0001104659-20-077376.txt : 20200626 0001104659-20-077376.hdr.sgml : 20200626 20200626143415 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-20-077376 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-12G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 FILED AS OF DATE: 20200626 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Barings Capital Investment Corp CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001811972 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-12G SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-56180 FILM NUMBER: 20993218 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 SOUTH TRYON STREET STREET 2: SUITE 2500 CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28202 BUSINESS PHONE: (704) 805-7200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 SOUTH TRYON STREET STREET 2: SUITE 2500 CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28202 10-12G 1 tm2023392d1_1012g.htm FORM 10-12G

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

Form 10

 

 

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Barings Capital Investment Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   85-0654007
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500
Charlotte, North Carolina
  28202
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (704) 805-7200

 

with copies to:

Harry Pangas

Dechert, LLP

1900 K Street NW

Washington, DC 200006

 

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

None

 

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

 

Title of Each Class

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
Explanatory Note 3
Forward-Looking Statements 3
Item 1. Business 4
Item 1A Risk Factors 34
Item 2 Financial Information 55
Item 3 Properties 59
Item 4 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 59
Item 5 Directors and Executive Officers 60
Item 6 Executive Compensation 64
Item 7 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 64
Item 8 Legal Proceedings 67
Item 9 Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 67
Item 10 Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities 68
Item 11 Description of Registrant Securities to be Registered 68
Item 12 Indemnification of Directors and Officers 73
Item 13 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 74
Item 14 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 74
Item 15 Financial Statements and Exhibits 74

 

 2 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

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

 

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

 

the terms, “we,” “us,” “our” and the "Company" refers Barings Capital Investment Corporation

 

“Barings,” “Adviser” and our “Investment Adviser” refers to Barings LLC

 

“BBDC” refers to Barings BDC, Inc. a publicly-traded BDC which is also managed by the Investment Adviser; and

 

“stockholders” refers to holders of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”)

 

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

 

Investing in our shares may be considered speculative and involves a high degree of risk, including the following:

 

An investment in our shares is not suitable for you if you might need access to the money you invest in the foreseeable future.

 

You should not expect to be able to sell your shares regardless of how we perform.

 

If you are unable to sell your shares, you will be unable to reduce your exposure on any market downturn.

 

We do not intend to list our shares on any securities exchange for what may be a significant time and we do not expect a secondary market in the shares to develop.

 

Our 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 us for investment. Any capital returned to you through distribution will be disturbed after payment of fees and expenses.

 

We will invest in 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 will also be difficult to value and are illiquid.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Registration Statement on Form 10 contains forward-looking statements regarding the plans and objectives of management for future operations. Any such forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “target,” “goals,” “plan,” “forecast,” “project,” other variations on these words or comparable terminology, or the negative of these words. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that may be incorrect, and we cannot assure you that the projections included in these forward-looking statements will come to pass. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the factors discussed in Item 1A entitled "Risk Factors" in Part I of this Registration Statement and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. Other factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or conditions affecting the financial and capital markets, including with respect to changes from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the length and duration of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States as well as worldwide and the magnitude of the economic impact of that outbreak; the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies, including our and their ability to achieve our respective objectives; the effect of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on our ability to continue to effectively manage our business and on the availability of equity and debt capital and our use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments; risks associated with possible disruption due to terrorism in our operations or the economy generally; and future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in our operating areas.

 

 3 

 

 

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this Registration Statement on information available to us on the date of this Registration Statement, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, unless we are required to do so by applicable law. However, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent amendments to this Registration Statement, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

 

Item 1. Business.

 

The Company

 

We were formed on February 20, 2020 as a Maryland limited liability company and converted to a Maryland corporation on April 28, 2020. We are a newly formed, externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. In addition, we intend to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), as of the Initial Drawdown Date (as defined below), and we expect to qualify as a RIC annually thereafter. As a BDC and a RIC, we must comply with certain regulatory requirements. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company” and “Item 1. Business — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.

 

We expect to conduct private offerings (the “Private Offering”) of our Common Stock to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). At the closing of any Private Offering, each investor will make a capital commitment (a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase shares of our Common Stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us (a “Subscription Agreement”). Investors will be required to fund drawdowns (“Drawdowns”) to purchase shares of our Common Stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments on an as-needed basis with a minimum of 10 calendar days’ prior notice to the investors (“Drawdown Notice”). See “Item 1. Business — Private Offering.” We anticipate commencing our loan origination and investment activities contemporaneously with the initial closing of the Private Offering, which is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2020 (the “Closing”).

 

Description of Business

 

We are a financial services company that will primarily lend to and invest in senior secured private debt investments in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. Barings existing SEC exemptive relief under Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, granted on October 19, 2017 (the "Exemptive Relief"), permits us and Barings’ affiliated private funds and SEC-registered funds to co-invest in Barings-originated loans, which allows Barings to implement its senior secured private debt investment strategy for us on an accelerated timeline.

 

We are externally managed by our Investment Adviser, Barings, an investment adviser that is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Investment Adviser will also provide the administrative services necessary for us to operate (in such capacity, the “Administrator”). The Administrator may enter into one or more agreements with third parties for them to provide certain administrative services to the Company. The Investment Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”), is a leading global asset management firm, with over $338 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2019.

 

Our investment objective is to provide consistently attractive returns. We will initially focus on investing in syndicated senior secured loans, bonds and other fixed income securities and transition our portfolio to senior secured private debt investments in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. Barings will employ fundamental credit analysis, and target investments in businesses with low levels of cyclicality and operating risk relative to other businesses in this market segment. The holding size of each position will generally be dependent upon a number of factors including total facility size, pricing and structure, and the number of other lenders in the facility. Barings has experience managing levered vehicles, both public and private, and will seek to enhance our returns through the use of leverage with a prudent approach that prioritizes capital preservation. Barings believes this strategy and approach offers attractive risk/return with lower volatility given the potential for fewer defaults and greater resilience through market cycles.

 

 4 

 

 

We will initially focus on investing in syndicated senior secured loans, bonds and other fixed income. We expect to transition to investing in predominately senior secured private debt investments in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. Fees generated in connection with our debt investments are recognized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method or, in some cases, recognized as earned. We currently intend to invest primarily in senior secured private debt investments that have terms of between five and seven years and bear interest between the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (or an applicable successor rate) plus 450 basis points and LIBOR plus 650 basis points per annum. After we elect to be regulated as a BDC, at least 70% of our assets must be “qualifying assets” (measured at the time of investment), which principally include investments in eligible portfolio companies as defined in the 1940 Act. An eligible portfolio company is any issuer which is (i) organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States; (ii) is not an investment company or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and (iii) satisfies any of the following: (a) does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange, (b) has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million, (c) is controlled by a BDC, either alone or as part of a group acting together, and such BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the company or (d) is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not more than $2 million. In addition, we will be permitted to and may invest up to 30% of our total assets opportunistically in “non-qualifying assets.” See “Item 1. Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company.” These opportunistic investments in non-qualifying assets may include but may not be limited to assets from the following asset classes: European Direct Lending, Structured Credit, Private Asset-Back Securities, High-Yield Investments, Special Situations, Real Estate Debt and/or Mortgage Securities.

 

The Investment Adviser

 

Our Investment Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual, is a leading global asset management firm and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Barings’ primary investment capabilities include fixed income, private credit, real estate, equity, and alternative investments. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors (the “Board”), a majority of which is made up of directors that are not “interested persons,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, of the Company or the Investment Adviser (“Independent Directors”), Barings’ Global Private Finance Group (“Barings GPFG”) will manage our day-to-day operations, and provide investment advisory and management services to us. Barings GPFG is part of Barings’ approximately $250 billion Global Fixed Income Platform that invests in liquid, private and structured credit. Barings GPFG manages private funds and separately managed accounts, along with multiple public vehicles. The Investment Adviser intends to retain its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, Baring International Investment Limited (“BIIL”), as a sub-adviser to manage European investments for the Company. BIIL is an investment adviser registered with the SEC in the U.S. and the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom with its principal office located in London. As of December 31, 2019, BIIL had approximately $11.1 billion in assets under management.

 

Among other things, Barings will (i) determine the composition of our portfolio, 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 us; (iii) execute, close, service and monitor the investments that we make; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that we will purchase, retain or sell; (v) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and (vi) provide us with such other investment advisory, research and related services as we may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of our funds.

 

Barings’ investment experience within the direct private credit market began in 1992 with the formal inception of its private finance business (now called the Global Private Finance Group), and has remained an integral part of Barings’ overall platform to date. Barings GPFG began with a primary focus on investments in North American subordinated debt and equity co-investments, but diversified over the years to expand its capabilities geographically and across all tranches of the capital structure of middle-market companies. As of December 31, 2019, Barings GPFG consisted of 75 investment professionals, located in six offices on four continents.

 

Included in Barings GPFG is Barings North American Private Finance Team (the “Investment Team”), which, as of December 31, 2019, consisted of 55 investment professionals located in three offices in the U.S. The Investment Team provides a full set of solutions to the North American middle market, including revolvers, first and second lien senior secured loans, unitranche structures, mezzanine debt and equity co-investments. The Investment Team averages over 18 years of industry experience at the Managing Director and Director level.

 

Barings GPFG is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, conducting research and due diligence on prospective investments, structuring our investments and monitoring and servicing our investments. In addition, Barings believes that it has best-in-class support personnel, including expertise in risk management, legal, accounting, tax, information technology and compliance, among others. We expect to benefit from the support provided by these personnel in our operations.

 

 5 

 

 

Status under CFTC Rules

 

The Investment Adviser is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) and as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”). In respect of the Company, however, the Investment Adviser relies on an exclusion from the definition of a CPO under CFTC Rule 4.5 because of the Company’s limited trading in commodity interests, and the Investment Adviser will operate the Company as if it were not registered as a CPO, so that unlike a registered CPO, with respect to the Company, the Investment Adviser is not required to deliver a Disclosure Document or an Annual Report (as those terms are used in the CFTC’s rules) to stockholders. Further, the Investment Adviser will rely on an exemption from registration as a CTA under CFTC Rule 4.14(a)(8) as it is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser and providing commodity trading advice to a CFTC Rule 4.5 commodity pool with respect to the Company.

 

Investment Committee

 

The Barings North American Private Finance investment committee (the “Investment Committee”) consists of six members: Eric Lloyd, Managing Director, Deputy Head of Global Markets and Head of Private Fixed Income; Terry Harris, Managing Director and Head of Global Portfolio Management; Ian Fowler, Managing Director, Fund Portfolio Manager and Co-Head of Global Private Finance; Adam Wheeler, Managing Director, Co-Head of Global Private Finance; Mark Flessner, Managing Director and Head of U.S. Senior Loan Portfolio Management; and Brian Baldwin, Managing Director. Collectively, this committee has over 150 years of industry experience, and each member averages approximately 26 years of industry experience. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a majority of the members of the Investment Committee is present is required to approve all new investment decisions.

 

Eric Lloyd, Terry Harris, Ian Fowler and Adam Wheeler also sit on the European and Asia Pacific Investment Committees, affording them a unique relative value perspective across all of Barings’ investment geographies. Ian Fowler, Mark Flessner and Brian Baldwin have all worked together at prior firms including GE Capital, Freeport Financial and Harbour Group. Barings believes that the individual and shared experience of these six senior team members provides the Investment Committee with an appropriate balance of shared investment philosophy and difference of background and opinion.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

Investment Objective

 

We will seek attractive returns by generating current income primarily from directly-originated debt investments in middle-market companies located primarily in the United States. Our strategy includes the following components:

 

Leveraging Barings GPFG’s Origination and Portfolio Management Resources.   Barings GPFG has over 75 investment professionals located in six different offices in the U.S., Europe, Australia/New Zealand and Asia. These regional investment teams have been working together in their respective regions for a number of years and have extensive experience advising, investing in and lending to companies across changing market cycles. In addition, the individual members of these teams have diverse investment backgrounds, with prior experience at investment banks, commercial banks, and privately and publicly held companies. We believe this diverse experience provides an in-depth understanding of the strategic, financial and operational challenges and opportunities of middle-market companies.

 

Utilizing Long-Standing Relationships to Source Investments.   Barings GPFG has worked diligently over decades to build strategic relationships with private equity firms globally. Barings GPFG’s long history of providing consistent, predictable capital to middle-market sponsors, even in periods of market dislocation, has earned Barings a reputation as a reliable partner. Barings GPFG also maintains extensive personal relationships with entrepreneurs, financial sponsors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, commercial bankers and other non-bank providers of capital who refer prospective portfolio companies to it. These relationships historically have generated significant investment opportunities. We believe that this network of relationships will continue to produce attractive investment opportunities.

 

Focusing on the Middle-Market.   We will primarily invest in middle-market transactions. These companies tend to be privately owned, often by a private equity sponsor, and are companies that typically generate annual Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $10.0 million to $75.0 million.

 

Providing One-Stop Customized Financing Solutions.   Barings GPFG’s ability to commit to and originate larger hold positions (in excess of $200 million) in a given transaction is a differentiator to middle-market private equity sponsors. In today’s market, it has become increasingly important to have the ability to underwrite an entire transaction, providing financial sponsors with certainty of close. Barings GPFG offers a variety of financing structures and has the flexibility to structure investments to meet the needs of our portfolio companies.

 

 6 

 

 

Applying Consistent Underwriting Policies and Active Portfolio Management.   We believe robust due diligence on each investment is paramount due to the lack of an active secondary market. With limited ability to liquidate holdings, private credit investors must take a longer-term, “originate-to-hold” investment approach. Barings GPFG has implemented underwriting policies and procedures that are followed for each potential transaction. This consistent and proven fundamental underwriting process includes a thorough analysis of each potential portfolio company’s competitive position, financial performance, management team operating discipline, and growth potential and industry attractiveness, which Barings GPFG believes allows them to better assess the company’s prospects. After closing, Barings GPFG maintains ongoing access to both the sponsor and to portfolio company management in order to closely monitor investments and suggest or require remedial actions as needed to avoid a default.

 

Maintaining Portfolio Diversification.   While we will focus our investments in middle-market companies, we will seek to invest across various industries. Barings GPFG will monitor our investment portfolio to ensure we have acceptable industry balance, using industry and market metrics as key indicators. By monitoring our investment portfolio for industry balance, we will seek to reduce the effects of economic downturns associated with any particular industry or market sector. Notwithstanding our intent to invest across a variety of industries, we may from time to time hold securities of a single portfolio company that comprise more than 5.0% of our total assets and/or more than 10.0% of the outstanding voting securities of the portfolio company. For that reason, we will be classified as a non-diversified management investment company under the 1940 Act.

 

Investments

 

Debt Investments

 

The terms of our debt investments will be tailored to the facts and circumstances of each transaction and prospective portfolio company, with a structure that seeks to protect lender rights and manage risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan. We will also seek to limit the downside risks of our investments by negotiating covenants that are designed to protect our investments while affording our portfolio companies flexibility in managing their businesses. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protections, change of control provisions, put rights and a pledge of the operating companies’ stock which will provide us with additional exit options in downside scenarios. Other lending protections may include term loan amortization, excess cash flow sweeps (effectively additional term loan amortization), limitations on a company’s ability to make acquisitions, maximums on capital expenditures and limits on allowable dividends and distributions. Further, up front closing fees of typically 1-3% of the loan amount act effectively as pre-payment protection given the cost to a company to refinance early. Additionally, we will typically include call protection provisions effective for the first six to twelve months of an investment to enhance our potential total return.

 

We expect to invest in predominately senior secured private debt investments in performing, well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. We currently intend to invest primarily in loans that have terms of between five and seven years, and bear interest at rates ranging from LIBOR (or an applicable successor rate) plus 450 basis points to LIBOR plus 650 basis points per annum.

 

Equity Investments

 

On a limited basis, we may acquire equity interests in portfolio companies. In such cases, we will generally seek to structure our equity investments as non-control investments to provide us with customary minority rights.

 

Investment Criteria

 

We will utilize the following criteria and guidelines in evaluating investment opportunities. However, not all of these criteria and guidelines will be met in connection with each of our investments.

 

Established Companies with Positive Cash Flow.   We will seek to invest in later-stage or mature companies with a proven history of generating positive cash flows. We will typically focus on companies with a history of profitability and trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA ranging from $10.0 million to $75.0 million.

 

Experienced Management Teams.   Based on our prior investment experience, we believe that a management team with significant experience with a portfolio company or relevant industry experience is essential to the long-term success of the portfolio company. We believe management teams with these attributes are more likely to manage the companies in a manner that protects our debt investment.

 

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Strong Competitive Position.   We seek to invest in companies that have developed strong positions within their respective markets, are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities and compete in industries with barriers to entry. We also seek to invest in companies that exhibit a competitive advantage, which may help to protect their market position and profitability.

 

Varied Customer and Supplier Bases.   We prefer to invest in companies that have varied customer and supplier bases. Companies with varied customer and supplier bases are generally better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation and shifting customer preferences.

 

Significant Invested Capital.   We believe the existence of significant underlying equity value provides important support to investments. We will seek to identify portfolio companies that we believe have well-structured capital beyond the layer of the capital structure in which we invest.

 

Investment Process

 

Our investment origination and portfolio monitoring activities will be performed by Barings GPFG. Barings GPFG has an Investment Committee that will be responsible for all aspects of our investment process. The Investment Committee is comprised of six members. The investment process is designed to maximize risk-adjusted returns, minimize non-performing assets and avoid investment losses. In addition, the investment process is also designed to provide sponsors and prospective portfolio companies with efficient and predictable deal execution.

 

Origination

 

Barings GPFG’s origination process is summarized in the following chart:

 

 

 8 

 

 

Investment Pre-Screen

 

The investment pre-screen process begins with a review of an offering memorandum or other high-level prospect information by an investment originator. A fundamental bottoms-up credit analysis is prepared and independent third-party research is gathered in addition to the information received from the sponsor. The investment group focuses on a prospective investment’s fundamentals, sponsor/source and proposed investment structure. This review may be followed by a discussion between the investment originator and an investment group head to identify investment opportunities that should be passed on, either because they fall outside of Barings GPFG’s stated investment strategy or offer an unacceptable risk-adjusted return. If the originator and investment group head agree that an investment opportunity is worth pursuing, a credit analyst assists the originator with preparation of a screening memorandum. The screening memorandum is discussed internally with the investment group head and other senior members of the investment group, and in certain instances, the investment group head may elect to review the screening memorandum with the Investment Committee prior to the preliminary investment proposal.

 

Preliminary Investment Proposal

 

Following the screening memorandum discussion, if the decision is made by the investment group head to pursue an investment opportunity, key pricing and structure terms may be communicated to the prospective borrower verbally or via a non-binding standard preliminary term sheet in order to determine whether the proposed terms are competitive.

 

Investment Approval

 

Upon acceptance by a sponsor/prospective borrower of preliminary key pricing and structure terms, the investment process continues with formal due diligence. The investment team attends meetings with the prospective portfolio company’s management, reviews historical and forecasted financial information and third-party diligence reports, conducts research to support preparation of proprietary financial models including both base case and downside scenarios, valuation analyses, and ultimately, an underwriting memorandum for review by the Investment Committee. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a majority of the members of the Investment Committee is present is required to approve all new investment decisions.

 

Commitment Letter

 

For investments that require written confirmation of commitment, commitment letters must be approved by Barings GPFG’s internal legal team. Commitment letters include customary conditions as well as any conditions specified by the Investment Committee. Such conditions could include, but are not limited to, specific confirmatory due diligence, minimum pre-close Adjusted EBITDA, minimum capitalization, satisfactory documentation, satisfactory legal due diligence and absence of material adverse change. Unless specified by the Investment Committee as a condition to approval, commitment letters need not include final Investment Committee approval as a condition precedent.

 

Documentation

 

Once an investment opportunity has been approved, negotiation of definitive legal documents occurs, usually simultaneously with completion of any third-party confirmatory due diligence. Typically, legal documentation will be reviewed by Barings GPFG’s internal legal team or by outside legal counsel to ensure that our security interest can be perfected and that all other terms of the definitive loan documents are consistent with the terms approved by the Investment Committee.

 

Closing

 

A closing memorandum is provided to the Investment Committee. The closing memorandum addresses final investment structure and pricing terms, the sources and uses of funds, any variances from the original approved terms, an update related to the prospect’s financial performance and, if warranted, updates to internal financial models. The closing memorandum also addresses each of the specific conditions to the approval of the investment by the Investment Committee, including results of confirmatory due diligence with any exceptions or abnormalities highlighted, and includes an analysis of financial covenants with a comparison to the financial forecast prepared by management.

 

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Portfolio Management and Investment Monitoring

 

Our portfolio management and investment monitoring processes will be overseen by Barings GPFG. Barings GPFG’s portfolio management process is designed to maximize risk-adjusted returns and identify non-performing assets well in advance of potentially adverse events in order to mitigate investment losses. Key aspects of the Barings GPFG investment and portfolio management process include:

 

Culture of Risk Management.   The investment team that approves an investment monitors the investment’s performance through repayment. We believe this practice encourages accountability by connecting investment team members with the long-term performance of the investment. This also allows us to leverage the underwriting process, namely the comprehensive understanding of the risk factors associated with the investment that an investment team develops during underwriting. In addition, we foster continuous interaction between investment teams and the Investment Committee. This frequent communication encourages the early escalation of issues to members of the Investment Committee to leverage their experience and expertise well in advance of potentially adverse events.

 

Ongoing Monitoring.   Each portfolio company is assigned to an analyst who is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of the investment. Upon receipt of information (financial or otherwise) relating to an investment, a preliminary review is performed by the analyst in order to assess whether the information raises any issues that require urgent attention. Particular consideration is given to information which may impact the value of an asset. In the event that something material is identified, the analyst is responsible for notifying the relevant members of the deal team and Investment Committee.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Reviews.   All investments are reviewed on at least a quarterly basis. The quarterly portfolio reviews provide a forum to evaluate the current status of each asset and identify any recent or long-term performance trends, either positive or negative, that may affect its current valuation.

 

Focus Credit List Reviews.   Certain credits are deemed to be on the “Focus Credit List” and are reviewed on a more frequent basis. These reviews typically occur monthly but can occur more or less frequently based on situational factors and the availability of updated information from the applicable portfolio company. During these reviews, the investment team provides an update on the situation and discusses potential courses of action with the Investment Committee to ensure any mitigating steps are taken in a timely manner.

 

Sponsor Relationships.   We intend to invest primarily in transactions backed by a private equity sponsor and when evaluating investment opportunities, we will take into account the strength of the sponsor (e.g., track record, sector expertise, strategy, governance, follow-on investment capacity and relationship with Barings GPFG). Having a strong relationship and staying in close contact with sponsors and management during not only the underwriting process but also throughout the life of the investment allows us to engage the sponsor and management early to address potential covenant breaks or other issues.

 

Robust Investment and Portfolio Management System.   Barings’ investment and portfolio management system serves as the central repository of data used for investment management, including both company-level metrics (e.g., probability of default, EBITDA and geography) and asset-level metrics (e.g., price, spread/coupon and seniority). Barings GPFG portfolio management has established a required set of data that analysts must update quarterly, or more frequently when appropriate, in order to produce a one-page summary for each company, known as tearsheets, which are used during quarterly portfolio reviews.

 

Managerial Assistance

 

As a BDC, we will offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. This assistance typically involves, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. Barings will provide such services on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance. We may receive fees for these services.

 

Exit Strategies/Refinancing

 

While we generally expect to exit most investments through the refinancing or repayment of our debt, Barings GPFG will typically assist our portfolio companies in developing and planning exit opportunities, including any sale or merger of our portfolio companies. Barings GPFG may also assist in the structure, timing, execution and transition of these exit strategies.

 

Competition

 

We compete for investments with a number of investment funds including public funds, private equity funds, other BDCs, as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of financing. Some of these entities have greater financial and managerial resources than we do. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider more investments and establish more relationships than we do. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC.

 

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We will use the expertise of the investment professionals of Barings to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies. We believe the relationship we have with Barings will enable us to learn about, and compete for financing opportunities with companies in middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure - We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.

 

Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement

 

Our day-to-day investment operations will be managed by Barings. Barings may hire additional investment professionals to provide services to us, based upon its needs. See “Item 1. Business – Our Business Strategy – Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement.”

 

We will enter into an investment advisory agreement with the Investment Adviser (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), pursuant to which we will pay the Investment Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. See “Item 1. Business – Our Business Strategy – Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement,” for a discussion of the base management fee and incentive fee payable by us to the Investment Adviser. Our base management fee is based on the value of our gross assets and, therefore, this fee will be higher when we incur debt or use leverage.

 

We will enter into an administration agreement with the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”) pursuant to which the Administrator will provide the administrative services necessary for us to operate, and we will utilize the Administrator’s office facilities, equipment and recordkeeping services. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator will oversee our public reporting requirements and tax reporting and monitor our expenses and the performance of professional services rendered to us by others. The Administrator may also enter into one or more agreements with third parties to assist in the provision of administrative services to us. See “Item 1. Business – Our Business Strategy – Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement,” for a discussion of these arrangements. We will pay the fees associated with this and other outsourced arrangements on a direct basis without incremental profit to our Administrator.

 

We will reimburse the Administrator for its costs and expenses and our allocable portion of overhead incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including compensation paid to or compensatory distributions received by our officers (including our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and any of their respective staff who provide services to us, operations staff who provide services to us, and internal audit staff, if any, to the extent internal audit performs a role in our Sarbanes-Oxley internal control assessment. See “Item 1. Business – Our Business Strategy – Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement.” Our allocable portion of overhead will be determined by the Administrator, which expects to use various methodologies such as allocation based on the percentage of time certain individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business and affairs of the Company, and will be subject to oversight by the Board. Any third parties engaged by the Administrator for the provision of administrative services to us will be paid compensation for performing services to us under the relevant agreement with such third party.

 

Expenses

 

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. The Company’s day-to-day investment operations will be managed by Barings, and services necessary for the Company’s business, including the origination and administration of its investment portfolio, will be provided by individuals who are employees of Barings, as our Investment Adviser and Administrator, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. The Company will reimburse the Administrator for its allocable portion of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including its allocable portion of the cost of certain of the Company’s officers and their respective staffs, and the investment adviser for certain expenses under the Investment Advisory Agreement. We will bear our allocable portion of the compensation paid by Barings to our Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs). We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to (i) investment advisory fees, including management fees and incentive fees, to Barings, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Barings in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, and (iii) all other expenses of its operations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:

 

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

 

operating costs incurred prior to the commencement of our operations;

 

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

 

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the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of our Common Stock and other securities, including, except as otherwise noted below, in connection with the Private Offering;

 

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

 

interest expense and other costs associated with our indebtedness;

 

transfer agent, dividend reinvestment plan administrator and custodial fees;

 

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

 

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

 

U.S. federal, state and local taxes;

 

Independent Directors’ fees and expenses;

 

brokerage commissions and markups;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations U.S. federal and state securities laws, including, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act; and

 

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

 

We have agreed to reimburse the Investment Adviser for initial organization costs and operating costs incurred prior to the commencement of our operations, including in connection with the Private Offering. In the event receipt of a formal commitment of external capital does not occur, all organization and offering costs will be borne by the Investment Adviser. As there has been no commitment of external capital to date, no such costs have been allocated to the Company.

 

We and Barings may engage one or more placement agents to assist with the placement of the Company’s shares. The Investment Adviser has agreed to pay all placement fees and related expenses to placement agents in connection with the Private Offering. The prospect of receiving placement fees or other compensation may provide placement agents and/or their salespersons with an incentive to favor sales of the shares of the Company over the sale of interests of other investments with respect to which the placement agent does not receive such additional compensation, or receives lower levels of additional compensation.

 

From time to time, Barings or its affiliates may pay third-party providers of goods or services. We will reimburse Barings or such affiliates thereof for any such amounts paid on our behalf. All of the foregoing expenses will ultimately be borne by our stockholders.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

We have a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) that provides for reinvestment of our distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to “opt-out” and receive such distribution in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our stockholders who have not “opted out” of our DRIP will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our Common Stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends.

 

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No action will be required on the part of a registered stockholder to have his or her cash dividend reinvested in shares of our Common Stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire dividend in cash by notifying our investor relations department to request a change form, as described below. Such change form must be received by State Street Bank and Trust Company, the “Plan Administrator” and our transfer agent and registrar, no later than 10 business days prior to the distribution date fixed by the Board for such dividend. If such change form is received less than 10 business days prior to the distribution date fixed by the Board, then that dividend will be reinvested pursuant to the terms of the plan. The Plan Administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive dividends in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive dividends in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election so long as their broker or other financial intermediary notifies the Plan Administrator of the same by submitting the change form.

 

The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder under the DRIP will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the net asset value per share of our Common Stock, as of the last day of our fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date such distribution was declared.

 

There will be no charges to stockholders who participate in the DRIP. We will pay the Plan Administrator’s fees under the DRIP.

 

Stockholders who receive dividends in the form of stock generally are subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their dividends in cash. However, since a participating stockholder’s cash dividends will be reinvested, such stockholder will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes on reinvested dividends. A stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock received in a dividend from us will be equal to the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to the stockholder. Any stock received in a dividend will have a holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account. Common Stock received in a dividend may generate a wash sale if such stockholder sold out Common Stock at a realized loss within 30 days either before or after such dividend.

 

Participants may elect to receive their entire dividend in cash or to terminate their accounts under the plan by filling out a change form. To request a change form or for more information, please contact our investor relations department at 1-888-401-1088 or bdcinvestorrelations@barings.com.

 

We may terminate the DRIP upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend by us. All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator by mail at State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Heritage Drive, North Quincy, MA 02171.

 

The Private Offering

 

We intend to sell shares of our Common Stock in private placements to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Investors who acquire shares of our Common Stock are required to enter into separate Subscription Agreements. Each investor will make a capital commitment to purchase shares of our Common Stock pursuant to a Subscription Agreement. Investors will be required to make capital contributions to purchase shares of our Common Stock each time the Company delivers a Drawdown Notice, which will be delivered at least 10 calendar days prior to the initial required funding date (such initial funding date, the “Initial Closing”) and 10 calendar days prior to any subsequent required funding date, in an aggregate amount not to exceed their respective Capital Commitments. All purchases will generally be made pro rata, in accordance with the investors’ Capital Commitments, at a per-share price as determined by the Board (including a committee thereof). The Board or a committee thereof is required to make the determination that we are not selling shares of our Common Stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our Common Stock at the time at which the sale is made. The Board may set the per-share price above the net asset value per share based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the total amount of the Company’s organizational and other expenses. Upon the earlier to occur of (i) a Liquidity Event (as defined below) and (ii) the seven-year anniversary of the Initial Closing (the “Commitment Period”), investors will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional shares, subject to certain exceptions contained herein and in the Subscription Agreement. Prior to a Liquidity Event, no investor who participated in the Private Offering will be permitted to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of its shares or capital commitment unless the Company provides its prior written consent and the transfer is otherwise made in accordance with applicable law. A “Liquidity Event” means a corporate control transaction or similar event (which may include a transaction with an affiliated entity, including an affiliated BDC), such as a strategic sale of the Company or all or substantially all of our assets to, or a merger with, another entity, for consideration payable to stockholders of the Company of cash or publicly listed securities of such other entity (or a combination of cash and such publicly listed securities). The decision whether to pursue a Liquidity Event will be made at the discretion of the Board and with the requisite approval of our stockholders as required by Maryland law.

 

Investment Advisory Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser manages the Company’s day-to-day operations and provides the Company with investment advisory services. Among other things, the Investment Adviser (i) determines the composition of the portfolio of the Company, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments made by the Company; (iii) executes, closes, services and monitors the investments that the Company makes; (iv) determines the securities and other assets that the Company will purchase, retain or sell; (v) performs due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and (vi) provides the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds.

 

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The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, the Investment Adviser, and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Investment Adviser (collectively, the “IA Indemnified Parties”), are entitled to indemnification from the Company for any damages, liabilities, costs, demands, charges, claims and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the IA Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of any actions or omissions or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Investment Adviser’s duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company. The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Investment Adviser is generally free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its performance under the Investment Advisory Agreement is not adversely affected.

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company pays the Investment Adviser (i) a base management fee and (ii) an incentive fee as compensation for the investment advisory and management services it provides the Company thereunder.

 

Base Management Fee

 

The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 0.15% of our gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage but excluding (i) cash and cash equivalents (as defined below) and (ii) net unsettled purchases and sales of investments. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the base management fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee will be calculated based on the average value of our gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (including the quarter for which such fees are being calculated) and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the quarter. For our first quarter, the base management fee will be calculated based on the value of our gross assets as of such quarter-end. The base management fee for any partial quarter will be appropriately pro-rated. For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, “cash equivalents” means U.S. government securities, money market fund investments, commercial paper instruments and other similar cash equivalent investments maturing within one year of purchase.

 

The Incentive Fee.

 

The incentive fee will consist of two parts: (i) an incentive fee based on pre-incentive fee net investment income (the “Income-Based Fee”) and (ii) an incentive fee based on capital gains (the “Capital Gains Fee”)—which are described in more detail below.

 

Income-Based Fee. The Income-Based Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears to the extent our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (as defined below) for the most recently completed calendar quarter divided by our net assets as of the end of such calendar quarter (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any Income-Based Fees and Capital Gains Fees payable during the calendar quarter, and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the calendar quarter) (the “PIFNII Return”) exceeds the Hurdle Rate (as defined below) and is an amount less than or equal to the Incentive Fee Cap (as defined below). The Income-Based Fee will be calculated as follows:

 

(a) No Income-Based Fee in any calendar quarter in which the PIFNII Return does not exceed the Hurdle Rate;

 

(b) 25% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of the PIFNII Return that exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than or equal to the Catch-Up Hurdle Rate (as defined below) for such calendar quarter, which is referred to as the “Catch-Up”. The Catch-Up is intended to provide the Investment Adviser with an Income-Based Fee equal to 12.5% of all of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income if our PIFNII Return equals or exceeds the quarterly Catch-Up Hurdle Rate in any calendar quarter; plus

 

(c) 12.5% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of the PIFNII Return that exceeds the Catch-Up Hurdle Rate.

 

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The Income-Based Fee paid to the Investment Adviser will be subject to the Incentive Fee Cap.

 

(a) In any quarter that the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no Income-Based Fee to the Investment Adviser for such quarter.

 

(b) In any quarter that the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Income-Based Fee that is payable to the Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap), we will pay an Income-Based Fee to the Investment Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter.

 

(c) In any quarter that the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Income-Based Fee that is payable to the Investment Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap), we will pay an Income-Based Fee to the Investment Adviser equal to the Income-Based Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

 

For purposes of the calculation of the Income-Based Fee, the following terms have the following meaning:

 

“Hurdle Rate” for any calendar quarter means one fourth of the average daily Floating Rate over the applicable quarter.

 

“Floating Rate” means, initially, the three-month LIBOR; provided that if a Floating Rate Transition Event and its related Floating Rate Replacement Date have occurred with respect to LIBOR, then “Floating Rate” means the Replacement Rate. In the event that the Floating Rate is a negative value, then the Floating Rate shall be zero.

 

“Floating Rate Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the Floating Rate:

 

1.a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Floating Rate announcing that the administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Floating Rate permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Floating Rate;

 

2.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Floating Rate, the central bank for the currency of the Floating Rate, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Floating Rate, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Floating Rate or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Floating Rate, which states that the administrator of the Floating Rate has ceased or will cease to provide the Floating Rate permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Floating Rate; or

 

3.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Floating Rate announcing that the Floating Rate is no longer representative.

 

“Floating Rate Replacement Date” means:

 

1.in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Floating Rate Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the relevant Floating Rate permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide such Floating Rate; or

 

2.in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Floating Rate Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information.

 

“Replacement Rate” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined as of the Floating Rate Replacement Date.

 

1.the sum of: (a) Term SOFR and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and

 

2.the sum of: (a) Compounded SOFR and (b) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

If a Replacement Rate is selected pursuant to clause (2) above, then each calendar quarter following such selection, if a redetermination of the Replacement Rate on such date would result in the selection of a Replacement Rate under clause (1) above, then (x) the Replacement Rate shall be redetermined on such date utilizing Term SOFR and (y) such redetermined Replacement Rate shall become the Floating Rate on or after such date. If redetermination of the Replacement Rate on such date as described in the preceding sentence would not result in the selection of a Replacement Rate under clause (1), then the Floating Rate shall remain the Replacement Rate as previously determined pursuant to clause (2) above.

 

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“Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate for the applicable Corresponding Tenor based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

“Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFR for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate (which, for example, may be compounded in arrears with a lookback and/or suspension period as a mechanism to determine the interest amount payable for the applicable calendar quarter or compounded in advance) being established in accordance with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining compounded SOFR.

 

“SOFR” means with respect to any day means the Secured Overnight Financing Rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark, (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.

 

“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Replacement Rate means a tenor (or observation period) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor (or observation period) for the then-current Floating Rate.

 

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the transition to the applicable Floating Rate.

 

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

 

“Catch-Up Hurdle Rate” for any calendar quarter means a rate that is equal to 200% of the Hurdle Rate.

 

“Incentive Fee Cap” means for any calendar quarter an amount equal to (a) 12.5% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) minus (b) the aggregate Income-Based Fee that was paid in respect of the period ending with the calendar quarter immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter (or the portion thereof) included in the period for calculation of the Cumulative Net Return.

 

“Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the aggregate Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in respect of either (i) the trailing twelve calendar quarters ending with the calendar quarter in which the Income-Based Fee is calculated or (ii) prior to the end of the twelfth calendar quarter after the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the period from the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement through the last day of the calendar quarter for which the Income-Based Fee is calculated minus (y) any Net Capital Loss (as defined below), if any, in respect of the relevant period.

 

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

 

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

 

Capital Gains Fee. The Capital Gains Fee will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon a Liquidity Event or a termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement), and will equal 12.5% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of the 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 Capital Gains Fees. If such amount is zero or negative, then no Capital Gains Fee is payable for such year.

 

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Our Administrator

 

The Administrator will serve as our administrator. The principal executive offices of the Administrator are located at 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.

 

The Administrator may also enter into one or more agreements with third parties for them to provide certain administrative services to us.

 

Administration Agreement

 

Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator performs (or oversees, or arranges for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Company, including, but not limited to, office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record-keeping services at such office facilities and such other services as the Administrator, subject to review by the Board, from time to time, determines to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under the Administration Agreement. The Administrator also, on behalf of the Company and subject to the Board’s approval, arranges for the services of, and oversees, custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable.

 

The Company is required to reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities under the Administration Agreement, or such lesser amount as may be agreed to in writing by the Company and the Administrator from time to time. If the Company and the Administrator agree to a reimbursement amount for any period which is less than the full amount otherwise permitted under the Administration Agreement, then the Administrator will not be entitled to recoup any difference thereof in any subsequent period or otherwise. The costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator on behalf of the Company under the Administration Agreement include, but are not limited to:

 

the allocable portion of the Administrator’s rent for the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs, which is based upon the allocable portion of the usage thereof by such personnel in connection with their performance of administrative services under the Administration Agreement;

 

the allocable portion of the salaries, bonuses, benefits and expenses of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs, which is based upon the allocable portion of the time spent by such personnel in connection with performing administrative services for the Company under the Administration Agreement;

 

the actual cost of goods and services used for the Company and obtained by the Administrator from entities not affiliated with the Company, which is reasonably allocated to the Company on the basis of assets, revenues, time records or other method conforming with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

all fees, costs and expenses associated with the engagement of a sub-administrator, if any; and

 

costs associated with (a) the monitoring and preparation of regulatory reporting, including registration statements and amendments thereto, prospectus supplements, and tax reporting, (b) the coordination and oversight of service provider activities and the direct cost of such contractual matters related thereto and (c) the preparation of all financial statements and the coordination and oversight of audits, regulatory inquiries, certifications and sub-certifications.

 

Valuation Procedures

 

We have a valuation policy, as well as established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring (quarterly) basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC Topic 820. Our current valuation policy and processes were established by Barings and were approved by the Board.

 

Under ASC Topic 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller at the measurement date. For our portfolio securities, fair value is generally the amount that we might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security. The fair value measurement assumes that the sale occurs in the principal market for the security, or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the security. If no market for the security exists or if we do not have access to the principal market, the security should be valued based on the sale occurring in a hypothetical market.

 

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Under ASC Topic 820, there are three levels of valuation inputs, as follows:

 

Level 1 Inputs - include quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 Inputs - include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 

Level 3 Inputs - include inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

A financial instrument is categorized within the ASC Topic 820 valuation hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input to the valuation process that is significant to the fair value measurement. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Therefore, unrealized appreciation and depreciation related to such investments categorized as Level 3 investments within the tables below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

Our investment portfolio will include certain debt and equity instruments of privately held companies for which quoted prices or other inputs falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 are generally not available. In such cases, we determine the fair value of our investments in good faith primarily using Level 3 inputs. In certain cases, quoted prices or other observable inputs exist, and if so, we assess the appropriateness of the use of these third-party quotes in determining fair value based on (i) our understanding of the level of actual transactions used by the broker to develop the quote and whether the quote was an indicative price or binding offer and (ii) the depth and consistency of broker quotes and the correlation of changes in broker quotes with underlying performance of the portfolio company.

 

There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith, as fair value depends upon the specific circumstances of each individual investment. The recorded fair values of our Level 3 investments may differ significantly from fair values that would have been used had an active market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently assigned.

 

Investment Valuation Process

 

Barings has established a Pricing Committee that is, subject to the oversight of the Board, responsible for the approval, implementation and oversight of the processes and methodologies that relate to the pricing and valuation of assets we hold. Barings uses internal pricing models, in accordance with internal pricing procedures established by the Pricing Committee, to price an asset in the event an acceptable price cannot be obtained from an approved external source.

 

Barings reviews its valuation methodologies on an ongoing basis and updates are made accordingly to meet changes in the marketplace. Barings has established internal controls to ensure our valuation process is operating in an effective manner. Barings (1) maintains valuation and pricing procedures that describe the specific methodology used for valuation and (2) approves and documents exceptions and overrides of valuations. In addition, the Pricing Committee performs an annual review of valuation methodologies.

 

Our money market fund investments will generally be valued using Level 1 inputs and our syndicated senior secured loans will generally be valued using Level 2 inputs. Our senior secured, middle-market, private debt investments will generally be valued using Level 3 inputs. We expect to engage an independent valuation firm to perform certain limited procedures in connection with the valuation process. The Board is ultimately responsible for determining the fair value of our investments in good faith.

 

Investment Valuation Inputs and Techniques

 

Our valuation techniques are based upon both observable and unobservable pricing inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. We will determine the estimated fair value of our loans and investments using primarily an income approach. Generally, a vendor is the preferred source of pricing a loan, however, to the extent the vendor price is unavailable or not relevant and reliable, we may use broker quotes. We attempt to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The availability of observable inputs can vary from investment to investment and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security.

 

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Market Approach

 

We will value our syndicated senior secured loans using values provided by independent pricing services that have been approved by Barings’ Pricing Committee. The prices received from these pricing service providers are based on yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, type, coupon and maturity and/or indications as to value from dealers and exchanges. We will seek to obtain two prices from the pricing services with one price representing the primary source and the other representing an independent control valuation. We will evaluate the prices obtained from brokers or independent pricing service providers based on available market information, including trading activity of the subject or similar securities, or by performing a comparable security analysis to ensure that fair values are reasonably estimated. We will also perform back-testing of valuation information obtained from independent pricing service providers and brokers against actual prices received in transactions. In addition to ongoing monitoring and back-testing, We will perform due diligence procedures surrounding independent pricing service providers to understand their methodology and controls to support their use in the valuation process.

 

Income Approach

 

We will generally utilize an Income Approach model in valuing our private debt investment portfolio, which will consist primarily of middle-market senior secured loans with floating reference rates. Under this approach, the fair value is determined using an internal index-based pricing model that takes into account both the movement in the spread of one or more performing credit indices as well as changes in the credit profile of the borrower. The implicit yield for each debt investment is calculated at the date the investment is made. This calculation takes into account the acquisition price (par less any upfront fee) and the relative maturity assumptions of the underlying asset. As of each balance sheet date, the implied yield for each investment is reassessed, taking into account changes in the discount margin of the baseline index, probabilities of default and any changes in the credit profile of the issuer of the security, such as fluctuations in operating levels and leverage. If there is an observable price available on a comparable security/issuer, it is used to calibrate the internal model. The implied yield used within the model is considered a significant unobservable input. As such, these assets are generally classified within Level 3. If the valuation process for a particular debt investment results in a value above par, the value is typically capped at the greater of the principal amount plus any prepayment penalty in effect or 100% of par on the basis that a market participant is likely unwilling to pay a greater amount than that at which the borrower could refinance.

 

Enterprise Value Waterfall Approach

 

In valuing equity securities, we will estimate fair value using an “Enterprise Value Waterfall” valuation model. We estimate the enterprise value of a portfolio company and then allocate the enterprise value to the portfolio company’s securities in order of their relative liquidation preference. In addition, the model assumes that any outstanding debt or other securities that are senior to our equity securities are required to be repaid at par. Generally, the waterfall proceeds flow from senior debt tranches of the capital structure to junior and subordinated debt, followed by each class or preferred stock and finally the common stock. Additionally, we may estimate the fair value of a debt security using the Enterprise Value Waterfall approach when we do not expect to receive full repayment.

 

To estimate the enterprise value of the portfolio company, we primarily use a valuation model based on a transaction multiple, which generally is the original transaction multiple, and measures of the portfolio company’s financial performance. In addition, we consider other factors, including but not limited to (i) offers from third parties to purchase the portfolio company, (ii) the implied value of recent investments in the equity securities of the portfolio company, (iii) publicly available information regarding recent sales of private companies in comparable transactions and (iv) when management believes there are comparable companies that are publicly traded, we perform a review of these publicly traded companies and the market multiple of their equity securities. For certain non-performing assets, we may utilize the liquidation or collateral value of the portfolio company’s assets in our estimation of enterprise value.

 

Regulation as a Business Development Company

 

The following is a general summary of the material regulatory provisions affecting BDCs. It does not purport to be a complete description of all of the laws and regulations affecting BDCs.

 

A BDC is regulated under the 1940 Act. A BDC must be organized in the United States for the purpose of investing in or lending to primarily private companies and making significant managerial assistance available to them. A BDC may use capital provided by its stockholders and from other sources to make long-term, private investments in businesses.

 

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

 

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

 

We are generally required to meet an asset coverage ratio, defined under the 1940 Act as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) to our outstanding senior securities, of at least 150% after each issuance of senior securities. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding (other than senior securities representing indebtedness issued in consideration of a privately arranged loan which is not intended to be publicly distributed), we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5.0% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

As a BDC, we will be subject to certain risks and uncertainties. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure-Our investment portfolio will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors and, as a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.”

 

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Qualifying Assets

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

c.satisfies any of the following:

 

i.does not have any class of securities with respect to which a broker or dealer may extend margin credit;

 

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

 

iii.is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4.0 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2.0 million;

 

iv.does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange; or

 

v.has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250.0 million.

 

2.Securities in companies that were eligible portfolio companies when we made our initial investment if certain other requirements are satisfied.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In addition, a BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2), (3) or (4) above.

 

If at any time less than 70% of our gross assets are comprised of qualifying assets, including as a result of an increase in the value of any non-qualifying assets or decrease in the value of any qualifying assets, we would generally not be permitted to acquire any additional non-qualifying assets, other than office furniture and equipment, interests in real estate and leasehold improvements and facilities maintained to conduct the business operations of the BDC, deferred organization and operating expenses, and other non-investment assets necessary and appropriate to its operations as a BDC, until such time as 70% of our then current gross assets were comprised of qualifying assets. We would not be required, however, to dispose of any non-qualifying assets in such circumstances.

 

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Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

 

In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70.0% test, we must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where we purchase such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available “significant managerial assistance” means, among other things, any arrangement whereby we, through our directors, officers or employees, offer to provide, and, if accepted, do so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company. Barings provides such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance. We may receive fees for these services.

 

Temporary Investments

 

Pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70.0% of our assets are qualifying assets. We may invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25.0% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the asset diversification tests required to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our management team will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We and Barings have adopted a code of ethics (the “Global Code of Ethics Policy”) and corporate governance guidelines, which collectively cover ethics and business conduct. These documents apply to our and Barings’ directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and any person performing similar functions, and establish procedures for personal investments and restrict certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the Global Code of Ethics Policy and corporate governance guidelines may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements.

 

Compliance Policies and Procedures

 

We and Barings have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the U.S. federal securities laws, and are required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation, and to designate a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering such policies and procedures. Michael Cowart serves as our Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our management will have to prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting after we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for a specified period of time; and

 

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

 

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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

We delegate our proxy voting responsibilities to Barings. Barings votes proxies relating to our portfolio securities in a manner which we believe will be in the best interest of our stockholders. Barings reviews on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by us. Although Barings generally votes against proposals that may have a negative impact on our portfolio securities, they may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.

 

The proxy voting decisions of Barings are made by the investment professionals who are responsible for monitoring each of its clients’ investments. To ensure that their vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, Barings requires that: (i) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to our chief compliance officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (ii) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.

 

Stockholders may, without charge, obtain information regarding how we voted proxies with respect to our portfolio securities by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Chief Compliance Officer, 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 or by contacting our investor relations department at 1-888-401-1088 or bdcinvestorrelations@barings.com.

 

Privacy Principles

 

We look to protect nonpublic personal data and provides a copy of its privacy policy to stockholders regardless of whether they are natural persons. Our privacy policy summarized below is intended to be compliant with the requirements of the data protection laws (“Relevant Data Protection Laws”) applicable to the particular personal data at issue, including, federal and state regulations as applied to the Company.

 

From time to time nonpublic personal information of our stockholders may be collected (either directly from stockholders, from personnel of stockholders or advisers of stockholders or from non-affiliated sources) as required for legitimate business purposes. The following are sources of information collected:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

3.To enable us to carry out the obligations hereunder - for example, sharing information with third-parties that maintain, process or service Company or stockholder accounts or financial products and services or who effect, administer or enforce Company or stockholder transactions is permitted. Among other activities, the Company and its Investment Adviser and its affiliates may share information with persons acting in an administrative, representative or fiduciary capacity on the Company’s or a stockholder’s behalf. The Company believes that sharing of information for these purposes is commercially reasonable to provide stockholders with necessary or useful services with respect to their accounts.

 

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

 

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Personal data may be transferred to a jurisdiction outside the country or jurisdiction in which you are resident or located and, if so, this will be done using a legitimate transfer mechanism such as the Investment Adviser’s internal Intra Group Data Transfer Agreement or a similar acceptable transfer mechanism such as the EU Model Clauses (i.e. Standard Contract Clauses (SCCs)), data processing agreement or as otherwise required or permitted by Relevant Data Protection Laws.

 

Subject to Relevant Data Protection Laws, transfers to other countries or jurisdictions may be permitted if the country or jurisdiction in question: (i) is in respect of personal data subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in the European Economic Area (EEA), or on the European Commission's list of countries providing ‘adequate protection’ for personal data (which may include U.S. companies that have voluntarily signed up to the EU-U.S. or Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield); or (ii) has in place data protection laws which are substantially similar to, or serve the same purposes as, those in the country or jurisdiction you are resident or located, or otherwise deemed by the relevant authorities as providing ‘adequate protection’.

 

However, some transfers may be to countries or jurisdictions that do not have equivalent protections and, in that case, the Company and the Investment Adviser (as applicable) shall use reasonable efforts to implement contractual protections for the personal data, as required based on the legitimate transfer mechanism used.

 

Where you are in the EEA, further information in relation to specific international transfers can be obtained by contacting the Investment Adviser’s Data Privacy Manager at DPM@Barings.com.

 

JOBS Act

 

We currently are, and expect to remain, an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”), until the earliest of:

 

the last day of our fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement;

 

the end of the fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues first equal or exceed $1.07 billion;

 

the date on which we have, during the prior three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; and

 

the last day of a fiscal year in which we (1) have an aggregate worldwide market value of shares of our common stock held by non-affiliates of $700.0 million or more, computed at the end of each fiscal year as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and (2) have been an Exchange Act reporting company for at least one year (and filed at least one annual report under the Exchange Act).

 

Under the JOBS Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), we are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which would require that our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, until such time as we cease to be an emerging growth company and become an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. This may increase the risk that material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting go undetected.

 

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the extended transition period.

 

Reporting Obligations

 

We will furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. Upon the effectiveness of this Registration Statement under the Exchange Act, we will be required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the Exchange Act. Stockholders and the public may view materials we file with the SEC on its website (http://www.sec.gov).

 

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in our shares. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to us or to investors in such an investment. For example, we have not described tax consequences that we assume to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, financial institutions, U.S. stockholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons who mark-to-market our shares and persons who hold our shares as part of a “straddle,” “hedge” or “conversion” transaction. This summary assumes that investors hold shares of our Common Stock 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 Memorandum and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. 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 we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

 

For purposes of our discussion, a “U.S. stockholder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our Common Stock that 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 state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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

 

a trust if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

For purposes of our discussion, a “Non-U.S. stockholder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our Common Stock that is neither a U.S. stockholder nor a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).

 

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “partnership”) holds shares of our Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner or member of the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner or member and the activities of the partnership. A prospective stockholder that is a partner or member in a partnership holding shares of our Common Stock should consult his, her or its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our Common Stock.

 

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our shares will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors 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 changes in the tax laws.

 

Election to be Taxed as a RIC

 

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

 

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

 

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Taxation as a RIC

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In the case of a RIC that furnishes capital to development corporations, there is an exception relating to the Diversification Tests described above. This exception is available only to RICs which the SEC determines to be principally engaged in the furnishing of capital to other corporations which are principally engaged in the development or exploitation of inventions, technological improvements, new processes, or products not previously generally available (“SEC Certification”). We have not sought SEC Certification, but it is possible that we may seek SEC Certification in future years. If we receive SEC Certification, we generally will be entitled to include, in the computation of the 50% value of our assets (described above), the value of any securities of an issuer, whether or not we own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, if the basis of the securities, when added to our basis of any other securities of the issuer that we own, does not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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Failure to Qualify as a RIC

 

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

 

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

 

Our Investments - General

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

 

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

 

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Distributions

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Dispositions

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

 

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

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

 

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

 

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Backup Withholding

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

 

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

 

Distributions; Dispositions

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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Backup Withholding

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

FACTA

 

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

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this Registration Statement, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value, the trading price of our Common Stock and the value of our other securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Relating to our Business and Structure

 

No Operating History

 

We are a newly formed, externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company and have no operating history. As a result, we have limited financial information on which you can evaluate an investment in our company or our prior performance. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of your investment could decline substantially or your investment could become worthless. To the extent required to comply with diversification requirements during the startup period, we will use funds to invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will earn yields substantially lower than the interest, dividend or other income that we anticipate receiving in respect of suitable portfolio investments. We may not be able to pay any significant dividends during his period, and any such dividends may be substantially lower than the dividends we expect to pay when our portfolio is fully invested.

 

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Inability to Meet Investment Objective or Investment Strategy

 

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

 

We are dependent upon Barings’ access to its investment professionals for our success.

 

We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of Barings’ investment professionals to source appropriate investments for us. We depend on members of Barings’ investment team to appropriately analyze our investments and Barings’ Investment Committee to approve and monitor our portfolio investments. Barings’ Investment Committee, together with the other members of its investment team, evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments. Our future success depends on the continued availability of the members of Barings’ Investment Committee and the other investment professionals available to Barings. We do not have employment agreements with these individuals or other key personnel of Barings, and we cannot provide any assurance that unforeseen business, medical, personal or other circumstances would not lead any such individual to terminate his or her relationship with Barings. If these individuals do not maintain their existing relationships with Barings and its affiliates or do not develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to identify appropriate replacements or grow our investment portfolio. The loss of any member of Barings’ Investment Committee or of other investment professionals of Barings and its affiliates could limit our ability to achieve our investment objectives and operate as we anticipate, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We expect that Barings will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments in accordance with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. We can offer no assurance, however, that the investment professionals of Barings will continue to provide investment advice to us or that we will continue to have access to Barings’ investment professionals or its information and deal flow. Further, there can be no assurance that Barings will replicate its own historical success, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by other funds managed by Barings.

 

Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships, and our inability to maintain or develop these relationships, as well as the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

 

We depend upon Barings and its affiliates’ relationships with sponsors, and we intend to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If Barings or its affiliates fail to maintain such relationships, or to develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the principals of Barings have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.

 

There are potential conflicts of interest, including the management of other investment funds and accounts by Barings, which could impact our investment returns.

 

The executive officers that manage the Company and the members of Barings’ Investment Committee, as well as the other principals of Barings, manage other funds affiliated with Barings, including other closed-end investment companies as well as a separate BDC. In addition, Barings’ investment team has responsibilities for managing U.S. middle-market debt investments for certain other investment funds and accounts. Accordingly, they have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to the interests of, us or our stockholders. Certain of the other funds and accounts managed by Barings may provide for higher management or incentive fees, greater expense reimbursements or overhead allocations, or permit Barings and its affiliates to receive higher origination and other transaction fees, all of which may contribute to this conflict of interest and create an incentive for Barings to favor such other funds or accounts. In addition, Barings has a financial incentive to favor certain vehicles that it manages in which it holds assets in a principal capacity. Although the professional staff of Barings will devote as much time to our management as appropriate to enable Barings to perform its duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment professionals of Barings may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among us, on the one hand, and the other investment vehicles managed by Barings or one or more of its affiliates on the other hand.

 

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Barings may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and affiliated investment vehicles that have overlapping investment objectives with ours, including vehicles in which Barings holds proprietary assets. Although Barings will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with its allocation policies and procedures, it is possible that, in the future, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by Barings or an investment manager affiliated with Barings if such investment is prohibited by the Exemptive Relief or the 1940 Act, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable to us.

 

Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding our portfolio may benefit Barings’ affiliates. Barings’ affiliates may pursue or enforce rights with respect to one of our portfolio companies, and those activities may have an adverse effect on us.

 

Barings’ Investment Committee, Barings or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.

 

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

 

Our ability to enter into transactions with affiliates of Barings are restricted.

 

We and certain of our controlled affiliates are prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our upstream affiliates, or Barings and its affiliates, without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our upstream affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security (other than our securities) from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits “joint” transactions with an upstream affiliate, or Barings or its affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our independent directors. In addition, we and certain of our controlled affiliates will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to, or entering into joint transactions with, Barings and its affiliates, or any person who owns more than 25% of our voting securities or is otherwise deemed to control, be controlled by, or be under common control with us, absent the prior approval of the SEC through an exemptive order (other than in certain limited situations pursuant to current regulatory guidance as described below). The analysis of whether a particular transaction constitutes a joint transaction requires a review of the relevant facts and circumstances then existing.

 

As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, we will generally not be permitted to make loans to companies controlled by Barings or other funds managed by Barings. We will also not be permitted to make any co-investments with Barings or its affiliates (including any fund managed by Barings or an investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with Barings) without exemptive relief from the SEC, subject to certain exceptions. The Exemptive Relief that the SEC has granted to Barings permits certain present and future funds, including the Company, advised by Barings (or an investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with Barings) to co-invest in suitable negotiated investments. Co-investments made under the Exemptive Relief are subject to compliance with the conditions and other requirements contained in the Exemptive Relief, which could limit our ability to participate in a co-investment transaction.

 

Third Party Involvement

 

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

 

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The fee structure under the Investment Advisory Agreement may induce Barings to pursue speculative investments and incur leverage, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

The base management fee will be payable even if the value of your investment declines. The base management fee is calculated based on our gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage (but excluding cash or cash equivalents). Accordingly, the base management fee is payable regardless of whether the value of our gross assets and/or your investment has decreased during the then-current quarter and creates an incentive for Barings to incur leverage, which may not be consistent with our stockholders’ interests.

 

The income-based fee payable to Barings is calculated based on a percentage of our return on invested capital. The income-based fee payable to Barings may create an incentive for Barings to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such a compensation arrangement. Unlike the base management fee, the income-based fee is payable only if the hurdle rate is achieved. Because the portfolio earns investment income on gross assets while the hurdle rate is based on invested capital, and because the use of leverage increases gross assets without any corresponding increase in invested capital, Barings may be incentivized to incur leverage to grow the portfolio, which will tend to enhance returns where our portfolio has positive returns and increase the chances that such hurdle rate is achieved. Conversely, the use of leverage may increase losses where our portfolio has negative returns, which would impair the value of our Common Stock.

 

In addition, Barings receives the capital gains fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the income-based fee, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the capital gains fee. As a result, Barings may have a tendency to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders and could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

 

The structure of the income-based fee may allow the hurdle rate to be more easily achieved in future periods.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the income-based fee is payable only if the hurdle rate is achieved. The hurdle rate is currently based on the three month-London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). In the event LIBOR is discontinued, the hurdle rate will be based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a spread adjustment. On April 17, 2020, the compounded SOFR plus the anticipated spread adjustment was lower than LIBOR. If this situation persists with respect to SOFR when LIBOR is discontinued, it may make it easier for the hurdle rate to be achieved and may result in increased income-based fee payments by the Company to the Investment Adviser than in prior periods.

 

Barings’ liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify Barings against certain liabilities, which may lead Barings to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Barings does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, and it is not responsible for any action of the Board in declining to follow Barings’ advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, Barings and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with Barings will not be liable to us for their acts under the Investment Advisory Agreement, absent fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. We have agreed to indemnify, defend and protect Barings and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with Barings with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Barings’ duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as Barings for us, and not arising out of fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. These protections may lead Barings to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

 

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.

 

A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we make. We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and some have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, we believe some of our competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to maintain our qualification as a RIC. The competitive pressures we face may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

 

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With respect to the investments we make, we do not seek to compete based primarily on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that will be lower than the rates we offer. In the secondary market for acquiring existing loans, we compete generally on the basis of pricing terms. With respect to all investments, we may lose some investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income, lower yields and increased risk of credit loss. We may also compete for investment opportunities with accounts managed or sponsored by Barings or its affiliates. Although Barings allocates opportunities in accordance with its allocation policy, allocations to such other accounts will reduce the amount and frequency of opportunities available to us and may not be in the best interests of us and our securityholders. Moreover, the performance of investments will not be known at the time of allocation.

 

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify and maintain our tax treatment as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, which will adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

We intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code, which generally will allow us to avoid being subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements:

 

The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders on an annual basis at least 90.0% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, or ICTI. We will be subject to a 4.0% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax, however, to the extent that we do not satisfy certain additional minimum distribution requirements on a calendar year basis. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and are currently, and may in the future become, subject to certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

 

The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90.0% of our income for each year from distributions, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources.

 

The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. To satisfy this requirement, at least 50.0% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities provided such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5.0% of the value of our assets or more than 10.0% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and no more than 25.0% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC tax treatment. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

 

If we fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. We may also be subject to certain U.S. federal excise taxes, as well as state, local and foreign taxes.

 

Possibility of the Need to Raise Additional Capital

 

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

 

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We may not be able to pay distributions to our stockholders, our distributions may not grow over time, a portion of distributions paid to our stockholders may be a return of capital and investors in any debt securities we may issue may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.

 

We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be harmed by, among other things, the risk factors described in this Memorandum. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC could, in the future, limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC tax treatment, compliance with applicable BDC regulations, compliance with the covenants of the Credit Facilities and any debt securities we may issue and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay distributions to our stockholders in the future.

 

The above-referenced restrictions on distributions may also inhibit our ability to make required interest payments to holders of any debt securities we may issue, which may cause a default under the terms of our debt agreements. Such a default could materially increase our cost of raising capital, as well as cause us to incur penalties under the terms of our debt agreements.

 

When we make quarterly distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, recognized capital gain or capital. To the extent there is a return of capital, investors will be required to reduce their basis in our stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may result in a higher tax liability when the shares are sold, even if they have not increased in value or have lost value.

 

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with contractual PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we 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 us in the same taxable year. Investments structured with these features may represent a higher level of credit risk compared to investments generating income which must be paid in cash on a current basis. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have 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. We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discounts and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit our ability to deduct interest expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our ICTI for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise debt or additional equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

 

Because we intend to distribute substantially all of our income to our stockholders to maintain our tax treatment as a regulated investment company, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth, and regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital and make distributions.

 

In order to satisfy the requirements applicable to a RIC, and to avoid payment of U.S. federal excise tax, we intend to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our net ordinary income and net capital gain income except for certain net long-term capital gains recognized after we became a RIC, some or all of which we may retain, pay applicable U.S. federal income taxes with respect thereto and elect to treat as deemed distributions to our stockholders. As a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities, which includes all of our borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue, of at least 150%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow and may prohibit us from making distributions. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments or sell additional securities and, depending on the nature of our leverage, to repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. In addition, issuance of additional securities could dilute the percentage ownership of our current stockholders in us.

 

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While we expect to be able to borrow and to issue debt and additional equity securities, we cannot assure you that debt and equity financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, and our net asset value could decline. In addition, as a BDC, we generally are not permitted to issue equity securities priced below our then-current net asset value per share without stockholder approval.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

PIK Interest Payments

 

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

 

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Regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we raise additional capital.

 

Our business will require capital to operate and grow. We may acquire such additional capital from the following sources:

 

Senior Securities. In the future, we may issue debt securities or preferred stock, and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions (including borrowings under Credit Facilities), which we refer to collectively as “senior securities.” As a result of issuing senior securities, we will be exposed to additional risks, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a BDC, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our debt at a time when such sales and/or repayments may be disadvantageous. Further we may not be permitted to declare a dividend or make any distribution to stockholders or repurchase shares until such time as we satisfy this test.

 

Any amounts that we use to service our debt or make payments on preferred stock will not be available for distributions to our stockholders.

 

It is likely that any securities or other indebtedness we may issue, and the Credit Facilities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, some of these securities or other indebtedness may be rated by rating agencies, and in obtaining a rating for such securities and other indebtedness, we may be required to abide by operating and investment guidelines that further restrict operating and financial flexibility.

 

We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities and other indebtedness.

 

Preferred stock or any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Common Stock, including separate voting rights and could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control to the detriment of the holders of our Common Stock.

 

Additional Common Stock. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are not generally able to issue and sell our Common Stock at a price below then-current net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our Common Stock or warrants, options or rights to acquire our Common Stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our Common Stock if the Board determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. We may also make rights offerings to our stockholders at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing more Common Stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our Common Stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and they may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future on favorable terms, or at all.

 

Potential Default or Other Issues Under a Credit Facility

 

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

 

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

 

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Potential Limited Ability to Invest in Public Companies

 

To maintain our status as a BDC, we are not permitted to acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions). Subject to certain exceptions for follow-on investments and distressed companies, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national securities exchange may be treated as a qualifying asset only if such issuer has a common equity market capitalization that is less than $250 million at the time of such investment.

 

Financing Investments with Borrowed Money

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

We are subject to risks associated with the current interest rate environment and, to the extent we use debt to finance our investments, changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

 

To the extent we borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred stock to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or dividends on such debt securities or preferred stock and the rate at which we invest these funds. A rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments, which may result in an increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to Barings. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our Common Stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our distribution rate, which could reduce the value of our Common Stock.

 

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In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. As such, the potential effect of any such event on our cost of capital and net investment income cannot yet be determined. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR, which could have an adverse impact on the market value for or value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Potential Limits Under a Credit Facility or Any Other Future Borrowing Facility

 

Each Credit Facility, and any future borrowing facility, may be backed by all or a portion of our loans and securities on which the lenders may have a security interest. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instrument we enter into with lenders. We expect that any security interests we grant will be set forth in a pledge and security agreement and evidenced by the filing of financing statements by the agent for the lenders. In addition, we expect that the custodian for our securities serving as collateral for such loan would include in its electronic systems notices indicating the existence of such security interests and, following notice of occurrence of an event of default, if any, and during its continuance, will only accept transfer instructions with respect to any such securities from the lender or its designee. If we were to default under the terms of any debt instrument, the agent for the applicable lenders would be able to assume control of the timing of disposition of any or all of our assets securing such debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

In addition, any security interests as well as negative covenants that a Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility may include may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing. In addition, if our borrowing base under a Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility were to decrease, we would be required to secure additional assets in an amount equal to any borrowing base deficiency. In the event that all of our assets are secured at the time of such a borrowing base deficiency, we could be required to repay advances under the relevant Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility or make deposits to a collection account, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our ability to fund future investments and to pay dividends.

 

In addition, we expect that under a Credit Facility we will be subject to limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, which may include restrictions on geographic and industry concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status, average life, collateral interests and investment ratings, as well as regulatory restrictions on leverage which may affect the amount of funding that may be obtained. There may also be certain requirements relating to portfolio performance, including required minimum portfolio yield and limitations on delinquencies and charge offs, a violation of which could limit further advances and, in some cases, result in an event of default. An event of default under a Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. This could reduce our revenues and, by delaying any cash payment allowed to us under the relevant Credit Facility or any other borrowing facility until the lenders have been paid in full, reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business and maintain our qualification as a RIC.

 

We may invest in revolving credit facilities or make other similar financial commitments.

 

We may acquire or originate revolving credit facilities from time to time. Under a revolving credit facility, we may be required to fund amounts due in a shorter timeframe than the time in which we may be able to call capital from our investors. As a result, there is a risk that we may not have sufficient liquidity to fund all or a portion of the amounts due. While we may have a subscription line in place to bridge the gap in time between a borrower’s draw request under a revolving credit facility and the time at which we can call capital from our investors, there is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain such a subscription line. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to meet our funding obligations under a revolving credit facility and that such failure will not have an adverse effect on us. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that a borrower will fully draw down on its available line of credit under a revolving credit line and, as a result, our returns could be adversely affected. We may also be obligated to fund amounts due under a revolving credit facility after the end of the Commitment Period.

 

Furthermore, the unfunded portion of our investments in revolving credit facilities and other financial commitments may represent a substantial portion of our assets. As a result, in certain circumstances, we may need to retain investment income, borrow funds or liquidate certain investments prematurely at potentially significant discounts to market value if we do not have sufficient liquid assets to meet these commitments; however, we will not borrow in excess of applicable limitations under the 1940 Act.

 

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Global capital markets could enter a period of severe disruption and instability or an economic recession. These conditions have historically affected and could again materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world and could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

 

The U.S. and global capital markets have in the past and may in the future experience periods of extreme volatility and disruption during economic downturns and recessions. Increases to budget deficits or direct and contingent sovereign debt may create concerns about the ability of certain nations to service their sovereign debt obligations, and risks resulting from any such debt crisis in Europe, the United States or elsewhere could have a detrimental impact on the global economy and the financial condition of financial institutions generally. Austerity measures that certain countries may agree to as part of any debt crisis or disruptions to major financial trading markets may adversely affect world economic conditions and have an adverse impact on our business and that of our portfolio companies.

 

In June 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the European Union. The United Kingdom formally left the European Union on January 31, 2020 and a transition period will apply until December 31, 2020. During the transition period, the United Kingdom will remain subject to European Union law while the terms of a new formal trade agreement are negotiated. The implications of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union are unclear at present. There will likely continue to be considerable uncertainty as to the United Kingdom’s post-transition and post-withdrawal framework, in particular as to the arrangements which will apply to its relationships with the European Union and with other countries. This process and/or the uncertainty associated with it may adversely affect the return on investments economically tied to the United Kingdom or European Union (including investments made pursuant to the European Direct Lending strategy). This may be due to, among other things: (i) increased uncertainty and volatility in the United Kingdom, European Union and other financial markets; (ii) fluctuations in asset values; (iii) fluctuations in exchange rates; (iv) increased illiquidity of investments located, listed or traded within the United Kingdom, the European Union or elsewhere; (v) changes in the willingness or ability of financial and other counterparties to enter into transactions, or the price at which and terms on which they are prepared to transact; and/or (vi) changes in legal and regulatory regimes to which the Company’s investments are or become subject.

 

Market and economic disruptions, which may be caused by political trends and government actions in the United States or elsewhere, have in the past and may in the future affect the U.S. capital markets, which could adversely affect our business and that of our portfolio companies and the broader financial and credit markets, and reduce the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and to financial firms, in particular. At various times, such disruptions have resulted in, and may in the future result in, a lack of liquidity in parts of the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector and the repricing of credit risk. Such conditions may occur for a prolonged period of time and may materially worsen in the future, including as a result of U.S. government shutdowns or further downgrades to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating or the perceived credit worthiness of the United States or other large global economies. Unfavorable economic conditions, including future recessions, also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us.

 

Given the extreme volatility and dislocation that the capital markets have historically experienced, many BDCs have faced, and may in the future face, a challenging environment in which to raise capital. We may in the future have difficulty accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, and a severe disruption or instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may cause us to reduce the volume of the loans we originate and/or fund, adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, significant changes in the capital markets, including instances of extreme volatility and disruption, have had, and may in the future have, a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. An inability to raise capital, and any required sale of our investments for liquidity purposes, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We monitor developments and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so, and we may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments, including regulatory developments in the current or future market environment.

 

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Many of the portfolio companies in which we will make investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay the loans we made to them during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease during these periods as we are required to record our investments at their current fair value. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our and our portfolio companies’ funding costs, limit our and our portfolio companies’ access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us or our portfolio companies. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

 

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold. We may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we will actually provide significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors.

 

Investing a Sufficient Portion of Assets in Qualifying Assets

 

As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company.

 

We believe that most of the investments that we may acquire in the future will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe to be attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDCs. As a result of such violation, specific rules under the 1940 Act could prevent us, for example, from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inappropriate times in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it could be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. We may not be able to find a buyer for such investments and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. Any such outcomes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

If we do not maintain our status as a BDC, we would be subject to regulation as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end investment company, we would be subject to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act which would significantly decrease our operating flexibility.

 

Our investment portfolio will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board and, as a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

 

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. Typically, there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held middle-market companies in which we will invest. As a result, we will value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board based on input from Barings, a nationally recognized independent adviser and our audit committee. See “Item 1. Business — Valuation Procedures.

 

The determination of fair value and consequently, the amount of unrealized appreciation and depreciation in our portfolio, is to a certain degree dependent on subjective judgments. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to comparable publicly-traded companies, discounted cash flows and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations may cause our net asset value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize upon the sale or disposition of one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our securities based on an overstated net asset value would pay a higher price than the value of our investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling shares during a period in which the net asset value understates the value of our investments will receive a lower price for their shares than the value of our investments might warrant.

 

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We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

 

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

 

Potential Fluctuations in our Net Asset Value

 

Our net asset value may fluctuate over time and, consequently, you may pay a different price per share at subsequent closings than some other investors paid at earlier closings. The price per share of a subsequent closing may be above net asset value per share to take into account the amortization of organizational and offering expenses. Consequently, investors in subsequent closings may receive a different number shares for the same capital contribution that earlier investors made depending on the net asset value at the relevant time. In addition, if our net asset value has decreased between the Initial Closing and a subsequent closing date, the investors subscribing on the subsequent closing date will receive more shares of our Common Stock than they would have received had they subscribed in connection with the Initial Closing. Accordingly, stockholders who subscribed in the Initial Closing would have their percentage ownership interest in us diluted.

 

Changes to U.S. tariff and import/export regulations may have a negative effect on our portfolio companies and, in turn, harm us.

 

There has been ongoing discussion and commentary regarding potential significant changes to U.S. trade policies, treaties and tariffs. The current U.S. presidential administration, along with the U.S. Congress, has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and other countries with respect to trade policies, treaties and tariffs. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global trade and, in particular, trade between the impacted nations and the United States. Any of these factors could depress economic activity and restrict our portfolio companies’ access to suppliers or customers and have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition and results of operations, which in turn would negatively impact us.

 

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

 

We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect.

 

Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this Memorandum and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our management team to other types of investments in which our management team may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.

 

Our Board may change our investment objectives, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

 

The Board has the authority to modify or waive our current investment objectives, operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval (except as required by the 1940 Act). However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and value of our stock. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Moreover, we will have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds from this offering and any future offering and may use the net proceeds from such offerings in ways with which investors may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering.

 

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Barings is able to resign as our investment adviser and/or our administrator upon 90 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, or at all, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, Barings has the right to resign as our investment adviser upon 90 days’ written notice, whether a replacement has been found or not. Similarly, Barings’ has the right under the Administration Agreement to resign upon 90 days’ written notice, whether a replacement has been found or not. If Barings resigns, it may be difficult to find a replacement investment adviser or administrator, as applicable, or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 90 days, or at all. If a replacement is not found quickly, our business, results of operations and financial condition as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the value of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment or administrative activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by Barings. Even if a comparable service provider or individuals performing such services are retained, whether internal or external, their integration into our business and lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures or cyberattacks could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock and our ability to pay dividends and other distributions.

 

Our business depends on the communications and information systems of Barings, its affiliates and our other third-party service providers. These systems are subject to potential attacks, including through adverse events that threaten the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources (i.e., cyber incidents). These attacks could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption and result in disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships, any of which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our securities and our ability to pay dividends and other distributions to our security holders. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by Barings, its affiliates and other third-party service providers.

 

Terrorist attacks, acts of war, national disasters, outbreaks or pandemics may affect any market for our securities, impact the businesses in which we invest and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Terrorist acts, acts of war, national disasters, outbreaks or pandemics may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. For example, many countries have experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses in recent decades, including swine flu, avian influenza, SARS and COVID-19. In December 2019, an initial outbreak of COVID-19 was reported in Hubei, China. Since then, a large and growing number of cases have been confirmed around the world. The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in numerous deaths and the imposition of both local and more widespread “work from home” and other quarantine measures, border closures and other travel restrictions, causing social unrest and commercial disruption on a global scale. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

 

The ongoing spread of the COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, a material adverse impact on local economies in the affected jurisdictions and also on the global economy, as cross border commercial activity and market sentiment are increasingly impacted by the outbreak and government and other measures seeking to contain its spread. With respect to U.S. and global credit markets and the economy in general, this outbreak has resulted in, and until fully resolved is likely to continue to result in, the following (among other things): (i) restrictions on travel and the temporary closure of many corporate offices, retail stores, and manufacturing facilities and factories, resulting in significant disruption to the business of many companies, including supply chains and demand, as well as layoffs of employees; (ii) increased draws by borrowers on revolving lines of credit; (iii) increased requests by borrowers for amendments or waivers of their credit agreements to avoid default, increased defaults by borrowers and/or increased difficulty in obtaining refinancing; (iv) volatility in credit markets, including greater volatility in pricing and spreads; and (v) rapidly evolving proposals and actions by state and federal governments to address the problems being experienced by markets, businesses and the economy in general, which may not adequately address the problems being facing such persons. In addition to these developments having adverse consequences in the businesses in which we invest, the operations of the Investment Adviser (including those relating to the Company) have been, and could continue to be, adversely impacted, including through quarantine measures and travel restrictions imposed on Barings personnel or service providers based or temporarily located in affected countries, or any related health issues of such personnel or service providers. Any of the foregoing events could materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to source, manage and divest its investments and its ability to fulfill its investment objectives. Similar consequences could arise with respect to other comparable infectious diseases. Although it is impossible to predict the precise nature and consequences of these events, or of any political or policy decisions and regulatory changes occasioned by emerging events or uncertainty on applicable laws or regulations that impact us and our portfolio companies and investments, it is clear that these types of events are impacting and will, for at least some time, continue to impact us and our portfolio companies. Any potential impact to our results of operations will depend to a large extent on future developments and new information that could emerge regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions taken by authorities and other entities to contain the spread or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. These potential impacts, while uncertain, could adversely affect our and our portfolio companies’ operating results.

 

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In addition, future terrorist activities, military or security operations, or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact the businesses in which we invest directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.

 

We are currently operating in a period of capital markets disruption and economic uncertainty.

 

The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the global outbreak of COVID-19 that began in December 2019. Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concern that the continued spread of the virus globally could lead to a world-wide economic downturn. Disruptions in the capital markets have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events have limited and could continue to limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and have a material negative impact on our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act Internal Controls

 

We will not be required to comply with the internal control evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for a specified period of time. Accordingly, our internal control over financial reporting may not meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 that we may eventually be required to meet. We will address our internal control over financial reporting and establish formal procedures, policies, processes and practices related to financial reporting and to the identification of key financial reporting risks, assessment of their potential impact and linkage of those risks to specific areas and activities within our organization within the timeframe required by SEC rules.

 

Risks Related to our Investments

 

Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.

 

Our portfolio will consist primarily of senior secured private middle-market debt and equity investments. Investing in private and middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks. Among other things, these companies:

 

may have limited financial resources to meet future capital needs and thus may be unable to grow or meet their obligations under their debt instruments that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees from subsidiaries or affiliates of our portfolio companies that we may have obtained in connection with our investment, as well as a corresponding decrease in the value of the equity components of our investments;

 

may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines, smaller market shares and/or more significant customer concentration than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;

 

are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;

 

generally have less predictable operating results, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position; and

 

generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition. We rely on the ability of Barings’ investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If Barings is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose all or part of our investment.

 

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In addition, in the course of providing significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies, certain of our officers and directors or certain of Barings’ investment professionals may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. We or Barings may in the future be subject to litigation that arises out of our investments in these companies, and our officers and directors or Barings and/or its investment professionals may be named as defendants in such litigation, which could result in an expenditure of funds (through our indemnification of such officers and directors) and the diversion of our officers’, directors’ and Barings’ time and resources.

 

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

 

We generally invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded, and whose securities may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale, or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. Our investments may be subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or are otherwise illiquid because there may be no established trading market for certain investments. The illiquidity of certain of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.

 

Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation.

 

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments:

 

a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to publicly traded securities;

 

the enterprise value of the portfolio company;

 

the nature and realizable value of any collateral;

 

the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow;

 

the markets in which the portfolio company does business; and

 

changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future and other relevant factors.

 

When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our valuation. We record decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments as unrealized depreciation. Declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets may result in significant net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio may reduce our net asset value by increasing net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer additional unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.

 

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments, in seeking to:

 

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

 

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

 

preserve or enhance the value of our investment.

 

We have discretion to make follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. Failure on our part to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful portfolio company. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our level of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because of regulatory or other considerations. Our ability to make follow-on investments may also be limited by Barings’ allocation policy.

 

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Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies and such portfolio companies may not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations to us.

 

We will typically invest in senior debt and first lien notes, however, we may invest in the future, a portion of our capital in second lien and subordinated loans issued by our portfolio companies. Our portfolio companies may have, or be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. Such subordinated investments are subject to greater risk of default than senior obligations as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions. If we make a subordinated investment in a portfolio company, the portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity ratio may create increased risks that its operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service all of its debt obligations. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the securities in which we invest. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event of and during the continuance of a default under such debt. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying senior creditors, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us where we are junior creditor. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

 

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

 

We may in the future make unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on a portfolio company’s collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured loan obligations after payment in full of all loans secured by collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

 

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

 

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

 

the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;

 

the approval of amendments to collateral documents;

 

releases of liens on the collateral; and

 

waivers of past defaults under collateral documents.

 

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

 

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

 

Even though we plan to structure the majority of our investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances and based upon principles of equitable subordination as defined by existing case law, a bankruptcy court could subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors and transfer any lien securing such subordinated claim to the bankruptcy estate. The principles of equitable subordination defined by case law have generally indicated that a claim may be subordinated only if its holder is guilty of misconduct or where the senior loan is re-characterized as an equity investment and the senior lender has actually provided significant managerial assistance to the bankrupt debtor. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business.

 

Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

 

Certain loans that we will make are secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral pledged by a portfolio company to secure senior debt owed by the portfolio company to commercial banks or other traditional lenders. Often the senior lender has procured covenants from the portfolio company prohibiting the incurrence of additional secured debt without the senior lender’s consent. Prior to and as a condition of permitting the portfolio company to borrow money from us secured by the same collateral pledged to the senior lender, the senior lender will require assurances that it will control the disposition of any collateral in the event of bankruptcy or other default. In many such cases, the senior lender will require us to enter into an “intercreditor agreement” prior to permitting the portfolio company to borrow from us. Typically the intercreditor agreements we are requested to execute expressly subordinate our debt instruments to those held by the senior lender and further provide that the senior lender shall control: (i) the commencement of foreclosure or other proceedings to liquidate and collect on the collateral; (ii) the nature, timing and conduct of foreclosure or other collection proceedings; (iii) the amendment of any collateral document; (iv) the release of the security interests in respect of any collateral and (v) the waiver of defaults under any security agreement. Because of the control we may cede to senior lenders under intercreditor agreements we may enter, we may be unable to realize the proceeds of any collateral securing some of our loans.

 

Finally, the value of the collateral securing our debt investment will ultimately depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by our second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the senior lender’s first priority liens on the collateral. There is also a risk that such collateral securing our investments may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the portfolio company and market conditions. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by our second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds from the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the company’s remaining assets, if any.

 

Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

 

Our investment strategy contemplates potential investments in foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risk not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes (potentially at confiscatory levels), less liquid markets, less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.

 

Although most of our investments will be U.S.-dollar denominated, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we cannot assure you that such strategies will be effective or without risk to us.

 

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If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a business development company or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.

 

As a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70.0% of our total assets are qualifying assets.

 

We may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could lose our status as a BDC. If we fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company that is required to register under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to additional regulatory restrictions and significantly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, any such failure could cause an event of default under our outstanding indebtedness. For these reasons, loss of BDC status likely would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position).

 

We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we have additional flexibility to focus our investments in a limited number of portfolio companies.

 

We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond our RIC asset diversification requirements under the Code, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies.

 

We generally will not control our portfolio companies.

 

We do not expect to control most of our portfolio companies, even though we or Barings may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in non-traded companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

 

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

 

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

 

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

 

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Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

 

We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we 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 being prepaid and we 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, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our securities.

 

Potential write-downs or losses with respect to portfolio investments existing and to be made in the future could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, dividend level, net asset value and stock price.

 

In light of current economic conditions, in the future, certain of our portfolio companies may be unable to service our debt investments on a timely basis. These conditions may also decrease the value of collateral securing some of our debt investments, as well as the value of our equity investments. As a result, the number of non-performing assets in our portfolio may increase, and the overall value of our portfolio may decrease, which could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in our investment income, net investment income, dividends and assets.

 

Any unrealized losses we experience on our loan portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.

 

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our loan portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods.

 

Defaults by our portfolio companies may harm our operating results.

 

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

 

Changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital, the value of our investments and results of operations.

 

An increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt to finance our investments. As a result, a significant increase in market interest rates could both reduce the value of our portfolio investments and increase our cost of capital, which would reduce our net investment income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our Common Stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our distribution rate, a situation which could reduce the value of our Common Stock. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates may have an adverse impact on our returns by requiring us to seek lower yields on our debt investments and by increasing the risk that our portfolio companies will prepay our debt investments, resulting in the need to redeploy capital at potentially lower rates.

 

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

 

Our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly and adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, while we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. For example, although we classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare or business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets, many of our portfolio companies principally provide software products or services, which exposes us to downturns in that sector. As a result, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.

 

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We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

 

Certain investments that we have made in the past and may make in the future include equity securities. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of further dilution as a result of additional issuances, inability to access additional capital and failure to pay current distributions. Investments in preferred securities involve special risks, such as the risk of deferred distributions, credit risk, illiquidity and limited voting rights. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity co-investments in companies in conjunction with private equity sponsors. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests.

 

Our investments in asset-backed securities are subject to additional risks.

 

Asset-backed securities often involve risks that are different from or more acute than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. For instance, asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. In addition, the underlying assets may be subject to prepayments that shorten the securities’ weighted average maturity and may lower their return. Asset-backed securities are also subject to risks associated with their structure and the nature of the assets underlying the security and the servicing of those assets. Payment of interest and repayment of principal on asset-backed securities is largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Certain asset-backed securities are supported by letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements. However, if many borrowers on the underlying assets default, losses could exceed the credit enhancement level and result in losses to investors, such as the Company. The values of asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset pools, and are therefore subject to risks associated with the negligence by, or defalcation of, their servicers. Furthermore, debtors may be entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws with respect to the assets underlying these securities, which may give the debtor the right to avoid or reduce payment.

 

Risks Relating to This Offering

 

There is no public market for shares of our Common Stock, and we do not expect there to be a market for our shares.

 

There is no existing trading market for shares of our Common Stock, and no market for our shares may develop in the future. If developed, any such market may not be sustained. In the absence of a trading market, holders of shares of our Common Stock may be unable to liquidate an investment in our shares.

 

The shares of our Common Stock have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

 

There are restrictions on the ability of holders of our Common Stock to transfer shares in excess of the restrictions typically associated with a private placement of securities under Regulation D and other exemptions from registration under the Securities Act, and these additional restrictions could further limit the liquidity of an investment in shares of our Common Stock and the price at which holders may be able to sell the shares.

 

We are relying on an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and state securities laws in offering shares of our Common Stock our pursuant to the Subscription Agreements. As such, absent an effective registration statement covering our Common Stock, such shares may be resold only in transactions that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and with our prior consent. Our Common Stock will have limited transferability which could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the company that might involve a premium price for our securities or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

 

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our Common Stock.

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making difficult a change in control of our Company or the removal of our incumbent directors. Specifically, the Board has adopted a resolution explicitly subjecting us to the Maryland Business Combination Act under the Maryland General Corporation Law, which, subject to limitations, prohibits certain business combinations between us and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock) or an affiliate thereof for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder and thereafter imposes fair price and/or supermajority voting requirements on these combinations. In addition, our charter classifies the Board in three classes serving staggered three-year terms and provides that a director may be removed only for cause by the vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors generally. In addition, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by our secretary to act upon any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders only upon the written request of the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting.

 

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In addition, subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, our charter permits the Board, without stockholder action, to authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more classes or series, including preferred stock. Subject to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Board may, without stockholder action, amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have a negative impact on the price of our Common Stock and may discourage third-party bids for ownership of our company. These provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for shares of our Common Stock.

 

Item 2. Financial Information.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The information in this section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Registration Statement.

 

Revenues

 

We plan to generate revenues in the form of interest income, primarily from our investments in debt securities, loan origination and other fees and dividend income. Fees generated in connection with our debt investments will be recognized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method or, in some cases, recognized as earned. Our senior secured private debt investments will generally have terms of between five and seven years. Our senior secured private debt investments generally will bear interest between LIBOR plus 450 basis points and LIBOR plus 650 basis points per annum. From time to time, certain of our investments may have a form of interest, referred to as payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, that is not paid currently but is instead accrued and added to the loan balance and paid at the end of the term.

 

Expenses

 

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. The Company’s day-to-day investment operations will be managed by Barings, and services necessary for the Company’s business, including the origination and administration of its investment portfolio, will be provided by individuals who are employees of Barings, as our Investment Adviser and Administrator, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. The Company will reimburse the Administrator for its allocable portion of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including its allocable portion of the cost of certain of the Company’s officers and their respective staffs, and the investment adviser for certain expenses under the Investment Advisory Agreement. We will bear our allocable portion of the compensation paid by Barings to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Financial Officer and their respective staffs (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs). We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to (i) investment advisory fees, including management fees and incentive fees, to Barings, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Barings in performing its administrative obligations under the Administration Agreement, and (iii) all other expenses of its operations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:

 

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

 

operating costs incurred prior to the commencement of our operations;

 

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

 

the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of shares of our Common Stock and other securities, including, except as otherwise noted below, in connection with the Private Offering;

 

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

 

interest expense and other costs associated with our indebtedness;

 

transfer agent, dividend reinvestment plan administrator and custodial fees;

 

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

 

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

 

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U.S. federal, state and local taxes;

 

Independent Directors’ fees and expenses;

 

brokerage commissions and markups;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

costs associated with our reporting and compliance obligations U.S. federal and state securities laws, including, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act; and

 

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

 

We have agreed to reimburse the Investment Adviser for initial organization costs and operating costs incurred prior to the commencement of our operations, including in connection with the Private Offering. In the event receipt of a formal commitment of external capital does not occur, all organization and offering costs will be borne by the Investment Adviser. As there has been no commitment of external capital to date, no such costs have been allocated to the Company.

 

The Company and Barings may engage one or more placement agents to assist with the placement of the Company’s shares. The Investment Adviser has agreed to pay all placement fees and related expenses to placement agents in connection with the Private Offering. The prospect of receiving placement fees or other compensation may provide placement agents and/or their salespersons with an incentive to favor sales of the shares of the Company over the sale of interests of other investments with respect to which the placement agent does not receive such additional compensation, or receives lower levels of additional compensation.

 

From time to time, Barings or its affiliates may pay third-party providers of goods or services. We will reimburse Barings or such affiliates thereof for any such amounts paid on our behalf. All of the foregoing expenses will ultimately be borne by our stockholders.

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We intend to generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of any offering of shares of our Common Stock and from cash flows from interest and fees earned from our investments and principal repayments and proceeds from sales of our investments. Our primary use of cash will be investments in portfolio companies, payments of our expenses and payment of cash distributions to our stockholders.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP will require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods covered by such financial statements. We have identified investment valuation and revenue recognition as our most critical accounting estimates. On an on-going basis, we will evaluate our estimates, including those related to the matters described below. In addition to the discussion below, we will describe our critical accounting policies in the notes to our future financial statements.

 

Investment Valuation

 

The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of our financial statements will be the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded. We have a valuation policy, as well as established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring (quarterly) basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC Topic 820. Our current valuation policy and processes were established by Barings and were approved by the Board.

 

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Under ASC Topic 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller at the measurement date. For our portfolio securities, fair value is generally the amount that we might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security. The fair value measurement assumes that the sale occurs in the principal market for the security, or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the security. If no market for the security exists or if we do not have access to the principal market, the security should be valued based on the sale occurring in a hypothetical market.

 

Under ASC Topic 820, there are three levels of valuation inputs, as follows:

 

Level 1 Inputs - include quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 Inputs - include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 

Level 3 Inputs - include inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

A financial instrument is categorized within the ASC Topic 820 valuation hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input to the valuation process that is significant to the fair value measurement. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Therefore, unrealized appreciation and depreciation related to such investments categorized as Level 3 investments within the tables below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

Our investment portfolio will include certain debt and equity instruments of privately held companies for which quoted prices or other inputs falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 are generally not available. In such cases, we determine the fair value of our investments in good faith primarily using Level 3 inputs. In certain cases, quoted prices or other observable inputs exist, and if so, we assess the appropriateness of the use of these third-party quotes in determining fair value based on (i) our understanding of the level of actual transactions used by the broker to develop the quote and whether the quote was an indicative price or binding offer and (ii) the depth and consistency of broker quotes and the correlation of changes in broker quotes with underlying performance of the portfolio company.

 

There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith, as fair value depends upon the specific circumstances of each individual investment. The recorded fair values of our Level 3 investments may differ significantly from fair values that would have been used had an active market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently assigned.

 

Investment Valuation Process

 

Barings has established a Pricing Committee that is, subject to the oversight of the Board, responsible for the approval, implementation and oversight of the processes and methodologies that relate to the pricing and valuation of assets we hold. Barings uses internal pricing models, in accordance with internal pricing procedures established by the Pricing Committee, to price an asset in the event an acceptable price cannot be obtained from an approved external source.

 

Barings reviews its valuation methodologies on an ongoing basis and updates are made accordingly to meet changes in the marketplace. Barings has established internal controls to ensure our valuation process is operating in an effective manner. Barings (1) maintains valuation and pricing procedures that describe the specific methodology used for valuation and (2) approves and documents exceptions and overrides of valuations. In addition, the Pricing Committee performs an annual review of valuation methodologies.

 

Our money market fund investments will generally be valued using Level 1 inputs and our syndicated senior secured loans will generally be valued using Level 2 inputs. Our senior secured, middle-market, private debt investments will generally be valued using Level 3 inputs. We expect to engage an independent valuation firm to perform certain limited procedures in connection with the valuation process. The Board is ultimately responsible for determining the fair value of our investments in good faith.

 

Investment Valuation Inputs and Techniques

 

Our valuation techniques are based upon both observable and unobservable pricing inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. We will determine the estimated fair value of our loans and investments using primarily an income approach. Generally, a vendor is the preferred source of pricing a loan, however, to the extent the vendor price is unavailable or not relevant and reliable, we may use broker quotes. We attempt to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The availability of observable inputs can vary from investment to investment and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security.

 

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Market Approach

 

We will value our syndicated senior secured loans using values provided by independent pricing services that have been approved by Barings’ Pricing Committee. The prices received from these pricing service providers are based on yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, type, coupon and maturity and/or indications as to value from dealers and exchanges. We will seek to obtain two prices from the pricing services with one price representing the primary source and the other representing an independent control valuation. We will evaluate the prices obtained from brokers or independent pricing service providers based on available market information, including trading activity of the subject or similar securities, or by performing a comparable security analysis to ensure that fair values are reasonably estimated. We will also perform back-testing of valuation information obtained from independent pricing service providers and brokers against actual prices received in transactions. In addition to ongoing monitoring and back-testing, We will perform due diligence procedures surrounding independent pricing service providers to understand their methodology and controls to support their use in the valuation process.

 

Income Approach

 

We will generally utilize an Income Approach model in valuing our private debt investment portfolio, which will consist primarily of middle-market senior secured loans with floating reference rates. Under this approach, the fair value is determined using an internal index-based pricing model that takes into account both the movement in the spread of one or more performing credit indices as well as changes in the credit profile of the borrower. The implicit yield for each debt investment is calculated at the date the investment is made. This calculation takes into account the acquisition price (par less any upfront fee) and the relative maturity assumptions of the underlying asset. As of each balance sheet date, the implied yield for each investment is reassessed, taking into account changes in the discount margin of the baseline index, probabilities of default and any changes in the credit profile of the issuer of the security, such as fluctuations in operating levels and leverage. If there is an observable price available on a comparable security/issuer, it is used to calibrate the internal model. The implied yield used within the model is considered a significant unobservable input. As such, these assets are generally classified within Level 3. If the valuation process for a particular debt investment results in a value above par, the value is typically capped at the greater of the principal amount plus any prepayment penalty in effect or 100% of par on the basis that a market participant is likely unwilling to pay a greater amount than that at which the borrower could refinance.

 

Enterprise Value Waterfall Approach

 

In valuing equity securities, we will estimate fair value using an “Enterprise Value Waterfall” valuation model. We estimate the enterprise value of a portfolio company and then allocate the enterprise value to the portfolio company’s securities in order of their relative liquidation preference. In addition, the model assumes that any outstanding debt or other securities that are senior to our equity securities are required to be repaid at par. Generally, the waterfall proceeds flow from senior debt tranches of the capital structure to junior and subordinated debt, followed by each class or preferred stock and finally the common stock. Additionally, we may estimate the fair value of a debt security using the Enterprise Value Waterfall approach when we do not expect to receive full repayment.

 

To estimate the enterprise value of the portfolio company, we primarily use a valuation model based on a transaction multiple, which generally is the original transaction multiple, and measures of the portfolio company’s financial performance. In addition, we consider other factors, including but not limited to (i) offers from third parties to purchase the portfolio company, (ii) the implied value of recent investments in the equity securities of the portfolio company, (iii) publicly available information regarding recent sales of private companies in comparable transactions and (iv) when management believes there are comparable companies that are publicly traded, we perform a review of these publicly traded companies and the market multiple of their equity securities. For certain non-performing assets, we may utilize the liquidation or collateral value of the portfolio company’s assets in our estimation of enterprise value.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Interest and Dividend Income

 

Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount, will be recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Generally, when interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. The cessation of recognition of such interest will negatively impact the reported fair value of the investment. We will write off any previously accrued and uncollected interest when it is determined that interest is no longer considered collectible. Dividend income will be recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

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Fee Income

 

Origination, facility, commitment, consent and other advance fees received in connection with the origination of a loan, or Loan Origination Fees, will be recorded as deferred income and recognized as investment income over the term of the loan. Upon prepayment of a loan, any unamortized Loan Origination Fees will be recorded as investment income. In the general course of our business, we may receive certain fees from portfolio companies, which are non-recurring in nature. Such fees may include loan prepayment penalties, advisory, loan amendment and other fees, and will be recorded as investment income when earned.

 

Payment-in-Kind (PIK) Interest Income

 

We may have investments in our portfolio that contain a PIK interest provision. PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, will be periodically added to the principal balance of the loan, rather than being paid to us in cash, and will be recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of PIK interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment.

 

PIK interest, which is a non-cash source of income at the time of recognition, will be included in our taxable income and therefore may affect the amount we are required to distribute to our stockholders to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, even though we may not yet collected the cash. Generally, when current cash interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing PIK interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. We will write off any previously accrued and uncollected PIK interest when it is determined that the PIK interest is no longer collectible.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

As of June 25, 2020, we had not commenced operations and did not have any significant contractual payment obligations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

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

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. We plan to invest primarily in illiquid debt securities of private companies. Most of our investments will not have a readily available market price, and we will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by the board of directors in accordance with our valuation policy. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments we make. See “Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.”

 

Item 3. Properties.

 

We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation or any of our subsidiaries. Our headquarters are currently located at 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500 Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, where we occupy office space pursuant to the Administration Agreement with Barings. We believe that our current office facilities are adequate to meet our needs.

 

Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

We have not yet commenced commercial activities and will not do so until the Initial Closing Date. To date we only have nominal capital from the Investment Adviser that was contributed as part of our legal formation. We will not raise additional capital prior to the Initial Closing.

 

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Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers.

 

Board of Directors and Executive Officers

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Our Bylaws require a classified Board with three designated classes: Class I, Class II and Class III with each class of directors serving in such capacity for a term continuing until the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following their election and until their successors are elected. To the extent possible, each class shall have the same number of directors.

 

Directors

 

Information regarding the board of directors is as follows:

 

Name  Age  Position(s) Held  Director Since  Expiration of Term
Interest Directors            
Michael Freno   44  Chairman of the Board of Directors  2020  2023
Eric Lloyd   51  Director  2020  2022
Independent Directors            
Mark F. Mulhern   60  Director  2020  2022
Thomas W. Okel   57  Director  2020  2021
Jill Olmstead   56  Director  2020  2021

 

Officers Who Are Not Directors

 

Information regarding our officers who are not directors is as follows:

 

Name  Age  Position(s) Held
Ian Fowler   55  President and Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Bock   38  Chief Financial Officer
Michael Cowart   37  Chief Compliance Officer
Jill Dinerman   43  Chief Legal Officer
Elizabeth A. Murray   43  Principal Accounting Officer

 

Biographical Information

 

Our directors have been divided into two groups - interested directors and independent directors. An interested director is an "interested person" as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

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Interested Directors

 

Michael Freno -- Mr. Freno has served as a director of the Company and Chairman of the Board since April 2020. He brings over 21 years of experience in portfolio management with extensive experience on the buy-side, focusing on both equity and debt investments. He brings a unique perspective to the Board as the recently appointed President of Barings following several years of serving as the Head of Global Markets for Barings, which encompasses all of Barings’ fixed income, public equity and multiasset investment teams. Mr. Freno is the Chairman of the Board for Barings’ BDC, Inc., Chairman of Barings’ Global High Yield Allocation Committee and a member of the Global Distressed Committee. Prior to joining Barings in 2005, he was a research analyst for Mangan & McColl Partners, LLC, where he focused on equity and credit analysis for Barings’ special situations and distressed investments. Prior to that, he was a Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Freno holds a B.A. from Furman University and an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University.

 

Eric Lloyd -- Mr. Lloyd has served as a director of the Company since April 2020. Mr. Lloyd brings over 30 years of experience in investment management, investment banking, leveraged finance and risk management to the Board. As the recently appointed Head of Global Private Fixed Income for Barings and the former Head of Barings’ Global Private Finance Group, he is responsible for managing all aspects of Barings' global private fixed income investments. Prior to joining Barings in 2013, Mr. Lloyd served as Head of Market and Institutional Risk for Wells Fargo, was on Wells Fargo’s Management Committee and was a member of the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo Securities. Before the acquisition of Wachovia, Mr. Lloyd worked in Wachovia’s Global Markets Investment Banking division and served on the division’s Operating Committee where he had various leadership positions, including Head of Wachovia’s Global Leveraged Finance Group. Mr. Lloyd holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce.

 

Independent Directors

 

Mark F. Mulhern -- Mr. Mulhern has served as an independent director of the Company since June 2020. He brings significant public company experience, both as a senior executive and as a board member. Since September 2014, he has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Highwoods Properties, Inc., a Raleigh, North Carolina based publicly-traded real estate investment trust. Mr. Mulhern previously served on Highwoods Board of Directors and Audit Committee from January 2012 through August 2014. Prior to joining Highwoods, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Exco Resources, Inc. Prior to Exco, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Progress Energy, Inc. from 2008 until its merger with Duke Energy Corporation in 2012. He joined Progress Energy in 1996 as Vice President and Controller and served in a number of roles at Progress Energy, including Vice President of Strategic Planning, Senior Vice President of Finance and President of Progress Ventures. He also spent eight years at Price Waterhouse. Mr. Mulhern is a Certified Public Accountant and is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University. He currently serves on the Board of McKim and Creed, a North Carolina based professional engineering services firm.

 

Thomas W. Okel -- Mr. Okel has served as an independent director of the Company since June 2020. He brings over 20 years of experience in the underwriting, structuring, distribution and trading of debt used for corporate acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and refinancings. He formerly served as Executive Director of Catawba Lands Conservancy, a non-profit land trust from 2011 to 2019. Prior to joining Catawba Lands Conservancy, he served as Global Head of Syndicated Capital Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he managed capital markets, sales, trading and research for the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America from 1989 to 2010. He currently serves as trustee or director of several public companies and non-profit organizations, including as Trustee of Barings Funds Trust, an open-end investment company and Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, a closed-end investment company (both advised by Barings), Trustee of the Horizon Funds, a mutual fund complex, Trustee of Davidson College, and Director of CrossRoads Corporation for Affordable Housing and Community Development, Inc. Mr. Okel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Davidson College and a Masters of Management, Finance, Accounting and Marketing from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

 

Jill Olmstead - Ms. Olmstead has served as an independent director of the Company since June 2020. She brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience in Human Resources in the financial services industry to her role as the Chair of the Company’s Compensation Committee. She is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer at LendingTree, Inc. and is a Founding Partner of Spivey & Olmstead, LLC, a Talent and Leadership Consulting firm with expertise in the fields of executive development and talent management founded in June 2010. The Board benefits from her experience with C-suite executives as an executive coach and helping lead companies’ efforts on talent strategies such as diversity and inclusion, employee engagement, and succession planning and her strategic and pragmatic approach to talent management with an eye toward bottom line results. In her capacity as Managing Director (2006 to 2009) and Executive Vice President (2000 to 2006) at Wachovia Corporation (now Wells Fargo) she was both the Head of Human Resources for the Corporate and Investment Bank and the Head of Human Resources for the International Businesses. Prior to this, she formed and led the Leadership Practices Group at Wachovia to create and implement a company-wide talent management process that identified, developed, tracked and promoted high potential leaders throughout their careers. Ms. Olmstead received a Bachelor of Science at Clemson University and a Masters in Organization Behavior and Development at Fielding University, Santa Barbara, CA.

 

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Executive Officers Who are Not Directors

 

Ian Fowler -- Mr. Fowler has served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2020. He is Co-head of Barings’ Global Private Finance Group, a member of the group’s North American Private Finance Investment Committee, European Private Finance Investment Committee and Asia-Pacific Investment Committee and President of Barings BDC, Inc. He is responsible for leading a team that originates, underwrites and manages global private finance investments. Ian has worked in the industry since 1988 and his experience has encompassed middle market commercial finance, including originating, underwriting and managing senior secured loans, mezzanine and co-investment transactions. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, he was a Senior Managing Director with Harbour Group and co-founded Freeport Financial LLC where he was a member of the Executive Credit Committee and responsible for all business development and capital market initiatives. While at Freeport, he helped build the company into one of the top 5 non-bank affiliated middle market Sponsor finance companies in the U.S. Before Freeport, Ian was Managing Director and Global Group Leader for GE Capital’s Global Sponsor Finance Group. Prior to GE Capital, Ian held various leveraged finance and investment positions with NationsBank and Mellon Bank. Ian holds a B.A. (Honors) from the University of Western Ontario and is a member of the CFA Institute.

 

Jonathan Bock -- Mr. Bock has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since June 2020. He is a Managing Director in the Investment Adviser’s Global Private Finance Group. Mr. Bock currently serves as the CFO of Barings BDC, Inc., a publicly traded BDC. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser in 2018, Mr. Bock was a Managing Director and Senior Equity Analyst at Wells Fargo Securities specializing in BDCs. He has actively followed the BDC space since 2006 and was the chief author of a leading BDC quarterly research publication: the BDC Scorecard. His research is often cited by The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and other prominent financial publications. Prior to Wells Fargo, Mr. Bock followed the specialty finance space at Stifel Nicolaus & Company and A.G. Edwards Inc. Prior to entering sell-side research in 2006, Mr. Bock was an equity portfolio manager/analyst at Busey Wealth Management in Champaign, Illinois. Mr. Bock holds a BS in finance from the University of Illinois College of Business and is a CFA charterholder.

 

Jill Dinerman -- Ms. Dinerman has served as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer since June 2020. She is a Managing Director, General Counsel (Head of U.S. Legal) and Global Corporate Secretary at Barings. She is responsible for oversight and management of the U.S. Legal function, corporate and enterprise legal support, and regulatory and trading matters. Ms. Dinerman additionally supports the Barings Board of Managers and related entities and is responsible for building a global corporate governance model to include board management, entity management, regulatory reporting and corporate filings. Before her current positions, she provided legal support to Barings’ U.S. Fixed Income Teams, including U.S. High Yield, Emerging Markets and Investment Grade. She has worked in the industry since 2001. Prior to joining the firm in 2011, Ms. Dinerman was in private practice with major law firms in NYC and Charlotte. Ms. Dinerman holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland and J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School.

 

Michael Cowart -- Mr. Cowart has served as the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer since June 2020. He serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for Barings BDC, Inc., Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, Barings Funds Trust, Barings Securities LLC, Barings Corporate Investors and Barings Participation Investors. Mr. Cowart is a member of Barings’ Compliance Group for which he is responsible for Barings’ Sales Practices, Fund Compliance, and Regulatory Change Management Program. . Prior to joining Barings in 2018, Mr. Cowart held positions in the compliance and legal departments at LPL Financial, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and Goldman Sachs & Co. where his duties included overseeing regulatory inquiries and examinations, overseeing trading, professional qualifications, risk management and assessment, the development and implementation of policies and regulatory rulemaking. Mr. Cowart holds a B.A. in History with honors from the University of Tennessee, a Masters from Vanderbilt University, and an LL.M. in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown University Law Center.

 

Elizabeth Murray -- Ms. Murray has served as the Company's Principal Accounting Officer since June 2020. She is also the Principal Accounting Officer for Barings BDC, Inc. and previously served as the Vice President of Financial Reporting at Triangle Capital Corporation prior to the externalization of the investment management of the Barings BDC, Inc. to Barings LLC. Prior to joining Triangle Capital Corporation in 2012, she was Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis for RBC Bank, the U.S. retail banking division for Royal Bank of Canada. Prior to RBC Bank, Ms. Murray spent seven years at Progress Energy, Inc. and held various positions in finance, accounting and tax, most recently in Strategy and Financial Planning. Ms. Murray began her career as a Tax Consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she spent three years serving both public and private companies. Ms. Murray is a graduate of North Carolina State University where she obtained a B.S. degree in Accounting and a Master of Accounting degree. She is also a North Carolina Certified Public Accountant.

 

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Board Responsibilities

 

Our Board is the ultimate decision-making body of the Company except with respect to those matters reserved to the stockholders. Our Board has delegated the management of the business and affairs of the Company to Barings pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement and an Administration Agreement. Our Board represents the stockholders’ interest in obtaining meaningful financial returns on their investment and will oversee Barings’ management of the Company’s assets consistent with the investment objective and strategy approved by the Board. Our Board will review and approve Barings’ services and fees and evaluate whether Barings is capably executing its responsibilities. In performing its duties, the primary responsibility of our Board is to exercise its business judgment in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. The major responsibilities of the Board include:

 

Reviewing and affirming general policies and goals of the Company.

 

Providing general oversight of the business.

 

Approving corporate strategy and major management initiatives.

 

Providing oversight of legal, financial and ethical conduct.

 

Electing and, when necessary, replacing the Chief Executive Officer and other officers of the Company as necessary.

 

Evaluating Board processes and performance.

 

All major decisions are to be considered by the Board as a whole.

 

Michael Freno serves as the Chairman of our Board. Mr. Freno is an “interested person” of the Company as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act because he presently serves as Head of Global Private Investments of Barings. We believe that Mr. Freno’s extensive knowledge of the financial services industry and capital markets in particular qualify him to serve as the Chairman of our Board. We believe that we are best served through this existing leadership structure, as Mr. Freno’s relationship with Barings provides an effective bridge and encourages an open dialogue between management and our Board, ensuring that both groups act with a common purpose.

 

We recognize that different board leadership structures are appropriate for companies in different situations. We intend to re-examine our corporate governance policies on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet our needs.

 

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

 

Audit Committee

 

The members of the Audit Committee are Mark Mulhern, Jill Olmstead and Thomas Okel, each of whom is financially literate and meets the independence standards established by the SEC for audit committees and is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Mr. Mulhern serves as Chairman of the audit committee. Our Board has determined that Mr. Mulhern is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K.

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board with its oversight responsibilities regarding: (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (ii) the integrity of the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the financial statements; (iii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iv) the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence; and (v) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee shall prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission including item 407(d)(3)(i) of Regulation S-K, as amended to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement.

 

The function of the Audit Committee is oversight. The independent accountants are accountable to the Board and the Audit Committee, as representatives of our stockholders. The Board and the Audit Committee have the ultimate authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace our independent accountants (subject, if applicable, to stockholder ratification).

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Mark Mulhern, Jill Olmstead and Thomas Okel, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Mr. Okel serves as Chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying, researching and recommending for nomination directors for election by the Company’s stockholders, recommending for appointment nominees to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors, developing and recommending to the Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s policy is to consider nominees properly recommended by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the Company’s charter, Bylaws and applicable law.

 

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In addition, any stockholder who wishes to propose a nominee to the Board of Directors or propose any other business to be considered by the stockholders (other than a stockholder proposal to be included in the Company’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act) must comply with the advance notice provisions and other requirements of the Company’s Bylaws, a copy of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and may be obtained from the Company’s Secretary upon request. Proposals must be sent to the Company’s Secretary at Barings Capital Investment Corporation, 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.

 

Item 6. Executive Compensation.

 

Compensation of Executive Officers

 

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. The Company's day-to-day investment operations are managed by Barings and services necessary for its business, including the origination and administration of its investment portfolio are provided by individuals who are employees of Barings, the investment adviser and administrator, pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. The Company reimburses the administrator for its allocable portion of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including its allocable portion of the cost of certain of the Company’s officers and their respective staffs, and the investment adviser for certain expenses under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

Each independent director of the Board is paid an annual board retainer of $60,000, payable in quarterly installments. In addition, the Company reimburses independent directors for any out-of-pocket expenses related to their service as members of the Board of Directors. The independent directors of the Board do not receive any stock-based compensation for their service as members of the Board of Directors. The Company's directors who are employed by Barings do not receive any compensation for their service as members of the Board of Directors.

 

Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

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

 

Conflicts Relating to Barings

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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Barings Personnel

 

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

 

Investment Advisory Agreement

 

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay management and incentive fees to Barings. We have entered into an Investment Management Agreement with Barings that provides that these fees will be based on the value of our gross assets. As a result, investors in our Common Stock will invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. Because these fees are based on the value of our gross assets, Barings will benefit when we incur debt or use leverage. Additionally, under the incentive fee structure, Barings may benefit when capital gains are recognized and, because Barings will determine when to sell a holding, Barings will control the timing of the recognition of such capital gains. As a result of these arrangements, there may be times when the management team of Barings has interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict. Furthermore, there is a risk Barings will make more speculative investments in an effort to receive this payment.

 

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

 

We expect to make many of our portfolio investments in the form of loans and securities that are not publicly traded and for which no market based price quotation is available. As a result, our Board will determine the fair value of these loans and securities in good faith as described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure-Uncertainty as to the Value of Certain Portfolio Investments.” In connection with that determination, investment professionals from Barings may provide our Board with valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. While the valuation for each portfolio investment will be reviewed by an independent valuation firm at least once annually, the ultimate determination of fair value will be made by our Board and not by such third-party valuation firm. In addition, each of the Interested Directors has an indirect pecuniary interest in Barings. The participation of Barings’ investment professionals in our valuation process, and the pecuniary interest in Barings by certain members of our Board, could result in a conflict of interest as Barings’ management fee is based, in part, on the value of our gross assets, and our incentive fees will be based, in part, on realized gains and realized and unrealized losses.

 

Administration Agreement

 

We have entered into an Administration Agreement with Barings pursuant to which Barings will furnish us with office facilities and equipment and will provide us with the clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services necessary to conduct day-to-day operations. Under this Administration Agreement, Barings will perform, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include, among other things, being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. Certain of our officers and directors own indirect pecuniary interests in Barings. We will reimburse Barings for the allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our Board) of overhead and other expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions, and our allocable portion of the cost of our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, and any of their respective staff who provide services to us, operations staff who provide services to us, and internal audit staff, if any, to the extent internal audit performs a role in our Sarbanes-Oxley internal control assessment. Our allocable portion of overhead will be determined by Barings, which expects to use various methodologies such as allocation based on the percentage of time certain individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business and affairs of the Company, and will be subject to oversight by the Board.

 

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Barings may enter into one or more agreements with third parties for them to provide certain administrative services to the Company.

 

Conflicts Relating to the Purchase and Sale of Investments

 

Allocation of Investment Opportunities

 

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

 

If it is determined that the amount of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount Barings determines would be appropriate for the Company, such excess may be offered to one or more co-investors on such terms and conditions as Barings determines. Such purchases or investments may be at the same price as the Company acquires its investment, even though such price may not otherwise have been available to the co-investor absent the Company’s investment or the Company could have received additional fees, payments or benefits through sales to other third parties.

 

In the event Barings determines to offer an investment opportunity to co-investors, there can be no assurance that Barings will be successful in offering a co-investment opportunity to a potential co-investor, in whole or in part, that the closing of such co-investment will be consummated in a timely manner, that the co-investment will take place on the terms and conditions that will be preferable for the Company or that expenses incurred by the Company with respect to the syndication of the co-investment will not be substantial. In the event that Barings is not successful in offering a co-investment opportunity to potential co-investors, in whole or in part, the Company may consequently hold a greater concentration and have exposure in the related investment opportunity than was initially intended, which could make the Company more susceptible to fluctuations in value resulting from adverse economic and/or business conditions with respect thereto.

 

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

 

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Item 8. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are not currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings.

 

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

 

Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

Market Information

 

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

 

Because shares of our Common Stock have been acquired by investors in one or more transactions “not involving a public offering,” they are “restricted securities” and may be required to be held indefinitely. Such shares may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of unless (i) our consent is granted, and (ii) the shares are registered under applicable securities laws or specifically exempted from registration (in which case the stockholder may, at our option, be required to provide us with a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to us, that registration is not required). Accordingly, an investor must be willing to bear the economic risk of investment in the shares until we are liquidated. No sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, of the shares may be made except by registration of the transfer on our books. Each transferee will be required to execute an instrument agreeing to be bound by these restrictions and the other restrictions imposed on the shares and to execute such other instruments or certifications as are reasonably required by us.

 

Holders

 

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

 

Distribution Policy

 

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders of substantially all of our income, as determined by the Board in its discretion.

 

We intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under the Code, and intend to make the required distributions to our stockholders as specified therein. In order to qualify and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and to obtain RIC tax benefits, we must meet certain minimum distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. If such requirements are met, then we will generally be required to pay income taxes only on the portion of our taxable income and gains we do not distribute (actually or constructively). We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and our ability to make distributions will be limited by the asset coverage requirement and related provisions under the 1940 Act and contained in any applicable indenture and related supplements to any debt we may issue in the future.

 

The minimum distribution requirements applicable to RICs require us to distribute to our stockholders each year at least 90% of our ICTI, as defined by the Code. Depending on the level of ICTI earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward ICTI in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such excess. Any such carryover ICTI must be distributed before the end of the next tax year through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such ICTI.

 

ICTI generally differs from net investment income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses. We may be required to recognize ICTI in certain circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments issued with warrants), we must include in ICTI 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 us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in ICTI other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as interest income from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our ICTI for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements, even though we will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount. ICTI also excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as investment gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.

 

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Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

We expect to enter into Subscription Agreements with a number of investors for the private placement of Common Stock of the Company. Under the terms of the Subscription Agreements, investors are required to make capital contributions to purchase shares of our Common Stock at a price at least equal to the net asset value per share as determined by the Board within no more than 48 hours of share issuance up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments on an as-needed basis as determined by us with a minimum of 10 calendar days’ prior notice.

 

Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.

 

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

 

General

 

Our authorized stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Under our Articles of Incorporation, our Board is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the MGCL, our Articles of Incorporation provides that the Board, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the Articles of Incorporation from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

 

Common Stock

 

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

 

Transfer and Resale Restrictions

 

Unless and until an IPO, our Common Stock will not be registered under the 1933 Act. Shares of our Common Stock sold in the Private Offerings are exempt from registration requirements pursuant to Section 4(2) of and Regulation D under the 1933 Act.

 

Because our Common Stock will be acquired by investors in one or more transactions “not involving a public offering,” they will be “restricted securities” and may be required to be held indefinitely. Shares of our Common Stock may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of unless (i) our consent is granted, and (ii) the shares of our Common Stock are registered under applicable securities laws or specifically exempted from registration (in which case the stockholder may, at our option, be required to provide us with a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to us, that registration is not required). Accordingly, an investor must be willing to bear the economic risk of investment in the Common Stock until we are liquidated. No sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, of the Common Stock may be made except by registration of the transfer on our books. Each transferee will be required to execute an instrument agreeing to be bound by these restrictions and the other restrictions imposed on the common shares and to execute such other instruments or certifications as are reasonably required by us.

 

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Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Maryland Anti-takeover Law

 

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

 

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Classified Board of Directors

 

Our Board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the term of office of only one of the three classes expiring each year. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders following the meeting at which they were elected and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors helps to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

 

Election of Directors

 

Our bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast “for” or “against” a nominee for director at a duly called meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present is required to elect a director in an uncontested election. In a contested election, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which is a quorum is present. Under our bylaws, our Board may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

 

Number of Directors; Removal; Vacancies

 

Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of directors will be set only by the Board. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire Board may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less one nor more than 12. We have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the Board. Accordingly, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the Board, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. The limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors and fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from seeking to acquire, control of us.

 

Action by Stockholders

 

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

 

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

 

Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only by (1) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the Board or (3) by any stockholder of the Company who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at a special meeting may be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purposes of electing directors, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

 

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

 

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

 

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

 

Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and Bylaws

 

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its articles of incorporation, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its articles of incorporation for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our Articles of Incorporation generally provide for approval of amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our Articles of Incorporation also provides that certain amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, any proposal for our conversion, whether by amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company and any proposal for our liquidation or dissolution requires the approval of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter. However, if such amendment or proposal is approved by a majority of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by our Board), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter. The “continuing directors” are defined in our Articles of Incorporation as (1) our current directors, (2) those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of our current directors then on the Board or (3) any successor directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of continuing directors or the successor continuing directors then in office.

 

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

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

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

 

Control Share Acquisitions

 

The MGCL provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter (the “Control Share Act”). Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

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

 

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

 

a majority or more of all voting power.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Business Combinations

 

Under the MGCL, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

•     any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's shares; or

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

•     two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the voting stock of the corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the MGCL, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for it shares

 

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

 

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors may adopt a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by the board of directors, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. The Maryland Business Combination Act may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.

 

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Conflict with 1940 Act

 

Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act, or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

 

Exclusive Forum

 

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting an internal corporate claim (as defined in the MGCL), or (iii) any other action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine will be the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland (the “Maryland Circuit Court”) or the state court located within the City of Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (the “NC State Court”), or, if neither of these courts have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division or the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company will be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to have notice of and consented to these exclusive forum provisions and to have irrevocably submitted to, and waived any objection to, the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in connection with any such action or proceeding and consented to process being served in any such action or proceeding, without limitation, by United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Company, with postage thereon prepaid. With respect to an action or proceeding in the Maryland Circuit Court and the NC State Court governed by this Article, the Company and the stockholders (or beneficial owners of stock) shall be deemed to have consented to the assignment of the action or proceeding to the Business and Technology Case Management Program for the State of Maryland (or any successor program governing complex corporate proceedings) and the North Carolina Business Court, respectively.

 

Item 12. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

See “Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered — Provisions of the MGCL and Our Charter and Bylaws — Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses.

 

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers pursuant to which we are required to indemnify each such director and officer to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland Law unless it is established that (i) the director or officer’s conduct was in bad faith or the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the director or officer received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the director or officers had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

We have also obtained directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance for our directors and officers.

 

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Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

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

 

  Page
Index to Financial Statements*  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*  
Balance Sheet as of [*], 2020*  
Notes to Balance Sheet*  

 

* — to be filed by amendment

 

Item 14. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

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

 

Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) List separately all financial statements filed

 

The financial statements included in this Registration Statement are listed “Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

(b) Exhibits

 

Number Exhibit
   
3.1 Articles of Amendment and Restatement
3.2 Bylaws
10.1 Investment Advisory Agreement, dated June 24, 2020, between the Company and the Investment Adviser
10.2

Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

10.3 Administration Agreement, dated June 24, 2020, between the Company and the Administrator
10.4 Trademark License Agreement, dated June 24, 2020, between the Company and the Investment Adviser
10.5 Dividend Reinvestment Plan
10.6 Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers
10.7 Master Custodian Agreement, dated August 2, 2018, by and between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company
10.8 Form of Subscription Agreement to be entered into between the Company, the Investment Adviser, and certain other persons in connection with the Private Offering

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

    BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
       
       
Date:

June 26, 2020

By: /s/ Ian Fowler
    Name: Ian Fowler
    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President

 

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EX-3.1 2 tm2023392d1_ex3-1.htm EXHIBIT 3.1

Exhibit 3.1

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the Department of Assessments & Taxation of the State of Maryland (“SDAT”) that:

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE I

 

NAME

 

The name of the Corporation is: Barings Capital Investment Corporation.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PURPOSES

 

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

 

ARTICLE III

 

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE

 

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

RESIDENT AGENT

 

The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

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

 

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

 

Eric Lloyd

Michael Freno

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

2 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 5.5.      Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.3 or as may otherwise be provided by contract, no stockholder shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which the Corporation may issue or sell. No stockholder shall be entitled to exercise the rights of an objecting stockholder under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon such terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, or any proportion of the shares thereof, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE VI

 

STOCK

 

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

 

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

 

Section 6.3.      Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series of stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers (including exclusive voting rights, if any), restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the Department of Assessments & Taxation of the State of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.3 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document accepted for record by or filed with SDAT.

 

Section 6.4.      Inspection of Books and Records. A stockholder that is otherwise eligible under applicable law to inspect the Corporation’s books of account, stock ledger, or other specified documents of the Corporation shall have no right to make such inspection if the Board of Directors determines that such stockholder has an improper purpose for requesting such inspection.

 

Section 6.5.      Charter and Bylaws. All persons who acquire stock of the Corporation acquire the same, and the rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock are, subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws. The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the exclusive power, at any time, to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

AMENDMENTS; CERTAIN EXTRAORDINARY TRANSACTIONS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(c)            Any amendment to, or any amendment inconsistent with the provisions of, Section 5.1, Section 5.2, Section 5.7, Section 6.5, Section 7.1 or this Section 7.2;

 

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

 

(e)            Any transaction between (A) the Corporation and (B) a person, or group of persons acting together (including, without limitation, a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision), that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly, other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of Directors generally, or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, or employed by or acting as an agent of, any such person or member of such group; provided, however, that, if the Continuing Directors (as defined below), by a vote of at least a majority of such Continuing Directors, in addition to approval by the Board of Directors, approve such proposal, transaction or amendment referred to in (a)-(e) above, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter shall be sufficient to approve such proposal, transaction or amendment; and provided further, that, with respect to any transaction referred to in (b) above, if such transaction is approved by the Continuing Directors, by a vote of at least majority of such Continuing Directors, no stockholder approval of such transaction shall be required unless the MGCL, the Investment Company Act or another provision of the Charter or Bylaws otherwise requires such approval.

 

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

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

 

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

 

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

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any advancement of expenses pursuant to this Section 8.2 shall not be made to any person except upon, and only upon, delivery to the Corporation of (A) a written affirmation by such person of his or her good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Corporation under the MGCL has been met and (B) a written undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay any advancement of expenses if it ultimately shall be determined by a final, nonappealable judicial decision that such person has not met the applicable standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under the MGCL. Any such undertaking shall be an unlimited, non-interest bearing general obligation of such person but need not be secured and shall be accepted by the Corporation without reference to the financial ability of such person to make repayment.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

SEVENTH: The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation has authority to issue is as set forth in Article VI of these Articles of Amendment and Restatement.

 

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

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested to by its Secretary on this 3rd day of June, 2020.

 

ATTEST:   BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT
    CORPORATION
     
/s/ Melissa Logan   /s/ Elizabeth Murray
Name: Melissa Logan   Name: Elizabeth Murray
Title: Assistant Secretary   Title: Principal Accounting Officer

 

 

 

EX-3.2 3 tm2023392d1_ex3-2.htm EXHIBIT 3.2

Exhibit 3.2

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.      PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting, or solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 2-503 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), which may include a virtual meeting, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may determine. If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, any stockholders and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication, including virtual meeting technology, (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders; provided that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation. Any adjourned session of any meeting of the stockholders shall be held at the place announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.

 

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

 

Section 3.      SPECIAL MEETINGS.

 

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

 

 

 

(b)            Stockholder Requested Special Meetings.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 7.      VOTING. Each director shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. Each share entitles the holder thereof to vote for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the holder is entitled to vote. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless a different number or proportion is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or the Charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

     (a)      Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

 

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(1)            For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and, in the case of any such other business, such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that, in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(c)            General.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 13.            ACTION OF STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and is filed with the records of the meetings of the stockholders.

 

Section 14.            EXEMPTION FROM CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the MGCL, or any successor statute, shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

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ARTICLE III

 

DIRECTORS

 

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

 

Section 2.      NUMBER, TENURE AND RESIGNATION. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL nor more than fifteen (15), and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Section 13.    LOSS OF DEPOSITS. No director shall be liable for any loss which may occur by reason of failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other institution with whom money or stock have been deposited.

 

Section 14.    SURETY BONDS. Unless required by law, no directors shall be obligated to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his or her duties.

 

Section 15.    COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting (including telephonic meetings) and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they perform or engage in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COMMITTEES

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE V

 

OFFICERS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE VII

 

STOCK

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

ACCOUNTING YEAR

 

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

 

ARTICLE IX

 

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE X

 

SEAL

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE XI

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

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

 

ARTICLE XII

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT

 

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

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

EXCLUSIVE FORM

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of a different forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland (the “Maryland Circuit Court”) or the state court located within the City of Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (the “NC State Court”), or, if neither of these courts have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division or the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting an internal corporate claim (as defined in the MGCL) or (c) any other action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any stockholder (or beneficial owner of stock) who is a party to any action or proceeding governed by this Article shall be deemed to have consented to the jurisdiction of the foregoing courts solely for the purpose of adjudicating any action or proceeding governed by this Article. With respect to an action or proceeding in the Maryland Circuit Court and the NC State Court governed by this Article, the Corporation and the stockholders (or beneficial owners of stock) shall be deemed to have consented to the assignment of the action or proceeding to the Business and Technology Case Management Program for the State of Maryland (or any successor program governing complex corporate proceedings) and the North Carolina Business Court, respectively.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

 

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

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

 

Adopted April 28, 2020

 

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EX-10.1 4 tm2023392d1_ex10-1.htm EXHIBIT 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

AND

BARINGS LLC

 

This INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 24, 2020, between Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Barings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

1.            In General.

 

The Adviser agrees, all as more fully set forth herein, to act as investment adviser to the Company with respect to the investment of the Company’s assets and to supervise and arrange for the day-to-day operations of the Company and the purchase of assets for and the sale of assets held in the investment portfolio of the Company.

 

2.            Duties and Obligations of the Adviser with Respect to Investment of Assets of the Company.

 

(a)            Subject to the succeeding provisions of this paragraph and subject to the direction and control of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), the Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Company and shall manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, (i) determine the composition of the portfolio of the Company, 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 Company; (iii) execute, close, service and monitor the investments that the Company makes; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Company will purchase, retain or sell; (v) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies; and (vi) provide the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to restrict the Company’s right to hire its own employees or to contract for administrative services to be performed by third parties, including but not limited to, the calculation of the net asset value of the Company’s shares.

 

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(b)            In the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Adviser shall at all times use all reasonable efforts to conform to, and act in accordance with, any requirements imposed by (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act, and of any rules or regulations in force thereunder, subject to the terms of any exemptive order applicable to the Company; (ii) any other applicable provision of law; (iii) the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company, as such documents may be amended from time to time; (iv) the investment objectives, policies and restrictions applicable to the Company as set forth in the reports and/or registration statements that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as they may be amended from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company; and (v) any policies and determinations of the Board of Directors of the Company and provided in writing to the Adviser.

 

(c)            The Adviser will provide significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies of the Company that the Company agrees to provide such services to as required by the 1940 Act.

 

(d)            The Adviser may engage one or more investment advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser”) which are registered under the Advisers Act to act as sub-advisers to provide the Company certain services set forth in Section 2(a) of this Agreement, all as shall be set forth in a written contract (each, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) to which the Company and the Adviser shall be parties, which Sub-Advisory Agreement shall be subject to approval by the vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Adviser, any sub-adviser, or of the Company (each, a “Non-Interested Director”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and otherwise consistent with the terms of the 1940 Act. The Adviser and not the Company shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that the Adviser shall have the right to direct the Company to pay directly to any Sub-Adviser the amounts due and payable to such Sub-Adviser from the fees and expenses payable to the Adviser under this Agreement.

 

(e)            The Adviser will maintain all books and records with respect to the Company’s securities transactions required by sub-paragraphs (b)(5), (6), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those records being maintained by the administrator to the Company (the “Administrator”) under the administration agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and the Administrator concurrent herewith (the “Administration Agreement”), or by the Company’s custodian or transfer agent) and preserve such records for the periods prescribed therefor by Rule 31a-2 of the 1940 Act. The Adviser 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, subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.

 

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(f)            All investment professionals of the Adviser and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Company. The Company shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including, without limitation, those relating to:

 

(i)             organizational and offering expenses;

 

(ii)            fees and expenses incurred in valuing the Company’s assets and computing its net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm);

 

(iii)           the fees and expenses incurred by the Company or payable to third parties, including lawyers, accountants, auditors, agents, consultants or other advisors, in connection with the Company’s financial, accounting and legal affairs and in monitoring the Company’s investments and performing due diligence on the Company’s prospective portfolio companies or otherwise related to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments, including expenses related to unsuccessful portfolio acquisition efforts;

 

(iv)           all fees, costs and expenses of money borrowed by the Company, including principal, interest and the costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of any credit facilities, other financing arrangements, or other indebtedness of the Company, if any (including commitment fees, accounting and legal fees, closing and other costs);

 

(v)            offerings of the Company’s common stock and other securities;

 

(vi)           investment advisory and management fees payable under Section 6 of this Agreement;

 

(vii)          administration fees;

 

(viii)         transfer agent and custody fees and expenses;

 

(ix)           federal and state registration fees;

 

(x)            all costs of registration and listing the Company’s securities on any securities exchange;

 

(xi)           federal, state and local taxes;

 

(xii)          Non-Interested Directors’ compensation, fees and expenses;

 

(xiii)         costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents required by the SEC or other regulators;

 

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(xiv)         costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs;

 

(xv)          costs of holding stockholder meetings;

 

(xvi)         the Company’s allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums, including independent director liability policies;

 

(xvii)        direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, secretarial and other staff, independent auditors and outside legal costs;

 

(xviii)       all third-party legal, expert and other fees, costs and expenses relating to any actions, proceedings, lawsuits, demands, causes of action and claims, whether actual or threatened, made by or against the Company, or which the Company is authorized or obligated to pay under applicable law or its governing agreements or by the Board of Directors;

 

(xix)         subject to Section 7 below, any judgment or settlement of pending or threatened proceedings (whether civil, criminal or otherwise) against the Company, or against any trustee, director, partner, member or officer of the Company in his capacity as such for which the Company is required to indemnify such trustee, director, partner, member or officer by any court or governmental agency, or settlement of pending or threatened proceedings;

 

(xx)          all travel and related expenses of directors, officers, managers, agents and employees of the Company and the Adviser, incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors or holders of securities of the Company or performing other business activities that relate to the Company, including travel and related expenses incurred in connection with the purchase, consideration for purchase, financing, refinancing, sale or other disposition of any investment or potential investment of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall only be responsible for (A) a proportionate share of such expenses, as determined by the Adviser in good faith, where such expenses were not incurred solely for the benefit of the Company, and (B) expenses incurred in accordance with the Company’s travel expense reimbursement policies;

 

(xxi)          all expenses relating to payments of dividends or interest or distributions in cash or any other form made or caused to be made by the Board of Directors to or on account of holders of the securities of the Company, including in connection with any dividend reinvestment plan or direct stock purchase plan;

 

(xxii)        all fees, costs and expenses related to (A) the design and maintenance of the Company’s web site or sites and (B) the Company’s allocable share of costs associated with technology-related expenses, including any computer software or hardware, electronic equipment or purchased information technology services from third-party vendors or affiliates of the Adviser that is used for the Company, technology service providers and related software/hardware utilized in connection with the Company’s investment and operational activities;

 

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(xxiii)        all fees, costs and expenses incurred with respect to market information systems and publications, research publications and materials, and settlement, clearing and custodial fees and expenses; provided, however, that the Company shall only be responsible for a proportionate share of such expenses, as determined by the Adviser in good faith, where such expenses were not incurred solely for the benefit of the Company; and

 

(xxiv)        all other non-investment advisory expenses incurred by the Company or the Administrator in connection with administering the Company’s business (including payments under the Administration Agreement based upon the Company’s allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the allocable portion of the cost of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs).

 

(g)            The Adviser shall give the Company the benefit of its professional judgment and effort in rendering services hereunder, but neither the Adviser nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or controlling persons shall be liable for any act or omission or for any loss sustained by the Company in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, provided, that the foregoing exculpation shall not apply to a loss resulting from fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement; provided further, however, that the foregoing shall not constitute a waiver of any rights which the Company may have which may not be waived under applicable law.

 

(h)            The Adviser is hereby authorized, on behalf of the Company and at the direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to delegated authority, to possess, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise deal in, and exercise all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or possession with respect to, the Company’s investments and other property and funds held or owned by the Company, including voting and providing consents and waivers with respect to the Company’s investments and exercising and enforcing rights with respect to any claims relating to the Company’s investments and other property and funds, including with respect to litigation, bankruptcy or other reorganization.

 

(i)            The Adviser will place orders either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer in connection with making investments on the Company’s behalf hereunder. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, the Adviser will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders. In placing orders, the Adviser will consider the experience and skill of the firm’s securities traders as well as the firm’s financial responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, the Adviser may select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to the Company and other clients of the Adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the Adviser hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the transaction or the overall responsibility of the Adviser to the Company and its other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Company will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Company over the long term, subject to review by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time with respect to the extent and continuation of such practice to determine whether the Company benefits, directly or indirectly, from such practice.

 

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(j)            The Adviser will provide to the Board of Directors such periodic and special reports as it may reasonably request.

 

3.            Services Not Exclusive.

 

Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Adviser or any officer, employee or other affiliate thereof from acting as investment adviser for any other person, firm or corporation, whether or not the investment objectives or policies of any such other person, firm, or corporation are similar to those of the Company, or from engaging in any other lawful activity, and shall not in any way limit or restrict the Adviser or any of its officers, employees or agents from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or their own accounts or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting; provided, however, that the Adviser will not undertake, and will cause its employees not to undertake, activities which, in its reasonable judgment, will adversely affect the performance of the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

4.            Confidentiality.

 

The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including all “nonpublic personal information,” as defined under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (Public law 106-102, 113 Stat. 1138), shall be used by the other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party, except that such confidential information may be disclosed to an affiliate or agent of the disclosing party to be used for the sole purpose of providing the services set forth herein. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is requested by or required to be disclosed to any governmental or regulatory authority, including in connection with any required regulatory filings or examinations, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company hereby consents and authorizes the Adviser and its affiliates to use and disclose confidential information relating to the Company in connection with (a) the preparation of performance information relating to the Company and (b) in connection with any contemplated sale of the outstanding equity or assets of the Adviser, Administrator, or any person who may be deemed to “control” either of the Adviser or the Administrator, in each case within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

 

5.            Expenses.

 

During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser will bear all compensation expense (including health insurance, pension benefits, payroll taxes and other compensation related matters) of its employees and shall bear the costs of any salaries of any officers or directors of the Company who are affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser.

 

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6.            Compensation of the Adviser.

 

The Adviser, for its services to the Company, will be entitled to receive a management fee (the “Base Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (“Incentive Fee”) from the Company.

 

(a)            The Base Management Fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 0.15% of the Company’s gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage but excluding (i) cash and cash equivalents (as defined below) and (ii) net unsettled purchases and sales of investments. For services rendered under this Agreement, the Base Management Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. The Base Management Fee will be calculated based on the average value of the Company’s gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (including the quarter for which such fees are being calculated) and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the quarter. For the Company’s first quarter, the Base Management Fee will be calculated based on the value of the Company’s gross assets as of such quarter-end. The Base Management Fee for any partial quarter will be appropriately pro-rated. For purposes of this Agreement, “cash equivalents” means U.S. government securities, money market fund investments, commercial paper instruments and other similar cash equivalent investments maturing within one year of purchase.

 

(b)            The Incentive Fee will consist of two parts: (i) an incentive fee based on pre-incentive fee net investment income (the “Income-Based Fee”) and (ii) an incentive fee based on capital gains (the “Capital Gains Fee”).

 

(i)            The Income-Based Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears to the extent the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (as defined below) for the most recently completed calendar quarter divided by the Company’s net assets as of the end of such calendar quarter (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any Income-Based Fees and Capital Gains Fees payable during the calendar quarter, and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the calendar quarter) (the “PIFNII Return”) exceeds the Hurdle Rate (as defined below) and is an amount less than or equal to the Incentive Fee Cap (as defined below). The Income-Based Fee will be calculated as follows:

 

a.No Income-Based Fee in any calendar quarter in which the PIFNII Return does not exceed the Hurdle Rate;

 

b.25% of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of the PIFNII Return that exceeds the Hurdle Rate but is less than or equal to the Catch-Up Hurdle Rate (as defined below) for such calendar quarter, which is referred to as the “Catch-Up.” The Catch-Up is intended to provide the Adviser with an Income-Based Fee equal to 12.5% of all of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income if the Company’s PIFNII Return equals or exceeds the quarterly Catch-Up Hurdle Rate in any calendar quarter; plus

 

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c.12.5% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of the PIFNII Return that exceeds the Catch-Up Hurdle Rate.

 

provided that, (i) in any quarter that the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, the Company will pay no Income-Based Fee to the Adviser for such quarter, (ii) in any quarter that the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the Income-Based Fee that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap), the Company will pay an Income-Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter, and (iii) in any quarter that the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the Income-Based Fee that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter (before giving effect to the Incentive Fee Cap), the Company will pay an Income-Based Fee to the Adviser equal to the Income-Based Fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

 

For purposes of this Section 6(b)(i):

 

Hurdle Rate” for any calendar quarter means one fourth of the average daily Floating Rate over the applicable quarter.

 

Floating Rate” means, initially, the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”); provided that if a Floating Rate Transition Event and its related Floating Rate Replacement Date have occurred with respect to LIBOR, then “Floating Rate” means the Replacement Rate. In the event that the Floating Rate is a negative value, then the Floating Rate shall be zero.

 

Floating Rate Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the Floating Rate:

 

i.a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Floating Rate announcing that the administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Floating Rate permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Floating Rate;

 

ii.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Floating Rate, the central bank for the currency of the Floating Rate, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Floating Rate, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Floating Rate or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Floating Rate, which states that the administrator of the Floating Rate has ceased or will cease to provide the Floating Rate permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Floating Rate; or

 

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iii.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Floating Rate announcing that the Floating Rate is no longer representative.

 

Floating Rate Replacement Date” means:

 

i.in the case of clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Floating Rate Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the relevant Floating Rate permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide such Floating Rate; or

 

ii.in the case of clause (iii) of the definition of “Floating Rate Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information.

 

Replacement Rate” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined as of the Floating Rate Replacement Date.

 

i.the sum of: (a) Term SOFR and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and

 

ii.the sum of: (a) Compounded SOFR and (b) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

If a Replacement Rate is selected pursuant to clause (ii) above, then each calendar quarter following such selection, if a redetermination of the Replacement Rate on such date would result in the selection of a Replacement Rate under clause (i) above, then (x) the Replacement Rate shall be redetermined on such date utilizing Term SOFR and (y) such redetermined Replacement Rate shall become the Floating Rate on or after such date. If redetermination of the Replacement Rate on such date as described in the preceding sentence would not result in the selection of a Replacement Rate under clause (i), then the Floating Rate shall remain the Replacement Rate as previously determined pursuant to clause (ii) above.

 

Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate for the applicable Corresponding Tenor based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFR for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate (which, for example, may be compounded in arrears with a lookback and/or suspension period as a mechanism to determine the interest amount payable for the applicable calendar quarter or compounded in advance) being established in accordance with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining compounded SOFR.

 

SOFR” means with respect to any day means the Secured Overnight Financing Rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark, (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.

 

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Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Replacement Rate means a tenor (or observation period) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor (or observation period) for the then-current Floating Rate.

 

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the transition to the applicable Floating Rate.

 

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

 

Catch-Up Hurdle Rate” for any calendar quarter means a rate that is equal to 200% of the Hurdle Rate.

 

Incentive Fee Cap” means for any calendar quarter an amount equal to (a) 12.5% of the Cumulative Net Return (as defined below) minus (b) the aggregate Income-Based Fee that was paid in respect of the period ending with the calendar quarter immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter (or the portion thereof) included in the period for calculation of the Cumulative Net Return.

 

Cumulative Net Return” means (x) the aggregate Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in respect of either (i) the trailing twelve calendar quarters ending with the calendar quarter in which the Income-Based Fee is calculated or (ii) prior to the end of the twelfth calendar quarter after the effective date of this Agreement, the period from the effective date of this Agreement through the last day of the calendar quarter for which the Income-Based Fee is calculated minus (y) any Net Capital Loss (as defined below), if any, in respect of the relevant period.

 

Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in such period.

 

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

 

(ii)            The Capital Gains Fee will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon a Liquidity Event or a termination of this Agreement), and will equal 12.5% of the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of the 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 Capital Gains Fees. If such amount is zero or negative, then no Capital Gains Fee is payable for such year. A “Liquidity Event” shall mean a corporate control transaction or similar event (which may include a transaction with an affiliated entity, including an affiliated BDC), such as a strategic sale of the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to, or a merger with, another entity, for consideration payable to stockholders of the Company of cash or publicly listed securities of such other entity (or a combination of cash and such publicly listed securities).

 

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7.            Indemnification.

 

The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action of the Board of Directors in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendations of the Adviser. The Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services), and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs, demands, charges, claims and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of any actions or omissions or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 7 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

8.            Duration and Termination.

 

(a)            This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 90 days’ written notice, (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, (ii) by the vote of the Company’s Board of Directors, or (iii) by the Adviser. The provisions of Section 7 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 6 through the date of termination or expiration.

 

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(b)            This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (A) the vote of the Board of Directors, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and (B) the vote of a majority of the Non-Interested Directors in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

(c)            This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act).

 

9.            Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

In respect of the Company, the Adviser will rely on an exemption from registration as a commodity trading advisory (“CTA”) under Commodity Futures Trading Commission Rule 4.14(a)(8) and will provide commodity interest trading advice to the Company as if it were exempt from registration as a CTA.

 

10.            Notices.

 

Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

 

11.            Amendment of this Agreement.

 

This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Company must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

12.            Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. 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.

 

13.            Miscellaneous.

 

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

 

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14.            Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and the year first above written.

 

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT

CORPORATION,

  a Maryland corporation

 

  By: /s/ Elizabeth Murray
  Name: Elizabeth Murray
  Title: Principal Accounting Officer

 

 

  BARINGS LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company

 

  By: /s/ Jonathan Bock
  Name: Jonathan Bock
  Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Investment Advisory Agreement]

 

 

EX-10.2 5 tm2023392d1_ex10-2.htm EXHIBIT 10.2

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

[] June 2020

 

 

 

Barings LLC

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

Baring International Investment Limited

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

Barings Capital Investment Corporation

 

  

 

 

SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN RESPECT OF

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

 

 

 


 

 

  

CONTENTS

 

Clause Page
     
1. Definitions 1
     
2. Appointment of the Sub-Adviser 2
     
3. Notices 5
     
4. Compensation 5
     
5. Representations and Undertakings 5
     
6. Access to Information 6
     
7. UK Regulatory Matters 6
     
8. Termination 6
     
9. Counterparts 7
     
10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction 7

 

SIGNATURE PAGE   8
     
SCHEDULE 1 Investment Advisory Agreement 1
     
SCHEDULE 2 Compensation Policy 2
     
SCHEDULE 3 UK Regulatory Matters 3

 

 

 

 

 

THIS SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT is made as of the []th day of June 2020 by and between:

 

(1)BARINGS LLC, whose principal address is 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States of America (“Barings”);

 

(2)BARING INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITED, whose registered office is at 20 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7BF, United Kingdom (the “Sub-Adviser”); and

 

(3)BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION, whose principal address is 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States of America (the “Client”)

 

WHEREAS:

 

(A)Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement dated June [], 2020 between the Client and Barings as amended and/or supplemented from time to time (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), a copy of which is attached as Schedule 1 hereto, Barings was appointed by the Client to provide investment advisory services to the Client (such services and others described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, the “Services”).

 

(B)Barings wishes to appoint the Sub-Adviser, pursuant to Section 2(d) of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as a delegate in connection with the Services to be provided under the Investment Advisory Agreement on terms and conditions, except as provided herein, identical to the terms and conditions under which Barings has been appointed by the Client to provide Services to the Client. The Client is a party to this Agreement for the purposes of satisfying the conditions set out in Section 2(d) of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

(C)This Sub-Advisory Agreement provides a framework for the terms on which the Sub-Advisers shall provide the Services for the Portfolio.

 

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

 

1.Definitions

 

1.1In this Sub-Advisory Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Compensation Policy” means the compensation policy set out in Schedule 2 hereto or such other policy as may be agreed between Barings and the Sub-Adviser in respect of the Portfolio from time to time;

 

Conflicts Of Interest Policy” means the conflicts of interest policy of the Sub-Adviser as set out at https://barings-web.azureedge.net/assets/user/media/Global-Conflicts-of-Interest-Policy.pdf or as otherwise notified to Barings by the Sub-Adviser from time to time;

 

Data Protection Laws” means any applicable law regarding the processing, privacy, and use of Personal Data, including the GDPR;

 

Execution Policy” has the meaning given to it in Schedule 3;

 

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FCA” means the UK Financial Conduct Authority and any replacement or successor body or bodies;

 

FCA Handbook” means the handbook published by the FCA that sets out the rules and guidance made by it from time to time under FSMA;

 

FCA Rules” means the rules, evidential provisions and guidance made by the FCA under FSMA as set out in the FCA Handbook and any directly applicable European Union financial services legislation or rules applicable to the Sub-Adviser, subject to any waiver, modification or individual guidance from time to time applicable to the Sub-Adviser;

 

FSMA” means the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and any subordinate legislation made under it, or any applicable successor regulatory regime in the United Kingdom;

 

GDPR” means the EU General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679);

 

Personal Data” means any personal data (as defined pursuant to article 4(1) of the GDPR) processed by either Party or its approved sub-processor, in connection with the Sub-Advisory Agreement;

 

Portfolio” has the meaning given to it in Clause 2.3;

 

Services” has the meaning given to it in Recital (A); and

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement” means this sub-advisory agreement (as amended from time to time).

 

1.2References in this Sub-Advisory Agreement to any statute or statutory instrument or government regulations or rules of any regulatory authority shall be to the modification, amendment, extension or re-enactment thereof.

 

1.3In this Sub-Advisory Agreement, the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa as the context shall admit or require.

 

1.4In this Sub-Advisory Agreement, the headings are used for ease of reference only and shall not be deemed to form any part of this Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

1.5Terms not defined herein are as otherwise defined in the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

2.Appointment of the Sub-Adviser

 

2.1Barings hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser (and the Sub-Adviser hereby accepts such appointment) to act (on a non-exclusive basis) as discretionary investment advisor to Barings in connection with the selection and management of assets on behalf of the Client.

 

2.2The Client confirms that this Sub-Advisory Agreement has been approved in accordance with Section 2(d) of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

 2 

 

 

2.3Barings shall be responsible for the overall project management of the Client’s portfolio of assets (the “Portfolio”) and shall be the primary point of contact with the Client.

 

2.4Save as expressly varied, the Sub-Adviser shall discharge its obligations hereunder on terms and conditions that are, as far as possible, identical to the terms and conditions under which Barings itself was appointed to act as an investment adviser to the Client in the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall be entitled to rely on the accuracy of all representations and warranties made in the Investment Advisory Agreement by the parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement and, save as expressly varied herein, shall be entitled to the same rights and protections as if it were the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall be subject to Barings’ oversight and review in relation to the matters set out or otherwise contemplated by this Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

2.5In the event that Barings and the Client agree to an amendment of the Investment Advisory Agreement, Barings shall provide the Sub-Adviser with reasonable advance written notice of any such amendment. Unless the Sub-Adviser objects in writing to such amendment within three days of receipt of such notification, it shall be deemed to have accepted such amendment and the terms of this Sub-Advisory Agreement shall be deemed to have been amended accordingly.

 

2.6Without limiting in any way its other obligations under this Sub-Advisory Agreement and save as set out herein, the Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement as if it was originally party thereto as the Adviser, save that all reporting and disclosure shall be made to Barings rather than directly to the Client. For the avoidance of doubt, the Sub-Adviser shall be deemed to satisfy such requirements if such reporting and disclosure is made to Barings within the timeframes set forth in the Investment Advisory Agreement for Barings to report to the Client. Save as provided in the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall follow its own policies and procedures in the performance of its duties hereunder.

 

2.7The Sub-Adviser and Barings shall supply information to each other promptly on demand as may be necessary or desirable to enable the Sub-Adviser and Barings to fulfil their respective obligations under this Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

2.8The Sub-Adviser shall, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, provide Barings with reports and with all information, details, reports, records and documents it requires in its capacity as the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

2.9A power of attorney containing the list of the persons authorised to sign documentation and give instructions (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, the execution of brokerage agreements and other terms and conditions and master agreements with appropriate counterparties) on behalf of the Sub-Adviser in relation to the performance by the Sub-Adviser of its obligations hereunder and executed by the Sub-Adviser, as may be updated from time to time, will be provided to Barings upon request.

 

 3 

 

 

2.10It is confirmed that, for the avoidance of doubt, Barings shall maintain oversight responsibilities for the Sub-Adviser’s activities as they relate to the Portfolio (including the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the requirements set out, referred to or contemplated by the Investment Advisory Agreement), but that the Sub-Adviser will not be under the day-to-day direction and supervision of Barings. Barings will not exercise significant control over, or provide detailed instructions in relation to, the Sub-Adviser’s general advisory and management activities under this Sub-Advisory Agreement, other than as required to ensure the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with the Investment Advisory Agreement and applicable law and regulation; provided however, that Barings will retain ultimate discretion over the selection, acquisition and disposal of assets to or from the Portfolio.

 

2.11Without the prior written consent of Barings and the Client, the Sub-Adviser shall not appoint an agent or delegate to perform any of its duties under this Sub-Advisory Agreement or exercise any of its rights and powers hereunder. In the event that the Sub-Adviser appoints an agent or delegate, the Sub-Adviser shall be liable to Barings in relation to such agent or delegate to the same extent as Barings would have been liable to the Client under the Investment Advisory Agreement had such appointment been made by it.

 

2.12Following a request from the Client, Barings shall be entitled to subrogate its rights under this Sub-Advisory Agreement to the Client.

 

2.13Section 6 (Compensation of the Adviser) of the Investment Advisory Agreement shall not apply to this Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Adviser's compensation for the provision of its services hereunder shall be as provided in Clause 4 and Schedule 2 hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Barings shall be solely responsible for paying compensation to the Sub-Adviser hereunder.

 

2.14Barings hereby delegates to the Sub-Adviser the power to exercise all other ancillary rights or duties in connection with the Portfolio including, to the extent necessary, executing any trade documentation or other documentation related to the management of the Portfolio granted by the Client to Barings under the Investment Advisory Agreement. When executing such documentation, the Sub-Adviser shall use the following form of execution:

 

 

  Barings Capital Investment Corporation
   
  By: Baring International Investment Limited as Sub-Adviser and Attorney-in-fact
   

  

  By:   

 

 

 4 

 

 

The Sub-Adviser shall not sub-delegate this power, provided that the Sub-Adviser may appoint any notary or any individual employed by, or who is a member of, an external legal firm, as the Sub-Adviser’s true and lawful attorney with full power and authority in its name and on its behalf, to sign or to execute and deliver any guarantee or security document or other documents or deeds that are necessary or desirable to be executed by the Sub-Adviser outside of London in connection with any investment, asset or instrument forming part of the Portfolio.

 

2.15The following data protection provisions are applicable between the parties hereto:

 

2.15.1The Sub-Adviser will comply (and will ensure that any third party to which personal data is passed will comply) with Barings’ instructions in relation to the holding, obtaining and processing of Personal Data relating to the Portfolio.

 

2.15.2Barings undertakes to supply Personal Data to the Sub-Adviser in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Laws.

 

2.15.3Each of the parties hereto agrees to:

 

(a)be responsible for any Personal Data it may process in relation to the Sub-Advisory Agreement;

 

(b)comply with GDPR and any other Data Protection Laws, applicable to the collection and processing of the Personal Data;

 

(c)take appropriate technical and organisational measures against unauthorised or unlawful processing of Personal Data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, the Personal Data; and

 

(d)agree respective responsibilities for exercising of data subject rights and providing notice in respect of data breach reporting obligations.

 

3.Notices

 

Any notice under this Sub-Advisory Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

 

4.       Compensation

 

The Sub-Adviser shall be compensated by Barings (and not the Client) for its services under this Sub-Advisory Agreement in accordance with the Compensation Policy set out in Schedule 2 hereto.

 

5.       Representations and Undertakings

 

5.1Barings hereby represents and warrants to the Sub-Adviser that it has full power and authority to enter into this Sub-Advisory Agreement and that it has been granted full power and authority by the Client to retain the Sub-Adviser to provide advisory services and assist with the management of the Portfolio on the terms set out in this Sub-Advisory Agreement. Barings confirms that it has received a copy of Parts 2A and 2B of the Sub-Adviser’s Form ADV and a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s Privacy Notice.

 

 5 

 

 

5.2The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants to Barings that it has full power and authority to enter into this Sub-Advisory Agreement, and further represents that it is (a) registered as an investment adviser under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and (b) authorized and regulated by the FCA in the conduct of its investment business.

 

6.       Access to Information

 

The Sub-Adviser shall supply Barings with whatever information it may reasonably request (a) in relation to the Portfolio, (b) in order to discharge its oversight responsibilities for the Sub-Adviser’s activities and (c) to respond to any requests that Barings may receive from the Client or any relevant regulatory body (or, in each case, their respective agents or advisors).

 

7.       UK Regulatory Matters

 

The Sub-Adviser is required by the FCA Rules to make certain disclosures and seek certain consents in its terms of business with its clients. These are set out in Schedule 3 hereto.

 

8.       Duration and Termination

 

8.1 This Sub-Advisory Agreement shall become effective on the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as set forth in Section 8 of the Investment Advisory Agreement, and may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice, (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Client, (ii) by the vote of the Client’s Board of Directors, (iii) by Barings or (iv) by the Sub-Adviser.

 

8.2 This Sub-Advisory Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from its initial effective date and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (A) the vote of the Client’s Board of Directors, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Client and (B) by the vote of a majority of the Client’s Board of Directors, who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the Adviser, any sub-adviser, or of the Client, unless otherwise terminated hereunder. This Sub-Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically if any of the following events occur:

 

(a)the “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act) of either the Investment Advisory Agreement or this Sub-Advisory Agreement; or

 

(b)the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

8.3 For the avoidance of doubt, this Sub-Advisory Agreement may also be terminated by Barings without penalty for any reason upon 60 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser or by the Sub-Adviser without penalty for any reason upon 60 days’ written notice to Barings. Additionally, Barings may terminate this Sub-Advisory Agreement immediately in the event Barings determines in its sole discretion that the Sub-Adviser has materially breached any term of this Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Adviser has failed to cure such breach within 20 days of notice from Barings of such breach. Furthermore, in the event that the Sub-Adviser determines in its sole discretion that it may no longer perform its obligations under this Sub-Advisory Agreement due to changes in applicable law, due to take effect within a timescale rendering it impossible for the Sub-Adviser to terminate on 60 days’ written notice, this Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser on such written notice to Barings as the Sub-Adviser can reasonably give. Upon such termination, Barings shall pay the Sub-Adviser the fees due to the Sub-Adviser for services rendered prior to the date of termination as provided in the Compensation Policy.

 

 6 

 

 

9.Counterparts

 

This Sub-Advisory Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. Each such counterpart shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original and all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

10.Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

For the avoidance of doubt, this Sub-Advisory Agreement is subject to Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

 

 7 

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Sub-Advisory Agreement to be duly executed as a deed the day and year first above written.

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by )  
BARINGS LLC )  
acting by: )  
     
     
Signed in the presence of:   
   
    (Name)  
    (Address)  
    (Occupation)  

 

 

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by )  
BARING INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITED )  
acting by: )  
     

 

Signed in the presence of:   
   
    (Name)  
    (Address)  
    (Occupation)  

 

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by )  
BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION )  
acting by: )  

 

 

Signed in the presence of:   
   
    (Name)  
    (Address)  
    (Occupation)  

 

 

 8 

 

 

EXECUTION POLICY – EXPRESS CONSENT

 

Barings LLC expressly consents to orders being executed outside EU regulated markets, multilateral trading facilities and organised trading facilities, where to do so is in accordance with Baring International Investment Limited’s execution policy.

 

 

 

__________________________ Date __________________

 

Signed by

 

 9 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1 
Investment Advisory Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2 
Compensation Policy

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, Barings will be paid a management fee by the Client quarterly in arrears (such total fee amount, the “Barings Fee”).

 

Promptly after receipt of the Barings Fee for each quarter, Barings shall calculate and pay to the Sub-Adviser in compensation for the services provided by the Sub-Adviser under this Sub-Advisory Agreement a portion of the Barings Fee, the amount of which shall be as agreed between Barings and the Sub-Adviser from time to time.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 3    
UK Regulatory Matters

 

1.Client Categorisation

 

The Sub-Adviser has categorised Barings as a professional client and the Sub-Adviser will provide its services hereunder on that basis. Retail clients (as defined in the Glossary to the FCA Handbook) benefit from a higher degree of protection under the FCA Rules than professional clients.

 

Barings has the right to request the Sub-Adviser to categorise it as a retail client, either generally or in specific circumstances. However, it should be noted that it is not the Sub-Adviser’s policy to accept requests to be treated as a retail client for any service provided in accordance with the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

It is Barings’ sole responsibility to keep the Sub-Adviser informed about any change to the Barings’ circumstances which could affect the Sub-Adviser’s categorisation of Barings as a professional client.

 

2.Order Handling and Best Execution

 

Whenever the Sub-Adviser executes an order for Barings in relation to a financial instrument covered by the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive ("MiFID")1 (including an order which results from the exercise of its discretion), the Sub-Adviser is required by the FCA Rules to take all sufficient steps to obtain the best result for Barings in accordance with the Sub-Adviser's order execution policy (the "Execution Policy"). The Sub-Adviser is subject to similar obligations when it transmits an order to another entity for execution.

 

A copy of the current Execution Policy can be found at https://barings-web.azureedge.net/assets/user/media/Barings-Execution-Policy.pdf. The Sub-Adviser may update the Execution Policy from time to time and shall notify Barings of any material changes to it.

 

The Execution Policy summarises the way in which the Sub-Adviser complies with its trading obligations under the FCA Rules. The Sub-Adviser will inform Barings of any material change to the Execution Policy.

 

The Execution Policy contemplates that the Sub-Adviser may execute an order outside of an EU-regulated market, organised trading facility or multilateral trading facility. Where this is contemplated the Sub-Adviser is required to obtain Barings’s prior express consent. By signing this Sub-Advisory Agreement, Barings consents to the Execution Policy and specifically consents to the Sub-Adviser executing transactions on its behalf outside an EU-regulated market, organised trading facility or multilateral trading facility.

 

 

 

1“MiFID” means Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 on markets in financial instruments, and any secondary legislation, rules, regulations and procedures made pursuant thereto.

 

 

 

 

Specific instructions from Barings in relation to the execution of orders may prevent the Sub-Adviser from following the Execution Policy in relation to such orders in respect of the elements of execution covered by the instructions.

 

Pursuant to its obligations under this Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser may aggregate orders for Barings with orders for its other clients. The Sub-Adviser is required, by the FCA Rules, to notify Barings that, on some occasions, the effect of aggregation may work to the disadvantage of Barings in relation to a particular order.

 

3.Investment Objectives

 

When the Sub-Adviser makes an investment recommendation to Barings or manages its investments, the Sub-Adviser is obliged by FCA Rules to take reasonable steps to ensure that its decision to trade is “suitable” for Barings as per the FCA Rules. The Sub-Adviser is obliged to take into account Barings’s investment objectives. For this purpose, the Sub-Adviser understands that Barings’s investment objectives are as set out in the Investment Advisory Agreement and such ancillary documentation relating to the investment objectives of the Portfolio as Barings may supply to the Sub-Adviser from time to time.

 

As Barings is a professional client, the Sub-Adviser is entitled to assume that Barings has the necessary level of experience and knowledge in order to understand the risks involved in the transaction(s) or in the management of the Portfolio. Unless notified to the contrary by Barings, the Sub-Adviser shall be entitled to assume that this remains the case for the duration of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

Any brokers the Sub-Adviser uses to execute orders which it carries out for Barings may also be required by FCA Rules to assess the suitability of those orders for Barings. Barings agrees that the Sub-Adviser's understanding of Barings’s investment objectives is correct and consents to the Sub-Adviser making those investment objectives, and any relevant regulatory consents given in this Sub-Advisory Agreement, known to brokers and others where reasonably required in connection with the provision of the Sub-Adviser's services.

 

4.Limit Orders

 

If Barings provides the Sub-Adviser with or the Sub-Adviser generates a limit order in respect of shares admitted to trading on an EEA-regulated market which is not immediately executed under prevailing market conditions, the FCA Rules require the Sub-Adviser, in certain circumstances, to make that order (each a “Client Limit Order”) public immediately unless it has Barings’s consent not to do so. It may not always be in Barings’s best interests to make an unexecuted order public in this way. Accordingly, by signing this Sub-Advisory Agreement, Barings instructs the Sub-Adviser not to make public immediately a Client Limit Order in respect of shares admitted to trading on an EEA-regulated market which is not immediately executed under prevailing market conditions, unless the Sub-Adviser decides in its absolute discretion that it is appropriate to do so.

 

5.Conflicts Of Interest

 

The FCA Rules require the Sub-Adviser to take all appropriate steps to identify and to prevent or manage conflicts of interest between (i) the Sub-Adviser (and its staff) and Barings; and (ii) Barings and the Sub-Adviser's other clients.

 

 

 

 

If the arrangements the Sub-Adviser makes to prevent or manage conflicts of interest are not sufficient to ensure, with reasonable confidence, that risks of damage to the interests of Barings will be prevented, it is obliged to disclose the general nature and sources of conflicts of interest to Barings, in order to enable Barings to make an informed decision about the Sub-Adviser's services.

 

A copy of the Sub-Adviser Conflicts of Interest Policy can be found at https://barings-web.azureedge.net/assets/user/media/Global-Conflicts-of-Interest-Policy.pdf. The Sub-Adviser will inform Barings of any material change to the policy.

 

6.Risk Warnings

 

The Sub-Adviser is obliged under the FCA Rules to provide Barings with a general description of the nature and risks of the investments included in the Portfolio. Those investments may include shares, bonds, warrants, interests in syndicated loans and other types of security and derivative described in the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Sub-Adviser is obliged to inform Barings about such risks as failure of security, loss of capital, volatility, illiquidity, leverage and contingent liabilities. Barings is a sophisticated institutional investor and has agreed with the Sub-Adviser that it is not appropriate for the Sub-Adviser to provide more detailed risk warnings. However, more details about the risks involved are available on request.

 

7.Compensation and Complaints

 

The Sub-Adviser is not covered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme. All formal complaints by Barings relating to the services provided by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement should in the first instance be made in writing to the compliance officer of the Sub-Adviser. A copy of the Sub-Adviser's complaints management policy is available on request and will otherwise be provided in accordance with the FCA Rules.

 

8.Reporting

 

The FCA Rules require the Sub-Adviser to provide Barings with periodic statements in a particular form in respect of the Portfolio, except where Barings has agreed that it does not wish to receive statements in such format. Barings confirms that it does not require periodic statements.

 

Barings acknowledges that it does not wish to receive from the Sub-Adviser information under Article 50 (Costs and associated charges disclosure) and Article 62 (10% Portfolio Depreciation Notifications) of the MiFID Org Regulation.  Barings will obtain the relevant information from internal systems to provide portfolio reporting to Barings Capital Investment Corporation.  

 

9.Fees, Commissions and Non-Monetary Benefits

 

The Sub-Adviser will pay directly from its own resources for all research (as defined in the FCA Rules) received from third parties in connection with the provision of its services to Barings.

 

 

 

 

The Sub-Adviser may make payments to third parties in connection with the services it provides under this Sub-Advisory Agreement, which may relate to due diligence, protection of Barings’s rights and the completion of the legal and accounting steps required to enter into transactions or to exercise any rights under a transaction where the Sub-Adviser considers that these either (i) are designed to enhance the quality of the relevant service to Barings, and will not impact compliance with the Sub-Adviser’s duty to act honestly, fairly and professionally in the best interests of Barings, or (ii) enable or are necessary for the provision of the services under the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

Minor non-monetary benefits

 

Under the FCA Rules, in the course of providing portfolio management services to the Investment Manager, the Sub-Adviser is prohibited from accepting and retaining any fees, commission or monetary benefits, or accepting any non-monetary benefits (other than acceptable minor non-monetary benefits and research which is permitted), where these are paid or provided by any third party or a person acting on their behalf.

 

Where the Sub-Adviser receives any such fees, commissions or monetary benefits, it will transfer these to the Barings account and will inform Barings in the periodic statement to be provided in accordance with the provisions on reporting of any such fees, commissions or monetary benefits that were received and transferred to Barings during the relevant period.

 

The Sub-Adviser may accept and retain fees, commissions or non-monetary benefits which are paid or provided to the Sub-Adviser by a person acting on behalf of the Investment Manager, provided that person is aware that such payments have been made on Barings’ behalf and the amount and frequency of the payment is agreed in writing between Barings and the Sub-Adviser and not determined by a third party.

 

The following benefits received by the Sub-Adviser in the course of providing services to Barings will be considered to be acceptable minor non-monetary benefits for the purposes of this section:

 

(a)information or documentation relating to a financial instrument or investment service that is generic in nature or personalised to reflect the circumstances of an individual client;

 

(b)written material from a third party that is commissioned and paid for by a corporate issuer or potential issuer to promote a new issuance by the issuer, or where the third party firm is contractually engaged and paid by the issuer to produce such material on an ongoing basis, provided that the relationship is clearly disclosed in the material and that the material is made available at the same time to any firms wishing to receive it or to the general public;

 

(c)participation in conferences, seminars and other training events on the benefits and features of a specific financial instrument or an investment service;

 

(d)hospitality of a reasonable de minimis value, including food and drink during a business meeting or a conference, seminar or other training event specified in this section;

 

 

 

 

(e)research relating to an issue of shares, debentures, warrants or certificates representing certain securities by an issuer, which is:

 

(i)produced prior to the issue being completed by a person that is providing underwriting or placing services to the issuer on that issue; and

 

(ii)made available to prospective investors in the issue; and

 

(f)research that is received so that the Sub-Adviser may evaluate the research provider’s research service, provided that:

 

(i)it is received during a trial period that lasts no longer than three months;

 

(ii)no monetary or non-monetary consideration is due (whether during the trial period, before or after) to the research provider for providing the research during the trial period;

 

(iii)the trial period is not commenced with the research provider within 12 months from the termination of an arrangement for the provision of research (including any previous trial period) with the research provider; and

 

(iv)the Sub-Adviser makes and retains a record of the dates of any trial period accepted under this section, as well as a record of how the conditions in (i) to (iii) were satisfied for each such trial period,

 

provided that, in the Sub-Adviser’s view, the minor non-monetary benefit is:

 

(a)capable of enhancing the quality of the service provided by the Sub-Adviser to Barings;

 

(b)of a scale and nature that it could not be judged to impair the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with its duty to act honestly, fairly and professionally in the best interests of Barings; and

 

(c)reasonable, proportionate and of a scale that is unlikely to influence the Sub-Adviser’s behaviour in any way that is detrimental to the interests of Barings.

 

10.Recording Communications

 

The Sub-Adviser will record telephone conversations and electronic communications, including communications with Barings which result or may result in transactions for the Client. A copy of the recoding of such conversations and communications will be available to Barings on request to the Sub-Adviser for a period of five years and, where requested by the FCA, for a period of up to seven years.

 

11.Transaction Reporting and Use of Confidential Information

 

MiFID imposes certain transaction and position reporting obligations on clients in relation to their investments, including the procurement of a valid Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). Clients are responsible for (i) providing all the necessary information and documentation under these obligations; and (ii) taking any action reasonably required by the firm in relation to these obligations.

 

 

 

 

In order to report details of our client transactions, the Sub-Adviser may need to disclose confidential information to a regulatory authority, via a third party, where such disclosure is required to enable it to assist in complying with reporting obligations in connection with the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

12.Exclusion of Liability Under the Regulatory System

 

The Sub-Adviser confirms that nothing in this Sub-Advisory Agreement seeks to exclude or restrict any duty or liability owed to Barings under the Regulatory System (as defined in the Glossary to the FCA Handbook).

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-10.3 6 tm2023392d1_ex10-3.htm EXHIBIT 10.3

Exhibit 10.3

 

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

This ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of June 24, 2020 by and between Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Barings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

1.            Duties of the Administrator.

 

(a)            Employment of Administrator. The Company hereby employs the Administrator to act as administrator of the Company, and to furnish, or arrange for others to furnish, the administrative services, personnel and facilities described below, subject to review by and the overall control of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein set forth subject to the reimbursement of costs and expenses as provided for below. The Administrator and any such other persons providing services arranged for by the Administrator shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized herein, have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Company.

 

(b)            Services. The Administrator shall perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall provide the Company with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such office facilities and such other services as the Administrator, subject to review by the Board of Directors, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Administrator shall also, on behalf of the Company and subject to the Board of Directors’ approval, arrange for the services of, and oversee, custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. The Administrator shall make reports to the Board of Directors regarding its performance of the obligations hereunder and furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Company as it shall determine to be desirable; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the Administrator to, and the Administrator shall not, in its capacity as Administrator, provide any advice or recommendation relating to the securities and other assets that the Company should purchase, retain or sell or any other investment advisory services to the Company. The Administrator shall be responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain and shall prepare all reports and other materials required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or any other regulatory authority, including, but not limited to, current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K and proxy or information statements to stockholders. In addition, the Administrator will assist the Company in determining and publishing the Company’s net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns, and the printing and dissemination of reports to stockholders of the Company, and generally overseeing the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others.

 

 

 

 

(c)            Sub-Administrators. The Administrator may engage one or more administrators (each, a “Sub-Administrator”) to act as sub-administrators to provide the Company certain administrative services set forth in Section 1(b) of this Agreement, all as shall be set forth in a written contract (each, a “Sub-Administration Agreement”) to which the Administrator shall be a party.

 

2.            Records.

 

The Administrator agrees to maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Company that relate to activities performed by the Administrator hereunder and, if required by any applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including without limitation, the 1940 Act, will maintain and keep such books, accounts and records in accordance with such statutes, rules and regulations. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Administrator agrees that all records that it maintains for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of this Agreement or otherwise on written request. The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be surrendered in usable machine-readable form. The Administrator shall have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.            Confidentiality.

 

The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including all “nonpublic personal information,” as defined under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (Public law 106-102, 113 Stat. 1138), shall be used by the other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party, except that such confidential information may be disclosed to an affiliate or agent of the disclosing party to be used for the sole purpose of providing the services set forth herein. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is requested by or required to be disclosed to any governmental or regulatory authority, including in connection with any required regulatory filings or examinations, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company hereby consents and authorizes the Administrator and its affiliates to use and disclose confidential information relating to the Company in connection with (a) the preparation of performance information relating to the Company and (b) in connection with any contemplated sale of the outstanding equity or assets of the Adviser (defined below), Administrator, or any person who may be deemed to “control” either of the Adviser or the Administrator, in each case within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

 

2

 

 

4.            Compensation; Allocation of Costs and Expenses.

 

(a)            Reimbursement. In full consideration of the provision of the services of the Administrator, the Company shall reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities set forth in Section 1 herein. Specifically, the reimbursements made by the Company to the Administrator shall include, but not be limited to:

 

(i)            the allocable portion of the Administrator’s rent for the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs, which is based upon the allocable portion of the usage thereof by such personnel in connection with their performance of administrative services under this Agreement;

 

(ii)            the allocable portion of the salaries, bonuses, benefits and expenses of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs, which is based upon the allocable portion of the time spent by such personnel in connection with performing administrative services for the Company under this Agreement;

 

(iii)            the actual cost of goods and services used for the Company and obtained by the Administrator from entities not affiliated with the Company, which is reasonably allocated to the Company on the basis of assets, revenues, time records or other method conforming with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(iv)            all fees, costs and expenses associated with the engagement of a Sub-Administrator, if any; and

 

(v)            costs associated with (a) the monitoring and preparation of regulatory reporting, including registration statements and amendments thereto, prospectus supplements, and tax reporting, (b) the coordination and oversight of service provider activities and the direct cost of such contractual matters related thereto and (c) the preparation of all financial statements and the coordination and oversight of audits, regulatory inquiries, certifications and sub-certifications.

 

(b)            Allocation of Costs and Expenses. The Company will bear all costs and expenses that are incurred in its operation and transactions and not specifically assumed by the Company’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), pursuant to that certain Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2020, by and between the Company and the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”).

 

3

 

 

5.            Limitation on Indemnification.

 

The Administrator, its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with any of them shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrator in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company, and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs, demands, charges, claims and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of any actions or omissions or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 5 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Administrator’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Administrator’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (to the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the 1940 Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

6.            Activities of the Administrator.

 

The services of the Administrator to the Company are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Administrator and each other person providing services as arranged by the Administrator is free to render services to others. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Administrator and its affiliates, as directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners, stockholders or otherwise, and that the Administrator and directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners and stockholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as officers, directors, stockholders or otherwise.

 

7.            Duration and Termination of this Agreement.

 

(i)            This Agreement shall continue in effect for two years from the date hereof and thereafter continue automatically for successive annual periods, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Directors of the Company and (ii) a majority of the Non-Interested Directors.

 

4

 

 

(ii)            This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board of Directors, or by the Administrator, upon 90 days’ written notice to the other party.

 

(iii)            This Agreement may not be assigned by a party without the consent of the other party. The provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Administrator shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement.

 

8.            Amendments of this Agreement.

 

This Agreement may be amended pursuant to a written instrument by mutual consent of the parties hereto.

 

9.            Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

 

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

 

10.            Notices.

 

All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service (with signature required), by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at their respective principal executive office addresses.

 

11.            Miscellaneous.

 

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

 

12.            Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

5

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

       BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION, a
   Maryland Corporation
      
   By:

/s/ Elizabeth Murray

   Name: Elizabeth Murray
   Title: Principal Accounting Officer
    
   BARINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
    
   By:

/s/ Jonathan Bock

   Name:

Jonathan Bock

   Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Administration Agreement]

 

 

 

EX-10.4 7 tm2023392d1_ex10-4.htm EXHIBIT 10.4

Exhibit 10.4 

 

TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and effective as of June 24, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Barings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Licensor”), and Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Licensee”) (each a “party,” and collectively, the “parties”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Licensee is a newly formed, externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that is regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, Licensor has used the mark “Barings” and the Barings logo (each, a “Licensed Mark” and together, the “Licensed Marks”) in the United States of America (the “Territory”) in connection with the investment management and investment advisory services that Licensor provides;

 

WHEREAS, Licensee has entered into an investment advisory agreement dated June 24, 2020 with Licensor (the “Advisory Agreement”), wherein Licensee has engaged Licensor to act as the investment adviser to Licensee; and

 

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to use the Licensed Marks as part of its corporate name and in connection with the operation of its business, and Licensor is willing to grant Licensee a license to use the Licensed Marks, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1.
LICENSE GRANT

 

1.1.            License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, and Licensee hereby accepts from Licensor, a personal, non-exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use the Licensed Marks solely and exclusively as a component of Licensee’s own name and in connection with marketing the investment management, investment consultation and investment advisory services that Licensor may provide to Licensee. During the term of this Agreement, Licensee shall use the Licensed Marks only to the extent permitted under this Agreement, and except as provided above, neither Licensee nor any affiliate, owner, member, manager, director, officer, employee or agent thereof shall otherwise use the Licensed Marks or any derivative thereof in the Territory without the prior express written consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor may grant or withhold in its sole and absolute discretion, and shall not use the Licensed Marks for any purpose outside the Territory. All rights not expressly granted to Licensee hereunder shall remain the exclusive property of Licensor.

 

 

 

 

1.2.            Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Licensor or any of its successors or assigns from using or permitting other entities to use the Licensed Marks, whether or not such entity directly or indirectly competes or conflicts with Licensee’s business in any manner.

 

ARTICLE 2.
COMPLIANCE

 

2.1.            Quality Control. In order to preserve the inherent value of the Licensed Marks, Licensee agrees to use reasonable efforts to ensure that it maintains the quality of Licensee’s business and the operation thereof equal to the standards prevailing in the operation of Licensee’s business as applicable to Licensee from time to time. Licensee further agrees to use the Licensed Marks in accordance with such quality standards as may be reasonably established by Licensor and communicated to Licensee from time to time in writing, or as may be agreed to by Licensor and Licensee from time to time in writing.

 

2.2.            Compliance With Laws. Licensee agrees that the business operated by it in connection with the Licensed Marks shall comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any governmental body in the Territory or elsewhere as may be applicable to the operation, marketing, and promotion of the business and shall notify Licensor of any action that must be taken by Licensee to comply with such laws, rules, regulations or requirements.

 

2.3.            Notification of Infringement. Each party shall immediately notify the other party and provide to the other party all relevant background facts upon becoming aware of: (a) any registrations of, or applications for registration of, marks in the Territory that do or may conflict with Licensor’s rights in the Licensed Marks or the rights granted to Licensee under this Agreement, (b) any infringements or misuse of the Licensed Marks in the Territory by any third party (“Third Party Infringement”) or (c) any claim that Licensee’s use of the Licensed Marks infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party in the Territory (“Third Party Claim”). Licensor shall have the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to prosecute, defend and/or settle, in its sole discretion, all actions, proceedings and claims involving any Third Party Infringement or Third Party Claim, and to take any other action that it deems necessary or proper for the protection and preservation of its rights in the Licensed Marks. Licensee shall cooperate with Licensor in the prosecution, defense or settlement of such actions, proceedings or claims.

 

ARTICLE 3.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1.            Licensee accepts this license on an “as is” basis. Licensee acknowledges that Licensor makes no explicit or implicit representation or warranty as to the registrability, validity, enforceability or ownership of the Licensed Marks, or as to Licensee’s ability to use the Licensed Marks without infringing or otherwise violating the rights of others, and Licensor has no obligation to indemnify Licensee with respect to any claims arising from Licensee’s use of the Licensed Marks, including, without limitation, any Third Party Claim.

 

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3.2.            Mutual Representations. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party as follows:

 

(a)            Due Authorization. Such party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as of the Effective Date in its jurisdiction of formation or incorporation, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such party.

 

(b)            Due Execution. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and, upon due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the other party, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.

 

(c)            No Conflict. Such party’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not: (i) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any provision of the certificate of formation, articles of incorporation, limited liability company operating agreement or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of such party; (ii) conflict with or violate any governmental order applicable to such party or any of its assets, properties or businesses; or (iii) conflict with, result in any breach of, constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a default) under, require any consent under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation or cancellation of any contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or arrangement to which it is a party.

 

ARTICLE 4.
TERM AND TERMINATION

 

4.1.            Term. This Agreement shall expire if Licensor or one of its affiliates ceases to serve as investment adviser to Licensee. This Agreement shall be terminable by Licensor, at any time and in its sole discretion, in the event that Licensor or Licensee receives notice of any Third Party Claim arising out of Licensee’s use of the Licensed Marks; by Licensor or Licensee upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; or by Licensor at any time in the event Licensee assigns or attempts to assign or sublicense this Agreement or any of Licensee’s rights or duties hereunder without the prior written consent of Licensor.

 

4.2.            Upon Termination. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to Licensee under this Agreement with respect to the Licensed Marks shall cease, and Licensee shall cease using the Licensed Marks as promptly as practicable, making all reasonable efforts to remove “Barings” from its name, including calling special meetings of members or stockholders, as necessary and applicable. For twenty-four (24) months following termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall specify on all public-facing materials in a prominent place and in prominent typeface that Licensee is no longer operating under the Licensed Marks, is no longer associated with Licensor, or such other notice as may be deemed necessary by Licensor in its sole discretion, including with respect to its prosecution, defense, and/or settlement of any Third Party Claim.

 

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ARTICLE 5.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1.            Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, either express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any third party any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

5.2.            Assignment. Licensee shall not sublicense, assign, pledge, grant or otherwise encumber or transfer to any third party all or any part of its rights or duties under this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor may grant or withhold in its sole and absolute discretion. Any purported transfer without such consent shall be void ab initio.

 

5.3.            Independent Contractor. Neither party shall have, or shall represent that it has, any power, right or authority to bind the other party to any obligation or liability, or to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of the other party.

 

5.4.            Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service (with signature required), by facsimile or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or such other address as the parties may provide to each other by written notice):

 

If to Licensor: If to Licensee:
   
Barings LLC
300 South Tryon Street
Suite 2500
Charlotte, NC 28202
Tel. No.: 704-805-7200
Attn: US Legal or General Counsel
Barings Capital Investment Corporation
300 South Tryon Street
Suite 2500
Charlotte, NC 28202
Tel. No.: 704-805-7200
Attn: US Legal or General Counsel

 

5.5.            Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland. The parties unconditionally and irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the State of Maryland and waive any objection with respect thereto, for the purpose of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5.6.            Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto.

 

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5.7.            No Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce at any time for any period the provisions of, or any rights deriving from, this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or rights or the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, and no waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto.

 

5.8.            Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

5.9.            Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

5.10.            Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original instrument and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

5.11.            Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date by its duly authorized officer.

 

  LICENSOR:
   
  BARINGS LLC
   
   
  By: /s/ Jonathan Bock
    Name: Jonathan Bock
    Title: Managing Director
   
   
   
  LICENSEE:
   
  BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
   
   
  By: /s/ Elizabeth Murray
    Name: Elizabeth Murray
    Title: Principal Accounting Officer

 

[Signature Page to Trademark License Agreement]

 

 

EX-10.5 8 tm2023392d1_ex10-5.htm EXHIBIT 10.5

Exhibit 10.5

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

 

Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby adopts the following plan (the “Plan”) with respect to dividends and distributions declared by its Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) on shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”):

 

1. Unless a stockholder specifically elects to receive cash as set forth below, all cash dividends and distributions hereafter declared by the Board of Directors shall be payable in shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation, and no action shall be required on such stockholder’s part to receive a distribution in stock.

 

2. Such cash dividends and distributions shall be payable on such date or dates as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors to stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date(s) established by the Board of Directors for the dividend and/or distribution involved.

 

3. The Corporation intends to use newly-issued shares of its Common Stock to implement the Plan. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder shall be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the net asset value per share of the Common Stock, as of the last day of the Corporation’s fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date such distribution was declared.

 

4. A stockholder may, however, elect to receive his, her or its dividends and distributions in cash. To exercise this option, such stockholder shall notify the Corporation’s investor relations department at 1-888-401-1088 or bdcinvestorrelations@barings.com to request a change form. Such change form must be received by State Street Bank and Trust Company, the plan administrator (the “Plan Administrator”), no later than 10 business days prior to the distribution date fixed by the Board of Directors for such dividend. If such change form is received by the Plan Administrator less than 10 business days prior to the distribution date fixed by the Board of Directors for such dividend, then that dividend will be reinvested pursuant to the terms of the Plan and any subsequent dividends will be paid in cash.

 

5. The Plan Administrator will set up an account for shares acquired pursuant to the Plan for each stockholder who has not so elected to receive dividends and distributions in cash (each a “Participant”). The Plan Administrator may hold each Participant’s shares, together with the shares of other Participants, in non-certificated form in the Plan Administrator’s name or that of its nominee.

 

6. Those Stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive dividends in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election so long as their broker or other financial intermediary notifies the Plan Administrator of the same by submitting the change form.

 

7. The Plan Administrator will confirm to each Participant each acquisition made pursuant to the Plan as soon as practicable after the date of each acquisition. Each Participant may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a share of Common Stock of the Corporation, and such fractional shares will be credited to each Participant’s account. In the event of termination of a Participant’s account under the Plan, the Plan Administrator will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the value of the Corporation’s shares as determined in accordance with Section 3 hereof at the time of termination.

 

8. In the event that the Corporation makes available to its stockholders rights to purchase additional shares or other securities, the shares held by the Plan Administrator for each Participant under the Plan will be added to any other shares held by the Participant in calculating the number of rights to be issued to the Participant.

 

9. The Plan Administrator’s service fee, if any, for purchases made pursuant to the Plan, and expenses for administering the Plan will be paid for by the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

10. Each Participant may terminate his, her or its account under the Plan by requesting a change form from the Corporation’s investor relations department at 1-888-401-1088 or bdcinvestorrelations@barings.com. Such termination will be effective immediately upon receipt by the Plan Administrator. The Plan may be terminated by the Corporation upon notice in writing mailed to each Participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Corporation. Upon any termination, the Plan Administrator will cause whole shares of Common Stock of the Corporation held for the Participant under the Plan to be credited to the Participant in book-entry form with the Corporation’s transfer agent and a cash adjustment for any fractional shares to be paid to the Participant (the value of which will be calculated using the value of the Corporation’s shares determined in accordance with Section 3 hereof).

 

11. Any shares issued in connection with a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Corporation will be added to the Participant’s account with the Plan Administrator. Transaction processing may be curtailed or suspended until the completion of such stock split or payment of such stock dividend.

 

12. These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by the Corporation at any time but, except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, only by mailing to each Participant appropriate written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date thereof. The amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Plan Administrator receives written notice of the termination of his, her or its account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Plan Administrator in its place and stead of a successor agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Plan Administrator under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of any agent for the purpose of receiving dividends and distributions, the Corporation will be authorized to pay to such successor agent, for each Participant’s account, all dividends and distributions payable on shares of the Corporation held in the Participant’s name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor agent as provided in these terms and conditions.

 

13. The Plan Administrator will at all times act in good faith for all purchases and sales and will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to ensure its full and timely performance of all services to be performed by it under this Plan and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by the Plan Administrator’s gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees or agents.

 

14. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, including without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law.

 

Dated June 24, 2020

 

 

 

EX-10.6 9 tm2023392d1_ex10-6.htm EXHIBIT 10.6

Exhibit 10.6

 

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of , 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (collectively, with its affiliates and subsidiaries, the “Company”), and ______________ (“Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as [a director][an officer] of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of [his][her] service as [a director][an officer] of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee [to continue] to serve as [a director][an officer] of the Company, the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law;

 

WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advancement of expenses; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is relying upon the rights afforded under this Agreement in continuing to serve as [a director][an officer] of the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

1.            Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

a.            “Adjudged” shall mean adjudged finally by a court or arbitral or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

 

b.            “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not comprised of (A) individuals who were directors as of the Effective Date and/or (B) individuals whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved; or (iv) the Company retains or engages an external investment adviser to manage its assets and business.

 

 

 

c.            “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company: (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (A) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is or was owned directly or indirectly by the Company, or (B) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company; or (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitee’s service to the Company, Indemnitee is subject to duties by, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as a deemed fiduciary thereof.

 

d.            “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advancement of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.

 

e.            “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

f.            “Enterprise” shall mean (i) the Company and (ii) any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which is an affiliate or wholly or partially owned subsidiary of the Company and of which the Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary; and (iii) any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

g.            “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

h.            “Expenses” means any and all disbursements or expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement and any ERISA excise taxes and penalties. Expenses shall also include (i) expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium for, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, and (iii) expenses incurred by Indemnitee in establishing or enforcing [his][her] right to indemnification or reimbursement under this Agreement.

 

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i.            “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

j.            “Jointly Indemnifiable Claims” shall mean any Proceeding for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance from (i) the Company and/or any Enterprise pursuant to this Agreement, the charter or Bylaws or other governing documents of the Company or any Enterprise, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise, on the one hand, and (ii) any Third-Party Indemnitor pursuant to any agreement between any Third-Party Indemnitor and the Indemnitee pursuant to which the Indemnitee is indemnified, the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Third-Party Indemnitor and/or the certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or other organizational or governing documents of any Third-Party Indemnitor, on the other hand.

 

k.            “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, claim, demand or discovery request or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding. The term “Proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, defense, settlement, arbitration or appeal of, and the giving of testimony in or related to, any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or other proceeding, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature.

 

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l.            “Third-Party Indemnitor” means any person or entity that has or may in the future provide to the Indemnitee any indemnification, exoneration, hold harmless or Expense advancement rights and/or insurance benefits other than (i) the Company, (ii) any Enterprise and (iii) any entity or entities through which the Company maintains liability insurance applicable to the Indemnitee.

 

2.            Services by Indemnitee. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce the Indemnitee to [continue to] serve as [a director/an officer] of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in [continuing to serve/serving] in such capacity. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.

 

3.            Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent not prohibited by (and not merely to the extent affirmatively permitted by) Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by the charter or bylaws of the Company or Section 2-418(b) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).

 

4.            Standard for Indemnification. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless (and only to the extent) it is ultimately Adjudged that (i) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (A) was committed in bad faith or (B) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (iii) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that [his][her] conduct was unlawful.

 

5.            Certain Limitations. Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:

 

a.            indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable to the Company;

 

b.            indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee; or

 

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c.            indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to establish or enforce indemnification rights under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party, expressly provides otherwise.

 

6.            Court-Ordered Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 16), a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:

 

a.            if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

 

b.            if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.

 

7.            Partial Success. In addition to any other right to indemnification under any provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, if Indemnitee is not wholly successful in a Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7, and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that Indemnitee is not wholly successful and is Adjudged liable, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the maximum extent not prohibited by (and not merely to the extent affirmatively permitted by) Maryland law and as permitted by Sections 3, 4 5 and 6 of this Agreement.

 

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8.            Advancement of Expenses. If Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding. Such advance or advances shall be made within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding, and may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of Indemnitee (but without duplication): (i) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee; (ii) advancement to Indemnitee of funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses; or (iii) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s payment of such Expenses. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation and undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion (if any) of any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which it shall ultimately be Adjudged by clear and convincing evidence, that the standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of this Agreement. For so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), any advancement of Expenses shall be subject to at least one of the following as a condition of the advancement: (a) Indemnitee shall provide appropriate security for [his][her] undertaking, (b) the Company shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (c) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Directors, or Independent Counsel in a written report based on a review of readily available facts, shall determine that there is no reason to believe that Indemnitee ultimately will be found to not be entitled to indemnification. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.

 

9.            Indemnitee as Witness or Other Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee was, is or may be, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified and held harmless against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. In connection with any such advancement of Expenses, the Company may require Indemnitee to provide a written affirmation and undertaking substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

10.            Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.

 

a.            To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary or appropriate to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitee’s sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors of the Company that Indemnitee has requested indemnification by the Company.

 

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b.            Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Directors, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (C) if so directed by at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, the stockholders of the Company. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within fifteen (15) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Company (including Independent Counsel selected by the Company) in making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to the Company, upon reasonable advance written request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary or appropriate to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel, as applicable; provided, however Indemnitee shall not be required to waive any applicable privilege or work product protection. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the Company or Independent Counsel shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

c.            The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. In no event shall the Indemnitee be required or requested to pay any such fees or expenses or to provide any such indemnification.

 

11.            Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

 

a.            In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.

 

b.            The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

 

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c.            The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

d.            For purposes of any determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to have met the standard of conduct for indemnification if, among other things and without limitation, Indemnitee relied on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data or the records or books of account of the Company or any Enterprise, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Company or any Enterprise whom Indemnitee reasonably believed to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant, appraiser or other person, as to a matter which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, if Indemnitee was serving on the Board of Directors of the Company or as a member of any similar body of any Enterprise, by a committee of the Board of Directors or such other body on which Indemnitee does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if Indemnitee reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence. The provisions of this Section 11(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee met, or be presumed to have met, the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

e.            For purposes of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be considered to have been wholly successful with respect to any Proceeding if such Proceeding is disposed of, on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) it being Adjudged that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) it being Adjudged that an act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and was (A) committed in bad faith or (B) the result of Indemnitee’s active and deliberate dishonesty, (v) it being Adjudged that Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (vi) with respect to any criminal proceeding, it being Adjudged that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful.

 

12.            Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

a.            If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement; (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement; (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification; (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor; or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or bylaws of the Company is not made within fifteen (15) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, with regard to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce [his][her] rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

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b.            In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

c.            If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification that was not disclosed in connection with the determination.

 

d.            In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 12, seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to advancement from the Company, and shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by [him][her] in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

 

e.            Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the 10th day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 60th day after the date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

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13.            Defense of Underlying Proceeding.

 

a.            Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with or receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, notice, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advancement of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advancement of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.

 

b.            Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder using a law firm of the Company’s choice, subject to the prior written approval of the Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee in writing of any such decision to defend within fifteen (15) calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. Indemnitee shall have the right to retain a separate law firm in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s sole expense. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise of a claim against Indemnitee which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee; (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, (A) the full release with prejudice of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee and (B) the complete dismissal of all claims against the Indemnitee with prejudice; or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement, a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in the case of clause (ii) of Section 13(c).

 

c.            Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon advice of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon advice of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject, except in the case of (ii) or (iii) above, to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

 

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14.            Jointly Indemnifiable Claims. Given that certain Jointly Indemnifiable Claims may arise, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall, and to the extent applicable shall cause any Enterprise to (i) be fully and primarily responsible for, and be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to, payment to or payment on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of Expenses in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Third-Party Indemnitors, and (ii) be required to advance the full amount of Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement to the extent not prohibited by (and not merely to the extent affirmatively permitted by) applicable law and as required by the terms of this Agreement, without regard to any rights the Indemnitee may have against the Third-Party Indemnitors. Under no circumstance shall the Company or any Enterprise be entitled to, and the Company hereby irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases, any claims against the Third-Party Indemnitors for subrogation, contribution or recovery of any kind and no right of advancement or recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Third-Party Indemnitors shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnitee or the obligations of the Company or any Enterprise. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by any Third-Party Indemnitor on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to any Proceeding for which Indemnitee has sought indemnification, exoneration or hold harmless rights from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Third-Party Indemnitor(s) shall have a right to receive from the Company, contribution and/or be subrogated, to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee against the Company. The Company and the Indemnitee agree that each of the Third-Party Indemnitors shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Agreement entitled to enforce this Section 14 as though each such Third-Party Indemnitor were a party to this Agreement.

 

15.            Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.

 

a.            The rights of indemnification and advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under (i) applicable law (including, but not limited to, the MGCL), (ii) the charter or bylaws of the Company, (iii) any agreement or (iv) a resolution of (A) the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or (B) the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in [his][her] Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

11

 

 

b.            Except as set forth in Section 14, in the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

16.            Insurance.

 

a.            The Company shall purchase and maintain a policy or policies of directors and officers insurance with reputable insurance companies. The Company shall continue to provide such insurance coverage to Indemnitee and such insurance policies shall have coverage terms and policy limits at least as favorable to Indemnitee as the insurance coverage provided to any other director or officer of the Company. If the Company has such insurance in effect at the time it receives from Indemnitee any notice of the commencement of an action, suit, proceeding or other claim, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such action, suit, proceeding or other claim to the insurers and take such other actions in accordance with the procedures set forth in the policy as required or appropriate to secure coverage of Indemnitee for such action, suit, proceeding or other claim. The Company shall thereafter take all reasonably necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such action, suit, proceeding or other claim in accordance with the terms of such policy. In the event of a Change in Control that would result in a loss or cancellation of the Company directors’ and officers’ insurance policy or policies, the Company shall purchase a directors and officers “Tail” insurance policy or policies to provide coverage to the Company’s directors and officers for a period of six (6) years after such Change in Control, but only with respect to coverage for claims arising from wrongful acts, errors or omissions occurring before such Change in Control.

 

b.            Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee which would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in Section 16(a). The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.

 

12

 

 

17.            Other Sources; Investment Company Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that (i) Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise, except as otherwise provided in Section 14 to this Agreement, or (ii) for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act, indemnification or payment or reimbursement of Expenses would not be permissible under the Investment Company Act, whether pursuant to Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act or otherwise. In addition, for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940, the presumptions, considerations and similar provisions set forth in Section 11(d) and (e) of this Agreement shall be of no force or effect to the extent inconsistent with the Investment Company Act and shall otherwise be construed in a manner to include any additional conditions, restrictions or references required to be contained therein by the Investment Company Act, including, without limitation, the disabling conduct set forth in Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act.

 

18.            Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, with respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

19.            Miscellaneous.

 

a.            This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and may apply to acts or omissions of Indemnitee taken in or in connection with Indemnitee’s Corporate Status which occurred prior to such date if Indemnitee was an officer, director, employee or agent of the Company or was a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any Enterprise at the time such act or omission occurred.

 

b.            This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of: (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).

 

13

 

 

c.            The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

d.            If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee’s spouse is made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee’s spouse against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee’s spouse in connection with any such Proceeding unless (and only to the extent) it is ultimately Adjudged that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that [his][her] conduct was unlawful. Further, Indemnitee’s spouse shall not be entitled to (x) indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable to the Company; (y) indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is Adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee; or (z) indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to establish or enforce indemnification rights under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party, expressly provides otherwise. The foregoing right to indemnification shall include, without limitation, any Proceeding that seeks damages recoverable from marital community property, jointly-owned property or property purported to have been transferred from the Indemnitee to his or her spouse (or former spouse); provided that Indemnitee is indemnified and held harmless for the same pursuant to this Agreement. The Indemnitee’s spouse or former spouse also shall be entitled to advancement of Expenses to the same extent that Indemnitee is entitled to advancement of Expenses herein. The Company may maintain insurance to cover its obligation hereunder with respect to Indemnitee’s spouse (or former spouse) or set aside assets in a trust or escrow fund for that purpose.

 

e.            The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

14

 

 

f.            The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult to prove, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such injunctive relief and/or specific performance, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

g.            If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

h.            No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

i.            All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand or overnight courier service and receipted for by the party to whom said notice, request, demand or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed: (i) if to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto; or (ii) if to the Company, to Barings Capital Investment Corporation, 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, NC 28202, Attn: Corporate Secretary; or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

j.            This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.

 

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k.            This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (delivery of which may be in electronic format), each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

16

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written:

 

  BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
 
  By:  
 
  Name:  
 
  Title:  
     
  [INDEMNITEE]  
     
  Address:  
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

 

To:      The Board of Directors of Barings Capital Investment Corporation

 

Re:      Affirmation and Undertaking

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of                      , 2020, by and between Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and me as the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advancement of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”).

 

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.

 

I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director][an officer] of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (i) did not act with will misfeasance,* bad faith, gross negligence,* active and deliberate dishonesty or reckless disregard of duties,* (ii) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.

 

In consideration of the advancement of Expenses by the Company for Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is Adjudged that (i) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (A) was committed in bad faith or (B) was the result of willful misfeasance,* gross negligence,* active and deliberate dishonesty or reckless disregard of duty,* (ii) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this _____ day of _______________, 20____.

 

  Name  

 

 

*        These references can be deleted in any Affirmation and Undertaking if at the time of the submission thereof the Company is no longer subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

 

EX-10.7 10 tm2023392d1_ex10-7.htm EXHIBIT 10.7

Exhibit 10.7


Master Custodian Agreement


This Agreement is made as of August 2, 2018 by and among each management investment company identified on Appendix A hereto (each such investment company and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.5 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as a “Fund”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the “Custodian”).

Witnesseth:

Whereas, each Fund may or may not be authorized to issue shares of common stock or shares of beneficial interest in separate series (“Shares”), with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

Whereas, each Fund so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series set forth on Appendix A hereto (such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.6 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Portfolio(s)”);

Whereas, each Fund not so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to it and all references hereinafter to one or more “Portfolio(s)” shall be deemed to refer to such Fund(s);

Whereas, each Fund desires to appoint the Custodian as its custodian, in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act applicable to such Fund, under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (including any Schedules or Appendices hereto), and the Custodian has agreed to act as custodian for such Fund; and

Whereas, each Fund desires to retain the Custodian to furnish fund accounting services to the Fund, and the Custodian is willing to furnish such services, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


Section 1.    Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.

Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of assets of the Portfolios, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States (“domestic securities”) and securities it desires to be held outside the United States (“foreign securities”). Each Fund, on behalf of its Portfolio(s), agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such Shares as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio which is not received by it or which is delivered out in accordance with Proper Instructions (as such term is defined in




Section 8 hereof) including, without limitation, Portfolio property (i) held by brokers, private bankers or other entities on behalf of the Portfolio (each a “Local Agent”), (ii) held by Special Sub-Custodians (as such term is defined in Section 6 hereof), (iii) held by entities which have advanced monies to or on behalf of the Portfolio and which have received Portfolio property as security for such advance(s) (each a “Pledgee”), or (iv) delivered or otherwise removed from the custody of the Custodian (a) in connection with any Free Trade (as such term is defined in Sections 2.2(14) and 2.6(7) hereof) or (b) pursuant to Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof). With respect to uncertificated shares (the “Underlying Shares”) of registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the “1940 Act”)), whether in the same “group of investment companies” (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act) or otherwise, including pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Underlying Portfolios”) the holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Portfolios will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.

Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians located in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees or the Board of Directors of the Fund (as appropriate, and in each case, the “Board”) on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to any Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may place and maintain each Fund’s foreign securities with foreign banking institution sub-custodians employed by the Custodian and/or foreign securities depositories, all as designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4 hereof.

Section 2.
Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Portfolios to be Held in the United States.

Section 2.1    Holding Securities. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non‑cash property, to be held by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a “U.S. Securities System”) and (b) Underlying Shares owned by each Fund which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions (the “Underlying Transfer Agent”).

Section 2.2    Delivery of Securities. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:





1)
Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio in accordance with customary or established market practices and procedures, including, without limitation, delivery to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent of such purchaser or dealer) against expectation of receiving later payment;

2)
Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;

3)
In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;

4)
To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;

5)
To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;

6)
To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub‑custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

7)
Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with “street delivery” custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct;

8)
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 provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

9)
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; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

10)
For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Portfolio (a) against receipt of collateral as agreed from time to time by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio,




except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian’s account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral or (b) to the lending agent, or the lending agent’s custodian, in accordance with written Proper Instructions (which may not provide for the receipt by the Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund;

11)
For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

12)
For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker‑dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA,” formerly known as The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;

13)
For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;

14)
Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments (including, without limitation, to one or more (a) Special Sub-Custodians or (b) additional custodians appointed by the Fund, and communicated to the Custodian from time to time via a writing duly executed by an authorized officer of the Fund, for the purpose of engaging in repurchase agreement transactions(s), each a “Repo Custodian”), and prior to receipt of payment therefor, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such delivery in advance of payment, along with payment in advance of delivery made in accordance with Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a “Free Trade”), provided that such Proper Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made;
        
15)
Upon receipt of instructions from the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund related to the Portfolio (the “Prospectus”), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;





16)
In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent of Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof;

17)
For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; and

18)
For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

Section 2.3    Registration of Securities. Domestic securities held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered management investment companies having the same investment adviser as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. If, however, a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in “street name”, the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

Section 2.4    Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

Section 2.5    Collection of Income. Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14) or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income 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 agent. Without limiting the generality of




the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. The Custodian shall credit income to the Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.

Section 2.6    Payment of Fund Monies. The Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio as provided in Section 5 and otherwise upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

1)
Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio but only (a) in accordance with customary or established market practices and procedures, including, without limitation, delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of Underlying Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the applicable Fund on behalf of a Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of FINRA, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio; or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein;

2)
In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;





3)
For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in Section 7 hereof;

4)
For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

5)
For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the Fund’s articles of incorporation or organization and by-laws or agreement or declaration of trust, as applicable, and Prospectus (collectively, “Governing Documents”);

6)
For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

7)
Upon the purchase of domestic investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), and prior to receipt of such investments, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such payment in advance of delivery, along with delivery in advance of payment made in accordance with Section 2.2(14), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a “Free Trade”), provided that such Proper Instructions shall also set forth (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person(s) to whom such payment is made;

8)
For payment as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; and

9)
For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio specifying (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

Section 2.7    Appointment of Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.7 or any other provision of this Agreement.

Section 2.8    Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
    
Section 2.9    Segregated Account. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/




or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (a) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of FINRA (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (b) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (c) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered management investment companies, and (d) for any other purpose in accordance with Proper Instructions.

Section 2.10    Deposit of Fund Assets with the Underlying Transfer Agent. Underlying Shares beneficially owned by the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent and the Custodian’s only responsibilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the following:

1)
Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent that such Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that such Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit of such Portfolio.

2)
In respect of the purchase of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay out monies of such Portfolio as so directed, and record such payment from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.

3)
In respect of the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall transfer such Underlying Shares as so directed, record such transfer from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records and, upon the Custodian’s receipt of the proceeds therefor, record such payment for the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian’s books and records.

The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund or any Portfolio resulting from the maintenance of Underlying Shares with an Underlying Transfer Agent except for losses resulting directly from the fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees.

Section 2.11    Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection




with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.

Section 2.12    Proxies. Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), the Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.

Section 2.13    Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with domestic securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian is in actual possession of such domestic securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian regarding any class action or other litigation in connection with Portfolio securities or other assets issued in the United States and then held, or previously held, during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian for the account of the Fund for such Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, with respect to a Fund or its Portfolio(s), as may be applicable, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section 2.13.







Section 3.    Provisions Relating to Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7.

Section 3.1.    Definitions. As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
    
Country Risk” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country), prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, insolvency of a Foreign Sub-Custodian, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.
    
Eligible Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the SEC), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.

Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

Foreign Assets” means any of the Portfolios’ investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios’ transactions in such investments.

Foreign Custody Manager” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

Rule 17f-5” means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

Rule 17f-7” means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

Section 3.2.    The Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager.    

3.2.1    Delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.
 
3.2.2    Countries Covered. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by any Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios, which list of




Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.

Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by each Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by such Fund’s Board on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by each Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to such Portfolio with respect to that country.

The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian’s acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.

3.2.3     Scope of Delegated Responsibilities:

(a)    Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).

(b)    Contracts With Eligible Foreign Custodians. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

(c)    Monitoring. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In




the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.

3.2.4    Guidelines for the Exercise of Delegated Authority. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.
    
3.2.5    Reporting Requirements. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.

3.2.6     Standard of Care as Foreign Custody Manager of a Portfolio. In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.

3.2.7    Representations with Respect to Rule 17f-5. The Foreign Custody Manager represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has determined that it is reasonable for such Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

3.2.8    Effective Date and Termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager. Each Board’s delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to designated countries.

Section 3.3    Eligible Securities Depositories.

3.3.1    Analysis and Monitoring. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
 




3.3.2    Standard of Care. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.

Section 4.
Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Portfolios to be Held Outside the United States.

Section 4.1    Definitions. As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

Foreign Securities System” means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B hereto.

Foreign Sub-Custodian” means an Eligible Foreign Custodian.

Section 4.2.    Holding Securities. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.

Section 4.3.    Foreign Securities Systems. Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such country.

Section 4.4.    Transactions in Foreign Custody Account.

4.4.1.    Delivery of Foreign Assets. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

(i)
Upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the country where such foreign securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities System;

(ii)
In connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign securities;

(iii)
To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;





(iv)
To the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;

(v)
To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) 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 or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case, the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such foreign securities prior to receiving payment for such foreign securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct;

(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 provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;

(viii)
In the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign 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;

(ix)
For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

(x)
In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

(xi)
Upon the sale or other delivery of such foreign securities (including, without limitation, to one or more Special Sub-Custodians or Repo Custodians) as a Free Trade, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery shall be made;

(xii)
In connection with the lending of foreign securities; and

(xiii)
For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.





4.4.2.    Payment of Portfolio Monies. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

(i)
Upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;

(ii)
In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign securities of the Portfolio;

(iii)
For the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating expenses;

(iv)
For the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;

(v)
In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

(vi)
Upon the purchase of foreign investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), as a Free Trade, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom payment shall be made;

(vii)
For payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

(viii)
In connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities; and

(ix)
For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

4.4.3.    Market Conditions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign




Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.

The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such revision shall result in a Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.

Section 4.5.    Registration of Foreign Securities. The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.

Section 4.6     Bank Accounts. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the applicable Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Section 4.7.    Collection of Income. The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures. The Custodian shall credit income to the applicable Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with Custodian’s then current payable date income schedule. Any credit to the Portfolio in advance of receipt may be reversed when the Custodian determines that payment will not occur in due course and the Portfolio may be charged at the Custodian’s applicable rate for time credited. Income on securities loaned other than from the Custodian’s securities lending program shall be credited as received.

Section 4.8     Shareholder Rights. With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. Each Fund acknowledges that local




conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of such Fund to exercise shareholder rights.

Section 4.9.    Communications Relating to Foreign Securities. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the applicable Fund all written information received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios regarding any class action or other litigation in connection with Portfolio foreign securities or other assets issued outside the United States and then held, or previously held, during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian via a Foreign Sub-Custodian for the account of the Fund for such Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, with respect to a Fund or its Portfolio(s), as may be applicable, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section 4.9.

Section 4.10.    Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s performance of such obligations. At a Fund’s election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.

Section 4.11    Tax Law. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on any Fund, the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of each Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on such Fund with respect to the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of countries other than those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and




governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which such Fund has provided such information.

Section 4.12.    Liability of Custodian. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.

Section 5.    Contractual Settlement Services (Purchase / Sales).

Section 5.1    The Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this section, debit or credit the appropriate cash account of each Portfolio in connection with (i) the purchase of securities for such Portfolio, and (ii) proceeds of the sale of securities held on behalf of such Portfolio, on a contractual settlement basis.

Section 5.2    The services described above (the “Contractual Settlement Services”) shall be provided for such instruments and in such markets as the Custodian may advise from time to time. The Custodian may terminate or suspend any part of the provision of the Contractual Settlement Services under this Agreement at its sole discretion immediately upon notice to the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio, including, without limitation, in the event of force majeure events affecting settlement, any disorder in markets, or other changed external business circumstances affecting the markets or the Fund.
  
Section 5.3    The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that monies would ordinarily be required to settle such transaction in the applicable market. The Custodian shall promptly recredit such amount at the time that the Portfolio or the Fund notifies the Custodian by Proper Instruction that such transaction has been canceled.

Section 5.4    With respect to the settlement of a sale of securities, a provisional credit of an amount equal to the net sale price for the transaction (the “Settlement Amount”) shall be made to the account of the Portfolio as if the Settlement Amount had been received as of the close of business on the date that monies would ordinarily be available in good funds in the applicable market. Such provisional credit will be made conditional upon the Custodian having received Proper Instructions with respect to, or reasonable notice of, the transaction, as applicable; and the Custodian or its agents having possession of the asset(s) (which shall exclude assets subject to any third party lending arrangement entered into by a Portfolio) associated with the transaction in good deliverable form and not being aware of any facts which would lead them to believe that the transaction will not settle in the time period ordinarily applicable to such transactions in the applicable market.





Section 5.5.    Simultaneously with the making of such provisional credit, the Portfolio agrees that the Custodian shall have, and hereby grants to the Custodian, a security interest in any property at any time held for the account of the Portfolio to the full extent of the credited amount, and each Portfolio hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Custodian a continuing security interest and a lien on any and all such property under the Custodian’s possession, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event that the applicable Portfolio fails to promptly repay any provisional credit, the Custodian shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Section 5.6    The Custodian shall have the right to reverse any provisional credit or debit given in connection with the Contractual Settlement Services at any time when the Custodian believes, in its reasonable judgment, that such transaction will not settle in accordance with its terms or amounts due pursuant thereto, will not be collectable or where the Custodian has not been provided Proper Instructions with respect thereto, as applicable, and the Portfolio shall be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Upon such reversal, a sum equal to the credited or debited amount shall become immediately payable by the Portfolio to the Custodian and may be debited from any cash account held for benefit of the Portfolio.

Section 5.7    In the event that the Custodian is unable to debit an account of the Portfolio, and the Portfolio fails to pay any amount due to the Custodian at the time such amount becomes payable in accordance with this Agreement, (i) the Custodian may charge the Portfolio for costs and expenses associated with providing the provisional credit, including without limitation the cost of funds associated therewith, (ii) the amount of any accrued dividends, interest and other distributions with respect to assets associated with such transaction may be set off against the credited amount, (iii) the provisional credit and any such costs and expenses shall be considered an advance of cash for purposes of the Agreement and (iv) the Custodian shall have the right to setoff against any property and to sell, exchange, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of any property at any time held for the account of the Portfolio to the full extent necessary for the Custodian to make itself whole.

Section 5A.    Foreign Exchange.
(1)    Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which for purposes of this paragraph may also include security trade advices, the Custodian shall facilitate the processing and settlement of foreign exchange transactions. Such foreign exchange transactions do not constitute part of the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement.
(2)    The Customer (or its investment manager or adviser acting on its behalf) may elect to enter into and execute foreign exchange transactions with third parties that are not affiliated with the Custodian, with State Street Global Markets, which is the foreign exchange division of State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliated companies (“SSGM”), or with a subcustodian. Where the Customer or its investment manager or adviser gives Proper Instructions for the execution of a foreign exchange transaction using an indirect foreign exchange service described in the Customer Publications, the Customer (or its investment manager or adviser) hereby instructs the Custodian, on behalf of the Customer, to direct the execution of such foreign exchange transaction to




SSGM or, when the relevant currency is not traded by SSGM, to the applicable subcustodian. The Custodian shall not have any agency (except as contemplated in preceding sentence), trust or fiduciary obligation to the Customer, its investment manager or adviser or any other Person in connection with the execution of any foreign exchange transaction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility under this Agreement for the selection of the counterparty to, or the method of execution of, any foreign exchange transaction entered into by the Customer (or its investment manager or adviser acting on its behalf) or the reasonableness of the execution rate on any such transaction.
(3)    The Customer acknowledges that in connection with all foreign exchange transactions entered into by the Customer (or its investment manager or adviser acting on its behalf) with SSGM or any subcustodian, SSGM and each such subcustodian:
(i)    shall be acting in a principal capacity and not as broker, agent or fiduciary to the Customer or its investment manager or adviser;
(ii)    shall seek to profit from such foreign exchange transactions, and are entitled to retain and not disclose any such profit to the Customer or its investment manager or adviser; and
(iii)    shall enter into such foreign exchange transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions, including pricing or pricing methodology, (a) agreed with the Customer or its investment manager or adviser from time to time or (b) in the case of an indirect foreign exchange service (i) as established by SSGM and set forth in the Customer Publications with respect to the particular foreign exchange execution services selected by the Customer or the investment manager or adviser or (ii) as established by a subcustodian from time to time.
“Client Publications” means the general client publications of State Street Bank and Trust Company available from time to time available to clients and their investment managers.
The Custodian or its affiliates, including SSGM, may trade based upon information that is not available to, and may enter into transactions for its own account or the account of clients in the same or opposite direction to the transactions entered into with the Customer (or its investment manager or adviser acting on its behalf), and shall have no obligation under this Agreement to share such information with or consider the interests of their respective counterparties, including, where applicable, the Customer or the investment manager or adviser.

Section 6.    Special Sub-Custodians.

Upon receipt of Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof), the Custodian shall, on behalf of one or more Portfolios, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for the purposes of effecting such transaction(s) as may be designated by a Fund in Special Instructions. Each such designated sub-custodian is referred to herein as a “Special Sub-Custodian.” Each such duly appointed Special Sub-Custodian shall be listed on Schedule D hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by a Fund, with the acknowledgment of the Custodian. In connection with the appointment of any Special Sub-Custodian, and in accordance with Special Instructions, the Custodian shall enter into a sub-custodian agreement with the Fund and the Special Sub-Custodian in form and substance




approved by such Fund, provided that such agreement shall in all events comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Section 7.    Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares.

The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of the Shares or from the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the applicable Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to such Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.

From such funds as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by a Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between such Fund and the Custodian.

Section 8.    Proper Instructions and Special Instructions.

Proper Instructions,” which may also be standing instructions, as such term is used throughout this Agreement shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from a Fund, a Fund’s duly authorized investment manager or investment adviser, or a person or entity duly authorized by either of them. Such instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized person or persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed from time to time by the Custodian and the person(s) or entity giving such instruction, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian including, but not limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund via the form of Funds Transfer Addendum hereto, the terms of which are hereby agreed to. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to provide such instructions with respect to the transaction involved; the Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof.

Special Instructions,” as such term is used throughout this Agreement, means Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the applicable Fund or any other person designated in writing by the Treasurer of such Fund, which countersignature or confirmation shall be (a) included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions or on a separate instrument clearly relating thereto and (b) delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission,




or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian agree in writing.

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, duly certified by such Fund’s Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, a certificate setting forth: (i) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund and (ii) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to give Special Instructions. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary.

Section 9.    Evidence of Authority.

The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of any Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by the applicable Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.

Section 10.    Actions Permitted without Express Authority.

The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:

1)
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 Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;

2)
Surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;

3)
Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

4)
In general, attend to all non‑discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the applicable Board.

Section 11.
Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income.

The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the applicable Board to keep the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of a




Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 11 and in Section 12 hereof; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent.

Section 12.    Records.

The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of each Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund 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 such Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at a Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. Each Fund acknowledges that, in creating and maintaining the records as set forth herein with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund’s counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.

Section 13.    Opinion of Fund’s Independent Accountant.

The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s Form N-1A or Form N-2, as applicable, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.

Section 14.    Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants.

The Custodian shall provide the applicable Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios at such times as such Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System (either, a “Securities System”), relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.





Section 15.    Compensation of Custodian.

The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.

Section 16.    Responsibility of Custodian.

So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three‑party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to any Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence or willful misconduct, including, without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. The Custodian shall be without liability to any Fund or Portfolio for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by anything that is part of Country Risk (as defined in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, insolvency of a Foreign Sub-custodian, acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism.

Except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian shall be without liability to any Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by any Fund or its duly authorized investment manager or investment adviser in their instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any act or omission of a Special Sub-Custodian including, without limitation, reliance on reports prepared by a Special Sub-Custodian; (v) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian’s sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (vi) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, any Fund, the Custodian’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vii) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities




System; and (viii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.

The Custodian shall enter into and shall maintain in effect, at all times during the term of this Agreement, with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provision for (i) periodic back-up of the computer files and data with respect to each Fund; and (ii) emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to provide services under this Agreement.

If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, such Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.

In no event shall any party be liable for indirect, special or consequential damages; provided, however, that the foregoing shall in no way limit the Custodian’s recovery relating to third party claims asserted against it and related fees and expenses for which indemnification is available hereunder.

If the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents advances cash or securities to the Fund for any purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement), or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, or if a Fund fails to compensate the Custodian pursuant to Section 15 hereof, any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to pay or reimburse the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio’s assets to the extent necessary to obtain payment or reimbursement. The Custodian may at any time decline to follow Proper Instructions to deliver out to the Fund cash or securities if the Custodian determines in its reasonable discretion that, after giving effect to the Proper Instructions, the cash or securities remaining will not have sufficient value fully to secure the Fund's payment or reimbursement obligations, whether contingent or otherwise.

Except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct, each Fund shall indemnify and hold the Custodian harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees, payments and liabilities which may be asserted against the Custodian (a) acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction or Special Instruction including, without limitation, any Proper Instruction with respect to Free Trades including, but not limited to, cost, expense, loss, damage, liability, tax, charge, assessment or claim resulting from (i) the failure of the applicable Fund to receive income with respect to purchased investments, (ii) the failure of the applicable Fund to recover amounts invested on maturity of purchased investments, (iii) the




failure of the Custodian to respond to or be aware of notices or other corporate communications with respect to purchased investments, or (iv) the Custodian’s reliance upon information provided by the applicable Fund, such Fund’s counterparty(ies) or the agents of either of them with respect to Fund property released, delivered or purchased pursuant to either of Section 2.2(14) or Section 2.6(7) hereof; (b) for the acts or omissions of any Special Sub-Custodian; or (c) for the acts or omissions of any Local Agent or Pledgee.

Section 17.    Effective Period, Termination and Amendment.

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for an initial term ending August 1, 2020 (the “Initial Term”). After the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms (each, a “Renewal Term”) unless a written notice of non-renewal is delivered by the non-renewing party no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as the case may be. During the Initial Term and thereafter, either party may terminate this Agreement: (i) in the event of the other party’s material breach of a material provision of this Agreement that the other party has either (a) failed to cure or (b) failed to establish a remedial plan to cure that is reasonably acceptable, within 60 days’ written notice of such breach, or (ii) in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the other party or upon the happening of a like event to the other party at the direction of an appropriate agency or court of competent jurisdiction; in addition, after the Initial Term, either party may terminate this Agreement upon giving ninety (90) days’ prior written notice or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph with respect to any Fund or Portfolio, the applicable Fund shall pay Custodian its compensation due and shall reimburse Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.

During the Initial Term, in the event of: (i) any Fund's termination of this Agreement with respect to such Fund or its Portfolio(s) for any reason other than as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph or (ii) a transaction not in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which the Custodian is not retained to continue providing services hereunder to a Fund or Portfolio (or its respective successor), the applicable Fund shall pay the Custodian its compensation due through the end of the Initial Term (based upon the average monthly compensation previously earned by Custodian with respect to such Fund or Portfolio) and shall reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements. Upon receipt of such payment and reimbursement, the Custodian will deliver such Fund’s or Portfolio’s securities and cash as set forth hereinbelow. For the avoidance of doubt, no payment will be required pursuant to this paragraph after the Initial Term or in the event of any transaction such as (a) the liquidation or dissolution of a Fund or a Portfolio and distribution of such Fund’s or Portfolio’s assets as a result of the Board’s determination in its reasonable business judgment that the Fund or Portfolio is no longer viable, (b) a merger of a Fund or Portfolio into, or the consolidation of a Fund or Portfolio with, another entity, or (c) the sale by a Fund or Portfolio of all, or substantially all, of its assets to another entity, in each of (b) and (c) where the Custodian is retained to continue providing services to such Fund or Portfolio (or its respective successor) on substantially the same terms as this Agreement.

Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio. The




provisions of Sections 4.11, 15 and 16 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason.

This Agreement may be amended at any time in writing by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.

Section 18.    Successor Custodian.

If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the applicable Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.

If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such resolution.

In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.

In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of any Fund to provide Proper Instructions as aforesaid, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 19. General.

Section 19.1 Massachusetts Law to Apply. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.





Section 19.2 Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior agreements between each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of such Fund’s assets.
    
Section 19.3 Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) any Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) by the Custodian without the written consent of each applicable Fund.

    Section 19.4 Interpretive and Additional Provisions. In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by all parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of a Fund’s Governing Documents. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.

Section 19.5 Additional Funds. In the event that any management investment company in addition to those listed on Appendix A hereto desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such management investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all terms and conditions and provisions hereof including, without limitation, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 19.7 below.

Section 19.6 Additional Portfolios. In the event that any Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition to those set forth on Appendix A hereto with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.

Section 19.7 The Parties. All references herein to the “Fund” are to each of the management investment companies listed on Appendix A hereto, and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.5 above, individually, as if this Agreement were between such individual Fund and the Custodian. In the case of a series corporation, trust or other entity, all references herein to the “Portfolio” are to the individual series or portfolio of such corporation, trust or other entity, or to such corporation, trust or other entity on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as appropriate. Any reference in this Agreement to “the parties” shall mean the Custodian and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its Governing Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable agreement; and (e) its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it.





Notice is hereby given, and it is expressly agreed, that the obligations under this Agreement of any Fund shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of such Fund personally, but bind only the trust property of such Fund. In the case of each Fund, the execution and delivery of this Agreement on its behalf has been duly authorized by its trustees, and signed by an authorized officer, in each case acting in such capacity and not individually, and neither such authorization by the trustees nor such execution and delivery shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually, but shall only bind the trust property of each Fund.

Section 19.8 Remote Access Services Addendum. The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.

Section 19.9 Notices. Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

To any Fund:            c/o Barings LLC
300 South Tryon Street, Ste. 3300
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attention: Patrick Hoefling
Telephone: 704-805-7200
Telecopy: 704-805-7376

With a copy to:    Janice Bishop
Email: Janice.bishop@barings.com

To the Custodian:        STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
100 Summer Street, Floor 5
Boston, MA 02110     
Attention: Fred Willshire
State Street Alternative Investment Solutions
Facsimile No.: 212-651-2393
Telephone No.: 617-662-7245

Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence of posting.





Section 19.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

Section 19.11 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The failure of a party hereto to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion or the failure of a party hereto to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any such term, right or remedy or a waiver of any other rights or remedies and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall prevent any further exercise of the right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

Section 19.12 Confidentiality. All information provided under this Agreement by a party (the “Disclosing Party”) to the other party (the “Receiving Party”) regarding the Disclosing Party’s business and operations shall be treated as confidential. Subject to Section 19.13 below, all confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Party’s other obligations under the Agreement or managing the business of the Receiving Party and its affiliates, including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and customer service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, (d) that is disclosed as required by operation of law or regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Custodian or its affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement), or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Section 19.13 Reserved.
    
Section 19.14 Reproduction of Documents. This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/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 reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.





Section 19.15 Regulation GG. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that it does not engage in an “Internet gambling business,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(r) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG (12 CFR 233) (“Regulation GG”). Each Fund hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not engage in an Internet gambling business. In accordance with Regulation GG, each Fund is hereby notified that “restricted transactions,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.

Section 19.16 Data Privacy. The Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Fund’s shareholders, employees, directors and/or officers that the Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder.  For these purposes, “personal information” shall mean (i) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) social security number, (b) drivers license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account.  Notwithstanding the foregoing “personal information” shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.

Section 19.17    Loan Services Addendum.    In the event the Fund directs Custodian in writing to perform loan services, Custodian and the Fund hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto and the Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its fees and expenses related thereto as agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Fund and Custodian.

Section 19.18 Shareholder Communications Election. SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian “no,” the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund’s protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

YES [ ]
The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

NO [X]
The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.






Signature Page


In Witness Whereof, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative under seal as of the date first above-written.


EACH OF THE ENTITIES
SET FORTH ON APPENDIX A HERETO


By: /s/ Eric J. Lloyd _________________________
Name: Eric J. Lloyd
Title: Chief Executive Officer



STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


By: /s/ Brian Nath_________________________
Name: Brian Nath
Title: Managing Director






APPENDIX A
to
Master Custodian Agreement








SCHEDULE D
to
Master Custodian Agreement


Special Sub-Custodians

None


 

EX-10.8 11 tm2023392d1_ex10-8.htm EXHIBIT 10.8

Exhibit 10.8

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

THE SHARES OF BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATES OR OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AND ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD IN RELIANCE ON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE REGISTRATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH LAWS. THE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION, QUALIFICATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. THE SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR BY ANY STATE OR OTHER SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY, NOR HAVE ANY OF THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE OFFERING MATERIALS, AND ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

Barings Capital Investment Corporation

300 South Tryon Street

Suite 2500

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Subscription Agreement (“Subscription Agreement”) is being executed and delivered in connection with the subscription by the undersigned (the “Subscriber”) to purchase the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), of Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), through periodic calls of all or a portion of capital amounts of the Subscriber’s aggregate capital commitment (the “Capital Commitment”) in the amount set forth on the signature page below. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings herein as defined in the Company’s Confidential Private Placement Memorandum, as amended, restated and/or supplemented (the “Memorandum”), unless otherwise defined herein.

 

In addition to completing and signing the signature page to this Subscription Agreement, each Subscriber must complete any necessary attachments contained in this package (such attachments, together with the Subscription Agreement, the “Subscription Documents”) in the manner described below. For purposes of these Subscription Documents, the “Subscriber” is the person or entity for whose account the Shares will be purchased and that can satisfy the representations and warranties set forth in the Subscription Documents. Another person or entity with investment authority may execute the Subscription Documents on behalf of the Subscriber, but should indicate the capacity in which it is doing so and the name of the Subscriber. All appendices to this Subscription Agreement are incorporated by reference herein.

 

(a)            Investor Questionnaire. Complete Appendix A attached to this Subscription Agreement.

 

(b)            Tax Forms. Fill in and sign and date the attached Form W-9. Each non-U.S. investor is required to fill in and date the relevant Form(s) W-8 (W-8BEN, W-8IMY, W-8ECI or W-8EXP), as applicable, in accordance with the instructions to such Form. In the event that any applicable reduction or exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax is claimed, each Subscriber is required to provide all applicable attachments or addendums as required to claim such exemption or reduction.

 

 

 

 

(c)            Evidence of Authorization. Each Subscriber must provide satisfactory evidence of authorization and may be required to submit further information for “know your customer” and anti-money laundering purposes.

 

(i)            For Corporations: certified documentation evidencing the corporation’s existence and certified corporate resolutions authorizing the subscription and identifying the corporate officer empowered to sign the Subscription Documents.

 

(ii)            For Partnerships: certified documentation evidencing the partnership’s existence, and a certified copy of the partnership agreement (which, in the case of a limited partnership, identifies the general partner(s)).

 

(iii)            For Limited Liability Companies: certified documentation evidencing the limited liability company’s existence, and a certified copy of the limited liability operating agreement identifying the manager or managing member, as applicable, empowered to sign the Subscription Documents.

 

(iv)            For Trusts: a copy of the trust agreement.

 

(v)            For Employee Benefit Plans: a certificate of an appropriate officer certifying that the subscription has been authorized and identifying the individual empowered to sign the Subscription Documents.

 

(d)            Delivery of Subscription Documents. Subscriber shall execute and complete two (2) original copies of the Subscription Agreement and all of the documents referred to in clauses (a) through (c) above. One (1) copy of the executed and completed copy of the Subscription Agreement shall be delivered electronically to the Company at BaringsCOB@Barings.com and one (1) copy of the executed and completed original copy of the Subscription Agreement shall be delivered to the Company’s transfer agent, State Street Transfer Agency, 1 Heritage Drive, MAILSTOP: OHD0100, North Quincy, MA 02171.

 

(e)            Acceptance by the Company. If the Company accepts the Subscriber’s subscription (in whole or in part), a fully executed set of the Subscription Documents will be returned to the Subscriber. The Company may accept and countersign this Subscription Agreement (in whole or in part) at any time.

 

1.            Subscription.

 

(a)            The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that this subscription (i) is irrevocable on the part of the Subscriber, (ii) is conditioned upon acceptance by the Company and (iii) may be accepted or rejected in whole or in part by the Company in its sole discretion at any time. The Subscriber agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement, the Memorandum, the Company’s bylaws, in the form attached hereto as Appendix C (as amended, the “Bylaws”), the Company’s articles of incorporation, in the form attached hereto as Appendix D (as amended, the “Charter”), the Investment Advisory Agreement by and between Barings LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Company, in the form attached hereto as Appendix E (as amended, the “Advisory Agreement”) and the Administration Agreement by and between the Company and Barings LLC, the administrator (the “Administrator”), in the form attached hereto as Appendix F (as amended, the “Administration Agreement” and, together with the Memorandum, the Bylaws, the Charter and the Advisory Agreement, the “Operative Documents”) together with this Subscription Agreement.

 

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(b)            The Subscriber agrees to purchase Shares for an aggregate purchase price equal to its Capital Commitment, payable at such times and in such amounts as required by the Company, under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. The minimum Capital Commitment is $50,000, subject to the discretion of the Company to accept a lower amount.

 

(c)            The Company will file or has filed a registration statement on Form 10 (the “Registration Statement”) for the registration of its common stock with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Registration Statement is not the offering document pursuant to which the Company is conducting this offering of securities. Accordingly, the Subscriber should rely exclusively on information contained in the Memorandum, together with reports the Company may file under the Exchange Act from time to time, in making its investment decisions. The Company expects to enter into separate Subscription Agreements (the “Other Subscription Agreements” and, together with this Subscription Agreement, the “Subscription Agreements”) with other investors (the “Other Investors,” and together with the Subscriber, the “Investors”), providing for the sale of Shares to the Other Investors. This Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements are separate agreements, and the sales of Shares to the undersigned and the Other Investors are to be separate sales.

 

2.            Acceptance of Subscription; Closings.

 

This Subscription Agreement is made subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)            The Company shall have the right to accept or reject the Subscriber’s subscription, in whole or in part, for any reason, including, without limitation, (i) the inability of the Subscriber to meet the standards imposed by Regulation D promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (ii) the ineligibility of the Subscriber under applicable state or foreign securities laws or (iii) for any other reason.

 

(b)            If the Subscriber’s subscription is accepted in part and rejected in part, the Subscriber will be so notified and the Subscriber agrees to deliver promptly upon the Company’s request a new signature page to this Subscription Agreement with respect to which the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment shall be such lesser amount as may be determined by the Company.

 

(c)            If the Subscriber’s subscription is wholly rejected, the executed copies of this Subscription Agreement will be returned to the Subscriber.

 

(d)            The closing of the subscription for the Shares by the Subscriber (the “Closing”) shall take place on the date that this Subscription Agreement (having been executed and fully completed by the Subscriber) is accepted in whole or in part by the Company (such date being the date filled in by the Company on the signature page hereto). On the date of the Company’s receipt of the Subscriber’s first Drawdown Purchase, assuming the Closing has taken place, the Subscriber shall be registered as a stockholder of the Company (a “Stockholder”).

 

(e)            The Subscriber agrees to provide any information reasonably requested by the Company to verify the accuracy of the representations contained herein, including the Investor Questionnaire attached hereto as Appendix A (the “Investor Questionnaire”) and the Certification of Beneficial Owner(s) attached hereto as Appendix B.

 

(f)            If the individual subscribing for Shares is investing assets on behalf of an individual retirement account (an “IRA”), the individual who established the IRA has signed the signature page of this Subscription Agreement and confirms that such individual (i) has directed the custodian or trustee of the IRA to execute the acknowledgement on the signature page, which has been so executed, and (ii) has reviewed and hereby expressly certifies to the accuracy of the representations and warranties made herein with respect to the IRA and the individual Subscriber.

 

-3-

 

 

(g)            In the event that the Subscriber is permitted by the Company to make an additional capital commitment to purchase Shares on a date after its initial subscription has been accepted, the Subscriber shall be required to enter into an addendum to this Subscription Agreement covering such additional capital commitment.

 

3.            Drawdowns.

 

(a)            Subject to Section 3(d), the Subscriber agrees to purchase Shares for an aggregate purchase price equal to its Capital Commitment, payable at such times and in such amounts as required by the Company. The Subscriber shall be required to fund a capital contribution to purchase Shares (a “Drawdown Purchase”) each time the Company delivers a notice (the “Drawdown Notice”) to the Subscriber. Drawdown Notices shall be delivered at least ten calendar days prior to the date on which payment will be due (each, a “Drawdown Date”) and shall set forth the amount, in U.S. dollars, of the aggregate purchase price (the “Drawdown Purchase Price”) to be paid by the Subscriber to purchase Shares on such Drawdown Date. Each purchase of Shares pursuant to a Drawdown Notice will be made at a per Share price equal to the then-current NAV per Share (“NAV per Share”) as determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Memorandum. However, the Company reserves the right to sell Shares at a price set above the NAV per Share based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the total amount of the Company’s organizational and other expenses. No Investor shall be required to invest more than the total amount of its Capital Commitment. For the avoidance of doubt, any reference herein to a capital contribution being required or a Drawdown Notice being delivered by the Company shall be deemed to include such contribution being required or Drawdown Notice being delivered by a lender or agent in respect of any Subscription Facility as described in Section 5.

 

(b)            Each Drawdown Purchase Price shall be payable, in U.S. dollars and in immediately available funds per the wire transfer instructions set forth in such in Drawdown Notice. In addition to the wire transfer instructions, each Drawdown Notice shall set forth (i) the Drawdown Date, (ii) the aggregate amount of capital that is being drawn down from all Stockholders and (iii) the Subscriber’s share of capital drawn. The delivery of a Drawdown Notice to the Subscriber shall be the sole and exclusive condition to the Subscriber’s irrevocable and unconditional obligation to pay such Drawdown Purchase Price in the amount set forth therein, without any right of offset, reduction, counterclaim or defense.

 

(c)            Concurrent with any payment of all or a portion of the Drawdown Purchase Price, the Company shall issue to the Subscriber a number of Shares equal to the amount of the Drawdown Purchase Price funded by the Subscriber on the applicable Drawdown Date divided by the NAV per Share as of such Drawdown Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not issue Shares for any portion of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment that has not been paid to the Company and used to purchase Shares pursuant to one or more Drawdown Notices (the “Undrawn Capital Commitment”).

 

(d)            Upon termination of the period (the “Commitment Period”) beginning on the Closing and ending on the earliest of (i) the completion of a “Liquidity Event” (as defined below), or, (ii) the seven-year anniversary of the initial Closing and (iii) a final, liquidating distribution to Investors of either (X) cash proceeds from an orderly liquidation of the Company’s investments or (Y) securities or other assets of the Company as a distribution-in-kind, the Subscriber shall be released from any obligation to fund any portion of its Capital Commitment for which it has not received a Drawdown Notice prior to the termination of the Commitment Period, except, in the case of termination of the Commitment Period pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii), to the extent necessary to (A) pay Company expenses, including management fees, any amounts that may become due under any borrowings or other financings or similar obligations and any other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in each case to the extent they relate to the Commitment Period, (B) complete investments in any transactions for which there are binding agreements as of the end of the Commitment Period (including investments that are funded in phases and revolver commitments), (C) fund follow-on investments (including rescue capital) made in existing portfolio companies that, in the aggregate, do not exceed 10% of total commitments, (D) fund obligations under any Company guarantee or indemnity made during the Commitment Period and/or (E) fund any defaulted commitments. A “Liquidity Event” is defined as a corporate control transaction or similar event (which may include a transaction with an affiliated entity, including an affiliated BDC), such as a strategic sale of the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to, or a merger with, another entity, for consideration in cash or publicly listed securities of such other entity (or a combination of cash and such publicly listed securities).

 

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(e)            The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Company intends to request contributions from all Investors with an Undrawn Capital Commitment pro rata in accordance with the Capital Commitments of all investors with Undrawn Capital Commitments; provided that the Company shall retain the right, if determined by the Company in its sole discretion, to require the Subscriber (i) to fund a Drawdown Purchase Price that is more or less than its pro rata share or (ii) to fund a Drawdown Purchase Price (but not require Other Investors to do so), in either case, in order to accelerate the fulfillment of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment if less than 20% of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment remains undrawn, to seek to equalize the percentage of the Subscriber’s total Capital Commitment that has been contributed to the Company relative to the capital contributions of Other Investors, or to avoid any of the Default Remedy Limitations (as defined below) or for regulatory, tax or other similar basis for distinguishing among Investors, including compliance with an Investor’s internal investment guidelines. The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Company may, if determined by the Company in its sole discretion, from time to time require capital contributions from Other Investors and not the Subscriber or vice versa. Accordingly, Drawdown Notices may be issued only to selected investors and Stockholders (including or excluding the Subscriber) from time to time and require a purchase of Shares by such investors in amounts determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

 

(f)            Subsequent Closings. The Company may enter into Other Subscription Agreements with Other Investors after the Closing, with any closing thereunder referred to as a “Subsequent Closing” and any Other Investor whose subscription has been accepted at such Subsequent Closing referred to as a “Subsequent Investor.” On one or more dates to be determined by the Company that occur on or following the Subsequent Closing (each such date, a “Catch-Up Date”), each Subsequent Investor shall be required to purchase from the Company a number of Shares with an aggregate purchase price necessary to ensure that, upon payment of the aggregate purchase price for such Shares by the Subsequent Investor on such Catch-Up Date(s), such Subsequent Investor’s Invested Percentage (as defined below) shall be equal to the Invested Percentage of all prior Investors (other than any Defaulting Investor) (such amount, the “Catch-Up Purchase Price” and such purchase, the “Catch-up Purchase”). Upon payment of all or a portion of the Catch-Up Purchase Price by the Investor on a Catch-Up Date, the Company shall issue to each such Subsequent Investor a number of Shares determined by dividing (x) the Catch-Up Purchase Price paid minus the Organizational Expense Allocation (as defined below) by (y) the NAV per Share as of a Catch-Up Date (determined prior to such issuance). Investors that make a Capital Commitment prior to any Subsequent Closing will not be required to fund Drawdown Purchases on a Drawdown Date until all Subsequent Investors have made their entire Catch-up Purchase. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the Catch-Up Date and a Drawdown Date occur on the same calendar day, such Catch-Up Date and the application of the provisions of this Section 3(f) shall be deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the relevant Drawdown Date. “Invested Percentage” means, with respect to an Investor, the quotient determined by dividing (i) the aggregate amount of contributions made by such Investor by (ii) such Investor’s Capital Commitment. “Organizational Expense Allocation” means, with respect to an Investor, (a) multiplied by (b), where: (a) equals (i) a fraction, the numerator of which is the total Capital Commitments received by the Company through such date (including the Investor’s), and the denominator of which is the total Capital Commitments received by the Company through such date (excluding the Investor’s), minus (ii) 1.00; and (b) equals the total amount of organizational and offering expenses spent by the Company in connection with the Company’s formation and the offering described in the Memorandum.

 

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4.            Pledging. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Subscriber specifically agrees and consents that the Company may, at any time, without further notice to or consent from the Subscriber (except to the extent otherwise provided in this Subscription Agreement), grant security over and, in connection therewith, transfer its right to draw down capital from the Subscriber pursuant to Section 3, and the Company’s right to receive the Drawdown Purchase Price (and any related rights of the Company), to lenders or other creditors of the Company, in connection with any indebtedness, guarantee or surety of the Company; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any such grantee’s right to draw down capital shall be subject to the limitations on the Company’s right to draw down capital pursuant to Section 3.

 

5.            Indebtedness. The Subscriber acknowledges that the Company may incur indebtedness at any time and from time to time, directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries (or series of subsidiaries) to borrow against Subscribers Capital Commitments, finance investments or to warehouse loans, including without limitation, one or more credit facilities to finance its investments. Those facilities may be secured by an assignment by way of security, pledge, charge, mortgage or other security interest, as the case may be, of or in (A) the Undrawn Capital Commitments, the proceeds of Drawdown Purchases and the right to receive capital contributions from the Subscriber and Other Investors, (B) the Company’s right to make drawdowns on those Capital Commitments, deliver Drawdown Notices and receive the proceeds of Drawdown Purchases (including any powers of attorney or other delegation of the right to deliver Drawdown Notices), and/or (C) any deposit or other account into which the proceeds of Drawdown Purchases will be deposited, and all claims, rights and interests that the Company may have relating to or arising from clause (A), clause (B) or this clause (C) (including the right to exercise any remedies of the Company under or related to this Subscription Agreement in respect of any such Drawdown Notice or Drawdown Purchase), which may be granted to a lender or an agent for such a lender pursuant to any loan or security documentation entered into between the Company and any lender (any such facility described in this sentence, a “Subscription Facility”). The Subscriber may, upon request by the Company or the lender (if authorized to make such request under the relevant security documentation), be required to acknowledge the existence of a subscription credit facility, confirm the terms of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment and the amount of its Unfunded Capital Commitment to the lender, to honor capital calls made by the lender or other credit party, to provide financial information reasonably requested by the lender and to execute other documents as may be reasonably requested in connection with obtaining such a facility. In connection with any such facility, the Subscriber agrees and acknowledges the following, for the benefit of the lenders: (1) it is and shall remain absolutely and unconditionally obligated to make Drawdown Purchases pursuant to Section 3 (including, without limitation, those required as a result of the failure of any Other Investor to advance funds with respect to a Drawdown Notice made pursuant to an agreement with the Other Investor), pro rata among all non-Defaulting Stockholders based on their respective Capital Commitments and not in excess of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment, without defense, counterclaim or offset (including without limitation any defense of fraud or mistake, or any defense under Section 365 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any defense available under this Subscription Agreement), all of which will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be waived as against the lenders (provided, however, that the foregoing waiver of defenses shall be of no force or effect if and to the extent that the existence of the waiver would constitute or result in there being a prohibited transaction under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) or Section 4975 of the Code, each as defined below), (2) that all Drawdown Purchases made by the Subscriber in connection with a facility will be made to an account (in which such lenders may have a security interest under relevant security documentation) as directed by the Company or the lenders (if authorized to make such direction under the relevant security documentation), and (3) that any lender or credit party under a Subscription Facility is extending credit to the Company in reliance on such Subscriber’s funding its Capital Commitments as such lender’s primary source of repayment. For the avoidance of doubt, a Drawdown Purchase made by the Subscriber upon the request of a lender shall reduce the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment and be treated in all respects in the same manner as a Drawdown Purchase made upon the request of the Company. Notwithstanding anything in this Subscription Agreement to the contrary, the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees: (i) that any limitation with respect to any Capital Contribution shall not be applicable with respect to any Drawdown Notice the purpose of which is to repay amounts due under a Subscription Facility, regardless of whether the related Drawdown Notice is issued by the Company or any lender or credit party under the Subscription Facility; and (ii) if such Subscriber is entitled to withdraw from the Company pursuant to any provision of this Subscription Agreement, prior to the effectiveness of such withdrawal, such Subscriber shall be obligated to fund its pro rata share of Drawdown Purchases necessary to cure any borrowing base default under the terms of any Subscription Facility as a direct or indirect result of such withdrawal.

 

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6.            Dividends; Dividend Reinvestment Plan. As described more fully in the Memorandum, the Company generally intends to distribute on a quarterly basis, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of its available earnings in such amount so the Company will not have to pay corporate-level income tax, subject to the discretion of the Board. The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, as may be amended (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”), pursuant to which the Company shall reinvest all cash distributions declared by the Board on behalf of any Stockholder, other than any Stockholder that has affirmatively elected to opt out of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, in exchange for such Stockholder receiving a number of newly issued Shares equal to the quotient determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such Stockholder by the NAV per Share as of the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date such distribution was declared. The Subscriber may opt out of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan in the Investor Questionnaire. An election to opt-out or to opt-in to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan may be altered in accordance with the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that any distributions received by the Subscriber or reinvested by the Company on the Subscriber’s behalf pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan shall have no effect on the amount of the Subscriber’s Undrawn Capital Commitment.

 

7.            Remedies Upon Drawdown Purchase Price Default. In the event that the Subscriber fails to pay all or any portion of the Drawdown Purchase Price due from the Subscriber on any Drawdown Date (such amount, together with the amount of the Subscriber’s Undrawn Capital Commitment, a “Defaulted Commitment”) and such default remains uncured for a period of ten calendar days, then the Company shall be permitted to declare the Subscriber to be in default on its obligations under this Subscription Agreement (in such capacity, a “Defaulting Investor” and, collectively with any Other Investors declared to be in default, the “Defaulting Stockholders”) and shall be permitted to pursue one or any combination of the following remedies:

 

(a)            Participation in Future Drawdowns. The Company may prohibit the Defaulting Investor from purchasing additional Shares on any future Drawdown Date.

 

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(b)            Forfeiture of Shares. One-fourth of the Shares then held by the Defaulting Investor may be automatically forfeited and transferred on the books of the Company to the Other Investors (other than any other Defaulting Stockholders), pro rata in accordance with their respective number of shares held; provided that no Shares shall be transferred to any Other Investor pursuant to this Section 6(b) in the event that such transfer would (i) violate the Securities Act, the 1940 Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or “blue sky” laws applicable to the Company or such transfer, (ii) constitute a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA, or Section 4975 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or (iii) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute “plan assets” under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (the “Default Remedy Limitations”) (it being understood that this proviso shall operate only to the extent necessary to avoid the occurrence of the consequences contemplated herein and shall not prevent any Other Investor from receiving a partial allocation of its pro rata portion of Shares); and provided, further, that any Shares that have not been transferred to one or more Other Investors pursuant to the previous proviso shall be allocated among the participating Other Investors pro rata in accordance with their respective number of shares held. The mechanism described in this Section 7(b) is intended to operate as a liquidated damage provision since the damage to the Company and the Other Investors resulting from a default by the Defaulting Investor is both significant and not easily susceptible to precise quantification. By entry into this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber agrees to this Section 7(b) and acknowledges that the automatic transfer of one-third of its Shares constitutes a reasonable liquidated damages remedy for any default of the Subscriber’s obligations to fund a Drawdown Purchase Price.

 

(c)            Inability to Vote. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Defaulting Investor hereby makes, constitutes and appoints the Company with full power of substitution, its true and lawful proxy to exercise all voting and other rights of such Defaulting Investor with respect to the Shares, at every annual, special or adjourned meeting of the stockholders of the Company and in every written consent in lieu of such meeting in exact proportion to the votes or consents cast by Stockholders other than Defaulting Stockholders or, in the absence of any such Stockholders, in the discretion of the proxy.

 

(d)            Other Remedies. The Company may pursue any other remedies against the Defaulting Investor available to the Company at law or in equity. No course of dealing between the Company and any Defaulting Stockholder and no delay in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred in this Section 7 or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise shall operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any such right, power or remedy. In addition to the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion institute a lawsuit against the Defaulting Investor for specific performance of its obligation to pay any Drawdown Purchase Price and any other payments to be made by the Defaulting Investor pursuant to this Subscription Agreement and to collect any overdue amounts hereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber agrees (i) to pay on demand all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the enforcement of this Subscription Agreement against the Subscriber sustained as a result of any default by the Subscriber and (ii) that any such payment shall not constitute payment of a Drawdown Purchase Price or reduce the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment.

 

The Subscriber agrees that this Section 7 is solely for the benefit of the Company and shall be interpreted by the Company against the Defaulting Investor in the discretion of the Company. The Subscriber further agrees that the Subscriber cannot and will not seek to enforce this Section 7 against the Company or any other investor in the Company.

 

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8.            Representations and Warranties of the Subscriber.

 

The Subscriber represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)            Private Placement.

 

(i)            The Subscriber understands that the offering and sale of the Shares are intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, applicable U.S. state securities laws and the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions by virtue of the private placement exemption from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, exemptions under applicable U.S. state securities laws and exemptions under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions, and the Subscriber agrees that any Shares acquired by the Subscriber may not be Transferred (as defined below) in any manner that would require the Company to register the Shares under the Securities Act, under any U.S. state securities laws or under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions. The Subscriber was offered the Shares through private negotiations, not through any general solicitation or general advertising.

 

(ii)            The Subscriber understands that the Company requires each investor in the Company to be an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the Securities Act (“Accredited Investor”), and the Subscriber represents and warrants that it is an Accredited Investor.

 

(iii)            The Subscriber understands that the offering and sale of the Shares in non-U.S. jurisdictions may be subject to additional restrictions and limitations and represents and warrants that it is acquiring its Shares in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and other legal requirements applicable to the Subscriber, including the legal requirements of jurisdictions in which the Subscriber is resident and in which such acquisition is being consummated. In furtherance, and not in limitation, of the foregoing, if the Subscriber is a resident of any of the jurisdictions set forth in the Memorandum, the Subscriber represents, warrants and covenants as specified in the Memorandum hereto for such jurisdiction.

 

(iv)            The Shares to be acquired hereunder are being acquired by the Subscriber for the Subscriber’s own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to resale or distribution. The Subscriber shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer all or any portion of such Shares (or solicit any offers to buy, purchase or otherwise acquire or take a pledge or charge of all or any part of such Shares) except in accordance with (i) the registration provisions of the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration provisions, (ii) any applicable U.S. federal or state or non-U.S. securities laws and (iii) the terms of this Subscription Agreement and the Charter. The Subscriber understands that it may be required to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Shares for a substantial period of time because, among other reasons, the offering and sale of the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, the Shares cannot be sold other than through a privately negotiated transaction unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. “Transfer” (or any derivative thereof) shall mean to sell, offer for sale, agree to sell, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, in any case whether directly or indirectly.

 

(b)            The Subscriber is not subject to and is not aware of any facts that would cause such Subscriber to be subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications as described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act.

 

(c)            The Subscriber has received, read carefully in its entirety, and understands the Memorandum. The Subscriber has consulted with its own attorney, accountant, investment adviser or other adviser with respect to the investment(s) contemplated hereby and its suitability for the Subscriber, and the Subscriber understands and consents to the fees, risks and other considerations relating to the purchase of the Shares and an investment in the Company, including the fees outlined in the section titled “Management Agreements” of the Memorandum and the risks and other considerations set forth in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in the Memorandum. The Subscriber has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company, all such questions have been answered to the Subscriber’s full satisfaction, and the Subscriber has obtained any additional information concerning the Company sought by the Subscriber. The Subscriber acknowledges that no representations have been made to the Subscriber in connection with its investment in the Company, other than the Offering Materials.

 

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(d)            The Subscriber has substantial knowledge and experience in business and financial matters and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of a purchase of the Shares. The Subscriber understands that there can be no assurance that the Company will meet its investment objective or otherwise be able to successfully carry out its investment program.

 

(e)            The Subscriber has the financial ability to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Company (including the possible loss of its investment), has adequate means for providing for its current needs and has no current need for liquidity in connection with its purchase of the Shares.

 

(f)            The purchase of the Shares by the Subscriber is consistent with the general investment objectives of the Subscriber.

 

(g)            If the Subscriber is a natural person, the Subscriber’s domicile and principal residence are at the address shown on the signature page below. If the Subscriber is not a natural person, the Subscriber has its domicile, principal place of business, or principal office at the address shown on the signature page below. The Subscriber received the Offering Materials, the Operative Documents, and this Subscription Agreement at the address of the Subscriber on the signature page below.

 

(h)            The Subscriber is not an entity (including a qualified retirement plan) in which a holder of an interest in the Subscriber may decide whether or how much to invest through the Subscriber in various investment vehicles, including the Company, unless the Subscriber has so notified the Company in writing.

 

(i)            If the Subscriber is not a natural person, then, unless the Subscriber has notified the Company in writing that the Subscriber was formed for the specific purpose of acquiring Shares and all of the equity holders of the Subscriber are accredited investors, the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment does not exceed 40% of the Subscriber’s assets. If at any time the Subscriber holds Shares, the Subscriber shall no longer be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 8(i), it shall promptly notify the Company.

 

(j)            If the Subscriber is not a citizen of the United States, or a resident of or entity created under the laws of any state of the United States (any such citizen, resident or entity being hereinafter called a “Domestic Person”), the Subscriber is not purchasing the Shares on behalf of any Domestic Person, and the Subscriber has no present intention of becoming a Domestic Person.

 

(k)            If the Subscriber is a natural person, the Subscriber is of legal age in its country or state of residence and has legal capacity to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement and the Charter and to subscribe for and purchase the Shares hereunder. If the Subscriber is not a natural person, the Subscriber is an entity of the kind set forth under the applicable item of the Investor Questionnaire and has been duly organized, formed or incorporated, as the case may be, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, formation or incorporation, and the Subscriber has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement and to subscribe for and purchase the Shares hereunder. The Subscriber’s purchase of the Shares and its execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement (i) has been duly executed and delivered by the Subscriber, (ii) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Subscriber (except (A) as limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally, as from time to time in effect, (B) as limited by general principles of equity, and (C) as the enforcement of remedies rests in the discretion of any court) and (iii) does not result in the violation of, constitute a default under, or conflict with, any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Subscriber.

 

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(l)            The execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the Charter and the performance of the Subscriber’s obligations hereunder and under the Charter do not and will not conflict with, or result in any violation of or default under, (i) if the Subscriber is not a natural person, any provision of any certificate of formation, certificate of incorporation, charter, by-laws, memorandum and articles of association, trust agreement, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other organizational or governing instrument applicable to the Subscriber, (ii) any agreement or other instrument to which the Subscriber is a party or by which the Subscriber or any of its properties are bound, or (iii) any permit, franchise, judgment, decree, statute, writ, injunction, order, law, rule or regulation applicable to the Subscriber or to its business or properties. In addition, the Subscriber represents that its power of attorney contained in this Subscription Agreement and to be exercised in connection with the Charter has been granted by the Subscriber, including as to the manner of any execution by the Subscriber, in compliance with all laws applicable to the Subscriber, including the laws of the state or jurisdiction in which the Subscriber executed this Subscription Agreement. The Subscriber has obtained all authorizations, consents, approvals and clearances of all courts, governmental agencies and authorities and such other persons, if any, required to permit the Subscriber to enter into this Subscription Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

(m)            The Subscriber understands that the Company intends to file or has filed an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and intends to elect or has elected to be treated as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to these elections, the Subscriber shall be required to furnish certain information to the Company as required under U.S. Treasury Regulation §1.852-6(a) and other regulations. If the Subscriber is unable or refuses to provide such information directly to the Company, the Subscriber understands that it shall be required to include additional information on its income tax return as provided in U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.852-7.

 

(n)            The Subscriber: (i) is not registered or required to be registered as an “investment company” under the 1940 Act; (ii) has not elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act; and (iii) either (A) is not relying on the exception from the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act set forth in Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereunder or (B) is otherwise permitted to acquire and hold more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a BDC.

 

(o)            ERISA Matters. If the Subscriber is or will be (x) an “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, that is subject to ERISA, (y) a “plan” described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code, that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code, or (z) an entity that is, or is deemed to be, using “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code to purchase or hold its investments (each of the foregoing, a “Plan”), the Subscriber has so indicated in, and has completed each applicable question in, the Investor Questionnaire, and the Subscriber represents, warrants and agrees that:

 

(i)            the acquisition and the subsequent holding of Shares do not and will not constitute a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code;

 

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(ii)            the decision to acquire Shares was made by a “fiduciary” of the Plan, within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA or Section 4975(e)(3) of the Code (the “Plan Fiduciary”), that is independent of the Company, the Adviser and their respective employees, representatives and affiliates, is qualified to make investment decisions on behalf of the Plan and has authorized the Subscriber’s investment in the Company;

 

(iii)            the Subscriber’s investment in Shares conforms in all respects to the documents governing the Plan and complies with all applicable requirements of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code;

 

(iv)            the Plan Fiduciary has been informed about the fee structure of the Company, including the incentive fee component, and has concluded that such fees are reasonable and the investment in the Company otherwise constitutes a reasonable contract or arrangement, and the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that none of the Adviser or its employees, representatives or affiliates have any discretion, or are otherwise acting in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the Plan’s investment in the Company, whether pursuant to the provisions of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or otherwise, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Subscriber has not relied on, and is not relying on, any investment advice or recommendation of any such person with respect to the Plan’s investment in the Company;

 

(v)            the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the authority to require the redemption, withdrawal or other cancellation of any Shares if it is determined that the continued holding of such Shares could result in the Company, the Adviser or the Administrator being subject to the provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code; and

 

(vi)            without limiting the remedies in the event of a breach, the Subscriber agrees promptly to provide to the Company such information as the Company may from time to time reasonably request for purposes of determining whether the assets of the Company are “plan assets” within the meaning of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code and any other matters relating to ERISA or compliance with ERISA arising in connection with the Subscriber’s investment in the Company, or the operation or investments of the Company.

 

The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 8(o) shall be deemed repeated and reaffirmed on each day the Subscriber holds Shares. Without limiting the remedies available in the event of a breach, if at any time the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 8(o) shall cease to be true, including because there is a change in the Subscriber’s Plan status or the percentage of assets that constitute “plan assets” subject to the provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, the Subscriber shall promptly notify the Company in writing.

 

(p)            The Subscriber has notified, or shall promptly notify, the Company if the Subscriber is or becomes a person that may be disqualified from participating in the Company’s acquisition of Securities sold in a public offering under Rules 5130 an 5131 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, as in effect from time to time.

 

(q)            If the Subscriber is a partnership or any other entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. income tax purposes, a grantor trust within the meaning of Sections 671-679 of the Code, or a S corporation within the meaning of Section 1361 of the Code, the Subscriber represents that at no time during the term of the Company will 65% or more of the value of any beneficial owner’s direct or indirect interest in the Subscriber be attributable to the Subscriber’s interest in the Company. Except as otherwise disclosed to the Company in writing, the Subscriber is not disregarded as an entity separate from its owner within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3.

 

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(r)            None of the information concerning the Subscriber nor any statement, certification, representation or warranty made by the Subscriber in this Subscription Agreement or in any document required to be provided under this Subscription Agreement (including the Investor Questionnaire and any Form W-9 or the relevant Forms W-8 (W-8BEN, W-8IMY, W-8ECI or W-8EXP), as applicable, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein or herein not misleading.

 

(s)            The Subscriber agrees to provide such information and execute and deliver such documents as the Company may reasonably request to verify the accuracy of the Subscriber’s representations and warranties herein or to comply with any law or regulation to which the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator or a portfolio company of the Company may be subject.

 

(t)            The Subscriber, if an individual, has read carefully in its entirety, and understands and agrees with, the Company’s Privacy Policies and Practices attached hereto as Appendix G.

 

(u)            The Subscriber agrees that the foregoing certifications, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall survive the acceptance of this Subscription Agreement, each Drawdown Date and the dissolution of the Company, without limitation as to time. Without limiting the foregoing, the Subscriber agrees to give the Company prompt written notice in the event that any statement, certification, representation or warranty of the Subscriber contained in this Section 8 or any information provided by the Subscriber herein or in any document required to be provided under this Subscription Agreement (including the Investor Questionnaire and any Form W-9 or Forms W-8 (W-8BEN, W-8IMY, W-8ECI or W-8EXP), as applicable, ceases to be true at any time following the date hereof.

 

9.            Representations and Warranties of the Company.

 

The Company represents and warrants as follows (in reliance, where applicable, on the representations and warranties of the Subscriber contained in this Subscription Agreement and the representations and warranties of the Other Investors):

 

(a)            The Company is duly organized and validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, and has all requisite corporate power to conduct the business in which it proposes to engage as described in the Memorandum.

 

(b)            No consent, approval or authorization of, or filing or registration with, any governmental authority on the part of the Company is required for the execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement by it, or the issuance of Shares as contemplated thereby, except for any consents, approvals, authorizations or filings which are required under any applicable securities laws (federal, state or foreign) and which have been made or obtained prior to the Closing or are made or obtained hereafter within the time prescribed by law. All action required to be taken by the Company as a condition to the issuance and sale of the Shares will have been taken at or before the Closing. The execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement by the Company will not result in the violation of, constitute a default under, or conflict with, any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company. Upon execution and delivery by the Company, this Subscription Agreement (i) will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and (ii) will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, except (A) as limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally, as from time to time in effect, (B) as limited by general principles of equity and (C) as the enforcement of remedies rests in the discretion of any court.

 

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10.            Additional Limitations on Transfer of Capital Commitments and Shares.

 

(a)            General Restrictions on Transfer.

 

(i)            The Subscriber may not Transfer its Capital Commitment. Prior to any Liquidity Event, the Subscriber may not Transfer any of its Shares unless the Transfer is made in accordance with applicable securities laws and is otherwise in compliance with the transfer restrictions set forth in Appendix H. Each transferee must agree to be bound by these restrictions and all other obligations as an investor in the Company.

 

(ii)            The Subscriber acknowledges that the Subscriber is aware and understands that there are other substantial restrictions on the transferability of its Capital Commitment or Shares under this Subscription Agreement, the Charter and applicable law, including the fact that (A) there is no established market for the Shares and the Company expects that no public market for the Shares will develop; (B) the Shares are not currently, and Stockholders have no rights to require that the Shares be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of the various states or any non-U.S. jurisdiction and therefore cannot be Transferred unless subsequently registered or unless an exemption from such registration is available; and (C) the Subscriber may have to hold the Shares herein subscribed for and bear the economic risk of this investment indefinitely, and it may not be possible for the Subscriber to liquidate its investment in the Company.

 

11.            Compliance with Specific Laws.

 

(a)            Anti-Money Laundering.

 

(i)            Neither the Subscriber, nor any of its affiliates or beneficial owners nor any person for whom the Subscriber is acting as agent or nominee, (A) appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”), the list of Foreign Sanctions Evaders maintained by OFAC, or any other lists of restricted parties maintained by the U.S. Government, nor are they otherwise a party with which any entity is prohibited to deal under the laws of the United States, (B) is a senior foreign political figure or any immediate family member or close associate of a senior foreign political figure or (C) is identified as a terrorist organization on any other relevant lists maintained by governmental authorities. The Subscriber further represents and warrants that the monies used to fund the investment in the Shares are not derived from, invested for the benefit of, or related in any way to, and that no monies or dividends received as a result of the investment in the Shares will be provided to or for the benefit of, the governments of, or persons within, any country (1) under a U.S. embargo enforced by OFAC, (2) that has been designated as a “non-cooperative country or territory” by the U.S. Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering or (3) that has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury as a “primary money laundering concern.” The Subscriber further represents and warrants that the Subscriber: (x) has conducted thorough due diligence with respect to all of its beneficial owners, (y) has established the identities of all beneficial owners and the source of each of the beneficial owner’s funds and (z) will retain evidence of any such identities, any such source of funds and any such due diligence. The Subscriber further represents and warrants that the Subscriber does not know or have any reason to suspect that (I) the monies used to fund the Subscriber’s investment in the Shares have been or will be derived from or related to any illegal activities, including money laundering activities and all Capital Contributions by the Subscriber were not, and will not be, directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws and regulations, and (II) the proceeds from the Subscriber’s investment in the Shares will be used to finance any illegal activities. Subscriber represents that all evidence of identity provided is genuine.

 

-14-

 

 

(ii)            The Subscriber shall provide to the Company at any time such information as the Company determines to be necessary or appropriate (A) to comply with the anti-money laundering laws, rules and regulations of any applicable jurisdiction and (B) to respond to requests for information concerning the identity of such Subscriber from any governmental authority, self-regulatory organization or financial institution in connection with its anti-money laundering compliance procedures (which, notwithstanding anything in the Company’s privacy policies and/or Section 18 of this Subscription Agreement to the contrary, may then be disclosed to such persons), or to update such information. Such information may include, with respect to any Subscriber that is a natural person, the Subscriber’s full legal name, date of birth, residential street address and identification number. The Subscriber hereby represents that the Subscriber is in compliance with all such laws. Failure to provide such information upon request may result in the compulsory redemption of the Subscriber’s Shares. Subscriber represents that all evidence of identity provided is genuine.

 

(iii)            To comply with applicable U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations, all payments and contributions by the Subscriber to the Company, and all payments and distributions to the Subscriber, shall only be made in the Subscriber’s name and to and from a bank account of a bank based or incorporated in or formed under the laws of the United States or that is regulated in and either based or incorporated in or formed under the laws of the United States and that is not a “foreign shell bank” within the meaning of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. § 5311 et seq.), as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as such regulations may be amended.

 

(b)            Affirmation. The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 11 shall be deemed repeated and reaffirmed by the Subscriber to the Company as of each date that the Subscriber is required to make a Drawdown Purchase or other payment to, or receives dividends or other distributions from (even if such distribution is reinvested pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan), the Company. If at any time during the term of the Company, the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 11 cease to be true, the Subscriber shall promptly so notify the Company in writing.

 

(c)            Remedies for Failure to Comply with Section 11. The Subscriber understands and agrees that the Company may not accept any amounts from the Subscriber if the Subscriber cannot make the representations set forth in this Section 11, and may require the compulsory Transfer of the Subscriber’s Shares. In addition, the Subscriber understands and agrees that, in addition to the foregoing remedial measures in order to comply with governmental regulations or if the Company determines in its sole discretion that such action is in the best interests of the Company, the Company may “freeze the account” of the Subscriber, either by prohibiting additional investments in the Company by the Subscriber, refusing to process a distribution to the Subscriber or suspending other rights the Subscriber may have against the Company under this Subscription Agreement or under the Charter and the Bylaws. The Company or the Adviser may be required to report such action or confidential information relating to the Subscriber (including disclosing the Subscriber’s identity) to regulatory authorities.

 

12.            FATCA Compliance. The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that, in order to comply with the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) and avoid the imposition of U.S. federal withholding tax, the Company and the Administrator may from time to time require further information or documentation from the Subscriber and, if and to the extent required under FATCA, the Subscriber’s direct and indirect beneficial owners (if any), relating to or establishing such person’s identity, residence (or jurisdiction of formation) and income tax status, and may provide or disclose such information and documentation to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.  The Subscriber agrees that it shall provide such information and documentation concerning itself and its beneficial owners (if any), as and when requested by the Company or the Administrator sufficient for the Company, as applicable, to comply with its obligations under FATCA. The Subscriber acknowledges that, if the Subscriber does not provide the information and documentation requested by the Company, the Company may, at its sole option and in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity, immediately redeem the Subscriber’s Shares or prohibit the Subscriber from purchasing additional Shares or participating in additional investments in the Company. The Subscriber hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from any and all withholding taxes, interest, penalties and other losses or liabilities suffered by the Company on account of the Subscriber not providing all requested information and documentation in a timely manner. The Subscriber shall have no claim against the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator, or any of their respective affiliates for any form of damages or liability as a result of any of the aforementioned actions.

 

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13.            Subscriber Information.

 

The Company reserves the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of the Subscriber or as may reasonably be requested by the Company in connection with its operations, including such information requested by the Company in connection with entering into any borrowing or other financing arrangement. The Subscriber shall promptly on demand provide such information and execute and deliver such documents as the Company may request to verify the accuracy of the Subscriber’s representations and warranties or as required for the Company’s operations. In the event of delay or failure by the Subscriber to produce any information required for verification purposes, or if otherwise required by law or regulation, the Company may refuse to accept the Subscription or may refuse to process a distribution until proper information has been provided.

 

The Subscriber agrees further that the Company shall be held harmless and indemnified against any loss, claim, cost, damage or expense arising as a result of a failure to process any subscription or distribution if such information as has been required by the Company has not been provided by the Subscriber or which the Company may suffer as a result of any violations of law committed by the Subscriber.

 

14.            Applicable Law.

 

This Subscription Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Maryland without regard to principles of conflicts of law. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

15.            Notices.

 

All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if personally delivered or sent by postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier or by facsimile transmission with transmission confirmed, addressed as follows: (i) if intended for the Company, to the Company’s principal office and (ii) if intended for any Subscriber, to the address of such Subscriber set forth on the signature page hereto, or to such other address as the Company or such Subscriber, as applicable, may designate by written notice. Notices shall be deemed to have been given (i) when personally delivered (ii), if mailed, on the date on which received, or (iii) if sent by overnight courier or facsimile transmission, on the date on which received; provided, that notices of a change of address shall not be deemed given until the actual receipt thereof. The provisions of this Section 15 shall not prohibit the giving of written notice in any other manner; any such written notice shall be deemed given only when actually received.

 

-16-

 

 

16.            Power of Attorney.

 

By executing this Subscription Agreement the Subscriber hereby makes, constitutes and appoints the Company with full power of substitution, its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead for its use and benefit, to approve, execute, acknowledge, swear to, file and record:

 

(a)            any and all filings required to be made by the Subscriber under the Exchange Act with respect to any of the Company’s securities that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Subscriber under the Exchange Act;

 

(b)            all certificates and other instruments deemed advisable by the Company in order for the Company to enter into any borrowing or other financing arrangement and to grant any pledge or other security interest, including over the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment or Shares, in connection therewith;

 

(c)            all certificates and other instruments deemed advisable by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and applicable law or regulation to permit the Company to become or to continue as a BDC;

 

(d)            all conveyances and other instruments necessary or appropriate to effect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company; and

 

(e)            all other instruments or papers not inconsistent with the terms of this Subscription Agreement that may be required by law to be filed on behalf of the Company

 

(f)            any amendment or modification to any of the foregoing and all other certificates, instruments and documents which said attorney-in-fact determines in its sole discretion are necessary or desirable to effectuate the provisions of this Subscription Agreement or any Other Subscription Agreements and the purposes of the Company.

 

It is expressly acknowledged by the Subscriber that the foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall survive death or legal incapacity of the Subscriber, and is irrevocable. Such power of attorney may be exercised by said attorney-in-fact either by signing separately as attorney-in-fact for each of the Investors or by listing all the Investors with a single signature as attorney-in-fact for all of them. Such power of attorney shall survive the termination or dissolution of the Subscriber or the assignment of its interest in the Company; provided, however, that such power of attorney will so survive only to the extent necessary to enable said attorney-in-fact to effect substitution (if approved by the Company) of the Subscriber’s successor-in-interest. Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses which may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the actions of said attorney-in-fact taken in good faith under such power of attorney.

 

This power of attorney does not supersede the terms of this Subscription Agreement or any written agreement between the Company and the Subscriber nor is it to be used to deprive the Subscriber of its rights as a Stockholder, and is intended only to provide a simplified system for execution of documents. The Subscriber shall execute and deliver to the Company, within five days after the receipt of a request therefor, such confirmatory powers of attorney as the Company may request.

 

17.            Effect of Representations; Survival; Indemnity

 

The Subscriber understands that the offer and sale of the Shares is being made in reliance on specific exemptions from requirements of federal and state securities laws and that the Company, and the controlling persons thereof, will rely on the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgements and understandings of the Subscriber set forth herein in determining the applicability of such exemptions. The Subscriber hereby confirms that all such representations and warranties will remain true and complete on the date of acceptance by the Company of the Subscriber’s subscription hereunder.

 

-17-

 

 

This Subscription Agreement, including all representations and warranties of the Subscriber contained herein, shall survive the sale of the Shares to the Subscriber, and the admission of the Subscriber as a Stockholder of the Company.

 

To the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the Subscriber agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator and their respective affiliates, and each partner, member, shareholder, officer, director, employee and agent thereof (the “Indemnified Parties”), from and against any loss, damage or liability due to or arising out of a breach of any representation, warranty or agreement of the Subscriber contained in this Subscription Agreement (including the Investor Questionnaire) or in any other document provided by the Subscriber to the Company or in any agreement executed by the Subscriber in connection with the Subscriber’s investment in Shares.

 

18.            Confidentiality. The Subscriber acknowledges that the Company Memorandum and other information relating to the Company (the “Confidential Information”) have been submitted to the Subscriber on a confidential basis for use solely in connection with the Subscriber’s consideration of the purchase of Shares. In addition, Confidential Information includes non-public information regarding the Adviser, Barings BDC, Inc., and any other investment vehicles whose investment adviser is the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. Subscriber agrees to comply with all laws, including securities laws, concerning Confidential Information, and Subscriber agrees that it shall not trade in the securities of any issuer about which Subscriber receives material non-public information under this Subscription Agreement or in its capacity as a holder of Shares and shall refrain from such trading until any material non-public information no longer constitutes material non-public information. The Subscriber agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent may be withheld at the discretion of the Company), the Subscriber shall not (a) reproduce the Memorandum or any other Confidential Information, in whole or in part, or (b) disclose the Memorandum or any other Confidential Information to any person who is not an officer or employee of the Subscriber who is involved in its investments, or partner (general or limited) or affiliate of the Subscriber (it being understood and agreed that if the Subscriber is a pooled investment fund, it shall only be permitted to disclose the Memorandum or other Confidential Information if the Subscriber has required its investors to enter into confidentiality undertakings no less onerous than the provisions of this Section 18 and the Subscriber remains liable for any breach of this Section 18 by its investors), except to the extent (i) such information is in the public domain (other than as a result of any action or omission of the Subscriber or any person to whom the Subscriber has disclosed such information) or (ii) such information is required by applicable law or regulation to be disclosed, in which case the Subscriber shall first notify the Company of such requirement (unless such notification is prohibited by law) so that the Company may pursue a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the terms of this Section 18, and if a protective order or other appropriate remedy is not obtained, or if the Company waives compliance with the terms of this Section 18, then the Subscriber shall disclose only that portion of Confidential Information that the Subscriber is advised by counsel is legally required to be disclosed and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality of such information disclosed, including by requesting that confidential treatment be accorded such information. The Subscriber further agrees to return the Memorandum and other Confidential Information upon the Company’s request therefor. The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that monetary damages would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of this Section 18 by the Subscriber and that, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company in respect of any such breach, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief as a remedy for any such breach.

 

-18-

 

 

19.            No Joint Liability Among the Company, the Adviser, and the Administrator.

 

The Company shall not be liable for the fulfillment of any obligation of the Adviser or the Administrator under or in connection with this Subscription Agreement. The Adviser shall not be liable for the fulfillment of any obligation or for the accuracy of any representation of the Company or the Administrator under or in connection with this Subscription Agreement. The Administrator shall not be liable for the fulfillment of any obligation or for the accuracy of any representation of the Company or the Adviser under or in connection with this Subscription Agreement. There shall be no joint and several liability of the Company, the Adviser and the Administrator for any obligation under or in connection with this Subscription Agreement.

 

20.            Independent Nature of Subscribers’ Obligations and Rights.

 

The obligations of the Subscriber hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any Other Investor. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by the Subscriber pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Stockholders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Stockholders are in any way acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement.

 

21.            Construction.

 

The captions used herein are intended for convenience of reference only, and shall not modify or affect in any manner the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement.

 

As used herein, the singular shall include the plural, the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter, and the neuter gender shall include the masculine and feminine, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

The words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, when used in this Subscription Agreement shall refer to this Subscription Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Subscription Agreement.

 

All references herein to Sections shall be deemed to refer to Sections of this Subscription Agreement, unless specified to the contrary.

 

Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Subscription Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import.

 

Nothing in this Subscription Agreement shall be deemed to create any right in or benefit for any Person other than the Company and the Subscriber and this Subscription Agreement shall not be construed in any respect to be for the benefit of, and no provision of this Subscription Agreement may be enforced by, any such Person, except any Indemnified Party may enforce its rights under Section 17 hereof.

 

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22.            Key Event.

 

A “Key Event” will occur if, during the Commitment Period, the Adviser resigns or is terminated by the Board or the Company’s stockholders from serving as the investment adviser to the Company, other than: (i) a resignation or termination in connection with a transfer of the role of investment adviser to the Company by the Adviser to an affiliate of the Adviser; or (ii) a resignation or termination in connection with a transaction involving the transfer of more than fifty percent (50%) of the management and investment professionals primarily responsible for managing the Company immediately prior to thereto to another entity that is not an affiliate of the Adviser, where such new entity then serves as investment adviser to the Company. Upon the occurrence of a Key Event, the Company will give written notice of the Key Event to the Subscriber within ten Business Days of such occurrence. Beginning when the Company gives the Subscriber notice, consistent with Section 15 herein, of a Key Event, the Subscriber will have 90 calendar days (the “Interim Period”) to decide, in its sole discretion, and provide the Company with notice in the event that the Subscriber desires to cancel its remaining Undrawn Capital Commitments, other than Drawdowns for the limited purposes permitted after the Commitment Period as described in Section 3(d), without penalty (“Withdraw”). A Subscriber that desires to Withdraw after a Key Event must provide the Company with written notice, consistent with Section 15 herein, that the Subscriber desires to and thereby does cancel its remaining Undrawn Capital Commitments, other than Drawdowns for the limited purposes permitted after the Commitment Period as described in Section 3(d), without penalty prior to the expiration of the Interim Period (a “Withdrawal Notice”). Provided the Subscriber gives the Company a Withdrawal Notice, consistent with Section 15 herein, prior to the expiration of the Interim Period, such Subscriber’s Undrawn Capital Commitments hereunder at the time of a properly given Withdrawal Notice, other than Drawdowns for the limited purposes permitted after the Commitment Period as described in Section 3(d), will be cancelled by the Company without penalty, including, for the avoidance of doubt, potential penalties and remedies with respect to such Undrawn Capital Commitments, as described in Section 7. For the avoidance of doubt, a Subscriber that provides a Withdrawal Notice, will remain subject to all obligations, consistent with the terms of this Subscription Agreement, related to the portion of the Subscriber’s Capital Commitment for which Drawdown Notices were given to the Subscriber by the Company prior to the Company’s receipt of a properly given Withdrawal Notice, as described above. If the Subscriber does not provide the Company with a Withdrawal Notice, consistent with Section 15 herein, by the expiration of the Interim Period, the Commitment Period will continue with respect to the Subscriber and the Subscriber will be obligated to fund Drawdowns as if a Key Event had never occurred.

 

23.            Severability

 

If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Subscription Agreement, or any application thereof, shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and all other applications thereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

24.            Entire Agreement.

 

This Subscription Agreement, together with any other document that may be delivered in connection herewith and signed by both parties hereto, sets forth the entire understanding among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, any and all prior correspondence, conversations, and memoranda or other writings being merged herein and replaced and being without effect hereon. No promises, covenants or representations of any character or nature other than those expressly stated herein or in any such other document have been made to induce any party to enter into this Subscription Agreement.

 

[End of page – signature pages follow]

 

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Barings Capital Investment Corporation

 

Subscription Agreement Signature Page

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Subscriber has executed this Subscription Agreement as of ____________________, 20__, for a Capital Commitment of $_________________________________

 

Subscribers who are Individuals Subscribers other than Individuals

 

 

Name of the Subscriber   Name of the Subscriber (exactly as it
appears in the Company’s records)
     
     
Signature of Subscriber   Signature of Authorized Signatory
     
     
Print Name   Print Name of Authorized Signatory
     
     
Social Security Number of Subscriber   Title of Authorized Signatory
     
     
Date of Birth of Subscriber   Federal Tax Identification Number
(if applicable)
     
Record Address of the Subscriber
(P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted)* *:
  Record Address of the Subscriber
(P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted)* *:
     
     
     
Signature (joint owner, if applicable)    

 

Print Name (joint owner, if applicable)    

 

Social Security Number (joint owner, if applicable)    

 

Date of Birth (joint owner, if applicable)    

 

 

 

Name of Trustees or Fiduciaries exercising investment discretion with respect to the Subscriber:

 

Signature Printed Name Title Physical Street
Address
Federal Tax Identification
Number
Date of Birth
       
       
       

 

If applicable, the custodian of the Subscriber, including a custodian for an IRA, should complete and sign the bottom line of this signature page

 

Signature Printed Name Title Physical Street Address Federal Tax Identification
Number
Date of Birth
           
       

 

**The record address should be the legal residence address where the Subscriber files tax returns.

 

 

 

The foregoing Subscription Agreement is accepted and agreed by the Company, for a Capital Commitment of $_________________________________, as of __________________, 20___.

 

  Barings Capital Investment Corporation
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATION WITH RESPECT TO INVESTMENT FOR AN IRA

 

If the Subscriber is an individual retirement account (an “IRA”) and the custodian or trustee of the IRA has executed the Subscription Agreement on the signature page, then the individual who established the IRA: (i) has directed the custodian or trustee of the Subscriber to execute the Subscription Agreement on the signature page; and (ii) has signed below to indicate that he or she has reviewed, directed and certifies to the accuracy of the representation and warranties made by the Subscriber herein.

 

 

 

Print Name  
   
   
   
Signature  
   
   
Name and Address of Custodian  
and Contact Individual:  
   
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
Account or other Reference Number:  
   
     
   
Trustee/Custodian’s Tax I.D. Number:  
   
     

 

**** IRA custodian or trustee in every case must sign acknowledgment on next page****

 

 

 

ira Custodian/trustee ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

 

The undersigned, being the custodian or trustee of the above-named individual retirement account, hereby accepts and agrees to this subscription.

 

 

   
Name of Custodian or Trustee  
   
   
   
By:    
  Signature of Authorized Signatory  
   
   
     
  Name of Authorized Signatory  

 

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

BARINGS, LLC

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

 

Please complete each Section of this Investor Questionnaire.

 

I.General Information.

 

1.If Subscriber is not holding for the Subscriber’s own account, provide the name, and residential street address for whom the interest is being held:

 

 

 

2.Investor category of Subscriber (check all that apply)

 

_____ Individual U.S. person (including your trust) _____ Banking or thrift institution
_____ Individual Non-U.S. person (including trust) _____ State or municipal government entity
_____ Broker-dealer     (excluding pension plans)
_____ Insurance company _____ State or municipal pension plan
_____ Investment company registered with SEC _____ Sovereign wealth fund and
_____ Private fund     foreign official institutions
_____ Non-profit _____ Other Non-U.S. person
_____ Pension plan (excluding government plans) _____ Other

 

3.Form of Subscriber (check all that are applicable):

 

_____ Individual _____ Grantor trust
_____ Joint tenants _____ Other trust
_____ Tenants in common _____ IRA/Keough Plan/SEP
_____ Limited partnership _____ Other Employee benefit plan
_____ General partnership _____ Non-profit, endowment or foundation
_____ Limited liability company _____ Other exempt organization
_____ C corporation _____ Nominee
_____ S corporation _____ Fiduciary
_____ Estate _____ Disregarded entity
    _____ Other (describe):_____________________

 

4.Tax year end (month and day): _____________________

 

5.Is the Subscriber a “fund of funds”? _____ Yes _____ No

 

6.           If the Subscriber is an individual, or if the Subscriber is an entity in which an individual holds, directly or indirectly, more than five percent of the ownership or beneficial interests, please identify (i) all such individuals, and (ii) all entities for which such individuals serve as employee, officer or director.

 

 

 

 

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
BARINGS, LLC

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

 

II.Accredited Investor Status

 

The Subscriber represents and warrants that it is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and has indicated below each category under which the Subscriber qualifies as an accredited investor.

 

The Subscriber is:

 

____(i) A bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, whether acting in regard to this offering in its individual or a fiduciary capacity.

 

____(ii) A savings and loan or other institution, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in regard to this offering in its individual or a fiduciary capacity.

 

____(iii) A broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

____(iv) An insurance company, as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act.

 

____(v) An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

 

____(vi) A business development company, as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act.

 

____(vii) A private business development company, as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”).

 

____(viii) A Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended.

 

____(ix) A plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

 

____(x) An employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), if the investment decision regarding this offering was made by a plan fiduciary (as such term is defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA) which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company (as described above) or investment adviser duly registered under the Investment Advisers Act.

 

____(xi) An employee benefit plan within the meaning of ERISA with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, whether or not the investment decision regarding this offering was made by a bank, insurance company or registered investment adviser.

 

____(xii) An employee benefit plan within the meaning of ERISA which is a self-directed plan with investment decisions made solely by persons described by one or more of the categories set forth in subsections (i) through (ix) and (xiii) through (xviii) of this Section II.

 

A-2

 

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
BARINGS, LLC

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

 

 

____(xiii) Either (A) a corporation, (B) a Massachusetts or similar business trust, (C) a partnership, (D) a limited liability company, or (E) an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, in any case not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

 

____(xiv) A natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with his or her spouse, excluding the value of his or her primary residence, exceeds $1,000,0001.

 

____(xv) A natural person who had individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and who reasonably expects income in excess of such amounts in the current year.

 

____(xvi) A trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring Shares whose purchase is directed by a person who has, alone or together with his or her purchaser representative (as defined in the aforementioned Regulation D), such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he or she is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of this investment.

 

____(xvii) A trust pursuant to which the grantor(s) of the trust may revoke the trust at any time and regain title to the trust assets and has (have) retained sole or shared investment control over the assets of the trust, and the (each) grantor is described by one or more of the categories set forth above in subsections (xiv) or (xv) of this Section II.

 

____(xviii) A partnership, corporation or other entity, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring Shares, in which all of the equity holders are persons described by one or more of the categories set forth above in subsections (i) through (xvii) of this Section II.

 

____(xix) A partnership, corporation or other entity which is formed for the specific purpose of acquiring Shares and in which all of the equity holders are persons described by one or more of the categories set forth above in subsections (i) through (xviii) of this Section II, in which case the Subscriber has so notified the Company in writing that it is relying on this clause (xix), and agrees to provide the Company with information requested by it respecting the Subscriber’s equity holders.)

 

____(xx) An employee benefit plan within the meaning of Title I of ERISA, acting for its own account or for the accounts of other “qualified institutional buyers” as defined under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, that in the aggregate owns and invests on a discretionary basis at least $100 million in securities of issuers that are not affiliated with the plan.

 

 

1 For purposes of this net worth calculation you may exclude the amount of indebtedness secured by the Subscriber’s primary residence up to the amount of the estimated fair market value of such residence. However, if the amount of the indebtedness secured by the Subscriber’s primary residence exceeds the value of such residence, the amount of that excess debt should be treated as a liability and deducted from Subscriber’s net worth. In addition, indebtedness secured by the Subscriber’s primary residence that is incurred within sixty (60) days of the date of subscription must be included as a liability unless such indebtedness is incurred in connection with the acquisition of the Subscriber’s primary residence.

 

A-3

 

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
BARINGS, LLC

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

 

____(xxi) A plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, acting for its own account or for the accounts of other “qualified institutional buyers” as defined under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, that in the aggregate owns and invests on a discretionary basis at least $100 million in securities of issuers that are not affiliated with the plan.

 

Check all applicable categories.

 

A-4

 

 

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

BARINGS, LLC

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

 

III.            Supplemental Information

 

1.Is the Subscriber, or will the Subscriber be, a Benefit Plan Investor (as defined below) or is it or will it use the assets of an entity or other Person that is or will in the future be a Benefit Plan Investor to invest in the Company?  

 

¨ yes            ¨ no

 

  ABenefit Plan Investor” is

 

Any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA that is subject to ERISA.  
      
Any “plan” described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code.  Such a plan includes, without limitation, an “individual retirement account” described in Section 408 or 408A of the Code, a Keogh plan, an Archer MSA described in Section 220(d) of the Code, a Coverdell education savings account described in Section 530 of the Code and a health saving account described in Section 223(d) of the Code.   
      
Any entity that is, or would be deemed to be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA) to purchase or hold its investments.  
      

 

2. Is the Subscriber, or will the Subscriber be, an entity (other than an insurance company general account) whose assets will be deemed to constitute “plan assets” subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code by reason of investment in such entity by other Benefit Plan Investors?  

 

¨ yes            ¨ no

 

3.Answer this Question 3 only if the answer to Question (2) above is “yes”: What is the maximum percentage of the Subscriber’s assets that constitutes or will in the future constitute “plan assets” subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code?:  

 

 

 _____________%

 

4.If the Subscriber is or will be an insurance company general account, does or will any portion of the underlying assets in its general account constitute “plan assets” subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code?  

 

 

¨ yes           ¨ no

 

5.Answer this Question 5 only if the answer to Question (4) above is “yes”: What is the maximum percentage of the assets in the Subscriber’s general account that constitutes or will in the future constitute “plan assets” subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code?  

 

 _____________%

 

Without limiting the remedies available in the event of a breach, the Subscriber agrees promptly to notify the Company and the Adviser in writing if there is a change in the percentage as set forth in Question (3) or Question (5) above and at such other time or times as the Company or the Adviser may request.    

 

A-5

 

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

BARINGS, LLC

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

 

Related Parties/Other Beneficial Parties

 

6.Is the Subscriber or will the Subscriber be a person (including an entity) that has discretionary authority or control with respect to the assets of the Company or a person who provides investment advice with respect to the assets of the Company or an “affiliate” of such a person (a “Controlling Person”)? For purposes of this representation, an “affiliate” is any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such person, including by reason of having the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of such person.  

 

¨ yes           ¨ no

 

7.To the best of the Subscriber’s knowledge, does the Subscriber control, or is the Subscriber controlled by or under common control with, any other investor in the Company?  

 

¨ yes          ¨ no

 

If the question above was answered “Yes,” please indicated the name of such other investor in the space below:  
    
    

 

8.Will any other person or persons have a beneficial interest in the Shares to be acquired hereunder (other than as a shareholder, partner, policy owner or other beneficial owner of equity interests in the Subscriber)? (By way of example, and not limitation, a “nominee” Subscriber or a Subscriber who has entered into swap or other synthetic or derivative instruments or arrangements with regard to the Shares to be acquired herein would check “Yes.”)  

 

¨ yes          ¨ no

 

If either question above was answered “Yes,” please contact the Administrator for additional information that will be required.  

 

BHC Investor Status

 

9.Is the Subscriber a “BHC Investor”?*  

 

¨ yes        ¨ no

 

*A “BHC Investor” is defined as an Investor that is a bank holding company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), a non-bank subsidiary (for purposes of the BHC Act) of a bank holding company, a foreign banking organization, as defined in Regulation K of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 C.F.R. § 211.23) or any successor regulation, or a non-bank subsidiary (for purposes of the BHC Act) of a foreign banking organization which subsidiary is engaged, directly or indirectly in business in the United States and which in any case holds Shares for its own account.  

 

A-6

 

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
BARINGS, LLC

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

 

New York State Tax Domicile

 

10.Is the Subscriber’s tax domicile the State of New York?  

 

¨ yes       ¨ no

 

IV.           Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

The Company will adopt a dividend reinvestment plan under which cash distributions to investors are automatically reinvested for additional Shares. Subscribers may opt out of the plan by checking the box below. Elections may be altered, subject to approval by the Company:

 

¨ Opt-out of Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

V.            For distributions of cash, please wire funds to the following bank account:

 

 Bank Name:  
 Bank Location:  
 Account Number:  
 Account Name:  
 Bank’s Routing No.:   

 

A-7

 

 

APPENDIX B

 

BARINGS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

BARINGS, LLC

CERTIFICATION OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(S)

 

This form requires you to provide the name, address, date of birth and Social Security number (or passport number or other similar information, in the case of Non-U.S. Persons) for the following individuals (i.e., the beneficial owners):

 

(i)Each individual, if any, who owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the equity interests of the legal entity customer (e.g., each natural person that owns 25% or more of the shares of a corporation); and

 

(ii)An individual with significant responsibility for managing the legal entity customer (e.g., a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Member, General Partner, President, Vice President, or Treasurer).

 

The number of individuals that satisfy this definition of “beneficial owner” may vary. Under section (i), depending on the factual circumstances, up to four individuals (but as few as zero) may need to be identified. Regardless of the number of individuals identified under section (i), you must provide the identifying information of one individual under section (ii). It is possible that in some circumstances the same individual might be identified under both sections (e.g., the President of Acme, Inc. who also holds a 30% equity interest). Thus, a completed form will contain the identifying information of at least one individual (under section (ii)), and up to five individuals (i.e., one individual under section (ii) and four 25% equity holders under section (i)).

 

Persons subscribing on behalf of a legal entity must provide the following information:

 

a.Name and Title of Natural Person:

 

_______________________________________________________________________

 

b.Name, Type, and Address of Legal Entity:

 

_______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

c.The following information for each individual, if any, who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, owns 25% or more of the equity interests of the legal entity listed above:

 

Name Date of Birth Address (Residential or Business Street Address) For U.S. Persons: Social Security Number For Non-U.S. Persons: Social Security Number, Passport Number and Country of Issuance, or other similar identification number2
         
         
         
         

 

(If no individual meets this definition, please write “Not Applicable.”)

 

d.The following information for one individual with significant responsibility for managing the legal entity listed above, such as:

 

¨An executive officer or senior manager (e.g., Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Member, General Partner, President, Vice President, Treasurer); or

 

¨Any other individual who regularly performs similar functions.

 

(If appropriate, an individual listed under section (c) above may also be listed in this section (d)).

 

Name/Title Date of Birth Address (Residential or Business Street Address) For U.S. Persons: Social Security Number For Non-U.S. Persons: Social Security Number, Passport Number and Country of Issuance, or other similar identification number1
         

 

I, ________________ (name of natural person), hereby certify, to the best of my knowledge, that the information provided above is complete and correct.

 

Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________

 

Legal Entity Identifier ___________________________ (Optional)

 

 

2 In lieu of a passport number, Non-U.S. Persons may also provide a Social Security Number, an alien identification card number, or number and country of issuance of any other government-issued document evidencing nationality or residence and bearing a photograph or similar safeguard.

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX C

BYLAWS OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

APPENDIX D

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

APPENDIX E

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

 

 

APPENDIX F

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

 

 

APPENDIX G

PRIVACY POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

Introduction

 

In June 2000, the SEC adopted Regulation S-P, a comprehensive set of rules intended to implement the privacy requirements set forth in Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. In general, Regulation S-P requires various SEC regulated entities, such as the Company and its Adviser, to establish processes and safeguards to protect various records and customer information.

 

Under Regulation S-P, the Company and its Adviser are generally prohibited from providing non-public personal information about a customer to an unaffiliated third party unless they provide the customer with an initial and annual privacy notice giving the customer the option of withholding consent to the sharing of the information.

 

Policy Statement

 

The Company and the Adviser have adopted a joint privacy compliance program and related policies and procedures (“Joint Privacy Policy”). As required by Regulation S-P, the Joint Privacy Policy is reasonably designed to: (i) ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of customer records and information; and (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of customer records and information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.

 

Procedures

 

The Company has delegated the responsibility of implementing the Joint Privacy Policy to its Adviser, including the responsibility for providing the initial and annual privacy notices as required by Regulation S-P.

 

Conflict Resolution and Escalation Process

 

Associates of any Service Provider and Officers and Directors of the Company will immediately report any issues that they believe are a potential or actual breach of any Policy or Procedure to the Chief Compliance Officer or in his/her absence to the Company's Chief Legal Officer or Counsel.

 

The Chief Compliance Officer, in consultation with the Adviser's Legal Department, the Chief Legal Officer and Company Counsel, may grant exceptions to any provision in this Compliance Manual so long as such exceptions are consistent with the purpose of the Company's Compliance Manual and applicable law, documented and retained for the required period. Any exceptions granted under this Compliance Manual will also be reported to the Board.

 

Any questions regarding the applicability of this Policy should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Governing Regulatory Statute

 

•      Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P

 

•      Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

 

Books and Records Retained

 

The records referenced or produced under this Policy will be retained in accordance with the Company’s Books and Records: Recordkeeping Policies and Procedures.

 

 

 

APPENDIX H

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

 

This Appendix H is attached to and made a part of the Subscription Agreement with the Subscriber. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Subscription Agreement.

 

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

 

In addition, we will use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent our assets from being deemed to constitute “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. We may reject any transfer of our Shares if such transfer could (1) result in our assets being considered to be “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (2) constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a non-exempt violation of any laws similar to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

Any person that acquires all or any portion of the Shares of the Subscriber in a Transfer permitted under this Appendix H shall be obligated to pay to the Company the appropriate portion of any amounts thereafter becoming due in respect of the Capital Commitment committed to be made by its predecessor in interest. The Subscriber agrees that, notwithstanding the Transfer of all or any fraction of its Shares, as between it and the Company it shall remain liable for its Capital Commitment prior to the time, if any, when the purchaser, assignee or transferee of such Shares, or fraction thereof, becomes a holder of such Shares.

 

The Company shall not recognize for any purpose any purported Transfer of all or any portion of the Shares and shall be entitled to treat the transferor of Shares as the absolute owner thereof in all respects, and shall incur no liability for distributions or dividends made in good faith to it, unless the Company shall have given its prior written consent thereto and there shall have been filed with the Company a dated notice of such Transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company, executed and acknowledged by both the seller, assignor or transferor and the purchaser, assignee or transferee, and such notice (a) contains the acceptance by the purchaser, assignee or transferee of all of the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement and its agreement to be bound thereby, and (b) represents that such Transfer was made in accordance with this Subscription Agreement, the provisions of the Memorandum and all applicable laws and regulations applicable to the transferee and the transferor.

 

 

 

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