Fees, Expenses, Agreements and Related Party Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Fees, Expenses, Agreements and Related Party Transactions

Fees, Expenses, Agreements and Related Party Transactions

Investment Advisory Agreement

On October 5, 2020, the Company entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adviser manages the Company on a day-to-day basis. The Adviser is responsible for originating prospective investments, conducting research and due diligence investigations on potential investments, analyzing investment opportunities, negotiating and structuring the Company’s investments and monitoring its investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.

On August 2, 2022, the Company and the Adviser entered into an amended and restated investment advisory agreement (the “Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement”), which was approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement altered the Investment Advisory Agreement by removing certain “sunset” provisions that previously stated that certain requirements of the North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”) Omnibus Guidelines would no longer apply if the Company’s shares become “covered securities” within the meaning of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and amending certain undertakings provisions, including to clarify compliance with NASAA Omnibus Guidelines. No other changes were made to the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Investment Advisory Agreement was effective for an initial two-year term and will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent trustees. The Company may terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations. The Investment Advisory Agreement was most recently renewed and approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, on May 2, 2023, for a one-year period ending on May 31, 2024.

The Company pays the Adviser a fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: a management fee and an incentive fee. The cost of both the management fee and the incentive fee will ultimately be borne by the shareholders. Substantial additional fees and expenses may also be charged by the Administrator to the Company, which is an affiliate of the Adviser.

Base Management Fees

The management fee is payable monthly and is settled and paid quarterly in arrears at an annual rate of 1.25% of the value of the Company’s net assets as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the applicable month. For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, net assets means the Company’s total assets less liabilities determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. The management fee calculation will be prorated for any partial months, including the first calendar month in which the Company commenced operations.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, base management fees were $79.7 million and $229.0 million, respectively, of which $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively, were waived. For the three and nine months ended

September 30, 2022, base management fees were $71.0 million and $186.6 million, respectively, of which $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively, were waived. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $79.7 million and $73.4 million, respectively, was payable to the Adviser relating to management fees.

Incentive Fees

The incentive fees consist of two components that are determined independently of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. One component is based on income and the other component is based on capital gains, each as described below.

(i) Income based incentive fees

The first part of the Company’s incentive fee is based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns. “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns” means, as the context requires, either the dollar value of, or percentage rate of return on the value of net assets at the end of the immediate preceding quarter from, 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 Company receives from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses accrued for the quarter (including the management fee, expenses payable under an administration agreement entered into between the Company and the Administrator (“Administration Agreement”), and any interest expense or fees on any credit facilities or outstanding debt and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred shares, but excluding the incentive fee and any shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees). Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns include, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with PIK interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that has not yet been received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns do not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. The impact of expense support payments and recoupments are also excluded from Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns. Shareholders may be charged a fee on an income amount that is higher than the income they may ultimately receive.

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediate preceding quarter, is compared to a “hurdle rate” of return of 1.25% per quarter (5.0% annualized).

The Company pays its Adviser an income based incentive fee quarterly in arrears with respect to the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns in each calendar quarter as follows:

•No incentive fee based on Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns in any calendar quarter in which Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns do not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.25% per quarter (5.0% annualized);

•100% of the dollar amount of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than a rate of return of 1.43% (5.72% annualized). The Company refers to this portion of the Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 1.43%) as the “catch-up.” This “catch-up” is meant to provide the Adviser with approximately 12.5% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 1.43% in any calendar quarter; and

•12.5% of the dollar amount of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income Returns, if any, that exceed a rate of return of 1.43% (5.72% annualized).

These calculations are prorated for any period of less than three months, including the first quarter the Company commenced operations, and are adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter.

(ii) Capital gains incentive fees

The second part of the incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year in an amount equal to 12.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from inception through the end of such calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fee on capital gains as calculated in accordance with GAAP.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company accrued income based incentive fees of $113.7 million and $324.0 million, respectively, of which $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively, were waived. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company accrued income based incentive fees of $83.7 million and $194.8 million, respectively, of which $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively, were waived. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there was $113.7 million and $94.1 million, respectively, payable to the Adviser for the income based incentive fees.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company accrued capital gains incentive fees of $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company accrued capital gains incentive fees of $0.0 million and $(15.1) million, respectively.

Administration Agreement

On October 5, 2020, the Company entered into the Administration Agreement with the Administrator. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator provides, or oversees the performance of, administrative and compliance services, including, but not limited to, maintaining financial records, overseeing the calculation of NAV, compliance monitoring (including diligence and oversight of the Company’s other service providers), preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC and other regulators, preparing materials and coordinating meetings of the Company’s Board, managing the payment of expenses, the payment of receipt of funds for investments and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others and providing office space, equipment and office services. The Company will reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. Such reimbursement will include the Company’s allocable portion of compensation, overhead (including rent, office equipment and utilities) and other expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, including but not limited to: (i) the Company’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs; (ii) investor relations, legal, operations and other non-investment professionals (including information technology professionals) at the Administrator that perform duties for the Company; and (iii) any internal audit group personnel of Blackstone or any of its affiliates, subject to the limitations described in Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or to a third party and the Company will reimburse the Administrator for any services performed for the Company by such affiliate or third party. The Administrator hired a sub-administrator to assist in the provision of administrative services. The sub-administrator will receive compensation for its sub-administrative services under a sub-administration agreement.

Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement was effective for an initial two-year term and will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent trustees. The Company may terminate the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice. The Administration Agreement was most recently renewed and approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, on May 2, 2023, for a one-year period.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company incurred $1.7 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in expenses under the Administration Agreement, which were recorded in “Administrative service expenses” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company incurred $1.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively, in expenses under the Administration Agreement, which were recorded in “Administrative service expenses” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, was unpaid and included in “Due to affiliates” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities, respectively.

Sub-Administration Agreement

On October 5, 2020, the Administrator entered into a sub-administration agreement (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company. The sub-administrator will receive compensation for its sub-administrative services under the Sub-Administration Agreement.

Intermediary Manager Agreement

On October 5, 2020, the Company entered into an intermediary manager agreement (the “Intermediary Manager Agreement”) with Blackstone Securities Partners L.P. (the “Intermediary Manager”), an affiliate of the Adviser. Pursuant to

the Intermediary Manager Agreement, no upfront transaction fee will be paid with respect to Class S shares, Class D shares or Class I shares, however, if shareholders purchase Class S shares or Class D shares through certain financial intermediaries, they may directly charge shareholders transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, in such amount as they may determine, provided that selling agents limit such charges to a 1.5% cap on NAV for Class D shares and 3.5% cap on NAV for Class S shares. Under the terms of the Intermediary Manager Agreement, the Intermediary Manager will serve as the intermediary manager for the Company’s public offering of its Common Shares. The Intermediary Manager will be entitled to receive shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees monthly in arrears at an annual rate of 0.85% and 0.25% of the value of the Company’s net assets attributable to Class S and Class D shares, respectively, as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month. No shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees will be paid with respect to Class I. The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees will be payable to the Intermediary Manager, but the Intermediary Manager anticipates that all or a portion of the shareholder servicing fees and/or distribution fees will be retained by, or reallowed (paid) to, participating brokers.

The Company will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees on the Class S shares and Class D shares on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) a listing of Class I shares, (ii) a merger or consolidation with or into another entity, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (iii) the date following the completion of the primary portion of the offering on which, in the aggregate, underwriting compensation from all sources in connection with the offering, including the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees and other underwriting compensation, is equal to 10% of the gross proceeds from the primary offering. In addition, consistent with the exemptive relief allowing the Company to offer multiple classes of shares, at the end of the month in which the Intermediary Manager in conjunction with the transfer agent determines that total transaction or other fees, including upfront placement fees or brokerage commissions, and shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees paid with respect to the shares held in a shareholder’s account would exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such shares (or a lower limit as determined by the Intermediary Manager or the applicable selling agent), the Company will cease paying the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee on the Class S shares and Class D shares in such shareholder’s account. Compensation paid with respect to the shares in a shareholder’s account will be allocated among each share such that the compensation paid with respect to each individual share will not exceed 10% of the offering price of such share. The Company may modify this requirement in a manner that is consistent with applicable exemptive relief. At the end of such month, the Class S shares or Class D shares in such shareholder’s account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares), with an equivalent aggregate NAV as such Class S or Class D shares.

The Intermediary Manager is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

The Intermediary Manager Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Company’s trustees who are not “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Company’s distribution plan or the Intermediary Manager Agreement or by vote a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, on not more than 60 days’ written notice to the Intermediary Manager or the Adviser. The Intermediary Manager Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.

Distribution and Servicing Plan

On October 5, 2020, the Board approved a distribution and servicing plan (the “Distribution and Servicing Plan”). The following table shows the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees the Company pays the Intermediary Manager with respect to the Class S, Class D and Class I on an annualized basis as a percentage of the Company’s NAV for such class.

	Shareholder Servicing and/or Distribution Fee as a % of NAV
Class I shares	—
Class S shares	0.85	%
Class D shares	0.25	%

The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees is paid monthly in arrears, calculated using the NAV of the applicable class as of the beginning of the first calendar day of the month and subject to FINRA and other limitations on underwriting compensation.

The Intermediary Manager will reallow (pay) all or a portion of the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to participating brokers and servicing brokers for ongoing shareholder services performed by such brokers, and will waive shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees to the extent a broker is not eligible to receive it for failure to provide such services. Because the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees with respect to Class S shares and Class D shares are calculated based on the aggregate NAV for all of the outstanding shares of each such class, it reduces the NAV with respect to all shares of each such class, including shares issued under the Company’s distribution reinvestment plan.

Eligibility to receive the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee is conditioned on a broker providing the following ongoing services with respect to the Class S or Class D shares: assistance with recordkeeping, answering investor inquiries regarding the Company, including regarding distribution payments and reinvestments, helping investors understand their investments upon their request, and assistance with share repurchase requests. If the applicable broker is not eligible to receive the shareholder servicing and/or distribution fee due to failure to provide these services, the Intermediary Manager will waive the shareholder servicing fee and/or distribution that broker would have otherwise been eligible to receive. The shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees are ongoing fees that are not paid at the time of purchase.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company accrued distribution and shareholder servicing fees of $17.6 million and $49.3 million, respectively, which were attributable to Class S shares. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company accrued distribution and shareholder servicing fees of $0.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which were attributable to Class D shares.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company accrued distribution and shareholder servicing fees of $13.8 million and $35.7 million, respectively, which were attributable to Class S shares. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company accrued distribution and shareholder servicing fees of $0.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which were attributable to Class D shares.

Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement

On October 5, 2020, the Company entered into an expense support and conditional reimbursement agreement (the “Expense Support Agreement”) with the Adviser. The Adviser may elect to pay certain Company expenses on the Company’s behalf (each, an “Expense Payment”), provided that no portion of the payment will be used to pay any interest expense or shareholder servicing and/or distribution fees of the Company. Any Expense Payment that the Adviser has committed to pay must be paid by the Adviser to the Company in any combination of cash or other immediately available funds no later than forty-five days after such commitment was made in writing, and/or offset against amounts due from the Company to the Adviser or its affiliates.

Following any calendar month in which Available Operating Funds (as defined below) exceed the cumulative distributions accrued to the Company’s shareholders based on distributions declared with respect to record dates occurring in such calendar month (the amount of such excess being hereinafter referred to as “Excess Operating Funds”), the Company shall pay such Excess Operating Funds, or a portion thereof, to the Adviser until such time as all Expense Payments made by the Adviser to the Company within three years prior to the last business day of such calendar month have been reimbursed. Any payments required to be made by the Company to the Adviser are referred to herein as a “Reimbursement Payment.” “Available Operating Funds” means the sum of (i) the Company’s net investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gains reduced by net long-term capital losses), (ii) the Company’s net capital gains (including the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) and (iii) dividends and other distributions paid to the Company on account of investments in portfolio companies (to the extent such amounts listed in clause (iii) are not included under clauses (i) and (ii) above).

The Company’s obligation to make a Reimbursement Payment shall automatically become a liability of the Company on the last business day of the applicable calendar month, except to the extent the Adviser has waived its right to receive such payment for the applicable month.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 the Adviser made no Expense Payments and there were no Reimbursement Payments made to the Adviser.

Controlled/Affiliated Portfolio Companies

Under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify non-controlled investments where it owns 5% or more of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “affiliated” companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify investments where it owns more than 25% of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “controlled” companies. Under the 1940 Act, “non-affiliated investments” are defined as investments that are neither controlled investments nor affiliated investments. Detailed information with respect to the Company’s non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; and controlled affiliated investments is contained in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, including the Condensed Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

On October 11, 2021, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and a third-party investor entered into a limited liability company agreement with SLC. SLC is a specialty finance company focused on investing in consumer credit and is led by a management team with deep expertise in the consumer finance industry. The investment in SLC allows the Company to gain exposure to a different asset class than its core investing focus of senior secured lending to U.S. private companies. At the time of the transaction, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the third-party investor each committed $315 million and $35 million, respectively, to SLC. The Company does not consolidate its equity interest in SLC.

In addition, the Company has made investments in joint ventures that have been considered controlled/affiliated companies, including Emerald JV and Verdelite JV. For further description of the Emerald JV and Verdelite JV, see “Note 11. Joint Ventures”