Dollar Amount of Transaction | Nature of Transaction (Purchase, Sale, Other) | Price | Broker/ Dealer or Bank Through Whom Effected | ||||||||
B. New Brokerage Accounts. During the quarter referred to above, I established the following accounts in which securities were held during the quarter for my direct or indirect benefit:
Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank | Date Account Was Established | ||
C. Other Matters. This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) excludes other transactions not required to be reported and (iii) is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities listed above.
Date: | Signature: | ||||
Name (please print): |
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APPENDIX E
Flat Rock Core Income Fund
(the “Fund”)
ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT
As of December 31, 20___
To: | Chief Compliance Officer |
As of December 31, 20__, I had direct or beneficial ownership interest in the securities listed below which are required to be reported pursuant to Rule 17j-l under the Investment Company Act of 1940:
A. Securities Holdings. I have listed below (or attached hereto a listing) all of my securities holdings held by me or Beneficial Owners as defined by the Fund’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Title of Security |
CUSIP
Number |
Number of Shares or
Principal Amount |
||
B. Brokerage Accounts. As of December 31, 20__, I, or a Beneficial Owner, maintained accounts with brokers, dealers, and banks listed below in which securities were held for my direct or indirect benefit:
Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank | Date Account Was Established* | ||
This report (i) excludes securities and accounts over which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) excludes securities not required to be reported (for example, direct obligations of the U.S. Government, shares of registered investment companies etc.) and (iii) is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities accounts listed above.
Date: | Signature: | ||||
Name (please print): |
* Note: If account was established before 20__, you can state that it was established before 20__.
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