UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

or

Commission file number 001-36364

 

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (469) 621-3001

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

 

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

None

(Title of class)

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    YES  ☒    NO  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    YES  ☐    NO  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  ☒    NO  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    YES  ☐    NO  ☐

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.

 

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. ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    YES  ☐    NO  ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2019, based on the closing price on that date of $19.60 on The New York Stock Exchange, was approximately $1,237,412,949. The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding at February 19, 2020 was 66,719,061.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.

Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K for

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

In addition to factors previously identified elsewhere in the reports and other documents TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance:

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, some of those assumptions are based on the work of third parties and any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate; as a result, forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could prove to be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this report should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or any other information contained herein, except as required by applicable law. The safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which preclude civil liability for certain forward-looking statements, do not apply to the forward-looking statements in this report because we are an investment company.

 

 

 

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PART I

In this Annual Report, except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms “TSL,” “TSLX,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the Company” refer to TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. The term “Adviser” refers to TSL Advisers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The term “TSSP” refers to TPG Sixth Street Partners. The term “TPG” refers to TPG Global, LLC and its affiliates.

 

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Our Company

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. Since we began our investment activities in July 2011, through December 31, 2019, we have originated more than $12.5 billion aggregate principal amount of investments and retained approximately $6.3 billion aggregate principal amount of these investments on our balance sheet prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle-market companies through direct originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds and equity securities. By “middle-market companies,” we mean companies that have annual earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, which we believe is a useful proxy for cash flow, of $10 million to $250 million, although we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. As of December 31, 2019, our core portfolio companies, which exclude certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile and represent 77.2% of our total investments based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $113.9 million and weighted average annual EBITDA of $34.5 million.

We generate revenues primarily in the form of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we may generate income from dividends on equity investments, capital gains on the sale of investments and various loan origination and other fees.

We have operated as a business development company, or a BDC, since we began our investment activities in July 2011. In conducting our investment activities, we believe that we benefit from the significant scale and resources of our Adviser and its affiliates.

The companies in which we invest use our capital to support organic growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion and recapitalizations (including restructurings). We invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt and equity and other investments. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans; “last out” first-lien loans, which are loans that have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans; “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position; and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt. As of December 31, 2019, based on fair value our portfolio consisted of 96.5% first-lien debt investments, 0.6% second-lien debt investments, 0.1% mezzanine investments, and 2.8% equity and other investments. As of December 31, 2019, 99.2% of our debt investments based on fair value bore interest at floating rates (when including investment specific hedges), with 93.5% of these subject to interest rate floors, which we believe helps act as a portfolio-wide hedge against inflation. As of December 31, 2019 we had investments in 63 portfolio companies, with an average investment size of approximately $35.7 million based on fair value. As of December 31, 2019, the largest single investment based on fair value represented 4.0% of our total investment portfolio.

As of December 31, 2019, our portfolio was invested across 19 different industries. The largest industries in our portfolio as of December 31, 2019 were business services, retail and consumer products, and financial services (primarily payment processing and financing technology companies), which represented, as a percentage of our portfolio, 16.8%, 14.9%, and 13.7% respectively, based on fair value.

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. In addition, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code. As a consequence of our BDC and RIC elections, our portfolio is and will continue to be subject to diversification and other requirements to maintain such status elections.

We borrow money from time to time within the levels permitted by the 1940 Act to fund investments and for general corporate purposes. Under the 1940 Act, we can incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock if immediately after the borrowing or issuance our ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock is at least 150%. In determining whether to borrow money, we analyze the maturity, covenant package and rate structure of the proposed borrowings, as well as the risks of those borrowings compared to our investment outlook. The use of borrowed funds or the proceeds

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of preferred stock offerings to make investments has its own specific set of benefits and risks, and all of the costs of borrowing funds or issuing preferred stock are borne by us, and ultimately the holders of our common stock. See “ITEM 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.” See also “Regulation as a Business Development Company—Senior Securities.”

Our operations comprise only a single reportable segment.

Relationship with our Adviser, and TSSP  

Our Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company. Our Adviser acts as our investment adviser and administrator, and is a registered investment adviser with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the Advisers Act. Our Adviser sources and manages our portfolio through a dedicated team of investment professionals predominately focused on us, which we refer to as our Investment Team. Our Investment Team is led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Joshua Easterly and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Alan Waxman, both of whom have substantial experience in credit origination, underwriting and asset management. Our investment decisions are made by our Investment Review Committee, which includes senior personnel of our Adviser and TPG Sixth Street Partners, or “TSSP”.

TPG Sixth Street Partners (TSSP) is a global finance and investment business with approximately $33 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2019. TSSP’s core platforms include TPG Specialty Lending, TSL Europe (TSLE), which is aimed at European middle-market loan originations, TSSP Adjacent Opportunities (TAO), which has the flexibility to invest across all of TSSP’s private credit market investments, TSSP Opportunities Partners (TOP), which focuses on actively managed opportunistic investments across the credit cycle, TPG Institutional Credit Partners (TICP), which is the firm’s “public-side” credit investment platform focused on investment opportunities in broadly syndicated leveraged loan markets, and TSSP Capital Solutions (TCS), which provides financing solutions to growing companies. TSSP has a long-term oriented, highly flexible capital base that allows it to invest across industries, geographies, capital structures and asset classes. TSSP has extensive experience with highly complex, global public and private investments executed through primary originations, secondary market purchases and restructurings, and has a team of over 250 investment and operating professionals. As of December 31, 2019, thirty four (34) of these personnel are dedicated to our business, including twenty six (26) investment professionals.

TSSP was established in 2009 as a strategic partnership with TPG, a global alternative asset management company.

Our Adviser consults with TSSP in connection with a substantial number of our investments. The TSSP platform provides us with the breadth of large and scalable investment resources. We believe we benefit from TSSP’s market expertise, insights into industry, sector and macroeconomic trends and intensive due diligence capabilities, which help us discern market conditions that vary across industries and credit cycles, identify favorable investment opportunities and manage our portfolio of investments. TSSP and its affiliates will refer all middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States to us and conduct those activities through us. The Adviser will determine whether it would be permissible, advisable or otherwise appropriate for us to pursue a particular investment opportunity allocated to us.

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that allows us to co-invest, subject to certain conditions and to the extent the size of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount our Adviser has independently determined is appropriate to invest, with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of TSSP) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. There can be no assurance when or if the SEC will grant a further order in response to our application. Until such time a new order is granted, we will continue to operate under the terms of our current exemptive order.

We believe our ability to co-invest with TSSP affiliates is particularly useful where we identify larger capital commitments than otherwise would be appropriate for us. We expect that with the ability to co-invest with TSSP affiliates we will continue to be able to provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company in these circumstances, which may allow us to capture opportunities where we alone could not commit the full amount of required capital or would have to spend additional time to locate unaffiliated co-investors. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company—Transactions with our affiliates.”

The Adviser is responsible for managing our day-to-day business affairs, including implementing investment policies and strategic initiatives set by our Investment Team and managing our portfolio under the general oversight of our Investment Review Committee.

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On April 15, 2011, we entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement was subsequently amended on December 12, 2011. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advisory services to us.

The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others so long as its services to us are not impaired. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, we pay the Adviser the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee. For a discussion of the Management Fee and Incentive Fee payable by us to the Adviser, see “Management Agreements—Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement; License Agreement.” Our Board monitors the mix and performance of our investments over time and seeks to satisfy itself that the Adviser is acting in our interests and that our fee structure appropriately incentivizes the Adviser to do so.

In November 2019, our Board renewed the Investment Advisory Agreement. Unless earlier terminated, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until November 2020, and may be extended subject to required approvals.

Investment Criteria/Guidelines

Investment Decision Process

Our investment approach involves, among other things:

The foundation of our investment philosophy incorporates intensive analysis, a management discipline based on both market technicals and fundamental value-oriented research, and consideration of diversification within our portfolio. We follow a rigorous investment process based on:

We seek to identify those companies exhibiting superior fundamental risk-reward profiles and strong defensible business franchises, while focusing on the absolute and relative value of the investment.

Investment Process Overview

Origination and Sourcing

The substantial majority of our investments are not intermediated and are originated without the assistance of investment banks or other traditional Wall Street sources. In addition to executing direct calling campaigns on companies based on the Adviser’s sector and macroeconomic views, our Investment Team also maintains direct contact with financial sponsors, banks, corporate advisory firms, industry consultants, attorneys, investment banks, “club” investors and other potential sources of investment opportunities. The substantial majority of our deals are informed by our current sector views and are sourced directly by our Adviser through our network of contacts. We also identify opportunities through our Adviser’s relationships with TSSP.

Due Diligence Process

The process through which an investment decision is made involves extensive research into the company, its industry, its growth prospects and its ability to withstand adverse conditions. If the investment team responsible for the transaction determines that an investment opportunity should be pursued, we will engage in an intensive due diligence process. Though each transaction will involve a somewhat different approach, our diligence of each opportunity may include:

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Selective Investment Process

After an investment has been identified and preliminary diligence has been completed, a credit research and analysis report is prepared. This report is reviewed by senior investment professionals. If these senior and other investment professionals are supportive of pursuing the potential investment, then a more extensive due diligence process is employed. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys, independent accountants, and other third-party consultants and research firms prior to the closing of the investment, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.

Issuance of Formal Commitment

Approval of an investment requires the approval of the Investment Review Committee. Once we have determined that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, we work with the management or sponsor of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, if any, to finalize the structure and terms of the investment.

Portfolio Monitoring

The Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The Adviser monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company.

The Adviser has a number of methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance of our investments, which may include the following:

As part of the monitoring process, the Adviser regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, grades each investment on a risk scale of 1 to 5. Risk assessment is not standardized in our industry and our risk assessment may not be comparable to ones used by our competitors. Our assessment is based on the following categories:

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For more information on the investment performance ratings of our portfolio, see “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Portfolio and Investment Activity.”

Investment Review Committee

The Adviser manages our portfolio under the general oversight of the Investment Review Committee. The Investment Review Committee includes certain individuals who are senior personnel of the Adviser and TSSP, as well as certain other persons appointed by the Adviser from time to time. Our Investment Team and the Investment Review Committee are supported by and have access to the investment professionals, analytical capabilities and support personnel of TSSP.

Structure of Investments

Since beginning our investment activities in July 2011, we have sought to generate current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle market companies through direct originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds and equity and other investments.

Debt Investments

The terms of our debt investments are tailored to the facts and circumstances of each transaction and prospective portfolio company. We negotiate the structure of each investment to protect our rights and manage our risk while providing funding to help the portfolio company achieve its business plan. We invest in the following types of debt:

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Our debt investments are typically structured with the maximum seniority and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. We seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:

Among the types of first-lien debt in which we invest, we generally are able to obtain higher effective interest rates on our “last out” first-lien loans than on other types of first-lien loans, since our “last-out” first-lien loans generally are more junior in the capital structure. Within our portfolio, we aim to maintain the appropriate proportion among the various types of first-lien loans, as well as second-lien debt and mezzanine debt, which allows us to achieve our target returns while maintaining our targeted amount of credit risk.

Equity and Other Investments

Our loans may include an equity interest in the issuer, such as a warrant or profit participation right. In certain instances, we also will make equity investments, although those situations are generally limited to those cases where we are also making an investment in a more senior part of the capital structure of the issuer.

Investments

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had made investments with an aggregate fair value of $2,245.9 million and $1,706.0 million, respectively, in 63 and 46 portfolio companies, respectively.

Investments consisted of the following at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

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The industry composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

 

 

We classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and business services) and not by the product or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets.

The geographic composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

 

 

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Investment Commitments

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had the following commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:

 

 

Other Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we did not have any unfunded commitments to fund investments to new borrowers that were not current portfolio companies as of such date.

From time to time, we may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business. As of December 31, 2019, management is not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation that would require accounting recognition or financial statement disclosure.

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Competition

We compete for investments with a number of capital providers, including BDCs, other investment funds (including private debt and equity funds and venture capital funds), special purpose acquisition company sponsors, investment banks with underwriting activities, hedge funds that invest in private investments in public equities, traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks, and other sources of financing, including the broadly syndicated loan market and high yield capital market. Many of these capital providers have greater financial and managerial resources than we do. In addition, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we expect to face, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.”

Capital Resources and Borrowings

We anticipate generating cash in the future from cash flows from operations, including interest received on our cash and cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, and through issuances of common stock.

Additionally, we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our asset coverage was 200.4% and 270.5%, respectively. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company—Senior Securities” below.

Furthermore, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders (which may cause us to fail to distribute amounts necessary to avoid entity-level taxation under the Code), or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. In addition, we must also comply with positive and negative covenants customary for these types of facilities.

Our debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

 

 

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For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the components of interest expense were as follows:

 

 

For more information on our debt, see “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS——Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Dividend Policy

To maintain our status as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes of an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as well as other taxable income, excluding any net capital gains reduced by deductible expenses) and 90% of our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to stockholders. In addition, to avoid the imposition of a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:

We have previously incurred, and can be expected to incur in the future, such excise tax on a portion of our income and gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize exposure to the 4% excise tax, we may not be able to, or may choose not to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the excise tax entirely. In that event, we will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.”

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends or distributions declared by the Board on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their cash dividends or distributions in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or distribution, then our stockholders who have not elected to “opt out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional common stock as described below.

No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have its cash dividend or other distribution reinvested in our common stock. A registered stockholder is able to elect to receive an entire cash dividend or distribution in cash by notifying State Street Bank and Trust Company, the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, in writing, so that notice is received by the plan administrator no later than 10 days prior to the record date for the cash dividend or distributions to the stockholders. The plan administrator has set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive cash dividends or distributions in cash and hold the shares in non-certificated form.

Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive cash dividends and other distributions in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.

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We expect to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. We reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the cash dividend or distribution payable to a stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or “NYSE,” on the payment date of a distribution, or if no sale is reported for such day, the average of the reported bid and ask prices. However, if the market price per share on the payment date of a cash dividend or distribution exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share, we will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share (or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeded the most recently computed net asset value per share). Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator will be allocated to a stockholder based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of common stock purchased in the open market.

The number of shares of our common stock that will be outstanding after giving effect to payment of a cash dividend or distribution cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder pursuant to the foregoing will be rounded down to the nearest whole share to avoid the issuance of fractional shares, with any fractional shares being paid in cash. For non-U.S. stockholders, the number of shares to be issued to the stockholder will be the amount equal to the total dollar amount of the cash dividend or distribution payable, net of applicable withholding taxes.

There are no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan is terminable by us upon notice in writing mailed to each stockholder of record at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any cash dividend or distribution by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a brokerage commission from the proceeds.

Administration

Each of our executive officers is an employee of our Adviser or its affiliates. We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Individuals who are employees of our Adviser or its affiliates provide services necessary for our business under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by our Adviser and the services necessary for the origination and administration of our investment portfolio are provided by investment professionals employed by our Adviser or its affiliates. Our Investment Team focuses on origination and transaction development and the ongoing monitoring of our investments. In addition, we reimburse the Adviser for the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs). See “Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement; License Agreement” below.

Management Agreements

Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement; License Agreement

On April 15, 2011, we entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement was subsequently amended on December 12, 2011.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser:

The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others so long as its services to us are not impaired.

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Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, we pay the Adviser a base management fee, or the “Management Fee,” and may also pay certain incentive fees, or “Incentive Fees”.

The Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on the average value of our gross assets calculated using the values at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the period. The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears.

For each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, Management Fees (gross of waivers) were $30.1 million, $28.6 million and $24.3 million, respectively.

The Adviser did not waive any Management Fees for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, Management Fees of less than $0.1 million were waived consisting solely of Management Fees attributable to our ownership of shares of common stock in Triangle Capital Corp. (the “TCAP Shares”). As of June 30, 2018 we had fully exited our position in the TCAP Shares.

Any waived Management Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.

The Adviser intends to waive a portion of the Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement by reducing the Management Fee on assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (in other words, over 1.0x debt to equity) (the “Leverage Waiver”). Pursuant to the Leverage Waiver, the Adviser intends to waive the portion of the Management Fee in excess of an annual rate of 1.0% (0.250% per quarter) on the average value of our gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the average value of our net asset value at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. As of December 31, 2019, no Management Fees have been waived pursuant to the Leverage Waiver.

The Incentive Fee consists of two parts, as follows:

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends, interest and fee income accrued by us during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we may not have received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gain or loss.

For purposes of determining whether pre-Incentive Fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.  

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Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses. Because of the structure of the Incentive Fee, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly minimum hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached and therefore the likelihood of us paying an Incentive Fee for that quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee because gross assets are total assets (including cash received) before deducting liabilities (such as declared dividend payments).

Section 205(b)(3) of the Advisers Act, as amended, prohibits the Adviser from receiving the payment of fees on unrealized gains until those gains are realized, if ever. There can be no assurance that such unrealized gains will be realized in the future.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, Incentive Fees (gross of waivers) were $27.2 million, $30.5 million and $25.5 million, respectively, all of which were realized and payable to the Adviser. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, no Incentive Fees were accrued related to capital gains.

The Adviser voluntarily waived the Incentive Fees attributable to pre-Incentive Fee net investment income accrued by the Company as a result of our ownership of the TCAP Shares. The Adviser did not waive any part of the Capital Gains Fee attributable to our ownership of the TCAP Shares and, accordingly, any realized capital gains or losses and unrealized capital losses with respect to the TCAP Shares were applied against our cumulative realized capital gains on which the Capital Gains Fee is calculated.

The Adviser did not waive any Incentive Fees for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the years ended December 31 2018 and 2017, Incentive Fees of less than $0.1 million were waived consisting solely of Incentive Fees attributable to our ownership of the TCAP Shares. Any waived Incentive Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.

Since our IPO, with the exception of its waiver of Management Fees and certain Incentive Fees attributable to our ownership of certain portfolio companies, including the TCAP Shares, the Adviser has not waived its right to receive any Management Fees or Incentive Fees payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement.

In November 2019, the Board renewed the Investment Advisory Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until November 2020, and may be extended subject to required approvals. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of an assignment and may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party.

Our Board monitors the mix and performance of our investments over time and seeks to satisfy itself that the Adviser is acting in our interests and that our fee structure appropriately incentivizes the Adviser to do so.

On March 15, 2011, we entered into the Administration Agreement with our Adviser. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser provides administrative services to us. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the oversight of the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. Certain of these services are reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement. See “—Payment of Our Expenses” below. In addition, the Adviser is permitted to delegate its duties under the Administration Agreement to affiliates or third parties and we pay or reimburse the Adviser expenses incurred by any such affiliates or third parties for work done on our behalf. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, we incurred expenses of $4.2 million, $3.4 million, and $3.5 million, respectively, for administrative services payable under the terms of the Administration Agreement.

From time to time, the Adviser may pay amounts owed by us to third-party providers of goods or services, including the Board, and we will subsequently reimburse the Adviser for such amounts paid on our behalf. Amounts payable to the Adviser are settled in the normal course of business without formal payment terms.

In November 2019, the Board renewed the Administration Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect until November 2020, and may be extended subject to required approvals. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party.

No person who is an officer, director or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates and who serves as our director receives any compensation from us for his or her services as a director. However, we reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser or its affiliates to our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated

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basis, to our business and affairs). Directors who are not affiliated with the Adviser receive compensation for their services and reimbursement of expenses incurred to attend meetings.

The Adviser does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in, and on the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and is not responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow the advice or recommendations of the Adviser. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, the Adviser (and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it) shall not be liable to us 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 the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Administration Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of ours (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). We shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide indemnification and the right to the advancement of expenses, to each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a member, manager, officer, employee, agent, controlling person of the Adviser or any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, or is or was a member of the Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, on the same general terms set forth in Article VIII of our certificate of incorporation.

United States federal and state securities laws may impose liability under certain circumstances on persons who act in good faith. Nothing in the Investment Advisory Agreement will constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights that we may have under any applicable federal or state securities laws.

We also have a license agreement with an affiliate of TPG, pursuant to which we have been granted a non-exclusive license to use the “TPG” name and logo, for a nominal fee, for so long as the Adviser or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we have no legal right to the “TPG” name or logo.

The following is a graphical representation of the calculation of the income-related portion of the Incentive Fee:

Quarterly Incentive Fee Based on Net Investment Income

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

 

 

Percentage of pre-Incentive Fee net investment income allocated to income-related portion of Incentive Fee

Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation:

Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee (*):

Alternative 1

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2%

Hurdle rate (1) = 1.5%

Management Fee (2) = 0.375%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) (3) = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income – (Management Fee + other expenses)) = 1.425%

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Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no Incentive Fee.

Alternative 2

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.375%

Hurdle rate (1) = 1.5%

Management Fee (2) = 0.375%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) (3) = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income – (Management Fee + other expenses)) = 1.8%

Incentive Fee = 100% × pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to the “catch-up” (4)

= 100% × (1.8% – 1.5%)

= 0.3%

Alternative 3

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.5%

Hurdle rate (1) = 1.5%

Management Fee (2) = 0.375%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.) (3) = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income – (Management Fee + other expenses)) = 2.925%

Incentive Fee = 17.5% × pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to “catch-up” (4)

Incentive Fee = 100% × “catch-up” + (17.5% × (pre-Incentive Fee net investment income – 1.82%))

Catch-up = 1.82% – 1.5% = 0.32%

Incentive Fee = (100% × 0.32%) + (17.5% × (2.925% – 1.82%))

= 0.32% + (17.5% × 1.105%)

= 0.32% + 0.193%

= 0.513%

Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee:

Assumptions

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These assumptions are summarized in the following chart:

 

 

The capital gains portion of the Incentive Fee would be:

Capital Gains Fee = 15% multiplied by ($10 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation) = $1.2 million

Capital Gains Fee = (Weighted Percentage multiplied by ($10 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $1.2 million cumulative Capital Gains Fee previously paid = $1.2 million less $1.2 million = $0.00

Weighted Percentage = (15% multiplied by ($10 million Pre-IPO Gain Amount divided by $10 million Total Gain Amount )) plus (17.5% multiplied by ($0 Post-IPO Gain Amount divided by $10 million Total Gain Amount)) = 15%

Capital Gains Fee = (Weighted Percentage multiplied by ($12 million cumulative realized capital gains)) less $1.2 million cumulative Capital Gains Fee previously paid = $1.8 million less $1.2 million = $0.6 million

Weighted Percentage = (15% multiplied by ($12 million Pre-IPO Gain Amount divided by $12 million Total Gain Amount)) plus (17.5% multiplied by ($0 Post-IPO Gain Amount divided by $12 million Total Gain Amount)) = 15%

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Capital Gains Fee = (Weighted Percentage multiplied by ($22 million cumulative realized capital gains)) less $1.8 million cumulative Capital Gains Fee previously paid = $3.45 million less $1.8 million = $1.65 million

Weighted Percentage = (15% multiplied by ($16 million Pre-IPO Gain Amount divided by $22 million Total Gain Amount)) plus (17.5% multiplied by ($6 million Post-IPO Gain Amount divided by $22 million Total Gain Amount)) = 15.68%

Capital Gains Fee = (Weighted Percentage multiplied by ($28 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $3.45 million cumulative Capital Gains Fee previously paid = $4.18 million less $3.45 million = $0.73 million

Weighted Percentage = (15% multiplied by ($16 million Pre-IPO Gain Amount divided by $28 million Total Gain Amount)) plus (17.5% multiplied by ($12 million Post-IPO Gain Amount divided by $28 million Total Gain Amount)) = 16.07%

Capital Gains Fee = (Weighted Percentage multiplied by ($28 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative realized capital losses)) less $4.18 million cumulative Capital Gains Fee previously paid = $4.18 million less $4.18 million = $0.00

Weighted Percentage = (15% multiplied by ($16 million Pre-IPO Gain Amount divided by $28 million Total Gain Amount)) plus (17.5% multiplied by ($12 million Post-IPO Gain Amount divided by $28 million Total Gain Amount)) = 16.07%

Capital Gains Fee = (Weighted Percentage multiplied by ($36 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative realized capital losses)) less $4.18 million cumulative Capital Gains Fee previously paid = $5.57 million less $4.18 million = $1.39 million

Weighted Percentage = (15% multiplied by ($16 million Pre-IPO Gain Amount divided by $36 million Total Gain Amount)) plus (17.5% multiplied by ($20 million Post-IPO Gain Amount divided by $36 million Total Gain Amount)) = 16.39%

Payment of Our Expenses

The costs associated with the Investment Team and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing us investment advisory and management services are paid for by the Adviser. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including those relating to:

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In addition, from time to time, the Adviser pays amounts owed by us to third-party providers of goods or services, including the Board. We subsequently reimburse the Adviser for those amounts paid on our behalf. Amounts payable to the Adviser are settled in the normal course of business without formal payment terms. We also reimburse the Adviser for the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser or its affiliates to our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs).

Duration and Termination

Unless earlier terminated as described below, both the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement will remain in effect until November 2020, and each may be extended subject to required approvals. Each agreement will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by our Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of the directors of the Board who are not “interested persons” of us, the Adviser or any of our or its respective affiliates, as defined in the 1940 Act (known as Independent Directors). The Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Adviser. Each agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate each agreement without penalty on 60 days’ written notice. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, TSSP, and their affiliates for our future success.”

Indemnification

The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement provide that the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it shall not be liable to us 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 the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Administration Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of ours (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). We will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide indemnification and the right to the advancement of expenses, to each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, because he or she is or was a member, manager, officer, employee, agent, controlling person or any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation the Administrator, or is or was a member of the Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, on the same general terms set forth in our certificate of incorporation. Our obligation to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses is subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and Investment Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things, preclude indemnification for any liability (whether or not there is an adjudication of liability or the matter has been settled) arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties, and require reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification will be made.

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Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement

Our Board, including our Independent Directors, and holders of a majority of our outstanding securities, approved our Investment Advisory Agreement in December 2011. Our Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, renewed the Investment Advisory Agreement in November 2019. In its consideration of the Investment Advisory Agreement at the time of approval and renewal, the Board focused on information it had received relating to, among other things:

The Board also takes into consideration the reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Adviser on our behalf, which expenses include travel expenses, when determining whether to approve renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. No one factor was given greater weight than any others, but rather the Board considered all factors collectively as a whole.

Based on the information reviewed and the discussion thereof, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, concluded that the investment advisory fee rates are reasonable in relation to the services to be provided.

Regulation as a Business Development Company

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

As with other companies regulated by the 1940 Act, a BDC must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. A majority of our directors must be persons who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Additionally, we are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are 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.

As a BDC, we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after any borrowing or issuance (prior to October 9, 2018, our minimum asset coverage requirement was 200%). See “—Senior Securities” for more information. In addition, while any preferred stock or publicly traded debt securities are outstanding, we may be prohibited from making distributions to our stockholders or repurchasing securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratio at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.” As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our asset coverage was 200.4% and 270.5% respectively.

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, and (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.

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We do not anticipate any substantial change in the nature of our business.

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 status as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—Regulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.

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 are generally not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.” We may, however, elect to issue and 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 the sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders have approved our policy and practice of making these sales within the preceding 12 months. Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on June 14, 2019, we are currently permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below our then-current net asset value per share, subject to the approval of our Board and certain other conditions. Such stockholder approval expires on June 14, 2020. We may in the future seek such approval again; however, there is no assurance such approval will be obtained. In this case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of such securities. In addition, we may generally issue new 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 are subject to periodic examination by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.

As a BDC, we are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure.”

Transactions with our Affiliates

We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates, including our officers, directors, investment adviser, and principal underwriters, and certain of their affiliates, without the prior approval of the members of our Board who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC through an exemptive order (other than in certain limited situations pursuant to current regulatory guidance).

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that allows us to co-invest, subject to certain conditions and to the extent the size of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount our Adviser has independently determined is appropriate for us to invest, with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of TSSP) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. There can be no assurance when or if the SEC will grant a further order in response to our application. Until such time a new order is granted, we will continue to operate under the terms of our current exemptive order.

We believe our ability to co-invest with TSSP affiliates is particularly useful where we identify larger capital commitments than otherwise would be appropriate for us. We expect that with the ability to co-invest with TSSP affiliates we will continue to be able to provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company in these circumstances, which may allow us to capture opportunities where we alone could not commit the full amount of required capital or would have to spend additional time to locate unaffiliated co-investors.

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Further, in accordance with the exemptive order, we have undertaken that, in connection with any commitment to a co-investment or follow-on investment, a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of Independent Directors must make certain conclusions, including that:

See “ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.”

Qualifying Assets

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any assets 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 company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are the following:

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, such that at least 70% of our assets are qualifying assets.

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Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

A BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described under “Qualifying Assets” above. However, to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, the BDC will satisfy this test if one of the other persons in the group makes available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, either controlling the issuer of the securities or any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does in fact provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.

Senior Securities

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock is at least 200%. However, under the Small Business Credit Availability Act ("SBCAA"), which became law in March 2018, BDCs have the ability to elect to become subject to a lower asset coverage requirement of 150%, subject to the receipt of the requisite board or stockholder approvals under the SBCAA and satisfaction of certain other conditions.

On October 8, 2018, our stockholders approved the application of the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% to us, as set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA. As a result and subject to certain additional disclosure requirements, as of October 9, 2018, our minimum asset coverage ratio was reduced from 200% to 150%. In other words, pursuant to Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA, we are permitted to potentially increase our maximum debt-to-equity ratio from an effective level of one-to-one to two-to-one.

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after any borrowing or issuance. In addition, while any preferred stock or publicly-traded debt securities are outstanding, we may be prohibited from making distributions to our stockholders or repurchasing securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratio at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage.

The 1940 Act imposes limitations on a BDC’s issuance of preferred stock, which is considered a “senior security” and thus is subject to the 150% asset coverage requirement described above.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our asset coverage was 200.4% and 270.5% respectively.

Code of Ethics

As required by the Advisers Act and the 1940 Act, we and the Adviser have adopted codes of ethics which apply to, among others, our and our Adviser’s executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as our Adviser’s officers, directors and employees. The codes of ethics establish procedures for personal investments and restrict certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the codes 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 codes’ requirements. There have been no material changes to the codes or material waivers of the codes that apply to our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer.

Compliance Policies and Procedures

We and our Adviser have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and prevent violation of the federal securities laws and we are required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation and designate a Chief Compliance Officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.

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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on certain publicly held companies and their insiders. Assuming certain requirements are met, many of these requirements affect us. For example:

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

The NYSE Corporate Governance Rules

The NYSE has adopted corporate governance rules that listed companies must comply with. We believe we are in compliance with these rules.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We delegate our proxy voting responsibility to our Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of our Adviser are set forth below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by the Adviser and our Independent Directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.

An investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, the Adviser recognizes that it must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of its clients. These policies and procedures for voting proxies for the Adviser’s investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.

The Adviser will vote all proxies based upon the guiding principle of seeking the maximization of the ultimate long-term economic value of our stockholders’ holdings, and ultimately all votes are cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the contractual obligations under the relevant advisory agreements or comparable documents, and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote. All proxy voting decisions will require a mandatory conflicts of interest review by our Chief Compliance Officer in accordance with these policies and procedures, which will include consideration of whether the Adviser or any investment professional or other person recommending how to vote the proxy has an interest in how the proxy is voted that may present a conflict of interest. It is the Adviser’s general policy to vote or give consent on all matters presented to security holders in any proxy, and these policies and procedures have been designed with that in mind. However, the Adviser reserves the right to abstain on any particular vote or otherwise withhold its vote or consent on any matter if, in the judgment of our Chief Compliance Officer or the relevant investment professional(s), the costs associated with voting such proxy outweigh the benefits to our stockholders or if the circumstances make such an abstention or withholding otherwise advisable and in the best interest of the relevant stockholder(s).

Privacy Principles

We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and security of nonpublic personal information relating to investors. The following information is provided to help investors understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.

We generally will not receive any nonpublic personal information relating to stockholders who purchase common stock. We may collect nonpublic personal information regarding certain investors from sources such as subscription agreements, investor questionnaires and other forms; individual investors’ account histories; and correspondence between us and individual investors. We

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may share information that we collect regarding an investor with our affiliates and the employees of such affiliates for legitimate business purposes, for example, to service the investor’s accounts or provide the investor with information about other products and services offered by us or our affiliates that may be of interest to the investor. In addition, we may disclose information that we collect regarding investors to third parties who are not affiliated with us (i) as authorized by our investors in investor subscription agreements or our organizational documents; (ii) as required by law or in connection with regulatory or law enforcement inquiries; or, (iii) as otherwise permitted by law to the extent necessary to effect, administer or enforce investor transactions or our transactions.

Any party that receives nonpublic personal information relating to investors from us is permitted to use the information only for legitimate business purposes or as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law or regulation. In this regard, our officers, employees and agents and those of our affiliates, access to such information is restricted to those who need such access to provide services to us and our investors. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to seek to guard investor nonpublic personal information.

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. We are required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the Exchange Act.

We make available on our website (www.tpgspecialtylending.com) our proxy statements, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.

The SEC also maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains this information.

Regulated Investment Company Classification

As a BDC, we have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  

To maintain our status as a RIC, we must, among other things:

To maintain our status as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes of an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as well as other taxable income, excluding any net capital gains reduced by deductible expenses) and 90% of our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to stockholders. In addition, to avoid the imposition of a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:

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We have previously incurred, and can be expected to incur in the future, such excise tax on a portion of our income and gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize exposure to the 4% 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 will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

We generally expect to distribute substantially all of our earnings on a quarterly basis, but will reinvest dividends on behalf of those investors that do not elect to receive their dividends in cash. See “—Dividend Policy” and “—Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for a description of our dividend policy and obligations. One or more of the considerations described below, however, could result in the deferral of dividend distributions until the end of the fiscal year:

In certain circumstances (e.g., where we are required to recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income), we may have difficulty making distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for maintaining RIC status and for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Accordingly, we may have to sell investments at times we would not otherwise consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

If in any particular taxable year, we do not qualify as a RIC, all of our taxable income (including our net capital gains) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to stockholders, and distributions will be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and distributions would not be required. 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 tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as capital gain. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two consecutive taxable years, to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets (that is, 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 sold the property at fair market value at the end of the taxable year) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.

In the event we invest in foreign securities, we may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes with respect to those securities. We do not expect to satisfy the conditions necessary to pass through to our stockholders their share of the foreign taxes paid by us.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks associated with the investment, including those described below. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Structure

We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, TSSP and their affiliates for our future success.

We depend on the experience, diligence, skill and network of business contacts of senior members of our Investment Team. Our Investment Team, together with other professionals at TSSP and its affiliates, identifies, evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes, monitors and manages our investments. Our success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the senior members of our Investment Team. The senior members of our Investment Team are not contractually restricted from leaving the Adviser. The departure of any of these key personnel, including members of our Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, could have a material adverse effect on us.

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In addition, we cannot assure you that the Adviser will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to TSSP or its investment professionals. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty on 60 days’ written notice.  

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

The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Regulation as a Business Development Company” for a discussion of BDC limitations. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets in securities of nonpublic or thinly traded U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. These constraints may hinder the Adviser’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective.

We may need to periodically access the debt and equity capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments in excess of our repayments, and we may also need to access the capital markets to refinance existing debt obligations to the extent such maturing obligations are not repaid with availability under our revolving credit facilities or cash flows from operations.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital, and the ways in which we can do so. Raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage, and may result in dilution to our current stockholders. The 1940 Act limits our ability to incur borrowings and issue debt securities and preferred stock, which we refer to as senior securities, requiring that after any borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, is at least 150%.

We may need to continue to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional securities to fund our growth. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets may limit our ability to refinance our existing debt obligations as they come due and/or to fully execute our business strategy and could limit our ability to grow or cause us to have to shrink the size of our business, which could decrease our earnings, if any. Consequently, if the value of our assets declines or we are unable to access the capital markets we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when this may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. If we borrow money or issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.

If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank senior to common stock in our capital structure. Preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and may have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of our common stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in your best interest. Holders of our common stock will directly or indirectly bear all of the costs associated with offering and servicing any preferred stock that we issue. In addition, any interests of preferred stockholders may not necessarily align with the interests of holders of our common stock and the rights of holders of shares of preferred stock to receive dividends would be senior to those of holders of shares of our common stock.

Our Board may decide to issue additional common stock to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. However, we generally are not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, elect to issue and 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 the sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders have approved our policy and practice of making these sales within the preceding 12 months. Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on June 14, 2019, we are currently permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below our then-current net asset value per share, subject to the approval of our Board and certain other conditions. Such stockholder approval expires on June 14, 2020. We may in the future seek such approval again; however, there is no assurance such approval will be obtained. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of those securities (less any distribution commission or discount). In the event we sell shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, existing stockholders will experience net asset value dilution. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock and would cause a proportionately greater decrease in the stockholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. Because the number of shares of common stock that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted.

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In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we could securitize our investments to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize our investments, we likely would create a wholly owned subsidiary, contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary and have the subsidiary issue primarily investment grade debt securities to purchasers who we would expect would be willing to accept a substantially lower interest rate than the loans earn. We would retain all or a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. Our retained equity would be exposed to any losses on the portfolio of investments before any of the debt securities would be exposed to the losses. An inability to successfully securitize our investment portfolio could limit our ability to grow or fully execute our business and could adversely affect our earnings, if any. The successful securitization of our investment could expose us to losses because the portions of the securitized investments that we would typically retain tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses. The 1940 Act also may impose restrictions on the structure of any securitization. In connection with any future securitization of investments, we may incur greater set-up and administration fees relating to such vehicles than we have in connection with financing of our investments in the past. See “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.”

We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.

As part of our business strategy, we borrow from and may in the future issue additional senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these loans or senior securities would have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that have priority over the claims of our stockholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage will cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed. This decline could negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our common stock. Our ability to service our borrowings depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, the Management Fee is payable based on our gross assets, including cash and assets acquired through the use of leverage, which may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.” The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our 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.

Our credit facilities and indentures governing our indebtedness also impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, remedies on default and similar matters. As of the date of this Annual Report, we are in compliance with the covenants of our credit facilities and indentures. However, our continued compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, although we believe we will continue to be in compliance, we cannot assure you that we will continue to comply with the covenants in our credit facilities and indentures. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default. If we were unable to obtain a waiver of a default from the lenders or holders of that indebtedness, as applicable, those lenders or holders could accelerate repayment under that indebtedness. An acceleration could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Lastly, we may be unable to obtain additional leverage, which would, in turn, affect our return on capital.

As of December 31, 2019, we had $1,118.2 million of outstanding indebtedness, which had an annualized interest cost of 4.4% under the terms of our debt, excluding fees (such as fees on undrawn amounts and amortization of upfront fees) and giving effect to the swap-adjusted interest rates on our 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes. As of December 31, 2019, as adjusted to give effect to the interest rate swaps, the interest rate on the 2022 Convertible Notes was three-month LIBOR plus 2.11% (on a weighted-average basis), the interest rate on the 2023 Notes was three-month LIBOR plus 1.99%, and the interest rate on the 2024 Notes was three-month LIBOR plus 2.25%.  

For us to cover these annualized interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our investments of at least 2.2%. Since we generally pay interest at a floating rate on our debt, an increase in interest rates will generally increase our borrowing costs. We expect that our annualized interest cost and returns required to cover interest will increase if we issue additional debt securities.

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In order to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage, the following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. Leverage generally magnifies the return of stockholders when the portfolio return is positive and magnifies their losses when the portfolio return is negative. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.

 

Effects of Leverage Based on Actual Amount of Borrowings Incurred by us as of December 31, 2019

 

 

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial conditions or results of operations.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our credit facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before it matures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets or seeking additional equity. We cannot assure you that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or on terms that would not be disadvantageous to our stockholders or on terms that would not require us to breach the terms and conditions of our existing or future debt agreements.

Legislation allows us to incur additional leverage.

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock is at least 200%. However, under the SBCAA, which became law in March 2018, BDCs have the ability to elect to become subject to a lower asset coverage requirement of 150%, subject to the receipt of the requisite board or stockholder approvals under the SBCAA and satisfaction of certain other conditions.

On October 8, 2018, our stockholders approved the application of the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% to us, as set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA. As a result and subject to certain additional disclosure requirements, as of October 9, 2018, our minimum asset coverage ratio was reduced from 200% to 150%. In other words, pursuant to Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA, we are permitted to potentially increase our maximum debt-to-equity ratio from an effective level of one-to-one to two-to-one.  

As a result, you may face increased investment risk. We may not be able to implement our strategy to utilize additional leverage successfully. See “—We operate in a highly competitive environment for investment opportunities.” Any impact on returns or equity or our business associated with additional leverage may not outweigh the additional risk. See “—We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.”

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

Other public and private entities, including commercial banks, commercial financing companies, other BDCs and insurance companies compete with us to make the types of investments that we make in middle-market companies. Certain of these competitors may be substantially larger, have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we have and offer a wider array of financial services. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and 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. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, however, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss.

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In addition, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the restrictions that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. As a result, we face additional constraints on our operations, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage. As a result of this existing and potentially increasing competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective. The competitive pressures we face could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Investment Team’s ability to identify, evaluate, finance and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our marketing capabilities, our management of the investment process, our ability to provide efficient services and our access to financing sources on acceptable terms, including equity financing. Moreover, our ability to structure investments may also depend upon the participation of other prospective investors. For example, our ability to offer loans above a certain size and to structure loans in a certain way may depend on our ability to partner with other investors. As a result, we could fail to capture some investment opportunities if we cannot provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company either alone or with other investment partners.

In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our Investment Team may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. To grow, our Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospects and ability to achieve our investment objective.

Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.

Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser. The Management Fee is calculated as a percentage of the value of our gross assets at a specific time, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, and may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. In addition, the Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of our gross assets or your investment have decreased. The use of increased leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor holders of our common stock. Given the subjective nature of the investment decisions that our Adviser will make on our behalf, we may not be able to monitor this potential conflict of interest.

The Incentive Fee is calculated as a percentage of pre-Incentive Fee net investment income. Since pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly minimum hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached in that quarter and, as a result, that an Incentive Fee is paid for that quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee.

Also, one component of the Incentive Fee is calculated annually based upon our realized capital gains, computed net of realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on a cumulative basis. As a result, we may owe the Adviser an Incentive Fee during one year as a result of realized capital gains on certain investments, and then incur significant realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on the remaining investments in our portfolio during subsequent years. Incentive Fees earned in prior years cannot be clawed back even if we later incur losses.

In addition, the Incentive Fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser 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. The Adviser receives the Incentive Fee based, in part, upon capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the Incentive Fee that is based on income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. As a result, the Adviser may have an incentive to invest more in companies whose securities are likely to yield capital gains, as compared to income-producing investments. Such a practice could result in our making more speculative investments than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.

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To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses.

To maintain our status as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year, and may either distribute or retain our realized net capital gains from investments. Unless investors elect to reinvest dividends, earnings that we are required to distribute to stockholders will not be available to fund future investments. Accordingly, we may have insufficient funds to make new and follow-on investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Because of the structure and objectives of our business, we may experience operating losses and expect to rely on proceeds from sales of investments, rather than on interest and dividend income, to pay our operating expenses. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell our investments and thereby fund our operating expenses.

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements.

We will incur corporate-level U.S. federal income tax costs if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements. Although we have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To maintain RIC status under the Code and to avoid corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements:

The asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under our loan and credit agreements could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. In addition, as discussed in more detail below, our income for tax purposes may exceed our available cash flow. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to satisfy the distribution requirements that apply to a RIC. As a result, we could lose our RIC status and become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

If we fail to maintain our qualification for tax treatment as a RIC for any reason, the resulting U.S. federal income tax liability could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution, and the amount of our distributions.

We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we elected to retain approximately $106 million and $80 million of taxable income and capital gains, respectively, in order to provide us with additional liquidity and we recorded an expense of $3.8 million and $3.4 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax as a result. We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in the future, including for purposes of providing us with additional liquidity, which amounts would similarly be subject to the 4% U.S. federal excise tax. In that event, we will be liable for the tax on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Regulation as a Business Development Company—Regulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.

Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest.

TSSP and its affiliates will refer all middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States to us and conduct those activities through us. The Adviser will determine whether it would be permissible, advisable or otherwise appropriate for us to pursue a particular investment opportunity allocated to us. However, the Adviser, its officers and employees and

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members of its Investment Review Committee serve or may serve as investment advisers, officers, directors or principals of entities or investment funds that operate in the same or a related line of business as us or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, these individuals may have obligations to investors in those entities or funds, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders.

In addition, any affiliated investment vehicle currently formed or formed in the future and managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, particularly in connection with any future growth of their respective businesses, may have overlapping investment objectives with our own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. For example, TSSP has organized a separate investment vehicle, TSL Europe, aimed specifically at European middle-market loan originations and may in the future organize vehicles aimed at other loan origination opportunities outside our primary focus. Our ability to pursue investment opportunities other than middle-market loan originations for companies domiciled in the United States is subject to the contractual and other requirements of these other funds and allocation decisions by their respective senior professionals. As a result, the Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and those other entities. It is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by those other entities that would otherwise be suitable for us.

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that, if certain conditions are met, allows us to co-invest with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of TSSP) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. These conditions include, among others, prior approval by a majority of our Independent Directors and that the terms and conditions of the investment applicable to those affiliates must be the same as those applicable to us. If the Adviser, TSSP and their affiliates were to determine that an investment is appropriate both for us and for one or more other affiliated vehicles, we would only be able to make the investment in conjunction with another vehicle to the extent the exemptive order granted to us by the SEC permits us to do so or the investment is otherwise permitted under relevant SEC guidance. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. There can be no assurance when or if the SEC will grant a further order in response to our application. Until such time a new order is granted, we will continue to operate under the terms of our current exemptive order. We cannot assure you when or whether we will apply for any other exemptive relief in the future and whether such orders will be obtained.

Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with TSSP. Any new investment advisory agreement would require stockholder approval.

The Adviser has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, to resign at any time on 60 days’ written notice, regardless of whether we have found a replacement. In addition, our Board has the authority to remove the Adviser for any reason or for no reason, or may choose not to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Furthermore, the Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Adviser. If the Adviser resigns or is terminated, or if we do not obtain the requisite approvals of stockholders and our Board to approve an agreement with the Adviser after an assignment, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption and costs under any new agreements that we enter into could increase. Our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to pay dividends, are likely to be adversely affected, and the value of our common stock may decline.

Any new Investment Advisory Agreement would be subject to approval by our stockholders. Even if we are able to enter into comparable management or administrative arrangements, the integration of a new adviser or administrator and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, if the Adviser resigns or is terminated, we would lose the benefits of our relationship with TSSP, including insights into our existing portfolio, market expertise, sector and macroeconomic views and due diligence capabilities, as well as any investment opportunities referred to us. We also would no longer be able to use TPG’s name and logo because our license agreement would terminate upon the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

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A modification in the strategic partnership between TSSP and TPG may adversely affect our business.

Our Adviser is managed through TPG Sixth Street Partners. TSSP was founded in 2009 in a strategic partnership with TPG. TSSP and TPG are currently in discussions to modify the nature of their current strategic partnership. Any such modification is not expected to change the governance or personnel of, or our relationship with, our Adviser or TSSP. TSSP and the Adviser do not rely on TPG to provide any services directly to us under the Investment Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement, including, but not limited to, sourcing of investments, underwriting or asset management. 

We expect that our Adviser will continue to utilize certain limited services (such as certain information technology services utilized by the Adviser on our behalf) that are currently provided by TPG. In the event an agreement between TSSP and TPG is reached, we expect that these limited services would continue to be provided to our Adviser by TPG as transition services over a multi-year period.

To date, no formal agreement between TSSP and TPG has been reached and there is no guarantee that an agreement will be finalized. In the event of any modification in the nature of the partnership between TSSP and TPG, there could be an adverse effect on our business, as our investors or business partners may view our business differently as a result of the change, and as we will, over time, rely exclusively on TSSP and our Adviser to provide those limited services described above that are currently provided to them by TPG. Our license to use the TPG name and logo could also be affected.

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

The Adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow the Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it will not be liable to us 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 the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser (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).

We have agreed to the fullest extent permitted by law, to provide indemnification and the right to the advancement of expenses, to each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, because he or she is or was a member, manager, officer, employee, agent, controlling person or any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from acts of the Adviser in the performance of the person’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. Our obligation to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses is subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and Investment Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things, preclude indemnification for any liability (whether or not there is an adjudication of liability or the matter has been settled) arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties, and require reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification will be made. Despite these limitations, the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses may lead the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and other persons and entities affiliated with the Adviser to act in a riskier manner than they would when acting for their own account.

Any failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.

If we do not remain a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us.

We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a publicly traded company, we incur legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses, including costs associated with corporate governance requirements, such as those under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, other rules implemented by the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE. Our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which increases the costs associated with our periodic reporting requirements.

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We are obligated to maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting. We may not complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or our internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our securities.

We are required to comply with the independent auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Complying with Section 404 requires a rigorous compliance program as well as adequate time and resources. We may not be able to complete our internal control evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. Matters impacting our internal control may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under the agreements governing any of our financing arrangements. Additionally, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our auditors are unable to attest to management’s report on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a material adverse effect on the price of our securities.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results as a result of a number of factors, including the pace at which investments are made, rates of repayment, interest rates payable on investments, changes in realized and unrealized gains and losses, syndication and other fees, the level of our expenses and default rates on our investments. As a result of these and other possible factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which we refer to as our certificate of incorporation, and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. Among other provisions, we have a staggered board and our directors may be removed for cause only by the affirmative vote of 75% of the holders of our outstanding capital stock. Our Board also is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series. In addition, our certificate of incorporation requires the favorable vote of a majority of our Board followed by the favorable vote of the holders of at least 75% of our outstanding shares of common stock, to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions, including mergers and the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of our assets with 10% or greater holders of our outstanding common stock and their affiliates or associates, unless the transaction has been approved by at least 80% of our Board, in which case approval by “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) is required. Our certificate of incorporation further provides that stockholders may not take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting and our bylaws provide that any stockholder action required or permitted at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting. These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called stockholders’ meeting and not by written consent. We also are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which generally prohibits us from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock, or with their affiliates, unless our directors or stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders and could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices.

Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.

Investment companies registered under the 1940 Act are restricted from acquiring directly or through a controlled entity more than 3% of our total outstanding voting stock (measured at the time of the acquisition), unless these funds comply with an exemption under the 1940 Act as well as other limitations under the 1940 Act that would restrict the amount that they are able to invest in our securities. Private funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” either pursuant to Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act are also subject to this restriction. As a result, certain investors may be precluded from acquiring additional shares at a time that they might desire to do so.

We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.

Our business is highly dependent on the communications and information systems of the Adviser, its affiliates and third parties, including certain limited TPG-provided services (such as certain information technology services utilized by the Adviser on our behalf). Further, in the ordinary course of our business we or the Adviser engage certain third party service providers to provide us

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with services necessary for our business. Any failure or interruption of those systems or services, including as a result of the termination or suspension of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:

These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of confidential information and/or damage to business relationships, or those of our portfolio companies, all of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations or financial condition.

A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to, use, alteration or destruction of our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, obtaining ransom payments, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption, or may involve phishing. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen information, misappropriation of assets, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships. This could result in significant losses, reputational damage, litigation, regulatory fines or penalties, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures and to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks. The costs related to cybersecurity incidents may not be fully insured or indemnified. As our and our portfolio companies’ reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by our Adviser and third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies. We, our Adviser and its affiliates have implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber incident, may be ineffective and do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.

Third parties with which we do business (including, but not limited to, service providers, such as accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators, and the issuers of securities in which we invest) may also be sources or targets of cybersecurity or other technological risks. We outsource certain functions and these relationships allow for the storage and processing of our information and assets, as well as certain investor, counterparty, employee and borrower information. While we engage in actions to reduce our exposure resulting from outsourcing, we cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by these third parties and ongoing threats may result in unauthorized access, loss, exposure or destruction of data, or other cybersecurity incidents, with increased costs and other consequences, including those described above. Privacy and information security laws and regulation changes, and compliance with those changes, may also result in cost increases due to system changes and the development of new administrative processes.

Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

Our Board has the authority to change our investment objective and modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice (except as required by the 1940 Act) and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be a BDC and we may not withdraw our election as a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies or strategies would have on our business, operating results and value of our common stock. Nevertheless, the effects may adversely affect our business and impact our ability to pay dividends.

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Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.

 

We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws and regulations at the local, state, federal and, in some cases, foreign levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time, and new laws and regulations may be enacted. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations, changes in their interpretation, or newly enacted laws or regulations and any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws or regulations, could require changes to certain business practices of us or our portfolio companies, negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In particular, changes to the laws and regulations governing BDCs or the interpretation of these laws and regulations by the staff of the SEC could disrupt our business model. For example, tax reform legislation could have an adverse impact on us, the credit markets and our portfolio companies, to the extent the reduction in corporate tax rates or limitations on interest expense deductibility impact the credit markets and our portfolio companies. Any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations or the U.S. federal income tax treatment of our assets may cause us to alter our investment strategy to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. For more information on tax regulatory risks, see “Risks Related to our Portfolio Company Investments.”

 

Over the last several years, there has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether these regulations will be implemented or what form they will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business.

 

The interest rates of our debt investments to our portfolio companies and our indebtedness that extend beyond 2021 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes.

LIBOR, the London Interbank Offered Rate, is the basic rate of interest used in lending transactions between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. We typically use LIBOR as a reference rate in term loans we extend to portfolio companies such that the interest due to us pursuant to a term loan extended to a portfolio company is calculated using LIBOR. The terms of our debt investments generally include minimum interest rate floors which are calculated based on LIBOR. Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility also currently bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin, and obligations under interest rate swaps we enter into are referenced to LIBOR.

On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear if at that time LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S. dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. Whether or not SOFR attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement remains a question and the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain. Because of this uncertainty, we cannot reasonably estimate the expected impact of a transition away from LIBOR to our business.  

If LIBOR ceases to exist or degrades to the degree that it is no longer representative of the underlying market, we may need to renegotiate the credit agreements extending beyond 2021 with our portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate, in order to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established, which may have an adverse effect on our ability to receive attractive returns. In addition, if LIBOR ceases to exist or degrades to the degree that it is no longer representative of the underlying market, we may need to renegotiate certain terms of our Revolving Credit Facility to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established in its place. If we are unable to do so, amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility may bear interest at a higher rate, which would increase the cost of our borrowings and, in turn, affect our return on capital. If LIBOR ceases to exist or degrades to the degree that it is no longer representative of the underlying market, we will also have to renegotiate the terms of any outstanding interest rate swaps.

The recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may adversely affect our business.

The recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”) has made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax system.  Among other things, Tax Reform may limit the ability of borrowers to fully deduct interest expense.  This could potentially affect the loan market, for example by impacting the demand for loans available from us or the terms of such loans.  The changes to interest deductibility, utility of net operating losses and other provisions of Tax Reform could also in certain circumstances increase the U.S. tax burden on our portfolio assets which, in turn, could negatively impact their ability to service their interest expense obligations to us.  Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own advisors about the potential effects of Tax Reform on the loan market and about its tax consequences of an investment in us.

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Risks Related to Economic Conditions

The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations.

The U.S. and global capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption in recent years, leading to recessionary conditions and depressed levels of consumer and commercial spending. For instance, political uncertainty resulting from recent events, including changes to U.S. trade policies and the impact of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union in January 2020 (“Brexit”), has led to disruption and instability in the global markets. Disruptions in the capital markets increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. We cannot assure you that these conditions will not worsen. If conditions worsen, a prolonged period of market illiquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 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 limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results.

 

In addition, to the extent that recessionary conditions return, the financial results of small to mid-sized companies, like those in which we invest, will likely experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. Additionally, the end markets for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services have experienced, and continue to experience, negative economic trends. The performances of certain of our portfolio companies have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may ultimately result in:

Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Due to federal budget deficit concerns, S&P downgraded the federal government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+ for the first time in history on August 5, 2011. Further, Moody’s and Fitch warned that they may downgrade the federal government’s credit rating. Further downgrades or warnings by S&P or other rating agencies, and the government’s credit and deficit concerns in general, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In addition, a decreased credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our common stock. Also, to the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe and Brexit continue to negatively impact consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.

In October 2014, the Federal Reserve announced that it was concluding its bond-buying program, or quantitative easing, which was designed to stimulate the economy and expand the Federal Reserve’s holdings of long-term securities, suggesting that key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate, had showed signs of improvement since the inception of the program. It is unclear what effect, if any, the conclusion of the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying program will have on the value of our investments. However, it is possible that, without quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve, these developments, along with the United States government’s credit and deficit concerns and the European sovereign debt crisis, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. Additionally, after raising the target range for the federal funds rate in 2017 and 2018, the Federal Reserve lowered the target rate three times in 2019. Further changes in key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate or inflation, could lead to changes to the target range for the federal funds rate that may cause instability or may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.

As a result of the 2018 U.S. election, the Republican Party currently controls the executive branch of government and the Senate, while the Democratic Party controls the House.  This political division between the Senate and House makes it unclear what legislation may be adopted that could significantly affect the regulation of U.S. financial markets. Areas subject to potential change, amendment or repeal include the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the authority of the Federal Reserve and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. These or other regulatory changes could result in greater competition from banks and other lenders with which we compete for lending and other investment opportunities. The United States may also potentially withdraw from or renegotiate various trade agreements and take other actions that would change current trade policies of the United States. We cannot predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the financial stability of the United States. Such actions could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

Many of the portfolio companies in which we make investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and during these periods may be unable to repay the loans we made to them. 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.

Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments

Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.

We primarily invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt or equity or other securities issued by middle-market companies. The companies in which we intend to invest are typically highly leveraged, and, in most cases, our investments in these companies are not rated by any rating agency. If these instruments were rated, we believe that they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3, which is often referred to as “junk”). Exposure to below investment grade instruments involves certain risks, including speculation with respect to the borrower’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

First-Lien Debt. When we make a first-lien loan, we generally take a security interest in the available assets of the portfolio company, including the equity interests of its subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans 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 business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien is, or could become, subordinated to claims of other creditors. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we need to enforce our remedies. In addition, in connection with our “last out” first-lien loans, we enter into agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, our interest in the collateral of the first-lien loans may rank junior to those of other lenders in the loan under certain circumstances. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal on these loans.

Second-Lien and Mezzanine Debt. Our investments in second-lien and mezzanine debt generally are subordinated to senior loans and will either have junior security interests or be unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of insolvency. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal.

Equity and Other Investments. When we invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt or mezzanine debt, we may acquire equity securities, such as warrants, options and convertible instruments. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. We seek to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of these 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.

Preferred Stock. To the extent we invest in preferred securities, we may incur particular risks, including:

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In addition, our investments generally involve a number of significant risks, including:

The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser.

Investments are valued at the end of each fiscal quarter. The majority of our investments are expected to be in loans that do not have readily ascertainable market prices. The fair value of investments that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are determined in good faith by the Board, which is supported by the valuation committee of our Adviser and by the audit committee of our Board. The Board has retained independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited third-party valuation services that the Board identified and requested them to perform. In accordance with our valuation policy, our Investment Team prepares portfolio company valuations using sources or proprietary models depending on the availability of information on our investments and the type of asset being valued. The participation of the Adviser in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest, since the Management Fee is based on the value of our gross assets.

Factors that we may consider 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 similar publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because fair valuations, and particularly fair valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based to a large extent on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been determined if a ready market for these securities existed. This could make it more difficult for investors to value accurately our portfolio investments and could lead to undervaluation or overvaluation of our common stock. In addition, the valuation of these types of securities may result in substantial write-downs and earnings volatility.

Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized losses. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio can reduce our net asset value by increasing net unrealized losses in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer unrealized losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

We generally make loans to private companies. There may not be a ready market for our loans and certain loans may contain transfer restrictions, which may also limit liquidity. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell positions if the need arises. 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. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we hold a significant portion of a company’s equity or if we have material nonpublic information regarding that company.

Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or 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 is currently invested in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries and may continue to be in the near future. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. While we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be focused on relatively few industries. For example, although we classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and 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, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly affect our aggregate returns.

We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.

Although we have not done so to date, we may securitize certain of our investments in the future, including through the formation of one or more collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in that entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers.

If we were to create a CLO or other securitization vehicle, we would depend on distributions from the vehicle to pay dividends to our stockholders. The ability of a CLO or other securitization vehicle to make distributions will be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt it issues. For example, tests (based on interest coverage or other financial ratios or other criteria) may restrict our ability, as holder of a CLO or other securitization vehicle equity interest, to receive cash flow from these investments. We cannot assure you that any such performance tests would be satisfied. Also, a CLO or other securitization vehicle may take actions that delay distributions to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the financing vehicle may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of its debt. As a result, there may be a lag, which could be significant, between the repayment or other realization on a loan or other assets in, and the distribution of cash out of, a CLO or other securitization vehicle, or cash flow may be completely restricted for the life of the CLO or other securitization vehicle.

In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO or other securitization vehicle due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force the sale of certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to our stockholders. If we were to form a CLO or other securitization vehicle, to the extent that any losses were incurred by the financing vehicle in respect of any collateral, these losses would be borne first by us as owners of its equity interests. Any equity interests that we were to retain in a CLO or other securitization vehicle would not be secured by its assets and we would rank behind all of its creditors.

A CLO or other securitization vehicle, if created, also would likely be consolidated in our financial statements and consequently affect our asset coverage ratio, which may limit our ability to incur additional leverage. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS – Regulation as a Business Development Company.”  

Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.

We are a lender, and loans (and any equity investments we make) typically will be non-controlling investments, meaning we will not be in a position to control the management, operation and strategic decision-making of the companies we invest in (outside of, potentially, the context of a restructuring, insolvency or similar event). As a result, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company we do not control, or in which we do not have a majority ownership position, may make business decisions with which we

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disagree, and the equity holders and management of such a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. We may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event that we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

The majority of our debt investments are based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. On one hand, a reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net interest income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations.

An increase in interest rates could also decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business. See “—Risks Related to Economic Conditions—Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.”

A rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase in the amount of the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser.

We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. See “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.”

We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital.

We may not realize expected returns on our investment in a portfolio company due to changes in the portfolio company’s financial position or due to an acquisition of the portfolio company. If a portfolio company repays our loans prior to their maturity, we may not receive our expected returns on our invested capital. Many of our investments are structured to provide a disincentive for the borrower to pre-pay or call the security, but this call protection may not cover the full expected value of an investment if that investment is repaid prior to maturity.

Middle-market companies operate in a highly acquisitive market with frequent mergers and buyouts. If a portfolio company is acquired or merged with another company prior to drawing on our commitment, we would not realize our expected return. Similarly, in many cases companies will seek to restructure or repay their debt investments or buy our other equity ownership positions as part of an acquisition or merger transaction, which may result in a repayment of debt or other reduction of our investment.

By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.

As part of our lending activities, we may originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. We cannot assure you that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that we fund, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by us to the borrower.

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Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies.

Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt, or issue other equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments. By their terms, those instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of dividends, interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of our investments. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event and during the continuance of a default under the 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 typically would be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying those holders, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of securities ranking equally with our investments, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other security holders in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing certain loans we make to our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, we may forfeit certain rights with respect to the collateral to holders with prior claims. These rights may include the right to commence enforcement proceedings against the collateral, the right to control the conduct of those enforcement proceedings, the right to approve amendments to collateral documents, the right to release liens on the collateral and the right to waive past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if as a result our rights as lenders are adversely affected.

We may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases.

One or more of our portfolio companies may be involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization or liquidation proceedings. Many of the events within a bankruptcy case are adversarial and often beyond the control of the creditors. While creditors generally are afforded an opportunity to object to significant actions, we cannot assure you that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that may be contrary to our interests. There also are instances where creditors can lose their ranking and priority if they are considered to have taken over management of a borrower. 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.

The reorganization of a company can involve substantial legal, professional and administrative costs to a lender and the borrower. It is subject to unpredictable and lengthy delays, and during the process a company’s competitive position may erode, key management may depart and a company may not be able to invest adequately. In some cases, the debtor company may not be able to reorganize and may be required to liquidate assets. The debt of companies in financial reorganization will, in most cases, not pay current interest, may not accrue interest during reorganization and may be adversely affected by an erosion of the issuer’s fundamental value.

In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over the borrower. For example, we could become subject to a lender liability claim (alleging that we misused our influence on the borrower for the benefit of its lenders), if, among other things, the borrower requests significant managerial assistance from us and we provide that assistance.

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

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

We may elect not to make follow-on investments, may be constrained in our ability to employ available funds, or otherwise may lack sufficient funds to make those investments. We have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. However, doing so could be placing even more capital at risk in existing portfolio companies.

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The failure 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 operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our concentration of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements or the desire to maintain our tax status.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we generally are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Independent Directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates.

The decision by TSSP, our Adviser or their affiliates to allocate an opportunity to another entity could cause us to forgo an investment opportunity that we otherwise would have made. We also generally will be unable to invest in any issuer in which TSSP and its other affiliates or a fund managed by TSSP or its other affiliates has previously invested or in which they are making an investment. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that allows us to co-invest, subject to certain conditions, with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of TSSP) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. We and our affiliates, including investment funds managed by our affiliates, are only permitted to co-invest in accordance with the terms of the exemptive order or in the limited circumstances otherwise currently permitted by regulatory guidance. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. There can be no assurance when or if the SEC will grant a further order in response to our application. Until such time a new order is granted, we will continue to operate under the terms of our current exemptive order.

Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties.

We have pursued and may continue to pursue growth through acquisitions or strategic investments in new businesses. Completion and timing of any such acquisitions or strategic investments may be subject to a number of contingencies, including the uncertainty in reaching a commercial agreement with our counterparty, our ability to obtain required board, shareholder and regulatory approvals, as well as any required financing (or the risk that these are obtained subject to terms and conditions that are not anticipated). The announcement or consummation of any transaction also may adversely impact our business relationships or engender competitive responses.

Acquisitions could involve numerous additional risks, such as unanticipated litigation, unexpected costs, liabilities, charges or expenses resulting from a transaction, the inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition costs and any changes in general economic or industry specific conditions. There can be no assurance that the integration of an acquired business will be successful or that an acquired business will prove to be profitable or sustainable. The failure to integrate successfully or to manage the challenges presented by an integration process may adversely impact our financial results. In addition, the proposal and negotiation of acquisitions or strategic investments, whether or not completed, as well as the integration of those businesses into our existing portfolio, could result in substantial expenses and the diversion of our Adviser’s time, attention and resources from our day-to-day operations.

Our ability to manage our growth through acquisitions or strategic investments will depend, in part, on our success in addressing these risks. Any failure to effectively implement our acquisition or strategic investment strategies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future.

We are required to have and may be required in the future to obtain various state licenses to, among other things, originate commercial loans, and may be required to obtain similar licenses from other authorities, including outside of the United States, in the future in connection with one or more investments. Applying for and obtaining required licenses can be costly and take several months. We cannot assure you that we will maintain or obtain all of the licenses that we need on a timely basis. We also are and will be subject to various information and other requirements to maintain and obtain these licenses, and we cannot assure you that we will satisfy those requirements. Our failure to maintain or obtain licenses that we require, now or in the future, might restrict investment options and have other adverse consequences.

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

Our investment strategy may include potential investments in foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, U.S. trade policy, 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. Uncertainty in the wake of Brexit could also have negative impacts on both the U.K. economy and the economies of other countries in Europe. In addition, interest income derived from loans to foreign companies is not eligible to be distributed to our non-U.S. stockholders free from withholding taxes.

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 gains 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.

We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.

We have entered, and may in the future enter, into hedging transactions, which may expose us to risks associated with such transactions. We may seek to utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates  and the relative value of certain debt securities from changes in market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may include counter-party credit risk. To the extent we have non-U.S. investments, particularly investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies, our hedging costs will increase.

We also have the ability to borrow in certain foreign currencies under the second amended and restated senior secured revolving credit agreement, as amended, with Truist Bank (as a successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as administrative agent, and certain lenders, which we refer to as the Revolving Credit Facility. Instead of entering into a foreign exchange forward contract in connection with loans or other investments we have made that are denominated in a foreign currency, we may borrow in that currency to establish a natural hedge against our loan or investment. To the extent the loan or investment is based on a floating rate other than a rate under which we can borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, we may seek to utilize interest rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to changes in the associated rate.

Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions would not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions were to decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions were to increase. It also may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

The success of our hedging strategy will depend on our ability to correctly identify appropriate exposures for hedging. To date, we have entered into hedging transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk related to specific portfolio companies. In addition, in connection with our 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes, and 2024 Notes which bear interest at fixed rates, we entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps to continue to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. However, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or other exposures that we might hedge may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary, as may the time period in which the hedge is effective relative to the time period of the related exposure.

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For a variety of reasons, we may not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the positions being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. Income derived from hedging transactions also is not eligible to be distributed to non-U.S. stockholders free from withholding taxes. Changes to the regulations applicable to the financial instruments we use to accomplish our hedging strategy could affect the effectiveness of that strategy.  For additional information on these regulatory changes, see “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.”  See also “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates” and “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Results of Operations—Hedging.”

Finally, the SEC has reissued a proposed rule, Rule 18f-4, that if adopted would potentially constrain our ability to use swaps and other derivatives. Among other requirements, the proposed rule could potentially force us to reduce our use of derivatives if the value-at-risk of our investment portfolio including our swap or derivative positions, exceeds 150 percent of a “designated reference index” that is unleveraged and reflects the market or asset classes in which we invest. If we could not identify a suitable reference index, our value-at-risk would not be permitted to exceed 15% of our net assets. In addition, we may be required under the proposed rule to establish a risk management program for our use of swaps or other derivative positions. We cannot assure you when or if the proposed rule will be adopted by the SEC, and if adopted, whether the final rule will similarly constrain our ability to utilize swaps and derivatives in the future.

The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.

The Dodd-Frank Act enacted, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, and SEC have issued or proposed rules to implement, both broad new regulatory requirements and broad new structural requirements applicable to OTC derivatives markets and, to a lesser extent, listed commodity futures (and futures options) markets.  Similar changes are in the process of being implemented in other major financial markets.

 

Recent and anticipated regulatory changes require that certain types of OTC derivatives, including those that we may use for hedging activities such as interest rate and credit default swaps, be cleared and traded on regulated platforms, and these regulatory changes are expected to apply to foreign exchange transactions in the future. Our cleared OTC derivatives (such as the interest rate swaps we entered into in connection with certain investments in portfolio companies and our 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes, and 2024 Notes) are subject to margin requirements established by regulated clearinghouses, including daily exchanges of cash variation (or mark-to-market) margin and an upfront posting of cash or securities initial margin to cover the clearinghouse’s potential future exposure to the default of a party to a particular OTC derivatives transaction. U.S. regulators have also adopted rules imposing margin requirements for OTC derivatives executed with registered swap dealers that are not cleared.  The margin requirements for cleared and uncleared OTC derivatives may require that our Adviser, in order to maintain its exemption from commodity pool operator (“CPO”) registration under the CFTC No-Action Letter 12-40 (as codified by CFTC Rule 4.5), limit our ability to enter into hedging transactions or to obtain synthetic investment exposures, in either case adversely affecting our ability to mitigate risk.  Furthermore, any failure by us to fulfill any collateral requirement (e.g., a so-called “margin call”) may result in a default and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Dodd-Frank Act also imposed requirements relating to real-time public and regulatory reporting of OTC derivative transactions, enhanced documentation requirements, position limits on an expanded array of derivatives, and recordkeeping requirements.  Taken as a whole, these changes could significantly increase the cost of using uncleared OTC derivatives to hedge risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risk; reduce the level of exposure we are able to obtain for risk management purposes through OTC derivatives (including as the result of the CFTC imposing position limits on additional products); reduce the amounts available to us to make non-derivatives investments; impair liquidity in certain OTC derivatives; and adversely affect the quality of execution pricing obtained by us, all of which could adversely impact our investment returns.

If we cease to be eligible for an exemption from regulation as a commodity pool operator, our compliance expenses could increase substantially.

Our Adviser has been granted relief under a no-action letter, known as Letter 12-40, issued by the staff of the CFTC. Letter 12-40 relieves our Adviser from registering with the CFTC as the commodity pool operator of us, so long as we:

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Letter 12-40 has been superseded by recently finalized rules. Pursuant to such recently finalized rules, we will file with the National Futures Association (the “NFA”) a notice of exclusion from registration with the CFTC as a CPO pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5, which generally imposes the same conditions as Letter 12-40 on us. If we were unable to satisfy the conditions of CFTC Rule 4.5 in the future, our Adviser may be subject to registration with the CFTC as a CPO. Registered CPOs must comply with numerous substantive regulations related to disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping, and are required to become members of the NFA, and be subject to the NFA’s rules and bylaws. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements could increase our expenses and impact performance.

Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues.

Investments in below-investment grade debt instruments and certain equity securities may present special tax issues for us. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about certain issues, including when we may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent certain deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless equity securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and interest income, as well as whether exchanges of debt instruments in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These matters could cause us to recognize taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, even in the absence of cash or economic gain, and require us to make taxable distributions to our stockholders to maintain our RIC status or preclude the imposition of either U.S. federal corporate income or excise taxation. Additionally, because such taxable income may not be matched by corresponding cash received by us, we may be required to borrow money or dispose of other investments to be able to make distributions to our stockholders. These and other issues will be considered by us, to the extent determined necessary, so that we aim to minimize the level of any U.S. federal income or excise tax that we would otherwise incur. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Regulation as a Business Development Company—Regulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.

If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company, certain U.S. stockholders will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholders’ allocable share of the Management and Incentive Fees paid to our investment adviser and certain of our other expenses, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. stockholders.

We expect to be treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company” as a result of shares of our common stock being treated as regularly traded on an established securities market. However, we cannot assure you that we will be treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for all years. For example, if our shares are not treated as regularly traded and we are not held by more than 500 persons at all times during the taxable year, we might not be treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company. If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any calendar year, each U.S. stockholder that is an individual, trust or estate will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of the Management Fees and Incentive Fees paid to our 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. Miscellaneous itemized deductions generally are not deductible by individuals, trusts or estates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026.

There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.

Original issue discount, or OID, may arise if we hold securities issued at a discount, receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan, or in certain other circumstances. OID creates the risk that Incentive Fees will be paid to the Adviser based on non-cash accruals that ultimately may not be realized, while the Adviser will be under no obligation to reimburse us for these fees.

The higher interest rates of OID instruments reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments, and OID instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans. Even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still default when our actual collection is supposed to occur at the maturity of the obligation.

OID instruments may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. OID income may also create uncertainty about the source of our cash dividends.

For accounting purposes, any cash dividends to stockholders representing OID income are not treated as coming from paid-in capital, even if the cash to pay them comes from the proceeds of issuances of our common stock. As a result, despite the fact that a dividend representing OID income could be paid out of amounts invested by our stockholders, the 1940 Act does not require that stockholders be given notice of this fact by reporting it as a return of capital.

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Payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest has the effect of generating investment income at a compounding rate, thereby further increasing the Incentive Fees payable to the Adviser. Similarly, all things being equal, the deferral associated with PIK interest also increases the loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate.

Risks Related to our Securities

There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.

We intend to continue paying dividends on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results or maintain a tax status that will allow or require any specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends. Our ability to pay dividends might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this Annual Report. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC or restrictions under our credit facilities, we may be limited in our ability to pay dividends. Although a portion of our expected earnings and dividend distributions will be attributable to net interest income, we do not expect to generate capital gains from the sale of our portfolio investments on a level or uniform basis from quarter to quarter. This may result in substantial fluctuations in our quarterly dividend payments.

In some cases where we receive certain upfront fees in connection with loans we originate, we treat the loan as having OID under applicable accounting and tax regulations, even though we have received the corresponding cash. In other cases, however, we may recognize income before or without receiving the corresponding cash, including in connection with the accretion of OID. For other risks associated with debt obligations treated as having OID, see “—Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.”

Therefore, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, even though we may not have received the corresponding cash amount. Accordingly, we may have to sell investments at times we would not otherwise consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level income tax.

To the extent that the amounts distributed by us exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a stockholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares.

The part of the Incentive Fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible. Consequently, while we may make Incentive Fee payments on income accruals that we may not collect in the future and with respect to which we do not have a clawback right against our Adviser, the amount of accrued income written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which the write-off is taken and thereby reduce that period’s Incentive Fee payment, if any.

In addition, the middle-market companies in which we intend to invest may be more susceptible to economic downturns than larger operating companies, and therefore may be more likely to default on their payment obligations to us during recessionary periods. Any such defaults could substantially reduce our net investment income available for distribution in the form of dividends to our stockholders.

Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

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In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If our stock price fluctuates significantly, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.

We cannot assure you that the market price of shares of our common stock will not decline.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value and our stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share of common stock may decline. In the past, shares of BDCs, including at times shares of our common stock, have traded at prices per share below net asset value per share. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at a price per share above, at or below net asset value per share. In addition, if our common stock trades below its net asset value per share, we will generally not be able to sell additional shares of our common stock to the public at its market price without first obtaining the approval of a majority of our stockholders (including a majority of our unaffiliated stockholders) and our Independent Directors for such issuance. See“—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.”

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, the availability of such common stock for sale (including as a result of the conversion of our 2022 Convertible Notes into common stock) or the perception that such sales could occur could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of securities or the availability of securities for future sales will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time.

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Our stockholders may experience dilution upon the conversion of the 2022 Convertible Notes.

Our 2022 Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock beginning on February 1, 2022, or earlier, under certain circumstances. Upon conversion of our 2022 Convertible Notes, we have the choice to pay or deliver, as the case may be, at our election, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. The estimated adjusted conversion price of the 2022 Convertible Notes is $20.66 per share, in each case taking into account certain de minimis adjustments that will be made on the conversion date and subject to further adjustment in certain circumstances. If we elect to deliver shares of common stock upon a conversion at the time our tangible book value per share exceeds the conversion price in effect at such time, our stockholders may incur dilution. In addition, our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of common stock upon our issuance of common stock in connection with the conversion of the 2022 Convertible Notes and any dividends paid on our common stock will also be paid on shares issued in connection with such conversion after such issuance.

Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends and distributions declared by the Board on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their dividends in cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Dividend Policy” and “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for a description of our dividend policy and obligations.

In addition, the number of shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan will be determined based on the market price of shares of our common stock, except in circumstances where the market price exceeds our most recently computed net asset value per share, in which case we will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share. Accordingly, participants in the dividend reinvestment plan may receive a greater number of shares of our common stock than the number of shares associated with the market price of our common stock, resulting in dilution for other stockholders. Stockholders that opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time.

Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

We have entered into an agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, which we refer to as the Company 10b5-1 Plan, in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, under which Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as agent for us, will buy up to $50 million of our common stock in the aggregate during the period ending on the earlier of the date on which all the capital committed to the plan has been exhausted or May 31, 2020.  

Whether purchases will be made under the Company 10b5-1 Plan and how much will be purchased at any time is uncertain, dependent on prevailing market prices and trading volumes, all of which we cannot predict. These activities may have the effect of maintaining the market price of our common stock or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.

Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in dilution to our net asset value per share.

On May 2, 2019, the Board authorized an amendment to the Company 10b5-1 Plan to, among other things, revise the market prices at which Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as our agent, is required to repurchase shares of common stock on our behalf from just below our most recently reported net asset value per share to just below 1.05 times the most recently reported net asset value per share, less the amount of any supplemental dividend declared for that quarter but not yet reflected in the most recently reported net asset value per share (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any previously announced net asset value per share or supplemental dividend). Under the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the agent will increase the volume of purchases made as the price of our common stock declines, subject to volume restrictions.

Dilution to our net asset value per share will occur if we purchase shares of our common stock at a price above the net asset value per share, as it would cause a proportionately smaller increase in our stockholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the decrease in our assets resulting from such repurchase.

As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. The actual dilutive effect will depend on the number of shares of common stock that could be so repurchased, the price and the timing of any repurchases under the Company 10b5-1 Plan.

 

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We maintain our principal executive office at 2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas 75201. We do not own any real estate.

 

 

ITEM 3. 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 loans to or other contracts with our portfolio companies. We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us.

 

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

 

 

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PART II

 

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Price Range of Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TSLX.” Our common stock has historically traded at prices both above and below our net asset value per share. It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at a price per share at, above or below net asset value per share. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS—Risks Related to our Securities—We cannot assure you that the market price of shares of our common stock will not decline.”

Holders

As of February 19, 2020, there were approximately 5 holders of record of our common stock (including Cede & Co.).

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

None.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the total return on our common stock from December 31, 2014 (the date of our IPO) to December 31, 2019 with that of the Standard & Poor’s BDC Index, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, the S&P LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (“Leverage Loan Index”), and the Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate High Yield Total Return Index (“High Yield Bond Index”). This graph assumes that on December 31, 2014, $100 was invested in our common stock, the Standard & Poor’s BDC Index, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, the Leverage Loan Index and the High Yield Bond Index. The graph also assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends prior to any tax effect. The graph and other information furnished under this Part II Item 5 of this annual report on Form 10-K shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of, the Exchange Act. The performance included in the below graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

 

 

 

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SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of each fiscal year ended December 31 since we commenced operations. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2019 is attached as an exhibit to this annual report on Form 10-K.  

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The table below sets forth our selected consolidated historical financial data for the periods indicated. The selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K and our SEC filings.

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The selected consolidated financial information and other data presented below should be read in conjunction with the information contained in “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS,” the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Introduction

Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.” Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Overview

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. is a Delaware corporation formed on July 21, 2010. The Adviser is our external manager. We have three wholly owned subsidiaries, TC Lending, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which holds a California finance lender and broker license, TPG SL SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in which we hold assets that were previously used to support our asset-backed credit facility, and TSL MR, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in which we hold certain investments.

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and as a RIC under the Code. We made our BDC election on April 15, 2011. As a result, we are required to comply with various statutory and regulatory requirements, such as:

Our shares are currently listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TSLX.”

On August 4, 2015, our Board authorized us to enter into a stock repurchase plan, the Company 10b5-1 Plan, to acquire up to $50 million in the aggregate of our common stock at prices just below our net asset value per share over an initial six month period, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and has continued to authorize extensions of the plan termination date prior to its expiration since that time. We put the Company 10b5-1 Plan in place because we believe that, in current market conditions, if our common stock is trading below our then-current net asset value per share, it is in the best interest of our stockholders for us to reinvest in our portfolio and increase our leverage ratio through share repurchases.

The Company 10b5-1 Plan is designed to allow us to repurchase our common stock at times when we otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws. The Company 10b5-1 Plan, as currently in effect requires Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as our agent, to repurchase shares of common stock on our behalf when the market price per share is just below 1.05x the most recently reported net asset value per share in our public financial statements or publicly announced by us, less the amount of any supplemental dividend that has been publicly announced by us but that has yet to be reflected in the net asset value per share most recently reported in our public financial statements (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any such net asset value per share or supplemental dividend). Under the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the agent will increase the volume of purchases made as the price of our common stock declines, subject to volume restrictions. The timing and amount of any stock repurchases depend on the terms and conditions of the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the market price of our common stock and trading volumes, and no assurance can be given that any particular amount of common stock will be repurchased.

On November 5, 2019, the Board authorized the extension of the termination date of the Company 10b5-1 Plan to May 31, 2020. Unless extended or terminated by the Board, the Company 10b5-1 Plan will be in effect through the earlier of May 31, 2020 or such time as the current approved repurchase amount of up to $50 million has been fully utilized, subject to certain conditions.

Our Investment Framework

We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. Since we began our investment activities in July 2011, through December 31, 2019, we have originated more than $12.5 billion aggregate principal amount of investments and retained approximately $6.3 billion aggregate principal amount of these investments on our balance sheet prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle-market companies through direct originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds and equity securities.

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By “middle-market companies,” we mean companies that have annual EBITDA, which we believe is a useful proxy for cash flow, of $10 million to $250 million, although we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. As of December 31, 2019, our core portfolio companies, which excludes certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile and represent 77.2% of our total investments based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $113.9 million and weighted average annual EBITDA of $34.5 million.

We invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt and equity and other investments. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans; “last out” first-lien loans, which are loans that have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans; “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position; and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt.

The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3 as defined by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Services, respectively), which is often referred to as “junk.”

The companies in which we invest use our capital to support organic growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion and recapitalizations (including restructurings). As of December 31, 2019, the largest single investment based on fair value represented 4.0% of our total investment portfolio.

As of December 31, 2019, the average investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $35.7 million based on fair value.

Through our Adviser, we consider potential investments utilizing a four-tiered investment framework and against our existing portfolio as a whole:

Business and sector selection. We focus on companies with enterprise value between $50 million and $1 billion. When reviewing potential investments, we seek to invest in businesses with high marginal cash flow, recurring revenue streams and where we believe credit quality will improve over time. We look for portfolio companies that we think have a sustainable competitive advantage in growing industries or distressed situations. We also seek companies where our investment will have a low loan-to-value ratio.

We currently do not limit our focus to any specific industry and we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. We classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets.

As of December 31, 2019, the largest industry represented 16.8% of our total investment portfolio based on fair value.

Investment Structuring. We focus on investing at the top of the capital structure and protecting that position. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 97.1% of our portfolio was invested in secured debt, including 96.5% in first-lien debt investments. We carefully perform diligence and structure investments to include strong investor covenants. As a result, we structure investments with a view to creating opportunities for early intervention in the event of non-performance or stress. In addition, we seek to retain effective voting control in investments over the loans or particular class of securities in which we invest through maintaining affirmative voting positions or negotiating consent rights that allow us to retain a blocking position. We also aim for our loans to mature on a medium term, between two to six years after origination. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the weighted average term on new investment commitments in new portfolio companies was 4.6 years.

Deal Dynamics. We focus on, among other deal dynamics, direct origination of investments, where we identify and lead the investment transaction. A substantial majority of our portfolio investments are sourced through our direct or proprietary relationships.

Risk Mitigation. We seek to mitigate non-credit-related risk on our returns in several ways, including call protection provisions to protect future interest income. As of December 31, 2019, we had call protection on 87.8% of our debt investments based on fair value, with weighted average call prices of 105.5% for the first year, 103.1% for the second year and 101.1% for the third year, in each case from the date of the initial investment. As of December 31, 2019, 99.2% of our debt investments based on fair value bore interest at floating rates (when including investment specific hedges), with 93.5% of these subject to interest rate floors, which we believe helps act as a portfolio-wide hedge against inflation.

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Relationship with our Adviser and TSSP

Our Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company. Our Adviser acts as our investment adviser and administrator and is a registered investment adviser with the SEC under the Advisers Act. Our Adviser sources and manages our portfolio through a dedicated team of investment professionals predominately focused on us. Our Investment Team is led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Joshua Easterly and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Alan Waxman, both of whom have substantial experience in credit origination, underwriting and asset management. Our investment decisions are made by our Investment Review Committee, which includes senior personnel of our Adviser and TPG Sixth Street Partners, or TSSP. 

TSSP is a global finance and investment business with approximately $33 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2019. TSSP’s core platforms include TPG Specialty Lending, TSL Europe (TSLE), which is aimed at European middle-market loan originations, TSSP Adjacent Opportunities (TAO), which has the flexibility to invest across all of TSSP’s private credit market investments, TSSP Opportunities Partners (TOP), which focuses on actively managed opportunistic investments across the credit cycle, TPG Institutional Credit Partners (TICP), which is the firm’s “public-side” credit investment platform focused on investment opportunities in broadly syndicated leveraged loan markets, and TSSP Capital Solutions (TCS), which provides financing solutions to growing companies. TSSP has a long-term oriented, highly flexible capital base that allows it to invest across industries, geographies, capital structures and asset classes. TSSP has extensive experience with highly complex, global public and private investments executed through primary originations, secondary market purchases and restructurings, and has a team of over 250 investment and operating professionals. As of December 31, 2019, thirty four (34) of these personnel are dedicated to our business, including twenty six (26) investment professionals.

Our Adviser consults with TSSP in connection with a substantial number of our investments. The TSSP platform provides us with a breadth of large and scalable investment resources. We believe we benefit from TSSP’s market expertise, insights into industry, sector and macroeconomic trends and intensive due diligence capabilities, which help us discern market conditions that vary across industries and credit cycles, identify favorable investment opportunities and manage our portfolio of investments. TSSP and its affiliates will refer all middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States to us and conduct those activities through us. The Adviser will determine whether it would be permissible, advisable or otherwise appropriate for us to pursue a particular investment opportunity allocated to us.

On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that allows us to co-invest, subject to certain conditions and to the extent the size of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount our Adviser has independently determined is appropriate to invest, with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of TSSP) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. There can be no assurance when or if the SEC will grant a further order in response to our application. Until such time a new order is granted, we will continue to operate under the terms of our current exemptive order.

We believe our ability to co-invest with TSSP affiliates is particularly useful where we identify larger capital commitments than otherwise would be appropriate for us. We expect that with the ability to co-invest with TSSP affiliates we will continue to be able to provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company in these circumstances, which may allow us to capture opportunities where we alone could not commit the full amount of required capital or would have to spend additional time to locate unaffiliated co-investors.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement, the Adviser’s services are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others, so long as its services to us are not impaired. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay the Adviser the base management fee, or the Management Fee, and may also pay certain incentive fees, or the Incentive Fees.

Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser also provides administrative services to us. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the oversight of the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. Certain of these services are reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement.

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Key Components of Our Results of Operations

Investments

We focus primarily on the direct origination of loans to middle-market companies domiciled in the United States.

Our level of investment activity (both the number of investments and the size of each investment) can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital generally available to middle-market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity for such companies, the general economic environment and the competitive environment for the types of investments we make.

In addition, as part of our risk strategy on investments, we may reduce certain levels of investments through partial sales or syndication to additional investors.

Revenues

We generate revenues primarily in the form of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we may generate income from dividends on direct equity investments, capital gains on the sale of investments and various loan origination and other fees. Our debt investments typically have a term of two to six years, and, as of December 31, 2019, 99.2% of these investments based on fair value bore interest at a floating rate (when including investment specific hedges), with 93.5% of these subject to interest rate floors. Interest on debt investments is generally payable quarterly or semiannually. Some of our investments provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. For the year ended December 31, 2019, 3.0% of our total investment income was comprised of PIK interest.

Changes in our net investment income are primarily driven by the spread between the payments we receive from our investments in our portfolio companies against our cost of funding, rather than by changes in interest rates. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of floating rate loans, and our credit facilities, 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes, after taking into account the effect of the interest rate swaps we have entered into in connection with these securities, all bear interest at floating rates. Macro trends in base interest rates like LIBOR or other alternate reference rates may affect our net investment income over the long term. However, because we generally originate loans to a small number of portfolio companies each quarter, and those investments also vary in size, our results in any given period—including the interest rate on investments that were sold or repaid in a period compared to the interest rate of new investments made during that period—often are idiosyncratic, and reflect the characteristics of the particular portfolio companies that we invested in or exited during the period and not necessarily any trends in our business.  

In addition to interest income, our net investment income is also driven by prepayment and other fees, which also can vary significantly from quarter to quarter. The level of prepayment fees is generally correlated to the movement in credit spreads and risk premiums, but also will vary based on corporate events that may take place at an individual portfolio company in a given period—e.g., merger and acquisition activity, initial public offerings and restructurings. As noted above, generally a small but varied number of portfolio companies may make prepayments in any quarter, meaning that changes in the amount of prepayment fees received can vary significantly between periods and can vary without regard to underlying credit trends.

Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount or premium are capitalized, and we accrete or amortize such amounts as interest income using the effective interest method for term instruments and the straight-line method for revolving or delayed draw instruments. Repayments of our debt investments can reduce interest income from period to period. We record prepayment premiums on loans as interest income when earned. We also may generate revenue in the form of commitment, amendment, structuring, syndication or due diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and consulting fees. The frequency or volume of these repayments may fluctuate significantly.

Dividend income on common equity investments is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Our portfolio activity also reflects the proceeds of sales of investments. We recognize realized gains or losses on investments based on the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the amortized cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. We record current period changes in fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of the net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations.

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Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of fees to our Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement, expenses reimbursable under the Administration Agreement and other operating costs described below. Additionally, we pay interest expense on our outstanding debt. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including those relating to:

We expect that during periods of asset growth, our general and administrative expenses will be relatively stable or will decline as a percentage of total assets, and will increase as a percentage of total assets during periods of asset declines.

Leverage

While as a BDC the amount of leverage that we are permitted to use is limited in significant respects, we use leverage to increase our ability to make investments. The amount of leverage we use in any period depends on a variety of factors, including cash available for investing, the cost of financing and general economic and market conditions, however, under the 1940 Act, our total borrowings are limited so that our asset coverage ratio cannot fall below 150% immediately after any borrowing, as defined in the 1940 Act. In any period, our interest expense will depend largely on the extent of our borrowing and we expect interest expense will increase as we increase leverage over time within the limits of the 1940 Act. In addition, we may dedicate assets as collateral to financing facilities from time to time.

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On October 8, 2018, our stockholders approved the application of the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% to us, as set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA. As a result and subject to certain additional disclosure requirements, as of October 9, 2018, our minimum asset coverage ratio was reduced from 200% to 150%. In other words, pursuant to Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA, we are permitted to potentially increase our maximum debt-to-equity ratio from an effective level of one-to-one to two-to-one. The Adviser intends to waive a portion of the Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement by reducing the Management Fee on assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (in other words, over 1.0x debt to equity). Pursuant to the waiver, the Adviser intends to waive the portion of the Management Fee in excess of an annual rate of 1.0% (0.250% per quarter) on the average value of our gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the average value of our net asset value at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.

Market Trends

We believe trends in the middle-market lending environment, including the limited availability of capital, strong demand for debt capital and specialized lending requirements, are likely to continue to create favorable opportunities for us to invest at attractive risk-adjusted rates.

The limited number of dedicated providers of capital to middle-market companies, combined with increases in required capital levels for regulated financial institutions, reduces the capacity of traditional lenders to serve middle-market companies. We believe that the limited availability of capital creates a significant opportunity for us to directly originate investments. We also believe that the large amount of uninvested capital held by private equity firms will continue to drive deal activity, which may in turn create additional demand for debt capital.

The limited number of dedicated providers is further exacerbated by the specialized due diligence and underwriting capabilities, as well as extensive ongoing monitoring, required for middle-market lending. We believe middle-market lending is generally more labor-intensive than lending to larger companies due to smaller investment sizes and the lack of publicly available information on these companies.

An imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, middle-market debt capital creates attractive pricing dynamics for investors such as BDCs. The negotiated nature of middle-market financings also generally provides for more favorable terms to the lenders, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, better call protection and lender-protective change of control provisions. We believe that BDCs have flexibility to develop loans that reflect each borrower’s distinct situation, provide long-term relationships and a potential source for future capital, which renders BDCs, including us, attractive lenders.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

As of December 31, 2019, our portfolio based on fair value consisted of 96.5% first-lien debt investments, 0.6% second-lien debt investments, 0.1% mezzanine investments and 2.8% equity and other investments.  As of December 31, 2018, our portfolio based on fair value consisted of 96.9% first-lien debt investments, 0.2% second-lien debt investments, 0.2% mezzanine investments, and 2.7% equity and other investments.

As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, our weighted average total yield of debt and income producing securities at fair value (which includes interest income and amortization of fees and discounts) was 10.5% and 11.6%, respectively, and our weighted average total yield of debt and income-producing securities at amortized cost (which includes interest income and amortization of fees and discounts) was 10.7% and 11.7%, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had investments in 63 and 46 portfolio companies, respectively, with an aggregate fair value of $2,245.9 million and $1,706.0 million, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the principal amount of new investments funded was $1,087.6 million in 32 new portfolio companies and 14 existing portfolio companies. For this period, we had $575.2 million aggregate principal amount in exits and repayments.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the principal amount of new investments funded was $816.9 million in 19 new portfolio companies and 14 existing portfolio companies. For this period, we had $790.3 million aggregate principal amount in exits and repayments.

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For the year ended December 31, 2017, the principal amount of new investments funded was $989.3 million in 22 new portfolio companies and 12 existing portfolio companies. For this period, we had $951.5 million aggregate principal amount in exits and repayments.

Our investment activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented below (information presented herein is at par value unless otherwise indicated).

 

 

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our investments consisted of the following:

 

 

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The following tables show the fair value and amortized cost of our performing and non-accrual investments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

 

The weighted average yields and interest rates of our performing debt investments at fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

 

 

The Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The Adviser monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company. The Adviser has a number of methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance of our investments, which may include the following:

As part of the monitoring process, the Adviser regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, grades each investment on a risk scale of 1 to 5. Risk assessment is not standardized in our industry and our risk assessment may not be comparable to ones used by our competitors. Our assessment is based on the following categories:

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The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment performance rating scale at fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Investment performance ratings are accurate only as of those dates and may change due to subsequent developments relating to a portfolio company’s business or financial condition, market conditions or developments, and other factors.

 

 

Results of Operations

Operating results for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

 

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Investment Income

 

 

Interest from investments, which includes amortization of upfront fees and prepayment fees, decreased from $249.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $237.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to a decrease in accelerated amortization of upfront fees and prepayment fees due to fewer paydowns which was partially offset by an increase in the average portfolio size for the year ended December 31, 2019. Accelerated amortization of upfront fees, primarily from unscheduled paydowns, decreased from $13.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, and prepayment fees decreased from $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The accelerated amortization and prepayment fees primarily resulted from full paydowns on 16 portfolio investments, partial paydowns on three portfolio investments, partial realizations on two portfolio investments and prepayment fees on 15 portfolio investments during the year ended December 31, 2018, and full paydowns on 13 portfolio investments, partial paydowns on five portfolio investments, and prepayment fees on 11 portfolio investments during the year ended December 31, 2019. Dividend income increased from $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to increased investment in dividend yielding securities in 2019. Other income increased from $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to higher amendment fees earned during 2019.

Interest from investments, which includes amortization of upfront fees and prepayment fees, increased from $200.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $249.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to an increase in the average size of our investment portfolio which increased from $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $1.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018. Accelerated amortization of upfront fees, primarily from unscheduled paydowns, decreased from $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $13.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, and prepayment fees increased from $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The accelerated amortization and prepayment fees primarily resulted from full paydowns on 22 portfolio investments, partial paydowns on seven portfolio investments and prepayment fees on 12 portfolio investments during the year ended December 31, 2017, and full paydowns on 16 portfolio investments, partial paydowns on three portfolio investments, partial realizations on two portfolio investments and prepayment fees on 15 portfolio investments during the year ended December 31, 2018. Dividend income decreased from $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 due to a partial realization of dividend yielding investments in 2018. Other income increased from $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to higher commitment and other fees earned during 2018.

Expenses

Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

 

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Interest

Interest expense, including other debt financing expenses, increased from $42.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $49.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the average debt outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2018 from $874.3 million to $913.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and an increase in our average interest rate on debt outstanding due to a change in the mix of our debt financing sources. The average interest rate on our debt outstanding increased from 4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2018 to 4.4% for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to a change in the mix of our debt financing sources and a change in LIBOR. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, weighted average one-month LIBOR for the year was 2.0% and 2.2%, respectively.

Interest expense, including other debt financing expenses, increased from $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $42.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the average debt outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2017 from $645.1 million to $874.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and an increase in our average interest rate on debt outstanding due to a change in the mix of our debt financing sources. The average interest rate on our debt outstanding increased from 3.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017 to 4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2018 due to the increase in LIBOR and a change in the mix of our debt financing sources.

Management Fees

Management Fees (net of waivers) increased from $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Management Fees (gross of waivers) increased from $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to average total assets increasing from $1.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019. Management Fees waived were less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisting solely of Management Fees attributable to our ownership of TCAP shares. The Adviser did not waive any Management Fees for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Management Fees (net of waivers) increased from $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Management Fees (gross of waivers) increased from $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $28.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 due to average total assets increasing from $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $1.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018. Management Fees waived remained flat at less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018. Management Fees waived during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 were solely attributable to our ownership of TCAP Shares.

Any waived Management Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.

Incentive Fees

Incentive Fees (net of waivers) related to pre-Incentive Fee net investment income decreased from $30.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in interest from investments received during the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related decrease in net investment income.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, Incentive Fees related to pre-Incentive Fee net investment income of less than $0.1 million were waived, consisting solely of Incentive Fees attributable to our ownership of the TCAP Shares. There were no Incentive Fees related to pre-incentive Fee net investment income waived for the year ended December 31, 2019. There were no Incentive Fees related to net capital gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2019 due to cumulative realized and unrealized losses on our investments.

Incentive Fees (net of waivers) related to pre-Incentive Fee net investment income increased from $25.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $30.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in interest from investments received during the year ended December 31, 2018 and the related increase in net investment income.  Incentive Fees waived related to pre-Incentive Fee net investment income remained less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, consisting solely of Incentive Fees attributable to our ownership of the TCAP Shares. There were no Incentive Fees related to capital gains and losses for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2018 due to cumulative realized and unrealized losses on our investments.

Any waived Incentive Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.

Professional Fees and Other General and Administrative Expenses

Professional fees decreased from $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to recognition of remaining non-recurring expenses associated with the initial shelf registration statement in 2018 that were previously recorded as deferred financing cost.  Other general and administrative fees increased from $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

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Professional fees increased from $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 due to recognition in 2018 of remaining non-recurring expenses associated with the initial shelf registration statement that were previously recorded as deferred financing costs and costs associated with shareholder meetings.  Other general and administrative fees increased from $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Income Taxes, Including Excise Taxes

We have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, and we intend to operate in a manner so as to continue to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, distribute to our stockholders in each taxable year generally at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. To maintain our RIC status, we, among other things, have made and intend to continue to make the requisite distributions to our stockholders, which generally relieve us from corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes.

Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we can be expected to carry forward taxable income (including net capital gains, if any) in excess of current year dividend distributions from the current tax year into the next tax year and pay a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such taxable income, as required. To the extent that we determine that our estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions from such income, we accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income.

For the calendar years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 we recorded a net expense of $3.8 million, $3.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax.  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses

The following table summarizes our net realized and unrealized gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, we had net realized gains on investments of $1.9 million and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had net realized losses on investments, $11.4 million and $14.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, we had net realized gains of $0.1 million, $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, on foreign currency transactions, primarily as a result of translating foreign currency related to our non-USD denominated investments. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we had net realized losses on foreign currency investments of $0.4 million, $2.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 we had net realized gains on foreign currency borrowings of $0.4 million, $2.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019 we had net realized gains of less than $0.1 million on interest rate swaps.

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For the year ended December 31, 2019 we had $45.6 million in unrealized gains on 53 portfolio company investments, which was offset by $27.3 million in unrealized losses on 23 portfolio company investments. Unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2019 resulted from an increase in fair value, primarily due to positive valuation adjustments and changes in credit spreads. Unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2019 resulted from the reversal of prior period unrealized gains and in some instances negative credit-related adjustments.

For the year ended December 31, 2018 we had $44.9 million in unrealized gains on 17 portfolio company investments, which was offset by $62.8 million in unrealized losses on 50 portfolio company investments. Unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2018 resulted from an increase in fair value, primarily due to reversal of prior period unrealized losses and positive valuation adjustments. Unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 resulted from the reversal of prior period unrealized gains on realized investments, widening credit spreads, and in some instances negative credit-related adjustments.

For the year ended December 31, 2017 we had $66.7 million in unrealized gains on 43 portfolio company investments, which was offset by $48.9 million in unrealized losses on 32 portfolio company investments. Unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2017 resulted from an increase in fair value, primarily due to reversal of prior period unrealized losses, positive valuation adjustments and tightening credit spreads. Unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2017 resulted from the reversal of prior period unrealized gains on realized investments and in some instances negative credit-related adjustments.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2017 we had unrealized losses on foreign currency borrowings of $3.2 million and $11.5 million, respectively, primarily as a result of fluctuations in the AUD, CAD, GBP, and EUR exchange rates. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we had unrealized gains on foreign currency borrowings of $5.4 million, primarily as a result of fluctuations in the AUD, CAD, and EUR exchange rate. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2017, we had unrealized gains on foreign currency cash and forward contracts of less than $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, primarily as a result of settling our foreign currency forward contracts. For the year ended December 31, 2018 we had unrealized losses on foreign currency cash and forward contracts of less than $0.1 million, primarily as a result of settling our foreign currency forward contracts. For the year ended December 31, 2019 we had unrealized gains on interest rate swaps of $9.2 million and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had unrealized losses on interest rate swaps of $1.7 million, and $1.0 million, respectively, due to fluctuations in interest rates.

Realized Gross Internal Rate of Return

Since we began investing in 2011 through December 31, 2019, weighted by capital invested, our exited investments have generated an average realized gross internal rate of return to us of 18.6% (based on total capital invested of $4.0 billion and total proceeds from these exited investments of $5.0 billion). Eighty-nine percent of these exited investments resulted in a realized gross internal rate of return to us of 10% or greater.

Gross IRR, with respect to an investment, is calculated based on the dates that we invested capital and dates we received distributions, regardless of when we made distributions to our stockholders. Initial investments are assumed to occur at time zero, and all cash flows are deemed to occur on the fifteenth of each month in which they occur.

Gross IRR reflects historical results relating to our past performance and is not necessarily indicative of our future results. In addition, gross IRR does not reflect the effect of Management Fees, expenses, Incentive Fees or taxes borne, or to be borne, by us or our stockholders, and would be lower if it did.

Average gross IRR is the average of the gross IRR for each of our exited investments (each calculated as described above), weighted by the total capital invested for each of those investments.

Average gross IRR on our exited investments reflects only invested and realized cash amounts as described above, and does not reflect any unrealized gains or losses in our portfolio.

Internal rate of return, or IRR, is a measure of our discounted cash flows (inflows and outflows). Specifically, IRR is the discount rate at which the net present value of all cash flows is equal to zero. That is, IRR is the discount rate at which the present value of total capital invested in each of our investments is equal to the present value of all realized returns from that investment. Our IRR calculations are unaudited.

Capital invested, with respect to an investment, represents the aggregate cost basis allocable to the realized or unrealized portion of the investment, net of any upfront fees paid at closing for the term loan portion of the investment. Capital invested also includes realized losses on hedging activity, with respect to an investment, which represents any inception-to-date realized losses on foreign currency forward contracts allocable to the investment, if any.

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Realized returns, with respect to an investment, represents the total cash received with respect to each investment, including all amortization payments, interest, dividends, prepayment fees, upfront fees, administrative fees, agent fees, amendment fees, accrued interest, and other fees and proceeds. Realized returns also include realized gains on hedging activity, with respect to an investment, which represents any inception-to-date realized gains on foreign currency forward contracts allocable to the investment, if any.

Foreign Currency Hedging

Our current approach to hedging the foreign currency exposure in our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments is primarily to borrow the par amount in local currency under our Revolving Credit Facility to fund these investments. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2017, we had $3.2 million and $11.5 million of unrealized losses, respectively, and for the year ended December 31, 2018 we had $5.4 million of unrealized gains on the translation of our non-U.S. dollar denominated debt into U.S. dollars; such amounts approximate the corresponding unrealized gains and losses on the translation of our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments into U.S. dollars for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. See Note 2 for additional disclosure regarding our accounting for foreign currency.  See Note 7 for additional disclosure regarding the amounts of outstanding debt denominated in each foreign currency at December 31, 2019. See our consolidated schedule of investments for additional disclosure regarding the foreign currency amounts (in both par and fair value) of our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity and capital resources are derived primarily from proceeds from equity issuances, advances from our credit facilities, and cash flows from operations. The primary uses of our cash and cash equivalents are:

We intend to continue to generate cash primarily from cash flows from operations, future borrowings and future offerings of securities. We may from time to time enter into additional debt facilities, increase the size of existing facilities or issue debt securities. Any such incurrence or issuance would be subject to prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual and regulatory restrictions and other factors. In accordance with the 1940 Act, with certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock if immediately after the borrowing or issuance our ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, is at least 150%. For more information, see “Key Components of Our Results of Operations —Leverage” above. As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, our asset coverage ratio was 200.4%, 270.5%, and 235.5%, respectively. We carefully consider our unfunded commitments for the purpose of planning our capital resources and ongoing liquidity including our financial leverage. Further, we maintain sufficient borrowing capacity within the 150% asset coverage limitation under the 1940 Act and the asset coverage limitation under our credit facilities to cover any outstanding unfunded commitments we are required to fund.

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019, taken together with cash available under our credit facilities, is expected to be sufficient for our investing activities and to conduct our operations in the near term. As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $749.3 million of availability on our Revolving Credit Facility, subject to asset coverage limitations.

As of December 31, 2019, we had $14.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we used $378.0 million in cash for operating activities, primarily as a result of purchases and originations of investments of $1,118.1 billion and other operating activity of $36.5 million partially offset by repayments on investments of $622.0 million and an increase in net assets resulting from operations of $154.6 million. Lastly, cash provided in financing activities was $381.6 million during the period, primarily due to borrowings of $1,742.6 million (including the issuance of $300.0 million principal amount of our 2024 Notes), which were partially offset by paydowns on our Revolving Credit Facility of $1,255.2 million, dividends paid of $98.1 million, and deferred financing costs of $7.7 million.

As of December 31, 2018, we had $10.6 million in cash and cash equivalents. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we provided $119.2 million in cash for operating activities, primarily as a result of proceeds from investments of $34.6 million, repayments on investments of $789.4 million, other operating activity of $14.4 million and an increase in net assets resulting from operations of $119.0 million, which was partially offset by funding portfolio investments of $838.2 million. Lastly, cash used in financing activities was $115.3 million during the period, primarily due to paydowns on our Revolving Credit Facility of $1,179.0 million, dividends paid of $95.9 million, and deferred financing costs of $7.8 million, which were partially offset by borrowings of $1,095.6 million (including the issuance of $150.0 million principal amount of our 2023 Notes and $57.5 million principal amount of our 2022 Convertible Notes in a reopening), and proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs, of $71.8 million.

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As of December 31, 2019, we had $9.3 million of restricted cash pledged as collateral under our interest rate swap agreements, compared to $7.3 million as of December 31, 2018.

Equity

On March 21, 2018, we issued 3,750,000 shares of common stock at $17.45 per share. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, we received total cash proceeds of $63.0 million. Subsequent to the offering we issued an additional 522,224 shares in April 2018 pursuant to the overallotment option granted to underwriters and received, net of underwriting fees, total cash proceeds of $8.8 million.

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we also issued 1,111,774 and 893,392 shares of our common stock, respectively, to investors who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan for proceeds of $21.1 million and $16.0 million, respectively. On January 15, 2020, we issued 194,470 shares of our common stock through our dividend reinvestment plan for proceeds of $4.0 million, which is not reflected in the number of shares issued for the year ended December 31, 2019 in this section or the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

On August 4, 2015, our Board authorized us to enter into a stock repurchase plan, the Company 10b5-1 Plan, to acquire up to $50 million in the aggregate of our common stock at prices just below our net asset value per share over an initial six month period, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and has continued to authorize extensions of the plan termination date prior to its expiration since that time. We put the Company 10b5-1 Plan in place because we believe that, in current market conditions, if our common stock is trading below our then-current net asset value per share, it is in the best interest of our stockholders for us to reinvest in our portfolio and increase our leverage ratio through share repurchases.

The Company 10b5-1 Plan is designed to allow us to repurchase our common stock at times when we otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws. The Company 10b5-1 Plan, as currently in effect requires Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as our agent, to repurchase shares of common stock on our behalf when the market price per share is just below 1.05x the most recently reported net asset value per share in our public financial statements or publicly announced by us, less the amount of any supplemental dividend that has been publicly announced by us but that has yet to be reflected in the net asset value per share most recently reported in our public financial statements (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by us to any such net asset value per share or supplemental dividend). Under the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the agent will increase the volume of purchases made as the price of our common stock declines, subject to volume restrictions. The timing and amount of any stock repurchases depend on the terms and conditions of the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the market price of our common stock and trading volumes, and no assurance can be given that any particular amount of common stock will be repurchased.

The purchase of shares pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan is intended to satisfy the conditions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, and will otherwise be subject to applicable law, including Regulation M, which may prohibit purchases under certain circumstances.

On November 5, 2019, the Board authorized the extension of the termination date of the Company 10b5-1 Plan to May 31, 2020. Unless extended or terminated by the Board, the Company 10b5-1 Plan will be in effect through the earlier of May 31, 2020 or such time as the current approved repurchase amount of up to $50 million has been fully utilized, subject to certain conditions.

For the year ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 no shares were repurchased under the Company 10b5-1 Plan.  

Debt

Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

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As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with the terms of our debt arrangements. We intend to continue to utilize our credit facilities to fund investments and for other general corporate purposes.

Revolving Credit Facility

On August 23, 2012, we entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement with Truist Bank (as a successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as administrative agent, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and certain other lenders (as amended and restated, the “Revolving Credit Facility”).

As of December 31 2019, aggregate commitments under the facility were $1,245 million. Pursuant to an amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility dated as of January 31, 2020 (the “Ninth Amendment”), the aggregate commitments under the facility were increased to $1,315 million.  The facility includes an uncommitted accordion feature that allows us, under certain circumstances, to increase the size of the facility to up to $1,750 million.

Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment, the revolving period, during which period we, subject to certain conditions, may make borrowings under the facility, was extended from February 14, 2023 to January 31, 2024 and the stated maturity date was extended from February 14, 2024 to January 31, 2025.

We may borrow amounts in U.S. dollars or certain other permitted currencies. As of December 31, 2019, we had outstanding debt denominated in Australian dollars (AUD) of 52.5 million, Canadian dollars (CAD) of 131.4 million, and Euro (EUR) of 7.6 million on our Revolving Credit Facility, included in the Outstanding Principal amount in the table above.

The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $75 million. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had no outstanding letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility. The amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by any letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility.

Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility, including amounts drawn in respect of letters of credit, bear interest at either LIBOR plus a margin of either 1.75% or 1.875%, or the base rate plus a margin of either 0.75% or 0.875%, in each case, based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the sum of the total commitments (or, if greater, the total exposure) under the Revolving Credit Facility plus certain other designated secured debt. We may elect either the LIBOR or base rate at the time of drawdown, and loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time, subject to certain conditions. We also pay a fee of 0.375% on undrawn amounts and, in respect of each undrawn letter of credit, a fee and interest rate equal to the then applicable margin while the letter of credit is outstanding.

The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by TPG SL SPV, LLC, TC Lending, LLC and TSL MR, LLC and may be guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries in the future. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a perfected first-priority security interest in substantially all the portfolio investments held by us and each guarantor. Proceeds from borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including the funding of portfolio investments.

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The Revolving Credit Facility includes customary events of default, as well as customary covenants, including restrictions on certain distributions and financial covenants. The financial covenants require:

The Revolving Credit Facility also contains certain additional concentration limits in connection with the calculation of the borrowing base, based on the Obligor Asset Coverage Ratio.

Net proceeds received from our common stock issuance in March 2018 and net proceeds received from the issuance of the 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes were used to pay down borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility.

2019 Convertible Notes

In June 2014, we issued in a private offering $115 million aggregate principal amount convertible notes due December 2019 (the “2019 Convertible Notes”). The 2019 Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2019 Convertible Notes were unsecured and bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually. The 2019 Convertible Notes matured on December 15, 2019 and were fully repaid in cash. The swap transaction associated with the issuance of the 2019 Convertible Notes also matured on December 15, 2019.  

2022 Convertible Notes

In February 2017, we issued in a private offering $115 million aggregate principal amount convertible notes due August 2022 (the “2022 Convertible Notes” and, together with the 2019 Convertible Notes, the “Convertible Notes”). The 2022 Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2022 Convertible Notes are unsecured, and bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually. The 2022 Convertible Notes will mature on August 1, 2022. In certain circumstances, the 2022 Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, at an initial conversion rate of 46.8516 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2022 Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $21.34 per share of our common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. As of December 31, 2019, the estimated adjusted conversion price was approximately $20.66 per share of common stock. The sale of the 2022 Convertible Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $111.2 million. We used the net proceeds of the offering to pay down debt under the Revolving Credit Facility. In connection with the offering of 2022 Convertible Notes, we have entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. As a result of the swaps, our effective interest rate on the original issuance of 2022 Convertible Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 2.37%.

In June 2018, we issued an additional $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Convertible Notes. The additional 2022 Convertible Notes were issued with identical terms, and are fungible with and are part of a single series with the previously outstanding $115 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Convertible Notes issued in February 2017. In connection with the reopening of the 2022 Convertible Notes, we entered into interest rate swaps to continue to align the interest rates of its liabilities with its investment portfolio, which consists of predominantly floating rate loans. As a result of the additional swaps, our effective interest rate on the additional 2022 Convertible Notes is approximately three-month LIBOR plus 1.60%. See Note 5 for further information related to our interest rate swaps.

Holders may convert their 2022 Convertible Notes at their option at any time prior to February 1, 2022 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2017 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a

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period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after February 1, 2022 until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any of the foregoing circumstances.

The 2022 Convertible Notes are our unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2022 Convertible Notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.

As of December 31, 2019, the principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes was exceeded by the value of the underlying shares multiplied by the per share closing price of our common stock. However, the conditions required for conversion prior to maturity had not been satisfied. As of December 31, 2018, the principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes exceeded the value of the underlying shares multiplied by the per share closing price of our common stock.

The indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to comply with the applicable asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and to provide financial information to the holders of the 2022 Convertible Notes under certain circumstances. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we were in compliance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes.

The 2022 Convertible Notes are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470-20. Upon conversion of any of the 2022 Convertible Notes, we intend to pay the outstanding principal amount in cash and, to the extent that the conversion value exceeds the principal amount, we have the option to pay in cash or shares of our common stock (or a combination of cash and shares) in respect of the excess amount, subject to the requirements of the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes. We have determined that the embedded conversion options in the 2022 Convertible Notes are not required to be separately accounted for as a derivative under U.S. GAAP. In accounting for the 2022 Convertible Notes, we estimated at the time of issuance separate debt and equity components of the 2022 Convertible Notes. An original issue discount equal to the equity components of the 2022 Convertible Notes was recorded in “additional paid-in capital” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the issuance costs associated with the 2022 Convertible Notes were allocated to the debt and equity components in proportion to the allocation of the proceeds and accounted for as deferred financing costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.

2023 Notes

In January 2018, we issued $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on January 22, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2023 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on July 22, 2018, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs, were $146.9 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2023 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the 2023 Notes offering, we entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2023 Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 1.99%.

2024 Notes

In November 2019, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2024 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2024 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on May 1, 2020, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs, were $293.1 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

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In connection with the 2024 Notes offering, we entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2024 Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 2.25%.

On February 5, 2020, we issued $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024 (the “Reopened 2024 Notes”). The Reopened 2024 Notes are a further issuance of, fungible with, rank equally in right of payment with and have the same terms (other than the issue date and the public offering price) as the initial issuance of 2024 Notes. Total proceeds from the issuance of the Reopened 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and estimated offering costs, were approximately $50.1 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the issuance of the Reopened 2024 Notes, we entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominantly floating rate loans. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the Reopened 2024 Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 2.46%.  

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Portfolio Company Commitments

From time to time, we may enter into commitments to fund investments. We incorporate these commitments into our assessment of our liquidity position. Our senior secured revolving loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and may remain outstanding until the maturity date of the applicable loan. Our senior secured term loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and, once drawn, generally have the same remaining term as the associated loan agreement. Undrawn senior secured term loan commitments generally have a shorter availability period than the term of the associated loan agreement. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had the following commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:

 

 

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Other Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we did not have any unfunded commitments to fund investments to new borrowers that were not current portfolio companies as of such date.  

From time to time, we may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business. As of December 31, 2019, management is not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation that would require accounting recognition or financial statement disclosure.

We have certain contracts under which we have material future commitments. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser provides us with investment advisory and management services. For these services, we pay the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee.

Under the Administration Agreement, our Adviser furnishes us with office facilities and equipment, provides us clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities and provides us with other administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. We reimburse our Adviser for the allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our Board) of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions and our allocable portion of the compensation of our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on a percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs). Our Adviser also offers on our behalf significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to offer to provide such assistance.

Contractual Obligations

A summary of our contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

 

In addition to the contractual payment obligations in the tables above, we also have commitments to fund investments and to pledge assets as collateral under the terms of our derivatives agreements.

Distributions

We have elected and qualified to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code. To maintain our RIC status, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes equal to at least 90 percent of the sum of our:

As a RIC, we (but not our stockholders) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders.

We intend to distribute annually all or substantially all of such income. To the extent that we retain our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income, we generally will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. We may choose to retain our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income, and pay the U.S. federal excise tax described below.

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Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax payable by us. To avoid this tax, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:

While we intend to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, sufficient amounts of our taxable income and capital gains may not be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of this tax. In that event, we will be liable for this tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

We intend to pay quarterly dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. All dividends will be paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time.

To the extent our current taxable earnings for a year fall below the total amount of our distributions for that year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a return of capital to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the source of a distribution to our stockholders may be the original capital invested by the stockholder rather than our income or gains. Stockholders should read any written disclosure carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.

We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend or other distribution, each stockholder that has not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving cash dividends. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions.

Related-Party Transactions

We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. Our critical accounting policies, including those relating to the valuation of our investment portfolio, are described below. The critical accounting policies should be read in connection with our risk factors as disclosed in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.”

Investments at Fair Value

Loan originations are recorded on the date of the binding commitment, which is generally the funding date. Investment transactions purchased through the secondary markets are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds received (excluding prepayment fees, if any) and the amortized cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. The net change in unrealized gains or losses primarily reflects the change in investment values and also includes the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.

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Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at those market quotations. To validate market quotations, we utilize a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available, as is the case for substantially all of our investments, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, our Audit Committee and independent third-party valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board.

As part of the valuation process, the Board takes into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of our investments, including and in combination of:

When an external event, such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Board considers whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates our valuation.

The Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process, which includes, among other procedures, the following:

We conduct this valuation process on a quarterly basis.

The Board has engaged independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited procedures that the Board has identified and requested them to perform in connection with the valuation process. At December 31, 2019, the independent third-party valuation firms performed their procedures over substantially all of our investments. Upon completion of such limited procedures, the third-party valuation firms determined that the fair value, as determined by the Board, of those investments subjected to their limited procedures, appeared reasonable.

We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), as amended, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and required disclosures of fair value measurements. ASC 820 determines fair value to be the price that would be received for an investment in a current sale, which assumes an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market (which may be a hypothetical market) that are independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact. In accordance with ASC 820, we consider our principal market to be the market that has the greatest volume and level of activity. ASC 820 specifies a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in determination of fair value. In accordance with ASC 820, these levels are summarized below:

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Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur. In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, we apply the valuation policy approved by our Board that is consistent with ASC 820. Consistent with the valuation policy, we evaluate the source of inputs, including any markets in which our investments are trading (or any markets in which securities with similar attributes are trading), in determining fair value. When a security is valued based on prices provided by reputable dealers or pricing services (that is, broker quotes), we subject those prices to various additional criteria in making the determination as to whether a particular investment would qualify for treatment as a Level 2 or Level 3 investment. For example, we review pricing and methodologies provided by dealers or pricing services in order to determine if observable market information is being used, versus unobservable inputs. Some additional factors considered include the number of prices obtained, as well as an assessment as to their quality, such as the depth of the relevant market relative to the size of the Company’s position.

Our accounting policy on the fair value of our investments is critical because the determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our consolidated financial statements express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of these valuations, and any change in these valuations, on the consolidated financial statements.

See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K for more information on the fair value of our investments.

Interest and Dividend Income Recognition

Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the amortization of discounts and premiums. Discounts and premiums to par value on securities purchased or originated are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the respective security using the effective interest method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, if any.

Unless providing services in connection with an investment, such as syndication, structuring or diligence, all or a portion of any loan fees received by us will be deferred and amortized over the investment’s life using the effective interest method.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when management has reasonable doubt that the borrower will pay principal or interest in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest has been paid and, in management’s judgment, the borrower is likely to make principal and interest payments in the future. Management may determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if, notwithstanding any failure to pay, the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Our accounting policy on interest and dividend income recognition is critical because it involves the primary source of our revenue and accordingly is significant to the financial results as disclosed in our consolidated financial statements.

U.S. Federal Income Taxes

We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code. So long as we maintain our status as a RIC, we will generally not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income or excise taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute at least annually to our stockholders as dividends. As a result, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by us represents obligations of our stockholders and will not be reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

We evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing our financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reversed and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. As of December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions that met the recognition or measurement criteria, nor did the Company have any unrecognized tax benefits. Our 2018, 2017 and 2016 tax year returns remain subject to examination by the relevant federal, state, and local tax authorities.

Our accounting policy on income taxes is critical because if we are unable to maintain our status as a RIC, we would be required to record a provision for corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes which may be significant to our financial results.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are subject to financial market risks, including valuation risk, interest rate risk and currency risk.

Valuation Risk

We have invested, and plan to continue to invest, primarily in illiquid debt and equity securities of private companies. Most of our investments will not have a readily available market price, and we value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board in accordance with our valuation policy. There is no single standard for determining fair value. 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. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we may realize amounts that are different from the amounts presented and such differences could be material.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. We also fund portions of our investments with borrowings. Our net investment income is affected by the difference between the rate at which we invest and the rate at which we borrow. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.

We regularly measure our exposure to interest rate risk. We assess interest rate risk and manage our interest rate exposure on an ongoing basis by comparing our interest rate-sensitive assets to our interest rate-sensitive liabilities. Based on that review, we determine whether or not any hedging transactions are necessary to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates.

As of December 31, 2019, 99.2% of our debt investments based on fair value in our portfolio bore interest at floating rates (when including investment specific hedges), with 93.5% of these subject to interest rate floors. Our credit facilities also bear interest at floating rates, and in connection with our 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes, which bear interest at fixed rates, we entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps in order to continue to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio.

Assuming that our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 were to remain constant and that we took no actions to alter our existing interest rate sensitivity, the following table shows the annualized impact of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates (considering interest rate floors for floating rate instruments):

 

 

Although we believe that this analysis is indicative of our existing sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for changes in the credit market, credit quality, the size and composition of the assets in our portfolio and other business developments that could affect our net income. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that actual results would not differ materially from the analysis above.

We may in the future hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using hedging instruments such as additional interest rate swaps, futures, options and forward contracts. While hedging activities may mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, certain hedging transactions that we may enter into in the future, such as interest rate swap agreements, may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of changes in interest rates with respect to our portfolio investments.

Currency Risk

From time to time, we may make investments that are denominated in a foreign currency. These investments are translated into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date, exposing us to movements in foreign exchange rates. 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. We may seek to utilize instruments such as, but not limited to, forward contracts to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates. We also have the ability to borrow in certain foreign currencies under our Revolving Credit Facility. Instead of entering into a foreign exchange forward contract in connection with loans or other investments we have made that are denominated in a foreign currency, we may borrow in that currency to establish a natural hedge against our loan or investment. To the extent the loan or investment is based on a floating rate other than a rate under which we can borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, we may seek to utilize interest rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to changes in the associated rate.

 

 

 

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ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

 

TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

F-1

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.:

Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company), including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, by correspondence with custodians, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

F-2

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Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Determining the fair value of investments

As discussed in Notes 2, 4 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company measures substantially all of its investments at fair value utilizing unobservable inputs as there is no readily determinable market value.  As of December 31, 2019, total investments at fair value was $2.2 billion, or 98% of total assets.

We identified determining the fair value of investments that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available as a critical audit matter because evaluating the use of specific valuation techniques, inputs, and assumptions, involved a high degree of subjective auditor judgment and changes in these techniques, inputs, and assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value of investments. In particular, the more subjective judgments were related to market yields for investments with similar terms and risks used in yield analyses, comparable financial performance multiples used in determining enterprise values, and discount rates and expected lives used in discounted cash flow analyses.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company's determination of the valuation techniques, market yields, financial performance multiples, discount rates, and expected lives used to estimate the fair value of investments. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who, for a selection of the Company’s investments, evaluated the Company’s estimate of fair value by developing an independent estimate of fair value through the use of relevant market information to develop a range of comparable financial performance multiples and discount rate assumptions. For a selection of investments, we tested the Company’s process to determine the fair value by testing the fair value derived from the Company’s models and comparing the inputs and assumptions to supporting documentation.  We evaluated the Company’s historical ability to estimate fair value by comparing the transaction price of available transactions occurring subsequent to the prior period valuation date with the fair value estimate determined by the Company in the prior period.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.

New York, New York

February 19, 2020

 

F-3

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TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

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

 

 

F-4

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TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

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

 

 

 

F-5

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TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2019

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

 

F-6

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F-7

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F-8

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F-9

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Non-controlled, Affiliated Investments during the year ended December 31, 2019

 

F-10

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Controlled, Affiliated Investments during the year ended December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

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

F-11

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TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2018

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

 

F-12

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F-13

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F-14

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F-15

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Non-controlled, Affiliated Investments during the year ended December 31, 2018

 

 

Controlled, Affiliated Investments during the year ended December 31, 2018

 

 

 

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

 

 

F-16

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TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

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

 

 

F-17

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TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

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

 

 

F-18

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TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Amounts in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. (“TSLX” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed on July 21, 2010. The Company was formed primarily to lend to, and selectively invest in, middle-market companies in the United States. The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes, the Company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). TSLX is managed by TSL Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”). On June 1, 2011, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, TC Lending, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On March 22, 2012, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, TPG SL SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“TPG SL SPV”). On May 19, 2014, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, TSL MR, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

On March 21, 2014, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) and the Company’s shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “TSLX.”

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. In the opinion of management all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented have been included. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company is an investment company and, therefore, applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies.

Fiscal Year End

The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31.

 

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

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

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents may consist of demand deposits, highly liquid investments (e.g., money market funds, U.S. Treasury notes, and similar type instruments) with original maturities of three months or less, and restricted cash pledged as collateral. Cash and cash equivalents denominated in U.S. dollars are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company deposits its cash and cash equivalents with highly-rated banking corporations and, at times, cash deposits may exceed the insured limits under applicable law.

Investments at Fair Value

Loan originations are recorded on the date of the binding commitment, which is generally the funding date. Investment transactions purchased through the secondary markets are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds received (excluding prepayment fees, if any) and the amortized cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. The net change in unrealized gains or losses primarily reflects the change in investment values and also includes the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.

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Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at those market quotations. To validate market quotations, the Company utilizes a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available, as is the case for substantially all of our investments, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, the Company’s Audit Committee and independent third-party valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board.

As part of the valuation process, the Board takes into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of its investments, including and in combination of: the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company (that is, the total value of the portfolio company’s net debt and equity), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments based on its earnings and cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to any similar publicly traded securities, and overall changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Board considers whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates its valuation.

The Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process, which includes, among other procedures, the following:

The Company conducts this valuation process on a quarterly basis.

The Board has engaged independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited procedures that the Board has identified and requested them to perform in connection with the valuation process. At December 31, 2019, the independent third-party valuation firms performed their procedures over substantially all of the Company’s investments. Upon completion of such limited procedures, the third-party valuation firms concluded that the fair value, as determined by the Board, of those investments subjected to their limited procedures, appeared reasonable.

The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), as amended, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and required disclosures of fair value measurements. ASC 820 determines fair value to be the price that would be received for an investment in a current sale, which assumes an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market (which may be a hypothetical market) that are independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact. In accordance with ASC 820, the Company considers its principal market to be the market that has the greatest volume and level of activity. ASC 820 specifies a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in determination of fair value. In accordance with ASC 820, these levels are summarized below:

Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur. In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, the Company applies the valuation policy approved by its Board that is consistent with ASC 820. Consistent with the valuation policy, the Company evaluates the source of inputs, including any markets in which its investments are trading (or any markets in which securities with similar attributes are trading), in determining fair value. When a security is valued based on prices provided by reputable dealers or pricing services (that is, broker quotes), the Company subjects those prices to various additional criteria in making the determination as to whether a particular investment would qualify for treatment as a Level 2 or Level

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3 investment. For example, the Company reviews pricing provided by dealers or pricing services in order to determine if observable market information is being used, versus unobservable inputs. Some additional factors considered include the number of prices obtained as well as an assessment as to their quality, such as the depth of the relevant market relative to the size of the Company’s position.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Company’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of such investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that may ultimately be realized. Further, such investments are generally less liquid than publicly traded securities and may be subject to contractual and other restrictions on resale. If the Company were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, it could realize amounts that are different from the amounts presented and such differences could be material.

In addition, changes in the market environment including the impact of changes in broader market indices and credit spreads 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 unrealized gains or losses reflected herein.

Financial and Derivative Instruments

The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities at fair value in its consolidated financial statements, pursuant to ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging, further clarified by the FASB’s issuance of the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging, which was adopted in 2019 by the Company. For all derivative instruments designated in a hedge accounting relationship, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument shall be recorded in the same line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations as the hedged item. The Company uses certain interest rate swaps as derivative instruments to hedge the Company’s fixed rate debt, and therefore both the periodic payment and the change in fair value for the effective hedge, if applicable, will be recognized as components of interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In the normal course of business, the Company has commitments and risks resulting from its investment transactions, which may include those involving derivative instruments. Derivative instruments are measured in terms of the notional contract amount and derive their value based upon one or more underlying instruments. While the notional amount gives some indication of the Company’s derivative activity, it generally is not exchanged, but is only used as the basis on which interest and other payments are exchanged. Derivative instruments are subject to various risks similar to non-derivative instruments including market, credit, liquidity, and operational risks. The Company manages these risks on an aggregate basis as part of its risk management process.

Derivatives, including the Company’s interest rate swaps, for which broker quotes are available are typically valued at those broker quotes.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

Foreign currency forward contract and interest rate swap receivables or payables pending settlement are offset, and the net amount is included with receivable or payable for foreign currency forward contracts or interest rate swaps in the consolidated balance sheets when, and only when, they are with the same counterparty, the Company has the legal right to offset the recognized amounts, and it intends to either settle on a net basis or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Foreign Currency

Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

Although net assets and fair values are presented based on the applicable foreign exchange rates described above, the Company does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair values of investments held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments. The Company’s current approach to hedging the foreign currency exposure in its non-U.S. dollar denominated investments is primarily to borrow the par amount in local currency under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility to fund these investments.  Fluctuations arising from the translation of foreign currency borrowings are included with the net change in unrealized gains (losses) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Investments denominated in foreign currencies and foreign currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

Equity Offering Expenses

The Company records expenses related to equity offerings as a reduction of capital upon completion of an offering of registered securities. The costs associated with renewals of the Company’s shelf registration statement are expensed as incurred.  

Debt Issuance Costs

The Company records origination and other expenses related to its debt obligations as deferred financing costs, which are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the related debt liability. These expenses are deferred and amortized using the effective interest method, or straight-line method, over the stated maturity of the obligation.

Interest and Dividend Income Recognition

Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the amortization of discounts and premiums. Discounts and premiums to par value on securities purchased or originated are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the respective security using the effective interest method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, if any.

Unless providing services in connection with an investment, such as syndication, structuring or diligence, all or a portion of any loan fees received by the Company will be deferred and amortized over the investment’s life using the effective interest method.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when management has reasonable doubt that the borrower will pay principal or interest in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest has been paid and, in management’s judgment, the borrower is likely to make principal and interest payments in the future. Management may determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if, notwithstanding any failure to pay, the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly-traded portfolio companies.

Other Income

From time to time, the Company may receive fees for services provided to portfolio companies by the Adviser. The services that the Adviser provides vary by investment, but may include syndication, structuring, diligence fees, or other service-based fees and fees for providing managerial assistance to our portfolio companies and are recognized as revenue when earned.

Reimbursement of Transaction-Related Expenses

The Company may receive reimbursement for certain transaction-related expenses in pursuing investments. Transaction-related expenses, which are expected to be reimbursed by third parties, are typically deferred until the transaction is consummated and are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other assets on the date incurred. The transaction-related costs of pursuing investments not otherwise reimbursed are borne by the Company and for successfully completed investments included as a component of the investment’s cost basis.

Cash advances received in respect of transaction-related expenses are recorded as cash and cash equivalents with an offset to Other liabilities or Payables to affiliates. Other liabilities or Payables to affiliates are relieved as reimbursable expenses are incurred.

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Income Taxes, Including Excise Taxes

The Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, and the Company intends to operate in a manner so as to continue to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, distribute to its stockholders in each taxable year generally at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. To maintain its RIC status, the Company, among other things, has made and intends to continue to make the requisite distributions to its stockholders, which generally relieves the Company from corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes.

The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reserved and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. As of December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions that met the recognition or measurement criteria, nor did the Company have any unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s 2018, 2017 and 2016 tax year returns remain subject to examination by the relevant federal, state, and local tax authorities.  

Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, the Company can be expected to carry forward taxable income (including net capital gains, if any) in excess of current year dividend distributions from the current tax year into the next tax year and pay a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such taxable income, as required. To the extent that the Company determines that the estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions from such income, the Company accrues excise tax on estimated excess taxable income.

For the calendar years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 we recorded a net expense of $3.8 million, $3.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax.

Dividends to Common Stockholders

The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by the Board and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by the Adviser. Net realized long-term capital gains, if any, would generally be distributed at least annually, although the Company may decide to retain such capital gains.

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of any dividends declared in cash on behalf of stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and it declares, a cash dividend, then the stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend. The Company expects to use newly issued shares to satisfy the dividend reinvestment plan.

Recent Accounting Standards and Regulatory Updates

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The guidance in this ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 were effective for public companies for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company’s adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or notes to the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. The amendments are intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance. The SEC Release requires presentation changes to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The final rule is effective for all filings on or after November 5, 2018. The Company has adopted the SEC guidance in the current annual period. In accordance with previous SEC rules, the Company had presented distributable earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as three components: 1) undistributed net investment income; 2) net unrealized gains (losses) on investments and 3) net realized gains (losses) on investments and presented dividends from distributable earnings on the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets as two components: 1) dividends declared from net investment income; and 2) dividends declared from realized gains. In accordance with the SEC release, distributable earnings and dividends from distributable earnings are shown in total on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets, respectively. The changes

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in presentation have been retrospectively applied to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and to the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 30, 2017 and 2016.

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 (“ASU 2017-12”) “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” Among other things, the new guidance includes updates to the alignment of risk management activities and financial reporting, risk component hedging, accounting for the hedged item in fair value hedges of interest rate risk, recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments, amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, and other simplifications of hedge accounting guidance. The amendments of ASU 2017-12 were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The Company’s adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or notes to the consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13 (“ASU 2018-13”) “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This guidance modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASC Topic 820, by eliminating, amending, and adding certain disclosure requirements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for any period for which financial statements have not yet been issued or have not yet been made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this ASU on our financial statements.

 

 

3. Agreements and Related Party Transactions

Administration Agreement

On March 15, 2011, the Company entered into the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser provides administrative services to the Company. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the oversight of the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. Certain of these services are reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement. In addition, the Adviser is permitted to delegate its duties under the Administration Agreement to affiliates or third parties and the Company pays or reimburses the Adviser for certain expenses incurred by any such affiliates or third parties for work done on its behalf.

In February 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company and the Adviser entered into an amended and restated administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) reflecting certain clarifications to the agreement to provide greater detail regarding the scope of the reimbursable costs and expenses of the Administrator’s services.

In November 2019, the Board renewed the Administration Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect until November 2020, and may be extended subject to required approvals. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party.

No person who is an officer, director or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates and who serves as a director of the Company receives any compensation from the Company for his or her services as a director. However, the Company reimburses the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser or its affiliates to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and other professionals who spend time on such related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business and affairs of the Company). Directors who are not affiliated with the Adviser receive compensation for their services and reimbursement of expenses incurred to attend meetings.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company incurred expenses of $4.2 million, $3.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively, for administrative services payable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement.

Investment Advisory Agreement

On April 15, 2011, the Company entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement was subsequently amended on December 12, 2011. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser  provides investment advisory services to the Company. The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others so long as its services to the Company are not impaired. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company will pay the Adviser the Management Fee and may also pay certain Incentive Fees.

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The Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on the average value of the Company’s gross assets calculated using the values at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the period. The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, Management Fees (gross of waivers) were $30.1 million, $28.6 million and $24.3 million, respectively.

The Adviser did not waive any Management Fees for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, Management Fees of less than $0.1 million were waived consisting solely of Management Fees attributable to the Company’s ownership of  shares of common stock in Triangle Capital Corp. (the “TCAP Shares”). As of June 30, 2018 the Company had fully exited its position in the TCAP Shares. Any waived Management Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.

The Adviser intends to waive a portion of the Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement by reducing the Management Fee on assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (in other words, over 1.0x debt to equity) (the “Leverage Waiver”). Pursuant to the Leverage Waiver, the Adviser intends to waive the portion of the Management Fee in excess of an annual rate of 1.0% (0.250% per quarter) on the average value of the Company’s gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the average value of our net asset value at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. As of December 31, 2019, no Management Fees have been waived pursuant to the Leverage Waiver.

The Incentive Fee consists of two parts, as follows:

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends, interest and fee income accrued by the Company during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company may not have received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses.

For purposes of determining whether pre-Incentive Fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.

Section 205(b)(3) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, prohibits the Adviser from receiving the payment of fees on unrealized gains until those gains are realized, if ever. There can be no assurance that such unrealized gains will be realized in the future.

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For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, Incentive Fees (gross of waivers) were $27.2 million, $30.5 million and $25.5 million, respectively, all of which were realized and payable to the Adviser. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, no Incentive Fees were accrued related to capital gains.

The Adviser voluntarily waived the Incentive Fees attributable to pre-Incentive Fee net investment income accrued by the Company as a result of its ownership of the TCAP Shares. The Adviser did not waive any part of the Capital Gains Fee attributable to the Company’s ownership of the TCAP Shares and, accordingly, any realized capital gains or losses and unrealized capital losses with respect to the TCAP Shares were applied against the Company’s cumulative realized capital gains on which the Capital Gains Fee is calculated.

The Adviser did not waive any Incentive Fees for the year ended December 31, 2019. For each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, Incentive Fees of less than $0.1 million were waived, respectively, consisting solely of Incentive Fees attributable to the Company’s ownership of the TCAP Shares.

Since the Company’s IPO, with the exception of its waiver of Management Fees and certain Incentive Fees attributable to the Company’s ownership of certain portfolio companies, including the TCAP Shares, the Adviser has not waived its right to receive any Management Fees or Incentive Fees payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement.

In November 2019, the Board renewed the Investment Advisory Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until November 2020, and may be extended subject to required approvals. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of an assignment and may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party.

From time to time, the Adviser may pay amounts owed by the Company to third-party providers of goods or services, including the Board, and the Company will subsequently reimburse the Adviser for such amounts paid on its behalf. Amounts payable to the Adviser are settled in the normal course of business without formal payment terms.

 

4. Investments at Fair Value

Under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify non-controlled investments where it owns 5% or more of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities as investments in “affiliated” companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify investments where it owns more than 25% of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “controlled” companies. Detailed information with respect to the Company’s non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; and controlled affiliated investments is contained in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the consolidated schedules of investments. The information in the tables below is presented on an aggregate portfolio basis, without regard to whether they are non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; or controlled, affiliated investments.

Investments consisted of the following at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The industry composition of Investments at fair value at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

 

 

The geographic composition of Investments at fair value at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

 

 

 

5. Derivatives

Interest Rate Swaps

In January 2015, in connection with its 2019 Convertible Notes, the Company entered into two interest rate swap transactions, each with a $57.5 million notional amount. The Company received fixed rate interest at 4.50% and paid variable rate interest based on the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.86%. The swap transactions matured on December 15, 2019, matching the maturity date of the 2019 Convertible Notes.  

In February 2017, in connection with the issuance of the 2022 Convertible Notes, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction with a $115 million notional amount. The Company receives fixed rate interest at 4.50% and pays variable rate interest based on the three-month LIBOR plus 2.37%. The swap transaction matures on August 1, 2022, matching the maturity date of the 2022 Convertible Notes.

In January 2018, in connection with the issuance of the 2023 Notes, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction with a $150.0 million notional amount. The Company receives fixed rate interest at 4.50% and pays variable rate interest based on three-month LIBOR plus 1.99%. The swap transaction matures on January 22, 2023, matching the maturity of the 2023 Notes.

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In June 2018, in connection with the reopening and issuance of additional 2022 Convertible Notes, the Company entered into two interest rate swap transactions with notional amounts of $50.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively. The Company receives fixed rate interest on each swap at 4.50%, and pays variable rate interest based on three-month LIBOR plus 1.59%, and 1.60%, respectively. The swap transactions mature on August 1, 2022, matching the maturity date of the 2022 Convertible Notes.

In June 2019, upon maturity of the original swap transaction on an existing fixed rate investment, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction with a $91.5 million notional amount. The Company receives three-month LIBOR and pays fixed rate interest at 1.97%. The swap transaction matures on June 25, 2020, matching the current expected repayment date of the investment.

In August 2019, in connection with two fixed rate investments, the Company entered into two interest rate swap transactions with notional amounts of $11.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively. The Company receives three-month LIBOR and pays fixed rate interest at 1.47% and 1.36%, respectively. The swap transactions mature on July 30, 2021 and July 29, 2022, respectively, matching the current expected repayment dates of each investment.  

In September 2019, in connection with the repayment of a fixed rate investment, the Company closed out of a $33.3 million notional amount interest rate swap transaction resulting in a realized gain of less than $0.1 million.

In November 2019, in connection with the issuance of the 2024 Notes, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction with a $300.0 million notional amount. The Company receives fixed rate interest at 3.88% and pays variable rate interest based on three-month LIBOR plus 2.25%. The swap transaction matures on November 1, 2024, matching the maturity date of the 2024 Notes. The Company designated this interest rate swap as the hedging instrument in a hedge accounting relationship with the 2024 Notes.

The following tables present the amounts paid and received on the Company’s interest rate swap transactions for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

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For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized $9.2 million in unrealized gains and $1.7 million in unrealized losses, respectively, in net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on interest rate swaps in the consolidated statement of operations related to the swap transactions. As of December 31, 2019, the swap transactions had a fair value of $4.7 million which is netted against cash collateral on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2018, the swap transactions had a fair value of ($2.7) million which is netted against restricted cash collateral on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The Company is required under the terms of its derivatives agreements to pledge assets as collateral to secure its obligations under the derivatives. The amount of collateral required varies over time based on the mark-to-market value, notional amount and remaining term of the derivatives, and may exceed the amount owed by the Company on a mark-to-market basis. Any failure by the Company to fulfill any collateral requirement (e.g., a so-called “margin call”) may result in a default. In the event of a default by a counterparty, the Company would be an unsecured creditor to the extent of any such overcollateralization.

As of December 31, 2019, $9.3 million of cash is pledged as collateral under the Company’s derivative instruments and is included in restricted cash as a component of cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company had $10.0 million of cash collateral posted as of December 31, 2018, of which $7.3 million is included in restricted cash as a component of cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The Company may enter into other derivative instruments and incur other exposures with the same or other counterparties in the future.

 

 

6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Investments

The following tables present fair value measurements of investments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

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Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur.

The following tables present the changes in the fair value of investments for which Level 3 inputs were used to determine the fair value as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

 

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The following table presents information with respect to net change in unrealized gains or losses on investments for which Level 3 inputs were used in determining fair value that are still held by the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

The following tables present the fair value of Level 3 Investments and the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuations as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The tables are not intended to be all-inclusive, but instead capture the significant unobservable inputs relevant to the Company’s determination of fair values.

 

 

 

 

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The Company typically determines the fair value of its performing Level 3 debt investments utilizing a yield analysis. In a yield analysis, a price is ascribed for each investment based upon an assessment of current and expected market yields for similar investments and risk profiles. Additional consideration is given to the expected life, portfolio company performance since close, and other terms and risks associated with an investment. Among other factors, a determinant of risk is the amount of leverage used by the portfolio company relative to the total enterprise value of the company, and the rights and remedies of our investment within each portfolio company’s capital structure.

Significant unobservable quantitative inputs typically considered in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Level 3 debt investments primarily include current market yields, including relevant market indices, but may also include quotes from brokers, dealers, and pricing services as indicated by comparable investments. If debt investments are credit impaired, an enterprise value analysis may be used to value such debt investments; however, in addition to the methods outlined above, other methods such as a liquidation or wind-down analysis may be utilized to estimate enterprise value.  For the Company’s Level 3 equity investments, multiples of similar companies’ revenues, earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) or some combination thereof and comparable market transactions are typically used.

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

Debt

The fair value of the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility, which is categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2019, approximates its carrying value as the outstanding balance is callable at carrying value.  The fair value of the Company’s 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes, which are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2019, was $640.1 million, based on broker quotes received by the Company. The aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes, as of December 31, 2019, was $622.5 million. The fair value of the Company’s Convertible Notes and 2023 Notes, as of December 31, 2018, was $428.9 million, based on broker quotes received by the Company. The aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Convertible Notes and 2023 Notes, as of December 31, 2018, was $437.5 million.

Other Financial Assets and Liabilities

The carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities, other than investments at fair value and the Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes, approximate fair value due to their short maturities or their close proximity of the originations to the measurement date. Under the fair value hierarchy, cash and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 while the Company’s other assets and liabilities, other than investments at fair value and Revolving Credit Facility, are classified as Level 2.

 

 

7. Debt

In accordance with the 1940 Act, with certain limitations, the Company is allowed to borrow amounts such that its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least 150% after such borrowing. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s asset coverage was 200.4% and 270.5%, respectively.

On October 8, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the application of the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% to the Company, as set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”). As a result and subject to certain additional disclosure requirements, as of October 9, 2018, the Company’s minimum asset coverage ratio was reduced from 200% to 150%. In other words, pursuant to Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA, the Company is permitted to potentially increase its maximum debt-to-equity ratio from an effective level of one-to-one to two-to-one.

Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

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For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the components of interest expense were as follows:

 

 

Revolving Credit Facility

On August 23, 2012, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement with Truist Bank (as a successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as administrative agent, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and certain other lenders (as amended and restated, the “Revolving Credit Facility”).

As of December 31 2019, aggregate commitments under the facility were $1,245 million. Pursuant to an amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility dated as of January 31, 2020 (the “Ninth Amendment”), the aggregate commitments under the facility were increased to $1,315 million.  The facility includes an uncommitted accordion feature that allows the Company, under certain circumstances, to increase the size of the facility to up to $1,750 million.

Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment, the revolving period, during which period the Company, subject to certain conditions, may make borrowings under the facility, was extended from February 14, 2023 to January 31, 2024 and the stated maturity date was extended from February 14, 2024 to January 31, 2025.

The Company may borrow amounts in U.S. dollars or certain other permitted currencies. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding debt denominated in Australian dollars (AUD) of 52.5 million, Canadian dollars (CAD) of 131.4 million, and Euro (EUR) of 7.6 million on its Revolving Credit Facility, included in the Outstanding Principal amount in the table above.

The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $75 million. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had no outstanding letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility. The amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by any letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility.

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Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility, including amounts drawn in respect of letters of credit, bear interest at either LIBOR plus a margin of either 1.75% or 1.875%, or the base rate plus a margin of either 0.75% or 0.875%, in each case, based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the sum of the total commitments (or, if greater, the total exposure) under the Revolving Credit Facility plus certain other designated secured debt. The Company may elect either the LIBOR or base rate at the time of drawdown, and loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time, subject to certain conditions. The Company also pays a fee of 0.375% on undrawn amounts and, in respect of each undrawn letter of credit, a fee and interest rate equal to the then applicable margin while the letter of credit is outstanding.

The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by TPG SL SPV, LLC, TC Lending, LLC and TSL MR, LLC and may be guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries in the future. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a perfected first-priority security interest in substantially all the portfolio investments held by the Company and each guarantor. Proceeds from borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including the funding of portfolio investments.

The Revolving Credit Facility includes customary events of default, as well as customary covenants, including restrictions on certain distributions and financial covenants.  The financial covenants require:  

The Revolving Credit Facility also contains certain additional concentration limits in connection with the calculation of the borrowing base, based on the Obligor Asset Coverage Ratio.

Net proceeds received from the Company’s common stock issuance in March 2018 and net proceeds received from the issuance of the 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes were used to pay down borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility.

2019 Convertible Notes

In June 2014, the Company issued in a private offering $115 million aggregate principal amount convertible notes due December 2019 (the “2019 Convertible Notes”). The 2019 Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2019 Convertible Notes were unsecured, and bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually. The 2019 Convertible Notes matured on December 15, 2019 and were fully repaid in cash. The swap transaction associated with the issuance of the 2019 Convertible Notes also matured on December 15, 2019.

2022 Convertible Notes

In February 2017, the Company issued in a private offering $115 million aggregate principal amount convertible notes due August 2022 (the “2022 Convertible Notes” and, together with the 2019 Convertible Notes, the “Convertible Notes”). The 2022 Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2022 Convertible Notes are unsecured, and bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually. The 2022 Convertible Notes will mature on August 1, 2022. In certain circumstances, the 2022 Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, at the Company’s election, at an initial conversion rate of 46.8516 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2022 Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $21.34 per share of the Company’s common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. As of December 31, 2019, the estimated adjusted conversion price was approximately $20.66 per share of common stock. The sale of the 2022 Convertible Notes generated net proceeds of approximately $111.2 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering to pay down debt under the Revolving Credit Facility. In connection with the offering of 2022 Convertible

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Notes, the Company has entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of its liabilities with its investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the original issuance of 2022 Convertible Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 2.37%. See Note 5 for further information related to the Company’s interest rate swaps.

In June 2018, the Company issued an additional $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Convertible Notes. The additional 2022 Convertible Notes were issued with identical terms, and are fungible with and are part of a single series with the previously outstanding $115 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s existing 2022 Convertible Notes issued in February 2017. In connection with the reopening of the 2022 Convertible Notes, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to continue to align the interest rates of its liabilities with its investment portfolio, which consists of predominantly floating rate loans. As a result of the additional swaps, the Company’s effective interest rate on the additional 2022 Convertible Notes is approximately three-month LIBOR plus 1.60%. See Note 5 for further information related to the Company’s interest rate swaps.

Holders may convert their 2022 Convertible Notes at their option at any time prior to February 1, 2022 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2017 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after February 1, 2022 until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any of the foregoing circumstances.

The 2022 Convertible Notes are the Company’s unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to the Company’s future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2022 Convertible Notes; equal in right of payment to the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness (including unsecured indebtedness that the Company later secures) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by the Company’s subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 the components of interest expense related to the Convertible Notes were as follows:

 

 

Total interest expense in the table above does not include the effect of the interest rate swaps. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company received $12.9 million, $11.7 million, and $9.9 million, respectively, and paid $14.2 million, $12.4 million, and $8.5 million, respectively, related to the quarterly settlement of its interest rate swaps. These net amounts are included in interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 31, 2019,  the principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes was exceeded by the value of the underlying shares multiplied by the per share closing price of the Company’s common stock. However, the conditions required for conversion prior to maturity had not been satisfied. As of December 31, 2018, the principal amount of the Convertible Notes exceeded the value of the underlying shares multiplied by the per share closing price of the Company’s common stock.

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As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the components of the carrying value of the Convertible Notes and the stated interest rate were as follows:

 

 

 

The stated interest rate in the table above does not include the effect of the interest rate swaps. The Company’s swap-adjusted interest rate was three month LIBOR plus 2.86% for the 2019 Convertible Notes, and three month LIBOR plus 2.11% (on a weighted average basis) for the 2022 Convertible Notes. Please see Note 5 for further information about the Company’s interest rate swaps.

The indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to comply with the applicable asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and to provide financial information to the holders of the 2022 Convertible Notes under certain circumstances. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes. As of December 31, 2019, and 2018 the Company was in compliance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes.

The 2022 Convertible Notes are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470-20. Upon conversion of any of the 2022 Convertible Notes, the Company intends to pay the outstanding principal amount in cash and, to the extent that the conversion value exceeds the principal amount, the Company has the option to pay in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock (or a combination of cash and shares) in respect of the excess amount, subject to the requirements of the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes. The Company has determined that the embedded conversion options in the 2022 Convertible Notes are not required to be separately accounted for as a derivative under U.S. GAAP. In accounting for the 2022 Convertible Notes, the Company estimated at the time of issuance separate debt and equity components of the 2022 Convertible Notes. An original issue discount equal to the equity components of the 2022 Convertible Notes was recorded in “additional paid-in capital” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the issuance costs associated with the 2022 Convertible Notes were allocated to the debt and equity components in proportion to the allocation of the proceeds and accounted for as deferred financing costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.

2023 Notes

In January 2018, the Company issued $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on January 22, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2023 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on July 22, 2018, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs, were $146.9 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2023 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the 2023 Notes offering, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of its liabilities with the Company’s investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the 2023 Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 1.99%. Please see Note 5 for further information about the Company’s interest rate swaps.

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2024 Notes

In November 2019, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2024 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2024 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on May 1, 2020, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs, were $295.8 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the 2024 Notes offering, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of its liabilities with the Company’s investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the 2024 Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 2.25%. The interest expense related to the 2024 Notes is offset by proceeds received from the interest rate swap designated as a hedge. The swap adjusted interest expense is included as a component of interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2019 the effective hedge interest rate swap had a fair value of ($1.8) million, which is offset within interest expense by an equal, but opposite, fair value change for the hedged risk on the 2024 Notes.

On February 5, 2020, the Company issued $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024 (the “Reopened 2024 Notes”). The Reopened 2024 Notes are a further issuance of, fungible with, rank equally in right of payment with and have the same terms (other than the issue date and the public offering price) as the initial issuance of 2024 Notes. Total proceeds from the issuance of the Reopened 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and estimated offering costs, were approximately $50.1 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with the issuance of the Reopened 2024 Notes, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to continue to align the interest rates of its liabilities with the Company’s investment portfolio, which consists of predominantly floating rate loans. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the Reopened 2024 Notes is three-month LIBOR plus 2.46%.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 the components of interest expense related to the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes were as follows:

 

 

Total interest expense in the table above does not include the effect of the interest rate swaps related to the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company received $8.5 million and $6.3 million, respectively, and paid $8.6 million and $6.0 million, respectively, related to the settlements of its interest rate swaps related to the Notes. These net amounts are included in interest expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Please see Note 5 for further information about the Company’s interest rate swaps.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of the carrying value of the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes and the stated interest rates were as follows:

 

 

The stated interest rate in the table above does not include the effect of the interest rate swaps. The Company’s swap-adjusted interest rate on the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes is three month LIBOR plus 1.99% and 2.25% respectively.

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As of December 31, 2018, the components of the carrying value of the 2023 Notes and the stated interest rate were as follows:

 

 

The stated interest rate in the table above does not include the effect of the interest rate swaps. The Company’s swap-adjusted interest rate on the 2023 Notes is three month LIBOR plus 1.99%.

As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the indentures governing the 2023 Notes and 2024 Notes.

 

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies

Portfolio Company Commitments

From time to time, the Company may enter into commitments to fund investments; such commitments are incorporated into the Company’s assessment of its liquidity position. The Company’s senior secured revolving loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and may remain outstanding until the maturity date of the applicable loan. The Company’s senior secured term loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and, once drawn, generally have the same remaining term as the associated loan agreement. Undrawn senior secured delayed draw term loan commitments generally have a shorter availability period than the term of the associated loan agreement.

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As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had the following commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:

 

 

 

Other Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any unfunded commitments to fund investments to new borrowers that were not current portfolio companies as of such date.

From time to time, the Company may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of its business. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, management is not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation that would require accounting recognition or financial statement disclosure.

 

 

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9. Net Assets

In March 2018, the Company issued a total of 3,750,000 shares of common stock at $17.45 per share. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, the Company received total cash proceeds of $63.0 million. Subsequent to the offering the Company issued an additional 522,224 shares in April 2018 pursuant to the overallotment option granted to underwriters and received, net of underwriting fees, total cash proceeds of $8.8 million.

The Company has a dividend reinvestment plan, whereby the Company may buy shares of its common stock in the open market or issue new shares in order to satisfy dividend reinvestment requests. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the cash dividend or distribution payable to a stockholder by the market price per share of the Company’s common stock at the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the payment date of a distribution, or if no sale is reported for such day, the average of the reported bid and ask prices. However, if the market price per share on the payment date of a cash dividend or distribution exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share, the Company will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share (or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeded the most recently computed net asset value per share). Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator will be allocated to a stockholder based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of common stock purchased in the open market.

Pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, the following tables summarize the shares issued to stockholders who have not opted out of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. All shares issued to stockholders in the tables below are newly issued shares.

 

 

 

On August 4, 2015, the Company's Board approved a stock repurchase plan, the Company 10b5-1 Plan, to acquire up to $50 million in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock at prices just below the Company’s net asset value per share over an initial six month period, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and has continued to authorize extensions of the plan termination date prior to its expiration since that time.

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The Company 10b5-1 Plan is designed to allow the Company to repurchase its common stock at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws. The Company 10b5-1 Plan, as currently in effect, requires Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as agent, to repurchase shares of common stock on the Company’s behalf when the market price per share is just below 1.05x the most recently reported net asset value per share in the Company’s public financial statements or publicly announced by the Company, less the amount of any supplemental dividend that has been publicly announced by the Company but that has yet to be reflected in the net asset value per share most recently reported in public financial statements (including any updates, corrections or adjustments publicly announced by the Company to any such net asset value per share or supplemental dividend). Under the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the agent will increase the volume of purchases made as the price of the Company’s common stock declines, subject to volume restrictions. The timing and amount of any stock repurchases depend on the terms and conditions of the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the market price of the common stock and trading volumes, and no assurance can be given that any particular amount of common stock will be repurchased.

The purchase of shares pursuant to the Company 10b5-1 Plan is intended to satisfy the conditions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, and will otherwise be subject to applicable law, including Regulation M, which may prohibit purchases under certain circumstances.

On November 5, 2019, the Board authorized the extension of the termination date of the Company 10b5-1 Plan to May 31, 2020. Unless extended or terminated by the Board, the Company 10b5-1 Plan will be in effect through the earlier of May 31, 2020 or such time as the current approved repurchase amount of up to $50 million has been fully utilized, subject to certain conditions.

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, no shares were repurchased under the Company 10b5-1 Plan.

 

 

10. Earnings per share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

For the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per common share, the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the year ended December 31, 2019 was less than the conversion price for the 2022 Convertible Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2019, and the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, was less than the conversion price for the Convertible Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Therefore, for all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements, the underlying shares for the intrinsic value of the embedded options in the Convertible Notes have no impact on the computation of diluted earnings per common share.

 

 

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11. Dividends

The Company has historically paid a dividend to stockholders on a quarterly basis. Following the completion of the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company introduced a dividend framework that provides for a quarterly base dividend and a variable supplemental dividend, subject to satisfaction of certain measurement tests and the approval of the Board.

The following tables summarize dividends declared during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:  

 

 

 

 

 

The dividends declared during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, were derived from net investment income and long-term capital gains, determined on a tax basis.

 

 

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12. Income Taxes

The tax character of shareholder distributions attributable to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

 

 

The tax basis components of distributable earnings for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

 

The following reconciles increase in net assets resulting from operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, to taxable income at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

Note: Taxable income is an estimate and is not fully determined until the Company’s tax return is filed. The Company’s tax year end is March 31^st.

Taxable income generally differs from increase in net assets resulting from operations due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized gains or losses, as unrealized gains or losses are generally not included in taxable income until they are realized.

The Company makes certain adjustments to the classification of stockholders’ equity as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, which include differences in the book and tax basis of certain assets and liabilities, and nondeductible federal taxes or losses among other items. To the extent these differences are permanent, they are charged or credited to additional paid in capital, or distributable earnings, as appropriate. In addition, due to the Company’s differing fiscal, tax, and excise tax year ends, the best estimates available are recorded to the above accounts in the period that such differences arise or are identifiable.

During the period April 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, the Company increased distributable earnings and decreased additional paid in capital by $3.5 million attributable to U.S. federal excise taxes.

During the period April 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, the Company increased distributable earnings and decreased additional paid in capital by $2.5 million attributable to U.S. federal excise taxes.

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During the period April 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, the Company increased distributable earnings and decreased additional paid in capital by $2.1 million attributable to U.S. federal excise taxes.

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, TSL MR, LLC, is a taxable subsidiary in which the Company holds certain equity investments. TSL MR, LLC is not consolidated for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense as a result of its ownership of certain portfolio companies. The income tax expense, or benefit, and the related tax assets and liabilities, if any, are reflected in our Statement of Operations.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a deferred tax asset of $5.9 million pertaining to operating losses, related to one of its investments. Given the losses generated by the entity, the deferred tax asset has been offset by a valuation allowance of $5.9 million.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a deferred tax asset of $4.4 million pertaining to operating losses, related to one of its investments. Given the losses generated by the entity, the deferred tax asset has been offset by a valuation allowance of $4.4 million.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a deferred tax asset of $2.9 million pertaining to operating losses, related to one of its investments. Given the losses generated by the entity, the deferred tax asset has been offset by a valuation allowance of $2.9 million.

The tax cost of the Company’s investments as of December 31, 2019 was $2,230,116, resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $87,386 and $78,478, respectively. The tax cost of the Company’s investments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximates their amortized cost.

 

 

13. Financial Highlights

The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements. The following are the financial highlights for one share of common stock outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

 

 

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14. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. Subsequent Events

The Company’s management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements included herein. There have been no subsequent events, except as already disclosed, that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this Form 10-K or would be required to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019.  

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us that is required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 COSO Framework). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is set forth under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” on page F-2.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

 

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PART III

 

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Except for the information regarding the SOX Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (which is set forth below), information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

Our SOX Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may be found at http://www.tpgspecialtylending.com in the “Investor Resources” section of our website. We intend to disclose any substantive amendments to or waivers of required provisions of the SOX Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website or on a current report on Form 8-K.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIP AND RELATED TRANSACTION, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

 

 

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PART IV

 

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:

 

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ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not applicable.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael Fishman, Joshua Easterly, Ian Simmonds, David Stiepleman and Jennifer Gordon, and each of them, such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and revocation, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign one or more Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and any and all amendments thereto, and to file same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 19, 2020.

 

 

 

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Exhibit 4.10

TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

DESCRIPTION OF Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TSLX.” There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Delaware law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

The following presents our outstanding classes of securities as of February 19, 2020:

 

The following description is based on relevant portions of the Delaware General Corporate Law, or the DGCL, and on our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “certificate of incorporation”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “bylaws”), both incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the DGCL and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.  As of February 19, 2020, there are no outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Terms of Common Stock

Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, and holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, subject to the rights of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends declared by our board of directors (the “Board”), subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to receive ratably our net assets available after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and will be subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. In addition, holders of our common stock may participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The following summary outlines certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation regarding anti-takeover provisions. These provisions could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, or to change the composition of our Board. 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. These measures, however, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders and could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices. These attempts could also have the effect of increasing our expenses and disrupting our normal operation. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging acquisition proposals because the negotiation of the proposals may improve their terms.

 

 

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We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with “interested stockholders” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes certain mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to exceptions (including an exception for our Adviser and certain of its affiliates), an “interested stockholder” with which business combinations may be restricted is a person that, together with its affiliates and associates, owns, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and within the prior three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that:

 

The classification of our Board and the limitations on removal of directors and filling of vacancies could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring us. 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.

Our bylaws also provide that:

Our bylaws provide that for nominations and any other matters to be considered “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder must comply with requirements regarding advance notice to us. The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee 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. Our certificate of incorporation further provides that stockholders may not take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions may discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called stockholders’ meeting, and not by written consent.

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws requires a greater percentage. Our certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the holders of our capital stock then outstanding and entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, to amend certain specified provisions of the certificate relating to our Board, limitation of liability, indemnification procedures, and amendments to our certificate of incorporation.

Our certificate of incorporation permits our Board to amend or repeal our bylaws. Our bylaws generally can be amended or repealed by approval of at least 75% of the total number of authorized directors then in office. Additionally, our stockholders have the power to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws, upon the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the holders of our capital stock then outstanding and entitled to vote on any matter.

 

 

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A director may be removed from office, but only for cause and at a meeting called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of 75% of the holders of our capital stock then outstanding and entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

In addition, our certificate of incorporation requires the favorable vote of a majority of our Board followed by the favorable vote of the holders of at least 75% of our outstanding shares of common stock, to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions with 10% or greater holders of our outstanding common stock and their affiliates or associates, unless the transaction has been approved by at least 80% of our Board, in which case approval by “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act) will be required. For purposes of these provisions, a 10% or greater holder of our outstanding common stock, or a principal stockholder, refers to any person who, whether directly or indirectly and whether alone or together with its affiliates and associates, beneficially owns 10% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

The 10% holder transactions subject to these special approval requirements are:

To convert us to an open-end investment company, to merge or consolidate us with any entity in a transaction as a result of which the governing documents of the surviving entity do not contain substantially the same anti-takeover provisions as are provided in our certificate of incorporation, to liquidate and dissolve us or to amend any of the provisions discussed herein, our certificate of incorporation requires the favorable vote of at least 80% of the holders of our common stock then outstanding, or the approval of a majority of the continuing directors and at least 75% of the holders of our capital stock then outstanding entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. If approved in the foregoing manner, our conversion to an open-end investment company could not occur until 90 days after the stockholders’ meeting at which the conversion was approved and would also require at least 30 days’ prior notice to all stockholders. As part of the conversion to an open-end investment company, substantially all of our investment policies and strategies and portfolio would have to be modified to assure the degree of portfolio liquidity required for open-end investment companies. In the event of conversion, the common shares would cease to be listed on any national securities exchange or market system. Stockholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time, except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act, at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. You should assume that it is not likely that our Board would vote to convert us to an open-end fund.

The 1940 Act defines “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” as the lesser of:

 

 

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For the purposes of calculating “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” under our certificate of incorporation, each class and series of our shares will vote together as a single class, except to the extent required by the 1940 Act or our certificate of incorporation, with respect to any class or series of shares. If a separate class vote is required, the applicable proportion of shares of the class or series, voting as a separate class or series, also will be required.

Our Board has determined that provisions with respect to the Board and the stockholder voting requirements described above, which voting requirements are greater than the minimum requirements under Delaware law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interest of stockholders generally.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.17

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

NINTH AMENDMENT

TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS NINTH AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 31, 2020 (this “Amendment”), to the Existing Credit Agreement (capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in Article I) is among TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the LENDERS party hereto and TRUIST BANK (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders party hereto (other than Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”)) and the Administrative Agent are parties to the Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2014 (as amended by the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2014, the Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2014, the Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2014, the Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2015, the Fifth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2016, the Sixth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2018, the Seventh Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2018, and the Eighth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2019 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), and by this Amendment and as the same may be further amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, RBC desires to become a party to the Credit Agreement as a Lender; and

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders agree to amend the Existing Credit Agreement, and the Lenders party hereto are willing, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, to agree to the amendment set forth below and the other terms hereof;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

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ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1.  Certain Definitions.  The following terms when used in this Amendment shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

“Amendment” is defined in the preamble.

“Borrower” is defined in the preamble.

“Credit Agreement” is defined in the first recital.

“Existing Credit Agreement” is defined in the first recital.

“Ninth Amendment Effective Date” is defined in Article IV

“RBC” is defined in the first recital.

SECTION 1.2.  Other Definitions.  Capitalized terms for which meanings are provided in the Existing Credit Agreement are, unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, used in this Amendment with such meanings.

ARTICLE II

JOINDER OF RBC TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Subject to the occurrence of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date (as hereinafter defined), each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that RBC will (and does hereby) become a “Lender” under and for all purposes of the Credit Agreement with a Multicurrency Commitment equal to $25,000,000 and RBC hereby agrees to be bound by and comply with all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement applicable to it as a “Lender” and “Extending Lender” thereunder and that it will perform all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender or Extending Lender, as applicable.  RBC represents and warrants that it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute this Amendment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement.

ARTICLE III

AMENDMENT TO EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT

Subject to the occurrence of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement is amended in accordance with this Article III.

SECTION 3.1.  Amendments to Credit Agreement.  The Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

SECTION 3.2.  Amendments to Schedule 1.01(b). Schedule 1.01(b) to the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

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ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

SECTION 4.1.  Effective Date.  This Amendment shall become effective on the date (the “Ninth Amendment Effective Date”) when the Administrative Agent shall have received (a) counterparts of this Amendment duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower and each of the Lenders party hereto, (b) a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto and dated as of the date hereof) of (i) Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York counsel for the Borrower, and (ii) Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, Delaware counsel for the Borrower, in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (and the Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinions to the Lenders party hereto and the Administrative Agent), (c) such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower, the authorization of this Amendment and any other legal matters relating to the Borrower, this Amendment, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel and (d) for the benefit of Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders party hereto, as applicable, fees and expenses owing by the Borrower in connection with this Amendment as of the date hereof.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 5.1.  Representations.  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) this Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of it, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, (ii) upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall exist and (iii) its representations and warranties as set forth in the Loan Documents, as applicable, are true and correct in all material respects (except those representations and warranties qualified by materiality or by reference to a material adverse effect, which are true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of the date hereof (unless such representations and warranties specifically refer to a previous day, in which case, they shall be complete and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to such representations or warranties qualified by materiality or by reference to a material adverse effect, complete and correct in all respects) on and as of such previous day).

SECTION 5.2.  Cross-References.  References in this Amendment to any Article or Section are, unless otherwise specified, to such Article or Section of this Amendment.

SECTION 5.3.  Loan Document Pursuant to Existing Credit Agreement.  This Amendment is a Loan Document executed pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly indicated therein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with all of the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, including Article IX thereof.

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SECTION 5.4.  Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of this Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 5.5.  Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy or electronically (e.g. pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

SECTION 5.6.  Governing Law.  This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 5.7.  Full Force and Effect; Limited Amendment.  Except as expressly amended hereby, all of the representations, warranties, terms, covenants, conditions and other provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and shall continue to be, and shall remain, in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms.  The amendment set forth herein shall be limited precisely as provided for herein to the provisions expressly amended herein and shall not be deemed to be an amendment to, waiver of, consent to or modification of any other terms or provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or of any transaction or further or future action on the part of the Borrower.  Upon and after the execution of this Amendment by each of the parties hereto, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified hereby.

SECTION 5.8.  Reaffirmation.  Each of TSL MR, LLC, TC Lending, LLC and TPG SL SPV, LLC hereby consents to the terms of this Amendment, confirms that its Guarantee under the Guarantee and Security Agreement remains unaltered and in full force and effect and hereby reaffirms, ratifies and confirms the terms and conditions of the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
SENIOR SECURED
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

 

February 27, 2014

as amended by the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 3, 2014, the Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2014, the Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 17, 2014, the Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 2, 2015, the Fifth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2016, the Sixth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of February 20, 2018, the Seventh Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of November 5, 2018, the Eighth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of February 14, 2019 and the Ninth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of January 31, 2020

among

TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.

as Borrower

The LENDERS Party Hereto

and

TRUIST BANK (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank)
as Administrative Agent

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
as Syndication Agent

$1,315,000,000
__________________

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners

MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.

as a Joint Lead Arranger

 

 

 

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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 27, 2014, as amended as of June 3, 2014, as of June 27, 2014, as of October 17, 2014, as of October 2, 2015, as of December 22, 2016, as of February 20, 2018, as of November 5, 2018, as of February 14, 2019 and as of January 31, 2020 (this “Agreement”), among TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the LENDERS party hereto, and TRUIST BANK (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent.

The original Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement was dated as of August 23, 2012 and was amended and restated pursuant to the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of July 2, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Effective Date, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto (collectively, the “Existing Lenders”) and the Administrative Agent, the Existing Lenders agreed to make extensions of credit to the Borrower on the terms and conditions set forth therein, including making loans (the “Existing Loans”) to the Borrower.

The Borrower has requested that the Existing Credit Agreement be amended and restated in its entirety to become effective and binding on the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and the Lenders (including certain of the Existing Lenders) have agreed (subject to the terms of this Agreement) to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety to read as set forth in this Agreement, and it has been agreed by the parties to the Existing Credit Agreement that (a) the commitments which the Existing Lenders have agreed to extend to the Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be extended or advanced upon the amended and restated terms and conditions contained in this Agreement; and (b) the Existing Loans and other obligations outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be governed by and deemed to be outstanding under the amended and restated terms and conditions contained in this Agreement on and after the date hereof, with the intent that the terms of this Agreement shall supersede the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement (each of which shall hereafter have no further effect upon the parties thereto, other than for accrued and unpaid fees and expenses, and indemnification provisions accrued and owing, under the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement on or prior to the Effective Date or arising (in the case of indemnification) under the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement).

The parties hereto hereby agree to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement, and the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

“2022 Convertible Notes” means the Borrower’s $172,500,000 aggregate principal amount convertible notes due August 2022.

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“2023 Notes” means the Borrower’s $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount notes due January 2023 issued in January 2018.

“2024 Notes” means the Borrower’s $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount notes due November 2024.

“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans constituting such Borrowing, are denominated in Dollars and bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

“Adjusted Borrowing Base” means the Borrowing Base minus the aggregate amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents included in the Portfolio Investments held by the Obligors (provided that Cash Collateral for outstanding Letters of Credit shall not be treated as a portion of the Portfolio Investments).

“Adjusted Covered Debt Balance” means, on any date, the aggregate Covered Debt Amount on such date minus the aggregate amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents included in the Portfolio Investments held by the Obligors (provided that Cash Collateral for outstanding Letters of Credit shall not be treated as a portion of the Portfolio Investments).

“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means (a) for the Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a LIBO Quoted Currency, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (i) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (ii) the Statutory Reserve Rate for such Interest Period and (b) for the Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Non-LIBO Quoted Currency an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period.

“Administrative Agent” means Truist, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

“Administrative Agent Appraisal Testing Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(ii)(E)(y).

“Administrative Agent’s Account” means, for each Currency, an account in respect of such Currency designated by the Administrative Agent in a notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“Advance Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

“Affected Currency” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13.

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“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the term “Affiliate” shall not include any Person that constitutes an Investment held by any Obligor or Financing Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided that the term “Affiliate” shall include any Financing Subsidiary.

“Affiliate Agreements” means collectively, (a) the Administration Agreement dated as of March 15, 2011 between the Borrower and the External Manager, (b) the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory and Management Agreement dated as of December 12, 2011 between the Borrower and the External Manager and (c) the License Agreement dated as of March 14, 2011 between the Borrower and Tarrant Capital IP, LLC.

“Agreed Foreign Currency” means, at any time, (i) any of Canadian Dollars, English Pounds Sterling, Euros, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollars, Swiss Franc, Swedish Krona and New Zealand Dollars, and (ii) with the agreement of each Multicurrency Lender, any other Foreign Currency, so long as, in respect of any such specified Foreign Currency or other Foreign Currency, at such time (a) such Foreign Currency is dealt with in the London interbank deposit market, (b) such Foreign Currency is freely transferable and convertible into Dollars in the London foreign exchange market or the relevant local market, if applicable, and (c) no central bank or other governmental authorization in the country of issue of such Foreign Currency (including, in the case of the Euro, any authorization by the European Central Bank) is required to permit use of such Foreign Currency by any Multicurrency Lender for making any Loan hereunder and/or to permit the Borrower to borrow and repay the principal thereof and to pay the interest thereon, unless such authorization has been obtained and is in full force and effect.

“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement

“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) zero, (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (d) the rate per annum equal to 1% plus the rate as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets System (or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), for Dollar deposits with a term of one month.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the rate as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets System (or successor therefor) as set forth above shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such rate as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets System (or successor therefor), respectively.  

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“Applicable Dollar Percentage” means, with respect to any Dollar Lender, the percentage of the total Dollar Commitments represented by such Dollar Lender’s Dollar Commitment.  If the Dollar Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Dollar Percentages shall be determined based upon the Dollar Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, on and after the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for any Non-Extending Lender, the Applicable Dollar Percentage of such Non-Extending Lender that is a Dollar Lender shall be 0%.

“Applicable Financial Statements” means, as at any date, the most-recent audited financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the Lenders; provided that if immediately prior to the delivery to the Lenders of new audited financial statements of the Borrower a Material Adverse Change (the “Pre-existing MAC”) shall exist (regardless of when it occurred), then the “Applicable Financial Statements” as at said date means the Applicable Financial Statements in effect immediately prior to such delivery until such time as the Pre-existing MAC shall no longer exist.

“Applicable Multicurrency Percentage” means, with respect to any Multicurrency Lender, the percentage of the total Multicurrency Commitments represented by such Multicurrency Lender’s Multicurrency Commitment.  If the Multicurrency Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Multicurrency Percentages shall be determined based upon the Multicurrency Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, on and after the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for any Non-Extending Lender, the Applicable Multicurrency Percentage of such Non-Extending Lender that is a Multicurrency Lender shall be 0%.

“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment.  If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, on and after the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for any Non-Extending Lender, the Applicable Percentage of such Non-Extending Lender shall be 0%.

“Approved Dealer” means (a) in the case of any Portfolio Investment that is not a U.S. Government Security, a bank or a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of nationally recognized standing or an Affiliate thereof, (b) in the case of a U.S.  Government Security, any primary dealer in U.S. Government Securities, and (c) in the case of any foreign Portfolio Investment, any foreign broker-dealer of internationally recognized standing or an Affiliate thereof, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c) above, as set forth on Schedule 1.01(a) or any other bank or broker-dealer acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable determination.

“Approved Pricing Service” means a pricing or quotation service as set forth in Schedule 1.01(a) or any other pricing or quotation service approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower and designated in writing to the Administrative Agent (which designation shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Borrower that such pricing or quotation service has been approved by the Borrower).

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“Approved Third-Party Appraiser” means any Independent nationally recognized third-party appraisal firm (a) designated by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent (which designation shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Borrower that such firm has been approved by the Borrower for purposes of assisting the Board of Directors of the Borrower in making valuations of portfolio assets to determine the Borrower’s compliance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act) and (b) acceptable to the Administrative Agent.  It is understood and agreed that Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Capital, Inc., Duff & Phelps LLC, Murray, Devine and Company, Lincoln International LLC (formerly known as Lincoln Partners LLC) and Valuation Research Corporation are acceptable to the Administrative Agent.  As used in Section 5.12 hereof, an “Approved Third-Party Appraiser selected by the Administrative Agent” shall mean any of the firms identified in the preceding sentence and any other Independent nationally recognized third-party appraisal firm identified by the Administrative Agent and consented to by the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).

“Assignment and Assumption” means an Assignment and Assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A (with adjustments thereto to reflect the Classes of Commitments and/or Loans being assigned or outstanding at the time of the respective assignment) or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Assuming Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Availability Period” means (a) in the case of any Extending Lender (with respect to such Extending Lender’s Extended Loans), the Extended Availability Period or (b) in the case of any Non-Extending Lender (with respect to such Non-Extending Lender’s Non-Extended Loans), the Non-Extended Availability Period for such Non-Extending Lender, as applicable.

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

“Benchmark Replacement” means the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate (which may include Term SOFR) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement to the LIBO Rate for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than zero, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

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“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the LIBO Rate with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for each applicable Interest Period, 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 by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the LIBO Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the LIBO Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “ABR,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters) that the Administrative Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the LIBO Rate: (1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark 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 LIBO Rate permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the LIBO Rate; or (2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the LIBO Rate: (1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the LIBO Rate announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the LIBO 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 LIBO Rate; (2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Rate, the U.S. Federal Reserve System, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the LIBO Rate, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the LIBO Rate or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the LIBO Rate, which states that the administrator of the LIBO Rate has ceased or will cease to provide the LIBO 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 LIBO Rate; or (3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Rate announcing that the LIBO Rate is no longer representative.

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“Benchmark Transition Start Date” means (a) in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (i) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (ii) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90^th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication) and (b) in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the date specified by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, as applicable, by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (in the case of such notice by the Required Lenders) and the Lenders.

“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the LIBO Rate and solely to the extent that the LIBO Rate has not been replaced with a Benchmark Replacement, the period (x) beginning at the time that such Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the LIBO Rate for all purposes hereunder in accordance with Section 2.22 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the LIBO Rate for all purposes hereunder pursuant to Section 2.22.

“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

“Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Borrower Asset Coverage Ratio” means the ratio, determined on a consolidated basis for the Obligors, without duplication, of (a) (i) Total Assets minus (ii) Total Assets Concentration Limitation to (b) (i) Total Secured Debt plus (ii) the aggregate amount of senior securities representing unsecured indebtedness of the Obligors as of such date of determination with a maturity date that is within 90 days of such date of determination.

“Borrower Net Worth” means, as of any date of determination, (a) Total Assets as of such date minus (b) the sum of (i) Total Assets Concentration Limitation as of such date plus (ii) Total Secured Debt as of such date.

“Borrowing” means (a) all Syndicated ABR Loans of the same Class made, converted or continued on the same date, (b) all Eurocurrency Loans of the same Class denominated in the same Currency that have the same Interest Period or (c) a Swingline Loan.

“Borrowing Base” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit B and appropriately completed.

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“Borrowing Base Deficiency” means, at any date on which the same is determined, the amount, if any, that (a) the aggregate Covered Debt Amount as of such date exceeds (b) the Borrowing Base as of such date.

“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Syndicated Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03, which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

“Business Day” means any day (a) that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta, Georgia are authorized or required by law to remain closed, (b) if such day relates to a borrowing of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, a continuation or conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars, or to a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such borrowing, payment, prepayment, continuation, conversion, or Interest Period, that is also a day on which dealings in deposits denominated in Dollars are carried out in the London interbank market and (c) if such day relates to a borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, or the Interest Period for, any Borrowing denominated in any Foreign Currency, or to a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such borrowing, continuation, payment, prepayment or Interest Period, that is also a day on which commercial banks and the London foreign exchange market settle payments in the Principal Financial Center for such Foreign Currency.

“Calculation Amount” shall mean, as of the end of any Testing Period, an amount equal to the greater of: (a) (i) 125% of the Adjusted Covered Debt Balance (as of the end of such Testing Period) minus (ii) the aggregate Value of all Quoted Investments included in the Borrowing Base (as of the end of such Testing Period) and (b) 10% of the aggregate Value of all Unquoted Investments included in the Borrowing Base (as of the end of such Testing Period); provided that in no event shall more than 25% (or, if clause (b) applies, 10%, or as near thereto as reasonably practicable) of the aggregate Value of the Unquoted Investments in the Borrowing Base be tested in respect of any applicable Testing Period.

“CAM Exchange” means the exchange of the Lenders’ interests provided for in Article VII.

“CAM Exchange Date” means the date on which any Event of Default referred to in clause (j) of Article VII shall occur or the date on which the Borrower receives written notice from the Administrative Agent that any Event of Default referred to in clause (i) of Article VII has occurred.

“CAM Percentage” means, as to each Lender, a fraction, expressed as a decimal, of which (a) the numerator shall be the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the Designated Obligations owed to such Lender (whether or not at the time due and payable) immediately prior to the CAM Exchange Date and (b) the denominator shall be the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of the Designated Obligations owed to all the Lenders (whether or not at the time due and payable) immediately prior to the CAM Exchange Date.

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“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash” means any immediately available funds in Dollars or in any currency other than Dollars (measured in terms of the Dollar Equivalent thereof) which is a freely convertible currency.

“Cash Collateralize” means, in respect of a Letter of Credit or any obligation hereunder, to provide and pledge cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(k), at a location and pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

“Cash Equivalents” means investments (other than Cash) that are one or more of the following obligations:

(a)U.S. Government Securities, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b)investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least A‑1 from S&P and at least P‑1 from Moody’s (or if only one of S&P or Moody’s provides such rating, such investment shall also have an equivalent credit rating from any other rating agency);

(c)investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof (i) issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or under the laws of the jurisdiction or any constituent jurisdiction thereof of any Agreed Foreign Currency; provided that such certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits are held in a securities account (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) through which the Collateral Agent can perfect a security interest therein and (ii) having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least A‑1 from S&P and at least P‑1 from Moody’s (or if only one of S&P or Moody’s provides such rating, such investment shall also have an equivalent credit rating from any other rating agency);

(d)fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days from the date of acquisition thereof for U.S. Government Securities and entered into with (i) a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) of this definition or (ii) an Approved Dealer having (or being a member of a consolidated group having) at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least A‑1 from S&P and at least P‑1 from Moody’s (or if only one of S&P or Moody’s provides such rating, such investment shall also have an equivalent credit rating from any other rating agency); and

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(e)investments in money market funds that invest solely, and which are restricted by their respective charters to invest solely, in investments of the type described in the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (d) above (including as to credit quality and maturity).

provided that (i) in no event shall Cash Equivalents include any obligation that provides for the payment of interest alone (for example, interest-only securities or “IOs”); (ii) if any of Moody’s or S&P changes its rating system, then any ratings included in this definition shall be deemed to be an equivalent rating in a successor rating category of Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be; (iii) Cash Equivalents (other than U.S. Government Securities, repurchase agreements or the money market funds described in clause (e) of this definition of Cash Equivalents) shall not include any such investment of more than 10% of total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in any single issuer; and (iv) in no event shall Cash Equivalents include any obligation that is not denominated in Dollars or an Agreed Foreign Currency.

“CDOR Rate” means, the rate per annum, equal to the average of the annual yield rates applicable to Canadian Dollar banker’s acceptances at or about 10:00a.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on the first day of such Interest Period (or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day) as reported on the “CDOR Page” (or any display substituted therefor) of Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page or commercially available source displaying Canadian interbank bid rates for Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) for a term equivalent to such Interest Period (or if such Interest Period is not equal to a number of months, for a term equivalent to the number of months closest to such Interest Period).

“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than  TSSP Management Holdings, L.P or any of its Affiliates that are in the business of managing and advising clients, of shares representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the requisite members of the board of directors of the Borrower nor (ii) appointed by a majority of the directors so nominated; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Borrower by any Person or group other than TSSP Management Holdings, L.P or any of its Affiliates that are in the business of managing and advising clients; or (d) the External Manager ceases to be Controlled by TSSP Management Holdings, L.P.

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of (a) the adoption of any law, treaty or governmental rule or regulation or any change in any law, treaty or governmental rule or regulation or in the interpretation, administration or application thereof (regardless of whether the underlying law, treaty or governmental rule or regulation was issued or enacted prior to the date hereof), but excluding proposals thereof, or any determination of a court or Governmental Authority, (b) any guideline, request or directive by any Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law) or any implementation rules or interpretations of previously issued guidelines, requests or directives, in each case that is issued or made after the date hereof or (c) compliance by any Lender (or its applicable lending office) or any company

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controlling such Lender with any guideline, request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, in each case adopted after the date hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning liquidity and capital adequacy issued (i) by any United States regulatory authority under or in connection with the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and (ii) by any Governmental Authority in connection with the implementation of the recommendations of the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor or similar authority), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.

“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans constituting such Borrowing, are Syndicated Dollar Loans, Syndicated Multicurrency Loans or Swingline Loans; when used in reference to any Lender’s (i) Class of Commitment, refers to whether such Lender is a Dollar Lender or a Multicurrency Lender and (ii) Class of Final Maturity Date, refers to whether such Lender is an Extending Lender or a Non-Extending Lender; and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Dollar Commitment or a Multicurrency Commitment.  The “Class” of a Letter of Credit refers to whether such Letter of Credit is a Dollar Letter of Credit or a Multicurrency Letter of Credit.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

“Collateral Agent” means Truist in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Guarantee and Security Agreement, and includes any successor Collateral Agent thereunder.

“Collateral Pool” means, at any time, each Portfolio Investment that has been Delivered (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) to the Collateral Agent and is subject to the Lien of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, and then only for so long as such Portfolio Investment continues to be Delivered as contemplated therein and in which the Collateral Agent has a first-priority perfected Lien as security for the Secured Obligations (as such term is defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) (subject to any Lien permitted by Section 6.02 hereof); provided that in the case of any Portfolio Investment in which the Collateral Agent has a first-priority perfected security interest pursuant to a valid Uniform Commercial Code filing (and for which no other method of perfection with a higher priority is possible), such Portfolio Investment may be included in the Borrowing Base so long as all remaining actions to complete “Delivery” are satisfied in full within 7 days of such inclusion.

“Combined Debt Amount” means, as of any date, (i) the aggregate amount of Commitments as of such date (or, if greater, the Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders as of such date) plus (ii) the aggregate amount of outstanding Designated Indebtedness (as such term is defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) and, without duplication, the aggregate amount of unused commitments under any Designated Indebtedness (as such term is defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement).

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“Commitments” means, collectively, the Dollar Commitments and the Multicurrency Commitments.

“Commitment Increase” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Commitment Increase Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Commitment Termination Date” means the Extended Commitment Termination Date or the relevant Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date, as applicable.

“Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio” means the ratio, determined on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its Subsidiaries, without duplication, (a) the value of total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities to (b) the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including this Agreement), in each case as determined pursuant to the Investment Company Act and any orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued to or with respect to Borrower thereunder, including any exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the indebtedness of any SBIC Subsidiary.

“Consolidated Group” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(a).

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto; provided, however, “Control” shall not include “negative” control or “blocking” rights whereby action cannot be taken without the vote or consent of any Person.

“Covered Debt Amount” means, on any date, the sum of (x) all of the Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders on such date plus (y) the aggregate amount of Other Covered Indebtedness, the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes, the 2024 Notes, Special Unsecured Indebtedness and Unsecured Longer Term Indebtedness on such date minus (z) the LC Exposures fully Cash Collateralized on such date pursuant to Section 2.05(k) and the last paragraph of Section 2.09(a); provided that the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes, the 2024 Notes, Special Unsecured Indebtedness and Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness shall be excluded from the calculation of the Covered Debt Amount, in each case, until the date that is nine (9) months prior to the scheduled maturity date of the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes, the 2024 Notes, Special Unsecured Indebtedness or such Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, as applicable (provided that, to the extent, but only to the extent, any portion of the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes, the 2024 Notes, Special Unsecured Indebtedness or Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness is subject to a contractually scheduled amortization payment or other principal payment or mandatory redemption (other than in common stock of the Borrower) earlier than six (6) months after the Final Maturity Date (in the case of the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes, the 2024 Notes and Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness) or earlier than the original final maturity date of such Indebtedness (in the case of Special Unsecured Indebtedness), such portion of such Indebtedness, to the extent then outstanding, shall be included in the calculation of the

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Covered Debt Amount beginning upon the date that is the later of (i) nine (9) months prior to such scheduled amortization payment or other principal payment or mandatory redemption and (ii) the date the Borrower becomes aware that such Indebtedness is required to be paid or redeemed). For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of calculating the Covered Debt Amount, any convertible securities will be included at the then outstanding principal balance thereof.

“Currency” means Dollars or any Foreign Currency.

“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.19(b), any Lender that, during such Lender’s Availability Period, (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s reasonable determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with the applicable default, if any, shall be specifically identified in detail in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s reasonable determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with the applicable default, if any, shall be specifically identified in detail in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by Administrative Agent and Borrower), or (d) Administrative Agent has received notification that such Lender has become, or has a direct or indirect parent company that is, (i) insolvent, or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (ii) other than via an Undisclosed Administration, the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation or similar proceeding, or a receiver, trustee, conservator, intervenor or sequestrator or the like has been appointed for such Lender or its direct or indirect parent company, or such Lender or its direct or indirect parent company has taken any action in furtherance of or indicating its consent to or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (iii) the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject,

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repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.19(b)) upon such determination (and the Administrative Agent shall deliver written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank and each Lender and each Swingline Lender).

“Designated Obligations” means all obligations of the Borrower with respect to (a) principal of and interest on the Loans and (b) accrued and unpaid fees under the Loan Documents.

“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith; provided that the term “Disposition” or “Dispose” shall not include the disposition of Investments originated by the Borrower and immediately transferred to a Financing Subsidiary pursuant to a transaction not prohibited hereunder.

“Dollar Commitment” means, with respect to each Dollar Lender during such Dollar Lender’s Availability Period, the commitment of such Dollar Lender to make Syndicated Loans, and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, denominated in Dollars hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The amount of each Lender’s Dollar Commitment as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date is set forth on Schedule 1.01(b), or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Dollar Commitment, as applicable.  The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Dollar Commitments as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date is $315,000,000.

“Dollar Equivalent” means, on any date of determination, with respect to an amount denominated in any Foreign Currency, the amount of Dollars that would be required to purchase such amount of such Foreign Currency on the date two Business Days prior to such date, based upon the spot selling rate at which the Administrative Agent offers to sell such Foreign Currency for Dollars in the London foreign exchange market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, for delivery two Business Days later.

“Dollar LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Dollar Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements in respect of such Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.  The Dollar LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Dollar Percentage of the total Dollar LC Exposure at such time.

“Dollar Lender” means the Persons listed on Schedule 1.01(b) as having Dollar Commitments and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption that provides for it to assume a Dollar Commitment or to acquire Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

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“Dollar Letters of Credit” means Letters of Credit that utilize the Dollar Commitments.

“Dollar Loan” means a Loan denominated in Dollars.

“Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

“Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of: (a) (i) a determination by the Administrative Agent or (ii) a notification by the Required Lenders to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) that the Required Lenders have determined that Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities being executed at such time, or that include language similar to that contained in Section 2.22, are being executed or amended, as applicable, to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace the LIBO Rate, and (b) (i) the election by the Administrative Agent or (ii) the election by the Required Lenders to declare that an Early Opt-in Election has occurred and the provision, as applicable, by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Borrower and the Lenders or by the Required Lenders of written notice of such election to the Administrative Agent.

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02), which date is February 27, 2014.

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests or equivalents (however designated, including any instrument treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

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“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

“Euro” means a single currency of the Participating Member States.

“Eurocurrency”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans constituting such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income (however denominated), net profits, franchise Taxes and branch profits or any similar Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed by the United States of America (or any state or political subdivision thereof), or by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (ii) any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction by reason of the recipient having any present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely from entering into, receiving any payment under or enforcing its rights under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or selling or assigning an interest in any Loan or Loan Document), (b)  in the case of a Lender, any Taxes that are U.S. withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Lender (i) at the time such Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.18(b)) becomes a party to this Agreement or designates a new lending office, except to the extent that such Lender’s assignor or such Lender was entitled to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.16, at the time of such assignment or designation (other than to the extent such withholding is as a result of a CAM Exchange), or (ii) that is attributable to such Lender’s failure

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or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law occurring after the date such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) to comply with Section 2.16(f), (d) any U.S. federal, state or local backup withholding Taxes imposed on payments made under any Loan Document, and (e) any Taxes that are imposed under FATCA.

“Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Extended Applicable Margin” means, with respect to any Extending Lender: (a) if the Borrowing Base (as of the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate) is equal to or greater than 1.85 times the Combined Debt Amount, (i) with respect to any ABR Loan, 0.75% per annum; and (ii) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, 1.75% per annum and (b) if the Borrowing Base (as of the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate) is less than 1.85 times the Combined Debt Amount (i) with respect to any ABR Loan, 0.875% per annum; and (ii) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, 1.875% per annum.  Any change in the Extended Applicable Margin due to a change in the ratio of the Borrowing Base to the Combined Debt Amount as set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate shall be effective from and including the day immediately succeeding the date of delivery of such Borrowing Base Certificate; provided that if any Borrowing Base Certificate has not been delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(d), then from and including the day immediately succeeding the date on which such Borrowing Base Certificate was required to be delivered, the Extended Applicable Margin shall be the Extended Applicable Margin set forth in clause (b) above to and including the date on which the required Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered.

“Extended Availability Period” means, with respect to any Extending Lender, the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Extended Commitment Termination Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

“Extended Commitment Termination Date” means, with respect to each Extending Lender, January 31, 2024.

“Extended Final Maturity Date” means, with respect to each Extending Lender, January 31, 2025.

“Extended Loans” means Loans or Borrowings of any Extending Lender maturing on the Extended Final Maturity Date.

“Extending Lender” means each Lender designated as an “Extending Lender” on Schedule 1.01(b).

“External Manager” means TSL Advisers, LLC.

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“Extraordinary Receipts” means any cash received by or paid to any Obligor on account of any foreign, United States, state or local tax refunds, pension plan reversions, judgments, proceeds of settlements or other consideration of any kind in connection with any cause of action, condemnation awards (and payments in lieu thereof), indemnity payments received not in the ordinary course of business and any purchase price adjustment received not in the ordinary course of business in connection with any purchase agreement and proceeds of insurance (excluding, however, for the avoidance of doubt, proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests and issuances of Indebtedness by any Obligor); provided that Extraordinary Receipts shall not include any (x) amounts that the Borrower receives from the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16(f), or (y) cash receipts to the extent received from proceeds of insurance, condemnation awards (or payments in lieu thereof), indemnity payments or payments in respect of judgments or settlements of claims, litigation or proceedings to the extent that such proceeds, awards or payments  are received by any Person in respect of any unaffiliated third party claim against or loss by such Person and promptly applied to pay (or to reimburse such Person for its prior payment of) such claim or loss and the costs and expenses of such Person with respect thereto.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any regulations promulgated thereunder and official interpretations thereof and any foreign legislation implemented to give effect to any intergovernmental agreements entered into thereunder and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

“Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.  

“Final Maturity Date” means (i) in the case of any Extending Lender (with respect to such Extending Lender’s Extended Loans), the Extended Final Maturity Date or (ii) in the case of any Non-Extending Lender (with respect to such Non-Extending Lender’s Non-Extended Loans), such Non-Extending Lender’s Non-Extended Final Maturity Date, as applicable.

“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.

“Financing Subsidiary” means an SPE Subsidiary or an SBIC Subsidiary.

“Foreign Currency” means at any time any Currency other than Dollars.

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“Foreign Currency Equivalent” means, with respect to any amount in Dollars, the amount of any Foreign Currency that could be purchased with such amount of Dollars using the reciprocal of the foreign exchange rate(s) specified in the definition of the term “Dollar Equivalent”, as determined by the Administrative Agent.

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a “United States person” as defined under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any (a) direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or its territories or possessions and that is treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, (b) direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower which is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code or (c) direct or indirect Subsidiary that is disregarded as an entity that is separate from its owner for United States federal income tax purposes and substantially all of its assets consist of the Capital Stock of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiaries.

“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s (a) Applicable Dollar Percentage of the outstanding Dollar LC Exposure and (b) Applicable Multicurrency Percentage of the outstanding Multicurrency LC Exposure, in each case with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank other than Dollar LC Exposure or Multicurrency LC Exposure, as the case may be, as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, or of any other nation, or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank, supranational authority or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include (i) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or (ii) customary indemnification agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided that such indemnification obligations are unsecured, such Person has determined that any liability thereunder is remote and such indemnification obligations are not the functional equivalent of the guaranty of a payment obligation of the primary obligor.

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“Guarantee and Security Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Guarantee and Security Agreement dated as of July 2, 2013 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Subsidiary of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, each holder (or a representative or trustee therefor) from time to time of any Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness or Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness, and the Collateral Agent, as the same shall be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Guarantee Assumption Agreement” means a Guarantee Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Guarantee and Security Agreement between the Collateral Agent and an entity that pursuant to Section 5.08 is required to become a “Subsidiary Guarantor” under the Guarantee and Security Agreement (with such changes as the Administrative Agent shall request consistent with the requirements of Section 5.08).

“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange protection agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

“Immaterial Subsidiaries” means those Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are “designated” as Immaterial Subsidiaries by the Borrower from time to time (it being understood that the Borrower may at any time change any such designation); provided that such designated Immaterial Subsidiaries shall collectively meet all of the following criteria as of the date of the most recent balance sheet required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01: (a) the aggregate assets of such Subsidiaries and their Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) as of such date do not exceed an amount equal to 3% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date; and (b) the aggregate revenues of such Subsidiaries and their Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for the fiscal quarter ending on such date do not exceed an amount equal to 3% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period.

“Increasing Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(e)(i).

“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accounts payable and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (with the value of such Indebtedness being the lower of the outstanding amount of such Indebtedness and the fair market value of the property subject to such Lien), (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable

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therefor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” shall not include (x) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset or Investment to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset or Investment or (y) a commitment arising in the ordinary course of business to make a future Portfolio Investment.

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under this Agreement.

“Independent” when used with respect to any specified Person means that such Person (a) does not have any direct financial interest or any material indirect financial interest in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (including its investment advisor or any Affiliate thereof) and (b) is not connected with the Borrower or of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (including its investment advisor or any Affiliate thereof) as an officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or Person performing similar functions.

“Industry Classification Group” means (a) any of the classification groups set forth in Schedule 1.01(c) hereto, together with any such classification groups that may be subsequently established by Moody’s and provided by the Borrower to the Lenders, and (b) up to three additional industry group classifications established by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.12.

“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Syndicated Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any Syndicated ABR Loan, each Quarterly Date, (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of each Interest Period therefor and, in the case of any Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at three-month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

“Interest Period” means, for any Eurocurrency Loan or Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Loan or Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter or, with respect to such portion of any Eurocurrency Loan or Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency that is scheduled to be repaid on the applicable Final Maturity Date, a period of less than one month’s duration commencing on the date of such Loan or Borrowing and ending on the applicable Final Maturity Date, as specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (ii) any Interest Period (other than an Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency that ends on the applicable Final Maturity Date that is permitted to be of less than one month’s duration as provided in this definition) that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest

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Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Loan initially shall be the date on which such Loan is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Loan, and the date of a Syndicated Borrowing comprising Loans that have been converted or continued shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Loans.

“Investment” means, for any Person: (a) Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of any other Person or any agreement to acquire any Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of any other Person (and any rights or proceeds in respect of (x) any “short sale” of securities or (y) any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by such Person); (b) deposits, advances, loans or other extensions of credit made to any other Person (including purchases of property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such property to such Person); or (c) Hedging Agreements.

“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

“Investment Policies” means the investment objectives, policies, restrictions and limitations set forth in the “BUSINESS” section of its Registration Statement, and as the same may be changed, altered, expanded, amended, modified, terminated or restated from time to time.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Issuing Bank” means Truist, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and any other Issuing Bank designated pursuant to Section 2.05(l), in their capacity as the issuers of Letters of Credit hereunder, and their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(j).  In the case of any Letter of Credit to be issued in an Agreed Foreign Currency, Truist and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., respectively, may designate any of their respective affiliates as the “Issuing Bank” for purposes of such Letter of Credit.

“Joint Lead Arrangers” means SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by any Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the Dollar LC Exposure and the Multicurrency LC Exposure.

“Lenders” means, collectively, the Dollar Lenders and the Multicurrency Lenders.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes each Swingline Lender.

“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.

“Letter of Credit Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(k).

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“Letter of Credit Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, collectively, any application therefor and any other agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk with respect to such Letter of Credit or (b) any collateral security for any of such obligations, each as the same may be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“LIBO Quoted Currency” means each of the following currencies: Dollars; Euro; English Pounds Sterling; Japanese Yen; and Swiss Franc; in each case as long as there is a published LIBO rate with respect thereto.

“LIBO Rate” means, for any Interest Period:

(a)in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings denominated in a LIBO Quoted Currency, the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited London interbank offered rate per annum for deposits in the relevant Currency for a period equal to the Interest Period as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets System (or such other page on that service or such other service designated by the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited for the display of such Administration’s London interbank offered rate for deposits in the relevant Currency) as of 11:00 a.m., London time on the day that is two Business Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period (or, solely with respect to Eurocurrency Borrowings in Pounds Sterling, on the first day of the Interest Period) (the “Screen Rate”); provided that if the Administrative Agent determines that the relevant foregoing sources are unavailable for the relevant Interest Period, LIBO Rate shall mean for any LIBO Quoted Currency, the rate of interest determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of the rate per annum at which the Administrative Agent could borrow funds if it were to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers two (2) business days’ preceding the first day of such Interest Period (or, solely with respect to Eurocurrency Borrowings denominated in Pounds Sterling, on the first day of such Interest Period) in the London interbank market for the relevant Currency as of 11:00 a.m. for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period, for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount comparable to the amount of the Administrative Agent’s portion of the relevant Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(b)in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings denominated in Canadian Dollars, the CDOR Rate per annum;

(c)in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings denominated in Australian Dollars, the rate per annum equal to the Bank Bill Swap Reference Bid rate or a successor thereto approved by the Administrative Agent (“BBSY”) as published by Reuters (or such other page or commercially available source providing BBSY (Bid) quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at or about 10:30 a.m. (Melbourne, Australia time) on the day that is two Business Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period (or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

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(d)in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings denominated in New Zealand Dollars, the rate per annum equal to the Bank Bill Reference Bid Rate or a successor thereto approved by the Administrative Agent (“BKBM”) as published by Reuters (or such other page or commercially available source providing BKBM (Bid) quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at or about 10:45 a.m. (Auckland, New Zealand time) on the day that is two Business Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period (or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

(e)in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings denominated in Swedish Krona, the rate per annum equal to the Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate or a successor thereto approved by the Administrative Agent (“STIBOR”) as published by Reuters (or such other page or commercially available source providing STIBOR quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at or about 11:00 a.m. (Stockholm, Sweden time) on the day that is two Business Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period (or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(f)for all Non-LIBO Quoted Currencies (other than Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, New Zealand Dollars or Swedish Krona), the calculation of the applicable reference rate shall be determined in accordance with market practice;

provided in each case, if such rate is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities, except in favor of the issuer thereof (and in the case of Investments that are securities, excluding customary drag-along, tag-along, right of first refusal and other similar rights in favor of the equity holders of the same issuer).

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Letter of Credit Documents, the Security Documents and the First Amendment to this Agreement dated as of June 3, 2014, the Second Amendment to this Agreement dated as of June 27, 2014, the Third Amendment to this Agreement dated as of October 17, 2014, the Fourth Amendment to this Agreement dated as of October 2, 2015, the Fifth Amendment to this Agreement dated as of December 22, 2016, the Sixth Amendment to this Agreement dated as of February 20, 2018, the Seventh Amendment to this Agreement dated as of November 5, 2018, the Eighth Amendment to this Agreement dated as of February 14, 2019 and the Ninth Amendment to this Agreement dated as of January 31, 2020.

“Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

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“Margin Stock” means “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X.

“Material Adverse Change” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(b).

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, Portfolio Investments and other assets, liabilities and financial condition of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Financing Subsidiaries) taken as a whole (excluding in any case a decline in the net asset value of the Borrower or a change in general market conditions or values of the Portfolio Investments), or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

“Material Indebtedness” means (a) Indebtedness (other than the Loans, Letters of Credit and Hedging Agreements), of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000 and (b) obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements under which the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement(s) were terminated at such time would exceed $25,000,000.

“Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of Cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 100% of the Fronting Exposure of each Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.

“Multicurrency Commitment” means, with respect to each Multicurrency Lender during such Multicurrency Lender’s Availability Period, the commitment of such Multicurrency Lender to make Syndicated Loans, and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, denominated in Dollars and in Agreed Foreign Currencies hereunder, during such Multicurrency Lender’s Availability Period, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The amount of each Lender’s Multicurrency Commitment as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date  is set forth on Schedule 1.01(b), or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Multicurrency commitment, as applicable.  The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Multicurrency Commitments as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date is $1,000,000,000.

“Multicurrency LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Multicurrency Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements in respect of such Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.  The Multicurrency LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Multicurrency Percentage of the total Multicurrency LC Exposure at such time.

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“Multicurrency Lender” means the Persons listed on Schedule 1.01(b) as having Multicurrency Commitments and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption that provides for it to assume a Multicurrency Commitment or to acquire Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

“Multicurrency Letters of Credit” means Letters of Credit that utilize the Multicurrency Commitments.

“Multicurrency Loan” means a Loan denominated in Dollars or an Agreed Foreign Currency.

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

“National Currency” means the currency, other than the Euro, of a Participating Member State.

“Net Cash Proceeds” means:

(a)with respect to any Disposition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Financing Subsidiaries), or any Extraordinary Receipt received or paid to the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Financing Subsidiaries) (in each case, which requires a payment of the Loans under Section 2.10(d)), an amount equal to (a) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) minus (b) the sum of (i) the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (ii) the reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction, (iii) the taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of the relevant transaction in connection with such transaction; provided that, if the amount of any estimated taxes pursuant to clause (iii) exceeds the amount of taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such Disposition, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds (as of the date the Borrower determines such excess exists) and (iv) any reasonable costs, fees, commissions, premiums and expenses incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Disposition; and

(b)with respect to the sale or issuance of any Equity Interest by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Financing Subsidiary) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, cash received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Financing Subsidiaries) for the sale by the Borrower or such Subsidiary of any Equity Interest of a Financing Subsidiary but specifically excluding any sale of any Equity Interest by a Financing Subsidiary or cash received by a Financing Subsidiary in connection with the sale of any Equity Interest), or the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Financing Subsidiaries) (in each case, which requires a payment of the Loans under Section 2.10(d)), an amount equal to (i) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection

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with such transaction minus (ii) the sum of (1) reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses, incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection therewith plus (2) any reasonable costs, fees, commissions, premiums, expenses, or underwriting discounts or commissions incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such sale or issuance.

“Ninth Amendment Effective Date” means January 31, 2020.

“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

“Non-Extended Applicable Margin” means, with respect to any Non-Extending Lender: (a) if the Borrowing Base (as of the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate) is equal to or greater than 1.85 times the Combined Debt Amount, (i) with respect to any ABR Loan, 0.75% per annum; and (ii) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, 1.75% per annum and (b) if the Borrowing Base (as of the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate) is less than 1.85 times the Combined Debt Amount (i) with respect to any ABR Loan, 1.00% per annum; and (ii) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, 2.00% per annum.  Any change in the Non-Extended Applicable Margin due to a change in the ratio of the Borrowing Base to the Combined Debt Amount as set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate shall be effective from and including the day immediately succeeding the date of delivery of such Borrowing Base Certificate; provided that if any Borrowing Base Certificate has not been delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(d), then from and including the day immediately succeeding the date on which such Borrowing Base Certificate was required to be delivered, the Non-Extended Applicable Margin shall be the Non-Extended Applicable Margin set forth in clause (b) above to and including the date on which the required Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered.

“Non-Extended Availability Period” means, with respect to any Non-Extending Lender, the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for such Non-Extending Lender and the date of termination of the Commitments.

“Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date” means, with respect to each Non-Extending Lender, the “Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date” set forth next to such Non-Extending Lender’s name on Schedule 1.01(b).

“Non-Extended Final Maturity Date” means, with respect to each Non-Extending Lender, the “Non-Extended Final Maturity Date” set forth next to such Non-Extending Lender’s name on Schedule 1.01(b).

“Non-Extended Loans” means Loans or Borrowings of any Non-Extending Lender maturing on the Non-Extended Final Maturity Date for such Non-Extending Lender.

“Non-Extending Lender” means each Lender designated as a “Non-Extending Lender” on Schedule 1.01(b).

“Non-LIBO Quoted Currency” means any currency other than a LIBO Quoted Currency.

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“Non-Public Information” means material non-public information (within the meaning of United States federal, state or other applicable securities laws) with respect to Borrower or its Affiliates or their Securities.

“Obligor” means, collectively, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

“Original Currency” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17.

“Original Effective Date” means July 3, 2013.

“Other Covered Indebtedness” means, collectively, Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness, Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness and Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness; provided that “Other Covered Indebtedness” shall not include any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on Portfolio Investments permitted under Section 6.02(e).

“Other Permitted Indebtedness” means (a) accrued expenses and current trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business which are not overdue for a period of more than 90 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) arising in connection with transactions in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business in connection with its securities transactions, derivatives transactions, reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls to the extent such transactions are permitted under the Investment Company Act and the Borrower’s Investment Policies (after giving effect to any Permitted Policy Amendments), provided that such Indebtedness does not arise in connection with the purchase of Portfolio Investments other than Cash Equivalents and U.S. Government Securities and (c) Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards that have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as such judgments or awards do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (l) of Article VII.

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, excluding (i) any such taxes, charges or similar levies resulting from an assignment by any Lender in accordance with Section 9.04 hereof (unless such assignment is made pursuant to Section 2.18(b)) or (ii) any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction by reason of the recipient of any payment on or account of this Agreement having any present or former connection with such jurisdiction (other than a connection arising solely from entering into, receiving any payment under or enforcing its rights under this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

“Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(f).

“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(f).

“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Community that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with the legislation of the European Union relating to the European Monetary Union.

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

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“Permitted Equity Interests” means common stock of the Borrower that after its issuance is not subject to any agreement between the holder of such common stock and the Borrower where the Borrower is required to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire, cancel or terminate any such common stock.

“Permitted Liens” means (a) Liens imposed by any Governmental Authority for taxes, assessments or charges not yet due or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens of clearing agencies, broker-dealers and similar Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens (i) attach only to the securities (or proceeds) being purchased or sold and (ii) secure only obligations incurred in connection with such purchase or sale, and not any obligation in connection with margin financing; (c) Liens imposed by law, such as materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workmens’, storage and repairmen’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) not yet due or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP; (d) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made to secure obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance or other similar social security legislation (other than in respect of employee benefit plans subject to ERISA) or to secure public or statutory obligations; (e) Liens securing the performance of, or payment in respect of, bids, insurance premiums, deductibles or co-insured amounts, tenders, government or utility contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money), surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (f) Liens arising out of judgments or awards that have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as such judgments or awards do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (l) of Article VII; (g) customary rights of setoff and liens upon (i) deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions in which such cash is maintained in the ordinary course of business, (ii) cash and financial assets held in securities accounts in favor of banks and other financial institutions with which such accounts are maintained in the ordinary course of business and (iii) assets held by a custodian in favor of such custodian in the ordinary course of business securing payment of fees, indemnities and other similar obligations; (h) Liens arising solely from precautionary filings of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the applicable jurisdictions in respect of operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; (i) deposits of money securing leases to which Borrower is a party as lessee made in the ordinary course of business; (j) easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions and similar encumbrances on real property and minor irregularities in the title thereto that do not (i) secure obligations for the payment of money or (ii) materially impair the value of such property or its use by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries in the normal conduct of such Person’s business; and (k) Liens in favor of any escrow agent solely on and in respect of any cash earnest money deposits made by any Obligor in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement (to the extent that the acquisition or disposition with respect thereto is otherwise permitted hereunder).  

“Permitted Policy Amendment” means any change, alteration, expansion, amendment, modification, termination or restatement of the Investment Policies that is either (a) approved in writing by the Administrative Agent (with the consent of the Required Lenders), (b) required by applicable law, rule, regulation  or Governmental Authority, or (c) not materially

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adverse to the rights, remedies or interests of the Lenders in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent (for the avoidance of doubt, no change, alteration, expansion, amendment, modification, termination or restatement of the Investment Policies shall be deemed “material” if  investment size proportionately increases as the size of the Borrower’s capital base changes.

“Permitted SBIC Guarantee” means a guarantee by the Borrower of Indebtedness of an SBIC Subsidiary on the SBA’s then applicable form, provided that the recourse to the Borrower thereunder is expressly limited only to periods after the occurrence of an event or condition that is an impermissible change in the control of such SBIC Subsidiary (it being understood that, as provided in clause (s) of Article VII, it shall be an Event of Default hereunder if any such event or condition giving rise to such recourse occurs).

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

“Platform” means has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(i).

“Portfolio Investment” means any Investment held by the Obligors in their asset portfolio (and solely for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base, Cash).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following Investments shall not be considered Portfolio Investments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document: (a) any Investment by an Obligor in any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Obligor or any Financing Subsidiary (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Investment by an Obligor in an entity constituting a portfolio investment of such Obligor or an Affiliate of such Obligor); (b) any Investment that provides in favor of the obligor in respect of such Portfolio Investment an express right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or any other defenses; (d) any Investment, which if debt, is an obligation (other than a revolving loan or delayed draw term loan) pursuant to which any future advances or payments to the Obligor may be required to be made by the Borrower; (e) any Investment which is made to a bankrupt entity (other than a debtor-in-possession financing and current pay obligations); and (f) any Investment, Cash or account in which a Financing Subsidiary has an interest.

“Prime Rate” means the rate which is quoted as the “prime rate”
in the print edition of The Wall Street Journal, Money Rates Section.

“Principal Financial Center” means, in the case of any Currency, the principal financial center where such Currency is cleared and settled, as determined by the Administrative Agent.

“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

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“Public Lender” means Lenders that do not wish to receive Non-Public Information with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their Securities.

“Quarterly Dates” means the last Business Day of March, June, September and December in each year, commencing on September 30, 2013.

“Quoted Investments” means a Portfolio Investment with a value assigned by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii)(A).

“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c).

“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement filed by the Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2011.

“Regulations D, T, U and X” means, respectively, Regulations D, T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as the same may be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

“Relevant Available Funds” means the sum (without duplication) of (a) the aggregate undrawn capital commitments of the Borrower’s equity holders to the Borrower, plus (b) the aggregate amount available to be drawn under any committed facilities, including, for the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement, for which all applicable conditions to availability could be satisfied at such time.

“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.

“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time; provided that the Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of Required Lenders.  The Required Lenders of a Class (which shall include the terms “Required Dollar Lenders” and “Required Multicurrency Lenders”) means Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments of such Class representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments of such Class at such time.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of Required Lenders or Required Lenders of a Class.

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of an Obligor.

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“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower (it being understood that none of: (w) the conversion features under convertible notes; (x) the triggering and/or settlement thereof; or (y) any cash payment made by the Borrower in respect thereof , shall constitute a Restricted Payment hereunder).

“Return of Capital” means (a) any net cash amount received by any Obligor in respect of the outstanding principal of any Portfolio Investment (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), (b) without duplication of amounts received under clause (a), any net cash proceeds received by any Obligor from the sale of any property or assets pledged as collateral in respect of any Portfolio Investment to the extent such net cash proceeds are less than or equal to the outstanding principal balance of such Portfolio Investment, (c) any net cash amount received by any Obligor in respect of any Portfolio Investment that is an Equity Interest (x) upon the liquidation or dissolution of the issuer of such Portfolio Investment, (y) as a distribution of capital made on or in respect of such Portfolio Investment, or (z) pursuant to the recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of the issuer of such Portfolio Investment or pursuant to the reorganization of such issuer or (d) any similar return of capital received by any Obligor in cash in respect of any Portfolio Investment (in the case of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d), net of any fees, costs, expenses and taxes payable with respect thereto).

“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure and Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure at such time.

“Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Syndicated Loans, and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure, at such time made or incurred under the Dollar Commitments.

“Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Syndicated Loans, and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure, at such time made or incurred under the Multicurrency Commitments.

“Revolving Percentage” means, as of any date of determination, the result, expressed as a percentage, of the Revolving Credit Exposure on such date divided by the aggregate outstanding Covered Debt Amount on such date.

“RIC” means a person qualifying for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under the Code.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor thereto.

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, territory or region that is the subject or the target of country-wide or territory-wide Sanctions broadly prohibiting dealings with such country, territory or region (currently, Cuba, Crimea and Sevastopol, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

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“Sanctions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.15(a).

“SBA” means the United States Small Business Administration.

“SBIC Equity Commitment” means a commitment by the Borrower to make one or more capital contributions to an SBIC Subsidiary.

“SBIC Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary (including such Subsidiary’s general partner or managing entity to the extent that  the only material asset of such general partner or managing entity is its equity interest in the SBIC Subsidiary) of the Borrower licensed as a small business investment company under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, (or that has applied for such a license and is actively pursuing the granting thereof by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted) and which is designated by the Borrower (as provided below) as an SBIC Subsidiary, so long as (a) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Subsidiary: (i) is Guaranteed by any Obligor (other than a Permitted SBIC Guarantee), (ii) is recourse to or obligates any Obligor in any way (other than in respect of any SBIC Equity Commitment or Permitted SBIC Guarantee), or (iii) subjects any property of any Obligor, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than Equity Interests in any SBIC Subsidiary pledged to secure such Indebtedness, and (b) no Obligor has any obligation to maintain or preserve such Subsidiary’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Borrower shall be effected pursuant to a certificate of a Financial Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent, which certificate shall include a statement to the effect that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

“Secured Debt Amount” means, on any date, the aggregate amount of all Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness and Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness on such date (other than the obligations owed under the Loan Documents, including the Revolving Credit Exposure.

“Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness” means, as at any date, Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder) of an Obligor (which may be Guaranteed by Subsidiary Guarantors) that (a) has no scheduled amortization prior to, and a final maturity date not earlier than, six months after the Extended Final Maturity Date (it being understood that none of: (w) the conversion features under convertible notes; (x) the triggering and/or settlement thereof; or (y) any cash payment made in respect thereof , shall constitute “amortization” for purposes of this clause (a)), (b) is incurred pursuant to documentation that is substantially comparable to market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers as determined by the Borrower in its reasonable judgment and (c) is not secured by any assets of any Obligor other than pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents and the holders of which have either executed (i) a joinder agreement to the Guarantee and Security Agreement or (ii) such other document or agreement, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, pursuant to which the holders of such Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness shall have become a party to the Guarantee and Security Agreement and assumed the obligations of a Financing Agent or Designated Indebtedness Holder (in each case, as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement).  

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“Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” means, collectively, (a) any Indebtedness of an Obligor that is secured by any assets of any Obligor and that does not constitute Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness, (b) any Indebtedness of an Obligor that is not secured by any assets of any Obligor other than pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents and the holders of which have either executed (i) a joinder agreement to the Guarantee and Security Agreement or (ii) such other document or agreement, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, pursuant to which the holders of such Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness shall have become a party to the Guarantee and Security Agreement and assumed the obligations of a Financing Agent or Designated Indebtedness Holder (in each case, as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement). and (c) any Indebtedness that is designated as “Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” pursuant to Section 6.11(a).  

“Security Documents” means, collectively, the Guarantee and Security Agreement, all Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed with respect to the security interests in personal property created pursuant to the Guarantee and Security Agreement and all other assignments, pledge agreements, security agreements, control agreements and other instruments executed and delivered on or after the date hereof by any of the Obligors pursuant to the Guarantee and Security Agreement or otherwise providing or relating to any collateral security for any of the Secured Obligations under and as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

“Shareholders’ Equity” means, at any date, the amount determined on a consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP, of shareholders equity for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date.

“SOFR” 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.

“SPE Subsidiary” means a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower to which any Obligor sells, conveys or otherwise transfers (whether directly or indirectly) Portfolio Investments, which engages in no material activities other than in connection with the purchase, holding, disposition or financing of such assets and which is designated by the Borrower (as provided below) as an SPE Subsidiary:

(a)no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is Guaranteed by any Obligor (other than Guarantees in respect of Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates any Obligor in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or (iii) subjects any property of any Obligor, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or any Guarantee thereof,

(b)with which no Obligor has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms, taken as a whole, not materially less favorable to such Obligor than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of any Obligor, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing receivables, and

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(c)to which no Obligor has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

Any such designation by the Borrower shall be effected pursuant to a certificate of a Financial Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent, which certificate shall include a statement to the effect that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, such designation complied with the foregoing conditions. Each Subsidiary of an SPE Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an SPE Subsidiary and shall comply with the foregoing requirements of this definition.

“Special Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest that is subject to a Lien in favor of creditors of the issuer of such Equity Interest provided that (a) such Lien was created to secure Indebtedness owing by such issuer to such creditors, (b) such Indebtedness was (i) in existence at the time the Obligors acquired such Equity Interest, (ii) incurred or assumed by such issuer substantially contemporaneously with such acquisition or (iii) already subject to a Lien granted to such creditors and (c) unless such Equity Interest is not intended to be included in the Collateral, the documentation creating or governing such Lien does not prohibit the inclusion of such Equity Interest in the Collateral.

“Special Unsecured Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of an Obligor issued after the Ninth Amendment Effective Date (which may be Guaranteed by Subsidiary Guarantors) that (a) has no amortization prior to, and a final maturity date not earlier than, five years from the date such Indebtedness is issued (it being understood that none of: (w) the conversion features under convertible notes; (x) the triggering and/or settlement thereof or (y) any cash payment made in respect thereof, shall constitute “amortization” for purposes of this clause (a)), (b) is incurred pursuant to documentation containing (i) covenants and events of default that are not materially more burdensome on the Borrower than those set forth in the Loan Documents or (ii)  terms substantially comparable to market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers as determined by the Borrower in its reasonable judgment and (c) is not secured by any assets of any Obligor; provided that Special Unsecured Indebtedness shall not include any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(l).

“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means, collectively, (a) customary arms-length servicing obligations (together with any related performance guarantees), (b) obligations (together with any related performance guarantees) to refund the purchase price or grant purchase price credits for dilutive events or misrepresentations (in each case unrelated to the collectibility of the assets sold or the creditworthiness of the associated account debtors) and (c) representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities (together with any related performance guarantees) of a type that are reasonably customary in accounts receivable securitizations.

“Statutory Reserve Rate” means, for the Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the arithmetic mean, taken over each day in such Interest Period, of the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D).  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D.  Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding

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and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the term “Subsidiary” shall not include any Person that constitutes an Investment held by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business and that is not, under GAAP, consolidated on the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Subsidiary that is a Guarantor under the Guarantee and Security Agreement.  It is understood and agreed that no Financing Subsidiary, Immaterial Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary shall be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.  The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be the sum of (i) its Applicable Dollar Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure incurred under the Dollar Commitments and (ii) its Applicable Multicurrency Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time incurred under the Multicurrency Commitments.

“Swingline Lender” means any of Truist or JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.04(d).

“Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

“Syndicated”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans constituting such Borrowing, are made pursuant to Section 2.01.

“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees, or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

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

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“Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (i) the Extended Final Maturity Date, (ii) the date of the termination of the Commitments in full pursuant to Section 2.08(c), or (iii) the date on which the Commitments are terminated pursuant to Article VII.

“Testing Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(ii)(E)(x).

“Testing Quarter” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(ii)(B).

“Total Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the value of the total assets of the Obligors on a consolidated basis, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, in each case, as of such date of determination.

“Total Assets Concentration Limitation” means, as of any date of determination, the amount by which the aggregate value of Equity Interests in Financing Subsidiaries held by the Obligors as of such date of determination exceeds 10% of the Total Assets as of such date of determination.

“Total Secured Debt” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of senior securities representing secured indebtedness of the Obligors as of such date of determination.

“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.

“Truist” means Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank).

“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans constituting such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

“Undisclosed Administration” means, in relation to a Lender, the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the law in the country where such Lender is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment is not to be publicly disclosed.

“Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

“Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of an Obligor (which may be Guaranteed by Subsidiary Guarantors) that (a) has no amortization prior to, and a final maturity date not earlier than, six months after the Extended Final Maturity Date (it being understood that none of : (w) the conversion features under convertible notes; (x) the triggering

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and/or settlement thereof or (y) any cash payment made in respect thereof, shall constitute “amortization” for purposes of this clause (a)), (b) is incurred pursuant to documentation that is substantially comparable to market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers as determined by the Borrower in its reasonable judgment and (c) is not secured by any assets of any Obligor.

“Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” means, collectively, (a) any Indebtedness of an Obligor that is not secured by any assets of any Obligor and that does not constitute Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness and (b) any Indebtedness that is designated as “Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” pursuant to Section 6.11(a); provided that Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness shall not include any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(l).

“Unquoted Investments” means a Portfolio Investment with a value assigned by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii)(B).

“U.S. Government Securities” means securities that are direct obligations of, and obligations the timely payment of principal and interest on which is fully guaranteed by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and in the form of conventional bills, bonds, and notes.

“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

“Value” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

SECTION 1.02.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings.  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Syndicated Dollar Loan” or “Syndicated Multicurrency Loan”), by Type (e.g., an “ABR Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Syndicated Multicurrency LIBOR Loan”).  Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Dollar Borrowing”, “Multicurrency Borrowing” or “Syndicated Borrowing”), by Type (e.g., an “ABR Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Syndicated ABR Borrowing” or “Syndicated Multicurrency LIBOR Borrowing”).  Loans and Borrowings may also be identified by Currency.

SECTION 1.03.  Terms Generally.  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without

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limitation”.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof’ and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement  in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.  Any reference herein to a merger, amalgamation, consolidation, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).

SECTION 1.04.  Accounting Terms; GAAP.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, (a) if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith and (b) all leases that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance on February 25, 2016 of the Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of all financial definitions and calculations for purposes of the Loan Documents (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as capitalized lease obligations in the financial statements to be delivered pursuant to the Loan Documents.  The Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that whether or not the Borrower may at any time adopt Financial Accounting Standard No. 159 (or successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities) or accounts for liabilities acquired in an acquisition on a fair value basis pursuant to Financial Accounting Standard No. 141(R) (or successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities), all determinations of compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be made on the basis that the Borrower has not adopted Financial Accounting Standard No. 159 (or such successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities) or, in the case of liabilities acquired in an acquisition, Financial Accounting Standard No. 141(R) (or such successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities).

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SECTION 1.05.  Currencies; Currency Equivalents.

(a)Currencies Generally.  At any time, any reference in the definition of the term “Agreed Foreign Currency” or in any other provision of this Agreement to the Currency of any particular nation means the lawful currency of such nation at such time whether or not the name of such Currency is the same as it was on the date hereof.  Except as provided in Section 2.10(b) and the last sentence of Section 2.17(a), for purposes of determining (i) whether the amount of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit under the Multicurrency Commitments, together with all other Borrowings and Letters of Credit under the Multicurrency Commitments then outstanding or to be borrowed at the same time as such Borrowing, would exceed the aggregate amount of the Multicurrency Commitments, (ii) the aggregate unutilized amount of the Multicurrency Commitments, (iii) the Revolving Credit Exposure, (iv) the Multicurrency LC Exposure, (v) the Covered Debt Amount and (vi) the Borrowing Base or the Value or the fair market value of any Portfolio Investment, the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit that is denominated in any Foreign Currency or the Value or the fair market value of any Portfolio Investment that is denominated in any Foreign Currency shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the Foreign Currency of such Borrowing, Letter of Credit or Portfolio Investment, as the case may be, determined as of the date of such Borrowing or Letter of Credit (determined in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of the term “Interest Period”) or the date of valuation of such Portfolio Investment, as the case may be.  Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing or Loan an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing or Loan is denominated in a Foreign Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Foreign Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest 1,000 units of such Foreign Currency).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with  any basket in Sections 6.03(g) or 6.04(f), in no event shall the Borrower or any Obligor be deemed to not be in compliance with any such basket solely as a result of a change in exchange rates.

(b)Special Provisions Relating to Euro.  Each obligation hereunder of any party hereto that is denominated in the National Currency of a state that is not a Participating Member State on the date hereof shall, effective from the date on which such state becomes a Participating Member State, be redenominated in Euro in accordance with the legislation of the European Union applicable to the European Monetary Union; provided that, if and to the extent that any such legislation provides that any such obligation of any such party payable within such Participating Member State by crediting an account of the creditor can be paid by the debtor either in Euros or such National Currency, such party shall be entitled to pay or repay such amount either in Euros or in such National Currency.  If the basis of accrual of interest or fees expressed in this Agreement with respect to an Agreed Foreign Currency of any country that becomes a Participating Member State after the date on which such currency becomes an Agreed Foreign Currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest or fees in respect of the Euro, such convention or practice shall replace such expressed basis effective as of and from the date on which such state becomes a Participating Member State; provided that, with respect to any Borrowing denominated in such currency that is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect at the end of the Interest Period therefor.

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Without prejudice to the respective liabilities of the Borrower to the Lenders and the Lenders to the Borrower under or pursuant to this Agreement, each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time, in consultation with the Borrower, reasonably specify to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the introduction or changeover to the Euro in any country that becomes a Participating Member State after the date hereof; provided that the Administrative Agent shall provide the Borrower and the Lenders with prior notice of the proposed change with an explanation of such change in sufficient time to permit the Borrower and the Lenders an opportunity to respond to such proposed change.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01.  The Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

(a)each Dollar Lender severally agrees to make Syndicated Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during such Dollar Lender’s Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Dollar Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure of all of the Dollar Lenders with Dollar Commitments then in effect exceeding the aggregate Dollar Commitments at such time or (iii) the total Covered Debt Amount exceeding the Borrowing Base then in effect; and

(b)each Multicurrency Lender severally agrees to make Syndicated Loans in Dollars and in Agreed Foreign Currencies to the Borrower from time to time during such Multicurrency Lender’s Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Multicurrency Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure of all of the Multicurrency Lenders with Multicurrency Commitments then in effect exceeding the aggregate Multicurrency Commitments at such time or (iii) the total Covered Debt Amount exceeding the Borrowing Base then in effect.

Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Syndicated Loans.

SECTION 2.02.  Loans and Borrowings.

(a)Obligations of Lenders.  Each Syndicated Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class of Commitments (other than with respect to any Syndicated Loan requested pursuant to Section 2.20), Currency and Type made by the applicable Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

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(b)Type of Loans.  Subject to Section 2.13, each Syndicated Borrowing of a Class shall be constituted entirely of ABR Loans or of Eurocurrency Loans of such Class denominated in a single Currency as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith.  Each ABR Loan shall be denominated in Dollars.  Each Lender at its option may make any Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c)Minimum Amounts.  Each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000, and each ABR Borrowing (whether Syndicated or Swingline) shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000; provided that a Syndicated ABR Borrowing of a Class may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments of such Class or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement of such Class as contemplated by Section 2.05(f).  Borrowings of more than one Class, Currency and Type may be outstanding at the same time.

(d)Limitations on Interest Periods.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request (or to elect to convert to or continue as a Eurocurrency Borrowing) any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested therefor would end after the Final Maturity Date with respect to such Borrowing.

(e)Treatment of Classes.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to each Syndicated Loan, Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit designated in Dollars (including any Loan requested pursuant to Section 2.20), the Administrative Agent shall deem the Borrower to have requested that such Syndicated Loan, Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit be applied ratably to each of the Dollar Commitments and the Multicurrency Commitments, based upon the percentage of the aggregate Commitments represented by the Dollar Commitments and the Multicurrency Commitments, respectively.

SECTION 2.03.  Requests for Syndicated Borrowings.

(a)Notice by the Borrower.  To request a Syndicated Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (i) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars, not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency, not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, four Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (iii) in the case of a Syndicated ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.

(b)Content of Borrowing Requests.  Each telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)whether such Borrowing is to be made under the Dollar Commitments or the Multicurrency Commitments;

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(ii)the aggregate amount and Currency of the requested Borrowing;

(iii)the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv)in the case of a Syndicated Borrowing denominated in Dollars, whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v)in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period therefor, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period” and permitted under Section 2.02(d); and

(vi)the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

(c)Notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders.  Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of the details thereof and of the amounts of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

(d)Failure to Elect.  If no election as to the Class of a Syndicated Borrowing is specified, then the requested Syndicated Borrowing shall be deemed to be under the Multicurrency Commitments.  If no election as to the Currency of a Syndicated Borrowing is specified, then the requested Syndicated Borrowing shall be denominated in Dollars.  If no election as to the Type of a Syndicated Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be a Eurocurrency Borrowing having an Interest Period of one month and, if an Agreed Foreign Currency has been specified, the requested Syndicated Borrowing shall be a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in such Agreed Foreign Currency and having an Interest Period of one month.  If a Eurocurrency Borrowing is requested but no Interest Period is specified, (i) if the Currency specified for such Borrowing is Dollars (or if no Currency has been so specified), the requested Borrowing shall be a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars having an Interest Period of one month’s duration, and (ii) if the Currency specified for such Borrowing is an Agreed Foreign Currency, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

SECTION 2.04.  Swingline Loans.

(a)Agreement to Make Swingline Loans.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Swingline Lender severally agrees to make Swingline Loans under each Commitment to the Borrower from time to time during the Extended Availability Period in Dollars, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans of both Classes of Commitments exceeding $100,000,000 or the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans of any Swingline Lender exceeding $50,000,000, (ii) the sum of any Swingline Lender’s outstanding Multicurrency Loans, its LC Exposure, its outstanding Swingline Loans and (without duplication) its other Swingline Exposure exceeding its Multicurrency Commitment; (iii) the total Revolving Dollar Credit Exposures exceeding the aggregate Dollar Commitments at such time, (iv) the total Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposures exceeding the aggregate Multicurrency Commitments at such time or (v) the total Covered Debt Amount exceeding the Borrowing Base then in effect; provided that no Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

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(b)Notice of Swingline Loans by the Borrower.  To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) not later than 2:00 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on the day of such proposed Swingline Loan.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the Swingline Lender from which such Swingline Loan shall be made, the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and the amount of the requested Swingline Loan.  The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the applicable Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower.  Each Swingline Lender shall make each applicable Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower with such Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(c)Participations by Lenders in Swingline Loans.  Subject to Section 2.20, any Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time on any Business Day, require the Lenders of the applicable Class of Commitments to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the outstanding Swingline Loans of such Class made by such Swingline Lender.  Such notice to the Administrative Agent shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which the applicable Lenders will participate.  Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each applicable Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above in this paragraph, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for account of the applicable Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans; provided that no Lender shall be required to purchase a participation in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) if (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 would not be satisfied in respect of a Borrowing at the time such Swingline Loan was made and (y) the Required Lenders of the respective Class shall have so notified the applicable Swingline Lender in writing and shall not have subsequently determined that the circumstances giving rise to such conditions not being satisfied no longer exist.  Unless a Swingline Lender has received the written notice referred to in the previous sentence prior to the time such Swingline Loan was made, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such Swingline Lender shall be entitled to assume all such conditions are satisfied.

Subject to the foregoing and Section 2.20, each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph (c) is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments of the respective Class, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the relevant Swingline Lender.  Any amounts

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received by a Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by such Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the applicable Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear.  The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

(d)Resignation and Replacement of Swingline Lender.  Any Swingline Lender may resign and be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the resigning Swingline Lender and a successor Swingline Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such resignation and replacement of any Swingline Lender. In addition to the foregoing, if a Lender becomes, and during the period it remains, a Defaulting Lender, and if any Default has arisen from a failure of the Borrower to comply with Section 2.19(a), then each Swingline Lender may, upon prior written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, resign as a Swingline Lender, effective at the close of business Atlanta, Georgia time on a date specified in such notice (which date may not be less than five (5) Business Days after the date of such notice). On or after the effective date of any such resignation, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may, by written agreement, appoint one or more successor Swingline Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such appointment of a successor Swingline Lender. Upon the effectiveness of any resignation of any Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall repay in full all outstanding Swingline Loans made by such Swingline Lender together with all accrued interest thereon. From and after the effective date of the appointment of a successor Swingline Lender, (i) such successor Swingline Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans to be made by such successor Swingline Lender thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” and/or “Swingline Lenders” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or successors (and the other current Swingline Lenders, if applicable) or to any previous Swingline Lender, or to such successor or successors (and all current Swingline Lenders) and all previous Swingline Lenders, as the context shall require. After the replacement of the Swingline Lender hereunder, the replaced Swingline Lender shall have no obligation to make additional Swingline Loans.

SECTION 2.05.  Letters of Credit.

(a)General.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in addition to the Loans provided for in Section 2.01, the Borrower may request each Issuing Bank to issue, at any time and from time to time during the Extended Availability Period and under either the Dollar Commitments or Multicurrency Commitments, Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or (in the case of Letters of Credit under the Multicurrency Commitments) in any Agreed Foreign Currency for its own account or the account of its designee (provided that the Obligors shall remain primarily liable to the Lenders hereunder for payment and reimbursement of all amounts payable in respect of the Letters of Credit hereunder) in such form as is acceptable to such Issuing Bank in its reasonable determination.  Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall constitute utilization of the Commitments up to the aggregate amount available to be drawn thereunder.  Without limiting any rights of an Issuing Bank under this Section 2.05, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit denominated in any Foreign Currency if at the time of such issuance, such Issuing Bank, in its capacity as a Lender, would not be required to make Loans in such Foreign Currency hereunder.

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(b)Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal or Extension.  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by such Issuing Bank) to any Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (d) of this Section), the amount and Currency of such Letter of Credit, whether such Letter of Credit is to be issued under the Dollar Commitments or the Multicurrency Commitments, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.  If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, any Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(c)Limitations on Amounts.  A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the aggregate LC Exposure of the applicable Issuing Bank requested to issue such Letter of Credit (determined for these purposes without giving effect to the participations therein of the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section)  shall not exceed the amount set forth opposite the name of such Issuing Bank on Schedule 2.05 (or such greater amount as such Issuing Bank may agree in its sole discretion); (ii) the total Revolving Dollar Credit Exposures of Dollar Lenders with Dollar Commitments then in effect shall not exceed the aggregate Dollar Commitments at such time; (iii) the total Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposures of Multicurrency Lenders with Multicurrency Commitments then in effect shall not exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Commitments at such time; (iv) with respect to each Issuing Bank that is a Swingline Lender, the sum of such Swingline Lender’s outstanding Multicurrency Loans, its LC Exposure, its outstanding Swingline Loans and (without duplication) its other Swingline Exposure shall not exceed its Multicurrency Commitment then in effect; and (v) the total Covered Debt Amount shall not exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect.

(d)Expiration Date.  Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the date twelve months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, twelve months after the then-current expiration date of such Letter of Credit, so long as such renewal or extension occurs within three months of such then-current expiration date); provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods.  No Letter of Credit may be renewed following the earlier to occur of the Extended Commitment Termination Date and the Termination Date, except to the extent that the relevant Letter of Credit is Cash Collateralized no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the Extended Commitment Termination Date or Termination Date, as applicable, or supported by another letter of credit, in each case pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent.

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(e)Participations.  Subject to Section 2.20, by the issuance of a Letter of Credit of a Class of Commitment (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) by an Issuing Bank, and without any further action on the part of such Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender of such Class, and each Lender of such Class hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Dollar Percentage or Applicable Multicurrency Percentage, as the case may be, of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the applicable Commitments; provided that no Lender shall be required to purchase a participation in a Letter of Credit pursuant to this Section 2.05(e) if (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 would not be satisfied in respect of a Borrowing at the time such Letter of Credit was issued and (y) the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have so notified such Issuing Bank in writing at least two Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance of such Letter of Credit and shall not have subsequently determined that the circumstances giving rise to such conditions not being satisfied no longer exist.  Unless an Issuing Bank has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, at least two Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Section 4.02 shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such Issuing Bank shall be entitled to assume all such conditions are satisfied.

Subject to Section 2.20, in consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender of a Class of Commitment hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for account of each Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Dollar Percentage or Applicable Multicurrency Percentage, as the case may be, of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank in respect of Letters of Credit of such Class promptly upon the request of such Issuing Bank at any time from the time of such LC Disbursement until such LC Disbursement is reimbursed by the Borrower or at any time after any reimbursement payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  Such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each such payment shall be made in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to the next following paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that the Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f)Reimbursement.  If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such Issuing Bank in respect of such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on (i) the Business Day that the

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Borrower receives notice of such LC Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000 and is denominated in Dollars, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be financed with a Syndicated ABR Borrowing or a Swingline Loan of the respective Class in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Syndicated ABR Borrowing or Swingline Loan.

If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each applicable Lender with a Commitment then in effect of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Dollar Percentage or Applicable Multicurrency Percentage, as the case may be, thereof.

(g)Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (f) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply strictly with the terms of such Letter of Credit, and (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing Bank or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  The parties hereto expressly agree that:

(i)the Issuing Banks may accept documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and may make payment upon presentation of documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

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(ii)the Issuing Banks shall have the right, in their sole discretion, to decline to accept such documents and to make such payment if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and

(iii)this sentence shall establish the standard of care to be exercised by the Issuing Banks when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof (and the parties hereto hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any standard of care inconsistent with the foregoing).

(h)Disbursement Procedures.  Each Issuing Bank shall, within a reasonable time following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.  The applicable Issuing Bank shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the applicable Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(i)Interim Interest.  If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to Syndicated ABR Loans; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement within two Business Days following the date when due pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section, then the provisions of Section 2.12(c) shall apply.  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(j)Resignation and/or Replacement of an Issuing Bank.  An Issuing Bank may resign and be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the resigning Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  In addition, if any Issuing Bank, in its capacity as a Lender, assigns all of its Loans and Commitments in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such Issuing Bank may, with the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), resign as an Issuing Bank hereunder upon not less than three Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower; provided, further, in determining whether to give any such consent, the Borrower may consider, among other factors, the sufficiency of availability of Letters of Credit hereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such resignation and replacement of an Issuing Bank.  Upon the effectiveness of any resignation or replacement of an Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for account of the resigning or replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.11(b). From and after the effective date of the appointment of a successor Issuing Bank, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” and/or

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“Issuing Banks” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or successors (and other current Issuing Banks, if applicable) or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor or successors (and all other current Issuing Banks) and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the effective replacement or resignation of the Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced or resigning Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(k)Cash Collateralization.  If the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral for LC Exposure pursuant to Section 2.05(d), Section 2.09(a), Section 2.10(b) or (c), Section 2.20 or the last paragraph of Article VII, the Borrower shall immediately deposit into a segregated collateral account or accounts (herein, collectively, the “Letter of Credit Collateral Account”) in the name and under the dominion and control of the Administrative Agent Cash denominated in the Currency of the Letter of Credit under which such LC Exposure arises in an amount equal to the amount required under Section 2.09(a), Section 2.10(b) or (c), Section 2.20 or the last paragraph of Article VII, as applicable.  Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral in the first instance for the LC Exposure under this Agreement and thereafter for the payment of the “Secured Obligations” under and as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement, and for these purposes the Borrower hereby grants a security interest to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and in any financial assets (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) or other property held therein.

(l)Additional Issuing Banks.  From time to time, the Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent, designate additional Extending Lenders as an Issuing Bank, each of which agrees (in its sole discretion) to act in such capacity and is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that each such notice shall include an updated Schedule 2.05; provided, further, that the Borrower shall not update Schedule 2.05 to increase any Issuing Bank’s maximum LC Exposure without such Issuing Bank’s consent. Each such additional Issuing Bank shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement upon the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and shall thereafter be an Issuing Bank hereunder for all purposes.

SECTION 2.06.  Funding of Borrowings.

(a)Funding by Lenders.  Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by (i) in the case of any Loan (other than a Syndicated ABR Borrowing), 11:00 a.m. Atlanta, Georgia time, and (ii) in the case of any Loan that is a Syndicated ABR Borrowing, 1:00 p.m. Atlanta, Georgia time, in each case, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that Syndicated ABR Borrowings made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(f) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

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(b)Presumption by the Administrative Agent.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.  Nothing in this paragraph shall relieve any Lender of its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder, and this paragraph shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 2.07.  Interest Elections.

(a)Elections by the Borrower for Syndicated Borrowings.  Subject to Section 2.03(d), the Loans constituting each Syndicated Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have the Interest Period specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a Borrowing of a different Type or to continue such Borrowing as a Borrowing of the same Type and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect the Interest Period therefor, all as provided in this Section; provided, however, that (i) a Syndicated Borrowing of a Class may only be continued or converted into a Syndicated Borrowing of the same Class, (ii) a Syndicated Borrowing denominated in one Currency may not be continued as, or converted to, a Syndicated Borrowing in a different Currency, (iii) no Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency may be continued if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposures would exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Commitments, and (iv) a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency may not be converted to a Borrowing of a different Type.  The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders of the respective Class holding the Loans constituting such Borrowing, and the Loans constituting each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.  This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.

(b)Notice of Elections.  To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Syndicated Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly (but no later than the close of business on the date of such request) by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.

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(c)Content of Interest Election Requests.  Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)the Borrowing (including the Class of Commitment) to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii)the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii)whether, in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv)if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period therefor after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period” and permitted under Section 2.02(d).

(d)Notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders.  Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e)Failure to Elect; Events of Default.  If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely and complete Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, (i) if such Borrowing is denominated in Dollars, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to a Syndicated Eurocurrency Borrowing of the same Class having an Interest Period of one month, and (ii) if such Borrowing is denominated in a Foreign Currency, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, (i) any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall, at the end of the applicable Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Borrowing, be automatically converted to an ABR Borrowing and (ii) any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency shall not have an Interest Period of more than one month’s duration.

SECTION 2.08.  Termination, Reduction or Increase of the Commitments.

(a)Scheduled Termination.  Unless previously terminated, the Commitments of each Extending Lender with respect to such Extending Lender’s Extended Loans shall terminate on the Extended Commitment Termination Date and the Commitments of each Non-Extending Lender with respect to such Non-Extending Lender’s Non-Extended Loans shall terminate on the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for such Non-Extending Lender.

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(b)Voluntary Termination or Reduction.  The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of either Class of Commitment; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of a Class shall be in an amount that is $10,000,000 (or, if less, the entire amount of the Commitments of such Class) or a larger multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments of either Class of Commitment if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Syndicated Loans of such Class in accordance with Section 2.10, the total Revolving Credit Exposures of such Class would exceed the total Commitments of such Class.  Any such reduction of the Commitments below the principal amount of the Swingline Loans permitted under Section 2.04(a)(i) and the Letters of Credit permitted under Section 2.05(c)(i) shall result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction of such amounts as applicable.

(c)Notice of Voluntary Termination or Reduction.  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments of a Class delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

(d)Effect of Termination or Reduction.  Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of a Class of Commitments pursuant to clause (b) shall be permanent.  Each reduction of the Commitments of a Class of Commitments pursuant to clause (b) shall be made ratably among the Lenders of such Class in accordance with their respective Commitments.

(e)Increase of the Commitments.

(i)Requests for Increase by Borrower.  The Borrower may, at any time, request that the Commitments hereunder of a Class of Commitments be increased (each such proposed increase being a “Commitment Increase”) (provided that in no event shall a Class of Non-Extended Loans be increased hereunder), upon notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly notify the Lenders), which notice shall specify each existing Lender (each an “Increasing Lender”) and/or each additional lender (each an “Assuming Lender”) that shall have agreed to an additional Commitment and the date on which such increase is to be effective (the “Commitment Increase Date”), which shall be a Business Day at least three Business Days (or such lesser period as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) after delivery of such notice and 30 days prior to the Extended Commitment Termination Date; provided that:

(A)the minimum amount of the Commitment of any Assuming Lender, and the minimum amount of the increase of the Commitment of any Increasing Lender, as part of such Commitment Increase shall be $10,000,000 or a larger multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree);

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(B)immediately after giving effect to such Commitment Increase (including, if applicable, the substantially concurrent reduction of the Commitments of a Non-Extending Lender in accordance with Section 2.08(f)), the total Commitments of all of the Lenders hereunder shall not exceed $1,750,000,000;

(C)each Assuming Lender shall be consented to by the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld);

(D)no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such Commitment Increase Date or shall result from the proposed Commitment Increase; and

(E)the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any portion of the representations and warranties already subject to a materiality qualifier, true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Commitment Increase Date as if made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date).

(ii)Effectiveness of Commitment Increase by Borrower.  An Assuming Lender, if any, shall become a Lender hereunder as of such Commitment Increase Date and the Commitment of the respective Class of any Increasing Lender and such Assuming Lender shall be increased as of such Commitment Increase Date; provided that:

(x)the Administrative Agent shall have received on or prior to 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on such Commitment Increase Date (or on or prior to a time on an earlier date specified by the Administrative Agent) a certificate of a duly authorized officer of the Borrower stating that each of the applicable conditions to such Commitment Increase set forth in the foregoing paragraph (i) has been satisfied; and

(y)each Assuming Lender or Increasing Lender shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time on such Commitment Increase Date (or on or prior to a time on an earlier date specified by the Administrative Agent), an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which such Lender shall, effective as of such Commitment Increase Date, undertake a Commitment or an increase of Commitment in each case of the respective Class, duly executed by such Assuming Lender or Increasing Lender, as applicable, and the Borrower and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent.

Promptly following satisfaction of such conditions, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such Class (including any Assuming Lenders) thereof and of the occurrence of the Commitment Increase Date by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system.

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(iii)Recordation into Register.  Upon its receipt of an agreement referred to in clause (ii)(y) above executed by an Assuming Lender or any Increasing Lender, together with the certificate referred to in clause (ii)(x) above, the Administrative Agent shall, if such agreement has been completed, (x) accept such agreement, (y) record the information contained therein in the Register and (z) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower.

(iv)Adjustments of Borrowings upon Effectiveness of Increase.  On the Commitment Increase Date, the Borrower shall (A) prepay the outstanding Loans (if any) of the affected Class of Commitments in full, (B) simultaneously borrow new Loans of such Class hereunder in an amount equal to such prepayment; provided that with respect to subclauses (A) and (B), (x) the prepayment to, and borrowing from, any existing Lender shall be effected by book entry to the extent that any portion of the amount prepaid to such Lender will be subsequently borrowed from such Lender and (y) the existing Lenders, the Increasing Lenders and the Assuming Lenders shall make and receive payments among themselves, in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, so that, after giving effect thereto, the Loans of such Class are held ratably by the Lenders of such Class in accordance with the respective Commitments of such Class of such Lenders (after giving effect to such Commitment Increase) and (C) pay to the Lenders of such Class the amounts, if any, payable under Section 2.15 as a result of any such prepayment.  Concurrently therewith, the Lenders of such Class shall be deemed to have adjusted their participation interests in any outstanding Letters of Credit of such Class so that such interests are held ratably in accordance with their commitments of such Class as so increased.

(f)Reduction of Non-Extending Lenders’ Commitment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (including Section 2.08(d)):

(i)The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitment of any Non-Extending Lender without reducing the Commitments of any other Lender of the same Class of Commitments as such Non-Extending Lender; provided that each reduction of the Commitment of a Non-Extending Lender hereunder shall be in an amount that is $10,000,000 or a larger multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or, in each case, the entire Commitment of such Non-Extending Lender).

(ii)The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitment of any Non-Extending Lender under this clause (f) at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this clause (f) shall be irrevocable.

(iii)Any termination or reduction of the Commitment of any Non-Extending Lender pursuant to this clause (f) shall be permanent and shall be made concurrently with all required reallocation prepayments and cash collateralizations required under Section 2.20.

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SECTION 2.09.  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

(a)Repayment.  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay the Loans of each Class of Final Maturity Date or Commitments, as applicable, as follows:

(i)to the Administrative Agent for account of the Lenders of such Class of Final Maturity Date the outstanding principal amount of the Syndicated Loans of the Lenders of such Class of Final Maturity Date on the applicable Final Maturity Date; and

(ii)to the applicable Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan of each Class of Commitment denominated in Dollars made by such Swingline Lender, on the earlier of the Extended Commitment Termination Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least ten Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Syndicated Borrowing of such Class of Commitment is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans of such Class of Commitment then outstanding.

In addition, on the Extended Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower shall deposit Cash into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account (denominated in the Currency of the Letter of Credit under which such LC Exposure arises) in an amount equal to 100% of the undrawn face amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding on the close of business on the Extended Commitment Termination Date, such deposit to be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral security for the LC Exposure under this Agreement in respect of the undrawn portion of such Letters of Credit.

(b)Manner of Payment.  Prior to any repayment or prepayment of any Borrowings to any Lenders of any Class of Commitment hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of such Class to be paid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such selection not later than the time set forth in Section 2.10(e) prior to the scheduled date of such repayment; provided that each repayment of Borrowings to any Lenders of a Class shall be applied to repay any outstanding ABR Borrowings of such Class before any other Borrowings of such Class.  If the Borrower fails to make a timely selection of the Borrowing or Borrowings to be repaid or prepaid, such payment shall be applied, first, to pay any outstanding ABR Borrowings of the applicable Class and, second, to other Borrowings of such Class in the order of the remaining duration of their respective Interest Periods (the Borrowing with the shortest remaining Interest Period to be repaid first).  Each payment of a Syndicated Borrowing to Lenders of a Class of Commitments shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in such Borrowing and each payment of a Syndicated Borrowing to Lenders of a Class of Final Maturity Date shall be applied ratably to Non-Extending Lenders or Extending Lenders, as applicable, with Loans included in such Borrowing.

(c)Maintenance of Records by Lenders.  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice records evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts and Currency of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

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(d)Maintenance of Records by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall maintain records in which it shall record (i) the amount and Currency of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and each Interest Period therefor, (ii) the amount and Currency of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender of such Class of Commitment or Final Maturity Date hereunder and (iii) the amount and Currency of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(e)Effect of Entries.  The entries made in the records maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence, absent obvious error, of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such records or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(f)Promissory Notes.  Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note; in such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.  Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

SECTION 2.10.  Prepayment of Loans.

(a)Optional Prepayments.  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, without premium or penalty except for payments under Section 2.15, subject to the requirements of this Section. Any prepayment of a Borrowing made in accordance with this clause (a) shall be applied ratably among the Lenders of a Class of Commitment unless such prepayment is made in connection with the reduction of Commitments in accordance with Section 2.08(b) or (f) in which case such prepayment shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.08(d) or (f), as applicable.

(b)Mandatory Prepayments due to Changes in Exchange Rates.

(i)Determination of Amount Outstanding.  On each Quarterly Date and, in addition, promptly upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Currency Valuation Notice (as defined below), the Administrative Agent shall determine the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure.  For the purpose of this determination, the outstanding principal amount of any Loan that is denominated in any Foreign Currency shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the amount in the Foreign Currency of such Loan, determined as of such Quarterly Date or, in the case of a Currency Valuation Notice received by the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on a Business Day, on such Business Day or, in the case of a Currency Valuation Notice otherwise received, on the first Business Day after such Currency Valuation Notice is received.  Upon making such determination, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Multicurrency Lenders and the Borrower thereof.

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(ii)Prepayment.  If on the date of such determination the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure minus the Multicurrency LC Exposure fully Cash Collateralized on such date exceeds 105% of the aggregate amount of the Multicurrency Commitments as then in effect, the Borrower shall, if requested by the Required Multicurrency Lenders (through the Administrative Agent), prepay the Syndicated Multicurrency Loans and Swingline Multicurrency Loans (and/or provide Cash Collateral for Multicurrency LC Exposure as specified in Section 2.05(k)) within 15 Business Days following the Borrower’s receipt of such request in such amounts as shall be necessary so that after giving effect thereto the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure does not exceed the Multicurrency Commitments.

For purposes hereof “Currency Valuation Notice” means a notice given by the Required Multicurrency Lenders to the Administrative Agent stating that such notice is a “Currency Valuation Notice” and requesting that the Administrative Agent determine the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure.  The Administrative Agent shall not be required to make more than one valuation determination pursuant to Currency Valuation Notices within any rolling three month period.

Any prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied, first to Swingline Multicurrency Loans outstanding, second, to Syndicated Multicurrency Loans outstanding and third, as cover for Multicurrency LC Exposure.

(c)Mandatory Prepayments due to Borrowing Base Deficiency.  In the event that at any time any Borrowing Base Deficiency shall exist, the Borrower shall, within five Business Days after delivery of the applicable Borrowing Base Certificate, prepay the Loans (or provide Cash Collateral for Letters of Credit as contemplated by Section 2.05(k)) or reduce Other Covered Indebtedness or any other Indebtedness that is included in the Covered Debt Amount at such time in such amounts as shall be necessary so that such Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such prepayment of Loans (and Cash Collateral for Letters of Credit) shall be at least equal to the Revolving Percentage times the aggregate prepayment of the Covered Debt Amount, and (ii) if, within five Business Days after delivery of a Borrowing Base Certificate demonstrating such Borrowing Base Deficiency, the Borrower shall present the Lenders with a reasonably feasible plan acceptable to the Required Lenders in their sole discretion to enable such Borrowing Base Deficiency to be cured within 30 Business Days (which 30-Business Day period shall include the five Business Days permitted for delivery of such plan), then such prepayment or reduction shall not be required to be effected immediately but may be effected in accordance with such plan (with such modifications as the Borrower may reasonably determine), so long as such Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured within such 30-Business Day period.

(d)Mandatory Prepayments During Amortization Period.  During the period commencing on the date immediately following the Commitment Termination Date with respect to any Loans of any Lender or Lenders and ending on the Final Maturity Date with respect to the Loans of such Lender or Lenders:

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(i)Asset Disposition.  If the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Financing Subsidiary) Disposes of any property which results in the receipt by such Person of Net Cash Proceeds in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate since the  applicable Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of such Loans owed to such Lender or Lenders equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds no later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in Section 2.09(b)).

(ii)Equity Issuance.  Upon the sale or issuance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Financing Subsidiary) of any of its Equity Interests (other than any sales or issuances of Equity Interests to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of such Loans owed to such Lender or Lenders equal to 75% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom no later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in Section 2.09(b)).

(iii)Indebtedness.  Upon the incurrence or issuance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Financing Subsidiary) of any Indebtedness (other than the making of any Loans or issuance of any Letters of Credit hereunder), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of such Loans owed to such Lender or Lenders equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom no later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in Section 2.09(b)).

(iv)Extraordinary Receipt.  Upon any Extraordinary Receipt (which, when taken with all other Extraordinary Receipts received after the applicable Commitment Termination Date, exceeds $5,000,000 in the aggregate) received by or paid to or for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Financing Subsidiary), and not otherwise included in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 2.10(d), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of such Loans owed to such Lender or Lenders equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom no later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in Section 2.09(b)).

(v)Return of Capital.  If any Obligor shall receive any Return of Capital (other than from any Financing Subsidiary), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of such Loans owed to such Lender or Lenders equal to 90% of such Return of Capital (excluding amounts payable by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.15) no later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of such Return of Capital (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in Section 2.09(b)).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) Net Cash Proceeds and Return of Capital required to be applied to the prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.10(d) shall (A) (I) from the period commencing on any Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date and ending on the Extended Commitment Termination Date, be applied ratably among the Non-Extending Lenders for which any Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date shall have occurred and (II) from the Extended Commitment Termination Date to the Extended Final Maturity Date, be applied in

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accordance with the Guarantee and Security Agreement and (B) exclude the amount necessary for the Borrower to make all required distributions (which shall be no less than the amount estimated in good faith by Borrower under Section 6.05(b) herein) to maintain the status of a RIC under the Code and a “business development company” under the Investment Company Act for so long as the Borrower retains such status and (II) if the Loans to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 2.01(d) are Eurocurrency Loans, the Borrower may defer such prepayment until the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loans owed to such Lender or Lenders, so long as the Borrower deposits an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds, no later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds, into a segregated collateral account in the name and under the dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, pending application of such amount to the prepayment of the Loans on the last day of such Interest Period; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may direct the application of such deposits as set forth in Section 2.09(b) at any time and if the Administrative Agent does so, no amounts will be payable by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.15.

(e)Notices, Etc.  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan made by a Swingline Lender, such Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars (other than in the case of a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10(d)), not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in  a Foreign Currency (other than in the case of a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10(d)), not later than 11:00 a.m., London time, four Business Days before the date of prepayment, (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Syndicated ABR Borrowing (other than in the case of a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10(d)), not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment, (iv) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 11:00 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on the date of prepayment, or (v) in the case of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.10(d), not later than 1:00 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia time, on the date of prepayment.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that, if (i) a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments of a Class as contemplated by Section 2.08, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08 and (ii) any notice given in connection with Section 2.10(d) may be conditioned on the consummation of the applicable transaction contemplated by such Section and the receipt by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary (other than a Financing Subsidiary) of Net Cash Proceeds.  Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Syndicated Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the affected Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02 or in the case of a Swingline Loan, as provided in Section 2.04, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment.  Each prepayment of a Syndicated Borrowing of a Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date shall be applied ratably to the Loans held by the Lenders of such Class included in the prepaid Borrowing.  Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12 and shall be made in the manner specified in Section 2.09(b) unless such prepayment is made in connection with the reduction of Commitments in accordance with Section 2.08(b) or (f) in which case such prepayment shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.08(d) or (f), as applicable.

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SECTION 2.11.  Fees.

(a)Commitment Fee.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to 0.375% on the average daily unused amount of the Dollar Commitment and Multicurrency Commitment, as applicable, of such Lender during the period from and including the date hereof to but excluding the earlier of the date such commitment terminates and such Lender’s Commitment Termination Date.  Accrued commitment fees shall be payable within one Business Day after each Quarterly Date and on the earlier of the date the Commitments of the respective Class terminate and the Commitment Termination Date of such Class, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof.  All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  For purposes of computing commitment fees, (i) the daily unused amount of the applicable Commitment shall be determined as of the end of each day and (ii) the Commitment of any Class of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Syndicated Loans and LC Exposure of such Class of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Class of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

(b)Letter of Credit Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit of each Class of Commitments, which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to, in the case of any Extending Lender, the Extended Applicable Margin and, in the case of any Non-Extending Lender, the Non-Extended Applicable Margin, in each case, applicable to interest on Eurocurrency Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure of such Class (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment of such Class terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure of such Class, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the average daily amount of such Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as each Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.  Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including each Quarterly Date shall be payable on the third Business Day following such Quarterly Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees with respect to the Letters of Credit shall be payable (i) with respect to the Issuing Bank, on the Termination Date and (ii) with respect to any Lender, on the earlier to occur of such Lender’s Final Maturity Date and the Termination Date and the Borrower shall pay any such fees that have accrued and that are unpaid on such date and, in the event any Letters of Credit shall be outstanding that have expiration dates after the Termination Date, the Borrower shall prepay on the Termination Date the full amount of the participation and fronting fees that will accrue on such Letters of Credit subsequent to the Termination Date through but not including the date such outstanding Letters of Credit are scheduled to expire (and, in that connection, the Lenders agree not later than the date two Business Days after the date upon which the last such Letter of Credit shall expire or be terminated to rebate to the Borrower the excess, if any, of the aggregate participation and fronting fees that have been prepaid by the Borrower over the sum of the amount

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of such fees that ultimately accrue through the date of such expiration or termination and the aggregate amount of all other unpaid obligations hereunder at such time).  Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(c)Administrative Agent Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(d)Payment of Fees.  All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars (or, at the election of the Borrower with respect to any fees payable to an Issuing Bank on account of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank in any Foreign Currency, in such Foreign Currency) and immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the applicable Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto.  Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances absent obvious error.

SECTION 2.12.  Interest.

(a)ABR Loans.  The Loans constituting each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) that are made by the Extending Lenders shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Extended Applicable Margin.  The Loans constituting each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan)  that are made by the Non-Extending Lenders shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Non-Extended Applicable Margin.

(b)Eurocurrency Loans.  The Loans constituting each Eurocurrency Borrowing that are made by the Extending Lenders shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the related Interest Period for such Borrowing plus the Extended Applicable Margin.  The Loans constituting each Eurocurrency Borrowing that are made by the Non-Extending Lenders shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the related Interest Period for such Borrowing plus the Non-Extended Applicable Margin.

(c)Default Interest.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Required Lenders have elected to increase pricing, the interest rates applicable to Loans and any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided above, (ii) in the case of any Letter of Credit, 2% plus the fee otherwise applicable to such Letter of Credit as provided in Section 2.11(b)(i), or (iii) in the case of any fee or other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(d)Payment of Interest.  Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan in the Currency in which such Loan is denominated and, in the case of Syndicated Loans, with respect to any Lender, upon the earlier of

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such Lender’s Final Maturity Date and the Termination Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Syndicated ABR Loan prior to such Lender’s Final Maturity Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Borrowing shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e)Computation.  All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed (i) by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate and (ii) on Multicurrency Loans denominated in Pounds Sterling or Canadian Dollars shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.13.  Inability to Determine Interest Rates.  If, prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing of a Class (the Currency of such Borrowing herein called the “Affected Currency”):

(a)the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower absent manifest error) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant interbank market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Affected Currency (including, without limitation, because the Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis) for such Interest Period; or

(b)the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders of such Class of Commitments that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Affected Currency for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their respective Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give written notice thereof (or telephonic notice, promptly confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and the affected Lenders as promptly as practicable thereafter.  Until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Syndicated Borrowing to, or the continuation of any Syndicated Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in the Affected Currency shall be ineffective and, if the Affected Currency is Dollars, such Syndicated Borrowing (unless prepaid) shall be continued as, or converted to, a Syndicated ABR Borrowing, (ii) if the Affected Currency is Dollars and any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be made as a Syndicated ABR Borrowing and (iii) if the Affected Currency is a Foreign Currency, then either, at the Borrower’s election, (A) any Borrowing Request that requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in the Affected Currency shall be ineffective, or (B) the LIBO Rate for such Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be the cost to each Lender to fund its pro rata share of such Eurocurrency Borrowing (from whatever source and using whatever methodologies as such Lender may select in its reasonable discretion).

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SECTION 2.14.  Increased Costs.

(a)Increased Costs Generally.  If any Change in Law shall:

(i)impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank; or

(ii)impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lenders of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, in Dollars, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)Capital and Liquidity Requirements.  If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity requirements), by an amount deemed to be material by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, in Dollars, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c)Certificates from Lenders.  A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts, in Dollars, necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be promptly delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d)Delay in Requests.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower

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shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further, that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.15.  Break Funding Payments.  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period therefor (including as a result of the occurrence of any Commitment Increase Date or an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period therefor, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Syndicated Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (including, in connection with any Commitment Increase Date, and regardless of whether such notice is permitted to be revocable under Section 2.10(e) and is revoked in accordance herewith), or (d) the assignment as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18(b) of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period therefor, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and reasonable expense attributable to such event (excluding loss of anticipated profits).  In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, the loss to any Lender attributable to any such event shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be equal to the excess, if any, of

(i)the amount of interest that such Lender would pay for a deposit equal to the principal amount of such Loan denominated in the Currency of such Loan for the period from the date of such payment, conversion, failure or assignment to the last day of the then current Interest Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the duration of the Interest Period that would have resulted from such borrowing, conversion or continuation) if the interest rate payable on such deposit were equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Currency for such Interest Period, over

(ii)the amount of interest that such Lender would earn on such principal amount for such period if such Lender were to invest such principal amount for such period at the interest rate that would be bid by such Lender (or an affiliate of such Lender) for deposits denominated in such Currency from other banks in the Eurocurrency market at the commencement of such period.

Payment under this Section shall be made upon request of a Lender delivered not later than five Business Days following the payment, conversion, or failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay that gives rise to a claim under this Section accompanied by a certificate of such Lender setting forth the amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section, which certificate shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

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SECTION 2.16.  Taxes.

(a)Payments Free of Taxes.  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) if such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, applicable Lender or applicable Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b)Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower.  In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c)Indemnification by the Borrower.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank for and, within 10 Business Days after written demand therefor, pay the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority, except to the extent that any such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes arise as the result of the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or an Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d)Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 Business Days after written demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(f) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (d).

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(e)Evidence of Payments.  As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(f)Tax Documentation.  (i) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.  In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.16(f)(ii) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii)Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(A)any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (and such additional copies as shall be reasonably requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Lender become a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), duly completed and executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or any successor form certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax; and

(B)each Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:

(w)duly completed and executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or any successor form claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

(x)duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or any successor form certifying that the income receivable pursuant

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to this Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States,

(y)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (1) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (2) duly completed and executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor form) certifying that the Foreign Lender is not a U.S. Person, or

(z)any other form including Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY as applicable prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(iii)In addition, each Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence, expiration or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender; provided it is legally able to do so at the time.  Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time the chief tax officer of such Lender becomes aware that it no longer satisfies the legal requirements to provide any previously delivered form or certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. or other taxing authorities for such purpose).

(g)Documentation Required by FATCA.  If a payment made to a Lender under this Agreement would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such document prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their respective obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this Section 2.16(g), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(h)Treatment of Certain Refunds.  If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund or credit (in lieu of such refund) of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or

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Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank in the event the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (h), in no event will the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank be required to pay any amount to Borrower pursuant to this clause (h), the payment of which would place such Person in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Person would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.  This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank to make available its tax returns or its books or records (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

SECTION 2.17.  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment: Sharing of Set-offs.

(a)Payments by the Borrower.  The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or otherwise) or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein) prior to 12:00 noon, Atlanta, Georgia time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim.  Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Account, except as otherwise expressly provided in the relevant Loan Document and except payments to be made directly to any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and payments pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03, which shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.  If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.

All amounts owing under this Agreement  (including commitment fees, payments required under Section 2.14, and payments required under Section 2.15 relating to any Loan denominated in Dollars, but not including principal of and interest on any Loan denominated in any Foreign Currency or payments relating to any such Loan required under Section 2.15, which are payable in such Foreign Currency) or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein) are payable in Dollars.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise), the unpaid portion of such Loan shall, if such Loan is not denominated in Dollars, automatically be redenominated in Dollars on the due date thereof (or, if such due date is a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor, on the last day of such Interest Period) in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent thereof on the date of such

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redenomination and such principal shall be payable on demand; and if the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan that is not denominated in Dollars, such interest shall automatically be redenominated in Dollars on the due date therefor (or, if such due date is a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor, on the last day of such Interest Period) in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent thereof on the date of such redenomination and such interest shall be payable on demand.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if, after the making of any Borrowing in any Foreign Currency, currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that the type of currency in which the Borrowing was made (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the Borrower is not able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by the Borrower hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent (as of the date of repayment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Borrower takes all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations.

(b)Application of Insufficient Payments.  If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees of a Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay interest and fees of such Class then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees of such Class then due to such parties, and (ii) second, to pay principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements of such Class then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements of such Class then due to such parties.

(c)Pro Rata Treatment.  Except to the extent otherwise provided herein: (i) other than with respect any Syndicated Borrowing requested pursuant to Section 2.20, each Syndicated Borrowing of a Class shall be made from the Lenders of such Class of Commitments and each Syndicated Borrowing of a Class requested pursuant to Section 2.20 shall be made from each Extending Lender, each payment of commitment fee under Section 2.11 shall be made for account of the Lenders of the applicable Class, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments of a Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date under Section 2.08 shall be applied to the respective Commitments of the Lenders of such Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date, pro rata according to the amounts of their respective Commitments of such Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date; (ii) each Syndicated Borrowing of a Class of Commitments shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders of such Class according to the amounts of their respective Commitments of such Class (in the case of the making of Syndicated Loans) or their respective Loans of such Class that are to be included in such Borrowing (in the case of conversions and continuations of Loans); (iii) each payment or prepayment of principal of Syndicated Loans of a Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date by the Borrower shall be made for account of the Lenders of such Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Syndicated Loans of such Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date held by them; and (iv) each payment of interest on Syndicated Loans of a Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date by the Borrower shall be made for account of the Lenders of such Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans of such Class of Commitments or Final Maturity Date then due and payable to the respective Lenders.

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(d)Sharing of Payments by Lenders.  If any Lender of any Class of Commitment or Final Maturity Date shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Syndicated Loans, or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans, of such Class resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Syndicated Loans, and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, and accrued interest thereon of such Class then due than the proportion received by any other Lender of such Class, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Syndicated Loans, and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, of other Lenders of such Class to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders of such Class ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Syndicated Loans, and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, of such Class; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).  The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(e)Presumptions of Payment.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due.  In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

(f)Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent.  If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(e), 2.06(a) or (b) or 2.17(e), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

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SECTION 2.18.  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a)Designation of a Different Lending Office.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any cost or expense not required to be reimbursed by the Borrower and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b)Replacement of Lenders.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or is a Non-Consenting Lender (as provided in Section 9.02(d)), then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Commitment is being assigned, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments.  A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

SECTION 2.19.  Defaulting Lenders.

(a)Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i)Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) or received by Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by Administrative Agent as follows:

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first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in the manner described in Section 2.09(a); fourth, as Borrower may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by Administrative Agent and Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in the manner described in Section 2.09(a); sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, Issuing Banks or Swingline Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or reimbursement obligations in respect of any LC Disbursement for which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied and waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and reimbursement obligations in respect of any LC Disbursement that is owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or reimbursement obligations in respect of any LC Disbursement that is owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the applicable Commitments without giving effect to Section 2.19(a)(iii). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.19(a)(i) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(ii)Certain Fees.

(A)No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee pursuant to Sections 2.11(a) and (b) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender); provided that such Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive fees pursuant to Section 2.11(b) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.19(d).

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(B)With respect to any Section 2.11(b) fees not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) above, Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iii) below, (y) pay to each Issuing Bank the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iii)Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated (effective no later than one (1) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has actual knowledge that such Lender has become a Defaulting Lender) among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Dollar Percentages and Applicable Multicurrency Percentages, as the case may be (in each case calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment), but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless Borrower shall have otherwise notified Administrative Agent at such time, Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. Subject to Section 9.17, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(iv)Cash Collateral; Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (iii) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall not later than two (2) Business Days after demand by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of any Issuing Bank and/or any Swingline Lender), without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lenders’ Swingline Exposure (which exposure shall be deemed equal to the applicable Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the total outstanding Swingline Exposure (other than Swingline Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof)) and (y) second, Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.19(d) or (z) make other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lenders in their sole discretion to protect them against the risk of non-payment by such Defaulting Lender.

(b)Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lenders and the Issuing Banks agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that such former Defaulting Lender will, to the

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extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the applicable Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.19(a)(iii)), and if Cash Collateral has been posted with respect to such Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will promptly return or release such Cash Collateral to the Borrower, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c)New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) no Swingline Lender shall be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that the participations therein will be fully allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with clause (a)(iii) above and the Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein and (ii) no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that the participations in any existing Letters of Credit as well as the new, extended, renewed or increased Letter of Credit has been or will be fully allocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with clause (a)(iii) above and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein except to the extent such Defaulting Lender’s participation has been or will be fully Cash Collateralized in accordance with Section 2.19(d).

(d)Cash Collateral. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, promptly following the written request of Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank (with a copy to Administrative Agent) Borrower shall Cash Collateralize each Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.19(a)(iii) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.

(i)Grant of Security Interest. Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of Letters of Credit, to be applied pursuant to clause (ii) below. If at any time Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, Borrower will, promptly upon demand by Administrative Agent, pay or provide to Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).  All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Truist. Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all reasonable and customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

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(ii)Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 2.19 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of Letters of Credit (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

(iii)Termination of Requirement. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.19 following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender) or (ii) the determination by Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.19, the Person providing Cash Collateral and each Issuing Bank may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure; provided, further, that to the extent that such Cash Collateral was provided by Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.

SECTION 2.20. Reallocation Following a Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date.  

(a)Reallocation of Participations and Loans.

(i)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (a) in connection with the reduction or termination of any Non-Extending Lender’s Commitments in accordance with Section 2.08(f) on any date prior to the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for such Non-Extending Lender, the Borrower shall be permitted to request a Dollar Loan be made ratably among the Extending Lenders and Non-Extending Lenders for which the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date shall not have occurred in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.02, 2.03 and 2.17(c) in an amount up to the amount by which such Non-Extending Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeds such Non-Extending Lender’s Commitments after giving effect to such Commitment reduction and (b) on any date following the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for any Non-Extending Lender until the Extended Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower shall be permitted to request a Dollar Loan to be made ratably among the Extending Lenders and Non-Extending Lenders for which the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date shall not have occurred in accordance with Sections 2.02, 2.03 and 2.17(c) in an amount up to the Revolving Credit Exposure of each Non-Extending Lender for which the Non-Extended Commitment Termination shall have occurred, in each case, so long as (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied (and, unless Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), (y) such Borrowing does not cause (I) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Extending Lender to exceed such Extending Lender’s Commitment, (II) the aggregate Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure of all of the Dollar Lenders with Dollar Commitments then in effect to exceed the aggregate

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Dollar Commitments at such time or (III) the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure of all of the Multicurrency Lenders with Multicurrency Commitments then in effect to exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Commitments at such time and (z) the proceeds of any such Loan are applied solely to reduce the Revolving Credit Exposure of the applicable Non-Extending Lender or Non-Extending Lenders, as applicable.

(ii)All or any part of each Non-Extending Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated on (A) any date on which the Commitment of such Non-Extending Lender is reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.08(f) and (B) on the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for such Non-Extending Lender, in each case, among the Extending Lenders and Non-Extending Lenders for which the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date shall not have occurred in accordance with their respective Applicable Dollar Percentages and Applicable Multicurrency Percentages after giving effect to the reduction of the aggregate Commitments, but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless Borrower shall have otherwise notified Administrative Agent at such time, Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause (I) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Extending Lender or Non-Extending Lender for which the Commitment Termination Date shall not have occurred to exceed such Lender’s Commitment, (II) the total Revolving Dollar Credit Exposures of Dollar Lenders with Dollar Commitments then in effect to exceed the aggregate Dollar Commitments at such time, or (III) the total Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposures of Multicurrency Lenders with Multicurrency Commitments then in effect to exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Commitments at such time.

(b)Cash Collateral; Repayment of Swingline Loans. If any Loan related to the reduction or termination of a Non-Extending Lender’s Commitment prior to the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date described in clause (a)(i) above or any reallocation described in clause (a)(ii) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, not later than (i) with respect to any reduction or termination of a Non-Extending Lender’s Commitment pursuant to Section 2.08(f), the date of such Commitment reduction or termination or, (ii) with respect to any reallocation of participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans on the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date for any Non-Extending Lender, on the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date applicable to such Non-Extending Lender, as the case may be, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the amount by which the participation obligations of the Non-Extending Lenders for which the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date shall have occurred which have not been reallocated to the Extending Lenders and Non-Extending Lenders for which the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date shall not have occurred pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above, (y) provide Cash Collateral in an amount equal to the amount by which the participation obligations of such Non-Extending Lenders in Letters of Credit have not been reallocated pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above and (z) prepay any other Loans of a Non-Extending Lender for which the Non-Extended Commitment Termination Date shall have occurred in an amount equal to the amount by which the Revolving Credit Exposure of such Non-Extending Lender after giving effect to any prepayment described in clause (a)(i)(z) above exceeds such Non-Extending Lender’s Commitment after giving effect to any reduction in such Non-Extending Lender’s Commitment.  

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SECTION 2.21. Assignment and Reallocation of Existing Commitments and Existing Loans.

(a)On the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower shall (A) prepay the outstanding Loans and (B) simultaneously borrow new Loans in an amount equal to such prepayment; provided that with respect to subclauses (A) and (B), (x) the prepayment to, and borrowing from, any Lender shall be effected by book entry to the extent that any portion of the amount prepaid to such Lender will be subsequently borrowed from such Lender and (y) the Lenders shall make and receive payments among themselves, in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, so that, after giving effect thereto, the Loans of each Class are held ratably by the Lenders of such Class in accordance with each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Commitments and portion of loans, which, for the purposes of this Agreement and each other Loan Document, will be as set forth opposite such Person’s name on Schedule 1.01(b).  Concurrently therewith, the Lenders of each Class shall be deemed to have adjusted their participation interests in any outstanding Letters of Credit of such Class so that such interests are held ratably in accordance with their Applicable Percentage of Commitments of such Class.

(b)Each of the Lenders hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) no Lender nor the Administrative Agent has made any representations or warranties or assumed any responsibility with respect to (A) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness or sufficiency of this Agreement, the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or (B) the financial condition of any Obligor or the performance by any Obligor of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (ii) it has received such information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement; and (iii) it has made and continues to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender.

SECTION 2.22. Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.

(a)Benchmark Replacement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the LIBO Rate with a Benchmark Replacement.  Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders of each Class.  Any such amendment with respect to an Early Opt-in Election will become effective on the date that Lenders comprising the Required Lenders of each Class have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders accept such amendment.  No replacement of the LIBO Rate with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.22 will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

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(b)Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.  In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent (after consulting with the Borrower) will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

(c)Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Start Date, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and (iv) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period.  Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.22, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.22.

(d)Benchmark Unavailability Period.  Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Eurocurrency Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans.  During any Benchmark Unavailability Period, the component of ABR based upon the LIBO Rate will not be used in any determination of ABR.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable.

SECTION 3.02.  Authorization; Enforceability.  The Transactions are within the Borrower’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, by all necessary shareholder action.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each of the other Loan Documents when executed and delivered by each Obligor party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation

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of such Obligor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

SECTION 3.03.  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.  The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (i) such as have been or will be obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default in any material respect under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, and (d) except for the Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents, will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

SECTION 3.04.  Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.

(a)Financial Statements.  The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Lenders the audited consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012, certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower.  Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date and for such period in accordance with GAAP.

(b)No Material Adverse Change.  Since the date of the most recent Applicable Financial Statements, there has not been any event, development or circumstance (herein, a “Material Adverse Change”) that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, Portfolio Investments and other assets, liabilities or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than any Financing Subsidiary) taken as a whole (excluding in any case a decline in the net asset value of the Borrower or a change in general market conditions or values of the Borrower’s Portfolio Investments), or (ii) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

SECTION 3.05.  Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority now pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.

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SECTION 3.06.  Compliance with Laws and Agreements.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any contract or other arrangement, the performance of which by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.07.  Taxes.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all material Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Person has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08.  ERISA.  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.09.  Disclosure.  As of the Effective Date, the Borrower has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  As of the Effective Date, none of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information (other than projected financial information, other forward looking information relating to third parties and information of a general economic or general industry nature) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) when taken as a whole (and after giving effect to all updates, modifications and supplements) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

SECTION 3.10.  Investment Company Act; Margin Regulations.

(a)Status as Business Development Company.  The Borrower has elected to be regulated as a “business development company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and qualifies as a RIC.

(b)Compliance with Investment Company Act.  The business and other activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the making of the Loans hereunder, the application of the proceeds and repayment thereof by the Borrower and the consummation of the Transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not result in a violation or breach in any material respect of the provisions of the Investment Company Act or any rules, regulations or orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in each case that are applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

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(c)Investment Policies.  The Borrower is in compliance in all respects with the Investment Policies (after giving effect to any Permitted Policy Amendments), except to the extent that the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d)Use of Credit.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock.

SECTION 3.11.  Material Agreements and Liens.

(a)Material Agreements.  Part A of Schedule 3.11 is a complete and correct list, as of the Original Effective Date, of each credit agreement, loan agreement, indenture, purchase agreement, guarantee, letter of credit or other arrangement providing for or otherwise relating to any Indebtedness or any extension of credit (or commitment for any extension of credit) to, or guarantee by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries outstanding as of the Original Effective Date, and the aggregate principal or face amount outstanding or that is, or may become, outstanding under each such arrangement is correctly described in Part A of Schedule 3.11.

(b)Liens.  Part B of Schedule 3.11 is a complete and correct list, as of the Original Effective Date, of each Lien securing Indebtedness of any Person outstanding on the Original Effective Date covering any property of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the aggregate Indebtedness secured (or that may be secured) by each such Lien and the property covered by each such Lien is correctly described in Part B of Schedule 3.11.

SECTION 3.12.  Subsidiaries and Investments.

(a)Subsidiaries.  Set forth on Schedule 3.12(a) is a list of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries as of the Original Effective Date.

(b)Investments.  Set forth on Schedule 3.12(b) is a complete and correct list, as of the Original Effective Date, of all Investments (other than Investments of the types referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of Section 6.04) held by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors in any Person on the Original Effective Date and, for each such Investment, (x) the identity of the Person or Persons holding such Investment and (y) the nature of such Investment.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.12, each of the Borrower and any of the Subsidiary Guarantors owned, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or the Security Documents and Permitted Liens), all such Investments as of such date.

SECTION 3.13.  Properties.

(a)Title Generally.  Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.

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(b)Intellectual Property.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than any Financing Subsidiary) owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than any Financing Subsidiary) does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.14.  Affiliate Agreements.  As of the Original Effective Date, the Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent true and complete copies of each of the Affiliate Agreements (including and schedules and exhibits thereto, and any amendments, supplements or waivers executed and delivered thereunder).  As of the Original Effective Date, each of the Affiliate Agreements was in full force and effect.

SECTION 3.15.  Sanctions.  

(a)None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of their respective directors, officers or authorized signors (i) is a person on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to, or the subject or target of, the limitations or prohibitions (collectively “Sanctions”) under (A) any U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control or U.S. Department of State regulation or executive order or (B) any international economic sanction administered or enforced by the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury or the European Union or (ii) is located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country.

(b)The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and investment advisors with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.

SECTION 3.16.  Patriot Act.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in material compliance with (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (b) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001).  No part of the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used, directly or, to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, indirectly, for any payments (i) to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, all in violation by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or the UK Bribery Act or in material violation of US or UK regulations implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (collectively, the “Anti-Corruption Laws”) or (ii) for the purpose of financing the activities in or with any Sanctioned Country, or of any Person, at the time of such financing (A) subject to, or the subject of, any Sanctions or (B) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, in each case as would result in a violation of Sanctions.

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SECTION 3.17.  Collateral Documents.  The provisions of the Security Documents are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 6.02) on all right, title and interest of the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor in the Collateral described therein.  Except for filings completed prior to the Effective Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Security Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect such Liens.

SECTION 3.18.  EEA Financial Institutions.  Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an EEA Financial Institution.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01.  Effective Date.  The effectiveness of this Agreement and of the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until completion of each of the following conditions precedent (unless a condition shall have been waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a)Documents.  Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following documents, each of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and to the extent specified below to each Lender) in form and substance:

(i)Executed Counterparts.  From each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page to this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(ii)Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower.  A favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of (A) Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York counsel for the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors and (B) Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, Delaware counsel for the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors, in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (and the Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent).

(iii)Corporate Documents.  Such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Borrower, this Agreement or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(iv)Officer’s Certificate.  A certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, the Chief Executive Officer, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in the lettered clauses of the first sentence of Section 4.02.

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(b)Fees and Expenses.  Confirmation of receipt by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, of the fees required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to that certain fee letter, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

SECTION 4.02.  Each Credit Event.  The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is additionally subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a)the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any portion of any representations and warranties already subject to a materiality qualifier, true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Loan or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, or, as to any such representation or warranty that refers to a specific date, as of such specific date;

(b)at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c)either (i) the aggregate Covered Debt Amount (after giving effect to such extension of credit) shall not exceed the Borrowing Base reflected on the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent or (ii) the Borrower shall have delivered an updated Borrowing Base Certificate demonstrating that the Covered Debt Amount (after giving effect to such extension of credit) shall not exceed the Borrowing Base after giving effect to such extension of credit as well as any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments or payment of outstanding Loans or Other Covered Indebtedness or any other Indebtedness that is included in the Covered Debt Amount at such time.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in the preceding sentence.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired, been terminated, Cash Collateralized or backstopped and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01.  Financial Statements and Other Information.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

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(a)within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the audited consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by KPMG or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided that the requirements set forth in this clause (a) may be fulfilled by providing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the report of the Borrower to the SEC on Form 10-K for the applicable fiscal year;

(b)within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (or, in the case of the statements of assets and liabilities, operations, changes in net assets and cash flows, as of the end of) the corresponding period or periods of the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; provided that the requirements set forth in this clause (b) may be fulfilled by providing to the Lenders the report of the Borrower to the SEC on Form 10-Q for the applicable quarterly period;

(c)concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) of this Section, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that such statements are consistent with the financial statements filed by the Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) certifying as to whether the Borrower has knowledge that a Default has occurred during the applicable period and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.04 and 6.07 and (iv) stating whether any change in GAAP as applied by (or in the application of GAAP by) the Borrower has occurred since the Effective Date and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

(d)as soon as available and in any event not later than 20 days after the end of each monthly accounting period (ending on the last day of each calendar month) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, a Borrowing Base Certificate as at the last day of such accounting period which shall include the ratio of the Borrowing Base to the Combined Debt Amount (showing the components of the Combined Debt Amount);

(e)promptly but no later than five Business Days after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall at any time have knowledge that there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency, a Borrowing Base Certificate as at the date such Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge of such Borrowing Base Deficiency indicating the amount of the Borrowing Base Deficiency as at the date such Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtained knowledge of such deficiency and the amount of the Borrowing Base Deficiency as of the date not earlier than one Business Day prior to the date the Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to this paragraph;

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(f)promptly upon receipt thereof copies of all significant reports submitted by the Borrower’s independent public accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit or review of any type of the financial statements or related internal control systems of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries delivered by such accountants to the management or board of directors of the Borrower;

(g)promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be; and

(h)promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

(i)Borrower and each Lender acknowledge that certain of the Lenders may be Public Lenders and, if documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01 or otherwise are being distributed through IntraLinks/IntraAgency, SyndTrak or another relevant website or other information platform (the “Platform”), any document or notice that Borrower has indicated contains Non-Public Information shall not be posted by Administrative Agent on that portion of the Platform designated for such Public Lenders. Borrower agrees to clearly designate all information provided to Administrative Agent by or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which is suitable to make available to Public Lenders. If Borrower has not indicated whether a document or notice delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01 contains Non-Public Information, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such document or notice solely on that portion of the Platform designated for Lenders who wish to receive material Non-Public Information with respect to Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their Securities (as such term is defined in Section 5.13 of this Agreement).

(j)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the requirements to deliver documents set forth in Section 5.01(a), (b) and (g) will be fulfilled by filing by the Borrower of the applicable documents for public availability on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval system; provided, that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents.

SECTION 5.02.  Notices of Material Events.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice upon any Responsible Officer obtaining knowledge of the following:

(a)the occurrence of any Default;

(b)the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

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(c)the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $25,000,000; and

(d)any other development (excluding matters of a general economic, financial or political nature to the extent that they could not reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate effect on the Borrower) that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03.  Existence: Conduct of Business.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

SECTION 5.04.  Payment of Obligations.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including income tax and other material tax liabilities and material contractual obligations, that, if not paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.05.  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

SECTION 5.06.  Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep books of record and account in accordance with GAAP.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Obligor to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties during business hours, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, in each case, to the extent such inspection or requests for such information are reasonable and such information can be provided or discussed without violation of law, rule, regulation or contract; provided that (i) the Borrower or such Obligor shall be entitled to have its representatives and advisors present during

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any inspection of its books and records and (ii) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower’s obligation to reimburse any costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with any such inspection shall be limited to one inspection per calendar year.

SECTION 5.07.  Compliance with Laws.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, including the Investment Company Act, and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, conduct its business and other activities in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and any applicable rules, regulations or orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

SECTION 5.08.  Certain Obligations Respecting Subsidiaries; Further Assurances.

(a)Subsidiary Guarantors.  In the event that the Borrower or any the Subsidiary Guarantors shall form or acquire any new Subsidiary (other than a Financing Subsidiary, a Foreign Subsidiary, an Immaterial Subsidiary or a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary) the Borrower will cause such new Subsidiary to become a “Subsidiary Guarantor” (and, thereby, an “Obligor”) under the Guarantee and Security Agreement pursuant to a Guarantee Assumption Agreement and to deliver such proof of corporate or other action, incumbency of officers, opinions of counsel and other documents as is consistent with those delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.01 upon the Effective Date or as the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably requested.

(b)Ownership of Subsidiaries.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take such action from time to time as shall be necessary to ensure that each of its Subsidiaries is a wholly owned Subsidiary.

(c)Further Assurances.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, take such action from time to time as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent to effectuate the purposes and objectives of this Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, take such action from time to time (including filing appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and executing and delivering such assignments, security agreements and other instruments) as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent: (i) to create, in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (and any affiliate thereof that is a party to any Hedging Agreement entered into with the Borrower) and the holders of any Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness or Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness, perfected security interests and Liens in the Collateral; provided that any such security interest or Lien shall be subject to the relevant requirements of the Security Documents, (ii) in the case of any Portfolio Investment consisting of a Bank Loan (as defined in Section 5.13) that does not constitute all of the credit extended to the underlying borrower under the relevant underlying loan documents and a Financing Subsidiary holds any interest in the loans or other extensions of credit under such loan documents, (x) to cause such Financing Subsidiary to be party to such underlying loan documents as a “lender” having a direct interest (or a participation not acquired from an Obligor) in such underlying loan documents and the extensions of credit thereunder and (y) to ensure that all

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amounts owing to such Obligor or Financing Subsidiary by the underlying borrower or other obligated party are remitted by such borrower or obligated party directly to separate accounts of such Obligor and such Financing Subsidiary, (iii) in the event that any Obligor is acting as an agent or administrative agent under any loan documents with respect to any Bank Loan that does not constitute all of the credit extended to the underlying borrower under the relevant underlying loan documents, to ensure that all funds held by such Obligor in such capacity as agent or administrative agent is segregated from all other funds of such Obligor and clearly identified as being held in an agency capacity and (iv) to cause the closing sets and all executed amendments, consents, forbearances and other modifications and assignment agreements relating to any Portfolio Investment and any other documents relating to any Portfolio Investment requested by the Collateral Agent, in each case, to be held by the Collateral Agent or a custodian pursuant to the terms of a custodian agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

SECTION 5.09.  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans only for general corporate purposes of the Borrower, including the acquisition and funding (either directly or through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries) of leveraged loans, mezzanine loans, high-yield securities, convertible securities, preferred stock, common stock and other Portfolio Investments; provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any responsibility as to the use of any of such proceeds.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used in violation of (a) applicable law or, directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying any Margin Stock or (b) Section 3.16.  Margin Stock shall be purchased by the Obligors only with the proceeds of Indebtedness not directly or indirectly secured by Margin Stock, or with the proceeds of equity capital of the Borrower.

SECTION 5.10.  Status of RIC and BDC.  The Borrower shall at all times, subject to applicable grace periods set forth in the Code, maintain its status as a RIC under the Code, and as a “business development company” under the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 5.11.  Investment Policies.  The Borrower shall at all times be in compliance in all material respects with its Investment Policies (after giving effect to any Permitted Policy Amendments).

SECTION 5.12.  Portfolio Valuation and Diversification Etc.

(a)Industry Classification Groups.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower shall assign each Portfolio Investment to an Industry Classification Group.  To the extent that any Portfolio Investment is not correlated with the risks of other Portfolio Investments in an Industry Classification Group, such Portfolio Investment may be assigned by the Borrower to an Industry Classification Group that is more closely correlated to such Portfolio Investment.  In the absence of any correlation, the Borrower shall be permitted, upon prior notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, to create up to three additional industry classification groups for purposes of this Agreement.

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(b)Portfolio Valuation Etc.

(i)Settlement Date Basis.  For purposes of this Agreement, all determinations of whether an investment is to be included as a Portfolio Investment shall be determined on a settlement-date basis (meaning that any investment that has been purchased will not be treated as a Portfolio Investment until such purchase has settled, and any Portfolio Investment which has been sold will not be excluded as a Portfolio Investment until such sale has settled); provided that no such investment shall be included as a Portfolio Investment to the extent it has not been paid for in full.

(ii)Determination of Values.  The Borrower will conduct reviews of the value to be assigned to each of its Portfolio Investments as follows:

(A)Quoted Investments - External Review.  With respect to Portfolio Investments (including Cash Equivalents) for which market quotations are readily available, the Borrower shall, not less frequently than once each calendar week, determine the market value of such Portfolio Investments which shall, in each case, be determined in accordance with one of the following methodologies (as selected by the Borrower):

(B)Unquoted Investments- External Review.  With respect to each Portfolio Investment for which market quotations are not readily available, the Borrower shall request an Approved Third-Party Appraiser to assist the Board of Directors of the Borrower in determining the fair market value of such Portfolio Investment, as at the last day of two non-consecutive fiscal quarters each calendar year in each case, and with respect to each calendar year, as selected by the Borrower in its sole discretion (with respect to such Portfolio Investment) (each, a “Testing Quarter”); provided that

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(C)Internal Review.  The Borrower shall conduct internal reviews of all Portfolio Investments at least once each calendar week which shall take into account any events of which any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge that adversely affect the value of the Portfolio Investments.  If the value of any Portfolio Investment as most recently determined by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 5.12(b)(ii)(C) is lower than the value of such Portfolio Investment as most recently determined pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii)(A) and (B), such lower value shall be deemed to be the “Value” of such Portfolio Investment for purposes hereof; provided that the Value of any Portfolio Investment of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be increased by the net unrealized gain as at the date such Value is determined of any Hedging Agreement entered into to hedge risks associated with such Portfolio Investment and reduced by the net unrealized loss as at such date of any such Hedging Agreement (such net unrealized gain or net unrealized loss, on any date, to be equal to the aggregate amount receivable or payable under the related Hedging Agreement if the same were terminated on such date).

(D)Failure to Determine Values.  If the Borrower shall fail to determine the value of any Portfolio Investment as at any date pursuant to the requirements of the foregoing sub-clauses (A), (B) or (C), then the “Value” of such Portfolio Investment as at such date shall be deemed to be zero.

(E)Testing of Values.  

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For the avoidance of doubt, all calculations of value pursuant to this Section 5.12(b)(ii)(E) shall be determined without application of the Advance Rates.

(F)Valuation Dispute Resolution.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall at any time have the right to request any Unquoted Investment be independently valued by an Approved Third-Party Appraiser selected by the Administrative Agent.  There shall be no limit on the number of such appraisals requested by the Administrative Agent and the costs of any such valuation shall be at the expense of the Borrower.  If the difference between the Borrower’s valuation pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii)(B) and the valuation of any Approved Third-Party Appraiser selected by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii)(E) or (F) is (1) less than 5% of the value thereof, then the

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Borrower’s valuation shall be used, (2) between 5% and 20% of the value thereof, then the valuation of such Portfolio Investment shall be the average of the value determined by the Borrower and the value determined by the Approved Third-Party Appraiser retained by the Administrative Agent and (3) greater than 20% of the value thereof, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall select an additional Approved Third-Party Appraiser and the valuation of such Portfolio Investment shall be the average of the three valuations (with the Administrative Agent’s Approved Third-Party Appraiser’s valuation to be used until the third valuation is obtained).

(c)RIC Diversification Requirements.  The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries (other than Financing Subsidiaries that are exempt from the Investment Company Act) at all times to, subject to applicable grace periods set forth in the Code, comply with the portfolio diversification requirements set forth in the Code applicable to RICs, to the extent applicable.

SECTION 5.13.  Calculation of Borrowing Base.  For purposes of this Agreement, the “Borrowing Base” shall be determined, as at any date of determination, as the sum of the Advance Rates of the Value of each Portfolio Investment (excluding any Cash Collateral held by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(k) or the last paragraph of Section 2.09(a)); provided that:

(a)the Advance Rate applicable to that portion of the aggregate Value of the Portfolio Investments of all issuers in a consolidated group of corporations or other entities (collectively, a “Consolidated Group”), in accordance with GAAP, that exceeds 6% of the aggregate Value of all Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool as of the end of the most recent quarter shall be 50% of the Advance Rate otherwise applicable;

(b)the Advance Rate applicable to that portion of the aggregate Value of the Portfolio Investments of all issuers in a Consolidated Group exceeding 12% of the aggregate Value of all Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool as of the end of the most recent quarter shall be 0%;

(c)the Advance Rate applicable to that portion of the aggregate Value of the Portfolio Investments in any single Industry Classification Group that exceeds 25% of the aggregate Value of all Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool as of the end of the most recent quarter shall be 0%; provided that, with respect to the Portfolio Investments in a single Industry Classification Group from time to time designated by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent such 25% figure shall be increased to 30% and, accordingly, only to the extent that the Value for such single Industry Classification Group exceeds 30% of the aggregate Value of all Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool as of the end of the most recent quarter shall the Advance Rate applicable to such excess Value be 0%;

(d)no Portfolio Investment may be included in the Borrowing Base unless the Collateral Agent maintains a first priority, perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on such Portfolio Investment and such Portfolio Investment has been Delivered (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) to the Collateral Agent, and then only for so long as such Portfolio Investment continues to be Delivered as contemplated therein;

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(e)the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Performing Non-Cash Pay High Yield Securities, Performing Non-Cash Pay Mezzanine Investments, Equity Interests and Non-Performing Portfolio Investments shall not exceed 20%;

(f)the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Equity Interests shall not exceed 10% (it being understood that in no event shall Equity Interests of Financing Subsidiaries be included in the Borrowing Base);

(g)the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Non-Performing Portfolio Investments shall not exceed 15% and the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Portfolio Investments that were Non-Performing Portfolio Investments at the time such Portfolio Investments were acquired shall not exceed 5%;

(h)the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Portfolio Investments invested outside the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden shall not exceed 5% without the consent of the Administrative Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.;

(i)at any time the Borrower Asset Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1:00, but less than 2.25 to 1.00, the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Portfolio Investments other than Performing First Lien Bank Loans shall not exceed 62.5%; and

(j)at any time the Borrower Asset Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 2.25 to 1:00, the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Portfolio Investments other than Performing First Lien Bank Loans shall not exceed 67.5%.

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

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“Advance Rate” means, as to any Portfolio Investment and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.13(a), (b) and (c), the following percentages with respect to such Portfolio Investment:

 

“Bank Loans” means debt obligations (including term loans, notes,                                                                                                                                         revolving loans, debtor-in-possession financings, the funded and unfunded portion of revolving credit lines and letter of credit facilities and other similar loans and investments including interim loans and senior subordinated loans) which are generally under a loan or credit facility (whether or not syndicated) or note purchase agreement.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares of corporate stock (however designated) of and any and all other Equity Interests and participations representing ownership interests (including membership interests and limited liability company interests) in, such Person.

“Cash” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement.

“Cash Equivalents” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement.

“Finance Lease” means any transaction representing the obligation of a lessee to pay rent or other amounts under a lease which is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such lessee under GAAP.

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“First Lien Bank Loan” means a Bank Loan that is entitled to the benefit of a first lien and first priority perfected security interest (subject to Liens for “ABL” revolvers and customary encumbrances) on a substantial portion of the assets of the respective borrower and guarantors obligated in respect thereof.

“High Yield Securities” means debt Securities and Preferred Stock, in each case (a) issued by public or private issuers, (b) issued pursuant to an effective registration statement or pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any successor provision thereunder) or other exemption to the Securities Act and (c) that are not Cash Equivalents, Mezzanine Investments or Bank Loans.

“Long-Term U.S. Government Securities” means U.S. Government Securities maturing more than one year from the applicable date of determination.

“Mezzanine Investments” means debt Securities (including convertible debt Securities (other than the “in-the-money” equity component thereof)) and Preferred Stock in each case (a) issued by public or private issuers, (b) issued without registration under the Securities Act, (c) not issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any successor provision thereunder), (d) that are not Cash Equivalents and (e) contractually subordinated in right of payment to other debt of the same issuer.

“Non-Performing Common Equity” means Capital Stock (other than Preferred Stock) and warrants of an issuer having any debt outstanding that is non-Performing.

“Non-Performing First Lien Bank Loans” means First Lien Bank Loans other than Performing First Lien Bank Loans.

“Non-Performing High Yield Securities” means High Yield Securities other than Performing High Yield Securities.

“Non-Performing Mezzanine Investments” means Mezzanine Investments other than Performing Mezzanine Investments.

“Non-Performing Portfolio Investment” means Portfolio Investments for which the issuer is in default of any payment obligations of principal or interest in respect thereof after the expiration of any applicable grace period.

“Non-Performing Second Lien Bank Loans” means Second Lien Bank Loans other than Performing Second Lien Bank Loans.

“Non-Performing Unitranche Loans” means Unitranche Loans other than Performing Unitranche Loans.

“Performing” means (a) with respect to any Portfolio Investment that is debt, the issuer of such Portfolio Investment is not in default of any payment obligations in respect thereof after the expiration of any applicable grace period and (b) with respect to any Portfolio Investment that is Preferred Stock, the issuer of such Portfolio Investment has not failed to meet any scheduled redemption obligations or to pay its latest declared cash dividend, after the expiration of any applicable grace period.

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“Performing Cash Pay High Yield Securities” means High Yield Securities (a) as to which, at the time of determination, not less than 2/3rds of the interest (including accretions and “pay-in-kind” interest) for the current monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual period (as applicable) is payable in cash and (b) which are Performing.

“Performing Cash Pay Mezzanine Investments” means Mezzanine Investments (a) as to which, at the time of determination, not less than 2/3rds of the interest (including accretions and “pay-in-kind” interest) for the current monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual period (as applicable) is payable in cash and (b) which are Performing.

“Performing Common Equity” means Capital Stock (other than Preferred Stock) and warrants of an issuer all of whose outstanding debt is Performing.

“Performing First Lien Bank Loans” means First Lien Bank Loans which are Performing.

“Performing Non-Cash Pay High Yield Securities” means Performing High Yield Securities other than Performing Cash Pay High Yield Securities.

“Performing Non-Cash Pay Mezzanine Investments” means Performing Mezzanine Investments other than Performing Cash Pay Mezzanine Investments.

“Performing Second Lien Bank Loans” means Second Lien Bank Loans which are Performing.

“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of such Person of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to any shares (or other interests) of other Capital Stock of such Person, and shall include, without limitation, cumulative preferred, non-cumulative preferred, participating preferred and convertible preferred Capital Stock.

“Second Lien Bank Loan” means a Bank Loan that is entitled to the benefit of a second lien and second priority perfected security interest (subject to customary encumbrances) on specified assets of the respective Borrower and guarantors obligated in respect thereof.

“Securities” means common and preferred stock, units and participations, member interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests in partnerships, notes, bonds, debentures, trust receipts and other obligations, instruments or evidences of indebtedness, including debt instruments of public and private issuers and tax-exempt securities (including warrants, rights, put and call options and other options relating thereto, representing rights, or any combination thereof) and other property or interests commonly regarded as securities or any form of interest or participation therein, but not including Bank Loans.

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Short-Term U.S. Government Securities” means U.S. Government Securities maturing within one year of the applicable date of determination.

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“Structured Finance Obligation” means any obligation issued by a special purpose vehicle and secured directly by, referenced to, or representing ownership of, a pool of receivables or other financial assets of any obligor, including collateralized debt obligations and mortgaged-backed securities.  For the avoidance of doubt, if an obligation satisfies the definition of “Structured Finance Obligation”, such obligation shall not (a) qualify as any other category of Portfolio Investment and (b) be included in the Borrowing Base.

“U.S. Government Securities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01.

“Unitranche Loan” means a Bank Loan that is a First Lien Bank Loan, a portion of which is, in effect, subject to superpriority rights of other lenders following an event of default (such portion, a “second out” portion).  The Borrower’s investment in the second out portion shall be treated as a Unitranche Loan for purposes of determining the applicable Advance Rate for such Portfolio Investment under the Facility.

“Value” means, with respect to any Portfolio Investment, the lower of:

(i) the most recent internal market value as determined pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii)(C) and

(ii) the most recent external market value as determined pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii)(A) and (B).

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired, been terminated, Cash Collateralized or backstopped and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness.  Subject to the last sentence of this Section 6.01, the Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a)Indebtedness created hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

(b)Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness and Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness so long as (i) no Default exists at the time of the incurrence thereof, (ii) the aggregate amount of such Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness and Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, taken together with other then-outstanding Indebtedness, does not exceed the amount required to comply with the provisions of Sections 6.07(c) and (d), and (iii) prior to and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness, the Covered Debt Amount does not or would not exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect;

(c)Other Permitted Indebtedness;

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(d)Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;

(e)Indebtedness of any Obligor owing to any other Obligor or, if such Indebtedness is subject to subordination terms and conditions that are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, any other Subsidiary of the Borrower;

(f)Indebtedness of Financing Subsidiaries;

(g)repurchase obligations arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to U.S. Government Securities;

(h)obligations payable to clearing agencies, brokers or dealers in connection with the purchase or sale of securities in the ordinary course of business;

(i)Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness so long as (i) no Default exists at the time of the incurrence thereof, (ii) the aggregate amount (determined at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness) of such Indebtedness does not exceed the greater of (A) $20,000,000 and (B) 5% of Borrower Net Worth, (iii) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness, taken together with other then-outstanding Indebtedness, does not exceed the amount required to comply with the provisions of Sections 6.07(c) and (d), and (iv) prior to and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, the Covered Debt Amount does not or would not exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect;

(j)obligations (including Guarantees) in respect of Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(k)Permitted SBIC Guarantees;

(l)Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes or the 2024 Notes;

(m)Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness (other than Special Unsecured Indebtedness that would otherwise constitute Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness) so long as (i) no Default exists at the time of the incurrence thereof, (ii) the aggregate amount (determined at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness) of such Indebtedness does not exceed $150,000,000, (iii) the aggregate amount (determined at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness) of such Indebtedness, taken together with then-outstanding Special Unsecured Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(n), does not exceed $500,000,000, (iv) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness, taken together with other then-outstanding Indebtedness, does not exceed the amount required to comply with the provisions of Sections 6.07(c) and (d), and (v) prior to and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, the Covered Debt Amount does not or would not exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect;

(n)Special Unsecured Indebtedness so long as (i) no Default exists at the time of the incurrence thereof, (ii) the aggregate amount (determined at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness) of such Indebtedness does not exceed $400,000,000, (iii) the aggregate amount (determined at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness) of such Indebtedness, taken together with then-outstanding Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section

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6.01(m), does not exceed $500,000,000, (iv) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness, taken together with other then-outstanding Indebtedness, does not exceed the amount required to comply with the provisions of Sections 6.07(c) and (d), and (v) prior to and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, the Covered Debt Amount does not or would not exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect; and

(o)other Indebtedness not to exceed the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 5% of Borrower Net Worth at any time outstanding.

SECTION 6.02.  Liens.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof except:

(a)any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower existing on the Original Effective Date and set forth in Part B of Schedule 3.11; provided that (i) no such Lien shall extend to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and (ii) any such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the Original Effective Date and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(b)Liens created pursuant to this Agreement (including Section 2.19) or any of the Security Documents (including Liens in favor of the Designated Indebtedness Holders (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement));

(c)Liens on the assets of a Financing Subsidiary securing obligations of such Financing Subsidiary;

(d)Liens on Special Equity Interests included in the Portfolio Investments of the Borrower but only to the extent securing obligations in the manner provided in the definition of “Special Equity Interests” in Section 1.01;

(e)Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 5% of Borrower Net Worth at any one time outstanding (which may cover Portfolio Investments, but only to the extent released from the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 10.03 of the Guarantee and Security Agreement), so long as at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a), (b), (i), (m) and (n) of Section 6.01, does not exceed the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base and (ii) the amount required to comply with the provisions of Sections 6.07(c) and (d);

(f)Permitted Liens;

(g)Liens on Equity Interests in any SBIC Subsidiary created in favor of the SBA;

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(h)[Reserved];

(i)(x) Liens securing Hedging Agreements permitted under Section 6.04(c) and not otherwise permitted under clause (b) above in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 at any time and (y) Liens incurred in connection with any Hedging Agreement either entered into with a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) on an uncleared basis or cleared through a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender) as futures commission merchant in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes (it being understood that such Lien shall continue to be permitted pursuant to this sub-clause (y) even if such Lender has assigned all of its Loans and other interests in the Credit Agreement and thus has ceased to be a Lender hereunder); provided that in no event shall any Obligor be permitted to create, incur or assume any Lien pursuant to this clause (i) or increase the aggregate amount of collateral securing any Liens previously permitted under this clause (i)  unless both before and after giving effect to the creation, incurrence or assumption of such Lien or such increase in the aggregate amount of collateral securing such Lien the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base (after giving effect to the exclusion of all such collateral from the Borrowing Base); and

(j)Liens securing repurchase obligations arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to U.S. Government Securities.

SECTION 6.03.  Fundamental Changes.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution).  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, acquire any business or property from, or capital stock of, or be a party to any acquisition of, any Person, except for purchases or acquisitions of Portfolio Investments and other assets in the normal course of the day-to-day business activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and not in violation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, any part of its assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, but excluding (x) assets (other than Portfolio Investments) sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (including to make expenditures of cash in the normal course of the day-to-day business activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) and (y) subject to the provisions of clauses (d) and (e) below, Portfolio Investments.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section:

(a)any Subsidiary Guarantor of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any other Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that if any such transaction shall be between a Subsidiary Guarantor and a wholly owned Subsidiary Guarantor, the wholly owned Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving corporation;

(b)any Subsidiary Guarantor of the Borrower may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary Guarantor of the Borrower;

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(c)the capital stock of any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to the Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary Guarantor of the Borrower;

(d)the Obligors may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Portfolio Investments (other than to a Financing Subsidiary) so long as after giving effect to such sale, transfer or other disposition (and any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments or payment of outstanding Loans or Other Covered Indebtedness or any other Indebtedness that is included in the Covered Debt Amount at such time) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base;

(e)the Obligors may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Portfolio Investments to a Financing Subsidiary so long as (i) after giving effect to such sale, transfer or other disposition (and any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments or payment of outstanding Loans or Other Covered Indebtedness or any other Indebtedness that is included in the Covered Debt Amount at such time) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base and the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to such effect and (ii) either (x) the amount by which the Borrowing Base exceeds the Covered Debt Amount immediately prior to such release is not diminished as a result of such release or (y) the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to such release is at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount;

(f)the Borrower may merge or consolidate with, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, any other Person so long as (i) the Borrower is the continuing or surviving entity in such transaction and (ii) at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto, no Default shall have occurred or be continuing; and

(g)the Borrower and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of equipment or other property or assets that do not consist of Portfolio Investments so long as the aggregate amount of all such sales, leases, transfer and dispositions does not exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year.

SECTION 6.04.  Investments.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, acquire, make or enter into, or hold, any Investments except:

(a)operating deposit accounts with banks;

(b)Investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors;

(c)Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s financial planning and not for speculative purposes;

(d)Portfolio Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent such Portfolio Investments are permitted under the Investment Company Act and the Borrower’s Investment Policies as in effect as of the date such Portfolio Investments are acquired;

(e)Investments in Financing Subsidiaries so long as, (i) after giving effect to such Investment, the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base and (ii) the sum of (x) all Investments under this clause (e) that occur after the Extended Commitment Termination Date and (y) all Investments under clause (f) below that occur after the Extended Commitment Termination Date, shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

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(f)additional Investments up to but not exceeding $15,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that the sum of (x) all Investments under this clause (f) that occur after the Extended Commitment Termination Date and (y) all Investments under clause (e) above that occur after the Extended Commitment Termination Date, shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

(g)Investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents;

(h)Investments described on Schedule 3.12(b);

(i)Investments by a Financing Subsidiary; and

(j)Investments in the form of Guarantees permitted pursuant to Section 6.01.

For purposes of clause (f) of this Section, the aggregate amount of an Investment at any time shall be deemed to be equal to (A) the aggregate amount of cash, together with the aggregate fair market value of property, loaned, advanced, contributed, transferred or otherwise invested that gives rise to such Investment minus (B) the aggregate amount of dividends, distributions or other payments received in cash in respect of such Investment; provided that in no event shall the aggregate amount of such Investment be deemed to be less than zero; the amount of an Investment shall not in any event be reduced by reason of any write-off of such Investment nor increased by any increase in the amount of earnings retained in the Person in which such Investment is made that have not been dividended, distributed or otherwise paid out.

SECTION 6.05.  Restricted Payments.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except that the Borrower may declare and pay:

(a)dividends with respect to the capital stock of the Borrower payable solely in additional shares of the Borrower’s common stock;

(b)dividends and distributions in either case in cash or other property (excluding for this purpose the Borrower’s common stock) in any taxable year of the Borrower in amounts not to exceed the amount that is determined in good faith by the Borrower to be required to (i) maintain the status of the Borrower as a RIC, and (ii) avoid federal excise taxes for such taxable year imposed by Section 4982 of the Code;

(c)dividends and distributions in each case in cash or other property (excluding for this purpose the Borrower’s common stock) in addition to the dividends and distributions permitted under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), so long as on the date of such Restricted Payment and after giving effect thereto:

(i)no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and

(ii)the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made during any taxable year of the Borrower after the date hereof under this clause (c) shall not exceed the difference of (x) an amount equal to 10% of the taxable income of the Borrower for such taxable year determined under section 852(b)(2) of the Code, but without regard to subparagraphs (A),

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(B) or (D) thereof, minus (y) the amount, if any, by which dividends and distributions made during such taxable year pursuant to the foregoing clause (b) (whether in respect of such taxable year or the previous taxable year) based upon the Borrower’s estimate of taxable income exceeded the actual amounts specified in subclauses (i) and (ii) of such foregoing clause (b) for such taxable year.

(d)other Restricted Payments so long as (i) on the date of such other Restricted Payment and after giving effect thereto (x) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed 90% of the Borrowing Base and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) on the date of such other Restricted Payment the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a Borrowing Base Certificate as at such date demonstrating compliance with subclause (x) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment.  For purposes of preparing such Borrowing Base Certificate, (A) the fair market value of Portfolio Investments for which market quotations are readily available shall be the most recent quotation available for such Portfolio Investment and (B) the fair market value of Portfolio Investments for which market quotations are not readily available shall be the Value set forth in the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.01(d); provided that the Borrower shall reduce the Value of any Portfolio Investment referred to in this sub-clause (B) to the extent necessary to take into account any events of which the Borrower has knowledge that adversely affect the value of such Portfolio Investment.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit the payment of Restricted Payments by any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or to any other Subsidiary Guarantor.

SECTION 6.06.  Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries.  The Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than Financing Subsidiaries) to enter into or suffer to exist any indenture, agreement, instrument or other arrangement (other than the Loan Documents) that prohibits or restrains, in each case in any material respect, or imposes materially adverse conditions upon, the incurrence or payment of Indebtedness, the declaration or payment of dividends, the making of loans, advances, guarantees or Investments or the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of property to the Borrower by any Subsidiary; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to (i) indentures, agreements, instruments or other arrangements pertaining to other Indebtedness permitted hereby (provided that such restrictions would not adversely affect the exercise of rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the Security Documents or restrict any Subsidiary in any manner from performing its obligations under the Loan Documents) and (ii) indentures, agreements, instruments or other arrangements pertaining to any lease, sale or other disposition of any asset permitted by this Agreement or any Lien permitted by this Agreement on such asset so long as the applicable restrictions only apply to the assets subject to such lease, sale, other disposition or Lien.

SECTION 6.07.  Certain Financial Covenants.

(a)Minimum Shareholders’ Equity.  The Borrower will not permit Shareholders’ Equity at the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than $500,000,000 plus 25% of the net proceeds of the sale of Equity Interests by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after the Ninth Amendment Effective Date (other than proceeds of sales of Equity Interests by and among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries).

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(b)Minimum Borrower Net Worth.  The Borrower will not permit Borrower Net Worth at the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than $350,000,000.

(c)Borrower Asset Coverage Ratio.  The Borrower will not permit the Borrower Asset Coverage Ratio at the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than 2.00 to 1 at any time.

(d)Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio.  The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio at the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than 1.50 to 1 at any time.

(e)Liquidity Test.  The Borrower will not permit (a) the sum of (i) the aggregate Value of the Portfolio Investments that are Cash (excluding Cash Collateral for outstanding Letters of Credit) or that can be converted to Cash in fewer than 10 Business Days without more than a 5% change in price, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of Relevant Available Funds that can be converted to Cash in fewer than 10 Business Days, to be less than (b) 10% of the Covered Debt Amount, for more than 30 consecutive Business Days during any period when the Adjusted Covered Debt Balance is greater than 90% of the Adjusted Borrowing Base.

SECTION 6.08.  Transactions with Affiliates.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any transactions with any of its Affiliates, even if otherwise permitted under this Agreement, except (a) transactions in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary (other than a SBIC Subsidiary) than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (c) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.05, (d) the transactions provided in the Affiliate Agreements, (e) transactions described on Schedule 6.08, (f) any Investment that results in the creation of an Affiliate or (g) transactions between or among the Obligors and any SBIC Subsidiary or any “downstream affiliate” (as such term is used under the rules promulgated under the Investment Company Act) company of an Obligor at prices and on terms and conditions, taken as a whole, not materially less favorable to the Obligors than could be obtained at the time on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties.

SECTION 6.09.  Lines of Business.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, engage to any material extent in any business other than in accordance with its Investment Policies.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to amend or modify the Investment Policies (other than a Permitted Policy Amendment).

SECTION 6.10.  No Further Negative Pledge.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into any agreement, instrument, deed or lease which prohibits or limits the ability of any Obligor to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its properties, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or which requires the grant of any security for an obligation if security is granted for another obligation, except the following: (a) this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and documents with respect to Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(b), (i), (m) or (n); (b) covenants in documents creating Liens permitted by Section 6.02 (including covenants with respect to the

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Designated Indebtedness Obligations or Designated Indebtedness Holders under (and, in each case, as defined in) the Security Documents) prohibiting further Liens on the assets encumbered thereby; (c) customary restrictions contained in leases not subject to a waiver; (d) any such agreement that imposes restrictions on investments or other interests in Financing Subsidiaries (but no other assets of any Obligor); and (e) any other agreement that does not restrict in any manner (directly or indirectly) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents on any Collateral securing the “Secured Obligations” under and as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement and does not require the direct or indirect granting of any Lien securing any Indebtedness or other obligation by virtue of the granting of Liens on or pledge of property of any Obligor to secure the Loans or any Hedging Agreement.

SECTION 6.11.  Modifications of Longer-Term Indebtedness Documents.  The Borrower will not consent to any modification, supplement or waiver of:

(a)any of the provisions of any agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or relating to any Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness or Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness that would result in such Indebtedness not meeting the requirements of the definition of “Secured Longer-Term Secured Indebtedness” and “Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness”, as applicable, set forth in Section 1.01 of this Agreement, unless (i) in the case of Secured Longer Term Indebtedness, such Indebtedness would have been permitted to be incurred as Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness at the time of such modification, supplement or waiver and the Borrower so designates such Indebtedness as “Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” (whereupon such Indebtedness shall be deemed to constitute “Secured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” for all purposes of this Agreement) and (ii) in the case of Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, such Indebtedness would have been permitted to be incurred as Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness at the time of such modification, supplement or waiver and the Borrower so designates such Indebtedness as “Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” (whereupon such Indebtedness shall be deemed to constitute “Unsecured Shorter-Term Indebtedness” for all purposes of this Agreement); or

(b)any of the Affiliate Agreements, unless such modification, supplement or waiver is not materially less favorable to the Borrower than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, in each case, without the prior consent of the Administrative Agent (with the approval of the Required Lenders).

SECTION 6.12.  Payments of Longer-Term Indebtedness, the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes and the 2024 Notes.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value, or set apart any money for a sinking, defeasance or other analogous fund for the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of or make any voluntary payment or prepayment of the principal of or interest on, or any other amount owing in respect of, any Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness, Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, Special Unsecured Indebtedness, the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes or the 2024 Notes (other than the refinancing of Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness, Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, Special Unsecured Indebtedness, the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2023 Notes or the 2024 Notes with Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01), except for (a) regularly scheduled payments, prepayments or redemptions of principal and interest in respect thereof required pursuant to the instruments evidencing such Indebtedness (it being

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understood that: (w) the conversion features into Permitted Equity Interests under convertible notes; (x) the triggering of such conversion and/or settlement thereof solely with Permitted Equity Interests; and (y) any cash payment on account of interest or expenses on such convertible notes made by the Borrower in respect of such triggering and/or settlement thereof shall be permitted under this clause (a)); (b) so long as no Default shall exist or be continuing, any payment that, if treated as a Restricted Payment for purposes of Section 6.05(d), would be permitted to be made pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 6.05(d); (c) voluntary payments or prepayments of Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness, so long as both before and after giving effect to such voluntary payment or prepayment (i) the Borrower is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.07 and (ii) no Default shall exist or be continuing; (d) mandatory payments, required prepayments or mandatory redemptions of the 2022 Convertible Notes, any other convertible notes constituting Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness or Special Unsecured Indebtedness in Cash (including any cash payment elected to be paid in connection with the settlement by the Borrower of any conversion at the option of any holder of such 2022 Convertible Notes or other convertible notes pursuant to the conversion features thereunder), the 2023 Notes and the 2024 Notes, so long as both before and after giving effect to such payment (i) no Event of Default shall exist or be continuing and (ii) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base; and (e) payments or prepayments of Secured Longer-Term Indebtedness, Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness or Special Unsecured Indebtedness solely from the proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests, so long as both before and after giving effect to such payment (i) no Default shall exist or be continuing and (ii) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base.

SECTION 6.13.  Accounting Changes.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any change in (a) accounting policies or reporting practices, except as permitted under GAAP or required by law or rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority, or (b) its fiscal year.

SECTION 6.14.  SBIC Guarantee.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, cause or permit the occurrence of any event or condition that would result in any recourse to any Obligor under any Permitted SBIC Guarantee.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur and be continuing:

(a)the Borrower shall (i) fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise or (ii) fail to deposit any amount into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account as required by Section 2.09(a) on the Extended Commitment Termination Date or as required by Section 2.20(b) on the date so required;

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(b)the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five or more Business Days;

(c)any representation, warranty or certification made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed made in any material respect;

(d)the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in (i) Section 5.03 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence) or Sections 5.08(a) and (b) or in Article VI or any Obligor shall default in the performance of any of its obligations contained in Sections 3 and 7 of the Guarantee and Security Agreement or (ii) Sections 5.01(e) and (f) or 5.02 and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five or more days after notice thereof by the Administrative Agent (given at the request of any Lender) to the Borrower;

(e)a Borrowing Base Deficiency shall occur and continue unremedied for a period of five or more Business Days after delivery of a Borrowing Base Certificate demonstrating such Borrowing Base Deficiency pursuant to Section 5.01(e); provided that it shall not be an Event of Default hereunder if the Borrower shall present the Administrative Agent with a reasonably feasible plan acceptable to the Required Lenders in their sole discretion to enable such Borrowing Base Deficiency to be cured within 30 Business Days (which 30-Business Day period shall include the five Business Days permitted for delivery of such plan), so long as such Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured within such 30-Business Day period;

(f)the Borrower or any Obligor, as applicable, shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clause (a), (b), (d), (e) or (s) of this Article) or any other Loan Document and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 or more days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (given at the request of any Lender) to the Borrower;

(g)the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, taking into account any applicable grace period;

(h)any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or shall continue unremedied for any applicable period of time sufficient to enable or permit the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity (for the avoidance of doubt, other than as permitted under Section 6.12 and that is not a result of a breach, default or other violation or failure in respect of such Material Indebtedness by

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the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after giving effect to any applicable grace period); provided that this clause (h) shall not apply to (1) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; or (2) convertible debt that becomes due as a result of a conversion or redemption event, other than as a result of an “event of default” (as defined in the documents governing such convertible Material Indebtedness);

(i)an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 or more days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(j)the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(k)the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(l)one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to enforce any such judgment;

(m)an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(n)a Change in Control shall occur;

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(o)the Borrower shall cease to be managed by the External Manager or an Affiliate thereof;

(p)if, prior to the Extended Final Maturity Date, both of the principals of the External Manager (who initially will be Alan Waxman and Joshua Easterly) fail to remain actively involved in the investment activities of the Borrower and the other investment vehicles managed by TSSP Management Holdings, L.P.; provided that the External Manager is permitted at any time to replace any person designated as a “principal” with a senior professional selected by the External Manager so long as such replacement has either been approved by a majority of the Borrower’s independent directors or by a majority of the Borrower’s shareholders;

(q)the Liens created by the Security Documents shall, at any time with respect to Portfolio Investments having an aggregate Value in excess of 5% of the aggregate Value of all Portfolio Investments, not be valid and perfected (to the extent perfection by filing, registration, recordation, possession or control is required herein or therein) in favor of the Administrative Agent, free and clear of all other Liens (other than Liens permitted under Section 6.02 or under the respective Security Documents) except to the extent that any such loss of perfection results from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of the certificates representing the securities pledged under the Loan Documents;

(r)except for expiration in accordance with its terms, any of the Loan Documents shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect in any material respect, or the enforceability thereof shall be contested by the Borrower or any other Obligor;

(s)the Obligors shall at any time, without the consent of the Required Lenders fail to comply with the covenant contained in Section 5.11, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 or more days after the earlier of notice thereof by the Administrative Agent (given at the request of any Lender) to the Borrower or knowledge thereof by a Financial Officer; or

(t)the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall cause or permit the occurrence of any condition or event that would result in any recourse to any Obligor under any Permitted SBIC Guarantee;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article, the

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Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

In the event that the Loans shall be declared, or shall become, due and payable pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph then, upon notice from the Administrative Agent or Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the total LC Exposure demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall immediately deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account cash in an amount equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, on the CAM Exchange Date, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by law, (a) the Lenders shall automatically and without further act be deemed to have exchanged interests in the Designated Obligations such that, in lieu of the interests of each Lender in the Designated Obligations under each Loan in which it shall participate as of such date, such Lender shall own an interest equal to such Lender’s CAM Percentage in the Designated Obligations under each of the Loans and (b) simultaneously with the deemed exchange of interests pursuant to clause (a) above, the interests in the Designated Obligations to be received in such deemed exchange shall, automatically and with no further action required, be converted into the Dollar Equivalent of such amount (as of the Business Day immediately prior to the CAM Exchange Date) and on and after such date all amounts accruing and owed to the Lenders in respect of such Designated Obligations shall accrue and be payable in Dollars at the rate otherwise applicable hereunder. Each Lender, each Person acquiring a participation from any Lender as contemplated by Section 9.04 and the Borrower hereby consents and agrees to the CAM Exchange. The Borrower and the Lenders agree from time to time to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such promissory notes and other instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to evidence and confirm the respective interests and obligations of the Lenders after giving effect to the CAM Exchange, and each Lender agrees to surrender any promissory notes originally received by it in connection with its Loans hereunder to the Administrative Agent against delivery of any promissory notes so executed and delivered; provided that the failure of the Borrower to execute or deliver or of any Lender to accept any such promissory note, instrument or document shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the CAM Exchange.  As a result of the CAM Exchange, on and after the CAM Exchange Date, each payment received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document in respect of the Designated Obligations shall be distributed to the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective CAM Percentages (to be redetermined as of each such date of payment).

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ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

SECTION 8.01.  Appointment of the Administrative Agent.  Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent as its agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

SECTION 8.02.  Capacity as Lender.  The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

SECTION 8.03.  Limitation of Duties; Exculpation.  The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders, and (c) except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders or in the absence of its own fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein or therein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

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SECTION 8.04.  Reliance.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

SECTION 8.05.  Sub-Agents.  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a count of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

SECTION 8.06.  Resignation; Successor Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower.  Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld (or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in consultation with the Borrower), to appoint a successor.  If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nonetheless become effective and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and (2) the Required Lenders shall perform the duties of the Administrative Agent (and all payments and communications provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly) until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above in this paragraph.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this paragraph).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

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Any resignation by Truist as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as an Issuing Bank and a Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, (b) the retiring Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Bank to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit.

SECTION 8.07.  Reliance by Lenders.  Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter, and the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to Lenders.

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement or any Assignment and Assumption and funding any Loan shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be approved by the Administrative Agent, Required Lenders or Lenders.

SECTION 8.08.  Modifications to Loan Documents.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.22 or Section 9.02(b) or (c) of this Agreement or the Security Documents with respect to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may, with the prior consent of the Required Lenders (but not otherwise), consent to any modification, supplement or waiver under any of the Loan Documents; provided that, without the prior consent of each Lender, the Administrative Agent shall not (except as provided herein or in the Security Documents) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or otherwise terminate all or substantially all of the Liens under any Security Document providing for collateral security, agree to additional obligations being secured by all or substantially all of such collateral security, or alter the relative priorities of the obligations entitled to the benefits of the Liens created under the Security Documents with respect to all or substantially all of the Collateral, except that no such consent shall be required, and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, to release any Lien covering property that is the subject of either a disposition of property permitted hereunder or a disposition to which the Required Lenders have consented.

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ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01.  Notices; Electronic Communications.

(a)Notices Generally.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(i)if to the Borrower, to it at:

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.
888 Seventh Avenue, 35^th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Ian Simmonds
Telecopy Number: (212) 430-4639
Telephone: (212) 601-4739

(ii)if to the Administrative Agent or Truist, in its capacity as a Swingline Lender, to it at:

Truist Bank
3333 Peachtree Road, 7th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Attention:  Hays Wood
Telecopy Number: (404) 836-5879

with a copy to:

Truist Bank
Agency Services
303 Peachtree Street, N. E./ 25th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Attention: Wanda Gregory
Telecopy Number: (404) 658-4906

(iii)if to Truist, in its capacity as Issuing Bank, to it at:

Truist Bank
303 Peachtree Street, N. E./ 25th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Attention: Wanda Gregory
Telecopy Number: (404) 658-4906

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(iv)if to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as a Swingline Lender and an Issuing Bank:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Ground floor, 1st to 6th floors, Platina 3, Kodbis, Floor 03

Bengaluru, 560 103, India

Attention: Sneha Machani

Telecopy Number: (201) 244-3885

(v)if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.  Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

(b)Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.06 if such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(i) Notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

Each party hereto understands that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution and agrees and assumes the risks associated with such electronic distribution, except to the extent caused by the fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of Administrative Agent, any Lender or their respective Related Parties, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Platform and any electronic communications media approved by the Administrative Agent as provided herein are provided “as is” and “as

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available”. None of the Administrative Agent or its Related Parties warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of the such media or the Platform and each expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the Platform and such media. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects is made by the Administrative Agent and any of its Related Parties in connection with the Platform or the electronic communications media approved by the Administrative Agent as provided for herein.

(c)Private Side Information Contacts. Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including United States federal and state securities laws, to make reference to information that is not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain Non-Public Information with respect to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their Securities for purposes of United States federal or state securities laws. In the event that any Public Lender has determined for itself to not access any information disclosed through the Platform or otherwise, such Public Lender acknowledges that (i) other Lenders may have availed themselves of such information and (ii) neither Borrower nor Administrative Agent has any responsibility for such Public Lender’s decision to limit the scope of the information it has obtained in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(d)Documents to be Delivered under Sections 5.01 and 5.12(a).  For so long as an Intralinks™ or equivalent website is available to each of the Lenders hereunder, the Borrower may satisfy its obligation to deliver documents to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under Sections 5.01 and 5.12(a) by delivering one hard copy thereof to the Administrative Agent and either an electronic copy or a notice identifying the website where such information is located for posting by the Administrative Agent on Intralinks™ or such equivalent website; provided that the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility to maintain access to Intralinks™ or an equivalent website.

SECTION 9.02.  Waivers; Amendments.

(a)No Deemed Waivers Remedies Cumulative.  No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Swingline Lenders and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan, Swingline Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

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(b)Amendments to this Agreement.  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall:

(i)increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender,

(ii)reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby,

(iii)postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby,

(iv)change Section 2.17(b), (c) or (d) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, or

(v)change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby;

provided further that (x) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders, as the case may be and (y) the consent of Lenders holding not less than two-thirds of the Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments will be required (A) for any adverse change affecting the provisions of this Agreement relating to the determination of the Borrowing Base (excluding changes to the provisions of Section 5.12(b)(ii)(E) and (F), but including changes to the provisions of Section 5.12(c)(ii) and the definitions set forth in Section 5.13), and (B) for any release of any material portion of the Collateral other than for fair value or as otherwise permitted hereunder or under the other Loan Documents.

Anything in this Agreement  to the contrary notwithstanding, no waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Lenders of any Class in a manner that does not affect all Classes equally shall be effective against the Lenders of such Class unless the Required Lenders of such Class shall have concurred with such waiver or modification. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement may be amended by the Borrower with the consent of the Administrative Agent and any Non-Extending Lender (but without the consent of the Required Lenders) for the sole purpose of extending the Commitments of such Non-Extending Lender so that such Non-Extending Lender becomes an Extending Lender hereunder.

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(c)Amendments to Security Documents.  No Security Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified, nor may the Liens thereof be spread to secure any additional obligations (including any increase in Loans hereunder, but excluding any such increase pursuant to a Commitment Increase under Section 2.08(e) to an amount not greater than $1,750,000,000) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower, and by the Collateral Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that, (i) without the written consent of each Lender, no such agreement shall release all or substantially all of the Obligors from their respective obligations under the Security Documents and (ii) without the written consent of each Lender, no such agreement shall release all or substantially all of the collateral security or otherwise terminate all or substantially all of the Liens under the Security Documents, alter the relative priorities of the obligations entitled to the Liens created under the Security Documents (except in connection with securing additional obligations equally and ratably with the Loans and other obligations hereunder) with respect to all or substantially all of the collateral security provided thereby, or release all or substantially all of the guarantors under the Guarantee and Security Agreement from their guarantee obligations thereunder, except that no such consent shall be required, and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized (and so agrees with the Borrower) to direct the Collateral Agent under the Guarantee and Security Agreement, (x) to release any Lien covering property (and to release any such guarantor) that is the subject of either a disposition of property permitted hereunder or a disposition to which the Required Lenders have consented, (y) to release any Lien and/or guarantee obligation in accordance with the Guarantee and Security Agreement and (z) to release (and to acknowledge the release of) all Liens and guarantees of Obligors upon the termination of this Agreement (including in connection with a complete refinancing).

(d)Replacement of Non-Consenting Lender.  If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination to any of the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by this Section 9.02, the consent of the Required Lenders shall have been obtained but the consent of one or more Lenders (each a “Non-Consenting Lender”) whose consent is required for such proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination is not obtained, then (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the Borrower shall have the right, at its sole cost and expense, to replace each such Non-Consenting Lender or Lenders with one or more replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 2.18(b) so long as at the time of such replacement, each such replacement Lender consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination.

SECTION 9.03.  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a)Costs and Expenses.  The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and their Affiliates, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing Bank or any demand for payment thereunder, (iii) all documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender

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or any Lender, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel for the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender as well as one outside counsel for the Lenders and additional counsel should any conflict of interest arise, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect thereof and (iv) and all documented costs, expenses, taxes, assessments and other charges incurred in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by any Security Document or any other document referred to therein.

(b)Indemnification by the Borrower.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of one outside counsel for all Indemnitees (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all Indemnitees) unless, in the reasonable opinion of an Indemnitee, representation of all Indemnitees by such counsel would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest) in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding or hearing commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules or regulations and laws, statutes, rules or regulations relating to environmental, occupational safety and health or land use matters), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise and related expenses or disbursements of any kind (other than Taxes or Other Taxes which shall only be indemnified by the Borrower to the extent provided in Section 2.16), including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of; in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan, Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by an Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and whether brought by the Borrower or a third party and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that indemnification for Taxes is subject to the provisions of Section 2.16.

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The Borrower shall not be liable to any Indemnitee for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of the Transactions asserted by an Indemnitee against the Borrower or any other Obligor; provided that the foregoing limitation shall not be deemed to impair or affect the Obligations of the Borrower under the preceding provisions of this subsection.

(c)Reimbursement by Lenders.  To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the applicable Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the applicable Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.

(d)Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of; this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent caused by the fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(e)Payments.  All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns.

(a)Assignments Generally.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

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(b)Assignments by Lenders.

(i)Assignments Generally.  Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (other than natural persons (or a holding company, investments vehicle, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated by or for the primary benefit of a natural Person) or any Defaulting Lender) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans and LC Exposure at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A)the Borrower; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; provided, further, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten Business Days after having received notice thereof; and

(B)the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank: provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Banks shall be required for an assignment by a Lender to an Affiliate of such Lender.

(ii)Certain Conditions to Assignments.  Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A)except in the case of an Assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans and LC Exposure of a Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans and LC Exposure of such Class of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than U.S. $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(B)each partial assignment of any Class of Commitments or Loans and LC Exposure shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of such Class of Commitments, Loans and LC Exposure;

(C)the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, together with a processing and recordation fee of U.S. $3,500 (which fee shall not be payable in connection with an assignment to a Lender or to an Affiliate of a Lender), for which the Borrower and the Guarantors shall not be obligated;

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(D)the assignee, if it shall not already be a Lender of the applicable Class, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and

(E)the assignee shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent those documents specified in Section 2.16(f).

(iii)Effectiveness of Assignments.  Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions set forth in Section 9.04(b)(ii) or otherwise, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of Borrower and Administrative Agent, the Applicable Percentage of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and each Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full Applicable Percentage of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

(c)Maintenance of Registers by Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in New York City a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Registers” and each individually, a “Register”).  The entries in the Registers shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the

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Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Registers pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Registers shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d)Acceptance of Assignments by Administrative Agent.  Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(e)Special Purposes Vehicles.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”) owned or administered by such Granting Lender, identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment to make any Loan by any SPC, (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall, subject to the terms of this Agreement, make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof, (iii) the rights of any such SPC shall be derivative of the rights of the Granting Lender, and such SPC shall be subject to all of the restrictions upon the Granting Lender herein contained, and (iv) no SPC shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14 (or any other increased costs protection provision), 2.15 or 2.16.  Each SPC shall be conclusively presumed to have made arrangements with its Granting Lender for the exercise of voting and other rights hereunder in a manner which is acceptable to the SPC, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower, and each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Obligors shall be entitled to rely upon and deal solely with the Granting Lender with respect to Loans made by or through its SPC.  The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by the Granting Lender.

Each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings or similar proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, in respect of claims arising out of this Agreement; provided that the Granting Lender for each SPC hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage and expense arising out of their inability to institute any such proceeding against its SPC.  In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section, any SPC may (i) without the prior written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to its Granting Lender or to any financial institutions providing liquidity and/or credit facilities to or for the account of such SPC to fund the Loans made by such SPC or to support the securities (if

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any) issued by such SPC to fund such Loans (but nothing contained herein shall be construed in derogation of the obligation of the Granting Lender to make Loans hereunder); provided that neither the consent of the SPC or of any such assignee shall be required for amendments or waivers hereunder except for those amendments or waivers for which the consent of participants is required under paragraph (f) below, and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis (in the same manner described in Section 9.13(b)) any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of a surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

(f)Participations.  Any Lender may, with the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than natural persons (or a holding company, investments vehicle, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated by or for the primary benefit of a natural Person)) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to it); provided that (i) the consent of the Borrower shall not be required if such Participant does not have the right to receive any non-public information that may be provided pursuant to this Agreement (and the Lender selling such participation agrees with the Borrower at the time of the sale of such participation that it will not deliver such non-public information to the Participant), (ii) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, (iii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iv) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement  and the other Loan Documents.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.  Subject to paragraph (g) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lenders would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation; provided, further, that no Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation granted to such Participant and such Participant shall have complied with the requirements of Section 2.16 as if such Participant is a Lender.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(d) as though it were a Lender hereunder.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest of each Participant’s interest in the loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register

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(including the identity of any Participant or any other information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or is other obligations under any Loan Document) to any person except to the extent that such disclosures are necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(g)Limitations on Rights of Participants.  A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.  A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with paragraphs (e) and (f) of Section 2.16 as though it were a Lender and in the case of a Participant claiming exemption for portfolio interest under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, the applicable Lender shall provide the Borrower with satisfactory evidence that the participation is in registered form and shall permit the Borrower to review such register as reasonably needed for the Borrower to comply with its obligations under applicable laws and regulations.

(h)Certain Pledges.  Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any such pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(i)No Assignments to the Borrower or Affiliates.  Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender may assign or participate any interest in any Loan or LC Exposure held by it hereunder to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries without the prior consent of each Lender.

SECTION 9.05.  Survival.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and

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so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination, Cash Collateralization or backstop of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

SECTION 9.06.  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.

(a)Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract between and among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopy electronically (e.g. pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

(b)Electronic Execution of Assignments.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

SECTION 9.07.  Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08.  Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the

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provisions of Sections 2.17(d) and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the amounts owing to such Defaulting Lender hereunder as to which it exercised such right of setoff.  The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.  Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

SECTION 9.09.  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a)Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b)Submission to Jurisdiction.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Agreement  shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c)Waiver of Venue.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d)Service of Process.  Each party to this Agreement (i) irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01 and (ii) agrees that service as provided in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01 is sufficient to confer personal jurisdiction over such party in any proceeding in any court and otherwise constitutes effective and binding service in every respect. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT,

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ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS.  THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11.  Judgment Currency.  This is an international loan transaction in which the specification of Dollars or any Foreign Currency, as the case may be (the “Specified Currency”), and payment in New York City or the country of the Specified Currency, as the case may be (the “Specified Place”), is of the essence, and the Specified Currency shall be the currency of account in all events relating to Loans denominated in the Specified Currency.  The payment obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement shall not be discharged or satisfied by an amount paid in another currency or in another place, whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise, to the extent that the amount so paid on conversion to the Specified Currency and transfer to the Specified Place under normal banking procedures does not yield the amount of the Specified Currency at the Specified Place due hereunder.  If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in the Specified Currency into another currency (the “Second Currency”), the rate of exchange that shall be applied shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the Specified Currency with the Second Currency on the Business Day next preceding the day on which such judgment is rendered.  The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in this Section called an “Entitled Person”) shall, notwithstanding the rate of exchange actually applied in rendering such judgment be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Entitled Person of any sum adjudged to be due hereunder in the Second Currency such Entitled Person may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase and transfer to the Specified Place the Specified Currency with the amount of the Second Currency so adjudged to be due; and the Borrower hereby, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, agrees to indemnify such Entitled Person against, and to pay such Entitled Person on demand, in the Specified Currency.  the amount (if any) by which the sum originally due to such Entitled Person in the Specified Currency hereunder exceeds the amount of the Specified Currency so purchased and transferred.

SECTION 9.12.  Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.13.  Treatment of Certain Information; No Fiduciary Duty; Confidentiality.

(a)Treatment of Certain Information; No Fiduciary Duty; No Conflicts.  The Borrower acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more subsidiaries or

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affiliates of such Lender and the Borrower hereby authorizes each Lender to share any information delivered to such Lender by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Lender to enter into this Agreement, to any such subsidiary or affiliate, it being understood that any such subsidiary or affiliate receiving such information shall be bound by the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section as if it were a Lender hereunder.  Such authorization shall survive the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.  Each Lender shall use all information delivered to such Lender by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Lender to enter into this Agreement, in connection with providing services to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent, each Lender and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “Lenders”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their stockholders and/or their affiliates. The Borrower, on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries, agrees that nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender, on the one hand, and the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, its stockholders or its affiliates, on the other. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries each acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any of their stockholders or affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their stockholders or their affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) each Lender is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, their management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries each acknowledge and agree that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries each agree that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

(b)Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Swingline Lenders and the Issuing Banks agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority), (iii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement

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of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (x) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (y) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower, (viii) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (ix) on a confidential basis to (x) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (y) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder.

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent any Lender or any Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of Information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof; such Information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

SECTION 9.14.  USA PATRIOT Act.  Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107‑56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, each other Obligor and each designee of a Letter of Credit, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower, each other Obligor and each designee of a Letter of Credit and other information that will allow such Lender to identify Borrower, each other Obligor and each designee of a Letter of Credit in accordance with said Act.

SECTION 9.15. Effect of Amendment and Restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement.  On the Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, whether executed and delivered in connection herewith or otherwise, do not constitute a novation or termination of the obligations for principal, interest or fees of the Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date and which remain outstanding; and (b) except for any of the Borrower’s obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement which are expressly contemplated to be repaid on the Effective Date and to the extent are in fact so repaid, the obligations of the Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement (as amended and restated hereby and which are on and after the date hereof subject to the terms herein) are in all respects continuing, and shall continue to be secured as provided in the Security Documents.

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SECTION 9.16. Reaffirmation of Guarantee and Security Agreement.  TC Lending, LLC hereby consents to the terms of this Agreement, confirms that its Guarantee under the Guarantee and Security Agreement remains unaltered and in full force and effect and hereby reaffirms, ratifies and confirms the terms and conditions of the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

SECTION 9.17.  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a)the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b)the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

SECTION 9.18.  Certain ERISA Matters.  

(a)Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the later of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto and the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, to, and (y) covenants, from such date to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger, and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Obligor, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i)such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

(ii)the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain

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transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,

(iii)(A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv)such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender with respect to the Loan Documents.

(b)In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the later of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto and the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, to, and (y) covenants, from such date to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger, and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Obligor, that:

(i)none of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto),

(ii)the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

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(iii)the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement)),

(iv)the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v)no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement.

(c)The Administrative Agent and each Joint Lead Arranger hereby inform the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

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SECTION 9.19. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.  To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedging Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

(a)In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

(b)As used in this Section 9.19, the following terms have the following meanings:

(i) “BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

(ii)“Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(A)a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

(B)a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(C)a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

(iii)“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

(iv)“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

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Exhibit 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form N-2 of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. of our report, dated February 19, 2020, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the annual report on Form 10-K of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2019, and to the use of our report dated February 19, 2020 on the senior securities table included herein as an exhibit to the Form 10-K. We also consent to the references to our firm under the headings “Senior Securities” and “Controls and Procedures” in the Form 10-K.

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

February 19, 2020

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Joshua Easterly, certify that:

Date: February 19, 2020

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

UNDER SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Ian Simmonds, certify that:

Date: February 19, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32

Certification Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. (the “Company”) for the annual period ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Joshua Easterly, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Ian Simmonds, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such officer’s knowledge:

 

 

Date: February 19, 2020

 

Date: February 19, 2020

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Supplemental Information

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.:

We have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and our report dated February 19, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

We have also previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the consolidated balance sheets of the Company, including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (none of which is presented herein), and we expressed unqualified opinions on those consolidated financial statements.

The senior securities table included in Part II, Item 5 of the Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019, under the caption “Senior Securities” (the Senior Securities Table) has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Senior Securities Table is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the Senior Securities Table reconciles to the respective consolidated financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the Senior Securities Table. In forming our opinion on the Senior Securities Table, we evaluated whether the Senior Securities Table, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the instructions to Form N-2. In our opinion, the Senior Securities Table is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements as a whole.

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

February 19, 2020