10-K
Blue Owl Technology Finance Corp. (OTF)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|---|
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|---|
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 000-55977
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
| Maryland | 83-1273258 |
|---|---|
| (State or other jurisdiction of<br><br><br>incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer<br><br><br>Identification No.) |
| 399 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor, New York, New York | 10022 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 419-3000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
|---|---|---|
| None | None | None |
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 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 definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐Emerging growth company ☒Small reporting company ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒Accelerated filer☐
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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ☐ NO ☒
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2020 has not been provided because there is no established market for the registrant's shares of common stock.
As of March 4, 2021, the registrant had 100,960,457 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.
i
Table of Contents
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| PART I | ||
| Item 1. | Business | 2 |
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 29 |
| Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 69 |
| Item 2. | Properties | 69 |
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 69 |
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 69 |
| PART II | ||
| Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 70 |
| Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 73 |
| Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 74 |
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 102 |
| Item 8. | Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | F-1 |
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 103 |
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 103 |
| Item 9B. | Other Information | 103 |
| PART III | ||
| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 103 |
| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 116 |
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters | 116 |
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 119 |
| Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 121 |
| PART IV | ||
| Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules | 122 |
| Item 16. | Form 10-K Summary | 124 |
| Signatures | 125 |
ii
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (the “Company,” “we” or “our”), our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs and opinions, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predicts” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:
| • | an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies; |
|---|---|
| • | an economic downturn could disproportionately impact the companies that we intend to target for investment, potentially causing us to experience a decrease in investment opportunities and diminished demand for capital from these companies; |
| --- | --- |
| • | an economic downturn could also impact availability and pricing of our financing and our ability to access the debt capital markets; |
| --- | --- |
| • | a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the impact of the novel strain of coronavirus known as “COVID-19” and related changes in base interest rates and significant market volatility on our business, our portfolio companies, our industry and the global economy; |
| --- | --- |
| • | interest rate volatility, including the decommissioning of LIBOR, could adversely affect our results, particularly if we elect to use leverage as part of our investment strategy; |
| --- | --- |
| • | currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than U.S. dollars; |
| --- | --- |
| • | our future operating results; |
| --- | --- |
| • | our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies including our and their ability to achieve our respective objectives as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic; |
| --- | --- |
| • | our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives; |
| --- | --- |
| • | competition with other entities and our affiliates for investment opportunities; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the speculative and illiquid nature of our investments; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments as well as any estimates regarding potential use of leverage; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the loss of key personnel; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the ability of Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC (“the Adviser” or “our Adviser”) to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the ability of the Adviser to attract and retain highly talented professionals; |
| --- | --- |
| • | our ability to qualify for and maintain our tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and as a business development company (“BDC”); |
| --- | --- |
| • | the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | other risks, uncertainties and other factors previously identified in the reports and other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). |
| --- | --- |
Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this report should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report. Moreover, we assume no duty and do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements. Because we are an investment company, the forward-looking statements and projections contained in this report are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).
Item 1. Business.
Our Company
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. is a Maryland corporation formed on July 12, 2018. We are focused primarily on originating and making debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. We originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. Our investment objective is to maximize total return by generating current income from debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-linked investments. Since our Adviser’s affiliates began investment activities in April 2016 through December 31, 2020, our Adviser or its affiliates have originated $27.7 billion aggregate principal amount of investments across multiple industries, of which $25.8 billion of aggregate principal amount of investments prior to any subsequent exits or repayments, was retained by either us or a corporation or fund advised by our Adviser or its affiliates.
We invest in a broad range of established and high growth technology related companies that are capitalizing on the large and growing demand for technology products and services. These companies use technology extensively to improve their business processes, applications and opportunities or seek to grow through technological developments and innovations. These companies operate in technology-related industries or sectors which include, but are not limited to, application software, systems software, healthcare information technology, technology services and infrastructure, financial technology and internet and digital media. Within each industry or sector, we intend to invest in companies that are developing or offering goods and services to businesses and consumers which utilize scientific knowledge, including techniques, skills, methods, devices and processes, to solve problems. We refer to all of these companies as “technology-related” companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of our total assets in such businesses.
We are advised by the Adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. The Adviser is a subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP (“Owl Rock Capital Partners”). We expect to leverage Owl Rock Capital Partners’ relationships and existing origination capabilities to focus our investments in companies with an enterprise value of at least $50 million and that are backed by venture capital firms or private equity firms that are active investors in and have an expertise in technology companies and technology-related industries. Our target investments will typically range in size between $20 million and $500 million. Our expected portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, with a lesser allocation to equity or equity-linked opportunities. We anticipate that generally any equity or equity-linked securities we hold will be minority positions. Our investment size will vary with the size of our capital base and we anticipate that our average investment size will be 1-2% of our entire portfolio with no investment size greater than 5%.
We expect that generally our portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, which may include “covenant-lite” loans (as defined below), with a lesser allocation to equity or equity-linked opportunities. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments, which will not be our primary focus, but will be intended to enhance returns to our shareholders. These investments may include high-yield bonds and broadly-syndicated loans. In addition, we generally do not intend to invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States, although we do not generally intend to invest in companies whose principal place of business is in an emerging market. Our portfolio composition may fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and interest rates.
As of December 31, 2020, based on fair value, our portfolio consisted of 74.0% first lien senior secured debt investments, 6.8% second lien senior secured debt investments, 12.7% unsecured debt investments and 6.5% equity investments. As of December 31, 2020, 88.8% of our debt investments based on fair value bear interest at a floating rate, subject to interest rate floors, in certain cases. As of December 31, 2020 we had investments in 52 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $3.1 billion. As of December 31, 2020, our portfolio was invested across 16 different industries. The largest industries in our portfolio as of December 31, 2020 were business services and data and information services, which represented, as a percentage of our portfolio, 18.4% and 15.2%, respectively, based on fair value.
We classify our debt investments as “traditional financing” or “growth capital” based on a number of factors. Traditional financing typically means a senior secured loan provided to a portfolio company that is owned by a private-equity firm, has a mature business model, and is underwritten primarily on the basis of a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), cash flow, or recurring revenue. Growth capital typically means an investment in an established, but rapidly growing business that is owned by, or received an equity investment from, one or more growth equity or venture capital firms, and is underwritten on the basis of something other than a multiple of EBITDA (for example, a multiple of recurring revenue). As of December 31, 2020, our average investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $58.8 million based on fair value. As of December 31, 2020, investments we classify as traditional financing represented 79.4% of our total debt portfolio based on fair value. As of December 31, 2020, investments we classify as growth capital represented 13.0% of our total debt portfolio based
on fair value. As of December 31, 2020, investments we classify as traditional financings had a weighted average annual EBITDA of $106 million. As of December 31, 2020, investments we classify as growth capital had a weighted average enterprise value of $9.3 billion.
We conduct private offerings (each, a “Private Offering”) of our common shares to accredited investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). At the closing of each Private Offering, each investor makes a capital commitment (a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with the Company. Until the earlier of an Exchange Listing (as defined below) and the end of the Commitment Period (as defined below), investors are required to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of our common stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitment on an as-needed basis each time we deliver a drawdown notice to our investors. The initial closing of the Private Offering occurred on August 10, 2018 (the “Initial Closing”). As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $3.1 billion in total Capital Commitments from investors ($1.7 billion undrawn), of which $72.9 million is from entities affiliated with or related to the Adviser ($37.3 million undrawn). Prior to the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”), the Adviser may, in its sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings (“Subsequent Closings”) as additional Capital Commitments are obtained (the conclusion of all Subsequent Closings, if any, the “Final Closing”). The “Commitment Period” will continue until the earlier of the (i) five-year anniversary of the Final Closing and (ii) the seven-year anniversary of the Initial Closing. See “— The Private Offering.”
If we have not consummated an Exchange Listing by the end of the Commitment Period, subject to extension for two additional one-year periods, in the sole discretion of our board of directors (the “Board”), the Board (subject to any necessary shareholder approvals and applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to wind down and/or liquidate and dissolve the Company in an orderly manner.
We are an externally managed, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. As a BDC, at least 70% of our assets must be assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, as described herein. We will not invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States. See “— Regulation as a Business Development Company” and “— Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
We generally intend to distribute, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of our available earnings, on a quarterly basis, as determined by our Board in its sole discretion.
To achieve our investment objective, we will leverage the Adviser’s investment team’s extensive network of relationships with other sophisticated institutions to source, evaluate and, as appropriate, partner with on transactions. There are no assurances that we will achieve our investment objective.
We may borrow money from time to time within the levels permitted by the 1940 Act (which generally allows us to incur leverage up to two-thirds of our assets). We have entered into a subscription line revolving credit facility (the “Subscription Credit Facility”) and a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). We expect to use our credit facilities and other borrowings, along with proceeds from the rotation of our portfolio and proceeds from the Private Offerings, to finance our investment objectives. See “— Regulation as a Business Development Company” for discussion of BDC regulation and other regulatory considerations. See “ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationS — Debt.”
The Adviser and Administrator — Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC
Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC serves as our investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) between us and the Adviser. See “—Investment Advisory Agreement.” The Adviser serves as our Administrator pursuant to an Administration Agreement between us and the Advisor which was entered into on August 10, 2018 (the "Administration Agreement"). See "Administration Agreement" below. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners. Owl Rock Capital Partners is led by its three co-founders, Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer. The Adviser’s investment team (the “Investment Team”) is also led by Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer and is supported by certain members of the Adviser’s senior executive team and Investment Committee. The investment committee (the “Investment Committee”) is comprised of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, Alexis Maged, Erik Bissonnette and Pravin Vazirani. The Adviser has limited operating history. Subject to the overall supervision of the Board, the Adviser manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory and management services to us.
On December 23, 2020, Owl Rock Capital Group, the parent of the Adviser (and a subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners), and Dyal Capital Partners (“Dyal”) announced they are merging to form Blue Owl Capital (“Blue Owl”). Blue Owl will enter the public market via its acquisition by Altimar Acquisition Corporation (NYSE:ATAC) (“Altimar”), a special purpose acquisition company (the “Transaction”). If the Transaction is consummated, there will be no changes to the Company’s investment strategy or
the Adviser’s investment team or investment process with respect to the Company; however, the Transaction will result in a change in control of the Adviser, which will be deemed an assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. As a result, the Board, after considering the Transaction and subsequent change in control, has determined that upon consummation of the Transaction and subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting expected to be held on March 17, 2021, the Company should enter into an amended and restated investment advisory agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board also determined that upon consummation of the Transaction, the Company should enter into an amended and restated administration agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Administration Agreement.
The Adviser is affiliated with Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC (“ORCA”), Owl Rock Diversified Advisors LLC (“ORDA”) and Owl Rock Private Fund Advisors LLC (“ORPFA” and together with the Adviser, ORCA and ORDA, the “Owl Rock Advisors”). As of December 31, 2020, the Owl Rock Advisors managed $27.1 billion in AUM. The Owl Rock Advisors focus on direct lending to middle market companies primarily in the United States under the following four investment strategies:
| Strategy | Funds | Assets Under Management |
|---|---|---|
| Diversified Lending. The Owl Rock Advisors primarily originate and make loans to, and make debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle market companies. The Owl Rock Advisors invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and, to a lesser extent, equity and equity-related securities including warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The investment objective of the funds with this investment strategy is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns. | The diversified lending strategy is currently managed through four BDCs and a separately managed account: Owl Rock Capital Corporation (“ORCC”), Owl Rock Capital Corporation II (“ORCC II”), Owl Rock Capital Corporation III (“ORCC III”) and Owl Rock Core Income Corp. (“ORCIC”) and the Diversified Lending Managed Account. | As of December 31, 2020, the Owl Rock Advisors have $17.2 billion of assets under management across these products. |
| Technology Lending. The Owl Rock Advisors are focused primarily on originating and making debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. The Owl Rock Advisors originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The investment objective of the funds with this investment strategy is to maximize total return by generating current income from debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-linked investments. | The technology lending strategy is managed through the Company. | As of December 31, 2020, the Owl Rock Advisors have $5.4 billion of assets under management across these products. |
| First Lien Lending. The Owl Rock Advisers seek to realize significant current income with an emphasis on preservation of capital primarily through originating primary transactions in and, to a lesser extent, secondary transactions of first lien senior secured loans in or related to middle market businesses based primarily in the United States. | The first lien lending strategy is managed through a private fund and separately managed accounts (the “First Lien Funds”). | As of December 31, 2020, the Owl Rock Advisors have $3.0 billion of assets under management across these products. |
| Strategy | Funds | Assets Under Management |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Opportunistic Lending. The Owl Rock Advisors intend to make opportunistic investments in U.S. middle-market companies by providing a variety of approaches to financing, including but not limited to originating and/or investing in secured debt, unsecured debt, mezzanine debt, other subordinated debt, interests senior to common equity, as well as equity securities (or rights to acquire equity securities) which may or may not be acquired in connection with a debt financing transaction, and doing any and all things necessary, convenient or incidental thereto as necessary or desirable to promote and carry out such purpose. The funds with this investment strategy seek to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns by taking advantage of credit opportunities in U.S. middle-market companies with liquidity needs and market leaders seeking to improve their balance sheets. | The opportunistic lending strategy is managed through a private fund and separately managed accounts (the “Opportunistic Lending Funds” and together with the First Lien Funds and the Diversified Lending Managed Account, the “Owl Rock Private Funds”). | As of December 31, 2020, the Owl Rock Advisors have $1.5 billion of assets under management across these products. |
We refer to the Owl Rock BDCs and the Owl Rock Private Funds, as the “Owl Rock Clients.”
The Owl Rock Advisers may provide management or investment advisory services to entities that have overlapping objectives with us. The Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities to us and others. In order to address these conflicts, Owl Rock has put in place an investment allocation policy that addresses the allocation of investment opportunities as well as co-investment restrictions under the 1940 Act.
In addition, we intend to rely on exemptive relief that has been granted by the SEC to Owl Rock and certain of its affiliates to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing. In addition, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs, through December 31, 2020, we were permitted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to complete follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and covered by our exemptive relief, even if such private funds had not previously invested in such existing portfolio company. Without this order, private funds would generally not be able to participate in such follow-on investments with us unless the private funds had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with us. Although the conditional exemptive order has expired, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management has indicated that until March 31, 2021, it will not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing co-investment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the conditional exemptive order, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein. The Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy incorporates the conditions of the exemptive relief. As a result of the exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of the Owl Rock Clients and/or other funds established by the Owl Rock Advisers that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS —Risks Related to our Adviser and its Affiliates — we may compete for capital and investment opportunities with other entities managed by our Adviser or its affiliates subjecting our Adviser to certain conflicts of interest.”
The Adviser's address is 399 Park Avenue, 38th floor, New York, NY 10022.
Market Trends
We believe the technology investment lending environment provides opportunities for us to meet our goal of making investments that generate an attractive total return based on a combination of the following factors, which continue to remain true in the current environment, with the economic shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 national health emergency.
Limited Availability of Capital for Technology Companies. We believe that technology companies have limited access to capital, driven by a reduction in activity from commercial and investment banks, and a lack of dedicated pools of capital focused on technology companies. Traditional lenders, such as commercial and investment banks, generally do not have flexible product offerings that meet the needs of technology-related companies. In recent years, many commercial and investment banks have focused their efforts and resources on lending to large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions rather than lending to technology-related companies. In addition, these lenders may be constrained in their ability to underwrite and hold loans and high yield securities, as well as their ability to provide equity financing, as they seek to meet existing and future regulatory capital requirements. We also believe that there is a lack of scaled market participants that are willing to provide and hold meaningful amounts of a customized financing solution for technology companies. As a result, we believe our focus on technology-related companies and our ability to invest across the capital structure, coupled with a limited supply of capital providers, presents an attractive opportunity to invest in technology companies.
Capital Markets Have Been Unable to Fill the Void Left by Banks. While underwritten bond and syndicated loan markets have been robust in recent years, many technology companies are less able to access these markets for reasons including the following:
High Yield Market – Many technology companies generally are not issuing debt in an amount large enough to be an attractively sized bond. High yield bonds are generally purchased by institutional investors who, among other things, are highly focused on the liquidity characteristics of the bond being issued. For example, mutual funds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) are significant buyers of underwritten bonds. However, mutual funds and ETFs generally require the ability to liquidate their investments quickly in order to fund investor redemptions and/or comply with regulatory requirements. Accordingly, the existence of an active secondary market for bonds is an important consideration in these entities’ initial investment decision. Because there is typically little or no active secondary market for the debt of U.S. middle market companies, mutual funds and ETFs generally do not provide debt capital to technology companies. We believe this is likely to be a persistent problem and creates an advantage for those like us who have a more stable capital base and have the ability to invest in illiquid assets.
Syndicated Loan Market – Loan issue size and liquidity are key drivers of institutional appetite and, correspondingly, underwriters’ willingness to underwrite the loans. Loans arranged through a bank are done either on a “best efforts” basis or are underwritten with terms plus provisions that permit the underwriters to change certain terms, including pricing, structure, yield and tenor, otherwise known as “flex”, to successfully syndicate the loan, in the event the terms initially marketed are insufficiently attractive to investors. Loans provided by companies such as ours provide certainty to issuers in that we can commit to a given amount of debt on specific terms, at stated coupons and with agreed upon fees. As we are the ultimate holder of the loans, we do not require market “flex” or other arrangements that banks may require when acting on an agency basis.
Robust Demand for Debt Capital. According to 451 Research's M&A KnowledgeBase, there was approximately $1.5 trillion of mergers and acquisitions activity in the technology and software industries from 2015 to 2019. We believe technology companies will continue to require access to capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. In addition, we believe the large amount of uninvested capital held by funds of private equity firms, estimated by Preqin Ltd., an alternative assets industry data and research company, to be $1.5 trillion as of June 2019, coupled with a growing focus on technology investing by private equity sponsors, will continue to drive deal activity. We expect that technology companies, private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurs will continue to seek partners to provide flexible financing for their businesses with debt and equity investments provided by companies such as us.
Technology Spend is Large and Increasing. According to Gartner, a research and advisory company, global technology spend was $3.7 trillion in 2019 and is expected to grow to more than $4.3 trillion by 2023. We believe global demand for technology products and services will continue to grow rapidly, and that that growth will stimulate demand for capital from technology companies.
Attractive Investment Dynamics. An imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, capital creates attractive pricing dynamics. With respect to the debt investments in technology companies, we believe the directly negotiated nature of such financings generally provides more favorable terms to the lender, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, better call protection, and lender protective change of control provisions. Further, we believe that historical default rates for technology and software companies have been lower, and recovery rates have been higher, as compared to the broader leveraged finance market, leading to lower cumulative losses. With respect to equity and equity-linked investments, we will seek to structure these investments with meaningful shareholder protections, including, but not limited to, anti-dilution, anti-layering, and liquidation preferences, which we believe will create the potential for meaningful risk-adjusted long-term capital gains in connection with the future liquidity events of these technology companies. Lastly, we believe that in the current environment, with the economic shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 national health emergency, lenders with available capital may be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities as the economy reopens and may be able to achieve improved economic spreads and documentation terms.
Compelling Business Models. We believe that the products and services that technology companies provide often have high switching costs and are fundamental to the operations and success of their customers. We generally invest in dominant or growing players in niche markets that are selling products to established customer bases. As a result, technology companies have attributes that
make them compelling investments, including strong customer retention rates, and highly recurring and predictable revenue. Further, technology companies are typically highly capital efficient, with limited capital expenditures and high free cash flow conversion. In addition, the replicable nature of technology products creates substantial operating leverage which typically results in strong profitability.
We believe that software businesses make compelling investments because they are inherently diversified into a variety of sectors due to end market applications and have been one of the more defensive sectors throughout economic cycles.
Attractive Opportunities in Investments in Technology Companies. We invest in the debt and equity of technology companies. We believe that opportunities in the debt of technology companies are significant because of the floating rate structure of most senior secured debt issuances and because of the strong defensive characteristics of these types of investments. Given the current low interest rate environment, we believe that debt issues with floating interest rates offer a superior return profile as compared with fixed-rate investments, since floating rate structures are generally less susceptible to declines in value experienced by fixed-rate securities in a rising interest rate environment. Senior secured debt also provides strong defensive characteristics. Senior secured debt has priority in payment among an issuer’s security holders whereby holders are due to receive payment before junior creditors and equity holders. Further, these investments are generally secured by the issuer’s assets, which may provide protection in the event of a default.
We believe that opportunities in the equity of technology companies are significant because of the potential to generate meaningful capital appreciation by participating in the growth in the portfolio company and the demand for its products and services. Moreover, we believe that the high-growth profile of a technology company will generally make it a more attractive candidate for a liquidity event than a company in a non-high growth industry.
Potential Competitive Advantages
We believe that the Adviser’s disciplined approach to origination, fundamental investment analysis, portfolio construction and risk management should allow us to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns while preserving our capital. We believe that we represent an attractive investment opportunity for the following reasons:
Dedicated Pool of Capital. From a deal sourcing perspective, having a pool of capital dedicated to technology investing should enable us to be a more relevant partner to sponsors and management teams who seek this type of financing for their deals.
Additionally, our dedicated industry focus will be supported by a team with a track record of success investing in technology businesses. The Adviser’s network of deep industry relationships creates a substantial information advantage that informs and augments its due diligence process. This unique positioning should further drive entrenchment with sponsors as the Adviser will typically be viewed as a value-added partner during the diligence and investment lifecycle of our businesses.
We believe that there is currently an opportunity for us to be a “first mover” as a specialized debt financing provider in the technology sector. We believe the space to be underserved and we are not aware of other entities currently serving the sector that have large pools of capital dedicated to the space and that do not operate competing businesses.
Experienced Team with Expertise Across all Levels of the Corporate Capital Structure. The members of the Investment Committee have an average of 20 years of experience in private lending and investing at all levels of a company’s capital structure, including in high yield securities, leveraged loans, high yield credit derivatives, distressed securities, and equity securities, as well as experience in operations, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. The members of the Investment Committee have diverse backgrounds with investing experience through multiple business and credit cycles. Moreover, certain members of the Investment Committee and other executives and employees of the Adviser and its affiliates have operating and/or investing experience on behalf of business development companies. In addition, the Adviser opened an office on the West Coast to better serve financial sponsors operating in the technology sector. We believe this experience provides the Adviser with an in-depth understanding of the strategic, financial and operational challenges and opportunities of technology companies and will afford it numerous tools to manage risk while preserving the opportunity for attractive risk-adjusted returns on our investments.
Distinctive Origination Platform. We anticipate that a substantial majority of our investments will be sourced directly and that our origination platform provides us the ability to originate investments without the assistance of investment banks or other traditional Wall Street intermediaries. The Investment Team is responsible for originating, underwriting, executing and managing the assets of our direct lending transactions and for sourcing and executing opportunities directly. The Investment Team has significant experience as transaction originators and building and maintaining strong relationships with private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, entrepreneurs, and companies.
The Investment Team also maintains direct contact with banks, corporate advisory firms, industry consultants, attorneys, investment banks, “club” investors and other potential sources of lending opportunities. We believe the Adviser’s ability to source through multiple channels allows us to generate investment opportunities that have more attractive risk-adjusted return characteristics than by relying solely on origination flow from investment banks or other intermediaries and to be more selective investors.
Since its inception through December 31, 2020, the Adviser and its affiliates have reviewed over 5,200 opportunities and sourced potential investment opportunities from over 500 private equity sponsors and venture capital firms. We believe that the Adviser receives “early looks” and “last looks” based on its relationships, allowing it to be highly selective in the transactions it pursues.
Provide Customized Financing Complementary to Financial Sponsors’ Capital. We intend to offer a broad range of investment structures and possess expertise and experience to effectively structure and price investments in technology companies. We offer customized financing solutions ranging from senior debt to equity capital. Unlike many of our competitors that we believe are restricted to smaller investment sizes and only invest in companies that fit a specific set of investment parameters, we have the scale and flexibility to structure our investments to suit the particular needs of our portfolio companies. As a result, we believe that our capital will be viewed as an attractive and complimentary source of capital, both by the portfolio company and by the portfolio company’s financial sponsor.
Potential Long-Term Investment Horizon. We believe our potential long-term investment horizon gives us flexibility, allowing us to maximize returns on our investments in technology companies. We intend to invest using a long-term focus, which we believe provides us with the opportunity to increase total returns on invested capital, as compared to other private company investment vehicles or investment vehicles with daily liquidity requirements (e.g., open-ended mutual funds and ETFs).
Disciplined Investment Philosophy. The Adviser intends to employ an investment approach focused on rigorous due diligence and underwriting, a highly selective and multi-stage investment decision process, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. The investment approach will focus on quantitative and qualitative factors, with particular emphasis on early detection of potential deterioration. This strategy is designed to minimize potential losses and achieve attractive risk adjusted returns.
Active Portfolio Monitoring. The Adviser will closely monitor the investments in our portfolio and take a proactive approach to identifying and addressing sector- or company-specific risks. The Adviser will receive and review detailed financial information from portfolio companies no less than quarterly and seek to maintain regular dialogue with portfolio company management teams regarding current and forecasted performance. In addition, the Adviser has built out its portfolio management team to include workout experts who closely monitor our portfolio companies and assess each portfolio company’s operational and liquidity exposure and outlook. We anticipate that many of our debt investments will have financial covenants that we believe will provide an early warning of potential problems facing our borrowers, allowing lenders, including us, to identify and carefully manage risk. Further, we anticipate that many of our equity investments will provide us the opportunity to nominate a member or observer to the board of directors of the portfolio company, which we believe will allow us to closely monitor the performance of our portfolio companies.
Investment Selection
The Adviser expects to apply rigorous and established investment selection and underwriting criteria. Although not exhaustive, the Adviser expects that our investments will typically have many of the following attributes:
| • | Mission critical solutions: solutions that are essential to business operations and are tightly integrated into the workflows or operations of end users; |
|---|---|
| • | Market leadership positions: a leadership position in its market (or the potential to establish a leadership position) with potential and/or defensible barriers to entry; |
| --- | --- |
| • | Strong quality of revenue: revenue streams with high degrees of visibility (contracted or re-occurring) and substantial gross margins diversified by a granular, long-tenured customer base; |
| --- | --- |
| • | Highly capital efficient: strong free cash flow conversion or the potential to generate strong free cash flow conversion due to operating margins and low capital intensity; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | Attractive Unit Economics: strong payback periods in respect of lifetime value of a customer versus the cost to acquire the customer. |
| --- | --- |
The Adviser has identified the following investment criteria and guidelines that it believes are important in evaluating prospective portfolio companies. However, not all of these criteria and guidelines will be met, or will be equally important, in connection with each of our investments.
Established Companies. We intend to invest in companies with established business models, products and customers and that have demonstrated, or have a plan to achieve, sound financial performance which we believe tend to be well-positioned to generate consistent cash flow to service and repay their obligations and maintain growth in their businesses or market share. We intend to invest in later stage companies, including market leaders providing mission critical solutions, serving less cyclical end-markets and with highly recurring revenue and strong customer retention. The Adviser does not intend to invest in start-up companies with speculative business plans.
Strong Competitive Position in Industry. The Adviser intends to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of target companies relative to their competitors. The factors the Adviser will consider include relative product pricing, product quality, customer loyalty, substitution risk, switching costs, patent protection, brand positioning and capitalization. We will seek to invest in companies that have developed leading positions within their respective markets, are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities and operate
businesses, exhibit the potential to maintain sufficient cash flows to service their obligations in a range of economic environments or are in industries with significant barriers to entry. We will seek companies that demonstrate advantages in scale, scope, customer loyalty, product pricing or product quality versus their competitors that, when compared to their competitors, may help to protect their market position and cash flows.
Experienced Management Team. We will seek to invest in companies that have experienced management teams. We will also seek to invest in companies that have proper incentives in place, including management teams having significant equity interests to motivate management to act in concert with our interests as an investor.
Diversified Customer and Supplier Base. We will generally seek to invest in technology companies that have a diversified customer and supplier base. Companies with a diversified customer and supplier base are generally better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation, changing business preferences and other factors that may negatively impact their customers, suppliers and competitors.
Exit Strategy. While certain debt investments may be repaid through operating cash flows of the borrower, we expect that the primary means by which we exit our debt investments will be through methods such as strategic acquisitions by other industry participants, an initial public offering of common stock, a recapitalization, a refinancing or another transaction in the capital markets.
Prior to making an equity investment in a prospective portfolio company, we analyze the potential for that company to increase the liquidity of its equity through a future event that would enable us to realize appreciation in the value of our equity interest. Liquidity events may include an IPO, a private sale of our equity interest to a third party, a merger or an acquisition of the company or a purchase of our equity position by the company or one of its stockholders.
In addition, in connection with our investing activities, we may make commitments with respect to an investment in a potential portfolio company substantially in excess of our final investment. In such situations, while we may initially agree to fund up to a certain dollar amount of an investment, we may sell a portion of such amount, such that we are left with a smaller investment than what was reflected in our original commitment.
Financial Sponsorship. We may seek to participate in transactions sponsored by what we believe to be high-quality private equity and venture capital firms. We believe that a financial sponsor’s willingness to invest significant sums of equity capital into a company is an explicit endorsement of the quality of their investment. Further, financial sponsors of portfolio companies with significant investments at risk have the ability and a strong incentive to contribute additional capital in difficult economic times should operational issues arise.
Investments in Different Portfolio Companies and End Markets. We will seek to invest broadly among portfolio companies and end markets, thereby potentially reducing the risk of any one company or industry having a disproportionate impact on the value of our portfolio; however, there can be no assurances in this regard.
Investment Process Overview
Origination and Sourcing. The Investment Team has an extensive network from which to source deal flow and referrals. Specifically, the Adviser will source portfolio investments from a variety of different investment sources, including among others, private equity sponsors, management teams, financial intermediaries and advisers, investment bankers, family offices, accounting firms and law firms. The Adviser believes that its experience across different industries and transaction types makes the Adviser particularly and uniquely qualified to source, analyze and execute investment opportunities with a focus on downside protection and a return of principal.
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 one or more of the members of the Investment Team responsible for the transaction determine that an investment opportunity should be pursued, the Adviser will engage in an intensive due diligence process. Though each transaction may involve a somewhat different approach, the Adviser’s diligence of each opportunity could include:
| • | understanding the purpose of the loan, the key personnel, the sources and uses of the proceeds; |
|---|---|
| • | meeting the company’s management and key personnel, including top level executives, to get an insider’s view of the business, and to probe for potential weaknesses in business prospects; |
| --- | --- |
| • | checking management’s backgrounds and references; |
| --- | --- |
| • | performing a detailed review of historical financial performance, including performance through various economic cycles, and the quality of earnings; |
| --- | --- |
| • | contacting customers and vendors to assess both business prospects and standard practices; |
| --- | --- |
| • | conducting a competitive analysis, and comparing the company to its main competitors on an operating, financial, market share and valuation basis; |
| --- | --- |
| • | researching the industry for historic growth trends and future prospects as well as to identify future exit alternatives; |
| --- | --- |
| • | assessing asset value and the ability of physical infrastructure and information systems to handle anticipated growth; |
| --- | --- |
| • | leveraging the Adviser’s internal resources and network with institutional knowledge of the company’s business; |
| --- | --- |
| • | assessing business valuation and corresponding recovery analysis; |
| --- | --- |
| • | developing downside financial projections and liquidation analysis; |
| --- | --- |
| • | reviewing environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations including consulting the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s Engagement Guide for ESG considerations; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | investigating legal and regulatory risks and financial and accounting systems and practices. |
| --- | --- |
Selective Investment Process. After an investment has been identified and preliminary diligence has been completed, an investment committee memorandum is prepared. This memorandum is reviewed by the members of the Investment Team in charge of the potential investment. If these members of the Investment Team are in favor of 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.
Structuring and Execution. Approval of an investment requires the unanimous approval of the Investment Committee (as defined below). Once the Investment Committee has determined that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, the Adviser will work with the management team 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 will monitor our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The Adviser will monitor the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action with respect to our investment in each portfolio company. The Adviser has a number of methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:
| • | assessment of success of the portfolio company in adhering to its business plan and compliance with covenants; |
|---|---|
| • | periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments; |
| --- | --- |
| • | comparisons to other companies in the portfolio company’s industry; |
| --- | --- |
| • | attendance at, and participation in, board meetings; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | review of periodic financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies. |
| --- | --- |
Structure of Investments
Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns.
Debt Investments. The terms of our debt investments are tailored to the facts and circumstances of each transaction. The Adviser will negotiate the structure of each investment to protect our rights and manage our risk. We intend to invest in the following types of debt:
| • | First-lien debt. First-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a first-priority security interest in assets of the issuer. The security interest ranks above the security interest of any second-lien lenders in those assets. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans, “last out” first lien loans, “unitranche” loans and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. As of December 31, 2020, 56% of our first lien debt was comprised of unitranche loans. |
|---|---|
| • | Stand-alone first lien loans. Stand-alone first-lien loans are traditional first-lien loans. All lenders in the facility have equal rights to the collateral that is subject to the first-priority security interest. |
| --- | --- |
| • | “Last out” first-lien / unitranche loans. Unitranche loans combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position. In many cases, we may provide the issuer most, if not all, of the capital structure above their equity. The primary advantages to the issuer are the ability to negotiate the entire debt financing with one lender and the elimination of intercreditor issues. “Last out” first-lien loans have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans in the collateral securing the loans in certain circumstances. The arrangements for a “last out” first-lien loan are set forth in an “agreement among lenders,” which provides lenders with “first out” and “last out” payment streams based on a single lien on the collateral. Since the “first out” lenders generally have priority over the “last out” lenders for receiving payment under certain specified events of default, or upon the occurrence of other triggering events under intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders, the “last out” lenders bear a greater risk and, in exchange, receive a higher effective interest rate, through arrangements among the lenders, than the “first out” lenders or lenders in stand-alone first-lien loans. Agreements |
| --- | --- |
| among lenders also typically provide greater voting rights to the “last out” lenders than the intercreditor agreements to which second-lien lenders often are subject. Among the types of first-lien debt in which we may invest, “last out” first-lien loans generally have higher effective interest rates than other types of first-lien loans, since “last out” first lien-loans rank below standalone first-lien loans. | |
| --- | |
| • | Second-lien debt. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt. Second-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to unsecured liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a security interest over assets of the issuer, though ranking junior to first-lien debt secured by those assets. First-lien lenders and second-lien lenders typically have separate liens on the collateral, and an intercreditor agreement provides the first-lien lenders with priority over the second-lien lenders’ liens on the collateral. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Mezzanine debt. Structurally, mezzanine debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to first-lien and second-lien debt, is often unsecured, and may not have the benefit of financial covenants common in first-lien and second-lien debt. However, mezzanine debt ranks senior to common and preferred equity in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine debt investments generally offer lenders fixed returns in the form of interest payments, which could be paid-in-kind, and may provide lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation, if any, of an issuer through an equity interest. This equity interest typically takes the form of an equity co-investment or warrants. Due to its higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants compared to senior secured loans, mezzanine debt generally bears a higher stated interest rate than first-lien and second-lien debt. |
| --- | --- |
Equity Investments
Our investment in a portfolio company could be or may include an equity-linked interest, such as a warrant or profit participation right. In certain instances, we will also make direct equity investments, although those situations are generally limited to those cases where we are making an investment in a more senior part of the capital structure of the issuer. We anticipate that generally any equity or equity-linked securities we hold will be minority positions.
Investment Portfolio
As of December 31, 2020 we had investments in 52 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $3.1 billion. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, investments consisted of the following:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Net Unrealized<br><br><br>Gain (Loss) | Amortized<br><br><br>Cost | Fair Value | Net Unrealized<br><br><br>Gain (Loss) | |||||||
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 2,258,128 | $ | 2,261,996 | $ | 3,868 | $ | 1,385,386 | $ | 1,382,256 | $ | (3,130 | ) |
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | 206,266 | 208,328 | 2,062 | 36,147 | 36,236 | 89 | |||||||
| Unsecured debt investments | 376,454 | 388,602 | 12,148 | — | — | — | |||||||
| Equity | 174,250 | 198,411 | 24,161 | 57,303 | 57,453 | 150 | |||||||
| Total Investments | $ | 3,015,098 | $ | 3,057,337 | $ | 42,239 | $ | 1,478,836 | $ | 1,475,945 | $ | (2,891 | ) |
As of December 31, 2020 we had outstanding commitments to fund unfunded investments totaling $199.5 million.
The table below describes investments by industry composition based on fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings and real estate | 1.5 | % | 3.0 | % | ||
| Business services | 18.4 | 26.9 | ||||
| Data and information services | 15.2 | 5.8 | ||||
| eCommerce and digital marketplaces | 1.9 | 0.3 | ||||
| Education | 9.5 | 16.4 | ||||
| Financial services | 7.9 | 1.4 | ||||
| Food and beverage | 8.7 | — | ||||
| Healthcare providers and services | — | 3.1 | ||||
| Healthcare technology | 12.5 | 17.0 | ||||
| Human resource support services | 0.1 | — | ||||
| Insurance | 2.6 | 2.9 | ||||
| Internet and digital media | 3.6 | 8.7 | ||||
| Leisure and entertainment | 2.9 | 4.5 | ||||
| Manufacturing | 2.0 | — | ||||
| Oil and gas | 3.2 | 5.7 | ||||
| Professional services | 1.5 | 3.5 | ||||
| Technology Infrastructure | 8.5 | 0.8 | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
We classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare technology, and business services) and not by the product or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets.
The table below describes investments by geographic composition based on fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States: | ||||||
| Midwest | 7.8 | % | 6.9 | % | ||
| Northeast | 23.9 | 35.9 | ||||
| South | 26.2 | 34.7 | ||||
| West | 28.7 | 17.3 | ||||
| Canada | 4.4 | 3.1 | ||||
| Ireland | — | 2.1 | ||||
| Israel | 4.1 | — | ||||
| United Kingdom | 4.9 | — | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Capital Resources and Borrowings
We anticipate generating cash in the future from the issuance of common stock and cash flows from operations, including interest and dividends received on our debt and equity investments, respectively.
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. Our current target leverage ratio is 0.90x-1.25x. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 our asset coverage was 191% and 193%, respectively. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company – Senior Securities” below.
Furthermore, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must take provisions to prohibit any distribution to our shareholders (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.
Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Aggregate Principal Committed | Outstanding Principal | Amount Available^(1)^ | Net Carrying Value^(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)^ | ||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 700,000 | $ | 105,849 | $ | 557,328 | $ | 103,970 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 590,000 | 68,347 | 521,653 | 62,037 | ||||
| SPV Asset Facility I | 300,000 | 290,000 | 10,000 | 286,309 | ||||
| June 2025 Notes | 210,000 | 210,000 | — | 205,011 | ||||
| December 2025 Notes | 400,000 | 400,000 | — | 391,931 | ||||
| June 2026 Notes | 375,000 | 375,000 | — | 367,804 | ||||
| CLO 2020-1 | 200,000 | 200,000 | — | 197,056 | ||||
| Total Debt | $ | 2,775,000 | $ | 1,649,196 | $ | 1,088,981 | $ | 1,614,118 |
________________
| (1) | The amount available reflects any limitations related to each credit facility’s borrowing base. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) | The carrying value of the Company’s Subscription Credit Facility is presented net of debt issuance costs of $1.9 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (3) | The carrying value of the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility is presented net of debt issuance costs of $6.3 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (4) | The carrying value of the Company’s SPV Asset Facility I is presented net of debt issuance costs of $3.7 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (5) | The carrying value of the Company’s June 2025 Notes is presented net of debt issuance costs of $5.0 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (6) | The carrying value of the Company’s December 2025 Notes is presented net of debt issuance costs of $8.1 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (7) | The carrying value of the Company’s June 2026 Notes is presented net of debt issuance costs of $7.2 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (8) | The carrying value of the Company’s CLO 2020-1 is presented net of debt issuance costs of $2.9 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ($ in thousands) | Aggregate Principal Committed | Outstanding Principal | Amount Available^(1)^ | Net Carrying Value^(2)(3)^ | ||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 900,000 | $ | 645,712 | $ | 103,399 | $ | 641,739 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 305,000 | 185,000 | 120,000 | 182,058 | ||||
| Total Debt | $ | 1,205,000 | $ | 830,712 | $ | 223,399 | $ | 823,797 |
________________
| (1) | The amount available reflects any limitations related to each credit facility’s borrowing base. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The carrying value of the Company’s Subscription Credit Facility is presented net of debt issuance costs of $4.0 million. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | The carrying value of the Company`s Revolving Credit Facility is presented net of debt issuance costs of $2.9 million. |
| --- | --- |
See “Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources — Debt”.
Dividend Policy
To qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends 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 shareholders. We may be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax if we do not distribute (or are treated as distributing) in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:
| • | 98% of our net ordinary income, excluding certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized during a calendar year; |
|---|---|
| • | 98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of such calendar year; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | 100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years. |
| --- | --- |
In the future, we can be expected to incur 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 not choose 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. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – Federal Income Tax Risks – We will be subject to
corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries.”
On February 23, 2021, our Board declared a distribution of 90% of estimated first quarter taxable income for shareholders of record on March 31, 2021, payable on or before May 14, 2021.
The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| November 3, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 4, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | $ | 0.22 |
| May 5, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | $ | 0.20 |
| February 19, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| October 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | January 31, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 7, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | $ | 0.25 |
| May 8, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | August 15, 2019 | $ | 0.14 |
| February 27, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | $ | 0.05 |
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not declare any distributions on shares of our common stock.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash distributions declared by the Board on behalf of our shareholders who do not elect to receive their distribution in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our shareholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock as described below, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. Any fractional share otherwise issuable to a participant in the dividend reinvestment plan will instead be paid in cash.
The number of shares to be issued to a shareholder under the dividend reinvestment plan will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such shareholder by the net asset value per share of our common stock, as of the last day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the date such distribution was declared. We intend to use newly issued shares to implement the plan.
No action is required on the part of a registered shareholder to have cash dividends or other distributions reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered shareholder is able to elect to receive an entire cash dividend or other distribution in cash by notifying the Adviser in writing so that such notice is received by the Adviser no later than ten days prior to the record date for distributions to the shareholders.
There are no brokerage charges or other charges to shareholders who participate in the plan.
The plan is terminable by us upon notice in writing mailed to each shareholder of record at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any distribution by us.
Competition
Our primary competitors in providing financing to middle market technology related companies include public and private funds, other BDCs, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than we do. Some competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to
consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Further, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company, or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy to qualify for RIC tax treatment. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS — Risk Relating to Our Business — We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay further deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.”
Investment Advisory Agreement
The description below of the Investment Advisory Agreement is only a summary and is not necessarily complete. The description set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for the following:
| • | managing our assets in accordance with our investment objective, policies and restrictions; |
|---|---|
| • | determining the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes; |
| --- | --- |
| • | making investment decisions for us, including negotiating the terms of investments in, and dispositions of, portfolio securities and other instruments on our behalf; |
| --- | --- |
| • | monitoring our investments; |
| --- | --- |
| • | performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies; |
| --- | --- |
| • | exercising voting rights in respect of portfolio securities and other investments for us; |
| --- | --- |
| • | serving on, and exercising observer rights for, boards of directors and similar committees of our portfolio companies; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | providing us with such other investment advisory and related services as we may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of capital. |
| --- | --- |
The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to us are not impaired.
Term
The Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by the Board on January 12, 2021, as described further below under “Business – Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement.” Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent directors.
The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations in the event of its assignment. In accordance with the 1940 Act, without payment of penalty, we may terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice. The decision to terminate the agreement may be made by a majority of the Board or the shareholders holding a Majority of the Outstanding Shares of our common stock. “Majority of the Outstanding Shares” means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock are present or represented by proxy or (2) a majority of outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, without payment of penalty, the Adviser may generally terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice.
On December 23, 2020, Owl Rock Capital Group, the parent of the Adviser (and a subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners), and Dyal announced they are merging to form Blue Owl. Blue Owl will enter the public market via its acquisition by Altimar, a special purpose acquisition company. The Transaction, if consummated, will result in a change in control of the Adviser, which will be deemed an assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. As a result, the Board, after considering the Transaction and subsequent change in control, has determined that upon consummation of the Transaction and subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting expected to be held on March 17, 2021, the Company should enter into an amended and restated investment advisory agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Investment Advisory Agreement. See "Business --The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC."
Compensation of Adviser
We will pay the Adviser an investment advisory fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: a management fee (the “Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”). The cost of both the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee will ultimately be borne by the shareholders.
The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears. Prior to an Exchange Listing the Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of 0.90% of:
| (i) | our average gross assets at the end of our two most recently completed calendar quarters, plus |
|---|---|
| (ii) | the average of any remaining unfunded Capital Commitments to us at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; |
| --- | --- |
provided, however, that no Management Fee will be charged on the value of our gross assets that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act.
Following an Exchange Listing, the Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of:
| (i) | 1.5% of our average gross assets that is above an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters payable quarterly in arrears, and |
|---|---|
| (ii) | 1.00% of our average gross assets that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters payable quarterly in arrears. |
| --- | --- |
The Management Fee will be appropriately prorated and adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter) for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant calendar quarters and for any partial month or quarter. For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, gross assets means our total assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, excluding cash and cash equivalents, but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts.
The Incentive Fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on our income and a portion is based on our capital gains, each as described below. The portion of the Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears commencing with the first calendar quarter following the Initial Closing Date, and equals (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 100% of the pre- Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” until the Adviser has received 10% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.67% quarterly, 10% of all remaining pre- Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 100% of the pre- Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” until the Adviser has received 17.5% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% quarterly, 17.5% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter. The 100% “catch-up” provision for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the 1.5% “hurdle rate” is intended to provide the Adviser with an Incentive Fee of (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% on all pre- Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.67% in a calendar quarter (6.67% annualized), and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% on all pre-Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.82% in a calendar quarter (7.27% annualized), which, in each case, is the rate at which catch-up is achieved. Once the “hurdle rate” is reached and catch-up is achieved, (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.67% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser.
Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends (including reinvested dividends), interest and fee income accrued by us during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the calendar quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest (“PIK”) and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we may not have received in cash. The Adviser is not obligated to return the Incentive Fee it receives on PIK interest that is later determined to be uncollectible in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.
To determine 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 commencing with the first calendar quarter following the Initial Closing Date. Because of the structure of the Incentive Fee, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a calendar quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss
in that calendar quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given calendar quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached and therefore the likelihood that we will pay an Incentive Fee for that calendar 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).
The following are graphical representations of the calculation of the income-related portion of the Incentive Fee:
Quarterly Incentive Fee on
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
Prior to an Exchange Listing
(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)
| 0% | 1.5% | 1.67% |
|---|---|---|
| ← 0% → | ← 100% → | ← 10% → |
Quarterly Incentive Fee on
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
Subsequent to an Exchange Listing
(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)
| 0% | 1.5% | 1.82% |
|---|---|---|
| ← 0% → | ← 100% → | ← 17.5% → |
Percentage of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income
Allocated to Quarterly Incentive Fee
The second component of the Incentive Fee, the “Capital Gains Incentive Fee,” payable at the end of each calendar year in arrears, equals, (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of cumulative realized capital gains from the Initial Closing Date to the end of each calendar year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the Initial Closing Date to the end of each calendar year, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year. Each year, the fee paid for the Capital Gains Incentive Fee is net of the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fee for prior periods. We will accrue, but will not pay, a Capital Gains Incentive Fee with respect to unrealized appreciation because a Capital Gains Incentive Fee would be owed to the Adviser if we were to sell the relevant investment and realize a capital gain. The fees that are payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement for any partial period will be appropriately prorated. For the sole purpose of calculating the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, the cost basis as of the Initial Closing Date for all of our investments made prior to the Initial Closing Date will be equal to the fair market value of such investments as of the last day of the calendar quarter in which the Initial Closing Date occurs; provided, however, that in no event will the Capital Gains Fee payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act, including Section 205 thereof.
Limitations of Liability and Indemnification
The Adviser and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its sole member, are not 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, as amended, 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 indemnify the Adviser and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its general partner or managing member (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of us or our security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser. However, the Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification in respect of, any liability to us or our shareholders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of criminal conduct, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement
On January 12, 2021, the Board held a meeting to consider and approve the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement and, subject to the consummation of the Transaction and the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting expected to be held on March 17, 2021, the amended and restated investment advisory agreement, as well as related matters. See "Business --The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC." The Board was provided information it required to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement, including: (a) the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by the Adviser; (b) comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other BDCs with similar investment objectives; (c) our projected operating expenses and expense ratio compared to BDCs, which could include employees of the Adviser or its affiliates; (d) any existing and potential sources of indirect income to the Adviser from its relationship with us and the profitability of that relationship; (e) information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (f) the organizational capability and financial condition of the Adviser and its affiliates; and (g) the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third-party service providers or through an internally managed structure.
Based on the information reviewed and the discussion thereof, the Board, including a majority of the non-interested directors, concluded that the investment advisory fee rates are reasonable in relation to the services provided and approved the Investment Advisory Agreement and, subject to the consummation of the Transaction and the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting expected to be held on March 17, 2021, the amended and restated investment advisory agreement, as being in the best interests of our shareholders.
Administration Agreement
The description below of the Administration Agreement is only a summary and is not necessarily complete. The description set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Administration Agreement.
Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser performs, or oversees the performance of, administrative services for us, which includes, but is not limited to, providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC, managing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others, which could include employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. We will reimburse the Adviser for services performed for us pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or to a third party and we will reimburse the Adviser for any services performed for us by such affiliate or third party.
The continuation of the Administration Agreement and, subject to the consummation of the Transaction, the amended and restated administration agreement, was approved by the Board on January 12, 2021. See "Business --The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC." Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent directors. We may terminate the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days' written notice. The decision to terminate the agreement may be made by a majority of the Board or the shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock. In addition, the Adviser may terminate the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days' written notice. To the extent that the Adviser outsources any of its functions we will pay the fees associated with such functions without profit to the Adviser.
The Administration Agreement provides that the Adviser and its affiliates' respective officers, directors, members, managers, stockholders and employees are entitled to indemnification from us from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Administration Agreement, except where attributable to willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of such person's duties or reckless disregard of such person's obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement.
Payment of Our Expenses under the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements
Except as specifically provided below, we anticipate that all investment professionals and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the base compensation, bonus and benefits, and the routine overhead expenses, of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser shall be solely responsible for any placement or “finder’s” fees payable to placement agents engaged by the Company or its affiliates in connection with the offering of securities by the Company. We will bear our allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of our officers who provide operational and administrative services hereunder, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to us (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to us. We shall reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs, in acting on our behalf and as otherwise set forth in the Administrative Agreement). We also will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to (i) investment advisory fees, including Management Fees and Incentive Fees, to the Adviser, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administrative Agreement; (ii) our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its administrative obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement and (iii) all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:
| • | the cost of our organization and any offerings; |
|---|---|
| • | the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the common stock and other securities; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fees and expenses payable under any dealer manager agreements, if any; |
| --- | --- |
| • | debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs of hedging; |
| --- | --- |
| • | expenses, including travel expense, incurred by the Adviser, or members of the Investment Team, or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing our rights; |
| --- | --- |
| • | escrow agent, transfer agent and custodial fees and expenses; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts; |
| --- | --- |
| • | federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees and fees payable to rating agencies; |
| --- | --- |
| • | federal, state and local taxes; |
| --- | --- |
| • | independent directors’ fees and expenses, including certain travel expenses; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration fees, listing fees and licenses, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to shareholders (including printing and mailing costs); |
| --- | --- |
| • | the costs of any shareholder or director meetings and the compensation of personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters; |
| --- | --- |
| • | commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers; |
| --- | --- |
| • | research and market data; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums; |
| --- | --- |
| • | direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fees and expenses associated with independent audits, outside legal and consulting costs; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs of winding up; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs incurred in connection with the formation or maintenance of entities or vehicles to hold our assets for tax or other purposes; |
| --- | --- |
| • | extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification); and |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws. |
| --- | --- |
We expect, but cannot ensure, that our general and administrative expenses will increase in dollar terms during periods of asset growth, but will decline as a percentage of total assets during such periods.
Placement Agent Agreement and Dealer Manager Agreement
On August 10, 2018, we entered into a placement agent agreement (the “Placement Agent Agreement”) with Owl Rock Capital Securities LLC (“Owl Rock Securities”) pursuant to which employees of Owl Rock Securities may conduct placement activities in connection with our Private Offerings. On November 6, 2018 we entered into a dealer manager agreement (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”) with Owl Rock Securities pursuant to which Owl Rock Securities and certain participating broker-dealers will solicit Capital Commitments. Owl Rock Securities, is an affiliate of Owl Rock and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Fees paid pursuant to these agreements will be paid by our Adviser.
The Placement Agent Agreement may be terminated by either party thereto upon 30 days written notice to the other party. The Dealer Manager Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons”, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of our distribution plan or the Dealer Manager Agreement or by vote a majority of the outstanding voting securities, on not more than 60 days’ written notice to Owl Rock Securities and the Adviser.
Affiliated Transactions
We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with its affiliates without prior approval of the directors who are not interested persons, and in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. The Company relies on exemptive relief that has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates to permit the Company to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, in a manner consistent with the Company’s investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, the Company generally is permitted to co-invest with certain of its affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to the Company and its shareholders and do not involve overreaching of the Company or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of the Company’s shareholders and is consistent with its investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by its affiliates would not disadvantage the Company, and the Company’s participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which its affiliates are investing. In addition, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs, through December 31, 2020, we were permitted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to complete follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain private funds managed by our Adviser or its affiliates and covered by our exemptive relief, even if such private funds have not previously invested in such existing portfolio company. Without this order, private funds would generally not be able to participate in such follow-on investments with the Company unless the private funds had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with the Company. Although the conditional exemptive order has expired, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management has indicated that until March 31, 2021, it will not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing co-investment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the conditional exemptive order, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein. The Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time between the Owl Rock Clients. As a result of the exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and investment portfolios of other Owl Rock Clients and/or other funds established by the Owl Rock Advisers that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief.
License Agreement
On August 10, 2018, we entered into a license agreement (the “License Agreement”) pursuant to which an affiliate of Owl Rock Capital Partners has granted the Company a non-exclusive license to use the name “Owl Rock.” Under the License Agreement, the Company has a right to use the Owl Rock name for so long as the Adviser or one of its affiliates remains the Company’s investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “Owl Rock” name or logo.
Term
Prior to an Exchange Listing, if our Board determines that there has been a significant adverse change in our regulatory or tax treatment of our shareholders that in its judgment makes it inadvisable for us to continue in our present form, then the Board will endeavor to restructure or change our structure to preserve (insofar as possible) the overall benefits previously enjoyed by our shareholders as a whole or, if the Board determines it appropriate (and subject to any necessary shareholder approvals and applicable requirements of the 1940 Act), (i) cause us to change our form and/or jurisdiction of organization or (ii) cause our winding down and/or liquidation and dissolution.
If we have not consummated an Exchange Listing by the end of the Commitment Period, subject to extension for two additional one-year periods, in the sole discretion of the Board, the Board (subject to any necessary shareholder approvals and applicable requirements of the 1940 Act) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to wind down and/or liquidate and dissolve the Company in an orderly manner.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we paid or otherwise provide for all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. For the purposes of this paragraph, a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity, or a sale or conveyance of all or any part of our property or assets will not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, voluntary or involuntary.
Emerging Growth Company
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) and we are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). We expect to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the 1934 Act which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period. In addition, we will take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards.
Employees
We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Each of our executive officers is employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by the Adviser. The services necessary for the origination and administration of our investment portfolio are provided by investment professionals employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Investment Team is focused 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 and chief financial officer and their respective staffs (based on the percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs and as otherwise set forth in the Administrative Agreement). See “— Investment Advisory Agreement” and “— Administration Agreement.”
The Private Offering
We have entered into separate subscription agreements with a number of investors providing for the private placement of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Private Offering and may enter into additional subscription agreements from time to time. Each investor will make a Capital Commitment to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement. Investors will be required to make capital contributions to purchase shares of our common stock each time we deliver a drawdown notice, which will be issued based on our anticipated investment activities and capital needs, in an aggregate amount not to exceed each investor’s respective Capital Commitment. We will deliver drawdown requests at least ten business days prior to the required funding date. All purchases of our common stock will generally be made pro rata in accordance with remaining Capital Commitments of all investors, at a per-share price equal to the net asset value per share of our common stock subject to any adjustments. Any adjustments would take into account a determination of changes to net asset value within 48 hours of the sale to assure compliance with Section 23(b) of the 1940 Act. At the earlier of (i) an Exchange Listing and (ii) the end of the Commitment Period, shareholders will be released from any further obligation to fund drawdowns and purchase additional shares of our common stock, subject to certain conditions described in the subscription agreement.
If, during the Commitment Period, two of the four of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer and Alan J. Kirshenbaum (each, a “Key Person”), (i) provide notice of resignation, resign, are terminated or are provided with notice of termination from the position of (1) in the case of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer, co-chief investment officer of the Adviser and (2) in the case of Alan J. Kirshenbaum, chief financial officer of the Adviser, (ii) die or are disabled or (iii) cease to be actively involved (1) in the case of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer, as a member of the Investment Committee or (2) in the case of Alan J. Kirshenbaum, as an officer of the Adviser, for any consecutive period exceeding 60 days, a “Key Person Event” will have occurred. For purposes of this provision, the Adviser is permitted at any time to replace one of the Key Persons with a senior professional selected by the Adviser, provided that such replacement is approved by 75% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
A “Cause Event” will occur if, during the Commitment Period, an event constituting Cause occurs. “Cause” means (A) any disqualification of a Key Person under Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act; (B) the conviction of (or plea of no contest by) any Key Person of a felony involving fraud, false statements or omissions, wrongful taking of property, bribery, perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, extortion, or conspiracy to commit such offenses; (C) the final judicial determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence by the Adviser or any Key Person in the performance of its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement; or (D) the conviction of (or a plea of no contest by) any Key Person or the Adviser of a violation of the substantive provisions of any U.S. federal or state securities law (other than any inadvertent or technical violation of any such law which has no material adverse impact on the Company or any other violation which has no material adverse impact on the Company).
Upon the occurrence of a Key Person Event or a Cause Event, we will send written notice of the Key Person Event or Cause Event, as applicable, to our shareholders within ten Business Days of such occurrence, the Commitment Period will automatically be suspended for 90 days (the “Interim Period”) and our shareholders will not be obligated to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of our common stock except for certain limited purposes. During the Interim Period we will convene a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of determining whether the Commitment Period should be reinstated. If the proposal is approved by 75% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and all of the independent members of the Board vote in favor the proposal, the Commitment Period will be reinstated and our shareholders will be obligated to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of our common stock as if a Key Person Event or Cause Event, as applicable, had never occurred. Otherwise, the Commitment Period will be deemed to have terminated upon the occurrence of the Key Person Event or Cause Event, as applicable.
Placement activities will be conducted by officers of the Company and the Adviser. Owl Rock Capital Securities LLC (d/b/a Owl Rock Securities), an affiliate of Owl Rock Capital Partners, serves as the dealer manager for the private offering and may serve as the dealer manager for other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. Owl Rock Securities is registered as a broker dealer with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. In addition, the Company has entered and may, from time to time, enter into agreements with other placement agents or broker-dealers to solicit Capital Commitments. Fees paid pursuant to these agreements will be paid by our Adviser.
Regulation as a Business Development Company
We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than "interested persons," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a Majority of the Outstanding Shares of our common stock.
We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, 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 (1) our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders, and (2) our shareholders have approved our policy and practice of making such sales within the preceding 12 months. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities.
As a BDC, the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, must be at least 200%. However, legislation enacted in March 2018 has modified the 1940 Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. This means that generally, we can borrow up to $1 for every $1 of investor equity (or, if certain conditions are met, we can borrow up to $2 for every $1 of investor equity). The reduced asset coverage requirement would permit a BDC to double the amount of leverage it could incur.
On August 7, 2018, our Adviser, as our sole initial shareholder, has approved a proposal that allows us to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150% and in connection with their subscription agreements, our investors are required to acknowledge our ability to operate with an asset coverage ratio that may be as low as 150%.
We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our board of directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC.
We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act.
Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies, except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate or currency fluctuations. However, we may purchase or otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in
connection with acquisition financing or other investments. Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances.
We do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Prior to January 19, 2021, except for registered money market funds, we generally were prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, investing more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company, or investing more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company without obtaining exemptive relief from the SEC. However, the SEC adopted new rules, which became effective on January 19, 2021, that allow us to acquire the securities of other investment companies in excess of the 3%, 5%, and 10% limitations without obtaining exemptive relief if we comply with certain conditions. If we invest in securities issued by investment companies, if any, it should be noted that such investments might subject our shareholders to additional expenses as they will be indirectly responsible for the costs and expenses of such companies.
None of our investment policies are fundamental, and thus may be changed without shareholder approval.
Qualifying Assets. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are any of the following:
(1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:
(a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;
(b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the business development company) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and
(c) satisfies any of the following:
(i) does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;
(ii) has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;
(iii) is controlled by a business development company or a group of companies including a business development company and the business development company has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or
(iv) is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.
(2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company controlled by the Company.
(3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.
(4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and the Company already owns 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.
(5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.
(6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.
In addition, a business development company must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.
Control, as defined by the 1940 Act, is presumed to exist where a BDC beneficially owns more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of the portfolio company, but may exist in other circumstances based on the facts and circumstances.
The regulations defining qualifying assets may change over time. The Company may adjust its investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of any regulatory, legislative, administrative or judicial actions.
Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies. A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. 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, although this may not be the sole method by which the BDC satisfies the requirement to make available managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance.
Temporary Investments. Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, our investments can 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 are referred to herein, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets would be qualifying assets. We may invest in highly rated commercial paper, U.S. government agency notes, U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements relating to such securities that are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. Consequently, repurchase agreements are functionally similar to loans. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, the 1940 Act and certain diversification tests in order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes typically require us to limit the amount we invest with any one counterparty. Accordingly, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. The Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we may enter into repurchase agreement transactions.
Warrants. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC is subject to restrictions on the issuance, terms and amount of warrants, options or rights to purchase shares of capital stock that it may have outstanding at any time. Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (i) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years, (ii) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance, (iii) shareholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and the Board approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in our best interests and the shareholders best interests and (iv) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities. In particular, the amount of capital stock that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase capital stock cannot exceed 25% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock.
Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio. We are generally permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if immediately after such borrowing or issuance, the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, is at least 200% (or 150%, if certain requirements are met). This means that generally, a BDC can borrow up to $1 for every $1 of investor equity or, if certain requirements are met and it reduces its asset coverage ratio, it can borrow up to $2 for every $1 of investor equity. The reduced asset coverage requirement would permit a BDC to double the amount of leverage it could incur.
On August 7, 2018, our Adviser, as our sole initial shareholder, has approved a proposal that allows us to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150% and in connection with their subscription agreements, our investors are required to acknowledge our ability to operate with an asset coverage ratio that may be as low as 150%.
In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we will be required to make provisions to prohibit any dividend distribution to our shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. We will also be permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes, which borrowings would not be considered senior securities. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS — Risks Related to Business Development Companies — Regulations governing our operation as a business development company and RIC affect our ability to raise capital and the way in which we raise additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth. As a business development company, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including risks associated with leverage.”
Codes of Ethics. We and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code are permitted to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. Our code of ethics is available, free of charge, on our website at www.owlrock.com. In addition, the code of ethics is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Affiliated Transactions. We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. We rely on exemptive relief that has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors makes certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transactions, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing. The Owl Rock Advisers’ allocation policy incorporates the conditions of the exemptive relief and seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities between the Company and/or other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates over time. As a result of exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in the Company’s investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of other Owl Rock Clients that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief.
Cancellation of the Investment Advisory Agreement. Under the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Adviser. See "Investment Advisory Agreement - Term." The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by us upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser and may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to us. The holders of a Majority of our Outstanding Shares may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice. Unless terminated earlier as described above, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date it first became effective and 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 Shares, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of our directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act.
Other. We have adopted an investment policy that complies with the requirements applicable to us as a BDC. We expect to be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act, and will be subject to the periodic reporting and related requirements of the 1934 Act.
We are also required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to our shareholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.
We are also required to designate a chief compliance officer and to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation.
We are not permitted to change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by a Majority of the Outstanding Shares of our common stock.
We intend to operate as a non-diversified management investment company; however, we are currently and may, from time to time, in the future, be considered a diversified management investment company pursuant to the definitions set forth in the 1940 Act.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in our common stock. This discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, this discussion does not describe tax consequences that we have assumed to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including persons who hold our common stock as part of a straddle or a hedging, integrated or constructive sale transaction, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, brokers or dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, personal holding companies, persons who acquire an interest in the Company in connection with the performance of services, and financial institutions. Such persons should consult with their own tax advisers as to
the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock, which may differ substantially from those described herein. This discussion assumes that shareholders hold our common stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code).
The discussion is based upon the Code, U.S. Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this report and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein. Prospective investors should be aware that, although we intend to adopt positions we believe are in accord with current interpretations of the U.S. federal income tax laws, the IRS may not agree with the tax positions taken by us and that, if challenged by the IRS, our tax positions might not be sustained by the courts. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate, alternative minimum, or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It also does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| • | a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
|---|---|
| • | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of any political subdivision thereof; |
| --- | --- |
| • | a trust that is subject to the supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons or that has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or |
| --- | --- |
| • | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source. |
| --- | --- |
A “Non-U.S. Shareholder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a U.S. Shareholder or a partnership for U.S. tax purposes.
If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Any partner of a partnership holding our common stock should consult its tax advisers with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of such shares.
Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our common stock will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation.
Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company
We have elected to be treated and intend to qualify each year as a RIC. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our shareholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, in order to obtain RIC tax benefits, we must distribute to our shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).
If we qualify as a RIC, and satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our income we distribute (or are deemed to distribute) to our shareholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our shareholders.
We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of our net ordinary income for each calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of the amount by which our capital gains exceed our capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). While we intend to distribute any income and capital gains in order to avoid imposition of this 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we may not be successful in avoiding entirely the imposition of this tax. In that case, we will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:
| • | continue to qualify as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year; |
|---|---|
| • | derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of certain securities, gains from the sale of stock or other securities or foreign currencies, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities (the “90% Income Test”); and |
| --- | --- |
| • | diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: |
| --- | --- |
| • | at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the (i) securities, other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, (ii) securities of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”). |
| --- | --- |
We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as PIK interest and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received the corresponding cash amount.
Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds, to sell assets and to make taxable distributions of our stock and debt securities in order to satisfy distribution requirements. Our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (i) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (ii) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to tax as an ordinary corporation.
Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our shareholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. If we are prohibited from making distributions, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to tax as an ordinary corporation.
Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things: (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions; (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income; (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited); (iv) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash; (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of securities is deemed to occur; (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions; and (vii) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test described above. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax decisions in order to mitigate the potential adverse effect of these provisions.
A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, ordinary income plus the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses). If our expenses in a given year exceed investment company taxable income, we would experience a net operating loss for that year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent years. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. Due to these limits on the deductibility of expenses, we may, for tax purposes, have aggregate taxable income for several years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to our shareholders even if such income is greater than the aggregate net income we actually earned during those years. Such required distributions may be made from our cash assets or by liquidation of investments, if necessary. We may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event we realize net capital gains from such transactions, a shareholder may receive a larger capital gain distribution than it would have received in the absence of such transactions.
Investment income received from sources within foreign countries, or capital gains earned by investing in securities of foreign issuers, may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. In this regard, withholding tax rates in countries with which the United States does not have a tax treaty can be as high as 35% or more. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that may entitle us to a reduced rate of tax or exemption from tax on this related income and gains. The effective rate of foreign tax cannot be determined at this time since the amount of our assets to be invested within various countries is not now known. We do not anticipate being eligible for the special election that allows a RIC to treat foreign income taxes paid by such RIC as paid by its stockholders.
If we purchase shares in a "passive foreign investment company," or PFIC, we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend
by us to our stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. If we invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" under the Code, or QEF, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed to us. Alternatively, we can elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year our shares in a PFIC; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it does not exceed prior increases included in income. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in a year income in excess of our distributions from PFICs and our proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax. We intend to limit and/or manage our holdings in PFICs to minimize our liability for any taxes and related interest charges.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by us in connection with certain transactions involving non-dollar debt securities, certain foreign currency futures contracts, foreign currency option contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Code provisions that generally treat such gains and losses as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to our stockholders. Any such transactions that are not directly related to our investment in securities (possibly including speculative currency positions or currency derivatives not used for hedging purposes) could, under future Treasury regulations, produce income not among the types of "qualifying income" from which a RIC must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income.
In accordance with certain applicable Treasury regulations and guidance published by the IRS, a RIC may treat a distribution of its own stock as fulfilling its RIC distribution requirements if each stockholder may elect to receive his or her entire distribution in either cash or stock of the RIC, subject to a limitation that the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed to all stockholders must be at least 20% of the aggregate declared distribution. If too many stockholders elect to receive cash, the cash available for distribution must be allocated among stockholders electing to receive cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in stock). In no event will any stockholder, electing to receive cash, receive less than the lesser of (a) the portion of the distribution such stockholder elected to receive in cash, or (b) an amount equal to his or her entire distribution times the percentage limitation on cash available for distribution. If these and certain other requirements are met, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock. We have no current intention of paying dividends in shares of our stock in accordance with these Treasury regulations or published guidance.
If we fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and certain amelioration provisions are not applicable, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income (including our net capital gains) at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to our shareholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to our shareholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, our corporate shareholders would be eligible to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to such dividend our non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such dividends as "qualified dividend income," which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. 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 shareholder's tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. In order to requalify as a RIC, in addition to the other requirements discussed above, we would be required to distribute all of our previously undistributed earnings attributable to the period we failed to qualify as a RIC by the end of the first year that we intend to requalify as a RIC. If we fail to requalify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are described below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by the Adviser and our non-interested directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.
As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, the Adviser 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.
Proxy Policies
The Adviser will seek to vote all proxies relating to our portfolio securities in the best interest of our shareholders. The Adviser reviews on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a shareholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by the Company. Although the Adviser will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on its clients’ portfolio securities, the Adviser may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.
The Adviser’s proxy voting decisions are made by senior officers who are responsible for monitoring each of our investments. To ensure that the Adviser’s vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, the Adviser requires that: (i) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to the Adviser’s chief compliance officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (ii) employees involved in the decision-making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how the Adviser intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.
Proxy Voting Records
You may obtain information about how the Adviser voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., Attention: Investor Relations, 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by calling Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. at (212) 419-3000.
Privacy Policy
We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and security of non-public personal information relating to investors. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
Generally, we do not collect any non-public personal information other than certain biographical information which is used only so that we can service your account, send you annual reports, proxy statements, and other information required by law. With regard to this information, we maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our investors.
We may share information that we collect regarding an investor with certain of our service providers for legitimate business purposes, for example, in order to process trades or mail information to investors. In addition, we may disclose information that we collect regarding an investor as required by law or in connection with regulatory or law enforcement inquiries.
Reporting Obligations
We will furnish our shareholders 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 make available free of charge on our website (www.owlrock.com) our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K. The SEC also maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains such information. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and the information contained on our website is not a part of this registration statement.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Investing in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. You should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our common stock. The risks 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.
An investment in our securities involves risks. The following is a summary of the principal risks that you should carefully consider before investing in our securities.
We are subject to risks related to the economy.
| • | Political, social and economic uncertainty, including uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, creates and exacerbates risks. |
|---|---|
| • | The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and has disrupted financial activity in the areas in which we or our portfolio companies operate. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Price declines in the corporate leveraged loan market, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation and the incurrence of realized losses. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Economic recessions or downturns, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results. |
| --- | --- |
We are subject to risks related to our business.
| • | We have a limited operating history. |
|---|---|
| • | The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Defaults under our current borrowings or any future borrowing facility or notes may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Defaults under the Subscription Credit Facility could require shareholders to fund their remaining Capital Commitments without regard to the underlying value of their investment. |
| --- | --- |
| • | To the extent that we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. Borrowed money may also adversely affect the return on our assets, reduce cash available to service our debt or for distribution to our shareholders, and result in losses. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Because we have received the approval of our sole initial shareholders, we are subject to 150% Asset Coverage. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Adviser’s ability to manage and support our investment process. If our Adviser were to lose a significant number of its key professionals, or terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon the Adviser’s relationships with corporations, financial institutions and investment firms, the inability of our Adviser to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business. |
| --- | --- |
| • | We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay further deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by our Board and, as a result, there is and will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Our Board may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse to our shareholders. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Our status as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act may make it more difficult to raise capital as and when we need it. |
| --- | --- |
| • | The interest rates of our term loans to our portfolio companies that extend beyond 2021 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes, including the decommissioning of LIBOR. |
| --- | --- |
We are subject to risks related to our Adviser and its affiliates.
| • | The Adviser and its affiliates, including our officers and some of our directors, may face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us and our affiliates, which could result in increased risk-taking by us. |
|---|---|
| • | Our fee structure may create incentives for our Adviser to make speculative investments or use substantial leverage. |
| --- | --- |
| • | We may compete for capital and investment opportunities with other entities managed by our Adviser or its affiliates, subjecting our Adviser to certain conflicts of interest. |
| --- | --- |
| • | We may be obligated to pay our Adviser incentive fees even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio and even if our earned interest income is not payable in cash. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted. |
| --- | --- |
We are subject to risks related to business development companies.
| • | The requirement that we invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could preclude us from investing in accordance with our current business strategy; conversely, the failure to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could result in our failure to maintain our status as a BDC. |
|---|---|
| • | Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise capital and the way in which we raise additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including risks associated with leverage. |
| --- | --- |
We are subject to risks related to our investments.
| • | Our investment strategy focuses on technology companies, which are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs and periodic downturns, and you could lose all or part of your investment. |
|---|---|
| • | Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investments. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Defaults by our portfolio companies could jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity investments that we hold which could harm our operating results. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Subordinated liens on collateral securing debt investments that we may make to portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us. |
| --- | --- |
| • | We generally will not control the business operations of our portfolio companies and, due to the illiquid nature of our holdings in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interest in our portfolio companies. |
| --- | --- |
| • | We are, and will continue to be, exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates. |
| --- | --- |
| • | International investments create additional risks. |
| --- | --- |
We are subject to risks related to an investment in our common stock.
| • | Our shares are not listed on an exchange or quoted through a quotation system and will not be listed for the foreseeable future, if ever. Therefore, our shareholders will have limited liquidity. |
|---|---|
| • | The net asset value of our common stock may fluctuate significantly. |
| --- | --- |
| • | The amount of any distributions we may make on our common stock is uncertain. We may not be able to pay you distributions, or be able to sustain distributions at any particular level, and our distributions per share, if any, may not grow over time, and our distributions per share may be reduced. We have not established any limit on the extent to which we may use borrowings, if any, and we may use offering proceeds to fund distributions (which may reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in portfolio companies). |
| --- | --- |
We are subject to risks related to U.S. federal income tax.
| • | We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries. |
|---|---|
| • | We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income. |
| --- | --- |
Risks Related to the Economy
Political, social and economic uncertainty, including uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, creates and exacerbates risks.
Social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) will occur that create uncertainty and have significant impacts on issuers, industries, governments and other systems, including the financial markets, to which companies and their investments are exposed. As global systems, economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, events that once had only local impact are now more likely to have regional or even global effects. Events that occur in one country, region or financial market will, more frequently, adversely impact issuers in other countries, regions or markets, including in established markets such as the U.S. These impacts can be exacerbated by failures of governments and societies to adequately respond to an emerging event or threat.
Uncertainty can result in or coincide with, among other things: increased volatility in the financial markets for securities, derivatives, loans, credit and currency; a decrease in the reliability of market prices and difficulty in valuing assets (including portfolio company assets); greater fluctuations in spreads on debt investments and currency exchange rates; increased risk of default (by both government and private obligors and issuers); further social, economic, and political instability; nationalization of private enterprise; greater governmental involvement in the economy or in social factors that impact the economy; changes to governmental regulation and supervision of the loan, securities, derivatives and currency markets and market participants and decreased or revised monitoring of such markets by governments or self-regulatory organizations and reduced enforcement of regulations; limitations on the activities of investors in such markets; controls or restrictions on foreign investment, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; the significant loss of liquidity and the inability to purchase, sell and otherwise fund investments or settle transactions (including, but not limited to, a market freeze); unavailability of currency hedging techniques; substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation, which can last many years and have substantial negative effects on credit and securities markets as well as the economy as a whole; recessions; and difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments.
For example, in December 2019, COVID-19 emerged in China and has since spread rapidly to other countries, including the United States. This outbreak has led and for an unknown period of time will continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national and global markets and economies affected thereby. See “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and has disrupted financial activity in the areas in which we or our portfolio companies operate.”
Although it is impossible to predict the precise nature and consequences of these events, or of any political or policy decisions and regulatory changes occasioned by emerging events or uncertainty on applicable laws or regulations that impact us, our portfolio companies and our investments, it is clear that these types of events are impacting and will, for at least some time, continue to impact us and our portfolio companies and, in many instances, the impact will be adverse and profound. For example, middle market companies in which we may invest are being significantly impacted by these emerging events and the uncertainty caused by these events. The effects of a public health emergency may materially and adversely impact (i) the value and performance of us and our portfolio companies, (ii) the ability of our borrowers to continue to meet loan covenants or repay loans provided by us on a timely basis or at all, which may require us to restructure our investments or write down the value of our investments, (iii) our ability to repay debt obligations, on a timely basis or at all, or (iv) our ability to source, manage and divest investments and achieve our investment objectives, all of which could result in significant losses to us.
If the economy is unable to substantially reopen, and high levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, loan non-accruals, problem assets, and bankruptcies may increase. In addition, collateral for our loans may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase and the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors could decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us. An increase in loan delinquencies and non-accruals or a decrease in loan collateral and guarantor net worth could result in increased costs and reduced income which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations
We will also be negatively affected if the operations and effectiveness of us or a portfolio company (or any of the key personnel or service providers of the foregoing) are compromised or if necessary or beneficial systems and processes are disrupted.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and has disrupted financial activity in the areas in which we or our portfolio companies operate.
In December 2019, COVID-19 emerged in China and has since spread rapidly to other countries, including the United States. This outbreak has led and for an unknown period of time will continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national and global markets and economies affected thereby. With respect to the U.S. credit markets (in particular for middle market loans), this outbreak has resulted in, and until fully resolved is likely to continue to result in, the following, among other things: (i) government imposition of various forms of shelter in place orders and the closing of “non-essential” businesses, resulting in significant disruption to the businesses of many middle-market loan borrowers including supply chains, demand and practical aspects of their operations, as well as in lay-offs of employees, and, while these effects are hoped to be temporary, some effects could be persistent or even permanent; (ii) increased draws by borrowers on revolving lines of credit; (iii) increased requests by borrowers for amendments and waivers of their credit agreements to avoid default, increased defaults by such borrowers and/or increased difficulty in obtaining refinancing at the maturity dates of their loans; (iv) volatility and disruption of these markets including greater volatility in pricing and spreads and difficulty in valuing loans during periods of increased volatility, and liquidity issues; and (v) rapidly evolving proposals and/or actions by state and federal governments to address problems being experienced by the markets and by businesses and the economy in general which will not necessarily adequately address the problems facing the loan market and middle market businesses. This outbreak is having, and any future outbreaks could have, an adverse impact on the markets and the economy in general, which could have a material adverse impact on, among other things, the ability of lenders to originate loans, the volume and type of loans originated, and the volume and type of amendments and waivers granted to borrowers and remedial actions taken in the event of a borrower default, each of which could negatively impact the amount and quality of loans available for investment by us and returns to us, among other things. As of the date of this Annual Report, it is impossible to determine the scope of this outbreak, or any future outbreaks, how long any such outbreak, market disruption or uncertainties may last, the effect any governmental actions will have or the full potential impact on us and our portfolio companies.
While several countries, as well as certain states, counties and cities in the United States, have relaxed initial public health restrictions with a view to partially or fully reopening their economies, many cities world-wide have since experienced a surge in the reported number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases have led to the re-introduction of restrictions and business shutdowns in certain states, counties and cities in the United States and globally and could continue to lead to the re-introduction of such restrictions and business shutdowns elsewhere. Additionally, as of late December 2020, travelers from the United States are not allowed to visit Canada, Australia or the majority of countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. These continued travel restrictions may prolong the global economic downturn. In addition, although the Federal Food and Drug Administration authorized vaccines for emergency use starting in December 2020, it remains unclear how quickly the vaccines will be distributed nationwide and globally or when “herd immunity” will be achieved and the restrictions that were imposed to slow the spread of the virus will be lifted entirely. The delay in distributing the vaccines could lead people to continue to self-isolate and not participate in the economy at pre-pandemic levels for a prolonged period of time. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the U.S. economy and most other major global economies may continue to experience a recession, and we anticipate our business and operations could be materially adversely affected by a prolonged recession in the United States and other major markets.
The impact of COVID-19 led to significant volatility and declines in the global public equity markets and it is uncertain how long this volatility will continue. As COVID-19 continues to spread, the potential impacts, including a global, regional or other economic recession, are increasingly uncertain and difficult to assess. Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concern that the continued spread of the virus globally could lead to a world-wide economic downturn, the impacts of which could last for some period after the pandemic is controlled and/or abated.
General uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19 (including the preventative measures taken in response thereto and additional uncertainty regarding new variants of COVID-19 that have emerged) has to date created significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity and are having a particularly adverse impact on transportation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and other industries, including industries in which certain of our portfolio companies operate which has in turn created significant business disruption issues for certain of our portfolio companies, and materially and adversely impacted the value and performance of certain of our portfolio companies. On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which contains provisions intended to mitigate the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a second stimulus package on December 27, 2020, which provides $900 billion in resources to small
businesses and individuals that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, our portfolio companies have not benefited from the CARES Act and we do not expect that they will benefit from most of the other subsequent legislation intended to provide financial relief or assistance.
In addition, disruptions in the capital markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events have limited and could continue to limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and have a material negative impact on our and our portfolio companies' operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.
The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing as of the filing date of this Annual Report, and its extended duration may have further adverse impacts on our portfolio companies after December 31, 2020, including for the reasons described herein.
Any public health emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic or any outbreak of other existing or new epidemic diseases, or the threat thereof, and the resulting financial and economic market uncertainty could have a significant adverse impact on us and the fair value of our investments and our portfolio companies.
The extent of the impact of any public health emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on our and our portfolio companies' operational and financial performance will depend on many factors, including the duration and scope of such public health emergency, the actions taken by governmental authorities to contain its financial and economic impact, the extent of any related travel advisories and restrictions implemented, the impact of such public health emergency on overall supply and demand, goods and services, investor liquidity, consumer confidence and levels of economic activity and the extent of its disruption to important global, regional and local supply chains and economic markets, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. In addition, our and our portfolio companies' operations may be significantly impacted, or even temporarily or permanently halted, as a result of government quarantine measures, voluntary and precautionary restrictions on travel or meetings and other factors related to a public health emergency, including its potential adverse impact on the health of any of our or our portfolio companies' personnel. This could create widespread business continuity issues for us and our portfolio companies.
These factors may also cause the valuation of our investments to differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. Our valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information.
As a result, our valuations may not show the completed or continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting measures taken in response thereto. Any public health emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic or any outbreak of other existing or new epidemic diseases, or the threat thereof, and the resulting financial and economic market uncertainty could have a significant adverse impact on us and the fair value of our investments and our portfolio companies.
The capital markets are currently in a period of disruption and economic uncertainty. Such market conditions have materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets, which have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on our business and operations.
The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the global outbreak of COVID-19 that began in December 2019, as evidenced by the volatility in global stock markets as a result of, among other things, uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the fluctuating price of commodities such as oil. Despite actions of the U.S. federal government and foreign governments, these events have contributed to unpredictable general economic conditions that are materially and adversely impacting the broader financial and credit markets and reducing the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole. These conditions could continue for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future.
Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the coronavirus can be controlled and abated and whether there will be additional economic shutdowns. As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations:
| • | Current market conditions may make it difficult to raise equity capital because, subject to some limited exceptions, as a BDC, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price less than the NAV per share without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. In addition, these market conditions may make it difficult to access or obtain new indebtedness with similar terms to our existing indebtedness. |
|---|---|
| • | Significant changes or volatility in the capital markets may also have a negative effect on the valuations of our investments. While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our |
| --- | --- |
| valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity). | |
| --- | |
| • | Significant changes in the capital markets, such as the recent disruption in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the pace of our investment activity and economic activity generally. Additionally, the recent disruption in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments to access capital if required, and as a result, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments if we were required to sell them for liquidity purposes. An inability to raise or access capital, and any required sale of all or a portion of our investments as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. |
| --- | --- |
The current period of capital markets disruption and economic uncertainty may make it difficult to extend the maturity of, or refinance, our existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Current market conditions may make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness with similar terms and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than what we currently experience, including being at a higher cost in rising rate environments. If we are unable to raise or refinance debt, then our equity investors may not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage and we may be limited in our ability to make new commitments or to fund existing commitments to our portfolio companies. An inability to extend the maturity of, or refinance, our existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Price declines in the corporate leveraged loan market, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation and the incurrence of realized losses.
Conditions in the U.S. corporate debt market may experience disruption or deterioration, such as the current disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or any future disruptions, which may cause pricing levels to decline or be volatile. As a result, our net asset value could decline through an increase in unrealized depreciation and incurrence of realized losses in connection with the sale or other disposition of our investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Global economic, political and market conditions may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our revenue growth and profitability.
The current worldwide financial markets situation, as well as various social and political tensions in the United States and around the world (including wars and other forms of conflict, terrorist acts, security operations and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and global health epidemics), may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long term effects on the United States and worldwide financial markets, and may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. For example, the outbreak in December 2019 of COVID-19 continues to adversely impact global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. We monitor developments and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so. See "— Political, social and economic uncertainty, including uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, creates and exacerbates risks."
Economic recessions or downturns, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.
Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our debt investments during these periods. The recent global outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted economic markets, and the prolonged economic impact is uncertain. Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concern that the continued spread of the virus globally could lead to a world-wide economic downturn. In the past, instability in the global capital markets resulted in disruptions in liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of major domestic and international financial institutions. In particular, in past periods of instability, the financial services sector was negatively impacted by significant write-offs as the value of the assets held by financial firms declined, impairing their capital positions and abilities to lend and invest. In addition, continued uncertainty surrounding the negotiation of trade deals between Britain and the European Union following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union and uncertainty between the United States and other countries, including China, with respect to trade policies, treaties, and tariffs, among other factors, have caused disruption in the global markets. There can be no assurance that market conditions will not worsen in the future.
In an economic downturn, we may have non-performing assets or non-performing assets may increase, and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of any collateral securing our loans. A severe recession may further decrease the value of such collateral and result in losses of value in our portfolio and a decrease in our revenues, net income, assets and net worth. 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 on terms we deem acceptable. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.
The occurrence of recessionary conditions and/or negative developments in the domestic and international credit markets may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the value of our investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability. Any such unfavorable economic conditions, including rising interest rates, may also increase our funding costs, limit our access to capital markets or negatively impact our ability to obtain financing, particularly from the debt markets. In addition, any future financial market uncertainty could lead to financial market disruptions and could further impact our ability to obtain financing.
These events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.
Terrorist attacks, acts of war, global health emergencies or natural disasters may impact the businesses in which we invest and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Terrorist acts, acts of war, global health emergencies or natural disasters may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. Future terrorist activities, military or security operations, global health emergencies or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact the businesses in which we invest directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks, global health emergencies and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a limited operating history.
We were formed on July 12, 2018 and are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any business with a limited operating history, including the risk that we will not achieve or sustain our investment objective and the value of your common stock could decline substantially or your investment could become worthless.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We may acquire a significant percentage of our portfolio company investments from privately held companies in directly negotiated transactions. Substantially all of these investments are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than exchange-listed securities or other securities for which there is an active trading market.
We typically would be unable to exit these investments unless and until the portfolio company has a liquidity event such as a sale, refinancing, or initial public offering.
The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult or impossible for us to sell such investments 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 have previously recorded our investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, investments purchased by us that are liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid due to events relating to the issuer, market events, economic conditions or investor perceptions.
We borrow money, which may magnify the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us.
As part of our business strategy, we may borrow from and issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders or investors. Holders of these senior securities will have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our shareholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have if we did not employ leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock dividend payments.
Our ability to service any borrowings that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Moreover, the management fee will be payable based on our average gross assets excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts, which may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. See “— Our fee structure may create incentives for our Adviser to make speculative investments or use substantial leverage.” 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, which could affect our return on capital.
In addition to having fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common shareholders, obligations to lenders may be secured by a first priority security interest in our portfolio of investments and cash.
The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns on our portfolio, net of expenses. Leverage generally magnifies the return of shareholders when the portfolio return is positive and magnifies their losses when the portfolio return is negative. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical, and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.
| Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (Net of Expenses) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -10% | -5% | 0% | 5% | 10% | |||||||||||
| Corresponding return to common shareholder^(1)^ | -24.92 | % | -14.37 | % | -3.82 | % | 6.73 | % | 17.28 | % |
________________
| (1) | Assumes, as of December 31, 2020, (i) $3,157.9 million in total assets, (ii) $1,649.2 million in outstanding indebtedness, (iii) $1,496.9 million in net assets and (iv) weighted average interest rate, excluding fees (such as fees on undrawn amounts and amortization of financing costs), of 3.47%. |
|---|
See “ITEM 7 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information regarding our borrowings.
Defaults under our current borrowings or any future borrowing facility or notes may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our borrowings may include customary covenants, including certain limitations on our incurrence of additional indebtedness and on our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, or redeem, repurchase or retire shares of stock, upon the occurrence of certain events and certain financial covenants related to asset coverage and liquidity and other maintenance covenants, as well as customary events of default. In the event we default under the terms of our current or future borrowings, our business could be adversely affected as we may be forced to sell a portion of our investments quickly and prematurely at what may be disadvantageous prices to us in order to meet our outstanding payment obligations and/or support working capital requirements under the terms of our current or future borrowings, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. An event of default under the terms of our current or any future borrowings could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, and in some instances, lead to a cross-default under other borrowings. This could reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business.
Collectively, substantially all of our assets are currently pledged as collateral under our Revolving Credit Facility. If we were to default on our obligations under the terms of our Revolving Credit Facility or any future secured debt instrument the agent for the applicable creditors would be able to assume control of the disposition of any or all of our assets securing such debt, including the selection of such assets to be disposed and the timing of such disposition, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Defaults under the Subscription Credit Facility could require shareholders to fund their remaining Capital Commitments without regard to the underlying value of their investment.
The Subscription Credit Facility is secured by a perfected first priority security interest in our right, title, and interest in and to the Capital Commitments of our investors, including our right to make capital calls, receive and apply capital contributions, enforce remedies and claims related thereto together with capital call proceeds and related rights, and a pledge of the collateral account into which capital call proceeds are deposited. To the extent an event of default under the Subscription Credit Facility does occur, shareholders could be required to fund any shortfall up to their remaining Capital Commitments, without regard to the underlying value of their investment.
Provisions in our current borrowings or any other future borrowings may limit discretion in operating our business.
Any security interests and/or negative covenants required by a credit facility we enter into or notes we issue may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing.
A credit facility may be backed by all or a portion of our loans and securities on which the lenders will have a security interest. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instrument we enter into with lenders. We expect that any security interests we grant will be set forth in a pledge and security agreement and evidenced by the filing of financing statements by the agent for the lenders. In addition, we expect that the custodian for our securities serving as collateral for such loan would include in its electronic systems notices indicating the existence of such security interests
and, following notice of occurrence of an event of default, if any, and during its continuance, will only accept transfer instructions with respect to any such securities from the lender or its designee. If we were to default under the terms of any debt instrument, the agent for the applicable lenders would be able to assume control of the timing of disposition of any or all of our assets securing such debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, any security interests and/or negative covenants required by a credit facility may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing. In addition, if our borrowing base under a credit facility were to decrease, we may be required to secure additional assets in an amount sufficient to cure any borrowing base deficiency. In the event that all of our assets are secured at the time of such a borrowing base deficiency, we could be required to repay advances under a credit facility or make deposits to a collection account, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our ability to fund future investments and to make distributions.
In addition, we may be subject to limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, which may include restrictions on geographic and industry concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status, average life, collateral interests and investment ratings, as well as regulatory restrictions on leverage which may affect the amount of funding that may be obtained. There may also be certain requirements relating to portfolio performance, including required minimum portfolio yield and limitations on delinquencies and charge-offs, a violation of which could limit further advances and, in some cases, result in an event of default. An event of default under a credit facility could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition and could lead to cross default under other credit facilities. This could reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to manage our business.
Under the terms of the Subscription Credit Facility, we are subject to limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, as well as regulatory restrictions on leverage which may affect the amount of funding that we may obtain. There may also be certain requirements relating to portfolio performance, a violation of which could limit further advances and, in some cases, result in an event of default. This could reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business.
If we are unable to obtain additional debt financing, or if our borrowing capacity is materially reduced, our business could be materially adversely affected.
We may want to obtain additional debt financing, or need to do so upon maturity of our credit facilities, in order to obtain funds which may be made available for investments. The Subscription Credit Facility matures on November 19, 2021, the revolving period under the Revolving Credit Facility ends on September 3, 2024 and the Revolving Credit Facility matures on September 3, 2025. The special purpose vehicle asset credit facility, SPV Asset Facility I, matures on August 12, 2030. The June 2025 Notes, December 2025 Notes and June 2026 Notes mature on June 30, 2025, December 15, 2025, and June 17, 2026, respectively. CLO 2020-1 matures on January 15, 2031. If we are unable to increase, renew or replace any such facilities and enter into new debt financing facilities or other debt financing on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity may be reduced significantly. In addition, if we are unable to repay amounts outstanding under any such facilities and are declared in default or are unable to renew or refinance these facilities, we may not be able to make new investments or operate our business in the normal course. These situations may arise due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as lack of access to the credit markets, a severe decline in the value of the U.S. dollar, an economic downturn or an operational problem that affects us or third parties, and could materially damage our business operations, results of operations and financial condition.
To the extent that we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. Borrowed money may also adversely affect the return on our assets, reduce cash available to service our debt or for distribution to our shareholders, and result in losses.
The use of borrowings, also known as leverage, increases the volatility of investments by magnifying the potential for gain or loss on invested equity capital. To the extent that we use leverage to partially finance our investments through borrowing from banks and other lenders, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would if we had not borrowed and employed leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed and employed leverage. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to service our debt or make distributions to our shareholders. In addition, our shareholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the base management or incentive fees payable to our Adviser attributable to the increase in assets purchased using leverage.
The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Adviser's and the Board's assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. There can be no assurance that leveraged financing will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. However, to the extent that we use leverage to finance our assets, our financing costs will reduce cash available for distributions to shareholders. Moreover, we may not be able to meet our financing obligations and, to the extent that we cannot, we risk the loss of some or all of our assets to liquidation or sale to satisfy the obligations. In such an event, we may be forced to sell assets at significantly depressed prices due to market conditions or otherwise, which may result in losses.
As a BDC, generally, the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus any preferred stock, if any, must be at least 200%; however, the Small Business Credit Availability Act has modified the 1940 Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. The Adviser, as our sole initial shareholder, approved a proposal that allows us to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150% and, in connection with their subscription agreements, our investors are required to acknowledge our ability to operate with an asset coverage ratio that may be as low as 150%. If this ratio declines below 150%, we cannot incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some indebtedness when it may be disadvantageous to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to service our debt or make distributions.
Because we have received the approval of our sole initial shareholder, we are subject to 150% Asset Coverage.
The Small Business Credit Availability Act has modified the 1940 Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. The reduced asset coverage requirement would permit a BDC to double the amount of leverage it can incur. For example, under a 150% asset coverage ratio the Company may borrow $2 for investment purposes of every $1 of investor equity whereas under a 200% asset coverage ratio the Company may borrow only $1 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity. Because the Adviser, as our sole initial shareholder, has approved this proposal, our asset coverage ratio applicable to senior securities is 150%.
Leverage magnifies the potential for loss on investments in our indebtedness and on invested equity capital. As we use leverage to partially finance our investments, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged our business. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net investment income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to pay common stock dividends, scheduled debt payments or other payments related to our securities. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. See “— Risks Related to Our Business - To the extent that we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. Borrowed money may also adversely affect the return on our assets, reduce cash available to service our debt or for distribution to our shareholders, and result in losses.”
Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Adviser’s ability to manage and support our investment process. If our Adviser were to lose a significant number of its key professionals, or terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.
We do not have any employees. Additionally, we have no internal management capacity other than our appointed executive officers and will be dependent upon the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of our Adviser to achieve our investment objective. Our Adviser will evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor, and service our investments. Our success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of our Adviser, including its key professionals. The departure of a significant number of key professionals from our Adviser could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.
Our ability to achieve our investment objective also depends on the ability of our Adviser to identify, analyze, invest in, finance, and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. Our Adviser’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, and providing competent, attentive and efficient services to us depend on the involvement of investment professionals of adequate number and sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve our investment objective, our Adviser may need to retain, hire, train, supervise, and manage new investment professionals to participate in our investment selection and monitoring process. Our Adviser may not be able to find qualified investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the Investment Advisory Agreement has a termination provision that allows the agreement to be terminated by us on 60 days’ notice without penalty by the vote of a Majority of the Outstanding Shares of our common stock or by the vote of our independent directors. 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 shareholders 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 prior to the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, 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 meet our payment obligations under our indebtedness and pay distributions, are likely to be adversely affected, and the value of our common stock may decline.
Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon the Adviser’s relationships with corporations, financial institutions and investment firms, the inability of our Adviser to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
Our Adviser depends on its relationships with corporations, financial institutions and investment firms, and we will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities.
If our Adviser fails to maintain its existing relationships or develop new relationships or sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom our Adviser has relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.
We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay further deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.
We may compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including registered investment companies, private equity funds and mezzanine funds), including the Owl Rock Clients, as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, continue to increase their investment focus in our target market of privately owned U.S. companies. We may experience increased competition from banks and investment vehicles who may continue to lend to the middle market. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve and other bank regulators may periodically provide incentives to U.S. commercial banks to originate more loans to U.S. middle market private companies. As a result of these market participants and regulatory incentives, competition for investment opportunities in privately owned U.S. companies is strong and may intensify. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than us. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do.
We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms, and investment structure criteria. If we are forced to match these competitors’ investment terms criteria, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in our target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to maintain our RIC tax treatment. The competitive pressures we face, and the manner in which we react or adjust to competitive pressures, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, effective yield on investments, investment returns, leverage ratio, and cash flows. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time. Also, we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.
Our investment portfolio will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by our Board and, as a result, there is and will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures established by our Board. There is not a public market or active secondary market for many of the types of investments in privately held companies that we hold and intend to make. Our investments may not be publicly traded or actively traded on a secondary market but, instead, may be traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors, if at all. As a result, we will value these investments quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with valuation policy and procedures approved by our Board.
The determination of fair value, and thus the amount of unrealized appreciation or depreciation we may recognize in any reporting period, is to a degree subjective, and our Adviser has a conflict of interest in making recommendations of fair value. We will value our investments quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, based on, among other things, input of the Adviser, our Audit Committee and independent third-party valuation firm(s) engaged at the direction of the Board. The types of factors that may be considered in determining the fair values of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow, current market interest rates and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, the valuations may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time due to changes in current market conditions. The determinations of fair value in accordance with procedures established by our Board may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market and market quotations existed for such investments. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of the investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.
Our Board may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse to our shareholders.
We have adopted a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. Other than with respect to this policy, which may only be changed with 60 days’ prior notice to our shareholders (or, prior to an Exchange Listing and during the 270 day lock-up period following an Exchange Listing, if shareholders representing at least a majority of votes cast when quorum is met, approve a proposal to do so), the Board of Directors has the authority to modify or waive current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without shareholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and the value of our securities. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Moreover, we will have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds of our private offering and may use the net proceeds from our private offering in ways with which our investors may not agree.
Any unrealized depreciation we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.
As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by our Board. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments relative to amortized cost will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods. In addition, decreases in the market value or fair value of our investments will reduce our net asset value. See “ITEM 7 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — Critical Accounting Policies — Investments at Fair Value.”
We are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in a single issuer.
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. We have adopted a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. To the extent that we hold large positions in a small number of issuers, or within a particular industry, our net asset value may fluctuate as a result of changes in the issuer’s financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence or a downturn in particular industry in which we may invest significantly than a diversified investment company.
We are dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.
Our business is dependent on our and third parties’ communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, portfolio monitoring, 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. There could be:
| • | sudden electrical or telecommunications outages; |
|---|---|
| • | natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes; |
| --- | --- |
| • | disease pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| --- | --- |
| • | events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts; |
| --- | --- |
| • | outages due to idiosyncratic issues at specific service providers; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | cyber-attacks. |
| --- | --- |
These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the net asset value of our common stock and our ability to pay distributions to our shareholders.
The interest rates of our term loans to our portfolio companies that extend beyond 2021 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes.
The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) 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.
The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA"), which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will not compel panel banks to contribute to LIBOR after 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. Central banks and regulators in a number of major jurisdictions (for example, United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland and Japan) have convened working groups to find, and implement the transition to, suitable replacements for interbank offered rates ("IBORs"). To identify a successor rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee ("ARRC"), a U.S.-based group convened by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was formed. The ARRC has identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions. In addition, on March 25, 2020, the FCA stated that although the central assumption that firms cannot rely on LIBOR being published after the end of 2021 has not changed, the outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted the timing of many firms' transition planning, and the FCA will continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on transition timelines and update the marketplace as soon as possible. Although SOFR appears to be the preferred replacement rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, at this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the United States, United Kingdom or elsewhere or, whether the COVID-19 outbreak will have further effect on LIBOR transition plans. Furthermore, on November 30, 2020, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) announced that the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (IBA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICE and the administrator of LIBOR, will consider extending the LIBOR transition deadline to June 30, 2023. The announcement was supported by the FCA and the U.S. Federal Reserve. Despite the announcement, regulators continue to emphasize the importance of LIBOR transition planning.
The elimination of LIBOR or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR could have an adverse impact on the market and/or transferability of value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us or on our overall financial condition or results of operations. In addition, while the majority of our LIBOR-linked loans contemplate that LIBOR may cease to exist and allow for amendment to a new base rate without the approval of 100% of the lenders, if LIBOR ceases to exist, we will still 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 overall financial condition or results of operations. Following the replacement of LIBOR, some or all of these credit agreements may bear interest at a lower interest rate, which could have an adverse impact on the value of our investment in these portfolio companies and our results of operations. Moreover, if LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate certain terms of our credit facilities. If we are unable to do so, amounts drawn under our credit facilities may bear interest at a higher rate, which would increase the cost of our borrowings and, in turn, affect our results of operations.
The United Kingdom referendum decision to leave the European Union may create significant risks and uncertainty for global markets and our investments.
The decision made in the United Kingdom referendum to leave the European Union has led to volatility in global financial markets, and in particular in the markets of the United Kingdom and across Europe, and may also lead to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in the United Kingdom and Europe. Under the terms of the withdrawal agreement negotiated and agreed to between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union was followed by a transition period which ran until December 31, 2020 and during which the United Kingdom continued to apply European Union law and was treated for all material purposes as if it were still a member of the European Union. On December 24, 2020, the European Union and United Kingdom governments signed a trade deal that became provisionally effective on January 1, 2021 and that now governs the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union (the “Trade Agreement”). The Trade Agreement implements significant regulation around trade, transport of goods and travel restrictions between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the longer term economic, legal, political and social framework to be put in place between the United Kingdom and the European Union are unclear at this stage and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the United Kingdom and in wider European markets for some time. In particular, the decision made in the United Kingdom referendum may lead to a call for similar referenda in other European jurisdictions which may cause increased economic volatility and uncertainty in the European and global markets. This volatility and uncertainty may have an adverse effect on the economy generally and on our ability, and the ability of our portfolio companies, to execute our respective strategies and to receive attractive returns.
In particular, currency volatility may mean that our returns and the returns of our portfolio companies will be adversely affected by market movements and may make it more difficult, or more expensive, for us to implement appropriate currency hedging. Potential declines in the value of the British Pound and/or the euro against other currencies, along with the potential downgrading of the United Kingdom’s sovereign credit rating, may also have an impact on the performance of any of our portfolio companies located in the United Kingdom or Europe.
Risks Related to Our Adviser and Its Affiliates
The Adviser and its affiliates, including our officers and some of our directors, may face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us and our affiliates, which could result in increased risk-taking by us.
The Adviser and its affiliates will receive substantial fees from us in return for their services. These fees may include certain incentive fees based on the amount of appreciation of our investments. These fees could influence the advice provided to us. Generally, the more equity we sell in public offerings and the greater the risk assumed by us with respect to our investments, including through the use of leverage, the greater the potential for growth in our assets and profits, and, correlatively, the fees payable by us to our Adviser. These compensation arrangements could affect our Adviser’s or its affiliates’ judgment with respect to public offerings of equity and investments made by us, which allow our Adviser to earn increased asset management fees.
The time and resources that individuals associated with our Adviser devote to us may be diverted, and we may face additional competition due to the fact that neither our Adviser nor its affiliates is prohibited from raising money for or managing another entity that makes the same types of investments that we target.
The Adviser and its affiliates currently manage the Owl Rock Clients and are not prohibited from raising money for and managing future investment entities that make the same or similar types of investments as those we target. As a result, the time and resources that our Adviser devotes to us may be diverted, and during times of intense activity in other investment programs they may devote less time and resources to our business than is necessary or appropriate. In addition, we may compete with any such investment entity also managed by the Adviser or its affiliates for the same investors and investment opportunities.
The Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for issuers in which we invest.
Our Adviser and its affiliates may provide a broad range of financial services to companies in which we invest, including providing arrangement, syndication, origination, structuring and other services to our portfolio companies, and will generally be paid fees for such services, in compliance with applicable law, by the portfolio company. Any compensation received by our Adviser or its affiliates for providing these services will not be shared with us and may be received before we realize a return on our investment. Our Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for these companies, on the one hand, and investments recommended to us, on the other hand.
The Adviser or its affiliates may have incentives to favor their respective other accounts and clients over us, which may result in conflicts of interest that could be harmful to us.
Because our Adviser and its affiliates manage assets for, or may in the future manage assets for, other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans, co-invest vehicles and certain high net worth individuals), certain conflicts of interest are present. For instance, the Adviser and its affiliates may receive asset management performance based, or other fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fees received by our Adviser from us. In those instances, a portfolio manager for our Adviser has an incentive to favor the higher fee and/or performance-based fee accounts over us.
In addition, a conflict of interest exists to the extent our Adviser, its affiliates, or any of their respective executives, portfolio managers or employees have proprietary or personal investments in other investment companies or accounts or when certain other investment companies or accounts are investment options in our Adviser’s or its affiliates’ employee benefit plans. In these circumstances, our Adviser has an incentive to favor these other investment companies or accounts over us. Our Board will seek to monitor these conflicts but there can be no assurances that such monitoring will fully mitigate any such conflicts.
Our fee structure may create incentives for our Adviser to make speculative investments or use substantial leverage.
The incentive fee payable by us to our Adviser may create an incentive for our Adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangements. The way in which the incentive fee is determined may encourage our Adviser to use leverage to increase the leveraged return on our investment portfolio.
In addition, the fact that our base management fee is payable based upon our average gross assets (which includes any borrowings used for investment purposes) may encourage our Adviser to use leverage to make additional investments. Such a practice could make such investments more risky than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns. Under certain circumstances, the use of substantial leverage (up to the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act) may increase the likelihood of our defaulting on our borrowings, which would be detrimental to holders of our securities.
We may compete for capital and investment opportunities with other entities managed by our Adviser or its affiliates, subjecting our Adviser to certain conflicts of interests.
Our Adviser will experience conflicts of interest in connection with the management of our business affairs relating to and arising from a number of matters, including: the allocation of investment opportunities by our Adviser and its affiliates; compensation to our Adviser; services that may be provided by our Adviser and its affiliates to issuers in which we invest; investments by us and other clients of our Adviser, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act; the formation of additional investment funds managed by our Adviser; differing recommendations given by our Adviser to us versus other clients; our Adviser’s use of information gained from
issuers in our portfolio for investments by other clients, subject to applicable law; and restrictions on our Adviser’s use of “inside information” with respect to potential investments by us.
Specifically, we may compete for investments with the Owl Rock Clients, subjecting our Adviser and its affiliates to certain conflicts of interest in evaluating the suitability of investment opportunities and making or recommending investments on our behalf. To mitigate these conflicts, the Owl Rock Advisers will seek to execute such transactions for all of the participating investment accounts, including us, on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with the Owl Rock Advisers’ allocation policy, taking into account such factors as the relative amounts of capital available for new investments; cash on hand; existing commitments and reserves; the investment programs and portfolio positions of the participating investment accounts, including portfolio construction, diversification and concentration considerations; the investment objectives, guidelines and strategies of each client; the clients for which participation is appropriate’ each client’s life cycle; targeted leverage level; targeted asset mix and any other factors deemed appropriate.
We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. We rely on exemptive relief, which has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates, to co-invest with other funds managed by our Adviser or certain of its affiliates, including the Owl Rock Clients, in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing. The Owl Rock Advisers’ allocation policy seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities between us and/or other funds managed by our Adviser or its affiliates. As a result of the exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of other funds established by the Adviser or its affiliates that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief.
Actions by the Adviser or its affiliates on behalf of their other accounts and clients may be adverse to us and our investments and harmful to us.
The Owl Rock Advisers manage assets for accounts other than us, including private funds including, but not limited to, the Owl Rock Clients. Actions taken by the Owl Rock Advisers on behalf of the Owl Rock Clients may be adverse to us and our investments, which could harm our performance. For example, we may invest in the same credit obligations as other Owl Rock Clients, although, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, our investments may include different obligations or levels of the capital structure of the same issuer. Decisions made with respect to the securities held by one of the Owl Rock Clients may cause (or have the potential to cause) harm to the different class of securities of the issuer held by other Owl Rock Clients (including us).
Our access to confidential information may restrict our ability to take action with respect to some investments, which, in turn, may negatively affect our results of operations.
We, directly or through our Adviser, may obtain confidential information about the companies in which we have invested or may invest or be deemed to have such confidential information. Our Adviser may come into possession of material, non-public information through its members, officers, directors, employees, principals or affiliates. The possession of such information may, to our detriment, limit the ability of us and our Adviser to buy or sell a security or otherwise to participate in an investment opportunity. In certain circumstances, employees of our Adviser may serve as board members or in other capacities for portfolio or potential portfolio companies, which could restrict our ability to trade in the securities of such companies. For example, if personnel of our Adviser come into possession of material non-public information with respect to our investments, such personnel will be restricted by our Adviser’s information-sharing policies and procedures or by law or contract from sharing such information with our management team, even where the disclosure of such information would be in our best interests or would otherwise influence decisions taken by the members of the management team with respect to that investment. This conflict and these procedures and practices may limit the freedom of our Adviser to enter into or exit from potentially profitable investments for us, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to fully leverage the resources and industry expertise of our Adviser in the course of its duties. Additionally, there may be circumstances in which one or more individuals associated with our Adviser will be precluded from providing services to us because of certain confidential information available to those individuals or to other parts of our Adviser.
We may be obligated to pay our Adviser incentive fees even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio and even if our earned interest income is not payable in cash.
The Investment Advisory Agreement entitles our Adviser to receive an incentive fee based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income regardless of any capital losses. In such case, we may be required to pay our Adviser an incentive fee for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or if we incur a net loss for that quarter.
Any incentive fee payable by us that relates to the pre-incentive fee net investment income may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received or interest in the form of securities received rather than cash (“payment-in-kind” or “PIK” income”). PIK income will be included in the pre-incentive fee net investment income used to calculate the incentive fee to our Adviser even though we do not receive the income in the form of cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest income, it is possible that accrued interest income previously included in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. Our Adviser is not obligated to reimburse us for any part of the incentive fee it received that was based on accrued interest income that we never receive as a result of a subsequent default.
The quarterly incentive fee on income is recognized and paid without regard to: (i) the trend of pre-incentive fee net investment income as a percent of adjusted capital over multiple quarters in arrears which may in fact be consistently less than the quarterly preferred return, or (ii) the net income or net loss in the current calendar quarter, the current year or any combination of prior periods.
For federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in some circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash and to make distributions with respect to such income to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and/or minimize corporate-level U.S. federal income or excise tax. Under such circumstances, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. This difficulty in making the required distribution may be amplified to the extent that we are required to pay the incentive fee on income with respect to such accrued income. As a result, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
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 a majority of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we will generally be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such affiliate on a principal basis, absent the prior approval of our Board and, in some cases, the SEC. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, including other funds or clients advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, which in certain circumstances could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times to the extent the transaction involves a joint investment), without prior approval of our Board and, in some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we will be 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 or anyone who is under common control with us. The SEC has interpreted the BDC regulations governing transactions with affiliates to prohibit certain joint transactions involving entities that share a common investment adviser. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any portfolio company that is controlled by a fund managed by either of our Adviser or its affiliates without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment or disposition opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
We rely on exemptive relief, which has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates, to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing
In situations when co-investment with the Adviser’s or its affiliates’ other clients is not permitted under the 1940 Act and related rules, existing or future staff guidance, or the terms and conditions of the exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC, our Adviser will need to decide which client or clients will proceed with the investment. Generally, we will not be entitled to make a co-investment in these circumstances and, to the extent that another client elects to proceed with the investment, we will not be permitted to participate. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will not invest in any issuer in which an affiliate’s other client holds a controlling interest.
We may make investments that could give rise to a conflict of interest.
We do not expect to invest in, or hold securities of, companies that are controlled by an affiliate’s other clients. However, our Adviser or an affiliate’s other clients may invest in, and gain control over, one of our portfolio companies. If our Adviser or an affiliate’s other client, or clients, gains control over one of our portfolio companies, it may create conflicts of interest and may subject us to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act. As a result of these conflicts and restrictions our Adviser may be unable to implement our investment strategies as effectively as they could have in the absence of such conflicts or restrictions. For example, as a result of a conflict or restriction, our Adviser may be unable to engage in certain transactions that it would otherwise pursue. In order to avoid these conflicts and restrictions, our Adviser may choose to exit such investments prematurely and, as a result, we may forego any positive returns associated with such investments. In addition, to the extent that an affiliate’s other client holds a different class of securities than us as a result of such transactions, our interests may not be aligned.
The recommendations given to us by our Adviser may differ from those rendered to their other clients.
Our Adviser and its affiliates may give advice and recommend securities to other clients which may differ from advice given to, or securities recommended or bought for, us even though such other clients’ investment objectives may be similar to ours, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify our Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Our Adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Advisory Agreement (and, separately, under the Administration Agreement), and it will not be responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow our Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, agents, employees, controlling persons, and any other person or entity affiliated with, or acting on behalf of our Adviser will not be liable to us for their acts under the Investment Advisory Agreement, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties. We have also agreed to indemnify, defend and protect our Adviser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with, or acting on behalf of our Adviser with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from acts of our Adviser not arising out of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties. However, in accordance with Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act, neither the Adviser nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, members, employees, agents, or representatives may be protected against any liability to us or our investors to which it would otherwise be subject by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of its office. These protections may lead our Adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
There are risks associated with any potential merger with or purchase of assets of another fund.
The Adviser may in the future recommend to the Board that we merge with or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of one or more funds, including a fund that could be managed by the Adviser or its affiliates (including another BDC). We do not expect that the Adviser would recommend any such merger or asset purchase unless it determines that it would be in our best interests, with such determination dependent on factors it deems relevant, which may include our historical and projected financial performance and any proposed merger partner, portfolio composition, potential synergies from the merger or asset sale, available alternative options and market conditions. In addition, no such merger or asset purchase would be consummated absent the meeting of various conditions required by applicable law or contract, at such time, which may include approval of the board of directors and common equity holders of both funds. If the Adviser is the investment adviser of both funds, various conflicts of interest would exist with respect to any such transaction. Such conflicts of interest may potentially arise from, among other things, differences between the compensation payable to the Adviser by us and by the entity resulting from such a merger or asset purchase or efficiencies or other benefits to the Adviser as a result of managing a single, larger fund instead of two separate funds.
The Adviser’s failure to comply with pay-to-play laws, regulations and policies could have an adverse effect on the Adviser, and thus, us.
A number of U.S. states and municipal pension plans have adopted so-called “pay-to-play” laws, regulations or policies which prohibit, restrict or require disclosure of payments to (and/or certain contacts with) state officials by individuals and entities seeking to do business with state entities, including those seeking investments by public retirement funds. The SEC has adopted a rule that, among other things, prohibits an investment adviser from providing advisory services for compensation to a government client for two years after the adviser or certain of its executives or employees makes a contribution to certain elected officials or candidates. If the Adviser, any of its employees or affiliates or any service provider acting on its behalf, fails to comply with such laws, regulations or policies, such non-compliance could have an adverse effect on the Adviser, and thus, us.
Risks Related to Business Development Companies
The requirement that we invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could preclude us from investing in accordance with our current business strategy; conversely, the failure to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could result in our failure to maintain our status as a BDC.
As a BDC, the 1940 Act prohibits us from acquiring any assets other than certain qualifying assets unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Therefore, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets. Conversely, if we fail to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could lose our status as a BDC, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making additional investments in existing portfolio companies, which could result in the dilution of our position, or could require us to dispose of investments at an inopportune time to comply with the 1940 Act. If we were forced to sell non-qualifying investments in the portfolio for compliance purposes, the proceeds from such sale could be significantly less than the current value of such investments.
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 and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise capital and the way in which we raise additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including risks associated with leverage.
As a result of the Annual Distribution Requirement to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we may need to access the capital markets periodically to raise cash to fund new investments in portfolio companies. Currently, we may issue “senior securities,” including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions only in amounts such that the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, equals at least 150% after such incurrence or issuance. If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. Our ability to issue different types of securities is also limited. Compliance with RIC distribution requirements may unfavorably limit our investment opportunities and reduce our ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which we can borrow and the rates at which we can lend. Therefore, we intend to seek to continuously issue equity securities, which may lead to shareholder dilution.
We may borrow to fund investments. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test under the 1940 Act, which would prohibit us from paying distributions and could prevent us from qualifying for tax treatment as a RIC, which would generally result in a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on any income and net gains. If we cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our debt financing, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distribution to our shareholders.
In addition, as market conditions permit, we have and may continue to securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we have and may continue to 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 would be expected to be willing to accept a substantially lower interest rate than the loans earn. We have and may continue to 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 loans before any of the debt securities would be exposed to such losses. See “—We are subject to certain risks as a result of our interests in the CLO Preferred Shares.”; “The subordination of the CLO Preferred Shares will affect our right to payment.”; and “The CLO Indenture requires mandatory redemption of the CLO Debt for failure to satisfy coverage tests, which would reduce the amounts available for distribution to us.”.
Risks Related to Our Investments
Investing in publicly traded companies can involve a high degree of risk and can be speculative.
We may invest a portion of our portfolio in publicly traded companies or companies that are in the process of completing their initial public offering (“IPO”). As publicly traded companies, the securities of these companies may not trade at high volumes, and prices can be volatile, particularly during times of general market volatility, which may restrict our ability to sell our positions and may have a material adverse impact on us.
Our ability to invest in public companies may be limited in certain circumstances.
To maintain our status as a business development company, we are not permitted to acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions).
Subject to certain exceptions for follow-on investments and distressed companies, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national securities exchange may be treated as a qualifying asset only if such issuer has a market capitalization that is less than $250 million at the time of such investment and meets the other specified requirements.
Our investment strategy focuses on technology companies, which are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs and periodic downturns, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
We intend to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies, many of which may have narrow product lines and small market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as to general economic downturns. The revenues, income (or losses), and valuations of technology-related companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. In addition, technology-related industries are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Overcapacity in technology-related industries, together with cyclical economic downturns, may result in substantial decreases in the market capitalization of many technology-related companies. Such decreases in market capitalization may occur again, and any future decreases in technology-related company valuations may be substantial and may not be temporary in nature. Therefore, our portfolio companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies in other industry sectors.
Because of rapid technological change, the average selling prices of products and some services provided by technology companies have historically decreased over their productive lives. As a result, the average selling prices of products and services offered by technology companies may decrease over time, which could adversely affect their operating results, their ability to meet obligations under their debt securities and the value of their equity securities. This could, in turn, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A natural disaster may also impact the operations of our portfolio companies, including the technology companies in our portfolio. The nature and level of natural disasters cannot be predicted and may be exacerbated by global climate change. Technology companies rely on items assembled or produced in areas susceptible to natural disasters, and may sell finished goods into markets susceptible to natural disasters. A major disaster, such as an earthquake, tsunami, flood or other catastrophic event could result in disruption to the business and operations of the technology companies in our portfolio.
We may invest in technology companies that are reliant on U.S. and foreign regulatory and governmental programs. Any material changes or discontinuation, due to change in administration or U.S. Congress or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on the operations of a portfolio company in these industries and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us to the extent applicable.
Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investments.
Our strategy focuses primarily on originating and making loans to, and making debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle market companies in a broad range of technology-related industries, with a focus on originated transactions sourced through the networks of our Adviser. Short transaction closing timeframes associated with originated transactions coupled with added tax or accounting structuring complexity and international transactions may result in higher risk in comparison to non-originated transactions.
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.
Unitranche Loans. In addition, in connection with any unitranche loans (including “last out” portions of such loans) in which we may invest, we would 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 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, as well. 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.
Most debt securities in which we intend to invest will not be rated by any rating agency and, if they were rated, they would be rated as below investment grade quality and are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk”. Debt securities rated below investment grade quality are generally regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics and may carry a greater risk with respect to a borrower’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. In addition, some of the loans in which we may invest may be “covenant-lite” loans. We use the term “covenant-lite” loans to refer generally to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in “covenant-lite” loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.
We may invest through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles and our investments through these vehicles may entail greater risks, or risks that we otherwise would not incur, if we otherwise made such investments directly.
We may make indirect investments in portfolio companies through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles (“Investment Vehicles”). In general, the risks associated with indirect investments in portfolio companies through a joint venture, partnership or other special purpose vehicle are similar to those associated with a direct investment in a portfolio company. While we intend to analyze the credit and business of a potential portfolio company in determining whether to make an investment in an Investment Vehicle, we will nonetheless be exposed to the creditworthiness of the Investment Vehicle. In the event of a bankruptcy proceeding against the portfolio company, the assets of the portfolio company may be used to satisfy its obligations prior to the satisfaction of our investment in the Investment Vehicle (i.e., our investment in the Investment Vehicle could be structurally subordinated to the other obligations of the portfolio company). In addition, if we are to invest in an Investment Vehicle, we may be required to rely on our partners in the Investment Vehicle when making decisions regarding such Investment Vehicle’s investments, accordingly, the value of the investment could be adversely affected if our interests diverge from those of our partners in the Investment Vehicle.
We expect our investments to be concentrated in technology-related industries, some of which are subject to extensive government regulation, which exposes us to the risk of significant loss if any of these industry sectors experiences a downturn.
A consequence of our investment strategy is that our investment returns will be materially and adversely affected if the companies or the industries we target perform poorly. Beyond the asset diversification requirements to which we will be subject as a RIC and the policy we expect to adopt to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification or limitations on the size of our investments in any one company and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few industries.
Our investments may be subject to extensive regulation by U.S. and foreign federal, state and/or local agencies. Changes in existing laws, rules or regulations, or judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, or new laws, rules or regulations could have an adverse impact on the business and industries of our portfolio companies. In addition, changes in government priorities or limitations on government resources could also adversely impact our portfolio companies. We are unable to predict whether any such changes in laws, rules or regulations will occur and, if they do occur, the impact of these changes on our portfolio companies and our investment returns. Furthermore, if any of our portfolio companies were to fail to comply with applicable regulations, they could be subject to significant penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect their operations. Our portfolio companies may be subject to the expense, delay and uncertainty of the regulatory approval process for their products and, even if approved, these products may not be accepted in the marketplace.
As of December 31, 2020, our investments in healthcare technology represented 12.5% of our portfolio at fair value. Our investments in healthcare technology are subject to substantial risks, including, but not limited to, the risk that the laws and regulations governing the business of health care companies, and interpretations thereof, may change frequently. Current or future laws and regulations could force our portfolio companies engaged in health care, to change their policies related to how they operate, restrict revenue, change costs, change reserve levels and change business practices.
Our investments may be in portfolio companies that have limited operating histories and resources.
Our portfolio may include investments in companies that may have relatively limited operating histories. These companies may be particularly vulnerable to U.S. and foreign economic downturns may have more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may have a weaker financial position and may need more capital to expand or compete. These businesses also may experience substantial variations in operating results. They may face intense competition, including from larger, more established companies with greater financial, technical and marketing resources. Furthermore, some of these companies do business in regulated industries and could be affected by changes in government regulation applicable to their given industry. Accordingly, these factors could impair their
cash flow or result in other events, such as bankruptcy, which could limit their ability to repay their obligations to us, and may adversely affect the return on, or the recovery of, our investment in these companies. We cannot assure you that any of our investments in our portfolio companies will be successful. We may lose our entire investment in any or all of our portfolio companies.
A lack of IPO or merger and acquisition opportunities may cause companies to stay in our portfolio longer, leading to lower returns, unrealized depreciation, or realized losses.
A lack of IPO or merger and acquisition (“M&A”) opportunities for venture capital-backed companies could lead to companies staying longer in our portfolio as private entities still requiring funding. This situation may adversely affect the amount of available funding for early-stage companies in particular as, in general, venture-capital firms are being forced to provide additional financing to late-stage companies that cannot complete an IPO or M&A transaction. In the best case, such stagnation would dampen returns, and in the worst case, could lead to unrealized depreciation and realized losses as some companies run short of cash and have to accept lower valuations in private fundings or are not able to access additional capital at all. A lack of IPO or M&A opportunities for venture capital-backed companies can also cause some venture capital firms to change their strategies, leading some of them to reduce funding of their portfolio companies and making it more difficult for such companies to access capital and to fulfill their potential, which can result in unrealized depreciation and realized losses in such companies by other companies such as ourselves who are co-investors in such companies.
The inability of our portfolio companies to commercialize their technologies or create or develop commercially viable products or businesses would have a negative impact on our investment returns.
The possibility that our portfolio companies will not be able to commercialize their technology, products or business concepts presents significant risks to the value of our investments. Additionally, although some of our portfolio companies may already have a commercially successful product or product line when we invest, technology-related products and services often have a more limited market- or life-span than products in other industries. Thus, the ultimate success of these companies often depends on their ability to continually innovate, or raise additional capital, in increasingly competitive markets. Their inability to do so could affect our investment return. In addition, the intellectual property held by our portfolio companies often represents a substantial portion of the collateral, if any, securing our investments. We cannot assure you that any of our portfolio companies will successfully acquire or develop any new technologies, or that the intellectual property the companies currently hold will remain viable. Even if our portfolio companies are able to develop commercially viable products, the market for new products and services is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Neither our portfolio companies nor we have any control over the pace of technology development. Commercial success is difficult to predict, and the marketing efforts of our portfolio companies may not be successful.
If our portfolio companies are unable to protect their intellectual property rights, or are required to devote significant resources to protecting their intellectual property rights, then our investments could be harmed.
Our success and competitive position depend in part upon the ability of our portfolio companies to obtain and maintain proprietary technology used in their products and services, which will often represent a significant portion of the collateral, if any, securing our investment. The portfolio companies will rely, in part, on patent, trade secret and trademark law to protect that technology, but competitors may misappropriate their intellectual property, and disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise. Portfolio companies may, from time to time, be required to institute litigation in order to enforce their patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights, to protect their trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. Similarly, if a portfolio company is found to infringe upon or misappropriate a third party’s patent or other proprietary rights, that portfolio company could be required to pay damages to such third party, alter its own products or processes, obtain a license from the third party and/or cease activities utilizing such proprietary rights, including making or selling products utilizing such proprietary rights. Any of the foregoing events could negatively affect both the portfolio company’s ability to service our debt investment and the value of any related debt and equity securities that we own, as well as any collateral securing our investment.
Our relationship with certain portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information which may require us to be parties to non-disclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions.
Our relationship with some of our portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information (including transactional data and personal data about their employees and clients) that may require us to be parties to nondisclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions. Unauthorized access or disclosure of such information may occur, resulting in theft, loss or other misappropriation. Any theft, loss, improper use, such as insider trading or other misappropriation of confidential information could have a material adverse impact on our competitive positions, our relationship with our portfolio companies and our reputation and could subject us to regulatory inquiries, enforcement and fines, civil litigation and possible financial liability or costs.
If the assets securing the loans that we make decrease in value, then we may lack sufficient collateral to cover losses.
To attempt to mitigate credit risks, we intend to take a security interest in the available assets of our portfolio companies. There is no assurance that we will obtain or properly perfect our liens.
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 a portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien could be 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 that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies.
In addition, because we invest in technology-related companies, a substantial portion of the assets securing our investment may be in the form of intellectual property, if any, inventory and equipment and, to a lesser extent, cash and accounts receivable. Intellectual property, if any, that is securing our loan could lose value if, among other things, the company’s rights to the intellectual property are challenged or if the company’s license to the intellectual property is revoked or expires, the technology fails to achieve its intended results or a new technology makes the intellectual property functionally obsolete. Inventory may not be adequate to secure our loan if our valuation of the inventory at the time that we made the loan was not accurate or if there is a reduction in the demand for the inventory.
Similarly, any equipment securing our loan may not provide us with the anticipated security if there are changes in technology or advances in new equipment that render the particular equipment obsolete or of limited value, or if the company fails to adequately maintain or repair the equipment. Any one or more of the preceding factors could materially impair our ability to recover earned interest and principal in a foreclosure.
We may suffer a loss if a portfolio company defaults on a loan and the underlying collateral is not sufficient.
In the event of a default by a portfolio company on a secured loan, we will only have recourse to the assets collateralizing the loan. If the underlying collateral value is less than the loan amount, we will suffer a loss. In addition, we may make loans that are unsecured, which are subject to the risk that other lenders may be directly secured by the assets of the portfolio company. In the event of a default, those collateralized lenders would have priority over us with respect to the proceeds of a sale of the underlying assets. In cases described above, we may lack control over the underlying asset collateralizing our loan or the underlying assets of the portfolio company prior to a default, and as a result the value of the collateral may be reduced by acts or omissions by owners or managers of the assets.
In the event of bankruptcy of a portfolio company, we may not have full recourse to its assets in order to satisfy our loan, or our loan may be subject to “equitable subordination.” This means that depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided significant “managerial assistance,” if any, to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, certain of our loans are subordinate to other debt of the portfolio company. If a portfolio company defaults on our loan or on debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a portfolio company bankruptcy, our loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt receives payment. Where debt senior to our loan exists, the presence of intercreditor arrangements may limit our ability to amend our loan documents, assign our loans, accept prepayments, exercise our remedies (through “standstill” periods) and control decisions made in bankruptcy proceedings relating to the portfolio company. Bankruptcy and portfolio company litigation can significantly increase collection losses and the time needed for us to acquire the underlying collateral in the event of a default, during which time the collateral may decline in value, causing us to suffer losses.
If the value of collateral underlying our loan declines or interest rates increase during the term of our loan, a portfolio company may not be able to obtain the necessary funds to repay our loan at maturity through refinancing. Decreasing collateral value and/or increasing interest rates may hinder a portfolio company’s ability to refinance our loan because the underlying collateral cannot satisfy the debt service coverage requirements necessary to obtain new financing. If a borrower is unable to repay our loan at maturity, we could suffer a loss which may adversely impact our financial performance.
We may not realize any income or gains from our equity investments.
We may invest in equity-related securities, including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and convertible preferred securities. These equity interests we acquire may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value if the company fails to perform financially or achieve its growth objectives. We will generally have little, if any, control over the timing of any gains we may realize from our equity investments since these securities may have restrictions on their transfer or may not have an active trading market.
Equity investments also have experienced significantly more volatility in their returns and may under-perform relative to fixed income securities during certain periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value. Also, prices of equity investments are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stock investments to which we have exposure. Equity prices fluctuate for several reasons including changes in investors' perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.
Although we expect to receive current income in the form of dividend payments on any convertible preferred equity investments, a substantial portion of the gains we expect to receive from our investments in such securities will likely be from the capital gains generated from the sale of our equity investments upon conversion of our convertible securities, the timing of which we cannot predict. 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. In addition, any convertible preferred stock instruments will generally provide for conversion upon the portfolio companies’ achievement of certain milestone events, including a qualified public offering and/or a senior exchange listing for their common stock. However, there can be no assurance that our portfolio companies will obtain either a junior or senior exchange listing or, even if a listing is obtained, that an active trading market will ever develop in the common stock of our publicly traded portfolio companies.
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. Furthermore, due to the expected growth of our portfolio companies, we do not generally expect to receive dividend income from our common stock investments. In the case of cumulative preferred stock, there is no assurance that any dividends will ever be paid by a portfolio company.
The credit ratings of certain of our investments may not be indicative of the actual credit risk of such rated instruments.
Rating agencies rate debt securities based upon their assessment of the likelihood of the receipt of principal and interest payments. Rating agencies do not consider the risks of fluctuations in market value or other factors that may influence the value of debt securities. Therefore, the credit rating assigned to a particular instrument may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment in such instrument. Credit rating agencies may change their methods of evaluating credit risk and determining ratings. These changes may occur quickly and often. While we may give some consideration to ratings, ratings may not be indicative of the actual credit risk of our investments in rated instruments.
Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.
We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts.
Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments, net of prepayment fees, could negatively impact our return on equity. This risk will be more acute when interest rates decrease, as we may be unable to reinvest at rates as favorable as when we made our initial investment.
A redemption of convertible securities held by us could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.
A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by us is called for redemption, we will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.
To the extent original issue discount (OID) and payment-in-kind (PIK) interest income constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with the deferred receipt of cash representing such income.
Our investments may include OID and PIK instruments. To the extent OID and PIK constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with such income being required to be included in income for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and taxable income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:
| • | Original issue discount instruments may have unreliable valuations because the accruals require judgments about collectability or deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral; |
|---|---|
| • | Original issue discount instruments may create heightened credit risks because the inducement to the borrower to accept higher interest rates in exchange for the deferral of cash payments typically represents, to some extent, speculation on the part of the borrower; |
| --- | --- |
| • | For U.S. GAAP purposes, cash distributions to shareholders that include a component of OID income do not come from paid-in capital, although they may be paid from the offering proceeds. Thus, although a distribution of OID income may come from the cash invested by the shareholders, the 1940 Act does not require that shareholders be given notice of this fact; |
| --- | --- |
| • | The presence of OID and PIK creates the risk of non-refundable cash payments to our Adviser in the form of incentive fees on income based on non-cash OID and PIK accruals that may never be realized; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | In the case of PIK, “toggle” debt, which gives the issuer the option to defer an interest payment in exchange for an increased interest rate in the future, the PIK election has the simultaneous effect of increasing the investment income, thus increasing the potential for realizing incentive fees. |
| --- | --- |
Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
Our strategy focuses on investing primarily in the debt of privately owned U.S. companies in a broad range of technology-related industries with a focus on originated transactions sourced through the networks of our Adviser. Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, any holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company and our portfolio company may not have sufficient assets to pay all equally ranking credit even if we hold senior, first-lien debt.
If we cannot obtain debt financing or equity capital on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected.
The net proceeds from the sale of our shares will be used for our investment opportunities, and, if necessary, the payment of operating expenses and the payment of various fees and expenses such as base management fees, incentive fees, other fees and distributions. Any working capital reserves we maintain may not be sufficient for investment purposes, and we may require additional debt financing or equity capital to operate. We are required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our shareholders to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC. Accordingly, in the event that we need additional capital in the future for investments or for any other reason we may need to access the capital markets periodically to issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital. These sources of funding may not be available to us due to unfavorable economic conditions, which 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. Consequently, if we cannot obtain further debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire additional investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected. As a result, we would be less able to diversify our portfolio and achieve our investment objective, which may negatively impact our results of operations and reduce our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
Defaults by our portfolio companies could jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity investments that we hold which could harm our operating results.
A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its debt financing and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity investments that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, some of the loans in which we may invest may be “covenant-lite” loans. We use the term “covenant-lite” loans to refer generally to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in “covenant-lite” loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.
As part of our lending activities, we may in certain opportunistic circumstances originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Any such investment would involve a substantial degree of risk. 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.
Subordinated liens on collateral securing debt investments that we may make to portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.
Certain debt investments that we will make in portfolio companies will be secured on a second priority lien basis by the same collateral securing senior debt of such companies. We also make debt investments in portfolio companies secured on a first priority basis. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and
may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the debt. In the event of a default, the holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of and be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us.
In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the debt obligations secured by the first priority or second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the debt obligations secured by the first priority or second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.
We may also make unsecured debt investments in portfolio companies, meaning that such investments will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on any such portfolio company’s collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured debt agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured debt obligations after payment in full of all secured debt obligations. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured debt obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.
The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the debt investments we make in our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more inter-creditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an inter-creditor agreement, at any time obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens: the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; the approval of amendments to collateral documents; releases of liens on the collateral; and waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.
Certain of our investments may be adversely affected by laws relating to fraudulent conveyance or voidable preferences.
Certain of our investments could be subject to federal bankruptcy law and state fraudulent transfer laws, which vary from state to state, if the debt obligations relating to certain investments were issued with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or, in certain circumstances, if the issuer receives less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for issuing such debt obligations. If the debt proceeds are used for a buyout of shareholders, this risk is greater than if the debt proceeds are used for day-to-day operations or organic growth. If a court were to find that the issuance of the debt obligations was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void or otherwise refuse to recognize the payment obligations under the debt obligations or the collateral supporting such obligations, further subordinate the debt obligations or the liens supporting such obligations to other existing and future indebtedness of the issuer or require us to repay any amounts received by us with respect to the debt obligations or collateral. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, we may not receive any repayment on such debt obligations.
Under certain circumstances, payments to us and distributions by us to our shareholders may be reclaimed if any such payment or distribution is later determined to have been a fraudulent conveyance, preferential payment or similar transaction under applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws. Furthermore, investments in restructurings may be adversely affected by statutes relating to, among other things, fraudulent conveyances, voidable preferences, lender liability and the court’s discretionary power to disallow, subordinate or disenfranchise particular claims or recharacterize investments made in the form of debt as equity contributions.
There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
Although we intend to structure certain of our investments as senior debt, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company or a representative of us or our Adviser sat on the board of directors of such portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In situations where a bankruptcy carries a high degree of political significance, our legal rights may be subordinated to other creditors.
In addition, a number of U.S. judicial decisions have upheld judgments obtained by borrowers against lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed “lender liability.” Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing, or a similar duty owed to the borrower or has assumed an excessive degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Because of the nature of our investments in portfolio companies
(including that, as a BDC, we may be required to provide managerial assistance to those portfolio companies if they so request upon our offer), we may be subject to allegations of lender liability.
We generally will not control the business operations of our portfolio companies and, due to the illiquid nature of our holdings in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies.
We do not currently, and do not expect in the future to control most of our portfolio companies, although we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements may impose certain restrictive covenants on our borrowers. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as a debt investor. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in private companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at a favorable value. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.
We are, and will continue to be, exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
Because we borrow money to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.
A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net investment income. However, an increase in interest rates could decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if such increases cause our borrowing costs to rise at a rate in excess of the rate that our investments yield.
Many of our debt investments are based on floating interest rates, such as LIBOR, the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”), the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate, that reset on a periodic basis, and that many of our investments will be subject to interest rate floors. A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net investment 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. In addition, our cost of funds likely will increase because the interest rates on the majority of amounts we may borrow are likely to be floating, which could reduce our net investment income to the extent any debt investments have fixed interest rates, and the interest rate on investments with an interest rate floor will not increase until interest rates exceed the applicable floor.
Trading prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to fall as interest rates rise. Trading prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed-rate securities that have longer maturities. 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.
We may enter into certain hedging transactions, such as interest rate swap agreements, in an effort to mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates and we may increase our floating rate investments to position the portfolio for rate increases. However, we cannot assure you that such transactions will be successful in mitigating our exposure to interest rate risk or if we will enter into such interest rate hedges. Hedging transactions may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio investments.
We do not have a policy governing the maturities of our investments. This means that we are subject to greater risk (other things being equal) than a fund invested solely in shorter-term securities. A decline in the prices of the debt we own could adversely affect our net asset value. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate.
In periods of rising interest rates, to the extent we borrow money subject to a floating interest rate, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if we hold investments with floating interest rates, subject to specified minimum interest rates (such as a LIBOR floor), while at the same time engaging in borrowings subject to floating interest rates not subject to such minimums. In such a scenario, rising interest rates may increase our interest expense, even though our interest income from investments is not increasing in a corresponding manner as a result of such minimum interest rates.
If general interest rates rise, there is a risk that the portfolio companies in which we hold floating rate securities will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their loan documents with us. Rising interest rates could also
cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. In addition, rising interest rates may increase pressure on us to provide fixed rate loans to our portfolio companies, which could adversely affect our net investment income, as increases in our cost of borrowed funds would not be accompanied by increased interest income from such fixed-rate investments.
To the extent that we make floating rate debt investments, a rise in the general level of interest rates would lead 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.
International investments create additional risks.
We may make investments in portfolio companies that are domiciled outside of the United States. Pursuant to our investment policies, we will not invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States. Our investments in foreign portfolio companies are deemed “non-qualifying assets”, which means that, as required by the 1940 Act, such investments, along with other investments in non-qualifying assets, may not constitute more than 30% of our total assets at the time of our acquisition of any such asset, after giving effect to the acquisition. Notwithstanding the limitation on our ownership of foreign portfolio companies, such investments subject us to many of the same risks as our domestic investments, as well as certain additional risks, including the following:
| • | foreign governmental laws, rules and policies, including those relating to taxation and bankruptcy and restricting the ownership of assets in the foreign country or the repatriation of profits from the foreign country to the United States and any adverse changes in these laws; |
|---|---|
| • | foreign currency devaluations that reduce the value of and returns on our foreign investments; |
| --- | --- |
| • | adverse changes in the availability, cost and terms of investments due to the varying economic policies of a foreign country in which we invest; |
| --- | --- |
| • | adverse changes in tax rates, the tax treatment of transaction structures and other changes in operating expenses of a particular foreign country in which we invest; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the assessment of foreign-country taxes (including withholding taxes, transfer taxes and value added taxes, any or all of which could be significant) on income or gains from our investments in the foreign country; |
| --- | --- |
| • | changes that adversely affect the social, political and/or economic stability of a foreign country in which we invest; |
| --- | --- |
| • | high inflation in the foreign countries in which we invest, which could increase the costs to us of investing in those countries; |
| --- | --- |
| • | deflationary periods in the foreign countries in which we invest, which could reduce demand for our assets in those countries and diminish the value of such investments and the related investment returns to us; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | legal and logistical barriers in the foreign countries in which we invest that materially and adversely limit our ability to enforce our contractual rights with respect to those investments. |
| --- | --- |
In addition, we may make investments in countries whose governments or economies may prove unstable. Certain of the countries in which we may invest may have political, economic and legal systems that are unpredictable, unreliable or otherwise inadequate with respect to the implementation, interpretation and enforcement of laws protecting asset ownership and economic interests. In some of the countries in which we may invest, there may be a risk of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, which may have an adverse effect on our portfolio companies in those countries and the rates of return that we are able to achieve on such investments. We may also lose the total value of any investment which is nationalized, expropriated or confiscated. The financial results and investment opportunities available to us, particularly in developing countries and emerging markets, may be materially and adversely affected by any or all of these political, economic and legal risks.
We will expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.
We may 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.
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, if any, will depend on our ability to correctly identify appropriate exposures for hedging. 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.
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. See “—The market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC may affect our ability to use over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives for hedging purposes. .” and “—We are, and will continue to be, exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.”
The market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC may affect our ability to use over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives for hedging purposes.
The Dodd-Frank Act and the CFTC enacted and SEC has issued 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.
The CFTC and the SEC have issued final rules establishing that certain swap transactions are subject to CFTC regulation. Engaging in such swap or other commodity interest transactions such as futures contracts or options on futures contracts may cause us to fall within the definition of “commodity pool” under the Commodity Exchange Act and related CFTC regulations. The Adviser has claimed relief from CFTC registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator with respect to our operations, with the result that we are limited in our ability to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts or engage in swap transactions. Specifically, we are subject to strict limitations on using such derivatives other than for hedging purposes, whereby the use of derivatives not used solely for hedging purposes is generally limited to situations where (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions does not exceed five percent of the liquidation value of our portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts we have entered into; or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of such derivatives does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of our portfolio.
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.
Our ability to enter into transactions involving derivatives and financial commitment transactions may be limited.
In November 2020, the SEC adopted a rulemaking regarding the ability of a BDC (or a registered investment company) to use derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations. Under the newly adopted rules, BDCs that use derivatives will be subject to a value-at-risk leverage limit, a derivatives risk management program and testing requirements and requirements related to board reporting. These new requirements will apply unless the BDC qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined under the adopted rules. Under the new rule, a BDC may enter into an unfunded commitment agreement that is not a derivatives transaction, such as an agreement to provide financing to a portfolio company, if the BDC has, among other things, a reasonable belief, at the time it enters into such an agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all of its unfunded commitment agreements, in each case as it becomes due. Collectively, these requirements may limit our ability to use derivatives and/or enter into certain other financial contracts.
We may enter into total return swaps that would expose us to certain risks, including market risk, liquidity risk and other risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.
A total return swap is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying the total return swap, which may include a specified security or loan, basket of securities or loans or securities or loan indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate. A total return swap is typically used to obtain exposure to a security, loan or market without owning or taking physical custody of
such security or loan or investing directly in such market. A total return swap may effectively add leverage to our portfolio because, in addition to our total net assets, we would be subject to investment exposure on the amount of securities or loans subject to the total return swap. A total return swap is also subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations thereunder or that we will not be able to meet our obligations to the counterparty. In addition, because a total return swap is a form of synthetic leverage, such arrangements are subject to risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.
Our investment strategy focuses on technology-related companies, which are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs and periodic downturns, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
We have adopted a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies, many of which may have narrow product lines and small market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as to general economic downturns. The revenues, income (or losses), and valuations of technology-related companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. In addition, technology-related industries are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Overcapacity in technology-related industries, together with cyclical economic downturns, may result in substantial decreases in the market capitalization of many technology-related companies. Such decreases in market capitalization may occur again, and any future decreases in technology-related company valuations may be substantial and may not be temporary in nature. Therefore, our portfolio companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies in other industry sectors.
Because of rapid technological change, the average selling prices of products and some services provided by technology-related companies have historically decreased over their productive lives. As a result, the average selling prices of products and services offered by technology-related companies may decrease over time, which could adversely affect their operating results, their ability to meet obligations under their debt securities and the value of their equity securities. This could, in turn, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may invest in technology-related companies that are reliant on U.S. and foreign regulatory and governmental programs. Any material changes or discontinuation, due to change in administration or U.S. Congress or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on the operations of a portfolio company in these industries and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us to the extent applicable.
Our investments in life sciences-related companies may be subject to extensive government regulation, litigation risk and certain other risks particular to that industry.
We may invest in life sciences-related that may be subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and other foreign agencies. If any of these portfolio companies fail to comply with applicable regulations, they could be subject to significant penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect their operations. Portfolio companies that produce medical devices or drugs are subject to the expense, delay and uncertainty of the regulatory approval process for their products and, even if approved, these products may not be accepted in the marketplace. In addition, governmental budgetary constraints effecting the regulatory approval process, new laws, regulations or judicial interpretations of existing laws and regulations might adversely affect a portfolio company in this industry. Life sciences-related portfolio companies may also have a limited number of suppliers of necessary components or a limited number of manufacturers for their products, and therefore face a risk of disruption to their manufacturing process if they are unable to find alternative suppliers when needed. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect the operations of a life sciences-related portfolio company and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us.
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.
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. 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 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.
An investment strategy focused primarily on privately held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies.
We invest primarily in privately held companies. Investments in private companies pose certain incremental risks as compared to investments in public companies including that they:
| • | have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and ability to withstand financial distress; |
|---|---|
| • | may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt obligations that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment; |
| --- | --- |
| • | may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and changing market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; |
| --- | --- |
| • | are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons and, therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on the company and, in turn, on us; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. |
| --- | --- |
In addition, investments in private companies tend to be less liquid. The securities of private companies are not publicly traded or actively traded on the secondary market and are, instead, traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors. These over-the-counter secondary markets may be inactive during an economic downturn or a credit crisis and in any event often have lower volumes than publicly traded securities even in normal market conditions. In addition, the securities in these companies will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. If there is no readily available market for these investments, we are required to carry these investments at fair value as determined by our Board. As a result, 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. We may also face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we, our Adviser or any of its affiliates have material nonpublic information regarding such portfolio company or where the sale would be an impermissible joint transaction under the 1940 Act. The reduced liquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.
Finally, little public information generally exists about private companies and these companies may not have third-party credit ratings or audited financial statements. We must therefore rely on the ability of our Adviser to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in these companies, and to monitor the activities and performance of these investments. To the extent that we (or other clients of the Adviser) may hold a larger number of investments, greater demands will be placed on the Adviser’s time, resources and personnel in monitoring such investments, which may result in less attention being paid to any individual investment and greater risk that our investment decisions may not be fully informed. Additionally, these companies and their financial information will not generally be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments.
Certain investment analyses and decisions by the Adviser may be required to be undertaken on an expedited basis.
Investment analyses and decisions by the Adviser may be required to be undertaken on an expedited basis to take advantage of certain investment opportunities. While we generally will not seek to make an investment until the Adviser has conducted sufficient due diligence to make a determination as to the acceptability of the credit quality of the investment and the underlying issuer, in such cases, the information available to the Adviser at the time of making an investment decision may be limited. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Adviser will have knowledge of all circumstances that may adversely affect an investment. In addition, the Adviser may rely upon independent consultants in connection with its evaluation of proposed investments. No assurance can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by such independent consultants and we may incur liability as a result of such consultants’ actions, many of whom we will have limited recourse against in the event of any such inaccuracies.
We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.
After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment through the exercise of a warrant or other right to purchase common
stock. There is no assurance that we will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Even if we do have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our level of risk, we prefer other opportunities, we are limited in our ability to do so by compliance with BDC requirements or in order to maintain our RIC status. Our ability to make follow-on investments may also be limited by our Adviser’s allocation policies. Any decision not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful investment or may reduce the expected return to us on the investment.
We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility.
Our business faces increasing public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) activities. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as environmental stewardship, corporate governance and transparency and considering ESG factors in our investment processes. Adverse incidents with respect to ESG activities could impact the value of our brand, the cost of our operations and relationships with investors, all of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulatory initiatives related to ESG could adversely affect our business.
We are subject to certain risks as a result of our interest in the CLO Preferred Shares.
Under the terms of the loan sale agreement entered into in connection with the $333.5 million term debt securitization transaction (the "CLO Transaction") we completed on December 16, 2020 (the "CLO Closing Date"), we sold and/or contributed to Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, Ltd., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability (the "CLO Issuer"), all of the ownership interest in the portfolio loans and participations held by the CLO Issuer on the CLO Closing Date, for the purchase price and other consideration set forth in the loan sale agreement. As a result of the CLO Transaction, we hold all of the preferred shares issued by the CLO Issuer (the "CLO Preferred Shares"), which comprise 100% of the equity interests (other than certain nominal interests held by a charitable trust for purposes of limiting the ability of the CLO Issuer to file for bankruptcy) in the CLO Issuer and the CLO Issuer in turn owns 100% of the equity of Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "CLO Co-Issuer"). As a result, we expect to consolidate the financial statements of the CLO Issuer in our consolidated financial statements. However, once sold or contributed to a CLO, the underlying loans and participation interests have been securitized and are no longer our direct investment, and the risk return profile has been altered. In general, rather than holding interests in the underlying loans and participation interests, the CLO Transaction resulted in us holding equity interests in the CLO Issuer, with the CLO Issuer holding the underlying loans. As a result, we are subject both to the risks and benefits associated with the equity interests of the CLO Issuer (i.e., the CLO Preferred Shares) and, indirectly, the risks and benefits associated with the underlying loans and participation interests held by the CLO Issuer. In addition, our ability to sell, amend or otherwise modify an underlying loan held by the CLO Issuer is subject to certain conditions and restrictions under the CLO Transaction, which may prevent us from taking actions that we would take if we held such underlying loan directly.
The subordination of the CLO Preferred Shares will affect our right to payment.
The CLO Preferred Shares are subordinated to the notes issued and amounts borrowed by the CLO Issuer and the CLO Co-Issuer (the "CLO Debt"), and certain fees and expenses. If an overcollateralization test or an interest coverage test is not satisfied as of a determination date, the proceeds from the underlying loans otherwise payable to the CLO Issuer (which the CLO Issuer could have distributed with respect to the CLO Preferred Shares of the CLO Issuer) will be diverted to the payment of principal on the CLO Debt of the CLO Issuer. See "—The CLO Indenture requires mandatory redemption of the CLO Debt for failure to satisfy coverage tests, which would reduce the amounts available for distribution to us."
On the scheduled maturity of the CLO Debt of the CLO Issuer or if the CLO Debt is accelerated after an event of default, proceeds available after the payment of certain administrative expenses will be applied to pay both principal of and interest on the CLO Debt until the CLO Debt is paid in full before any further payment will be made on the CLO Preferred Shares of the CLO Issuer. As a result, the CLO Preferred Shares would not receive any payments until the CLO Debt is paid in full and under certain circumstances may not receive payments at any time.
In addition, if an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the CLO Debt of the CLO Issuer, the holders of the CLO Debt will be entitled to determine the remedies to be exercised under the indenture pursuant to which such CLO Debt was issued (the "CLO Indenture"). Remedies pursued by the holders of CLO Debt could be adverse to our interests as the holder of CLO Preferred Shares, and the holders of CLO Debt will have no obligation to consider any possible adverse effect on such our interest or the interest of any other person. See " — The holders of certain CLO Debt will control many rights under the CLO Indenture and therefore, we will have limited rights in connection with an event of default or distributions thereunder."
The CLO Preferred Shares represent leveraged investments in the underlying loan portfolio of the CLO Issuer, which is a speculative investment technique that increases the risk to us as the owner of the CLO Preferred Shares. As the junior interest in a leveraged capital structure, the CLO Preferred Shares will bear the primary risk of deterioration in the performance of the CLO Issuer and its portfolio of underlying loans.
The holders of certain CLO Debt will control many rights under the CLO Indenture and therefore, we will have limited rights in connection with an event of default or distributions thereunder.
Under the CLO Indenture, as long as any CLO Debt of the CLO Issuer is outstanding, the holders of the senior-most outstanding class of such CLO Debt will have the right to direct the trustee or the applicable CLO Issuer to take certain actions under the CLO Indenture (and the CLO Credit Agreement, in the case of CLO), subject to certain conditions. For example, these holders will have the right, following an event of default, to direct certain actions and control certain decisions, including the right to accelerate the maturity of CLO Debt and, under certain circumstances, the liquidation of the collateral. Remedies pursued by such holders upon an event of default could be adverse to our interests.
Although we, as the holder of the CLO Preferred Shares, will have the right, subject to the conditions set forth in the CLO Indentures, to purchase assets in any liquidation of assets by the collateral trustee, if an event of default has occurred and is continuing, we will not have any creditors' rights against the CLO Issuer and will not have the right to determine the remedies to be exercised under the CLO Indenture. There is no guarantee that any funds will remain to make distributions to us as the holder of the CLO Preferred Shares following any liquidation of assets and the application of the proceeds from such assets to pay the CLO Debt and the fees, expenses, and other liabilities payable by the CLO Issuer.
The CLO Indenture requires mandatory redemption of the CLO Debt for failure to satisfy coverage tests, which would reduce the amounts available for distribution to us.
Under the CLO Indenture governing the CLO Transaction, there are two coverage tests applicable to CLO Debt. These tests apply to CLO Transaction separately.
The first such test, the interest coverage test, compares the amount of interest proceeds received and, other than in the case of defaulted loans, scheduled to be received on the underlying loans held by CLO Issuer to the amount of interest due and payable on the CLO Debt of the CLO Issuer and the amount of fees and expenses senior to the payment of such interest in the priority of distribution of interest proceeds. To satisfy this test interest received on the portfolio loans held by the CLO Issuer must equal at least 120% of the amount equal to the interest payable on the CLO Debt of the CLO Issuer plus the senior fees and expenses.
The second such test, the overcollateralization test, compares the adjusted collateral principal amount of the portfolio of underlying loans of the CLO Issuer to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the CLO Debt of the CLO Issuer. To satisfy this second test at any time, this adjusted collateral principal amount for the CLO must equal at least 156.75% of the outstanding principal amount of the CLO Debt. In this test, certain reductions are applied to the principal balance of underlying loans in connection with certain events, such as defaults or ratings downgrades to "CCC" levels or below with respect to the loans held by each CLO Issuer. These adjustments increase the likelihood that this test is not satisfied.
If either coverage test with respect to the CLO Transaction is not satisfied on any determination date on which such test is applicable, the CLO Issuer must apply available amounts to redeem its CLO Debt in an amount necessary to cause such test to be satisfied. This would reduce or eliminate the amounts otherwise available to make distributions to us as the holder of the CLO Preferred Shares of the CLO Issuer.
Risks Related to an Investment in Our Common Stock
Our shares are not listed on an exchange or quoted through a quotation system and will not be listed for the foreseeable future, if ever. Therefore, our shareholders will have limited liquidity.
Our shares are illiquid investments for which there is not a secondary market nor is it expected that any such secondary market will develop in the future. Our common stock will not be registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities law and will be restricted as to transfer by law and the terms of our charter. Shareholders generally may not sell, assign or transfer their shares without prior written consent of the Adviser, which the Adviser may grant or withhold in its sole discretion. Except in limited circumstances for legal or regulatory purposes, shareholders are not entitled to redeem their shares of our common stock. Shareholders must be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in us for an indefinite period of time.
We do not know at this time what circumstances will exist in the future and therefore we do not know what factors our Board will consider in determining whether to conduct an Exchange Listing. If we do undertake an Exchange Listing, we cannot assure you a public trading market will develop or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. Shares of companies offered in an initial public offering often trade at a discount to the initial offering price due to underwriting discounts and related offering expenses. Also, shares of closed-end investment companies and business development companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. 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. We cannot predict whether our common stock, if listed on a national securities exchange, will trade at, above or below net asset value.
A shareholder’s interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares, which could reduce the overall value of an investment in us.
Our shareholders do not have preemptive rights to purchase any shares we issue in the future. Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 500 million shares of common stock. Pursuant to our charter, a majority of our entire Board may amend our charter to increase the number of shares of common stock we may issue without shareholder approval. Our Board may elect to sell additional shares in the future or issue equity interests in private offerings. To the extent we issue additional equity interests at or below net asset value, your percentage ownership interest in us may be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our investments, you may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of your shares.
Under the 1940 Act, we generally are prohibited from issuing or selling our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, which may be a disadvantage as compared with certain public companies. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options, or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of our common stock if our Board and independent directors determine that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders, and our shareholders, including a majority of those shareholders that are not affiliated with us, approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the fair value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, then the percentage ownership of our shareholders at that time will decrease and you will experience dilution.
Certain provisions of our charter and actions of our Board could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the value of shares of our common stock.
Our charter, as well as certain statutory and regulatory requirements, contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire us. Our Board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, which could prevent shareholders from removing a majority of directors in any given election. Our Board may, without shareholder action, authorize the issuance of shares in one or more classes or series, including shares of preferred stock; and our Board may, without shareholder action, amend our charter to increase the number of shares of our common stock, of any class or series, that we will have authority to issue. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give the holders of shares of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the value of shares of our common stock.
Investing in our securities involves 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, including volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our common stock may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.
The net asset value of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
The net asset value and liquidity, if any, 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:
| • | changes in the value of our portfolio of investments and derivative instruments as a result of changes in market factors, such as interest rate shifts, and also portfolio specific performance, such as portfolio company defaults, among other reasons; |
|---|---|
| • | changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs; |
| --- | --- |
| • | loss of RIC tax treatment or BDC status; |
| --- | --- |
| • | distributions that exceed our net investment income and net income as reported according to U.S. GAAP; |
| --- | --- |
| • | changes in earnings or variations in operating results; |
| --- | --- |
| • | changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments; |
| --- | --- |
| • | any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors; |
| --- | --- |
| • | departure of our Adviser or certain of its key personnel; |
| --- | --- |
| • | general economic trends and other external factors; |
| --- | --- |
| • | loss of a major funding source; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | the length and duration of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. as well as worldwide and the magnitude of the economic impact of that outbreak. |
| --- | --- |
The amount of any distributions we may make is uncertain. We may not be able to pay you distributions, or be able to sustain distributions at any particular level, and our distributions per share, if any, may not grow over time, and our distributions per share may be reduced. We have not established any limit on the extent to which we may use borrowings, if any, and we may use offering proceeds to fund distributions (which may reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in portfolio companies).
Subject to our Board's discretion and applicable legal restrictions, we intend to authorize and declare cash distributions on a monthly or quarterly basis and pay such distributions on a monthly or quarterly basis. We expect to pay distributions out of assets legally available for distribution. However, we cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a consistent targeted level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by the impact of the risks described herein. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC under the 1940 Act can limit our ability to pay distributions. Distributions from offering proceeds also could reduce the amount of capital we ultimately invest in debt or equity securities of portfolio companies. We cannot assure you that we will pay distributions to our shareholders in the future.
Distributions on our common stock may exceed our taxable earnings and profits. Therefore, portions of the distributions that we pay may represent a return of capital to you. A return of capital is a return of a portion of your original investment in shares of our common stock. As a result, a return of capital will (i) lower your tax basis in your shares and thereby increase the amount of capital gain (or decrease the amount of capital loss) realized upon a subsequent sale or redemption of such shares, and (ii) reduce the amount of funds we have for investment in portfolio companies. We have not established any limit on the extent to which we may use offering proceeds to fund distributions.
We may pay our distributions from offering proceeds in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital and will lower your tax basis in your shares, thereby increasing the amount of capital gain (or decreasing the amount of capital loss) realized upon a subsequent sale or redemption of such shares, even if such shares have not increased in value or have, in fact, lost value. Distributions from offering proceeds also could reduce the amount of capital we ultimately have available to invest in portfolio companies.
Shareholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our distribution reinvestment plan.
All distributions declared in cash payable to shareholders that are participants in our distribution reinvestment plan will generally be automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock if the investor opts in to the plan. As a result, shareholders that do not elect to participate in our distribution reinvestment plan will experience dilution over time. Shareholders who do not elect to participate in our distribution reinvestment plan may experience accretion to the net asset value of their shares if our shares are trading at a premium to net asset value and dilution if our shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The level of accretion or discount would depend on various factors, including the proportion of our shareholders who participate in the plan, the level of premium or discount at which our shares are trading and the amount of the distribution payable to shareholders.
The existence of a large number of outstanding shares and shareholders prior to an Exchange Listing could negatively affect our stock price.
The ability of our shareholders to liquidate their investments will be limited. If we were to conduct an Exchange Listing in the future, a large volume of sales of our shares could decrease the prevailing market prices of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities in the future. The ability of our shareholders to liquidate their investments would be limited during the 270 day lock-up period following an Exchange Listing; however, the mere perception of the possibility of these sales could depress the market price of our common stock and have a negative effect on our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, anticipated downward pressure on our common stock price due to actual or anticipated sales of common stock from this market overhang could cause some institutions or individuals to engage in short sales of our common stock, which may itself cause the price of our stock to decline.
Preferred stock could be issued with rights and preferences that would adversely affect holders of our common stock.
Under the terms of our charter, our Board is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without shareholder approval, which could potentially adversely affect the interests of existing shareholders.
If we issue preferred stock or convertible debt securities, the net asset value of our common stock may become more volatile.
We cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred stock and/or convertible debt securities would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock or convertible debt would likely cause the net asset value of our common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the convertible debt securities, were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of such leverage to the holders of our common stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if we had not issued the preferred stock or convertible debt securities. Any decline in the net asset value of our investment would be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would
result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of our common stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities. This decline in net asset value would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price, if any, for our common stock.
There is also a risk that, in the event of a sharp decline in the value of our net assets, we would be in danger of failing to maintain required asset coverage ratios, which may be required by the preferred stock or convertible debt, or our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock or the interest payments on the debt securities. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund the redemption of some or all of the preferred stock or convertible debt. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of our common stock would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock, convertible debt, or any combination of these securities. Holders of preferred stock or convertible debt may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.
Holders of any preferred stock that we may issue will have the right to elect certain members of the Board and have class voting rights on certain matters.
The 1940 Act requires that holders of shares of preferred stock must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more, until such arrearage is eliminated. In addition, certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open end status and, accordingly, preferred shareholders could veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our common stock and preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair our ability to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or our notes, if any, or change in the debt markets, could cause the liquidity or market value of our notes to decline significantly.
Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of our notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of our notes. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole discretion.
Federal Income Tax Risks
We cannot predict how tax reform legislation will affect us, our investments, or our shareholders, and any such legislation could adversely affect our business.
Legislative or other actions relating to taxes could have a negative effect on us. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department. For example, in December 2017, Congress passed tax reform legislation that made many changes to the Code, including significant changes to the taxation of business entities, the deductibility of interest expense, and the tax treatment of capital investment. We cannot predict with certainty how any changes in the tax laws might affect us, our shareholders, or our portfolio investments. New legislation and any U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions interpreting such legislation could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to us and our shareholders of such qualification, or could have other adverse consequences. Shareholders are urged to consult with their tax advisor regarding tax legislative, regulatory, or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our securities.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries.
To maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following minimum annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS – Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of realized net short term capital gains over realized net long term capital losses. In addition, a RIC may, in certain cases, satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends relating to a taxable year after the close of such taxable year under the “spillback dividend” provisions of Subchapter M. We would be taxed, at regular corporate rates, on retained income and/or gains, including any short term capital gains or long term capital gains. Because we may use debt financing, we are subject to (i) an asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and may, in the future, be subject to (ii) certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, or choose or are required to retain a portion of our taxable income or gains, we could (1) be required
to pay excise taxes and (2) fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment, and thus become subject to corporate level income tax on our taxable income (including gains).
The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our annual income from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities, or other income derived from the business of investing in stock or securities.
The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Specifically, at least 50% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other acceptable securities if such securities or any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.
If we fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution, and the amount of our distributions.
We may invest in certain debt and equity investments through taxable subsidiaries and the net taxable income of these taxable subsidiaries will be subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. We may invest in certain foreign debt and equity investments which could be subject to foreign taxes (such as income tax, withholding, and value added taxes).
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, since we will likely hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments with PIK, secondary market purchases of debt securities at a discount to par, interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as unrealized appreciation for foreign currency forward contracts and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Furthermore, we may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that could be treated under the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations as “passive foreign investment companies” and/or “controlled foreign corporations.” The rules relating to investment in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate-level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require us to recognize income where we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash.
Unrealized appreciation on derivatives, such as foreign currency forward contracts, may be included in taxable income while the receipt of cash may occur in a subsequent period when the related contract expires. Any unrealized depreciation on investments that the foreign currency forward contracts are designed to hedge are not currently deductible for tax purposes. This can result in increased taxable income whereby we may not have sufficient cash to pay distributions or we may opt to retain such taxable income and pay a 4% excise tax. In such cases we could still rely upon the “spillback provisions” to maintain RIC tax treatment.
We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute OID or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discounts with respect to debt securities acquired in the secondary market and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit our ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes. Because any OID or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even if we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, make a partial share distribution, or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, and choose not to make a qualifying share distribution, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
If we are not treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” as defined in the Code, certain U.S. shareholders will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. shareholders’ allocable share of the base management fee and incentive fees paid to the Adviser and some of our expenses, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. shareholders.
A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering within the meaning of Section 4 of the 1933 Act, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. While we anticipate that we will constitute a publicly offered RIC, there can be no assurance that we will in fact so qualify for any of our taxable years. If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any calendar year, each U.S. shareholder that is an individual, trust or estate will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. shareholder’s allocable share of the base management fee and incentive fees paid to the 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. shareholder. Individuals are not allowed to take miscellaneous itemized deductions for the 2018 through 2025 tax years, such deductions are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under the Code.
General Risk Factors
There is uncertainty surrounding potential legal, regulatory and policy changes by new presidential administrations in the United States that may directly affect financial institutions and the global economy.
As a result of the United States presidential election, which occurred on November 3, 2020, commencing January 2021, the Democratic Party gained control of the executive and legislative branch of government. Changes in federal policy, including tax policies, and at regulatory agencies occur over time through policy and personnel changes following elections, which lead to changes involving the level of oversight and focus on the financial services industry or the tax rates paid by corporate entities. The nature, timing and economic and political effects of potential changes to the current legal and regulatory framework affecting financial institutions remain highly uncertain. Uncertainty surrounding future changes may adversely affect our operating environment and therefore our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Certain historical data regarding our business properties, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity does not reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures and therefore does not purport to be representative of our future performance.
The information included in this Annual Report and our other reports filed with the SEC includes information regarding our business, properties, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity as of dates and for periods before the impact of COVID-19 related containment measures (including quarantines and government orders requiring the closure of certain businesses, limiting travel, requiring that individuals stay at home or shelter in place and closing borders. This historical information therefore does not reflect the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related containment measures. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on historical information regarding our businesses, properties, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, as that data does not reflect the adverse impact of COVID-19 and therefore does not purport to be representative of the future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or other financial or operating results of us, our properties or our business.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.
We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation at the local, state, and federal levels. Changes to the laws and regulations governing our permitted investments may require a change to our investment strategy. Such changes could differ materially from our strategies and plans as set forth in this report and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of our Adviser. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment in us.
Government intervention in the credit markets could adversely affect our business.
The central banks and, in particular, the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken unprecedented steps since the financial crises of 2008-2009 and the COVID-19 global pandemic. It is impossible to predict if, how, and to what extent the United States and other governments would further intervene in the credit markets. Such intervention is often prompted by politically sensitive issues involving family homes, student loans, real estate speculation, credit card receivables, pandemics, etc., and could, as a result, be contrary to what we would predict from an “economically rational” perspective.
Changes to United States tariff and import/export regulations may have a negative effect on our portfolio companies and, in turn, harm us.
As a result of the 2020 U.S. election, the Democratic Party currently controls the executive branch of government. Significant changes to U.S. trade policy may occur as a result of the administration change, including the United States re-entering, withdrawing from or renegotiate various trade agreements or 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.
We are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are and we will remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act until the earlier of (a) the last day of the fiscal year (i) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of our initial public offering of common equity securities, (ii) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (iii) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (b) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. For so long as we remain an “emerging growth company” we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock and debt less attractive because we will rely on some or all of these exemptions.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of such extended transition periods.
Our status as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act may make it more difficult to raise capital as and when we need it.
Because of the exemptions from various reporting requirements provided to us as an “emerging growth company” and because we will have an extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards, we may be less attractive to investors and it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital as and when we need it. Investors may be unable to compare our business with other companies in our industry if they believe that our financial accounting is not as transparent as other companies in our industry. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our Bylaws include an exclusive forum selection provision, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other agents.
Our Bylaws require that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any standard of conduct or legal duty owed by any of the Company’s director, officer or other agent to the Company or to its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or the Charter or the Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum selection provision in our Bylaws will not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, this provision may increase costs for shareholders in bringing a claim against us or our directors, officers or other agents. Any investor purchasing or otherwise acquiring our shares is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision. The exclusive forum selection provision in our Bylaws may limit our shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and such persons. It is also possible that, notwithstanding such exclusive forum selection provision, a court could rule that such provision is inapplicable or unenforceable. If this occurred, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in another forum, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We expend significant financial and other resources to comply with the requirements of being a public entity.
As a public entity, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, which are discussed below. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls, significant resources and management oversight are required. We have implemented procedures, processes,
policies and practices for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The systems and resources necessary to comply with public company reporting requirements will increase further once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. As long as we remain an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We expect to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering of common equity securities or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period.
We may experience fluctuations in our operating results.
We may experience fluctuations in our operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, interest rates and default rates on the debt investments we make, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized gains or losses, unrealized appreciation or depreciation, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets, and general economic conditions. These occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, the value of your investment in us and our ability to pay distributions to you and our other shareholders.
Internal and external cyber threats, as well as other disasters, could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.
The occurrence of a disaster, such as a cyber-attack against us or against a third-party that has access to our data or networks, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, failure of our disaster recovery systems, or consequential employee error, could have an adverse effect on our ability to communicate or conduct business, negatively impacting our operations and financial condition. This adverse effect can become particularly acute if those events affect our electronic data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems, or impact the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of our data.
We depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite our implementation of a variety of security measures, our computer systems, networks, and data, like those of other companies, could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction, such as from physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary, and other information processed, stored in, and transmitted through our computer systems and networks. Such an attack could cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in financial losses, litigation, regulatory penalties, client dissatisfaction or loss, reputational damage, and increased costs associated with mitigation of damages and remediation.
Third parties with which we do business may also be sources of cybersecurity or other technological risk. We outsource certain functions and these relationships allow for the storage and processing of our information, as well as client, counterparty, employee, and borrower information. While we engage in actions to reduce our exposure resulting from outsourcing, ongoing threats may result in unauthorized access, loss, exposure, destruction, or other cybersecurity incidents that adversely affects our data, resulting in increased costs and other consequences as described above.
We and our service providers are currently impacted by quarantines and similar measures being enacted by governments in response to COVID-19, which are obstructing the regular functioning of business workforces (including requiring employees to work from external locations and their homes). In response to the outbreak, our Adviser instituted a work from home policy until it is deemed safe to return to the office. Policies of extended periods of remote working, whether by us or our service providers, could strain technology resources, introduce operational risks and otherwise heighten the risks described above. Remote working environments may be less secure and more susceptible to hacking attacks, including phishing and social engineering attempts that seek to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the risks described above, are heightened under the current conditions.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies by causing a disruption to our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information or the confidential information of our portfolio companies and/or damage to our business relationships or the business relationships of our portfolio companies, all of which could negatively impact the business, financial condition and operating results of us or our portfolio companies.
A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the information resources of us or our portfolio companies. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems or those of our portfolio companies for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. The result of these
incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to business relationships. 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 third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies. We 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, do not guarantee that a cyber-incident will not occur and/or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. Further, the remote working conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have heightened our and our portfolio companies’ vulnerability to a cybersecurity risk or incident.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
Our corporate headquarters are located at 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022 and are provided by the Adviser in accordance with the terms of our Administration Agreement. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is contemplated to be conducted.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, are any material legal proceeding threatened against us. From time to time, we may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with our portfolio companies. Our business is also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us. While the outcome of any such future legal or regulatory proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that any such future proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Common Stock
Until an Exchange Listing, our common stock will be offered and sold in transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) and Regulation D of the Securities Act. There is not currently a public market for our common stock, nor can we give any assurance that one will develop.
Our common stock may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of unless (i) if such transfer is prior to an Exchange Listing, our Adviser consents to such transfer and (ii) the common stock is registered under applicable securities laws or specifically exempted from registration (in which case the shareholder may, at our option, be required to provide us with a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to us, that registration is not required). Accordingly, an investor must be willing to bear the economic risk of investment in the common stock for an indefinite period of time. No sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, of the common stock may be made except by registration of the transfer on our books. Prior to an Exchange Listing, each transferee will be required to execute an instrument agreeing to be bound by these restrictions and the other restrictions imposed on our common stock and to execute such other instruments or certifications as we may reasonably require.
Sources of distributions, other than net investment income and realized gains on a U.S. GAAP basis, include required adjustments to U.S. GAAP net investment income in the current period to determine taxable income available for distributions.
Distributions declared during the year ended December 31, 2020 of $76.8 million were derived from ordinary income, determined on a tax basis. Distributions declared during the year ended December 31, 2019 of $30.3 million were derived from ordinary income, determined on a tax basis.
Holders
As of March 4, 2021, there were approximately 7,300 holders of our common stock.
Distribution Policy
To qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends 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 shareholders. We may be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax if we do not distribute (or are treated as distributing) in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:
| • | 98% of our net ordinary income, excluding certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized during a calendar year; |
|---|---|
| • | 98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of such calendar year; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | 100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years. |
| --- | --- |
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 not choose 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. See “ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS – Federal Income Tax Risks – We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries.”
Distributions
We generally intend to distribute, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of our available earnings, on a quarterly basis, as determined by our Board in its discretion. On February 23, 2021, our Board declared a distribution of 90% of estimated first quarter taxable income for shareholders of record on March 31, 2021, payable on or before May 14, 2021.
The following table summarizes dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| November 3, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 4, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | $ | 0.22 |
| May 5, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | $ | 0.20 |
| February 19, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
The dividends declared during the year ended December 31, 2020 were derived from ordinary income, determined on a tax basis.
The following table summarizes dividends declared for the year ended December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| October 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | January 31, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 7, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | $ | 0.25 |
| May 8, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | August 15, 2019 | $ | 0.14 |
| February 27, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | $ | 0.05 |
The dividends declared during the year ended December 31, 2019 were derived from ordinary income, determined on a tax basis.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash distributions declared by the Board on behalf of our shareholders who do not elect to receive their distribution in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our shareholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock as described below, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. Any fractional share otherwise issuable to a participant in the dividend reinvestment plan will instead be paid in cash.
The number of shares to be issued to a shareholder under the dividend reinvestment plan will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such shareholder by the net asset value per share of our common stock, as of the last day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the date such distribution was declared. We intend to use newly issued shares to implement the plan.
No action is required on the part of a registered shareholder to have cash dividends or other distributions reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered shareholder is able to elect to receive an entire cash dividend or other distribution in cash by notifying the Adviser in writing so that such notice is received by the Adviser no later than ten days prior to the record date for distributions to the shareholders.
There are no brokerage charges or other charges to shareholders who participate in the plan.
The plan is terminable by us upon notice in writing mailed to each shareholder of record at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any distribution by us.
The following table reflects the common stock issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Shares | |
| August 4, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | 383,937 | |
| May 5, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | 354,998 | |
| February 19, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | 295,497 | |
| October 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | January 31, 2020 | 227,554 |
The following table reflects the common stock issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Shares | |
| August 7, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | 224,683 | |
| May 8, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | August 15, 2019 | 122,495 | |
| February 27, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | 32,953 |
Senior Securities
Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
| Class and Period | Total Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Treasury Securities(1)<br>( in millions) | Asset Coverage per Unit^(2)^ | Involuntary Liquidating Preference per Unit^(3)^ | Average Market Value per Unit^(4)^ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolving Credit Facility | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,905.6 | — | N/A | ||
| December 31, 2019 | $ | 1,934.6 | — | N/A | ||
| Subscription Credit Facility | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,905.6 | — | N/A | ||
| December 31, 2019 | $ | 1,934.6 | — | N/A | ||
| December 31, 2018 | $ | 1,954.6 | — | N/A | ||
| SPV Asset Facility I | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,905.6 | — | N/A | ||
| June 2025 Notes | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,905.6 | — | N/A | ||
| December 2025 Notes | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,905.6 | — | N/A | ||
| June 2026 Notes | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,905.6 | — | N/A | ||
| CLO 2020-1 | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 1,905.6 | — | N/A |
All values are in US Dollars.
________________
| (1) | Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total assets, less all liabilities excluding indebtedness represented by senior securities in this table, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness and is calculated on a consolidated basis. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon our involuntary liquidation in preference to any security junior to it. The "—" in this column indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities. |
| --- | --- |
| (4) | Not applicable because the senior securities are not registered for public trading. |
| --- | --- |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The table below sets forth our selected consolidated historical financial data for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. The selected consolidated historical financial data has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K and our SEC filings.
The selected consolidated financial information and other data presented below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS,” which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | ||||||||
| Consolidated Statement of Operations Data | |||||||||||
| Income | |||||||||||
| Total investment income | $ | 173.2 | $ | 83.7 | $ | 2.6 | |||||
| Expenses | |||||||||||
| Total expenses | 94.0 | 52.5 | 4.7 | ||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) before income taxes | 79.2 | 31.2 | (2.1 | ) | |||||||
| Excise tax expense | 0.4 | 0.1 | — | ||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) after income taxes | 78.8 | 31.1 | (2.1 | ) | |||||||
| Total change in net unrealized gain (loss) | 43.0 | (2.0 | ) | (1.1 | ) | ||||||
| Total net realized gain (loss) | 0.3 | 1.6 | — | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 122.1 | $ | 30.7 | $ | (3.2 | ) | ||||
| Earnings per common share – basic and diluted | $ | 1.43 | $ | 0.84 | $ | (0.34 | ) | ||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | ||||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheet Data | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 82.2 | $ | 142.4 | $ | 323.0 | |||||
| Investments at fair value | 3,057.3 | 1,475.9 | 262.8 | ||||||||
| Total assets | 3,157.9 | 1,625.0 | 588.2 | ||||||||
| Total debt (net of unamortized debt issuance costs) | 1,614.1 | 823.8 | 297.6 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,661.0 | 847.8 | 301.5 | ||||||||
| Total net assets | $ | 1,496.9 | $ | 777.2 | $ | 286.7 | |||||
| Net asset value per share | $ | 14.88 | $ | 14.70 | $ | 14.53 | |||||
| Other Data: | |||||||||||
| Number of portfolio companies | 52 | 29 | 6 | ||||||||
| Distributions Declared Per Share | $ | 0.84 | $ | 0.65 | $ | — | |||||
| Total return based on net asset value^(2)^ | 7.2 | % | 5.8 | % | (3.2 | ) | % | ||||
| Weighted average total yield of portfolio at fair value | 7.9 | % | 7.9 | % | 8.0 | % | |||||
| Weighted average total yield of portfolio at amortized cost | 8.0 | % | 7.9 | % | 8.0 | % | |||||
| Weighted average yield of debt and income producing securities at fair value | 8.3 | % | 8.2 | % | 8.0 | % | |||||
| Weighted average yield of debt and income producing securities at amortized cost | 8.3 | % | 8.2 | % | 8.0 | % | |||||
| Fair value of debt investments as a percentage of principal | 99.2 | % | 98.5 | % | 98.5 | % |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Total return is calculated as the change in net asset value (“NAV”) per share during the period, plus distributions per share, if any, divided by the beginning NAV per share. |
| --- | --- |
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with “ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA”. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or the future performance or financial condition of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS”. This discussion also should be read in conjunction with the “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements” set forth on page 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in any forward-looking statements.
Overview
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a Maryland corporation formed on July 12, 2018. We were formed primarily to originate and make debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. We intend to originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. Our investment objective is to maximize total return by generating current income from our debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-linked investments.
We are managed by Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC (“the Adviser” or “our Adviser”). The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors (the “Board”), the Adviser manages our day-to-day operations, and provides investment advisory and management services to us. The Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees. The Adviser is responsible for managing our business and activities, including sourcing investment opportunities, conducting research, performing diligence on potential investments, structuring our investments, and monitoring our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis through a team of investment professionals. The Board consists of eight directors, five of whom are independent.
We conduct private offerings (each, a “Private Offering”) of our common shares to accredited investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At the closing of each Private Offering, each investor makes a capital commitment (a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us. Until the earlier of an Exchange Listing (as defined below) and the end of the Commitment Period (as defined below), investors are required to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of our common stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitment on an as-needed basis each time we deliver a drawdown notice to our investors. The initial closing of the Private Offering occurred on August 10, 2018 (the “Initial Closing”). As of December 31, 2020, we had $3.1 billion in total Capital Commitments from investors, of which $72.9 million is from entities affiliated with or related to our Adviser. Prior to the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”), the Adviser may, in its sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings (“Subsequent Closings”) as additional Capital Commitments are obtained (the conclusion of all Subsequent Closings, if any, the “Final Closing”). The “Commitment Period” will continue until the earlier of the (i) five year anniversary of the Final Closing and (ii) the seven year anniversary of the Initial Closing. If we have not consummated an Exchange Listing by the end of the Commitment Period, subject to extension for two additional one-year periods, in the sole discretion of the Board, the Board (subject to any necessary shareholder approvals and applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to wind down and/or liquidate and dissolve the Company in an orderly manner.
Placement activities are conducted by our officers and the Adviser. In addition, we may enter into agreements with placement agents or broker-dealers to solicit Capital Commitments. For example, the Company and the Adviser entered into a dealer manager agreement with Owl Rock Capital Securities LLC (“Owl Rock Securities”) pursuant to which Owl Rock Securities and certain participating broker-dealers will solicit Capital Commitments and the Company entered into a placement agent agreement with Owl Rock Securities pursuant to which employees of Owl Rock Securities may conduct placement activities. Owl Rock Securities, an affiliate of Owl Rock, is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. In addition, the Company, the Adviser and third party placement agents may enter into placement agreements from time to time, pursuant to which such placement agents will solicit Capital Commitments. Fees paid pursuant to these agreements will be paid by our Adviser.
The Adviser is under common control with Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC (“ORCA”), and Owl Rock Diversified Advisors LLC ("ORDA"), and Owl Rock Capital Private Fund Advisors LLC ("ORPFA"), which are also investment advisers and subsidiaries of Owl Rock Capital Partners. ORCA serves as investment adviser to Owl Rock Capital Corporation, Owl Rock Capital Corporation II and Owl Rock Core Income Corp. and ORDA serves as investment adviser to Owl Rock Capital Corporation III. The Adviser, ORCA, ORTA and ORPFA are referred to as the "Owl Rock Advisers" and together with Owl Rock Capital Partners are referred to, collectively, as "Owl Rock."
On December 23, 2020, Owl Rock Capital Group, the parent of the Adviser (and a subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners), and Dyal Capital Partners (“Dyal”) announced they are merging to form Blue Owl Capital (“Blue Owl”). Blue Owl will enter the
public market via its acquisition by Altimar Acquisition Corporation (NYSE:ATAC) (“Altimar”), a special purpose acquisition company (the “Transaction”). If the Transaction is consummated, there will be no changes to the Company’s investment strategy or the Adviser’s investment team or investment process with respect to the Company; however, the Transaction will result in a change in control of the Adviser, which will be deemed an assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. As a result, the Board, after considering the Transaction and subsequent change in control, has determined that upon consummation of the Transaction and subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting expected to be held on March 17, 2021, the Company should enter into a third amended and restated investment advisory agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board also determined that upon consummation of the Transaction, the Company should enter into an amended and restated administration agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Administration Agreement. See “Item 1. Business – The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC.”
We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. We intend to rely on exemptive relief, that has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates, to permit us to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or certain of its affiliates, including the Owl Rock Clients, in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transactions, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching by us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing. In addition, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs, through December 31, 2020, the Company was permitted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to participate in follow-on investments in its existing portfolio companies with certain private funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and covered by the Company’s exemptive relief, even if such private funds have not previously invested in such existing portfolio company. Without this order, private funds would generally not be able to participate in such follow-on investments with the Company unless the private funds had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with the Company. Although the conditional exemptive order has expired, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management has indicated that until March 31, 2021, it will not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing co-investment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the conditional exemptive order, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein. The Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities between us, Owl Rock Capital Corporation, Owl Rock Capital Corporation II, Owl Rock Capital Corporation III and/or other funds managed by our Adviser or its affiliates over time. As a result of the exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of Owl Rock Capital Corporation, Owl Rock Capital Corporation II, Owl Rock Capital Corporation III and/or other funds established by the Adviser or its affiliates that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief.
On September 24, 2018, we formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, OR Tech Lending LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is intended to hold a California finance lenders license. OR Tech Lending LLC is intended to originate loans to borrowers headquartered in California. From time to time the Company may form wholly-owned subsidiaries to facilitate the normal course of business.
We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a result, we are required to comply with various statutory and regulatory requirements, such as:
| • | the requirement to invest at least 70% of our assets in “qualifying assets”, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act; |
|---|---|
| • | source of income limitations; |
| --- | --- |
| • | asset diversification requirements; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | the requirement to distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year at least 90% of our investment company taxable income and tax-exempt interest for that taxable year. |
| --- | --- |
In addition, we will not invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States, although we do not generally intend to invest in companies whose principal place of business is in an emerging market and we have adopted a policy to invest, under normal circumstances at least 80% of the value of our total assets in “technology-related” businesses (as defined below).
COVID-19 Developments
In March 2020, the outbreak of COVID -19 was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Shortly thereafter, the President of the United States declared a National Emergency throughout the United States attributable to such outbreak. The outbreak has become increasingly widespread in the United States, including in the markets in which we operate, and in response to the outbreak, our Adviser instituted a work from home policy until it is deemed safe to return to the office.
We have and continue to assess the impact of COVID-19 on our portfolio companies. We cannot predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its duration in the United States and worldwide, the effectiveness of governmental responses designed to mitigate strain to businesses and the economy and the magnitude of the economic impact of the outbreak. The COVID-19 pandemic and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate its spread have caused, and are continuing to cause, business shutdowns, cancellations of events and travel, significant reductions in demand for certain goods and services, reductions in business activity and financial transactions, supply chain interruptions and overall economic and financial market instability both globally and in the United States. Such effects will likely continue for the duration of the pandemic, which is uncertain, and for some period thereafter.
While several countries, as well as certain states, counties and cities in the United States, have relaxed initial public health restrictions with a view to partially or fully reopening their economies, many cities world-wide have since experienced a surge in the reported number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases have led to the re-introduction of restrictions and business shutdowns in certain states, counties and cities in the United States and globally and could continue to lead to the re-introduction of such restrictions and business shutdowns elsewhere. Additionally, as of late December 2020, travelers from the United States are not allowed to visit Canada, Australia or the majority of countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. These continued travel restrictions may prolong the global economic downturn. In addition, although the Federal Food and Drug Administration authorized vaccines for emergency use starting in December 2020, it remains unclear how quickly the vaccines will be distributed nationwide and globally or when “herd immunity” will be achieved and the restrictions that were imposed to slow the spread of the virus will be lifted entirely. The delay in distributing the vaccines could lead people to continue to self-isolate and not participate in the economy at pre-pandemic levels for a prolonged period of time. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the U.S. economy and most other major global economies may continue to experience a recession, and we anticipate our business and operations could be materially adversely affected by a prolonged recession in the United States and other major markets.
Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concerns that the continued spread of the virus globally could lead to a world-wide economic downturn.
We are unable to predict the duration of any business and supply-chain disruptions, the extent to which COVID-19 will negatively affect our portfolio companies’ operating results or the impact that such disruptions may have on our results of operations and financial condition. Though the magnitude of the impact remains to be seen, we expect our portfolio companies and, by extension, our operating results to be adversely impacted by COVID-19 and depending on the duration and extent of the disruption to the operations of our portfolio companies, we expect that certain portfolio companies will experience financial distress and possibly default on their financial obligations to us and their other capital providers. Some of our portfolio companies have significantly curtailed business operations, furloughed or laid off employees and terminated service providers and deferred capital expenditures, which could impair their business on a permanent basis and we expect that additional portfolio companies may take similar actions. Any of these developments would likely result in a decrease in the value of our investment in any such portfolio company.
We have built out our portfolio management team to include workout experts and continue to closely monitor our portfolio companies, which includes assessing each portfolio company’s operational and liquidity exposure and outlook. To the extent that the impact to our portfolio companies results in reduced interest payments or permanent impairments on our investments, we could see a decrease in our net investment income which could result in an increase in the percentage of our cash flows dedicated to our debt obligations and could require us to reduce the future amount of distributions to our shareholders.
For the three months ending March 31, 2021, we expect the performance of our portfolio companies to continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and the related economic slowdown, and therefore, while we have highlighted our liquidity and available capital, we are focused on preserving that capital for our existing portfolio companies in order to protect the value of our investments.
Our Investment Framework
We are a Maryland corporation organized primarily to originate and make debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. We originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. Our investment objective is to maximize total return by generating current income from debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-linked investments. We generally intend to invest in companies with a low loan-to-value ratio, which we consider to be 50% or below. Since our Adviser’s affiliates began investment activities in April 2016 through December 31, 2020, our Adviser or its affiliates have originated $27.7 billion aggregate principal amount of investments across multiple industries, of which $25.8 billion of aggregate principal amount of investments prior to any subsequent exits or repayments, was retained by either us or a corporation or fund advised by our Adviser or its affiliates.
We invest in a broad range of established and high growth technology companies that are capitalizing on the large and growing demand for technology products and services. These companies use technology extensively to improve business processes, applications and opportunities or seek to grow through technological developments and innovations. These companies operate in technology-related industries or sectors which include, but are not limited to, application software, systems software, healthcare information technology, technology services and infrastructure, financial technology and internet and digital media. Within each industry or sector, we intend to invest in companies that are developing or offering goods and services to businesses and consumers which utilize scientific knowledge, including techniques, skills, methods, devices and processes, to solve problems. We refer to all of these companies as “technology-related” companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of our total assets in such businesses and to target portfolio companies that comprise 1-2% of our portfolio (with no individual portfolio company generally expected to comprise greater than 5% of our portfolio).
We expect that generally our portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, which may include “covenant-lite” loans (as defined below), with a lesser allocation to equity or equity-linked opportunities. In addition, we may invest a portion of our portfolio in opportunistic investments, which will not be our primary focus, but will be intended to enhance returns to our shareholders. These investments may include high-yield bonds and broadly-syndicated loans. In addition, we generally do not intend to invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States, although we do not generally intend to invest in companies whose principal place of business is in an emerging market. Our portfolio composition may fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and interest rates.
Covenants are contractual restrictions that lenders place on companies to limit the corporate actions a company may pursue. Generally, the loans in which we expect to invest will have financial maintenance covenants, which are used to proactively address materially adverse changes in a portfolio company’s financial performance. However, to a lesser extent, we may invest in “covenant-lite” loans. We use the term “covenant-lite” to refer generally to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in “covenant-lite” loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.
We classify our debt investments as “traditional financing” or “growth capital” based on a number of factors. Traditional financing typically means a senior secured loan provided to a portfolio company that is owned by a private-equity firm, has a mature business model, and is underwritten on the basis of a multiple of EBITDA, cash flow, or recurring revenue. Growth capital typically means an investment in an established, but rapidly growing business that is owned by, or received an equity investment from, one or more growth equity or venture capital firms, and is underwritten on the basis of something other than a multiple of EBITDA (for example, a multiple of recurring revenue).
As of December 31, 2020, our average investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $58.8 million based on fair value. As of December 31, 2020, investments we classify as traditional financing, excluding certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile, represented 79.4% of our total debt portfolio based on fair value and these portfolio companies had weighted average annual revenue of $371 million, weighted average annual EBITDA of $106 million and a weighted average enterprise value of $2.0 billion. As of December 31, 2020, investments we classify as growth capital represented 13.0% of our total debt portfolio based on fair value and these portfolio companies had weighted average annual revenue of $1.0 billion and a weighted average enterprise value of $9.3 billion.
The companies in which we invest use our capital to support their growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion, refinancings and/or recapitalizations. 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), which is often referred to as “high yield” or “junk”.
Key Components of Our Results of Operations
Investments
We focus primarily on the direct origination of loans to middle market, technology-related companies domiciled in the United States.
Our level of investment activity (both the number of investments and the size of each investment) can and will vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital 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 the levels of certain investments through partial sales or syndication to additional lenders.
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 either direct equity investments or equity interests obtained in connection with originating loans, such as options, warrants or conversion rights. Our debt investments typically have a term of three to ten years. As of December 31, 2020, 88.8% of our debt investments based on fair value bear interest at a floating rate, subject to interest rate floors, in certain cases. Interest on our debt investments is generally payable either monthly or quarterly.
Our investment portfolio consists primarily of floating rate loans. Macro trends in base interest rates like London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) may affect our net investment income over the long term. However, because we generally intend to originate loans to a small number of portfolio companies each quarter, and those investments may vary in size, our results in any given period, including the interest rate on investments that may be sold or repaid in a period compared to the interest rate of new investments made during that period, may be 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 or macro trends.
Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount or premium are capitalized, and we accrete or amortize such amounts under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) as interest income using the effective yield 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. The frequency or volume of these repayments may fluctuate significantly. We record prepayment premiums on loans as interest income. We may also generate revenue in the form of commitment, loan origination, structuring, or due diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance to our portfolio companies and possibly consulting fees. Certain of these fees may be capitalized and amortized as additional interest income over the life of the related loan.
Dividend income on equity investments is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded companies.
Our portfolio activity will also reflect the proceeds from sales of investments. We will 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.
Expenses
Our primary operating expenses include the payment of the management fee, the incentive fee, and expenses reimbursable under the Administration Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement. The management fee and incentive fee compensate our Adviser for work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing, monitoring and realizing our investments.
Except as specifically provided below, we anticipate that all investment professionals and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the base compensation, bonus and benefits, and the routine overhead expenses, of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser shall be solely responsible for any placement or “finder’s” fees payable to placement agents engaged by the Company or its affiliates in connection with the offering of securities by the Company. We will bear our allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of our officers who provide operational and administrative services hereunder, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to us (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to us. We shall reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs and in acting on our behalf). We also will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to (i) investment advisory fees, including
Management Fees and Incentive Fees, to the Adviser, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its administrative obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement and (iii) all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:
| • | the cost of our organization and any offerings; |
|---|---|
| • | the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the common stock and other securities; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fees and expenses payable under any dealer manager agreements, if any; |
| --- | --- |
| • | debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs of hedging; |
| --- | --- |
| • | expenses, including travel expense, incurred by the Adviser, or members of the investment team, or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing our rights; |
| --- | --- |
| • | escrow agent, transfer agent and custodial fees and expenses; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts; |
| --- | --- |
| • | federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees and fees payable to rating agencies; |
| --- | --- |
| • | federal, state and local taxes; |
| --- | --- |
| • | independent directors’ fees and expenses, including certain travel expenses; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration fees, listing fees and licenses, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our shareholders (including printing and mailing costs); |
| --- | --- |
| • | the costs of any shareholder or director meetings and the compensation of personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters; |
| --- | --- |
| • | commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers; |
| --- | --- |
| • | research and market data; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums; |
| --- | --- |
| • | direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff; |
| --- | --- |
| • | fees and expenses associated with independent audits, outside legal and consulting costs; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs of winding up; |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs incurred in connection with the formation or maintenance of entities or vehicles to hold our assets for tax or other purposes; |
| --- | --- |
| • | extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification); and |
| --- | --- |
| • | costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws. |
| --- | --- |
We expect, but cannot ensure, that our general and administrative expenses will increase in dollar terms during periods of asset growth, but will decline as a percentage of total assets during such periods.
Leverage
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. On August 7, 2018, our Adviser, as our sole initial shareholder, approved a proposal that allows us to reduce our asset coverage ratio from 200% to 150% and in connection with their subscription agreements, our investors are required to acknowledge our ability to operate with an asset coverage ratio that may be as low as 150%. As a result, we generally will be permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to the common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, would at least be equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. The reduced asset coverage requirement permits us to double the amount of leverage we can incur. For example, under a 150% asset coverage ratio we may borrow $2 for investment purposes of every $1 of investor equity whereas under a 200% asset
coverage ratio we may only borrow $1 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity. Our current target leverage ratio is 0.90x-1.25x.
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 our leverage over time subject to the limits of the 1940 Act. In addition, we may dedicate assets to financing facilities.
Market Trends
We believe the technology investment lending environment provides opportunities for us to meet our goal of making investments that generate an attractive total return based on a combination of the following factors, which continue to remain true in the current environment, with the economic shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 national health emergency.
Limited Availability of Capital for Technology Companies. We believe that technology companies have limited access to capital, driven by a reduction in activity from commercial and investment banks, and a lack of dedicated pools of capital focused on technology companies. Traditional lenders, such as commercial and investment banks, generally do not have flexible product offerings that meet the needs of technology-related companies. In recent years, many commercial and investment banks have focused their efforts and resources on lending to large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions rather than lending to technology-related companies. In addition, these lenders may be constrained in their ability to underwrite and hold loans and high yield securities, as well as their ability to provide equity financing, as they seek to meet existing and future regulatory capital requirements. We also believe that there is a lack of scaled market participants that are willing to provide and hold meaningful amounts of a customized financing solution for technology companies. As a result, we believe our focus on technology-related companies and our ability to invest across the capital structure, coupled with a limited supply of capital providers, presents an attractive opportunity to invest in technology companies.
Capital Markets Have Been Unable to Fill the Void Left by Banks. While underwritten bond and syndicated loan markets have been robust in recent years, many technology companies are less able to access these markets for reasons including the following:
High Yield Market – Many technology companies generally are not issuing debt in an amount large enough to be an attractively sized bond. High yield bonds are generally purchased by institutional investors who, among other things, are highly focused on the liquidity characteristics of the bond being issued. For example, mutual funds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) are significant buyers of underwritten bonds. However, mutual funds and ETFs generally require the ability to liquidate their investments quickly in order to fund investor redemptions and/or comply with regulatory requirements. Accordingly, the existence of an active secondary market for bonds is an important consideration in these entities’ initial investment decision. Because there is typically little or no active secondary market for the debt of U.S. middle market companies, mutual funds and ETFs generally do not provide debt capital to technology companies. We believe this is likely to be a persistent problem and creates an advantage for those like us who have a more stable capital base and have the ability to invest in illiquid assets.
Syndicated Loan Market – Loan issue size and liquidity are key drivers of institutional appetite and, correspondingly, underwriters’ willingness to underwrite the loans. Loans arranged through a bank are done either on a “best efforts” basis or are underwritten with terms plus provisions that permit the underwriters to change certain terms, including pricing, structure, yield and tenor, otherwise known as “flex”, to successfully syndicate the loan, in the event the terms initially marketed are insufficiently attractive to investors. Loans provided by companies such as ours provide certainty to issuers in that we can commit to a given amount of debt on specific terms, at stated coupons and with agreed upon fees. As we are the ultimate holder of the loans, we do not require market “flex” or other arrangements that banks may require when acting on an agency basis.
Robust Demand for Debt Capital. According to 451 Research’s M&A KnowledgeBase, there was approximately $1.5 trillion of mergers and acquisitions activity in the technology and software industries from 2015 through 2019. We believe technology companies will continue to require access to capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. In addition, we believe the large amount of uninvested capital held by funds of private equity firms, estimated by Preqin Ltd., an alternative assets industry data and research company, to be $1.5 trillion as of June 2019, coupled with a growing focus on technology investing by private equity sponsors, will continue to drive deal activity. We expect that technology companies, private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurs will continue to seek partners to provide flexible financing for their businesses with debt and equity investments provided by companies such as us.
Technology Spend is Large and Increasing. According to Gartner, a research and advisory company, global technology spend was $3.7 trillion in 2019 and is expected to grow to more than $4.3 trillion by 2023. We believe global demand for technology products and services will continue to grow rapidly, and that that growth will stimulate demand for capital from technology companies.
Attractive Investment Dynamics. An imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, capital creates attractive pricing dynamics. With respect to the debt investments in technology companies, we believe the directly negotiated nature of such financings generally provides more favorable terms to the lender, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, better call protection, and lender protective change of control provisions. Further, we believe that historical default rates for technology and software companies
have been lower, and recovery rates have been higher, as compared to the broader leveraged finance market, leading to lower cumulative losses. With respect to equity and equity-linked investments, we will seek to structure these investments with meaningful shareholder protections, including, but not limited to, anti-dilution, anti-layering, and liquidation preferences, which we believe will create the potential for meaningful risk-adjusted long-term capital gains in connection with the future liquidity events of these technology companies. Lastly, we believe that in the current environment, with the economic shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 national health emergency, lenders with available capital may be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities as the economy reopens and may be able to achieve improved economic spreads and documentation terms.
Compelling Business Models. We believe that the products and services that technology companies provide often have high switching costs and are fundamental to the operations and success of their customers. We generally invest in dominant or growing players in niche markets that are selling products to established customer bases. As a result, technology companies have attributes that make them compelling investments, including strong customer retention rates, and highly recurring and predictable revenue. Further, technology companies are typically highly capital efficient, with limited capital expenditures and high free cash flow conversion. In addition, the replicable nature of technology products creates substantial operating leverage which typically results in strong profitability.
We believe that software businesses make compelling investments because they are inherently diversified into a variety of sectors due to end market applications and have been one of the more defensive sectors throughout economic cycles.
Attractive Opportunities in Investments in Technology Companies. We invest in the debt and equity of technology companies. We believe that opportunities in the debt of technology companies are significant because of the floating rate structure of most senior secured debt issuances and because of the strong defensive characteristics of these types of investments. Given the current low interest rate environment, we believe that debt issues with floating interest rates offer a superior return profile as compared with fixed-rate investments, since floating rate structures are generally less susceptible to declines in value experienced by fixed-rate securities in a rising interest rate environment. Senior secured debt also provides strong defensive characteristics. Senior secured debt has priority in payment among an issuer’s security holders whereby holders are due to receive payment before junior creditors and equity holders. Further, these investments are generally secured by the issuer’s assets, which may provide protection in the event of a default.
We believe that opportunities in the equity of technology companies are significant because of the potential to generate meaningful capital appreciation by participating in the growth in the portfolio company and the demand for its products and services. Moreover, we believe that the high-growth profile of a technology company will generally make it a more attractive candidate for a liquidity event than a company in a non-high growth industry.
Portfolio and Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2020, based on fair value, our portfolio consisted of 74.0% first lien senior secured debt investments, 6.8% second lien senior secured debt investments, 12.7% unsecured debt investments and 6.5% equity investments.
As of December 31, 2020, our weighted average total yield of the portfolio at fair value and amortized cost was 7.9% and 8.0%, respectively, and our weighted average yield of debt and income producing securities at fair value and amortized cost was 8.3% and 8.3%, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020, we had investments in 52 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $3.1 billion.
Based on current market conditions, the pace of our investment activities may vary.
Our investment activity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is presented below (information presented herein is at par value unless otherwise indicated).
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(3)^ | ||||||
| New investment commitments | |||||||||
| Gross originations | $ | 1,822,855 | $ | 1,517,163 | $ | 332,000 | |||
| Less: Sell downs | (50,000 | ) | (87,130 | ) | — | ||||
| Total new investment commitments | $ | 1,772,855 | $ | 1,430,033 | $ | 332,000 | |||
| Principal amount of investments funded: | |||||||||
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 1,005,142 | $ | 1,141,864 | $ | 211,731 | |||
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | 159,945 | 16,450 | 20,000 | ||||||
| Unsecured debt investments | 364,640 | — | 30,000 | ||||||
| Equity investments | 116,917 | 57,160 | — | ||||||
| Total principal amount of investments funded | $ | 1,646,644 | $ | 1,215,474 | $ | 261,731 | |||
| Principal amount of investments sold or repaid: | |||||||||
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | (184,279 | ) | $ | (60,743 | ) | $ | — | |
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | (5,988 | ) | — | — | |||||
| Unsecured debt investments | — | (30,000 | ) | — | |||||
| Total principal amount of investments sold or repaid | $ | (190,267 | ) | $ | (90,743 | ) | $ | — | |
| Number of new investment commitments in new portfolio companies^(1)^ | 26 | 25 | 6 | ||||||
| Average new investment commitment amount | $ | 62,545 | $ | 54,928 | $ | 55,333 | |||
| Weighted average term for new debt investment commitments (in years) | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.6 | ||||||
| Percentage of new debt investment commitments at<br><br><br>floating rates | 81.9 | % | 100.0 | % | 91.0 | % | |||
| Percentage of new debt investment commitments at<br><br><br>fixed rates | 18.1 | % | 0.0 | % | 9.0 | % | |||
| Weighted average interest rate of new debt investment commitments^(2)^ | 8.0 | % | 8.0 | % | 7.8 | % | |||
| Weighted average spread over LIBOR of new floating rate debt investment commitments | 7.2 | % | 6.1 | % | 5.0 | % |
________________
| (1) | Number of new investment commitments represents commitments to a particular portfolio company. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Assumes each floating rate commitment is subject to the greater of the interest rate floor (if applicable) or 3-month LIBOR, which was 0.24%, 1.91% and 2.81% as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
| --- | --- |
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our investments consisted of the following:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 2,258,128 | $ | 2,261,996 | ^(1)^ | $ | 1,385,386 | $ | 1,382,256 |
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | 206,266 | 208,328 | 36,147 | 36,236 | |||||
| Unsecured debt investments | 376,454 | 388,602 | — | — | |||||
| Equity investments | 174,250 | 198,411 | 57,303 | 57,453 | |||||
| Total Investments | $ | 3,015,098 | $ | 3,057,337 | $ | 1,478,836 | $ | 1,475,945 |
________________
| (1) | 56% of which we consider unitranche loans. |
|---|
The table below describes investments by industry composition based on fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings and real estate | 1.5 | % | 3.0 | % | ||
| Business services | 18.4 | 26.9 | ||||
| Data and information services | 15.2 | 5.8 | ||||
| eCommerce and digital marketplaces | 1.9 | 0.3 | ||||
| Education | 9.5 | 16.4 | ||||
| Financial services | 7.9 | 1.4 | ||||
| Food and beverage | 8.7 | — | ||||
| Healthcare providers and services | — | 3.1 | ||||
| Healthcare technology | 12.5 | 17.0 | ||||
| Human resource support services | 0.1 | — | ||||
| Insurance | 2.6 | 2.9 | ||||
| Internet and digital media | 3.6 | 8.7 | ||||
| Leisure and entertainment | 2.9 | 4.5 | ||||
| Manufacturing | 2.0 | — | ||||
| Oil and gas | 3.2 | 5.7 | ||||
| Professional services | 1.5 | 3.5 | ||||
| Technology Infrastructure | 8.5 | 0.8 | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
We classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare technology, and business services) and not by the product or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets.
The table below describes investments by geographic composition based on fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States: | ||||||
| Midwest | 7.8 | % | 6.9 | % | ||
| Northeast | 23.9 | 35.9 | ||||
| South | 26.2 | 34.7 | ||||
| West | 28.7 | 17.3 | ||||
| Canada | 4.4 | 3.1 | ||||
| Ireland | — | 2.1 | ||||
| Israel | 4.1 | — | ||||
| United Kingdom | 4.9 | — | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
The weighted average yields and interest rates of our investments at fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weighted average total yield of portfolio | 7.9 | % | 7.9 | % | ||
| Weighted average total yield of debt and income producing<br><br><br>securities | 8.3 | % | 8.2 | % | ||
| Weighted average interest rate of debt securities | 7.6 | % | 7.9 | % | ||
| Weighted average spread over LIBOR of all floating rate<br><br><br>investments | 6.6 | % | 6.0 | % |
The weighted average yield of our debt and income producing securities is not the same as a return on investment for our shareholders but, rather, relates to a portion of our investment portfolio and is calculated before the payment of all of our and our subsidiaries’ fees and expenses. The weighted average yield was computed using the effective interest rates as of each respective date, including accretion of original issue discount and loan origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any. There can be no assurance that the weighted average yield will remain at its current level.
Our Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. It monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if they are meeting their respective business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action with respect to each portfolio company. Our Adviser has several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:
| • | assessment of success of the portfolio company in adhering to its business plan and compliance with covenants; |
|---|---|
| • | periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments; |
| --- | --- |
| • | comparisons to other companies in the portfolio company’s industry; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | review of monthly or quarterly financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies. |
| --- | --- |
As part of the monitoring process, our Adviser employs an investment rating system to categorize our investments. In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, our Adviser rates the credit risk of all investments on a scale of 1 to 5. This system is intended primarily to reflect the underlying risk of a portfolio investment relative to our initial cost basis in respect of such portfolio investment (i.e., at the time of origination or acquisition), although it may also take into account the performance of the portfolio company’s business, the collateral coverage of the investment and other relevant factors. The rating system is as follows:
| Investment Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Investments with a rating of 1 involve the least amount of risk to our initial cost basis. The borrower is performing above expectations, and the trends and risk factors for this investment since origination or acquisition are generally favorable; |
| 2 | Investments rated 2 involve an acceptable level of risk that is similar to the risk at the time of origination or acquisition. The borrower is generally performing as expected and the risk factors are neutral to favorable. All investments or acquired investments in new portfolio companies are initially assessed a rate of 2; |
| 3 | Investments rated 3 involve a borrower performing below expectations and indicates that the loan’s risk has increased somewhat since origination or acquisition; |
| 4 | Investments rated 4 involve a borrower performing materially below expectations and indicates that the loan’s risk has increased materially since origination or acquisition. In addition to the borrower being generally out of compliance with debt covenants, loan payments may be past due (but generally not more than 120 days past due); and |
| 5 | Investments rated 5 involve a borrower performing substantially below expectations and indicates that the loan’s risk has increased substantially since origination or acquisition. Most or all of the debt covenants are out of compliance and payments are substantially delinquent. Loans rated 5 are not anticipated to be repaid in full and we will reduce the fair value of the loan to the amount we anticipate will be recovered. |
Our Adviser rates the investments in our portfolio at least quarterly and it is possible that the rating of a portfolio investment may be reduced or increased over time. For investments rated 3, 4 or 5, our Adviser enhances its level of scrutiny over the monitoring of such portfolio company.
The following table shows the composition of our portfolio on the 1 to 5 rating scale as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Rating | Percentage of<br><br><br>Total Portfolio | Investments<br><br><br>at Fair Value | Percentage of<br><br><br>Total Portfolio | ||||||
| ( in thousands) | |||||||||
| 1 | 483,813 | 15.9 | % | $ | — | — | % | ||
| 2 | 2,511,117 | 82.1 | 1,475,945 | 100.0 | |||||
| 3 | 62,407 | 2.0 | — | — | |||||
| 4 | — | — | — | — | |||||
| 5 | — | — | — | — | |||||
| Total | 3,057,337 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,475,945 | 100.0 | % |
All values are in US Dollars.
The following table shows the amortized cost of our performing and non-accrual debt investments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Percentage | Amortized Cost | Percentage | ||||||
| Performing | $ | 2,840,848 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,421,533 | 100.0 | % | ||
| Non-accrual | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Total | $ | 2,840,848 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,421,533 | 100.0 | % |
Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued 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 is paid current and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. Management may make exceptions to this treatment and determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.
Results of Operations
The following table represents the operating results for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||||
| Total Investment Income | $ | 173.2 | $ | 83.7 | $ | 2.6 | ||
| Less: Expenses | 94.0 | 52.5 | 4.7 | |||||
| Net Investment Income (Loss) Before Taxes | $ | 79.2 | $ | 31.2 | $ | (2.1 | ) | |
| Less: Income taxes, including excise taxes | 0.4 | 0.1 | — | |||||
| Net Investment Income (Loss) After Taxes | $ | 78.8 | $ | 31.1 | $ | (2.1 | ) | |
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) | 43.0 | (2.0 | ) | (1.1 | ) | |||
| Net realized gain (loss) | 0.3 | 1.6 | — | |||||
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | $ | 122.1 | $ | 30.7 | $ | (3.2 | ) |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations can vary from period to period as a result of various factors, including the level of new investment commitments, expenses, the recognition of realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation on the investment portfolio. Additionally, we were initially capitalized on August 7, 2018 and commenced investing activities in September 2018. As a result, comparative period of time information from 2018 may not be meaningful.
Investment Income
Investment income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||
| Interest income (excluding PIK interest income) | $ | 151.0 | $ | 80.2 | $ | 2.6 |
| PIK interest income | 19.1 | 1.1 | — | |||
| Dividend income | 0.4 | — | — | |||
| Other income | 2.7 | 2.4 | — | |||
| Total investment income | $ | 173.2 | $ | 83.7 | $ | 2.6 |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
We generate revenues primarily in the form of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we may generate income from dividends on either direct equity investments or equity interests obtained in connection with originating loans, such as options, warrants or conversion rights.
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Investment income increased to $173.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $83.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 due to an increase in interest income as a result of an increase in our investment portfolio which, at par, increased from $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2019, to $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2020, partially offset by a decrease in our portfolio’s weighted average yield at amortized cost from 7.9% as of December 31, 2019 to 7.8% as of December 31, 2020. Payment-in-kind income increased from approximately 1.4% of interest income for the year ended December 31, 2019 to approximately 11.2% of interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily as a result of adding new investments with contractual payment-in-kind interest to our portfolio. Other income increased period over period due to an increase in incremental fee income, which are fees that are generally available to us as a result of closing investments and normally paid at the time of closing. We expect that investment income will continue to increase provided that our investment portfolio continues to increase.
For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Investment income increased to $83.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 due to an increase in interest income as a result of an increase in our investment portfolio and other income earned.
Expenses
Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||
| Interest expense | $ | 38.6 | $ | 21.7 | $ | 0.5 |
| Management fees | 32.8 | 22.1 | 2.1 | |||
| Incentive fees | 13.4 | 2.6 | — | |||
| Professional fees | 5.4 | 3.3 | 0.9 | |||
| Directors' fees | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | |||
| Initial organization | — | — | 0.4 | |||
| Other general and administrative | 2.9 | 2.2 | 0.6 | |||
| Total expenses | $ | 94.0 | $ | 52.5 | $ | 4.7 |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, we reimburse the Adviser for services performed for us. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or to a third party and we reimburse the Adviser for any services performed for us by such affiliate or third party.
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Total expenses increased by $41.5 million from the year ended December 31, 2019 to the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to an increase in management fees, incentive fees and interest expense. The increase in management fees was driven by growth in the portfolio and growth in unfunded capital commitments period over period. The increase in incentive fees was due to higher pre-incentive fee net investment income and better performance in certain investments. The increase in interest expense was driven by an increase in average daily borrowings to $914 million from $479 million period over period, partially offset by a decrease in the average interest rate from 3.76% to 3.68% period over period.
For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Total expenses increased by $47.8 million from the year ended December 31, 2018 to the year ended December 31, 2019 due to an increase in management fees, incentive fees and interest expense, partially offset by initial organization expenses incurred during the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in management fees was driven by growth in the portfolio and growth in unfunded capital commitments period over period. The increase in interest expense was driven by an increase in average daily borrowings to $479 million from $36 million period over period, partially offset by a decrease in the average interest rate from 5.91% to 3.76% period over period.
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 for tax treatment as a RIC, we must, among other things, distribute to our shareholders 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 tax treatment as a RIC, we, among other things, intend to make the requisite distributions to our shareholders, which generally relieves 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 will accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we accrued U.S. federal excise tax of $410 thousand. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we accrued U.S. federal excise tax of $107 thousand. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not accrue U.S. federal excise tax.
Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
We fair value our portfolio investments quarterly and any changes in fair value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 net change in unrealized gains (losses) were comprised of the following:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | ||||||
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments | $ | 43.3 | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (1.1 | ) | |
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (0.3 | ) | — | — | |||||
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) | $ | 43.0 | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (1.1 | ) |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the net unrealized gain was primarily driven by an increase in the fair value of our debt investments compared to December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of our debt investments as a percentage of principal was 99.3% on our $2.9 billion portfolio, compared to 98.5% on our $1.4 billion portfolio as of December 31, 2019. The primary drivers of our portfolio’s unrealized gains were current market conditions as compared to December 31, 2019, as well as certain over performing investments. See “COVID-19 Developments” for additional information.
The ten largest contributors to the change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 consisted of the following:
| Portfolio Company<br><br><br>($ in millions) | Net Change in Unrealized<br><br><br>Gain (Loss) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle Internet Services, Inc. | $ | 13.3 | |
| Remaining portfolio companies | 9.5 | ||
| Toast, Inc. | 5.4 | ||
| Remitly Global, Inc. | 3.7 | ||
| H&F Opportunities LUX III S.À R.L (dba Checkmarx) | 3.7 | ||
| Poshmark, Inc. | 3.0 | ||
| Algolia, Inc. | 2.8 | ||
| Airbnb, Inc. | 2.5 | ||
| Granicus, Inc. | 2.3 | ||
| DoorDash, Inc. | 2.2 | ||
| MINDBODY, Inc. | (5.4 | ) | |
| Total | $ | 43.0 |
For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the net unrealized loss was primarily driven by a decrease in the fair value of our debt investments compared to December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of our debt investments as a percentage of principal was 98.5% on our $1.4 billion portfolio, compared to 98.5% on our $0.3 billion portfolio as of December 31, 2018.
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
The realized gains and losses on fully exited portfolio companies, partially exited portfolio companies and foreign currency transactions during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were comprised of the following:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments | $ | — | $ | 1.6 | $ | — |
| Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions | 0.3 | — | — | |||
| Net realized gain (loss) | $ | 0.3 | $ | 1.6 | $ | — |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity and capital resources are generated primarily from the proceeds of capital drawdowns of our privately placed Capital Commitments, cash flows from interest, dividends and fees earned from our investments and principal repayments, and our credit facilities. The primary uses of our cash are (i) investments in portfolio companies and other investments and to comply with certain portfolio diversification requirements, (ii) the cost of operations (including paying or reimbursing our Adviser) and (iii) cash distributions to the holders of our shares.
We may from time to time enter into additional debt facilities, increase the size of our existing credit facilities or issue additional debt securities. Additional financings could include SPV drop down facilities and unsecured notes. 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, the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, is at least 150%. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our asset coverage ratio was 191% and 193%, respectively. We seek to carefully consider our unfunded commitments for the purpose of planning our ongoing financial leverage. Further, we maintain sufficient borrowing capacity within the 150% asset coverage limitation to cover any outstanding unfunded commitments we are required to fund.
Cash as of December 31, 2020, taken together with our uncalled Capital Commitments of $1.7 billion and available debt capacity of $1.1 billion, is expected to be sufficient for our investing activities and to conduct our operations in the near term.
As of December 31, 2020, we had $82.2 million in cash. During the period ended December 31, 2020, we used $1,450.5 million in cash for operating activities, primarily as a result of funding portfolio investments of $1,815.2 million, partially offset by sales of portfolio investments of $306.2 million, and other operating activities of $58.5 million. Lastly, cash provided by financing activities was $1,390.4 million during the period, which was the result of proceeds from the issuance of shares, net of offering costs paid, of $655.8 million and proceeds from net borrowing on our credit facilities, net of debt issuance costs, of $783.9 million, net of $49.3 million of distributions paid.
As of December 31, 2019, we had $142.4 million in cash, During the period ended December 31, 2019, we used $1,175.6 million in cash for operating activities, primarily as a result of funding portfolio investments of $1,396.8 million, partially offset by sales of portfolio investments of $186.4 million, and other operating activities of $34.8 million. Lastly, cash provided by financing activities was $994.9 million during the period, which was the result of proceeds from the issuance of shares, net of offering costs paid, of $483.9 million and proceeds from net borrowing on our credit facilities, net of debt issuance costs, of $523.9 million, net of $12.9 million of distributions paid.
Equity
Subscriptions and Drawdowns
In connection with our formation, we have the authority to issue 500,000,000 common shares at $0.01 per share par value.
On August 7, 2018, we issued 100 common shares for $1,500 to Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC, which subsequently became our Adviser on August 10, 2018.
We have entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with investors providing for the private placement of our common shares. Under the terms of the Subscription Agreements, investors are required to fund drawdowns to purchase our common shares up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitment on an as-needed basis each time we deliver a capital call notice to its investors.
As of December 31, 2020, we had $3.1 billion in total Capital Commitments from our investors ($1.7 billion undrawn), of which $72.9 million is from entities affiliated with or related to the Adviser ($37.3 million undrawn). These undrawn Capital Commitments will no longer remain in effect following the completion of an Exchange Listing.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we delivered the following capital call notices to investors:
| Capital Drawdown Notice Date | Common Share Issuance Date | Number of Common Shares Issued | Aggregate Offering Price<br>( in millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 3, 2020 | December 16, 2020 | 663,129 | ||
| September 11, 2020 | September 24, 2020 | 673,401 | ||
| May 6, 2020 | May 19, 2020 | 19,416,820 | ||
| April 15, 2020 | April 28, 2020 | 10,668,889 | ||
| March 11, 2020 | March 24, 2020 | 10,840,780 | ||
| December 30, 2019 | January 13, 2020 | 4,209,097 | ||
| Total | 46,472,116 |
All values are in US Dollars.
On March 3, 2021, we delivered a capital drawdown notice to our investors relating to the sale of approximately 16,644,475 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, expected to close on or about March 16, 2021 for an aggregate offering price of $250.0 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we delivered the following capital call notices to investors:
| Capital Drawdown Notice Date | Common Share Issuance Date | Number of Common Shares Issued | Aggregate Offering Price<br>( in millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 7, 2019 | November 22, 2019 | 6,756,466 | ||
| September 16, 2019 | September 27, 2019 | 4,025,213 | ||
| May 15, 2019 | May 29, 2019 | 10,112,871 | ||
| March 15, 2019 | March 28, 2019 | 11,838,390 | ||
| Total | 32,732,940 |
All values are in US Dollars.
Distributions
The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| November 3, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 4, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | $ | 0.22 |
| May 5, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | $ | 0.20 |
| February 19, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
On February 23, 2021, our Board declared a distribution of 90% of estimated first quarter taxable income for shareholders of record on March 31, 2021, payable on or before May 14, 2021.
The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| October 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | January 31, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 7, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | $ | 0.25 |
| May 8, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | August 15, 2019 | $ | 0.14 |
| February 27, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | $ | 0.05 |
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not declare any distributions on shares of our common stock.
Dividend Reinvestment
With respect to distributions, we adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for common shareholders. As a result, in the event of a declared distribution, each shareholder that has not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving cash distributions.
Shareholders 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.
The following table reflects the common stock issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Shares | |
| August 4, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | 383,937 | |
| May 5, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | 354,998 | |
| February 19, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | 295,497 | |
| October 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | January 31, 2020 | 227,554 |
The following table reflects the common stock issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Shares | |
| August 7, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | 224,683 | |
| May 8, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | August 15, 2019 | 122,495 | |
| February 27, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | 32,953 |
Debt
Aggregate Borrowings
Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Aggregate Principal Committed | Outstanding Principal | Amount Available^(1)^ | Net Carrying Value^(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)^ | ||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 700,000 | $ | 105,849 | $ | 557,328 | $ | 103,970 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 590,000 | 68,347 | 521,653 | 62,037 | ||||
| SPV Asset Facility I | 300,000 | 290,000 | 10,000 | 286,309 | ||||
| June 2025 Notes | 210,000 | 210,000 | — | 205,011 | ||||
| December 2025 Notes | 400,000 | 400,000 | — | 391,931 | ||||
| June 2026 Notes | 375,000 | 375,000 | — | 367,804 | ||||
| CLO 2020-1 | 200,000 | 200,000 | — | 197,056 | ||||
| Total Debt | $ | 2,775,000 | $ | 1,649,196 | $ | 1,088,981 | $ | 1,614,118 |
________________
| (1) | The amount available reflects any limitations related to each credit facility’s borrowing base. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) | The carrying value of our Subscription Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.9 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (3) | The carrying value of our Revolving Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $6.3 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (4) | The carrying value of our SPV Asset Facility I is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.7 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (5) | The carrying value of our June 2025 Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $5.0 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (6) | The carrying value of our December 2025 Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $8.1 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (7) | The carrying value of our June 2026 Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7.2 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (8) | The carrying value of our CLO 2020-1 is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ($ in thousands) | Aggregate Principal Committed | Outstanding Principal | Amount Available^(1)^ | Net Carrying Value^(2)(3)^ | ||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 900,000 | $ | 645,712 | $ | 103,399 | $ | 641,739 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 305,000 | 185,000 | 120,000 | 182,058 | ||||
| Total Debt | $ | 1,205,000 | $ | 830,712 | $ | 223,399 | $ | 823,797 |
________________
| (1) | The amount available reflects any limitations related to each credit facility’s borrowing base. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The carrying value of our Subscription Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $4.0 million. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | The carrying value of our Revolving Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million. |
| --- | --- |
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the components of interest expense were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | ||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 34,197 | $ | 19,478 | $ | 349 | |||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 4,372 | 2,202 | 102 | ||||||
| Total Interest Expense | $ | 38,569 | $ | 21,680 | $ | 451 | |||
| Average interest rate | 3.68 | % | 3.76 | % | 5.91 | % | |||
| Average daily borrowings | $ | 914,266 | $ | 479,115 | $ | 36,163 |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
Subscription Credit Facility
On November 19, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), we entered into a revolving credit facility (the “Subscription Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”) as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), as lenders.
The maximum principal amount of the Subscription Credit Facility is $700 million which decreased from $750 million on June 29, 2020, and previously decreased from $800 million to $750 million on June 3, 2020 and from $900 to $800 million on May 20, 2020. The Subscription Credit Facility previously increased from $800 million to $900 million on December 19, 2019, $700 million to $800 million on August 20, 2019, $500 million to $700 million on June 24, 2019, $450 million to $500 million on March 8, 2019 and from $350 million to $450 million on February 25, 2019, subject to availability under the borrowing base, which is based on unused capital commitments. The Subscription Credit Facility includes a provision permitting us to further increase the size of the Subscription Credit Facility under certain circumstances up to a maximum principal amount not to exceed $1 billion, if the existing or new lenders agree to commit to such further increase. Borrowings under the Subscription Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s election at the time of drawdown, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of LIBOR rate loans, an adjusted LIBOR rate for the applicable interest period plus 1.50% or (ii) in the case of reference rate loans, the greatest of (A) a prime rate plus 0.50%, (B) the federal funds rate plus 1.00%, and (C) one-month LIBOR plus 1.50%. We generally borrow utilizing LIBOR loans, generally electing one-month LIBOR upon borrowing. Loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time at the Company’s election, subject to certain conditions. We also will pay an unused commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the unused commitments.
The Subscription Credit Facility will mature upon the earliest of: (i) the date three (3) years from the Closing Date (the “Subscription Credit Facility Stated Maturity Date”); (ii) the date upon which the Administrative Agent declares the obligations under the Subscription Credit Facility due and payable after the occurrence of an event of default; (iii) forty-five (45) days prior to the scheduled termination of the commitment period under our subscription agreements; (iv) forty-five (45) days prior to the date of any listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange; (v) the termination of the commitment period under our subscription agreements (if earlier than the scheduled date); and (vi) the date we terminate the commitments pursuant to the Subscription Credit Facility. At our option, the Subscription Credit Facility Stated Maturity Date may be extended by up to 364 days, subject to satisfaction of customary conditions.
The Subscription Credit Facility is secured by a perfected first priority security interest in our right, title, and interest in and to the capital commitments of our private investors, including our right to make capital calls, receive and apply capital contributions, enforce remedies and claims related thereto together with capital call proceeds and related rights, and a pledge of the collateral account into which capital call proceeds are deposited.
The Subscription Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including certain limitations on the incurrence by us of additional indebtedness and on our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, or redeem, repurchase or retire shares of stock, upon the occurrence of certain events, and customary events of default (with customary cure and notice provisions).
Transfers of interests by our investors must comply with certain sections of the Subscription Credit Facility and we shall notify the Administrative Agent before such transfers take place. Such transfers may trigger mandatory prepayment obligations.
Revolving Credit Facility
On March 15, 2019, we entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated September 3, 2020 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The parties to the Revolving Credit Facility include us, as Borrower, the lenders from time to time parties thereto (each a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”) and Truist Securities, Inc. and ING Capital LLC as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank) as Administrative Agent.
The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by OR Tech Lending LLC and will be guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries that are formed or acquired by us in the future (collectively, the “Guarantors”).
On September 3, 2020, we entered into the First Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”), which amended that the Revolving Credit Facility. Among other changes, the Amendment (a) increased the aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $240 million to $540 million; (b) increased the accordion feature, which allows us, under certain circumstances, to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility, from $750 million to $1.25 billion and (c) (i) extended the stated maturity date from March 15, 2023 to September 3, 2025 and (ii) extended the commitment termination date from March 15, 2022 to September 3, 2024.
The maximum principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility is $590 million (increased from $540 million on December 8, 2020; previously increased from $365 million on September 3, 2020; previously increased on July 31, 2020 from $315 million to $365 million; previously increased on July 10, 2020 from $305 million to $315 million; previously increased on July 26, 2019 from $280 million to $305 million; previously increased on May 2, 2019 from $240 million to $280 million), subject to availability under the borrowing base, which is based on our portfolio of investments and other outstanding indebtedness. Maximum capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased to $1.25 billion through the exercise by us of an uncommitted accordion feature through which existing and new lenders may, at their option, agree to provide additional financing (increased from $750 million on September 3, 2020). The Revolving Credit Facility includes a $50 million limit for swingline loans and is secured by a perfected first-priority interest in substantially all of the portfolio investments held by us and each Guarantor, subject to certain exceptions.
The availability period under the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on September 3, 2024 (“Commitment Termination Date”) and the Revolving Credit Facility will mature on September 3, 2025 (“Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date”). During the period from the Commitment Termination Date to the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date, we will be obligated to make mandatory prepayments under the Revolving Credit Facility out of the proceeds of certain asset sales and other recovery events and equity and debt issuances.
We may borrow amounts in U.S. dollars or certain other permitted currencies. Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest at either LIBOR plus 2.00%, or base rate plus 1.00%. We may elect either the LIBOR or prime rate at the time of drawdown, and loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time at our option, subject to certain conditions. We generally borrow utilizing LIBOR loans, generally electing one-month LIBOR upon borrowing. We will also pay a fee of 0.375% on undrawn amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Revolving Credit Facility includes customary covenants, including certain limitations on the incurrence by us of additional indebtedness and on our ability to make distributions to its shareholders, or redeem, repurchase or retire shares of stock, upon the occurrence of certain events and certain financial covenants related to asset coverage and liquidity and other maintenance covenants, as well as customary events of default.
SPV Asset Facility I
On August 11, 2020 (the “SPV Asset Facility I Closing Date”), OR Tech Financing I LLC (OR Tech Financing I”), a Delaware limited liability company and our newly formed subsidiary entered into a Credit Agreement (the “SPV Asset Facility I”), with OR Tech Financing I, as borrower, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, as initial Lender, Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Document Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Collateral Agent, Collateral Administrator and Custodian and the lenders from time to time party thereto pursuant to Assignment and Assumption Agreements.
From time to time, we expect to sell and contribute certain investments to OR Tech Financing I pursuant to a Sale and Contribution Agreement by and between us and OR Tech Financing I. No gain or loss will be recognized as a result of the contribution. Proceeds from the SPV Asset Facility I will be used to finance the origination and acquisition of eligible assets by OR Tech Financing I, including the purchase of such assets from us. We retain a residual interest in assets contributed to or acquired by OR Tech Financing I through our ownership of OR Tech Financing I. The total term loan commitment of the SPV Asset Facility I is
$300 million. The availability of the commitments are subject to a ramp up period and subject to an overcollateralization ratio test, which is based on the value of OR Tech Financing I assets from time to time, and satisfaction of certain other tests and conditions, including an advance rate test, interest coverage ratio test, certain concentration limits and collateral quality tests.
The SPV Asset Facility I provides for the ability to draw term loans for a period of up to two years after the Closing Date unless the commitments are terminated as provided in the SPV Asset Facility I (the “Commitment Termination Date”). Unless otherwise terminated, the SPV Asset Facility I will mature on August 12, 2030 (the “SPV Asset Facility I Stated Maturity”). Prior to the SPV Asset Facility I Stated Maturity, proceeds received by OR Tech Financing I from principal and interest, dividends, or fees on assets must be used to pay fees, expenses and interest on outstanding borrowings, and the excess may be returned to us, subject to certain conditions. On the SPV Asset Facility I Stated Maturity, OR Tech Financing I must pay in full all outstanding fees and expenses and all principal and interest on outstanding borrowings, and the excess may be returned to us.
Amounts drawn bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 3.50%. The SPV Asset Facility I contains customary covenants, limitations on the activities of OR Tech Financing I, including limitations on incurrence of incremental indebtedness, and customary events of default. The SPV Asset Facility I is secured by a perfected first priority security interest in the assets of OR Tech Financing I and on any payments received by OR Tech Financing I in respect of those assets. Assets pledged to the Lenders will not be available to pay our debts.
Unsecured Notes
June 2025 Notes
On June 12, 2020, we issued $210 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% notes due 2025 (the “June 2025 Notes”) in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and for initial resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. The June 2025 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.
The June 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of June 12, 2020 (the “Base Indenture”), between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 12, 2020 (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “June 2025 Indenture”), between us and the Trustee. The June 2025 Notes will mature on June 30, 2025 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the June 2025 Indenture. The June 2025 Notes initially bear interest at a rate of 6.75% per year payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing on December 30, 2020. As described in the First Supplemental Indenture, if the June 2025 Notes cease to have an investment grade rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (or if Kroll Bond Rating Agency ceases to rate the June 2025 Notes or fails to make a rating of the June 2025 Notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), selected by us as a replacement agency for Kroll Bond Rating Agency) (an “Interest Rate Adjustment Event”), the interest rate on the June 2025 Notes will increase to 7.50% from the date of the Interest Rate Adjustment Event until the date on which the June 2025 Notes next again receive an investment grade rating. The June 2025 Notes will be our direct, general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the June 2025 Notes. The June 2025 Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of our existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior. The June 2025 Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our future secured indebtedness or other obligations. The June 2025 Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by the Company`s subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The June 2025 Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, as amended, whether or not it is subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the holders of the June 2025 Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the June 2025 Indenture.
In addition, if a change of control repurchase event, as defined in the June 2025 Indenture, occurs prior to maturity, holders of the June 2025 Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash some or all of the June 2025 Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the June 2025 Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
December 2025 Notes
On September 23, 2020, we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.75% notes due 2025 (the “December 2025 Notes”) in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and for initial resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. The December 2025 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.
The December 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to the Base Indenture and a Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 23, 2020 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “December 2025 Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee. The December 2025 Notes will mature on December 15, 2025 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the December 2025 Indenture. The December 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.75% per year payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on December 15, 2020. The December 2025 Notes will be our direct, general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the December 2025 Notes. The December 2025 Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior. The December 2025 Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The December 2025 Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by the our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, whether or not it is subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the holders of the December 2025 Notes and the Trustee we no longer are subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act, as amended. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture. In addition, if a change of control repurchase event, as defined in the December 2025 Indenture, occurs prior to maturity, holders of the December 2025 Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash some or all of the December 2025 Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the December 2025 Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
June 2026 Notes
On December 17, 2020, we issued $375 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% notes due 2026 (the “June 2026 Notes”) in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and for initial to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. The June 2026 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.
The June 2026 Notes were issued pursuant to the Base Indenture and a Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 17, 2020 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “June 2026 Indenture”), between us and the Trustee. The June 2026 Notes will mature on June 17, 2026 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the June 2026 Indenture. The June 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.75% per year payable semi-annually on June 17 and December 17 of each year, commencing on June 17, 2021. The June 2026 Notes will be our direct, general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the June 2026 Notes. The June 2026 Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of our existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior to the June 2026 Notes. The June 2026 Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The June 2026 Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The June 2026 Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, whether or not it is subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the holders of the June 2026 Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.
In addition, if a change of control repurchase event, as defined in the June 2026 Indenture, occurs prior to maturity, holders of the June 2026 Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash some or all of the June 2026 Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the June 2026 Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
CLO 2020-1
On December 16, 2020 (the “CLO 2020-1 Closing Date”), the Company completed a $333.5 million term debt securitization transaction (the “CLO 2020-1 Transaction”), also known as a collateralized loan obligation transaction, which is a form of secured financing incurred by the Company. The secured notes and preferred shares issued in the CLO 2020-1 Transaction were issued by the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman
Islands with limited liability (the “Issuer”), and Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “CLO 2020-1 Co-Issuer” and together with the CLO 2020-1 Issuer, the “CLO 2020-1 Issuers”) and are backed by a portfolio of collateral obligations consisting of middle market loans, recurring revenue loans and participation interests in middle market loans, recurring revenue loans as well as by other assets of the CLO 2020-1 Issuer.
The CLO 2020-1 Transaction was executed by the issuance of the following classes of notes and preferred shares pursuant to an indenture and security agreement dated as of the Closing Date (the “CLO 2020-1 Indenture”), by and among the CLO 2020-1 Issuers and State Street Bank and Trust Company: $200 million of A (sf) Class A Notes, which bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 2.95% (the “CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes”). The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes are secured by the middle market loans, recurring revenue loans, participation interests in middle market loans and recurring revenue loans and other assets of the Issuer. The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes are scheduled to mature on January 15, 2031. The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes were offered by MUFG Securities Americas Inc., as initial purchaser, from time to time in individually negotiated transactions. Upon the occurrence of certain triggering events relating to the end of LIBOR, a different benchmark rate will replace LIBOR as the reference rate for interest accruing on the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes.
Concurrently with the issuance of the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes, the CLO 2020-1 Issuer issued approximately $133.5 million of subordinated securities in the form of 133,500 preferred shares at an issue price of U.S.$1,000 per share (the “CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares”). The CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares were issued by the CLO 2020-1 Issuer as part of its issued share capital and are not secured by the collateral securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes. The Company purchased all of the CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares. The Company acts as retention holder in connection with the CLO 2020-1 Transaction for the purposes of satisfying certain U.S. and European Union regulations requiring sponsors of securitization transactions to retain exposure to the performance of the securitized assets and as such is required to retain a portion of the CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares.
As part of the CLO 2020-1 Transaction, the Company entered into a loan sale agreement with the CLO 2020-1 Issuer dated as of the Closing Date, which provided for the sale and contribution of approximately $243.4 million par amount of middle market loans and recurring revenue loans from the Company to the CLO 2020-1 Issuer on the Closing Date and for future sales from the Company to the CLO 2020-1 Issuer on an ongoing basis. Such loans constituted part of the initial portfolio of assets securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes. The Company made customary representations, warranties, and covenants to the CLO 2020-1 Issuer under the loan sale agreement.
Through January 15, 2022, the net proceeds of the issuing of the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes not used to purchase the initial portfolio of loans securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes and a portion of the proceeds received by the CLO 2020-1 Issuer from the loans securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes may be used by the CLO 2020-1 Issuer to purchase additional middle market loans and recurring revenue loans under the direction of the Adviser, in its capacity as collateral manager for the CLO 2020-1 Issuer and in accordance with the Company’s investing strategy and ability to originate eligible middle market loans and recurring revenue loans.
The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes are the secured obligation of the CLO 2020-1 Issuers, and the CLO 2020-1 Indenture includes customary covenants and events of default. The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities (e.g., “blue sky”) laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or pursuant to an applicable exemption from such registration.
The Adviser will serve as collateral manager for the CLO 2020-1 Issuer under a collateral management agreement dated as of the Closing Date. The Adviser is entitled to receive fees for providing these services. The Adviser has waived its right to receive such fees but may rescind such waiver at any time; provided, however, that if the Adviser rescinds such waiver, the management fee payable to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated August 10, 2018, between the Adviser and the Company will be offset by the amount of the collateral management fee attributable to the CLO 2020-1 Issuers’ equity or notes owned by the Company.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Portfolio Company Commitments
From time to time, we may enter into commitments to fund investments. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had the following outstanding commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:
| Portfolio Company | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ( in thousands) | ||||
| Intelerad Medical Systems Incorporated (fka 11849573 Canada Inc.) | $ | 6,040 | $ | — |
| 3ES Innovation Inc. (dba Aucerna) | 4,580 | 4,580 | ||
| Acquia Inc. | 11,789 | 14,158 | ||
| Apptio, Inc. | 3,269 | 3,269 | ||
| AxiomSL Group, Inc. | 12,737 | — | ||
| BCTO BSI Buyer, Inc. (dba Buildertrend) | 7,500 | — | ||
| Certify, Inc. | — | 3,422 | ||
| Certify, Inc. | 1,711 | 1,939 | ||
| H&F Opportunities LUX III S.À R.L (dba Checkmarx) | 25,000 | — | ||
| Reef Global, Inc. (fka Cheese Acquisition, LLC) | 1,494 | 4,545 | ||
| ConnectWise, LLC | 10,428 | 13,904 | ||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC | 17,826 | 21,739 | ||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC | 5,435 | 5,435 | ||
| Diligent Corporation | 4,570 | — | ||
| Diligent Corporation | 1,523 | — | ||
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc. | 6,923 | 6,923 | ||
| Forescout Technologies, Inc. | 8,333 | — | ||
| Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc. | 3,647 | 3,647 | ||
| Granicus, Inc. | 4,110 | — | ||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware) | 1,957 | 12,159 | ||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware) | 2,844 | 684 | ||
| Instructure, Inc. | 7,405 | — | ||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC | — | 4,179 | ||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC | — | 8,206 | ||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC | 3,736 | 3,736 | ||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc. | 10,000 | 10,000 | ||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc. | — | 5,000 | ||
| Kaseya Inc. | — | 3,045 | ||
| Kaseya Inc. | 2,800 | — | ||
| Kaseya Inc. | 1,250 | 1,050 | ||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions) | — | 1,309 | ||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions) | 6,642 | 3,946 | ||
| Litera Bidco LLC | 8,250 | 8,250 |
All values are in US Dollars.
| Portfolio Company | Investment | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MINDBODY, Inc. | First lien senior secured revolving loan | 7,143 | 7,143 | ||
| Maverick Bidco Inc. | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | 6,818 | — | ||
| Paysimple, Inc. | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | — | 10,432 | ||
| Project Power Buyer, LLC (dba PEC-Veriforce) | First lien senior secured revolving loan | 3,750 | 3,750 | ||
| RxSense Holdings, LLC | First lien senior secured revolving loan | — | 1,415 | ||
| Total Unfunded Portfolio Company Commitments | $ | 199,510 | $ | 167,865 |
We maintain sufficient borrowing capacity along with undrawn Capital Commitments to cover outstanding unfunded portfolio company commitments that we may be required to fund. We seek to carefully construct our unfunded portfolio company commitments for purposes of planning our ongoing financial leverage. Further, we maintain sufficient borrowing capacity within the 150% asset coverage ratio, along with undrawn Capital Commitments from our investors, to cover any outstanding portfolio company unfunded commitments we are required to fund.
Investor Commitments
As of December 31, 2020, we had $3.1 billion in total Capital Commitments from our investors ($1.7 billion undrawn), of which $72.9 million is from an affiliate of our Adviser ($37.3 million undrawn). These undrawn Capital Commitments will no longer remain in effect following the completion of an initial public offering of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2019, we had $2.5 billion in total Capital Commitments from our investors ($1.7 billion undrawn), of which $68.5 million is from an affiliate of our Adviser ($48.2 million undrawn). These undrawn Capital Commitments will no longer remain in effect following the completion of an initial public offering of our common stock.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, we may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business. At December 31, 2020, management was not aware of any pending or threatened litigation.
Contractual Obligations
A summary of our contractual payment obligations under our credit facilities as of December 31, 2020, is as follows:
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | After 5 years | |||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 105.9 | $ | 105.9 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 68.3 | — | — | 68.3 | — | |||||
| SPV Asset Facility I | 290.0 | — | — | — | 290.0 | |||||
| June 2025 Notes | 210.0 | — | — | 210.0 | — | |||||
| December 2025 Notes | 400.0 | — | — | 400.0 | — | |||||
| June 2026 Notes | 375.0 | — | — | — | 375.0 | |||||
| CLO 2020-1 | 200.0 | — | — | — | 200.0 | |||||
| Total Contractual Obligations | $ | 1,649.2 | $ | 105.9 | $ | — | $ | 678.3 | $ | 865.0 |
Related-Party Transactions
We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:
| • | the Investment Advisory Agreement; |
|---|---|
| • | the Administration Agreement; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the Dealer Manager Agreement; |
| --- | --- |
| • | the Placement Agent Agreement; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | the License Agreement. |
| --- | --- |
In addition to the aforementioned agreements, we intend to rely on exemptive relief that has been granted to ORCA and certain of its affiliates to permit us to co-invest with other funds managed by the Owl Rock Advisors, including the Owl Rock Clients, in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. See “ITEM 1. – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 3. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” for further details.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of the 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 should be read in connection with our risk factors as described in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.”
Investments at Fair Value
Investment transactions 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 using the specific identification method 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, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.
Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at the bid price of 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 firm(s) 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: the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company (i.e., the total fair value of the portfolio company’s 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:
| • | With respect to investments for which market quotations are readily available, those investments will typically be valued at the bid price of those market quotations; |
|---|---|
| • | With respect to investment for which market quotations are not readily available, the valuation process begins with the independent valuation firm(s) providing a preliminary valuation of each investment to the Adviser’s valuation committee; |
| --- | --- |
| • | Preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with the Adviser’s valuation committee. Agreed upon valuation recommendations are presented to the Audit Committee; |
| --- | --- |
| • | The Audit Committee reviews the valuations recommendations and recommends values for each investment to the Board; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | The Board reviews the recommended valuations and determines the fair value of each investment. |
| --- | --- |
We conduct this valuation process on a quarterly basis.
We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“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 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:
| • | Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. |
|---|---|
| • | Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
| --- | --- |
Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurred. 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 the 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 an investment is valued based on prices provided by reputable dealers or pricing services (that is, broker quotes), we subject those prices to various 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, or the independent valuation firm(s), review pricing support provided by dealers or pricing services in order to determine if observable market information is being used, versus unobservable inputs.
Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may 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 we 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 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.
Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act was recently adopted by the SEC and establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. We intend to comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the compliance date in September 2022.
Interest and Dividend Income Recognition
Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts or premiums. Certain investments may have contractual payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest or dividends. PIK interest represents accrued interest that is added to the principal amount of the investment on the respective interest payment dates rather than being paid in cash and generally becomes due at maturity. Discounts and premiums to par value on securities purchased are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts or premiums, if any. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment premiums, unamortized upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts are recorded as interest income in the current period.
Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued 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. If at any point that we believe PIK interest is not expected to be realized, the investment generating PIK interest will be placed on non-accrual status. When a PIK investment is placed on non-accrual status, the accrued, uncapitalized interest or dividends are generally reversed through interest income. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid current and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. Management may make exceptions to this treatment and determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.
Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on the 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.
Distributions
We have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To obtain and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we must distribute (or be deemed to distribute) in each taxable year distribution for tax purposes equal to at least 90 percent of the sum of our:
| • | investment company taxable income (which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of realized short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, for such taxable year; and |
|---|---|
| • | net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions) for such taxable year. |
| --- | --- |
As a RIC, we (but not our shareholders) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to our shareholders.
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 can be expected to carry forward our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions, and pay the U.S. federal excise tax as described below.
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. We may be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax if we do not distribute (or are treated as distributing) during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:
| • | 98% of our net ordinary income excluding certain ordinary gains or losses for that calendar year; |
|---|---|
| • | 98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of that calendar year; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | 100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years. |
| --- | --- |
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 and as a result, in such cases, the excise tax will be imposed. In such an 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 distributions to our shareholders out of assets legally available for distribution. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our tax treatment as a RIC, 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 shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the source of a distribution to our shareholders may be the original capital invested by the shareholder rather than our income or gains. Shareholders should read 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 shareholders. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend or other distribution, each shareholder 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 distributions. Shareholders 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.
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 beginning with the taxable period ending December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 and intend to continue to qualify as a RIC. So long as we maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute at least annually to our shareholders as dividends. Instead, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by us represents obligations of our investors and will not be reflected in our consolidated financial statements.
To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, to qualify for RIC tax treatment, we must distribute to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income” for that year, which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of our realized net short-term capital gains over our realized net long-term capital losses. In order for us not to be subject to U.S. federal excise taxes, we must distribute annually an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of our net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (iii) any net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. We, at our discretion, may carry forward taxable income in excess of calendar year dividends and pay a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on this income.
We evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing our consolidated financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reserved and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. There were no material uncertain tax positions through December 31, 2020. The 2018 and 2019 tax years remain subject to examination by U.S. federal, state, and local tax authorities.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Uncertainty with respect to the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak has introduced significant volatility in the financial markets, and the effect of the volatility could materially impact our market risks, including those listed below. We are subject to financial market risks, including valuation risk and interest rate 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 therefore, we will value these investments 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 firm(s) engaged at the direction of the Board, and 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 intend to fund portions of our investments with borrowings, and at such time, our net investment income will be 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.
As of December 31, 2020, 88.8% of our debt investments based on fair value in our portfolio were at floating rates. Additionally, the weighted average LIBOR floor, based on fair value, of our debt investments was 0.91%.
Based on our Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020, the following table shows the annualized impact on net income of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates on our debt investments (considering interest rate floors for floating rate instruments) assuming each floating rate investment is subject to 3-month LIBOR and there are no changes in our investment and borrowing structure:
| ($ in millions) | Interest Income | Interest Expense | Net Income | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up 300 basis points | $ | 59.3 | $ | 19.9 | $ | 39.4 | |||
| Up 200 basis points | $ | 33.6 | $ | 13.3 | $ | 20.3 | |||
| Up 100 basis points | $ | 7.9 | $ | 6.6 | $ | 1.3 | |||
| Up 50 basis points | $ | 1.1 | $ | 3.3 | $ | (2.2 | ) | ||
| Down 25 basis points | $ | (0.5 | ) | $ | (1.6 | ) | $ | 1.1 | |
| Down 50 basis points | $ | (0.5 | ) | $ | (1.8 | ) | $ | 1.3 |
We may in the future hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using hedging instruments such as 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 lower 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 credit facilities. Instead of entering into a foreign currency 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 credit facilities, we may seek to utilize interest rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to changes in the associated rate.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 |
|---|---|
| Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020 & 2019 | F-3 |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 & 2018 | F-4 |
| Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2020 & 2019 | F-5 |
| Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 & 2018 | F-15 |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 & 2018 | F-16 |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F-17 |
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedules of investments, of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedule of investments, of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 (not presented herein), and we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the Senior Securities table of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, appearing on page 72, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements from which it has been derived.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements 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 of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits 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. 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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 by correspondence with the custodians, administrative agents and portfolio companies; when replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
March 4, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
F-2
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| December 31, 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Investments at fair value | |||
| Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments (amortized cost of 2,915,096 and 1,478,836, respectively) | 2,957,337 | $ | 1,475,945 |
| Non-controlled, affiliated investments (amortized cost of 100,002 and 0, respectively) | 100,000 | — | |
| Total investments at fair value (amortized cost of 3,015,098 and 1,478,836, respectively) | 3,057,337 | 1,475,945 | |
| Cash | 82,236 | 142,363 | |
| Interest receivable | 17,304 | 6,127 | |
| Dividend income receivable | 375 | — | |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 611 | 562 | |
| Total Assets | 3,157,863 | $ | 1,624,997 |
| Liabilities | |||
| Debt (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of 35,079 and 6,915, respectively) | 1,614,118 | $ | 823,797 |
| Management fee payable | 9,335 | 6,811 | |
| Distribution payable | 21,107 | 11,776 | |
| Incentive fee payable | 6,682 | 1,379 | |
| Payables to affiliates | 2,271 | 1,159 | |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 7,471 | 2,903 | |
| Total Liabilities | 1,660,984 | $ | 847,825 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) | |||
| Net Assets | |||
| Common shares 0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 100,586,224 and<br> 52,852,122 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | 1,006 | $ | 529 |
| Additional paid-in-capital | 1,449,943 | 776,603 | |
| Total distributable earnings (losses) | 45,930 | 40 | |
| Total Net Assets | 1,496,879 | $ | 777,172 |
| Total Liabilities and Net Assets | 3,157,863 | $ | 1,624,997 |
| Net Asset Value Per Share | 14.88 | $ | 14.70 |
All values are in US Dollars.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||||||
| Investment Income | |||||||||
| Investment income from non-controlled, non-affiliated investments: | |||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 151,011 | $ | 80,256 | $ | 2,561 | |||
| Payment-in-kind interest income | 19,110 | 1,090 | — | ||||||
| Other income | 2,709 | 2,366 | 44 | ||||||
| Total investment income from non-controlled, non-affiliated investments | 172,830 | 83,712 | 2,605 | ||||||
| Investment income from non-controlled, affiliated investments: | |||||||||
| Dividend income | 375 | — | — | ||||||
| Total investment income from non-controlled, affiliated investments | 375 | — | — | ||||||
| Total Investment Income | 173,205 | 83,712 | 2,605 | ||||||
| Expenses | |||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 38,569 | $ | 21,680 | $ | 451 | |||
| Management fees | 32,831 | 22,085 | 2,147 | ||||||
| Incentive fees | 13,414 | 2,622 | — | ||||||
| Professional fees | 5,437 | 3,308 | 930 | ||||||
| Directors' fees | 845 | 622 | 194 | ||||||
| Initial organization | — | — | 397 | ||||||
| Other general and administrative | 2,887 | 2,215 | 600 | ||||||
| Total Expenses | 93,983 | 52,532 | 4,719 | ||||||
| Net Investment Income (Loss) Before Taxes | 79,222 | 31,180 | (2,114 | ) | |||||
| Excise tax expense | 410 | 107 | — | ||||||
| Net Investment Income (Loss) After Taxes | 78,812 | 31,073 | (2,114 | ) | |||||
| Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) | |||||||||
| Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments | $ | 43,329 | $ | (1,948 | ) | $ | (1,052 | ) | |
| Non-controlled, affiliated investments | (2 | ) | — | — | |||||
| Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | (274 | ) | (5 | ) | — | ||||
| Total Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) | 43,053 | (1,953 | ) | (1,052 | ) | ||||
| Net Realized Gain (Loss): | |||||||||
| Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments | $ | (26 | ) | $ | 1,560 | $ | — | ||
| Non-controlled, affiliated investments | — | — | — | ||||||
| Foreign currency transactions | 278 | 56 | — | ||||||
| Total Net Realized Gain (Loss) | 252 | 1,616 | — | ||||||
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | $ | 122,117 | $ | 30,736 | $ | (3,166 | ) | ||
| Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic and Diluted | $ | 1.43 | $ | 0.84 | $ | (0.34 | ) | ||
| Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted | 85,371,169 | 36,696,078 | 9,344,401 |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-4
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2020
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(19)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio company debt investments | ||||||||||||||
| Buildings and real estate | ||||||||||||||
| Reef Global, Inc. (fka Cheese Acquisition, LLC)^(4)(8)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.0% (incl. 1.25% PIK) | 11/28/2024 | $ | 37,292 | $ | 36,931 | $ | 35,614 | 2.4 | % | |||
| Reef Global, Inc. (fka Cheese Acquisition, LLC)^(4)(5)(13)(15)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 4.75% | 11/28/2023 | 3,052 | 3,026 | 2,847 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Imperial Parking Canada^(4)(10)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | C + 6.25% (incl. 1.25% PIK) | 11/28/2024 | 7,708 | 7,378 | 7,361 | 0.5 | % | ||||||
| 48,052 | 47,335 | 45,822 | 3.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Business services | ||||||||||||||
| Apptio, Inc.^(4)(8)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.25% | 1/10/2025 | 59,901 | 58,794 | 59,602 | 4.0 | % | ||||||
| Apptio, Inc.^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.25% | 1/10/2025 | - | (44 | ) | (16 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Certify, Inc.^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 2/28/2024 | 57,039 | 56,529 | 56,753 | 3.8 | % | ||||||
| Certify, Inc.^(4)(5)(15)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 2/28/2024 | 570 | 552 | 559 | - | % | ||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc.^(4)(7)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 8.00% | 5/22/2023 | 25,000 | 24,903 | 25,000 | 1.7 | % | ||||||
| ConnectWise, LLC^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.25% | 2/28/2025 | 126,689 | 125,512 | 126,689 | 8.4 | % | ||||||
| ConnectWise, LLC^(4)(5)(13)(15)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.25% | 2/28/2025 | 3,476 | 3,354 | 3,476 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Diligent Corporation^(4)(8)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.25% | 8/4/2025 | 18,813 | 18,374 | 18,436 | 1.2 | % | ||||||
| Diligent Corporation^(4)(15)(16)(17)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 6.25% | 2/4/2022 | - | (105 | ) | (91 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Diligent Corporation^(4)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.25% | 8/4/2025 | - | (35 | ) | (30 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Hyland Software, Inc.^(4)(5)(13)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 7/7/2025 | 32,940 | 32,547 | 33,131 | 2.2 | % | ||||||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware)^(4)(7)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 5/24/2024 | 40,704 | 40,303 | 40,092 | 2.7 | % | ||||||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware)^(4)(8)(15)(17)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.75% | 12/2/2021 | 1,957 | 1,913 | 1,910 | 0.1 | % | ||||||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware)^(4)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 5/24/2024 | - | (27 | ) | (43 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Kaseya Traverse Inc.^(4)(8)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% (incl. 3.00% PIK) | 5/2/2025 | 36,336 | 35,824 | 36,065 | 2.4 | % | ||||||
| Kaseya Traverse Inc.^(4)(8)(15)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.50% | 5/2/2025 | 1,201 | 1,165 | 1,182 | 0.1 | % | ||||||
| Kaseya Traverse Inc.^(4)(15)(16)(17)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 7.00% (incl. 3.00% PIK) | 3/4/2022 | - | (29 | ) | - | - | % | |||||
| Paysimple, Inc.^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.50% | 8/23/2025 | 44,734 | 44,103 | 43,280 | 2.9 | % | ||||||
| Paysimple, Inc.^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.50% | 8/23/2025 | 14,558 | 14,312 | 14,085 | 0.9 | % | ||||||
| SURF HOLDINGS, LLC (dba Sophos Group plc)^(4)(7)(13)(22)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 8.00% | 3/6/2028 | 50,481 | 49,322 | 49,976 | 3.3 | % | ||||||
| 514,399 | 507,267 | 510,056 | 33.9 | % |
F-5
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2020
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(19)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data and information services | ||||||||||||||
| Barracuda Networks, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 6.75% | 10/30/2028 | 7,500 | 7,426 | 7,425 | 0.5 | % | ||||||
| Delta TopCo, Inc. (dba Infoblox, Inc.)^(4)(8)(13)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 7.25% | 12/1/2028 | 20,000 | 19,902 | 19,900 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| Forescout Technologies, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 9.50% (incl. 9.50% PIK) | 8/17/2026 | 77,692 | 76,441 | 76,721 | 5.1 | % | ||||||
| Forescout Technologies, Inc.^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 8.50% | 8/18/2025 | - | (135 | ) | (104 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Granicus, Inc.^(4)(8)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 8.00% | 8/21/2026 | 65,097 | 63,544 | 65,749 | 4.4 | % | ||||||
| Granicus, Inc.^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 8/21/2026 | - | (97 | ) | - | - | % | |||||
| H&F Opportunities LUX III S.À R.L (dba Checkmarx)^(4)(8)(13)(22)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.75% | 4/16/2026 | 125,000 | 121,597 | 124,687 | 8.3 | % | ||||||
| H&F Opportunities LUX III S.À R.L (dba Checkmarx)^(4)(13)(15)(16)(22)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.75% | 4/16/2026 | - | (660 | ) | (63 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Ivanti Software, Inc.^(4)(7)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 8.50% | 10/30/2028 | 21,000 | 20,379 | 20,370 | 1.4 | % | ||||||
| Litera Bidco LLC^(4)(5)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.25% | 5/29/2026 | 121,053 | 119,613 | 120,449 | 8.0 | % | ||||||
| Litera Bidco LLC^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.25% | 5/30/2025 | - | (80 | ) | (41 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Maverick Bidco Inc.^(4)(8)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.25% | 4/28/2023 | 29,502 | 28,690 | 28,910 | 1.9 | % | ||||||
| Maverick Bidco Inc.^(4)(15)(16)(17)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 6.25% | 11/6/2021 | - | (83 | ) | (136 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 466,844 | 456,537 | 463,867 | 30.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Education | ||||||||||||||
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc.^(4)(8)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.50% | 6/13/2025 | 58,699 | 57,651 | 57,818 | 3.9 | % | ||||||
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc.^(4)(7)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.50% | 11/30/2026 | 14,059 | 13,609 | 13,848 | 0.9 | % | ||||||
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc.^(4)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.50% | 6/13/2025 | - | (115 | ) | (104 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Instructure, Inc. ^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 3/24/2026 | 112,881 | 111,201 | 112,881 | 7.5 | % | ||||||
| Instructure, Inc. ^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 3/24/2026 | - | (81 | ) | - | - | % | |||||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions)^(4)(8)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.50% | 11/21/2025 | 103,058 | 102,301 | 102,543 | 6.9 | % | ||||||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions)^(4)(8)(13)(15)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.50% | 11/21/2023 | 3,272 | 3,214 | 3,222 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| 291,969 | 287,780 | 290,208 | 19.4 | % | ||||||||||
| eCommerce and digital marketplaces | ||||||||||||||
| Poshmark, Inc.^(18)^ | Convertible Note | 0% | 9/15/2023 | 50,000 | 51,653 | 52,500 | 3.5 | % | ||||||
| 50,000 | 51,653 | 52,500 | 3.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Financial services | ||||||||||||||
| AxiomSL Group, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.50% | 12/3/2027 | 107,263 | 105,668 | 105,654 | 7.1 | % | ||||||
| AxiomSL Group, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.50% | 12/3/2025 | - | (188 | ) | (191 | ) | - | % |
F-6
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2020
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(19)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hg Genesis 8 Sumoco Limited^(4)(12)(13)(22)^ | Unsecured Facility | G+ 7.50% (incl. 7.50% PIK) | 8/28/2025 | 68,347 | 65,713 | 69,373 | 4.6 | % | ||||||
| Smarsh Inc.^(4)(7)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 8.25% | 11/20/2025 | 31,950 | 31,323 | 31,311 | 2.1 | % | ||||||
| Transact Holdings, Inc.^(4)(5)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.75% | 4/30/2026 | 8,888 | 8,781 | 8,688 | 0.6 | % | ||||||
| 216,448 | 211,297 | 214,835 | 14.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Food and beverage | ||||||||||||||
| DoorDash, Inc.^(18)^ | Convertible Note | 10.00% PIK | 3/1/2025 | 108,048 | 106,934 | 109,129 | 7.3 | % | ||||||
| Toast, Inc.^(18)^ | Convertible Note | 8.50% (incl. 4.25% PIK) | 6/15/2027 | 153,382 | 152,154 | 157,600 | 10.4 | % | ||||||
| 261,430 | 259,088 | 266,729 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Healthcare technology | ||||||||||||||
| VVC Holdings Corp. (dba Athenahealth, Inc.)^(4)(5)(13)(14)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.50% | 2/11/2026 | 19,694 | 19,388 | 19,641 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| Bracket Intermediate Holding Corp.^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.25% | 9/5/2025 | 397 | 369 | 390 | - | % | ||||||
| Bracket Intermediate Holding Corp.^(4)(7)(13)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 8.13% | 9/7/2026 | 20,000 | 19,686 | 19,500 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| Datix Bidco Limited (dba RLDatix)^(4)(8)(13)(22)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.00% | 4/19/2025 | 10,000 | 9,767 | 9,800 | 0.7 | % | ||||||
| Datix Bidco Limited (dba RLDatix)^(4)(8)(13)(22)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 8.50% | 4/19/2026 | 20,000 | 19,516 | 19,600 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.50% | 7/16/2026 | 98,867 | 98,066 | 97,878 | 6.5 | % | ||||||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC^(4)(7)(13)(15)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.50% | 7/16/2021 | 3,903 | 3,766 | 3,864 | 0.3 | % | ||||||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.50% | 7/16/2024 | - | (38 | ) | (54 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Intelerad Medical Systems Incorporated (fka 11849573 Canada Inc.)^(4)(7)(13)(22)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.25% | 2/20/2026 | 87,452 | 86,472 | 86,141 | 5.8 | % | ||||||
| Intelerad Medical Systems Incorporated (fka 11849573 Canada Inc.)^(4)(7)(13)(17)(22)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 6.25% | 2/20/2026 | 3,017 | 2,984 | 2,971 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Intelerad Medical Systems Incorporated (fka 11849573 Canada Inc.)^(4)(7)(13)(15)(22)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.25% | 2/20/2026 | 1,501 | 1,421 | 1,388 | 0.1 | % | ||||||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 6/25/2026 | 95,052 | 94,075 | 91,963 | 6.1 | % | ||||||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc.^(4)(13)(15)(16)(17)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.75% | 6/25/2021 | - | (10 | ) | (213 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 6/25/2024 | 5,000 | 4,957 | 4,838 | 0.3 | % | ||||||
| Project Ruby Ultimate Parent Corp.^(4)(5)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.25% | 2/9/2024 | 11,737 | 11,562 | 11,561 | 0.8 | % | ||||||
| Project Ruby Ultimate Parent Corp.^(4)(5)(13)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 8.25% | 2/9/2025 | 12,800 | 12,545 | 12,544 | 0.8 | % | ||||||
| 389,420 | 384,526 | 381,812 | 25.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Human resource support services | ||||||||||||||
| The Ultimate Software Group, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 6.75% | 5/3/2027 | 2,500 | 2,477 | 2,550 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| 2,500 | 2,477 | 2,550 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Insurance | ||||||||||||||
| Asurion, LLC^(4)(5)(13)(14)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 6.50% | 8/4/2025 | 23,186 | 22,466 | 23,332 | 1.6 | % |
F-7
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2020
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(19)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC^(4)(8)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 8/27/2025 | 55,701 | 54,926 | 54,866 | 3.7 | % | ||||||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 8/27/2025 | - | (43 | ) | (56 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 78,887 | 77,349 | 78,142 | 5.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Internet and digital media | ||||||||||||||
| Acquia Inc.^(4)(8)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 10/31/2025 | 110,246 | 109,317 | 109,694 | 7.3 | % | ||||||
| Acquia Inc.^(4)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 10/31/2025 | - | (95 | ) | (59 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 110,246 | 109,222 | 109,635 | 7.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Leisure and entertainment | ||||||||||||||
| Airbnb, Inc.^(4)(7)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.50% | 4/17/2025 | 24,875 | 24,320 | 26,865 | 1.8 | % | ||||||
| MINDBODY, Inc.^(4)(8)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 8.50% (incl. 1.50% PIK) | 2/14/2025 | 68,455 | 67,955 | 62,979 | 4.2 | % | ||||||
| MINDBODY, Inc.^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 2/14/2025 | - | (49 | ) | (572 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 93,330 | 92,226 | 89,272 | 6.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Manufacturing | ||||||||||||||
| BCTO BSI Buyer, Inc. (dba Buildertrend)^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 12/23/2026 | 62,500 | 61,877 | 61,875 | 4.1 | % | ||||||
| BCTO BSI Buyer, Inc. (dba Buildertrend)^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 12/23/2026 | - | (75 | ) | (75 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 62,500 | 61,802 | 61,800 | 4.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Oil and gas | ||||||||||||||
| 3ES Innovation Inc. (dba Aucerna)^(4)(7)(13)(22)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 5/13/2025 | 46,739 | 46,289 | 45,337 | 3.0 | % | ||||||
| 3ES Innovation Inc. (dba Aucerna)^(4)(13)(15)(16)(22)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 5/13/2025 | - | (42 | ) | (137 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Project Power Buyer, LLC (dba PEC-Veriforce)^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.25% | 5/14/2026 | 53,591 | 52,987 | 53,055 | 3.5 | % | ||||||
| Project Power Buyer, LLC (dba PEC-Veriforce)^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.25% | 5/14/2025 | - | (34 | ) | (38 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 100,330 | 99,200 | 98,217 | 6.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Professional services | ||||||||||||||
| Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.75% | 12/12/2024 | 45,731 | 45,348 | 45,731 | 3.1 | % | ||||||
| Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.^(4)(13)(15)(16)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 4.25% | 12/12/2024 | - | (24 | ) | - | - | % | |||||
| 45,731 | 45,324 | 45,731 | 3.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Technology infrastructure | ||||||||||||||
| BCPE Nucleon (DE) SPV, LP^(4)(7)(13)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 9/24/2026 | 150,000 | 147,765 | 147,750 | 9.9 | % | ||||||
| 150,000 | 147,765 | 147,750 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total portfolio company debt investments | $ | 2,882,086 | $ | 2,840,848 | $ | 2,858,926 | 190.8 | % | ||||||
| Portfolio company equity investments | ||||||||||||||
| Business services | ||||||||||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc.^(18)^ | Series D Preferred Stock | 2,934,961 | $ | 15,000 | $ | 26,415 | 1.8 | % | ||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc.^(18)^ | Series E Preferred Stock | 821,806 | 6,917 | 7,396 | 0.5 | % |
F-8
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2020
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(19)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle Internet Services, Inc.^(18)^ | Warrants | 244,580 | - | 1,188 | 0.1 | % | ||||||
| SLA Eclipse Co-Invest, L.P.^(18)(20)^ | Series B Preferred Stock | 1,641,929 | 15,153 | 16,950 | 1.1 | % | ||||||
| 5,643,276 | 37,070 | 51,949 | 3.5 | % | ||||||||
| eCommerce and digital marketplaces | ||||||||||||
| Poshmark, Inc.^(18)^ | Common Stock | 303,529 | 5,162 | 6,829 | 0.5 | % | ||||||
| 303,529 | 5,162 | 6,829 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||
| Financial services | ||||||||||||
| eShares, Inc. (dba Carta)^(18)^ | Series E Preferred Stock | 186,904 | 2,008 | 3,106 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Remitly Global, Inc ^(18)^ | Series E Preferred Stock | 1,678,810 | 10,008 | 13,689 | 0.9 | % | ||||||
| Remitly Global, Inc ^(18)^ | Series F Preferred Stock | 1,093,421 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 0.7 | % | ||||||
| 2,959,135 | 22,016 | 26,795 | 1.8 | % | ||||||||
| Technology infrastructure | ||||||||||||
| Algolia, Inc.^(18)^ | Series C Preferred Stock | 970,281 | 10,000 | 12,838 | 0.9 | % | ||||||
| SalesLoft, Inc.^(13)(18)(21)^ | Series E Preferred Stock | 8,660,919 | 49,073 | 49,073 | 3.3 | % | ||||||
| SalesLoft, Inc.^(13)(18)(21)^ | Common Stock | 181,776 | 927 | 927 | 0.1 | % | ||||||
| UserZoom Technologies, Inc.^(13)(18)(21)^ | Series B Preferred Stock | 12,000,769 | 50,002 | 50,000 | 3.3 | % | ||||||
| 21,813,745 | 110,002 | 112,838 | 7.6 | % | ||||||||
| Total portfolio company equity investments | $ | 174,250 | $ | 198,411 | 13.4 | % | ||||||
| Total Investments | $ | 3,015,098 | $ | 3,057,337 | 204.2 | % |
________________
| (1) | Unless otherwise indicated, all investments are considered Level 3 investments. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The amortized cost represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, as applicable, on debt investments using the effective interest method. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | As of December 31, 2020, the net estimated unrealized gain on investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes was $41.0 million based on a tax cost basis of $3.0 billion. As of December 31, 2020, the estimated aggregate gross unrealized loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes was $12.8 million and the estimated aggregate gross unrealized gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes was $53.8 million. |
| --- | --- |
| (4) | Loan contains a variable rate structure and may be subject to an interest rate floor. Variable rate loans bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR” or “L”) (which can include one-, two-, three-, six-, or twelve-month LIBOR), British Pound Sterling LIBOR (“GBPLIBOR” or “G”), or an alternate base rate (which can include the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Prime Rate), at the borrower’s option, and which reset periodically based on the terms of the loan agreement. |
| --- | --- |
| (5) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2020 was 0.14%. |
| --- | --- |
| (6) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 2 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2020 was 0.19%. |
| --- | --- |
| (7) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2020 was 0.24%. |
| --- | --- |
| (8) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2020 was 0.26%. |
| --- | --- |
| (9) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 12 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2020 was 0.34%. |
| --- | --- |
| (10) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 6 month Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR” or “C”), which as of December 31, 2020 was 0.62%. |
| --- | --- |
| (11) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to Prime, which as of December 31, 2020 was 3.25%. |
| --- | --- |
| (12) | The interest rate on this loan is subject to 6 month GBPLIBOR, which as of December 31, 2020 was 0.03%. |
| --- | --- |
| (13) | Represents co-investment made with the Company’s affiliates in accordance with the terms of the exemptive relief that the Company received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See Note 3 “Agreements and Related Party Transactions.” |
| --- | --- |
| (14) | Level 2 investment. |
| --- | --- |
| (15) | Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment. See Note 7 “Commitments and Contingencies”. |
| --- | --- |
| (16) | The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan. |
| --- | --- |
F-9
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2020
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| (17) | The date disclosed represents the commitment period of the unfunded term loan. Upon expiration of the commitment period, the funded portion of the term loan may be subject to a longer maturity date. | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (18) | Security acquired in transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and may be deemed to be “restricted securities” under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $517.6 million or 34.6% of the Company’s net assets. The acquisition dates of the restricted securities are as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- | ||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio Company | Investment | Acquisition Date | |||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | |||||||||||||||||
| Algolia, Inc. | Series C Preferred Stock | August 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc. | Series D Preferred Stock | May 20, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc. | Series E Preferred Stock | February 28, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc. | Warrants | May 20, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| DoorDash, Inc. | Convertible Note | February 19, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| eShares, Inc. (dba Carta) | Series E Preferred Stock | August 1, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Poshmark, Inc. | Convertible Note | September 15, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Poshmark, Inc. | Common Stock | February 28, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Remitly Global, Inc. | Series E Preferred Stock | May 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Remitly Global, Inc. | Series F Preferred Stock | August 3, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| SalesLoft, Inc. | Common Stock | December 24, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| SalesLoft, Inc. | Series E Preferred Stock | December 24, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| SLA Eclipse Co-Invest, L.P. | Series B Preferred Stock | September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Toast, Inc. | Convertible Note | June 19, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| UserZoom Technologies, Inc. | Series B Preferred Stock | September 9, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| (19) | Unless otherwise indicated, the Company’s portfolio companies are pledged as collateral supporting the amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, SPV Asset Facility I and CLO 2020-1. See Note 6 “Debt”. | ||||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- | ||||||||||||||||||
| (20) | Series B Preferred Stock is held indirectly through ownership in SLA Eclipse Co-Invest, L.P. | ||||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- | ||||||||||||||||||
| (21) | Under the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be an “Affiliated Person” of, as defined in the 1940 Act, this portfolio company, as the Company owns more than 5% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2020 in which the Company was an Affiliated Person of the portfolio company are as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- | ||||||||||||||||||
| Company | Fair Value at December 31, 2019 | Gross Additions^(a)^ | Gross Reductions^(b)^ | Net Change in Unrealized Gain/(Loss) | Realized Gain/(Loss) | Transfers | Fair Value at December 31, 2020 | Other Income | Interest Income | ||||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| UserZoom Technologies, Inc. | $ | — | $ | 50,002 | $ | — | $ | (2 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 50,000 | $ | 375 | $ | — |
| SalesLoft, Inc. | — | 50,000 | — | — | — | — | 50,000 | — | — | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | — | $ | 100,002 | $ | — | $ | (2 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 100,000 | $ | 375 | $ | — |
| (a) | Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new investments, payment-in-kind interest or dividends, and the amortization of any unearned income or discounts on debt investments, as applicable. | ||||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- | ||||||||||||||||||
| (b) | Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal collections related to investment repayments or sales, and the amortization of any premiums on debt investments, as applicable. | ||||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- | ||||||||||||||||||
| (22) | This portfolio company is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time such acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of total assets. As of December 31, 2020, non-qualifying assets represented 12.8% of total assets as calculated in accordance with the regulatory requirements. | ||||||||||||||||||
| --- | --- |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-10
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2019
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(15)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio company debt investments | ||||||||||||||
| Buildings and real estate | ||||||||||||||
| Reef (fka Cheese Acquisition, LLC)^(4)(6)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.75% | 11/28/2024 | $ | 37,498 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 36,936 | 4.8 | % | |||
| Reef (fka Cheese Acquisition, LLC)^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 4.75% | 11/28/2023 | - | (44 | ) | (68 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Imperial Parking Canada^(4)(8)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | C + 5.00% | 11/28/2024 | 7,639 | 7,421 | 7,524 | 1.0 | % | ||||||
| 45,137 | 44,394 | 44,392 | 5.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Business services | ||||||||||||||
| Apptio, Inc.^(4)(5)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.25% | 1/10/2025 | 49,091 | 48,225 | 48,478 | 6.2 | % | ||||||
| Apptio, Inc.^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.25% | 1/10/2025 | - | (55 | ) | (41 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Certify, Inc.^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 2/28/2024 | 50,194 | 49,636 | 49,566 | 6.4 | % | ||||||
| Certify, Inc.^(4)(5)(11)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.75% | 2/28/2020 | 3,422 | 3,355 | 3,362 | 0.4 | % | ||||||
| Certify, Inc.^(4)(5)(11)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 2/28/2024 | 342 | 318 | 314 | - | % | ||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc.^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 8.00% | 5/17/2023 | 25,000 | 24,863 | 24,313 | 3.1 | % | ||||||
| ConnectWise, LLC^(4)(6)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.00% | 2/28/2025 | 127,975 | 126,548 | 126,375 | 16.2 | % | ||||||
| ConnectWise, LLC^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.00% | 2/28/2025 | - | (151 | ) | (174 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Hyland Software, Inc.^(4)(5)(10)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 7/7/2025 | 16,450 | 16,501 | 16,636 | 2.1 | % | ||||||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware)^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 5/24/2024 | 17,077 | 16,879 | 16,863 | 2.2 | % | ||||||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware)^(4)(5)(11)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.75% | 8/2/2021 | 1,289 | 1,204 | 1,197 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware)^(4)(5)(11)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 5/24/2024 | 1,216 | 1,194 | 1,192 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Kaseya Traverse Inc.^(4)(6)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.50% (1.00% PIK) | 5/3/2025 | 29,174 | 28,649 | 28,517 | 3.7 | % | ||||||
| Kaseya Traverse Inc.^(4)(5)(11)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.50% | 5/3/2025 | 1,400 | 1,356 | 1,345 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| Kaseya Traverse Inc.^(4)(7)(11)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.50% (1.00% PIK) | 5/3/2021 | 456 | 420 | 407 | 0.1 | % | ||||||
| Paysimple, Inc.^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.50% | 8/23/2025 | 45,187 | 44,434 | 44,396 | 5.7 | % | ||||||
| Paysimple, Inc.^(4)(5)(11)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.50% | 8/23/2020 | 4,258 | 4,173 | 4,183 | 0.5 | % | ||||||
| 372,531 | 367,549 | 366,929 | 47.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Data and information services | ||||||||||||||
| Litera Bidco LLC^(4)(6)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 5/29/2026 | 86,626 | 85,480 | 85,542 | 11.0 | % | ||||||
| Litera Bidco LLC^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 5/30/2025 | - | (95 | ) | (103 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 86,626 | 85,385 | 85,439 | 11.0 | % |
F-11
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2019
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(15)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | ||||||||||||||
| 2U, Inc.^(4)(5)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 5/22/2024 | 85,000 | 83,857 | 83,300 | 10.6 | % | ||||||
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc.^(4)(5)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 6/14/2025 | 53,077 | 51,968 | 51,750 | 6.7 | % | ||||||
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc.^(4)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 6/14/2025 | - | (141 | ) | (173 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions)^(4)(6)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.50% | 11/21/2025 | 84,405 | 83,673 | 83,140 | 10.7 | % | ||||||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions)^(4)(6)(9)(11)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.50% | 11/23/2020 | 18,391 | 18,225 | 18,096 | 2.3 | % | ||||||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions)^(4)(6)(9)(11)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.50% | 11/21/2023 | 5,968 | 5,891 | 5,819 | 0.7 | % | ||||||
| 246,841 | 243,473 | 241,932 | 31.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Financial services | ||||||||||||||
| Transact Holdings, Inc.^(4)(5)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.75% | 4/30/2026 | 8,978 | 8,852 | 8,798 | 1.1 | % | ||||||
| 8,978 | 8,852 | 8,798 | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Healthcare providers and services | ||||||||||||||
| RxSense Holdings, LLC^(4)(5)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 6.00% | 2/15/2024 | 45,400 | 44,821 | 44,606 | 5.7 | % | ||||||
| RxSense Holdings, LLC^(4)(5)(9)(11)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 6.00% | 2/15/2024 | 1,415 | 1,380 | 1,366 | 0.2 | % | ||||||
| 46,815 | 46,201 | 45,972 | 5.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Healthcare technology | ||||||||||||||
| VVC Holding Corp. (dba Athenahealth, Inc.)^(4)(6)(9)(10)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.50% | 2/11/2026 | 39,700 | 38,981 | 39,851 | 5.1 | % | ||||||
| Bracket Intermediate Holding Corp.^(4)(6)(9)^ | Second lien senior secured loan | L + 8.13% | 9/7/2026 | 20,000 | 19,646 | 19,600 | 2.5 | % | ||||||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC^(4)(6)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.50% | 7/16/2026 | 98,243 | 97,316 | 97,260 | 12.5 | % | ||||||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC^(4)(9)(11)(12)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.50% | 7/16/2021 | - | (102 | ) | - | - | % | |||||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.50% | 7/16/2024 | - | (49 | ) | (54 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc.^(4)(5)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 6/25/2026 | 96,018 | 94,886 | 94,577 | 12.2 | % | ||||||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc.^(4)(9)(11)(12)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.75% | 6/25/2021 | - | (12 | ) | (38 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc.^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 6/25/2024 | - | (56 | ) | (75 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 253,961 | 250,610 | 251,121 | 32.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Insurance | ||||||||||||||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC^(4)(6)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 8/27/2025 | 34,487 | 33,995 | 33,970 | 4.4 | % | ||||||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC^(4)(6)(9)(11)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.75% | 2/29/2020 | 9,392 | 9,182 | 9,251 | 1.2 | % | ||||||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC^(4)(9)(11)(12)(13)^ | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | L + 5.75% | 2/27/2021 | - | (48 | ) | - | - | % |
F-12
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2019
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(15)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 8/27/2025 | - | (53 | ) | (56 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 43,879 | 43,076 | 43,165 | 5.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Internet and digital media | ||||||||||||||
| Acquia Inc.^(4)(6)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 11/1/2025 | 130,377 | 128,904 | 128,683 | 16.5 | % | ||||||
| Acquia Inc.^(4)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 11/1/2025 | - | (161 | ) | (184 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 130,377 | 128,743 | 128,499 | 16.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Leisure and entertainment | ||||||||||||||
| MINDBODY, Inc.^(4)(5)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 7.00% | 2/14/2025 | 67,857 | 67,257 | 67,179 | 8.6 | % | ||||||
| MINDBODY, Inc.^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 7.00% | 2/14/2025 | - | (61 | ) | (71 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 67,857 | 67,196 | 67,108 | 8.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Oil and gas | ||||||||||||||
| 3ES Innovation Inc. (dba Aucerna)^(4)(7)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 5/13/2025 | 47,214 | 46,673 | 46,269 | 6.0 | % | ||||||
| 3ES Innovation Inc. (dba Aucerna)^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 5/13/2025 | - | (51 | ) | (92 | ) | - | % | ||||
| Project Power Buyer, LLC (dba PEC-Veriforce)^(4)(6)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 5.75% | 5/14/2026 | 38,556 | 38,108 | 37,882 | 4.9 | % | ||||||
| Project Power Buyer, LLC (dba PEC-Veriforce)^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 5.75% | 5/14/2025 | - | (42 | ) | (66 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 85,770 | 84,688 | 83,993 | 10.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Professional services | ||||||||||||||
| Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.^(4)(5)(9)^ | First lien senior secured loan | L + 4.25% | 12/12/2024 | 51,836 | 51,396 | 51,190 | 6.6 | % | ||||||
| Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.^(4)(9)(11)(12)^ | First lien senior secured revolving loan | L + 4.25% | 12/12/2024 | - | (30 | ) | (46 | ) | - | % | ||||
| 51,836 | 51,366 | 51,144 | 6.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Total non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio company debt investments | $ | 1,440,608 | $ | 1,421,533 | $ | 1,418,492 | 182.5 | % | ||||||
| Non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio company equity investments | ||||||||||||||
| Business services | ||||||||||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc.^(14)^ | Series D Preferred Stock | 2,934,961 | $ | 15,000 | $ | 15,000 | 1.9 | % | ||||||
| Circle Internet Services, Inc.^(14)^ | Warrants | 244,580 | - | 424 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||
| SLA Eclipse Co-Invest, L.P.^(14)(16)^ | Series B Preferred Stock | 1,641,929 | 15,125 | 15,385 | 1.9 | % | ||||||||
| 4,821,470 | 30,125 | 30,809 | 3.9 | % | ||||||||||
| eCommerce and digital marketplaces | ||||||||||||||
| Poshmark, Inc. ^(14)^ | Common Stock | 303,529 | 5,162 | 4,644 | 0.6 | % | ||||||||
| 303,529 | 5,162 | 4,644 | 0.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Financial services | ||||||||||||||
| eShares, Inc. (dba Carta)^(14)^ | Series E Preferred Stock | 186,904 | 2,008 | 2,000 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||
| Remitly Global, Inc ^(14)^ | Series E Preferred Stock | 1,678,810 | 10,008 | 10,000 | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
| 1,865,714 | 12,016 | 12,000 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Technology infrastructure | ||||||||||||||
| Algolia, Inc.^(14)^ | Series C Preferred Stock | 323,427 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
| 323,427 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 1.3 | % |
F-13
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
As of December 31, 2019
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
| Company^(1)(15)^ | Investment | Interest | Maturity Date | Par / Units | Amortized Cost^(2)(3)^ | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total non-controlled/non-affiliated portfolio company equity investments | $ | 57,303 | $ | 57,453 | 7.4 | % | |||||
| Total Investments | $ | 1,478,836 | $ | 1,475,945 | 189.9 | % |
________________
| (1) | Unless otherwise indicated, all investments are considered Level 3 investments. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The amortized cost represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, as applicable, on debt investments using the effective interest method. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | The tax cost of the Company’s investments approximates their amortized cost. |
| --- | --- |
| (4) | Loan contains a variable rate structure and may be subject to an interest rate floor. Variable rate loans bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR” or “L”) which can include one-, two-, three- or six-month LIBOR) or an alternate base rate (which can include the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Prime Rate), at the borrower’s option, and which reset periodically based on the terms of the loan agreement. |
| --- | --- |
| (5) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 1 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2019 was 1.8%. |
| --- | --- |
| (6) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 3 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2019 was 1.9%. |
| --- | --- |
| (7) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 6 month LIBOR, which as of December 31, 2019 was 1.9%. |
| --- | --- |
| (8) | The interest rate on these loans is subject to 3 month Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR” or “C”), which as of December 31, 2019 was 2.1%. |
| --- | --- |
| (9) | Represents co-investment made with the Company’s affiliates in accordance with the terms of the exemptive relief that the Company received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See Note 3 “Agreements and Related Party Transactions”. |
| --- | --- |
| (10) | Level 2 investment. |
| --- | --- |
| (11) | Position or portion thereof is an unfunded loan commitment. See Note 7 “Commitments and Contingencies”. |
| --- | --- |
| (12) | The negative cost is the result of the capitalized discount being greater than the principal amount outstanding on the loan. The negative fair value is the result of the capitalized discount on the loan. |
| --- | --- |
| (13) | The date disclosed represents the commitment period of the unfunded term loan. Upon expiration of the commitment period, the funded portion of the term loan may be subject to a longer maturity date. |
| --- | --- |
| (14) | Security acquired in transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and may be deemed to be “restricted securities under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $57.5 million or 7.4% of the Company’s net assets. |
| --- | --- |
| (15) | Unless otherwise indicated, the Company`s portfolio companies are pledged as collateral, supporting the amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 6 “Debt”, |
| --- | --- |
| (16) | Series B Preferred stock is held indirectly through ownership in SLA Eclipse Co-Invest, L.P. |
| --- | --- |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-14
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
(Amounts in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||||||
| Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | |||||||||
| Net investment income (loss) | $ | 78,812 | $ | 31,073 | $ | (2,114 | ) | ||
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) | 43,053 | (1,953 | ) | (1,052 | ) | ||||
| Realized gain (loss) | 252 | 1,616 | — | ||||||
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 122,117 | 30,736 | (3,166 | ) | |||||
| Distributions | |||||||||
| Distributions declared from earnings | (76,766 | ) | (30,296 | ) | — | ||||
| Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Shareholders' Distributions | (76,766 | ) | (30,296 | ) | — | ||||
| Capital Share Transactions | |||||||||
| Issuance of common shares | 656,226 | 484,440 | 289,876 | ||||||
| Reinvestment of distributions | 18,130 | 5,582 | — | ||||||
| Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions | 674,356 | 490,022 | 289,876 | ||||||
| Total Increase in Net Assets | 719,707 | 490,462 | 286,710 | ||||||
| Net Assets, at beginning of period | 777,172 | 286,710 | — | ||||||
| Net Assets, at end of period | $ | 1,496,879 | $ | 777,172 | $ | 286,710 |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-15
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||||
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | $ | 122,117 | $ | 30,736 | $ | (3,166 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||
| Purchases of investments, net | (1,815,151 | ) | (1,396,849 | ) | (264,133 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from investments, net | 306,228 | 186,431 | 290 | ||||||
| Net amortization of discount on investments | (10,061 | ) | (2,187 | ) | (42 | ) | |||
| Net change in unrealized (gain) loss on investments | (43,327 | ) | 1,948 | 1,052 | |||||
| Net change in unrealized (gains) losses on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies | 319 | 5 | — | ||||||
| Net realized (gain) loss on investments | 26 | (1,560 | ) | — | |||||
| Net realized (gain) loss on foreign currency transactions relating to investments | 2 | — | |||||||
| Paid-in-kind interest | (17,305 | ) | (786 | ) | — | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 4,372 | 2,202 | 102 | ||||||
| Amortization of offering costs | 381 | 903 | 227 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in interest receivable | (8,420 | ) | (4,335 | ) | (1,792 | ) | |||
| (Increase) decrease in dividend income receivable | (375 | ) | — | — | |||||
| (Increase) decrease in receivable for investments sold | — | — | — | ||||||
| (Increase) decrease in paid-in-kind interest receivable | (2,757 | ) | — | — | |||||
| (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets | (34 | ) | (403 | ) | (41 | ) | |||
| Increase (decrease) in management fee payable | 2,524 | 4,863 | 1,948 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in incentive fee payable | 5,303 | 1,379 | — | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in payables to affiliates | 1,112 | 243 | 916 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in payable for investments purchased | — | — | — | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities | 4,568 | 1,797 | 1,106 | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (1,450,478 | ) | (1,175,613 | ) | (263,533 | ) | |||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||||
| Borrowings on debt | 3,123,862 | 1,751,565 | 305,000 | ||||||
| Payments on debt | (2,307,500 | ) | (1,220,972 | ) | (5,000 | ) | |||
| Debt issuance costs | (32,536 | ) | (6,672 | ) | (2,547 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from issuance of common shares | 656,226 | 484,440 | 289,876 | ||||||
| Offering costs paid | (396 | ) | (482 | ) | (761 | ) | |||
| Distributions paid | (49,305 | ) | (12,938 | ) | — | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,390,351 | 994,941 | 586,568 | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash | (60,127 | ) | (180,672 | ) | 323,035 | ||||
| Cash, beginning of period | 142,363 | 323,035 | — | ||||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | 82,236 | $ | 142,363 | $ | 323,035 | |||
| Supplemental and Non-Cash Information | |||||||||
| Interest expense paid | $ | 30,061 | $ | 17,988 | $ | 4 | |||
| Distribution payable | $ | 21,107 | $ | 11,776 | $ | — | |||
| Reinvestment of distributions during the period | $ | 18,130 | $ | 5,582 | $ | — | |||
| Subscription receivable | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-16
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Organization
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation formed on July 12, 2018. The Company was formed primarily to originate and make debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. The Company intends to originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return by generating current income from its debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from its equity and equity-linked investments. The Company intends to invest in a broad range of established and high growth technology companies that are capitalizing on the large and growing demand for technology products and services. These companies use technology extensively to improve business processes, applications and opportunities or seek to grow through technological developments and innovations. These companies operate in technology-related industries or sectors which include, but are not limited to, application software, systems software, healthcare information technology, technology services and infrastructure, financial technology and internet, and digital media. Within each industry or sector, the Company intends to invest in companies that are developing or offering goods and services to businesses and consumers which utilize scientific knowledge, including techniques, skills, methods, devices and processes, to solve problems. The Company refers to all of these companies as “technology-related” companies and intends, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in such businesses.
The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). In addition, for tax purposes, the Company is treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Because the Company has elected to be regulated as a BDC and qualifies as a RIC under the Code, the Company’s portfolio is subject to diversification and other requirements.
On September 24, 2018, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, OR Tech Lending LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. From time to time the Company may form wholly-owned subsidiaries to facilitate the normal course of business.
Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the Company’s investment adviser. The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP (“Owl Rock Capital Partners”). The Adviser is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). Subject to the overall supervision of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), the Adviser manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory and management services to, the Company.
On December 23, 2020, Owl Rock Capital Group, the parent of the Adviser (and a subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners), and Dyal Capital Partners (“Dyal”) announced they are merging to form Blue Owl Capital (“Blue Owl”). Blue Owl will enter the public market via its acquisition by Altimar Acquisition Corporation (NYSE:ATAC) (“Altimar”), a special purpose acquisition company (the “Transaction”). If the Transaction is consummated, there will be no changes to the Company’s investment strategy or the Adviser’s investment team or investment process with respect to the Company; however, the Transaction will result in a change in control of the Adviser, which will be deemed an assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. As a result, the Board, after considering the Transaction and subsequent change in control, has determined that upon consummation of the Transaction and subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting expected to be held on March 17, 2021, the Company should enter into a third amended and restated investment advisory agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board also determined that upon consummation of the Transaction, the Company should enter into an amended and restated administration agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Administration Agreement. See “Item 1. Business – The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC.”
The Company conducts private offerings (each, a “Private Offering”) of its common shares to accredited investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). At the closing of each Private Offering, each investor makes a capital commitment (a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with the Company. Until the earlier of an Exchange Listing (as defined below) or the end of the Commitment Period (as defined below), investors are required to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitment on an as-needed basis each time the Company delivers a drawdown notice to its investors. The initial closing of the Private Offering occurred on August 10, 2018 (the “Initial
F-17
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Closing”). Prior to the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”), the Adviser may, in its sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings (“Subsequent Closings”) as additional Capital Commitments are obtained (the conclusion of all Subsequent Closings, if any, the “Final Closing”). The “Commitment Period” will continue until the earlier of the (i) five year anniversary of the Final Closing and (ii) the seven year anniversary of the Initial Closing. If the Company has not consummated an Exchange Listing by the end of the Commitment Period, subject to extension of two additional one-year periods, in the sole discretion of the Board, the Board (subject to any necessary shareholder approvals and applicable requirements of the 1940 Act) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to wind down and/or liquidate and dissolve the Company in an orderly manner.
As of August 10, 2018, the Company commenced its loan origination and investment activities contemporaneously with the initial drawdown from investors in the Private Offering. In September 2018, the Company made its first portfolio company investment.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
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”). 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. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included. The Company was initially capitalized on August 7, 2018 and commenced operations on August 10, 2018. The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31. The year ended December 31, 2018 as presented in the consolidated financial statements represents the period July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated 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
Cash consists of deposits held at a custodian bank. Cash is carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company deposits its cash with highly-rated banking corporations and, at times, may exceed the insured limits under applicable law.
Investments at Fair Value
Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds received and the amortized cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method 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, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.
Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at the bid price of 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 the Company’s investments, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board, based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, the Company’s audit committee and independent third-party valuation firm(s) 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 the Company’s investments, including: the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company (i.e., the total fair value of the portfolio company’s 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 or sale transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Board considers whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates its valuation.
F-18
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
The Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process, which includes, among other procedures, the following:
| • | With respect to investments for which market quotations are readily available, those investments will typically be valued at the bid price of those market quotations; |
|---|---|
| • | With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the valuation process begins with the independent valuation firm(s) providing a preliminary valuation of each investment to the Adviser’s valuation committee; |
| --- | --- |
| • | Preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with the Adviser’s valuation committee. Agreed upon valuation recommendations are presented to the Audit Committee; |
| --- | --- |
| • | The Audit Committee reviews the valuation recommendations and recommends values for each investment to the Board; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | The Board reviews the recommended valuations and determines the fair value of each investment. |
| --- | --- |
The Company conducts this valuation process on a quarterly basis.
The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements (“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:
| • | Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. |
|---|---|
| • | Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
| --- | --- |
Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfer occurs. 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 the 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 an investment is valued based on prices provided by reputable dealers or pricing services (such as broker quotes), the Company subjects those prices to various 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, the Company, or the independent valuation firm(s), reviews pricing support provided by dealers or pricing services in order to determine if observable market information is being used, versus unobservable inputs.
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 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.
Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act was recently adopted by the SEC and establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. We intend to comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the compliance date in September 2022.
F-19
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Foreign Currency
Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
| • | cash, fair value of investments, outstanding debt, other assets and liabilities: at the spot exchange rate on the last business day of the period; and |
|---|---|
| • | purchases and sales of investments, borrowings and repayments of such borrowings, income and expenses: at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. |
| --- | --- |
The Company includes net changes in fair values on investments held resulting from foreign exchange rate fluctuations with the change in unrealized gains (losses) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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.
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.
Interest and Dividend Income Recognition
Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts or premiums. Certain investments may have contractual payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest or dividends. PIK interest represents accrued interest that is added to the principal amount of the investment on the respective interest payment dates rather than being paid in cash and generally becomes due at maturity. Discounts and premiums to par value on securities purchased are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts or premiums, if any. Upon prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment premiums, unamortized upfront loan origination fees and unamortized discounts are recorded as interest income in the current period.
Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued 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. If at any point the Company believes PIK interest is not expected to be realized, the investment generating PIK interest will be placed on non-accrual status. When a PIK investment is placed on non-accrual status, the accrued, uncapitalized interest or dividends are generally reversed through interest income. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid current and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. Management may make exceptions to this treatment and determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. As of December 31, 2020, no investments are on non-accrual status.
Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on the 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. These fees are generally only available to the Company as a result of closing investments, are normally paid at the closing of the investments, are generally non-recurring and are recognized as revenue when earned upon closing of the investment. The services that the Adviser provides vary by investment, but can include closing, work, diligence or other similar fees and fees for providing managerial assistance to our portfolio companies.
Organization Expenses
Costs associated with the organization of the Company are expensed as incurred. These expenses consist primarily of legal fees and other costs of organizing the Company.
Offering Expenses
Costs associated with the offering of common shares of the Company are capitalized as deferred offering expenses and are included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities and are amortized over a twelve-month period beginning with commencement of operations. Expenses for any additional offerings are deferred and amortized
F-20
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
as incurred. These expenses consist primarily of legal fees and other costs incurred in connection with the Company’s share offerings, the preparation of the Company’s registration statement, and registration fees.
Debt Issuance Costs
The Company records origination and other expenses related to its debt obligations as debt issuance costs. These expenses are deferred and amortized utilizing the straight-line method, which approximates the effective yield method, over the life of the related debt instrument. Debt issuance costs are presented on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a direct deduction from the debt liability. In circumstances in which there is not an associated debt liability amount recorded in the consolidated financial statements when the debt issuance costs are incurred, such debt issuance costs will be reported on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as an asset until the debt liability is recorded.
Reimbursement of Transaction-Related Expenses
The Company may receive reimbursement for certain transaction-related expenses in pursuing investments. Transaction-related expenses, which are generally expected to be reimbursed by the Company’s portfolio companies, are typically deferred until the transaction is consummated and are recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets on the date incurred. The costs of successfully completed investments not otherwise reimbursed are borne by the Company and are included as a component of the investment’s cost basis.
Cash advances received in respect of transaction-related expenses are recorded as cash with an offset to accrued expenses and other liabilities. Accrued expenses and other liabilities are relieved as reimbursable expenses are incurred.
Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code beginning with its taxable period ending December 31, 2018 and intends to continue to qualify as a RIC. So long as the Company maintains its tax treatment as a RIC, it generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes at least annually to its shareholders as dividends. Instead, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by the Company represents obligations of the Company’s investors and will not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
To qualify as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, to qualify for RIC tax treatment, the Company must distribute to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” for that year, which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess of its realized net short-term capital gains over its realized net long-term capital losses. In order for the Company not to be subject to U.S. federal excise taxes, it must distribute annually an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (iii) any net ordinary income and capital gains in excess of capital losses for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. The Company, at its discretion, may carry forward taxable income in excess of calendar year dividends and pay a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on this income.
The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its 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. There were no material uncertain tax positions through December 31, 2020. The 2018 and 2019 tax years remain subject to examination by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities.
Distributions to Common Shareholders
Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the record date. The amount to be distributed 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 be generally distributed at least annually, although the Company may decide to retain such capital gains for investment.
The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of any cash distributions on behalf of shareholders, unless a shareholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes and declares a cash distribution, then the shareholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. The Company expects to use newly issued shares to implement the dividend reinvestment plan.
F-21
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Consolidation
As provided under Regulation S-X and ASC Topic 946 - Financial Services - Investment Companies, the Company will generally not consolidate its investment in a company other than a wholly-owned investment company or controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the accounts of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries in its consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Company’s management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements..
Note 3. Agreements and Related Party Transactions
Administration Agreement
On August 10, 2018, the Company entered into an Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with the Adviser. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser performs, or oversees the performance of, required administrative services, which include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to shareholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others.
The Administration Agreement also provides that the Company reimburses the Adviser for certain organization costs incurred prior to the commencement of the Company’s operations, and for certain offering costs.
The Company reimburses the Adviser for services performed for it pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or to a third party and the Company will reimburse the Adviser for any services performed for it by such affiliate or third party.
On January 12, 2021, the Board approved the continuation of the Administration Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect from year to year if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent directors. The Administration Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act), or by the vote of a majority of the Board or by the Adviser. The Board has determined that upon consummation of the Transaction, the Company should enter into an amended and restated administration agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Administration Agreement.
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 officers who provide operational and administrative services, as well as their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to the Company, who assist with the preparation, coordination and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office”, financial or operational services to the Company (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, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred expenses of approximately $2.4 million, $1.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for costs and expenses reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement.
As of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, amounts reimbursable to the Adviser pursuant to the Administration Agreement were $2.3 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
Investment Advisory Agreement
On August 10, 2018, the Company entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Company’s business and activities, including sourcing investment opportunities, conducting research, performing diligence on potential
F-22
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
investments, structuring its investments, and monitoring its portfolio companies on an ongoing basis through a team of investment professionals.
The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to the Company are not impaired.
On January 12, 2021, the Board approved the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement, and subject to the consummation of the Transaction, the amended and restated investment advisory agreement will remain in effect from year-to-year if approved annually by a majority of the Board or by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities and, in each case, by a majority of independent directors.
The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations in the event of its assignment. In accordance with the 1940 Act, without payment of any penalty, the Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the vote of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act), or by the vote of a majority of the Board. In addition, without payment of any penalty, the Adviser may generally terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice.
On December 23, 2020, Owl Rock Capital Group, the parent of the Adviser (and a subsidiary of Owl Rock Capital Partners), and Dyal announced they are merging to form Blue Owl. Blue Owl will enter the public market via its acquisition by Altimar, a special purpose acquisition company. The Transaction, if consummated, will be deemed a change in control of the Adviser, which will result in the assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement in accordance with the 1940 Act. As a result, the Board, after considering the Transaction and subsequent change in control, has determined that upon consummation of the Transaction and subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders at a special meeting expected to be held on March 17, 2021, the Company should enter into an amended and restated investment advisory agreement with the Adviser on terms that are identical to the Investment Advisory Agreement.
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.
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company will pay the Adviser a base management fee and may also pay to it certain incentive fees. The cost of both the management fee and the incentive fee will ultimately be borne by the Company’s shareholders.
The management fee (“Management Fee”) is payable quarterly in arrears. Prior to the future quotation or listing of the Company’s securities on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”) or the future quotation or listing of its securities on any other public trading market, the Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of 0.90% of the Company’s (i) average gross assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, that no Management Fee will be charged on the value of gross assets (excluding cash and cash- equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act; plus (ii) the average of any remaining unfunded Capital Commitments at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. Following an Exchange Listing, the Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of (x) 1.50% of the Company’s average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is above an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act and (y) 1.00% of the Company’s average gross assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, in each case, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters payable quarterly in arrears. The Management Fee will be appropriately prorated and adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter) for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant calendar quarters. The Management Fee for any partial month or quarter, as the case may be, will be appropriately prorated and adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter). For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, gross assets means the Company’s total assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, excluding cash and cash equivalents, but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, management fees were $32.8 million, $22.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to an incentive fee (“Incentive Fee”), which consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not.
F-23
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
The portion of the Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears commencing with the first calendar quarter following the initial closing date, and equals (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 100% of the pre- Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate”, until the Adviser has received 10% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.67% quarterly, 10% of all remaining pre- Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 100% of the pre- Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” until the Adviser has received 17.5% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% quarterly, 17.5% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter. The 100% “catch-up” provision for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the 1.5% “hurdle rate” is intended to provide the Adviser with an Incentive Fee of (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% on all pre- Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.67% in a calendar quarter (6.67% annualized), and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% on all pre-Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.82% in a calendar quarter (7.27% annualized), which, in each case, is the rate at which catch-up is achieved. Once the “hurdle rate” is reached and catch-up is achieved, (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.67% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred incentive fees based on net investment income of $9.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company incurred incentive fees based on net investment income of $2.6 million. The Company did not incur incentive fees based on net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The second component of the Incentive Fee, the “Capital Gains Incentive Fee,” payable at the end of each calendar year in arrears, equals, (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of cumulative realized capital gains from the initial closing date to the end of each calendar year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the initial closing date to the end of each calendar year, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year. Each year, the fee paid for the Capital Gains Incentive Fee is net of the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fee for prior periods. The Company will accrue, but will not pay, a Capital Gains Incentive Fee with respect to unrealized appreciation because a Capital Gains Incentive Fee would be owed to the Adviser if the Company was to sell the relevant investment and realize a capital gain. The fees that are payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement for any partial period will be appropriately prorated. For the sole purpose of calculating the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, the cost basis as of the initial closing date for all of the Company’s investments made prior to the initial closing date will be equal to the fair value of such investments as of the last day of the calendar quarter in which the initial closing date occurs; provided, however, that in no event will the Capital Gains Fee payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act, including Section 205 thereof.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred performance based incentive fees based on capital gains of $4.2 million. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no performance based incentive fees incurred based on capital gains.
Dealer Manager Agreement
On November 6, 2018, the Company and the Adviser entered into a dealer manager agreement (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”) with Owl Rock Capital Securities LLC (“Owl Rock Securities”), pursuant to which Owl Rock Securities and certain participating broker-dealers will solicit Capital Commitments in the Private Offerings. In addition, the Company has entered into a placement agent agreement (the “Placement Agent Agreement”) with Owl Rock Securities pursuant to which employees of Owl Rock Securities may conduct placement activities.
Owl Rock Securities, an affiliate of Owl Rock (as defined below), is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Fees paid pursuant to these agreements will be paid by the Adviser.
Affiliated Transactions
The Company may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with its affiliates without prior approval of the directors who are not interested persons, and in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. The Company intends to rely on exemptive relief that has been granted by the SEC to Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC (“ORCA”) and certain of its affiliates to permit the Company to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, in a manner consistent with the Company’s investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, the Company generally is permitted to co-invest with certain of its affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to the Company and its
F-24
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
shareholders and do not involve overreaching of the Company or its shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of the Company’s shareholders and is consistent with its investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by its affiliates would not disadvantage the Company, and the Company’s participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which its affiliates are investing. In addition, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs, through December 31, 2020, the Company was permitted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to complete follow-on investments in its existing portfolio companies with certain private funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and covered by the Company’s exemptive relief, even if such private funds have not previously invested in such existing portfolio company. Without this order, private funds would generally not be able to participate in such follow-on investments with the Company unless the private funds had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with the Company. Although the conditional exemptive order has expired, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management has indicated that until March 31, 2021, it will not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing co-investment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the conditional exemptive order, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein. The Adviser is under common control with ORCA, Owl Rock Private Fund Advisors LLC (“ORPFA”) and Owl Rock Diversified Advisors LLC (“ORDA”), which are also investment advisers and indirect subsidiaries of Owl Rock Capital Partners. The Adviser, ORCA, ORPFA, ORDA and Owl Rock Capital Partners are referred to, collectively, as “Owl Rock.” Owl Rock’s investment allocation policy seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities between the Company, Owl Rock Capital Corporation, Owl Rock Capital Corporation II, Owl Rock Core Income Corp., which are BDCs advised by ORCA, Owl Rock Capital Corporation III, a BDC advised by ORDA, and/or other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates (collectively, the “Owl Rock Clients”). As a result of exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in the Company’s investment portfolio and investment portfolios of the Owl Rock Clients and/or other funds established by the Adviser or its affiliates that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief.
License Agreement
On August 10, 2018, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “License Agreement”) pursuant to which an affiliate of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP has granted the Company a non-exclusive license to use the name “Owl Rock.” Under the License Agreement, the Company has a right to use the Owl Rock name for so long as the Adviser or one of its affiliates remains the Company’s investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, the Company will have no legal right to the “Owl Rock” name or logo.
Note 4. Investments
Under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify non-controlled investments where it owns 5% or more of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “affiliated” companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify investments where it owns more than 25% of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “controlled” companies. Under the 1940 Act, "non-affiliated investments" are defined as investments that are neither controlled investments nor affiliated investments. Detailed information with respect to the Company’s non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; and controlled affiliated investments is contained in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the consolidated schedule 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 at fair value and amortized cost consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | ||||
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 2,258,128 | $ | 2,261,996 | $ | 1,385,386 | $ | 1,382,256 |
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | 206,266 | 208,328 | 36,147 | 36,236 | ||||
| Unsecured debt investments | 376,454 | 388,602 | — | — | ||||
| Equity investments | 174,250 | 198,411 | 57,303 | 57,453 | ||||
| Total Investments | $ | 3,015,098 | $ | 3,057,337 | $ | 1,478,836 | $ | 1,475,945 |
F-25
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
The industry composition of investments based on fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings and real estate | 1.5 | % | 3.0 | % | ||
| Business services | 18.4 | 26.9 | ||||
| Data and information services | 15.2 | 5.8 | ||||
| eCommerce and digital marketplaces | 1.9 | 0.3 | ||||
| Education | 9.5 | 16.4 | ||||
| Financial services | 7.9 | 1.4 | ||||
| Food and beverage | 8.7 | — | ||||
| Healthcare providers and services | — | 3.1 | ||||
| Healthcare technology | 12.5 | 17.0 | ||||
| Human resource support services | 0.1 | — | ||||
| Insurance | 2.6 | 2.9 | ||||
| Internet and digital media | 3.6 | 8.7 | ||||
| Leisure and entertainment | 2.9 | 4.5 | ||||
| Manufacturing | 2.0 | — | ||||
| Oil and gas | 3.2 | 5.7 | ||||
| Professional services | 1.5 | 3.5 | ||||
| Technology Infrastructure | 8.5 | 0.8 | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
The geographic composition of investments based on fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States: | ||||||
| Midwest | 7.8 | % | 6.9 | % | ||
| Northeast | 23.9 | 35.9 | ||||
| South | 26.2 | 34.7 | ||||
| West | 28.7 | 17.3 | ||||
| Canada | 4.4 | 3.1 | ||||
| Ireland | — | 2.1 | ||||
| Israel | 4.1 | — | ||||
| United Kingdom | 4.9 | — | ||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
F-26
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Note 5. Fair Value of Investments
Investments
The following tables present the fair value hierarchy of investments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| Fair Value Hierarchy as of December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | — | $ | 19,641 | $ | 2,242,355 | $ | 2,261,996 |
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | — | 23,332 | 184,996 | 208,328 | ||||
| Unsecured debt investments | — | — | 388,602 | 388,602 | ||||
| Equity | — | — | 198,411 | 198,411 | ||||
| Total Investments at fair value | $ | — | $ | 42,973 | $ | 3,014,364 | $ | 3,057,337 |
| Fair Value Hierarchy as of December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ($ in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | — | $ | 39,851 | $ | 1,342,405 | $ | 1,382,256 |
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | — | 16,636 | 19,600 | 36,236 | ||||
| Equity | — | — | 57,453 | 57,453 | ||||
| Total Investments at fair value | $ | — | $ | 56,487 | $ | 1,419,458 | $ | 1,475,945 |
The following tables present changes in the fair value of investments for which Level 3 inputs were used to determine the fair value as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | First-lien senior secured debt investments | Second-lien senior secured debt investments | Unsecured debt investments | Equity | Total | |||||||||
| Fair value, beginning of period | $ | 1,342,405 | $ | 19,600 | $ | — | $ | 57,453 | $ | 1,419,458 | ||||
| Purchases of investments, net | 1,112,369 | 151,968 | 410,035 | 116,947 | 1,791,319 | |||||||||
| Payment-in-kind | 5,875 | — | 11,430 | — | 17,305 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from investments, net | (231,792 | ) | (4,492 | ) | (48,750 | ) | — | (285,034 | ) | |||||
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) | 7,610 | 1,107 | 12,148 | 24,011 | 44,876 | |||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) | (58 | ) | — | — | — | (58 | ) | |||||||
| Net amortization of discount on investments | 5,946 | 177 | 3,739 | — | 9,862 | |||||||||
| Transfers into (out of) Level 3^(1)^ | — | 16,636 | — | — | 16,636 | |||||||||
| Fair value, end of period | $ | 2,242,355 | $ | 184,996 | $ | 388,602 | $ | 198,411 | $ | 3,014,364 |
________________
| (1) | Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur. For the year ended December 31, 2020, transfers between Level 2 and 3 were as a result of changes in the observability of significant inputs for certain portfolio companies. |
|---|
F-27
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | First-lien senior secured debt investments | Second-lien senior secured debt investments | Unsecured debt investments | Equity | Total | |||||||
| Fair value, beginning of period | $ | 214,348 | $ | 19,550 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 233,898 | ||
| Purchases of investments, net | 1,284,622 | — | — | 57,303 | 1,341,925 | |||||||
| Payment-in-kind | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| Proceeds from investments, net | (154,652 | ) | — | — | — | (154,652 | ) | |||||
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) | (4,068 | ) | 15 | — | 150 | (3,903 | ) | |||||
| Net realized gains (losses) | 77 | — | — | — | 77 | |||||||
| Net amortization of discount on investments | 2,078 | 35 | — | — | 2,113 | |||||||
| Transfers into (out of) Level 3^(1)^ | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| Fair value, end of period | $ | 1,342,405 | $ | 19,600 | $ | — | $ | 57,453 | $ | 1,419,458 |
________________
| (1) | Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2018^(2)^ | |||||||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ($ in thousands) | First-lien senior secured debt investments | Second-lien senior secured debt investments | Unsecured debt investments | Equity | Total | ||||||||
| Fair value, beginning of period | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||
| Purchases of investments, net | 214,533 | 19,600 | — | — | 234,133 | ||||||||
| Payment-in-kind | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Proceeds from investments, net | (290 | ) | — | — | — | (290 | ) | ||||||
| Net change in unrealized gain (loss) | 74 | (61 | ) | — | — | 13 | |||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Net amortization of discount on investments | 31 | 11 | — | — | 42 | ||||||||
| Transfers into (out of) Level 3^(1)^ | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Fair value, end of period | $ | 214,348 | $ | 19,550 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 233,898 |
________________
| (1) | Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
| --- | --- |
F-28
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
The following tables present information with respect to net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments for which Level 3 inputs were used in determining the fair value that are still held by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
| ($ in thousands) | Net change in unrealized gain (loss) for the Year Ended December 31, 2020 on Investments Held at December 31, 2020 | Net change in unrealized gain (loss) for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 on Investments Held at December 31, 2019 | Net change in unrealized gain (loss) for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 on Investments Held at December 31, 2018^(1)^ | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 6,824 | $ | (4,103 | ) | $ | 74 | |
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | 1,107 | 15 | (61 | ) | ||||
| Unsecured debt investments | 12,148 | — | — | |||||
| Equity investments | 24,011 | 150 | — | |||||
| Total Investments | $ | 44,090 | $ | (3,938 | ) | $ | 13 |
The following tables present quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs of the Company’s Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The weighted average range of unobservable inputs is based on fair value of investments. The tables are not intended to be all-inclusive but instead capture the significant unobservable inputs relevant to the Company’s determination of fair value.
| As of December 31, 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Fair Value | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Range (Weighted Average) | Impact to Valuation from an Increase in Input | |
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 1,884,470 | Yield Analysis | Market Yield | 5.0%-13.4% (8.4%) | Decrease |
| 357,885 | Recent Transaction | Transaction Price | 98.0%-99.0% (98.5%) | Increase | ||
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments^(1)^ | $ | 91,626 | Yield Analysis | Market Yield | 6.9%-12.0% (10.4%) | Decrease |
| 60,239 | Recent Transaction | Transaction Price | 97.0%-99.5% (98.3%) | Increase | ||
| Unsecured debt investments | $ | 388,602 | Yield Analysis | Market Yield | 8.1%-17.6% (11.4%) | Decrease |
| Equity | $ | 16,950 | Yield Analysis | Market Yield | 10.1% (10.1%) | Decrease |
| 50,000 | Recent Transaction | Transaction Price | $5.10 - $5.67 ($5.66) | Increase | ||
| 131,461 | Market Approach | Revenue Multiple | 5.1x-24.3x (8.7x) | Increase |
________________
| (1) | Excludes investments with an aggregate fair value amounting to $33,131, which the Company valued using indicative bid prices obtained from brokers. |
|---|
F-29
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
| As of December 31, 2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Fair Value | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Range (Weighted Average) | Impact to Valuation from an Increase in Input | |
| First-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 1,087,705 | Yield Analysis | Market Yield | 6.8%-11.7% (8.7%) | Decrease |
| 254,700 | Recent Transaction | Transaction Price | 98.7%-98.8% (98.7%) | Increase | ||
| Second-lien senior secured debt investments | $ | 19,600 | Yield Analysis | Market Yield | 11.8% (11.8%) | Decrease |
| Equity | $ | 15,385 | Market Approach | EBITDA Multiple | 21.5x (21.5x) | Increase |
| 42,068 | Market Approach | Revenue Multiple | 4.7x-18.8x (8.1x) | Increase |
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 its total enterprise value, and the rights and remedies of the Company’s investment within the portfolio company’s capital structure.
Significant unobservable quantitative inputs typically used 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. For the Company’s Level 3 equity investments, a market approach, based on comparable publicly-traded company and comparable market transaction multiples of revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) or some combination thereof and comparable market transactions typically would be used.
Debt Not Carried at Fair Value
Fair Value is estimated by discounting remaining payments using applicable current market rates, which take into account changes in the Company’s marketplace credit ratings, or market quotes, if available. The following table presents the carrying and fair values of the Company’s debt obligations as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Net Carrying<br><br><br>Value^(1)^ | Fair Value | Net Carrying<br><br><br>Value^(2)^ | Fair Value | ||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 103,970 | $ | 103,970 | $ | 641,739 | $ | 641,739 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 62,037 | 62,037 | 182,058 | 182,058 | ||||
| SPV Asset Facility I | 286,309 | 286,309 | — | — | ||||
| June 2025 Notes | 205,011 | 235,200 | — | — | ||||
| December 2025 Notes | 391,931 | 418,000 | — | — | ||||
| June 2026 Notes | 367,804 | 376,875 | — | — | ||||
| CLO 2020-1 | 197,056 | 197,056 | — | — | ||||
| Total Debt | $ | 1,614,118 | $ | 1,679,447 | $ | 823,797 | $ | 823,797 |
________________
| (1) | The carrying value of the Company’s Subscription Credit Facility, Revolving Credit Facility, SPV Asset Facility I, June 2025 Notes, December 2025 Notes, June 2026 Notes, and CLO 2020-1 are presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.9 million, $6.3 million, $3.7 million, $5.0 million, $8.1 million, $7.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The carrying value of the Company’s Subscription Credit Facility and Revolving Credit Facility are presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $4.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively. |
| --- | --- |
F-30
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities, other than investments at fair value and debt, approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
Note 6. Debt
In accordance with the 1940 Act, with certain limitations, the Company is allowed to borrow amounts such that its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least 150% after such borrowing. The Company’s asset coverage was 191% and 193% as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Aggregate Principal Committed | Outstanding Principal | Amount Available^(1)^ | Net Carrying Value^(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)^ | ||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 700,000 | $ | 105,849 | $ | 557,328 | $ | 103,970 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 590,000 | 68,347 | 521,653 | 62,037 | ||||
| SPV Asset Facility I | 300,000 | 290,000 | 10,000 | 286,309 | ||||
| June 2025 Notes | 210,000 | 210,000 | — | 205,011 | ||||
| December 2025 Notes | 400,000 | 400,000 | — | 391,931 | ||||
| June 2026 Notes | 375,000 | 375,000 | — | 367,804 | ||||
| CLO 2020-1 | 200,000 | 200,000 | — | 197,056 | ||||
| Total Debt | $ | 2,775,000 | $ | 1,649,196 | $ | 1,088,981 | $ | 1,614,118 |
________________
| (1) | The amount available reflects any limitations related to each credit facility’s borrowing base. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) | The carrying value of our Subscription Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.9 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (3) | The carrying value of our Revolving Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $6.3 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (4) | The carrying value of our SPV Asset Facility I is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.7 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (5) | The carrying value of our June 2025 Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $5.0 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (6) | The carrying value of our December 2025 Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $8.1 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (7) | The carrying value of our June 2026 Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7.2 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| (8) | The carrying value of our CLO 2020-1 is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ($ in thousands) | Aggregate Principal Committed | Outstanding Principal | Amount Available^(1)^ | Net Carrying Value^(2)(3)^ | ||||
| Subscription Credit Facility | $ | 900,000 | $ | 645,712 | $ | 103,399 | $ | 641,739 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | 305,000 | 185,000 | 120,000 | 182,058 | ||||
| Total Debt | $ | 1,205,000 | $ | 830,712 | $ | 223,399 | $ | 823,797 |
________________
| (1) | The amount available reflects any limitations related to each credit facility’s borrowing base. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The carrying value of our Subscription Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $4.0 million. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | The carrying value of our Revolving Credit Facility is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million. |
| --- | --- |
F-31
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the components of interest expense were as follows:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | ||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 34,197 | $ | 19,478 | $ | 349 | |||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 4,372 | 2,202 | 102 | ||||||
| Total Interest Expense | $ | 38,569 | $ | 21,680 | $ | 451 | |||
| Average interest rate | 3.68 | % | 3.76 | % | 5.91 | % | |||
| Average daily borrowings | $ | 914,266 | $ | 479,115 | $ | 36,163 |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
Subscription Credit Facility
On November 19, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), the Company entered into a revolving credit facility (the “Subscription Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”) as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), as lenders.
The maximum principal amount of the Subscription Credit Facility is $700 million which decreased from $750 million on June 29, 2020, and previously decreased from $800 million to $750 million on June 3, 2020 and from $900 to $800 million on May 20, 2020. The Subscription Credit Facility previously increased from $800 million to $900 million on December 19, 2019, $700 million to $800 million on August 20, 2019, $500 million to $700 million on June 24, 2019, $450 million to $500 million on March 8, 2019 and from $350 million to $450 million on February 25, 2019, subject to availability under the borrowing base, which is based on unused capital commitments. The Subscription Credit Facility includes a provision permitting the Company to further increase the size of the Subscription Credit Facility under certain circumstances up to a maximum principal amount not to exceed an agreed amount, if the existing or new lenders agree to commit to such further increase, which is referred to as the accordion feature.
On June 6, 2019, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the Subscription Credit Facility. Among other changes, the Amendment (a) increased the accordion feature from $1 billion to $1.1 billion; (b) added a financial covenant requiring that the fair market value of the Company’s investments be equal to or greater than 85% of the aggregate cost assigned to such investments on the Company’s financial statements, and (c) added a financial covenant requiring that from June 30, 2019 until the earlier of (i) the “Final Closing Date” as such term is defined in the form of subscription agreement for the Company and (ii) June 30, 2020 (or such later date as requested by the Company and agreed to by the Administrative Agent), the value of the Company’s total assets over its total liabilities be greater than $500 million.
Borrowings under the Subscription Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s election at the time of drawdown, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of LIBOR rate loans, an adjusted LIBOR rate for the applicable interest period plus 1.50% or (ii) in the case of reference rate loans, the greatest of (A) a prime rate plus 0.50%, (B) the federal funds rate plus 1.00%, and (C) one-month LIBOR plus 1.50%. The Company generally borrows utilizing LIBOR loans, generally electing one-month LIBOR upon borrowing. Loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time at the Company’s election, subject to certain conditions. The Company also will pay an unused commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the unused commitments.
The Subscription Credit Facility will mature upon the earliest of: (i) the date three (3) years from the Closing Date (the “Subscription Credit Facility Stated Maturity Date”); (ii) the date upon which the Administrative Agent declares the obligations under the Subscription Credit Facility due and payable after the occurrence of an event of default; (iii) forty-five (45) days prior to the scheduled termination of the commitment period under the Company’s subscription agreements; (iv) forty-five (45) days prior to the date of any listing of the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange; (v) the termination of the commitment period under the Company’s subscription agreements (if earlier than the scheduled date); and (vi) the date the Company terminates the commitments pursuant to the Subscription Credit Facility. At our option, the Subscription Credit Facility Stated Maturity Date may be extended by up to 364 days subject to satisfaction of customary conditions.
The Subscription Credit Facility is secured by a perfected first priority security interest in the Company’s right, title, and interest in and to the capital commitments of the Company’s private investors, including the Company’s right to make capital calls, receive and apply capital contributions, enforce remedies and claims related thereto together with capital call proceeds and related rights, and a pledge of the collateral account into which capital call proceeds are deposited.
F-32
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
The Subscription Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including certain limitations on the incurrence by us of additional indebtedness and on our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, or redeem, repurchase or retire shares of stock, upon the occurrence of certain events, and customary events of default (with customary cure and notice provisions).
Transfers of interests in the Company by investors must comply with certain sections of the Subscription Credit Facility and we shall notify the Administrative Agent before such transfers take place. Such transfers may trigger mandatory prepayment obligations.
Revolving Credit Facility
On March 15, 2019, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated September 3, 2020 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The parties to the Revolving Credit Facility include the Company, as Borrower, the lenders from time to time parties thereto (each a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”) and Truist Securities, Inc. and ING Capital LLC as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank) as Administrative Agent.
The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by OR Tech Lending LLC and will be guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company that are formed or acquired by the Company in the future (collectively, the “Guarantors”).
On September 3, 2020, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”), which amended the Revolving Credit Facility. Among other changes, the Amendment (a) increased the aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $240 million to $540 million; (b) increased the accordion feature, which allows the Company, under certain circumstances, to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility, from $750 million to $1.25 billion and (c) (i) extended the stated maturity date from March 15, 2023 to September 3, 2025 and (ii) extended the commitment termination date from March 15, 2022 to September 3, 2024.
The maximum principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility is $590 million (increased from $540 million on December 8, 2020; previously increased from $365 million on September 3, 2020; previously increased on July 31, 2020 from $315 million to $365 million; previously increased on July 10, 2020 from $305 million to $315 million; previously increased on July 26, 2019 from $280 million to $305 million; previously increased on May 2, 2019 from $240 million to $280 million), subject to availability under the borrowing base, which is based on the Company’s portfolio investments and other outstanding indebtedness. Maximum capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased to $1.25 billion through the exercise by the Borrower of an uncommitted accordion feature through which existing and new lenders may, at their option, agree to provide additional financing (increased from $750 million on September 3, 2020). The Revolving Credit Facility includes a $50 million limit for swingline loans and is secured by a perfected first-priority interest in substantially all of the portfolio investments held by the Company and each Guarantor, subject to certain exceptions.
The availability period under the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on September 3, 2024 (“Commitment Termination Date”) and the Revolving Credit Facility will mature on September 3, 2025 (“Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date”). During the period from the Commitment Termination Date to the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date, the Company will be obligated to make mandatory prepayments under the Revolving Credit Facility out of the proceeds of certain asset sales and other recovery events and equity and debt issuances.
The Company may borrow amounts in U.S. dollars or certain other permitted currencies. Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest at either LIBOR plus 2.00%, or base rate plus 1.00%. The Company may elect either the LIBOR or prime rate at the time of drawdown, and loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time at the Company’s option, subject to certain conditions. The Company generally borrows utilizing LIBOR loans, generally electing one-month LIBOR upon borrowing. The Company will also pay a fee of 0.375% on undrawn amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Revolving Credit Facility includes customary covenants, including certain limitations on the incurrence by the Company of additional indebtedness and on the Company’s ability to make distributions to its shareholders, or redeem, repurchase or retire shares of stock, upon the occurrence of certain events and certain financial covenants related to asset coverage and liquidity and other maintenance covenants, as well as customary events of default.
SPV Asset Facility I
On August 11, 2020 (the “SPV Asset Facility I Closing Date”), OR Tech Financing I LLC (OR Tech Financing I”), a Delaware limited liability company and newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “SPV Asset Facility I”), with OR Tech Financing I, as borrower, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, as initial Lender, Alter Domus (US) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Document Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Collateral Agent, Collateral Administrator and Custodian and the lenders from time to time party thereto pursuant to Assignment and Assumption Agreements.
F-33
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
From time to time, the Company expects to sell and contribute certain investments to OR Tech Financing I pursuant to a Sale and Contribution Agreement by and between the Company and OR Tech Financing I. No gain or loss will be recognized as a result of the contribution. Proceeds from the SPV Asset Facility I will be used to finance the origination and acquisition of eligible assets by OR Tech Financing I, including the purchase of such assets from the Company. The Company retains a residual interest in assets contributed to or acquired by OR Tech Financing I through ownership of OR Tech Financing I. The total term loan commitment of the SPV Asset Facility I is $300 million. The availability of the commitments are subject to a ramp up period and subject to an overcollateralization ratio test, which is based on the value of OR Tech Financing I assets from time to time, and satisfaction of certain other tests and conditions, including an advance rate test, interest coverage ratio test, certain concentration limits and collateral quality tests.
The SPV Asset Facility I provides for the ability to draw term loans for a period of up to two years after the Closing Date unless the commitments are terminated as provided in the SPV Asset Facility I (the “Commitment Termination Date”). Unless otherwise terminated, the SPV Asset Facility I will mature on August 12, 2030 (the “SPV Asset Facility I Stated Maturity”). Prior to the SPV Asset Facility I Stated Maturity, proceeds received by OR Tech Financing I from principal and interest, dividends, or fees on assets must be used to pay fees, expenses and interest on outstanding borrowings, and the excess may be returned to the Company, subject to certain conditions. On the SPV Asset Facility I Stated Maturity, OR Tech Financing I must pay in full all outstanding fees and expenses and all principal and interest on outstanding borrowings, and the excess may be returned to the Company.
Amounts drawn bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 3.50%. The SPV Asset Facility I contains customary covenants, limitations on the activities of OR Tech Financing I, including limitations on incurrence of incremental indebtedness, and customary events of default. The SPV Asset Facility I is secured by a perfected first priority security interest in the assets of OR Tech Financing I and on any payments received by OR Tech Financing I in respect of those assets. Assets pledged to the Lenders will not be available to pay the debts of the Company.
Unsecured Notes
June 2025 Notes
On June 12, 2020, the Company issued $210 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% notes due 2025 (the “June 2025 Notes”) in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and for initial resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. The June 2025 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.
The June 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of June 12, 2020 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), and a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 12, 2020 (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “June 2025 Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee. The June 2025 Notes will mature on June 30, 2025 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the June 2025 Indenture. The June 2025 Notes initially bear interest at a rate of 6.75% per year payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing on December 30, 2020. As described in the First Supplemental Indenture, if the June 2025 Notes cease to have an investment grade rating from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (or if Kroll Bond Rating Agency ceases to rate the June 2025 Notes or fails to make a rating of the June 2025 Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Kroll Bond Rating Agency) (an “Interest Rate Adjustment Event”), the interest rate on the June 2025 Notes will increase to 7.50% from the date of the Interest Rate Adjustment Event until the date on which the June 2025 Notes next again receive an investment grade rating. The June 2025 Notes will be our direct, general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the June 2025 Notes. The June 2025 Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior. The June 2025 Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of the Company’s future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that the Company later secures) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The June 2025 Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by the Company’s subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The June 2025 Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, whether or not it is subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the
F-34
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
holders of the June 2025 Notes and the Trustee if the Company is no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the June 2025 Indenture.
In addition, if a change of control repurchase event, as defined in the June 2025 Indenture, occurs prior to maturity, holders of the June 2025 Notes will have the right, at their option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash some or all of the June 2025 Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the June 2025 Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
December 2025 Notes
On September 23, 2020, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.75% notes due 2025 (the “December 2025 Notes”) in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and for initial resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. The December 2025 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.
The December 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to the Base Indenture and a Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 23, 2020 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “December 2025 Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee. The December 2025 Notes will mature on December 15, 2025 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the December 2025 Indenture. The December 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.75% per year payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on December 15, 2020. The December 2025 Notes will be the Company’s direct, general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the December 2025 Notes. The December 2025 Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior. The December 2025 Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of the Company’s future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that the Company later secures) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The December 2025 Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by the Company’s subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, whether or not it is subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the holders of the December 2025 Notes and the Trustee if the Company is no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.
In addition, if a change of control repurchase event, as defined in the December 2025 Indenture, occurs prior to maturity, holders of the December 2025 Notes will have the right, at their option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash some or all of the December 2025 Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the December 2025 Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
June 2026 Notes
On December 17, 2020, we issued $375 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% notes due 2026 (the “June 2026 Notes”) in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and for initial to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. The June 2026 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.
The June 2026 Notes were issued pursuant to the Base Indenture and a Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 17, 2020 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “June 2026 Indenture”), between us and the Trustee. The June 2026 Notes will mature on June 17, 2026 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the June 2026 Indenture. The June 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.75% per year payable semi-annually on June 17 and December 17 of each year, commencing on June 17, 2021. The June 2026 Notes will be our direct, general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our future indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly subordinated, or junior, in right of payment to the June 2026 Notes. The June 2026 Notes will rank pari passu, or equal, in right of payment with all of our existing and future indebtedness or other obligations that are not so subordinated, or junior to the June 2026 Notes. The June 2026 Notes will rank effectively subordinated, or junior, to any of our future secured indebtedness or other obligations (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The June 2026 Notes will rank structurally subordinated, or junior, to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
F-35
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
The June 2026 Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to (i) comply with the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, whether or not it is subject to those requirements, and (ii) provide financial information to the holders of the June 2026 Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.
In addition, if a change of control repurchase event, as defined in the June 2026 Indenture, occurs prior to maturity, holders of the June 2026 Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash some or all of the June 2026 Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the June 2026 Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
CLO 2020-1
On December 16, 2020 (the “CLO 2020-1 Closing Date”), the Company completed a $333.5 million term debt securitization transaction (the “CLO 2020-1 Transaction”), also known as a collateralized loan obligation transaction, which is a form of secured financing incurred by the Company. The secured notes and preferred shares issued in the CLO 2020-1 Transaction were issued by the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability (the “Issuer”), and Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “CLO 2020-1 Co-Issuer” and together with the CLO 2020-1 Issuer, the “CLO 2020-1 Issuers”) and are backed by a portfolio of collateral obligations consisting of middle market loans, recurring revenue loans and participation interests in middle market loans, recurring revenue loans as well as by other assets of the CLO 2020-1 Issuer.
The CLO 2020-1 Transaction was executed by the issuance of the following classes of notes and preferred shares pursuant to an indenture and security agreement dated as of the Closing Date (the “CLO 2020-1 Indenture”), by and among the CLO 2020-1 Issuers and State Street Bank and Trust Company: $200 million of A (sf) Class A Notes, which bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 2.95% (the “CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes”). The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes are secured by the middle market loans, recurring revenue loans, participation interests in middle market loans and recurring revenue loans and other assets of the Issuer. The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes are scheduled to mature on January 15, 2031. The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes were offered by MUFG Securities Americas Inc., as initial purchaser, from time to time in individually negotiated transactions. Upon the occurrence of certain triggering events relating to the end of LIBOR, a different benchmark rate will replace LIBOR as the reference rate for interest accruing on the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes.
Concurrently with the issuance of the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes, the CLO 2020-1 Issuer issued approximately $133.5 million of subordinated securities in the form of 133,500 preferred shares at an issue price of U.S.$1,000 per share (the “CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares”). The CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares were issued by the CLO 2020-1 Issuer as part of its issued share capital and are not secured by the collateral securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes. The Company purchased all of the CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares. The Company acts as retention holder in connection with the CLO 2020-1 Transaction for the purposes of satisfying certain U.S. and European Union regulations requiring sponsors of securitization transactions to retain exposure to the performance of the securitized assets and as such is required to retain a portion of the CLO 2020-1 Preferred Shares.
As part of the CLO 2020-1 Transaction, the Company entered into a loan sale agreement with the CLO 2020-1 Issuer dated as of the Closing Date, which provided for the sale and contribution of approximately $243.4 million par amount of middle market loans and recurring revenue loans from the Company to the CLO 2020-1 Issuer on the Closing Date and for future sales from the Company to the CLO 2020-1 Issuer on an ongoing basis. Such loans constituted part of the initial portfolio of assets securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes. The Company made customary representations, warranties, and covenants to the CLO 2020-1 Issuer under the loan sale agreement.
Through January 15, 2022, the net proceeds of the issuing of the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes not used to purchase the initial portfolio of loans securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes and a portion of the proceeds received by the CLO 2020-1 Issuer from the loans securing the CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes may be used by the CLO 2020-1 Issuer to purchase additional middle market loans and recurring revenue loans under the direction of the Adviser, in its capacity as collateral manager for the CLO 2020-1 Issuer and in accordance with the Company’s investing strategy and ability to originate eligible middle market loans and recurring revenue loans.
The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes are the secured obligation of the CLO 2020-1 Issuers, and the CLO 2020-1 Indenture includes customary covenants and events of default. The CLO 2020-1 Secured Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities (e.g., “blue sky”) laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or pursuant to an applicable exemption from such registration.
The Adviser will serve as collateral manager for the CLO 2020-1 Issuer under a collateral management agreement dated as of the Closing Date. The Adviser is entitled to receive fees for providing these services. The Adviser has waived its right to receive such fees
F-36
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
but may rescind such waiver at any time; provided, however, that if the Adviser rescinds such waiver, the management fee payable to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated August 10, 2018, between the Adviser and the Company will be offset by the amount of the collateral management fee attributable to the CLO 2020-1 Issuers’ equity or notes owned by the Company.
Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies
Portfolio Company Commitments
From time to time, the Company may enter into commitments to fund investments. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had the following outstanding commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:
| Portfolio Company | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ( in thousands) | ||||
| Intelerad Medical Systems Incorporated (fka 11849573 Canada Inc.) | $ | 6,040 | $ | — |
| 3ES Innovation Inc. (dba Aucerna) | 4,580 | 4,580 | ||
| Acquia Inc. | 11,789 | 14,158 | ||
| Apptio, Inc. | 3,269 | 3,269 | ||
| AxiomSL Group, Inc. | 12,737 | — | ||
| BCTO BSI Buyer, Inc. (dba Buildertrend) | 7,500 | — | ||
| Certify, Inc. | — | 3,422 | ||
| Certify, Inc. | 1,711 | 1,939 | ||
| H&F Opportunities LUX III S.À R.L (dba Checkmarx) | 25,000 | — | ||
| Reef Global, Inc. (fka Cheese Acquisition, LLC) | 1,494 | 4,545 | ||
| ConnectWise, LLC | 10,428 | 13,904 | ||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC | 17,826 | 21,739 | ||
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC | 5,435 | 5,435 | ||
| Diligent Corporation | 4,570 | — | ||
| Diligent Corporation | 1,523 | — | ||
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc. | 6,923 | 6,923 | ||
| Forescout Technologies, Inc. | 8,333 | — | ||
| Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc. | 3,647 | 3,647 | ||
| Granicus, Inc. | 4,110 | — | ||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware) | 1,957 | 12,159 | ||
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware) | 2,844 | 684 | ||
| Instructure, Inc. | 7,405 | — | ||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC | — | 4,179 | ||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC | — | 8,206 | ||
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC | 3,736 | 3,736 | ||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc. | 10,000 | 10,000 | ||
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc. | — | 5,000 | ||
| Kaseya Inc. | — | 3,045 |
All values are in US Dollars.
F-37
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
| Portfolio Company | Investment | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaseya Inc. | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | 2,800 | — | ||
| Kaseya Inc. | First lien senior secured revolving loan | 1,250 | 1,050 | ||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions) | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | — | 1,309 | ||
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions) | First lien senior secured revolving loan | 6,642 | 3,946 | ||
| Litera Bidco LLC | First lien senior secured revolving loan | 8,250 | 8,250 | ||
| MINDBODY, Inc. | First lien senior secured revolving loan | 7,143 | 7,143 | ||
| Maverick Bidco Inc. | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | 6,818 | — | ||
| Paysimple, Inc. | First lien senior secured delayed draw term loan | — | 10,432 | ||
| Project Power Buyer, LLC (dba PEC-Veriforce) | First lien senior secured revolving loan | 3,750 | 3,750 | ||
| RxSense Holdings, LLC | First lien senior secured revolving loan | — | 1,415 | ||
| Total Unfunded Portfolio Company Commitments | $ | 199,510 | $ | 167,865 |
The Company maintains sufficient borrowing capacity along with undrawn Capital Commitments to cover outstanding unfunded portfolio company commitments that the Company may be required to fund.
Investor Commitments
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $3.1 billion in total Capital Commitments from investors ($1.7 billion undrawn), of which $72.9 million is from entities affiliated with or related to the Adviser ($37.3 million undrawn). These undrawn Capital Commitments will no longer remain in effect following the completion of an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $2.5 billion in total Capital Commitments from investors ($1.7 billion undrawn), of which $68.5 million is from entities affiliated with or related to the Adviser ($48.2 million undrawn). These undrawn Capital Commitments will no longer remain in effect following the completion of an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, the Company may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of its business. At December 31, 2020, management was not aware of any pending or threatened litigation.
Note 8. Net Assets
Subscriptions and Drawdowns
In connection with its formation, the Company has the authority to issue 500,000,000 common shares at $0.01 per share par value.
On August 7, 2018, the Company issued 100 common shares for $1,500 to Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC, which subsequently became the Company’s Adviser on August 10, 2018.
The Company has entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with investors providing for the private placement of the Company’s common shares. Under the terms of the Subscription Agreements, investors are required to fund drawdowns to purchase the Company’s common shares up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitment on an as-needed basis each time the Company delivers a capital call notice to its investors.
F-38
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company delivered the following capital call notices to investors:
| Capital Drawdown Notice Date | Common Share Issuance Date | Number of Common Shares Issued | Aggregate Offering Price<br>( in millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 3, 2020 | December 16, 2020 | 663,129 | ||
| September 11, 2020 | September 24, 2020 | 673,401 | ||
| May 6, 2020 | May 19, 2020 | 19,416,820 | ||
| April 15, 2020 | April 28, 2020 | 10,668,889 | ||
| March 11, 2020 | March 24, 2020 | 10,840,780 | ||
| December 30, 2019 | January 13, 2020 | 4,209,097 | ||
| Total | 46,472,116 |
All values are in US Dollars.
On March 3, 2021, the Company delivered a capital drawdown notice to its investors relating to the sale of approximately 16,644,475 shares of the company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, expected to close on or about March 16, 2021 for an aggregate offering price of $250.0 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company delivered the following capital call notices to investors:
| Capital Drawdown Notice Date | Common Share Issuance Date | Number of Common Shares Issued | Aggregate Offering Price<br>( in millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 7, 2019 | November 22, 2019 | 6,756,466 | ||
| September 16, 2019 | September 27, 2019 | 4,025,213 | ||
| May 15, 2019 | May 29, 2019 | 10,112,871 | ||
| March 15, 2019 | March 28, 2019 | 11,838,390 | ||
| Total | 32,732,940 |
All values are in US Dollars.
Distributions
The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of the Company’s common stock during the year ended December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| November 3, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 4, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | $ | 0.22 |
| May 5, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | $ | 0.20 |
| February 19, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
On February 23, 2021, the Board declared a distribution of 90% of estimated fourth quarter taxable income for shareholders of record on March 31, 2021, payable on or before May 14, 2021.
The following table reflects the distributions declared on shares of the Company’s common stock during the year ended December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution per Share | |
| October 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | January 31, 2020 | $ | 0.21 |
| August 7, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | $ | 0.25 |
| May 8, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | August 15, 2019 | $ | 0.14 |
| February 27, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | $ | 0.05 |
F-39
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Dividend Reinvestment
With respect to distributions, the Company has adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for common shareholders. As a result, in the event of a declared distribution, each shareholder that has not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving cash distributions. Shareholders 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.
The following table reflects the common stock issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Shares | |
| August 4, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | 383,937 | |
| May 5, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | 354,998 | |
| February 19, 2020 | March 31, 2020 | May 15, 2020 | 295,497 | |
| October 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | January 31, 2020 | 227,554 |
The following table reflects the common stock issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan during the year ended December 31, 2019:
| December 31, 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Declared | Record Date | Payment Date | Shares | |
| August 7, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | November 15, 2019 | 224,683 | |
| May 8, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | August 15, 2019 | 122,495 | |
| February 27, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | May 15, 2019 | 32,953 |
Note 9. Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 122,117 | $ | 30,736 | $ | (3,166 | ) |
| Weighted average shares of common stock<br><br><br>outstanding—basic and diluted | 85,371,169 | 36,696,078 | 9,344,401 | ||||
| Earnings (loss) per common share-basic and diluted | $ | 1.43 | $ | 0.84 | $ | (0.34 | ) |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
Note 10. Income 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 for tax treatment as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, distribute to its shareholders 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 its tax treatment as a RIC, the Company, among other things, intends to make the requisite distributions to our shareholders, which generally relieves the Company from corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes.
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
F-40
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
its estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions from such income, the Company will accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income.
The following reconciles the increase in net assets resulting from operations for the fiscal periods ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 to undistributed taxable income at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2020^(2)^ | 2019 | 2018^(1)^ | |||||
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 122.1 | $ | 30.7 | $ | (3.2 | ) | |
| Adjustments: | ||||||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) | (43.1 | ) | 2.0 | 1.1 | ||||
| Deferred organization costs | — | — | 0.4 | |||||
| Excise tax | 0.4 | 0.1 | — | |||||
| Other book-tax differences | 3.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | |||||
| Net operating losses | — | — | 1.5 | |||||
| Taxable Income | $ | 83.1 | $ | 33.7 | $ | - |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Tax information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 is estimated and is not considered final until the Company files its tax return. |
| --- | --- |
For the year ended December 31, 2020
Total distributions declared during the year ended December 31, 2020 of $76.8 million were derived from ordinary income, determined on a tax basis. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had $7.8 million of undistributed ordinary income, $1.9 million of undistributed capital gains, as well as $38.8 million of net unrealized gains on investments and assets and liabilities in foreign currencies and ($2.6) million of other temporary differences. For the year ended December 31, 2020, 84.5% of distributed ordinary income qualified as interest related dividend which is exempt from U.S. withholding tax applicable to non- U.S. shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company increased the total distributable earnings (losses) and decreased additional paid in capital. These permanent differences were principally related to $0.1 million of non-deductible offering costs and $0.4 million of U.S. federal excise taxes.
As of December 31, 2020, the net estimated unrealized gain on investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes was $41.0 million based on a tax cost basis of $3.0 billion. As of December 31, 2020, the estimated aggregate gross unrealized loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes was $12.8 million and the estimated aggregate gross unrealized gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes was $53.8 million.
For the period ended December 31, 2019
Total distributions declared during the year ended December 31, 2019 of $30.3 million were derived from ordinary income, determined on a tax basis. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had $3.4 million of undistributed ordinary income, as well as ($3.1) million of net unrealized losses on investments and ($0.3) million of other temporary differences. For the year ended December 31, 2019, 91.6% of distributed ordinary income qualified as interest related dividend which is exempt from U.S. withholding tax applicable to non-U.S. shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company increased the total distributable earnings (losses) and decreased additional paid in capital. These permanent differences were principally related to $0.9 million of non-deductible offering costs and $0.1 million of U.S. federal excise taxes.
For the period ended December 31, 2018
For the period ended December 31, 2018, the Company had $(1.0) million of net unrealized losses on investments and $(0.4) million of other temporary differences.
During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Company increased the total distributable earnings (losses) and decreased additional paid in capital. These permanent differences were principally related to $1.5 million of non-deductible net operating losses and $0.3 million of non-deductible offering costs.
F-41
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Note 11. Financial Highlights
The following are the financial highlights for a common share outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018^(5)^ | |||||||||
| Per share data: | ||||||||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 14.70 | $ | 14.53 | $ | — | ||||||
| Net investment income (loss)^(1)^ | 0.92 | 0.85 | (0.23 | ) | ||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.10 | (0.03 | ) | (0.11 | ) | |||||||
| Total from operations | 1.02 | 0.82 | (0.34 | ) | ||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | — | — | 14.87 | |||||||||
| Distributions declared from net investment income^(2)^ | (0.84 | ) | (0.65 | ) | — | |||||||
| Total increase (decrease) in net assets | 0.18 | 0.17 | 14.53 | |||||||||
| Net asset value, end of period | $ | 14.88 | $ | 14.70 | $ | 14.53 | ||||||
| Shares outstanding, end of period | 100,586,224 | 52,852,122 | 19,739,051 | |||||||||
| Total Return^(3)^ | 7.2 | % | 5.8 | % | (3.2 | ) | % | |||||
| Ratios / Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
| Ratio of total expenses to average net assets^(4)^ | 7.8 | % | 9.3 | % | 7.7 | % | ||||||
| Ratio of net investment income to average net assets^(4)^ | 6.5 | % | 5.5 | % | (3.2 | ) | % | |||||
| Net assets, end of period | $ | 1,496,879 | $ | 777,172 | $ | 286,710 | ||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding | 85,371,169 | 36,696,078 | 9,344,401 | |||||||||
| Total capital commitments, end of period | $ | 3,126,885 | $ | 2,519,921 | $ | 1,813,178 | ||||||
| Ratio of total contributed capital to total committed capital, end of period | 45.7 | % | 30.7 | % | 16.0 | % | ||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate | 10.8 | % | 18.4 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||||
| Year of formation | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
________________
| (1) | The per share data was derived using the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The per share data was derived using actual shares outstanding at the date of the relevant transactions. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | Total return is calculated as the change in net asset value (“NAV”) per share during the period, plus distributions per share (assuming dividends and distributions, if any, are reinvested in accordance with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan), if any, divided by the beginning NAV per share. |
| --- | --- |
| (4) | The ratio reflects an annualized amount, except in the case of non-recurring expenses. |
| --- | --- |
| (5) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
| --- | --- |
F-42
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Note 12. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
| For the three months ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except share and per share data) | March 31, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||
| Investment income | $ | 34,727 | $ | 40,531 | $ | 45,479 | $ | 52,468 | ||
| Net expenses | $ | 18,912 | $ | 18,715 | $ | 24,378 | $ | 32,388 | ||
| Net investment income (loss) | $ | 15,815 | $ | 21,816 | $ | 21,101 | $ | 20,080 | ||
| Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments | $ | (56,028 | ) | $ | 44,316 | $ | 31,646 | $ | 23,371 | |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | (40,213 | ) | $ | 66,132 | $ | 52,747 | $ | 43,451 | |
| Net asset value per share as of the end of the quarter | $ | 13.76 | $ | 14.34 | $ | 14.66 | $ | 14.88 | ||
| Earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.70 | ) | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.53 | $ | 0.44 | |
| For the three months ended | ||||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |
| (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | March 31, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
| Investment income | $ | 9,123 | $ | 17,098 | $ | 27,175 | $ | 30,316 | ||
| Net expenses | $ | 8,083 | $ | 10,889 | $ | 15,765 | $ | 17,902 | ||
| Net investment income (loss) | $ | 1,040 | $ | 6,209 | $ | 11,410 | $ | 12,414 | ||
| Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments | $ | 2,873 | $ | 475 | $ | (3,792 | ) | $ | 107 | |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 3,913 | $ | 6,684 | $ | 7,618 | $ | 12,521 | ||
| Net asset value per share as of the end of the quarter | $ | 14.70 | $ | 14.74 | $ | 14.66 | $ | 14.70 | ||
| Earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.26 | ||
| For the three months ended | ||||||||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | March 31, 2018^(1)^ | June 30, 2018^(1)^ | September 30, 2018^(1)^ | December 31, 2018^(1)^ | ||||||
| Investment income | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 200 | $ | 2,405 | ||
| Net expenses | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,054 | $ | 3,665 | ||
| Net investment income (loss) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (854 | ) | $ | (1,260 | ) |
| Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (2 | ) | $ | (1,050 | ) |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (856 | ) | $ | (2,310 | ) |
| Net asset value per share as of the end of the quarter | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 14.68 | $ | 14.53 | ||
| Earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (0.35 | ) | $ | (0.17 | ) |
________________
| (1) | Reflects the period from July 12, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. |
|---|
F-43
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Note 13. Subsequent Events
The Company’s management evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Other than those previously disclosed, there have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in, or would be required to be recognized in, these consolidated financial statements.
F-44
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
There are not and have not been any disagreements between the Company and its accountant on any matter of accounting principles, practices, or financial statement disclosure.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
| (a) | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
|---|
In accordance with Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and determined that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| (b) | 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, 2020.
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.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
| (c) | Changes in Internal Controls 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.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board consists of eight members. The Board is divided into three classes, with the members of each class serving staggered, three-year terms. The terms of our Class I directors will expire at the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders; the terms of our Class II directors will expire at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders; and the terms of our Class III directors will expire at the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.
Messrs. D'Alelio, Packer and Kirshenbaum serve as Class I directors (with terms expiring in 2022). Messrs. Finn and Kaye serve as Class II directors (with terms expiring in 2023). Messrs. Ostrover and Temple and Ms. Weiler serve as Class III directors (with terms expiring in 2021).
Biographical Information
Brief biographies of the members of the Board are set forth below. Also included below following each biography is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led our Board to conclude that the applicable director should serve on our Board at this time. In addition, set forth further below is a biography of each of our executive officers who is not a director.
| Name, Address, and Age^(1)^ | Position(s) Held with the Company | Principal<br><br><br>Occupation(s)<br><br><br>During the Past<br><br><br>5 Years | Term of Office<br><br><br>and Length of<br><br><br>Time Served^(2)^ | Number of<br><br><br>Companies in<br><br><br>Fund<br><br><br>Complex^(3)^<br><br><br>Overseen by<br><br><br>Director | Other Directorships<br><br><br>Held by Director or<br><br><br>Nominee for Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Directors | |||||
| Brian Finn, 60 | Director | Private Investor<br><br><br>Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Finance Corporation (through 2013) | Class II Director since 2018; Term expires in 2023 | 5 | Owl Rock Capital Corporation (“ORCC”)<br><br><br>Owl Rock Capital Corporation II (“ORCC II”)<br><br><br>Owl Rock Capital Corporation III (“ORCC III”)<br><br><br>Owl Rock Core Income Corp. ("ORCIC")<br><br><br>The Scotts Miracle Gro Company<br><br><br>Rotor Acquisition Corp. |
| Eric Kaye, 57 | Director | Founder of Kayezen, LLC (formerly ARQ^EX Fitness Systems) | Class II Director since 2018; Term expires in 2023 | 5 | ORCC<br><br><br>ORCC II<br><br><br>ORCC III<br><br><br>ORCIC |
| Christopher M. Temple, 53 | Director | President of DelTex Capital LLC | Class III Director since 2018; Term expires in 2021 | 5 | ORCC<br><br><br>ORCC II<br><br><br>ORCC III<br><br><br>ORCIC<br><br><br>Plains All American Pipeline Company |
| Melissa Weiler, 56 | Director | Private Investor<br><br><br>Managing Director and member of the Management Committee of Crescent Capital Group (through 2020) | Class III Director since 2021; Term expires in 2021 | 5 | ORCC<br><br><br>ORCC II<br><br><br>ORCC III<br><br><br>ORCIC |
| Edward D'Alelio, 68 | Chairman of the Board, Director | Retired | Class I Director since 2018; Term expires in 2022 | 5 | ORCC<br><br><br>ORCC II<br><br><br>ORCC III<br><br><br>ORCIC<br><br><br>Blackstone/GSO Long Short Credit Fund<br><br><br>Blackstone/GSO Sen. Flt Rate Fund |
| Name, Address, and Age^(1)^ | Position(s) Held with the Company | Principal<br><br><br>Occupation(s)<br><br><br>During the Past<br><br><br>5 Years | Term of Office<br><br><br>and Length of<br><br><br>Time Served^(2)^ | Number of<br><br><br>Companies in<br><br><br>Fund<br><br><br>Complex^(3)^<br><br><br>Overseen by<br><br><br>Director | Other Directorships<br><br><br>Held by Director or<br><br><br>Nominee for Director |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Interested Directors^(4)^ | |||||
| Douglas I. Ostrover, 58 | Director | Co Founder and<br><br><br>Chief Executive<br><br><br>Officer of Owl Rock<br><br><br>Capital Partners<br><br><br>Co-Chief Investment<br><br><br>Officer of the<br><br><br>Adviser, ORCA, ORDA and<br><br><br>ORPFA (the "Owl Rock Advisers")<br><br><br>Co-Founder GSO<br><br><br>Capital Partners | Class III Director<br><br><br>since 2018; Term<br><br><br>expires in 2021 | 5 | ORCC<br><br><br>ORCC II<br><br><br>ORCC III<br><br><br>ORCIC<br><br><br>Jaws Acquisition Corp. |
| Craig W. Packer, 54 | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | Co Founder of Owl Rock Capital Partners<br><br><br>Co-Chief Investment Officer of each of the Owl Rock Advisers,<br><br><br>President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, ORCC, ORCC II, ORCC III, ORCIC (the "Owl Rock BDCs")<br><br><br>Co Head of Leveraged Finance in the Americas, Goldman Sachs | Class I Director since 2018; Term expires in 2022 | 5 | ORCC<br><br><br>ORCC II<br><br><br>ORCC III<br><br><br>ORCIC |
| Name, Address, and Age^(1)^ | Position(s) Held with the Company | Principal<br><br><br>Occupation(s)<br><br><br>During the Past<br><br><br>5 Years | Term of Office<br><br><br>and Length of<br><br><br>Time Served^(2)^ | Number of<br><br><br>Companies in<br><br><br>Fund<br><br><br>Complex^(3)^<br><br><br>Overseen by<br><br><br>Director | Other Directorships<br><br><br>Held by Director or<br><br><br>Nominee for Director |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Alan Kirshenbaum, 49 | Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director | Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Owl Rock Capital Partners, each of the Owl Rock Advisers, the Company and ORCC;<br><br><br>Chief Operating Officer of ORCC II and ORCC III<br><br><br>Chief Financial Officer of Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. | Class I Director since 2018; Term expires in 2022 | 5 | ORCC<br><br><br>ORCC II<br><br><br>ORCC III<br><br><br>ORCIC |
| (1) | The address for each director is c/o Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022. | ||||
| --- | --- | ||||
| (2) | Directors serve for three‑year terms until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. | ||||
| --- | --- | ||||
| (3) | The term “Fund Complex” refers to the Owl Rock BDCs. Directors and officers who oversee the funds in the Fund Complex are noted. | ||||
| --- | --- | ||||
| (4) | "Interested person" of the Company as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). Messrs. Ostrover, Packer, and Kirshenbaum are "interested persons" because of their affiliation with the Adviser. | ||||
| --- | --- |
Independent Directors
Mr. Kaye is the founder of Kayezen, LLC (formerly ARQ^EX Fitness Systems), a physical therapy and fitness equipment design company. Prior to founding Kayezen, Mr. Kaye served as a Vice Chairman and Managing Director of UBS Investment Bank, and a member of the division’s Global Operating and U.S. Executive Committees, from June 2001 to May 2012. For the majority of Mr. Kaye’s tenure with UBS, he was a Managing Director and led the firm’s Exclusive Sales and Divestitures Group, where he focused on advising middle market companies. Prior to joining UBS, Mr. Kaye has served as Global Co‑Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for Robertson Stephens, an investment banking firm, from February 1998 to June 2001. Mr. Kaye joined Robertson Stephens from PaineWebber where he served as Executive Director and head of the firm’s Technology Mergers & Acquisitions team. Since March 2016 and November 2016 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of the Company, and since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively. Mr. Kaye holds a B.A. from Union College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.
We believe Mr. Kaye’s management positions and experiences in the middle market provide the Board with valuable insight.
Mr. Finn served as the Chief Executive Officer of Asset Management Finance Corporation from 2009 to March 2013 and as its Chairman from 2008 to March 2013. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Finn was Chairman and Head of Alternative Investments at Credit Suisse Group. Mr. Finn has held many positions within Credit Suisse and its predecessor firms, including President of Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB), President of Investment Banking, Co‑President of Institutional Securities, Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse USA and a member of the Office of the Chairman of CSFB. He was also a member of the Executive Board of Credit Suisse. Mr. Finn served as principal and partner of private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Finn currently serves as Chairman of Covr Financial Technologies Corp., a director of The Scotts Miracle Gro Company, and WaveGuide Corporation, Chairman of Star Mountain Capital, a lower middle market credit investment firm, and Investment Partner of Nyca Partners, a financial technology venture
capital firm, a director of Sarcos Robotics and is CEO and a director of Rotor Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded 'blank check' company. Since March 2016 and November 2016 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of the Company, and since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively. Mr. Finn received a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
We believe Mr. Finn’s numerous management positions and broad experiences in the financial services sector provide him with skills and valuable insight in handling complex financial transactions and issues, all of which make him well qualified to serve on the Board.
Mr. Temple has served as President of DelTex Capital LLC (a private investment firm) since its founding in 2010. Mr. Temple has served as an Operating Executive/Consultant for Tailwind Capital, LLC, a New York based middle market private equity firm, since June 2011. Prior to forming DelTex Capital, Mr. Temple served as President of Vulcan Capital, the investment arm of Vulcan Inc., from May 2009 until December 2009 and as Vice President of Vulcan Capital from September 2008 to May 2009. Prior to joining Vulcan in September 2008, Mr. Temple served as a managing director at Tailwind Capital, LLC from May to August 2008. Prior to joining Tailwind, Mr. Temple was a managing director at Friend Skoler & Co., Inc. from May 2005 to May 2008. From April 1996 to December 2004, Mr. Temple was a managing director at Thayer Capital Partners. Mr. Temple started his career in the audit and tax departments of KPMG’s Houston office and was a licensed CPA from 1989 to 1993. Mr. Temple has served on the board of directors of Plains GP Holdings, L.P., the general partner of Plains All American Pipeline Company since November 2016 and has served as a member of Plains GP Holdings, L.P. compensation committee since November 2020 and as a director of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.'s ("PAA") general partner from May 2009 to November 2016. He was a member of the PAA Audit Committee from 2009 to 2016. Prior public board service includes board and audit committee service for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings from April 2011 to May 2016 and on the board and audit committee of Charter Communications Inc. from November 2009 through January 2011. In addition to public boards, as part of his role with Tailwind, Mr. Temple has served on private boards including Brawler Industries, and National HME and currently serves on the boards of Loenbro, Inc and HMT, LLC. Since March 2016 and November 2016 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of the Company, and since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively. Mr. Temple holds a B.B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Texas and an M.B.A. from Harvard.
We believe Mr. Temple’s broad investment management background, together with his financial and accounting knowledge, brings important and valuable skills to the Board.
Mr. D’Alelio was formerly a Managing Director and CIO for Fixed Income at Putnam Investments, Boston, where he served from 1989 until he retired in 2002. While at Putnam, he served on the Investment Policy Committee, which was responsible for oversight of all investments. He also sat on various Committees including attribution and portfolio performance. Prior to joining Putnam, he was a portfolio manager at Keystone Investments and prior to that, he was an Investment Analyst at The Hartford Ins. Co. Since 2002, Mr. D’Alelio has served as an Executive in Residence at the University of Mass., Boston—School of Management. He is also chair of the investment committee of the UMass Foundation and chair of the UMass Memorial Hospital investment committee and serves on its corporate board. He serves on the Advisory Committees of Ceres Farms. Since September 2009 Mr. D’Alelio has served as director of Vermont Farmstead Cheese. Since January 2008 he has served on the board of Blackstone/GSO Long Short Credit Fund. & Blackstone/GSO Sen. Flt Rate Fund. Since March 2016 and November 2016 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of the Company, and since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively. Mr. D’Alelio’s previous corporate board assignments include Archibald Candy, Doane Pet Care and Trump Entertainment Resorts. Mr. D’Alelio is a graduate of the Univ. of Mass Boston and has an M.B.A. from Boston University.
We believe Mr. D’Alelio’s numerous management positions and broad experiences in the financial services sector provide him with skills and valuable insight in handling complex financial transactions and issues, all of which make him well qualified to serve on the Board.
Ms. Weiler was formerly a Managing Director and a member of the Management Committee of Crescent Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based asset management firm (“Crescent”), where she served from January 2011 until she retired in December 2020. During that time, Ms. Weiler was responsible for the oversight of Crescent’s CLO management business from July 2017 through December 2020, and managed several multi-strategy credit funds from January 2011 through June 2017. During her tenure at Crescent, she also served on the Risk Management and Diversity & Inclusion committees. From October 1995 to December 2010, Ms. Weiler was a Managing Director at Trust Company of the West, a Los Angeles-based asset management firm (“TCW”). At TCW, she managed several multi-strategy credit funds from July 2006 to December 2010, and served as lead portfolio manager for TCW’s high-yield
bond strategy from October 1995 to June 2006. Ms. Weiler is a member of the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors and is actively involved in 100 Women in Finance. Ms. Weiler holds a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Weiler joined the boards of the Company, ORCC, ORCC II, ORCC III and ORCIC in 2021.
We believe Ms. Weiler’s broad investment management background, together with her financial and accounting knowledge, brings important and valuable skills to the Board.
Interested Directors
Mr. Ostrover is a Co‑Founder of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP and also serves as Chief Executive Officer and Co‑Chief Investment Officer of the Owl Rock Advisers, and is a member of the Investment Committee of each of the Owl Rock BDCs. In addition, Mr. Ostrover has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II since March 2016 and November 2016, respectively, on the board of directors of the Company since August 2018, and on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC since February 2020 and September 2020, respectively. In addition, since April 2020, Mr. Ostrover has served on the board of Jaws Acquisition Corp. Prior to co‑founding Owl Rock, Mr. Ostrover was one of the founders of GSO Capital Partners (GSO), Blackstone’s alternative credit platform, and a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone until June 2015. Prior to co‑founding GSO in 2005, Mr. Ostrover was a Managing Director and Chairman of the Leveraged Finance Group of Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB). Prior to his role as Chairman, Mr. Ostrover was Global Co‑Head of CSFB’s Leveraged Finance Group, during which time he was responsible for all of CSFB’s origination, distribution and trading activities relating to high yield securities, leveraged loans, high yield credit derivatives and distressed securities. Mr. Ostrover was a member of CSFB’s Management Council and the Fixed Income Operating Committee. Mr. Ostrover joined CSFB in November 2000 when CSFB acquired Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (“DLJ”), where he was a Managing Director in charge of High Yield and Distressed Sales, Trading and Research. Mr. Ostrover had been a member of DLJ’s high yield team since he joined the firm in 1992. Mr. Ostrover is actively involved in non‑profit organizations including serving on the Board of Directors of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Mr. Ostrover is also a board member of the Brunswick School. Mr. Ostrover received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from New York University Stern School of Business.
We believe Mr. Ostrover’s depth of experience in corporate finance, capital markets and financial services, gives the Board valuable industry‑specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters, and his history with us and the Adviser, provide an important skillset and knowledge base to the Board.
Mr. Packer is a Co‑Founder of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP and also serves as Co‑Chief Investment Officer of the Owl Rock Advisers and President and Chief Executive Officer of each of the Owl Rock BDCs and ORCC III and is a member of the Investment Committee of each of the Owl Rock BDCs. In addition, Mr. Packer has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II since March 2016 and November 2016, respectively, on the board of directors of the Company since August 2018, and on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC since February 2020 and September 2020, respectively. Prior to co‑founding Owl Rock, Mr. Packer was Co‑Head of Leveraged Finance in the Americas at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he served on the Firmwide Capital Committee, Investment Banking Division (“IBD”) Operating Committee, IBD Client and Business Standards Committee and the IBD Risk Committee. Mr. Packer joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. as a Managing Director and Head of High Yield Capital Markets in 2006 and was named partner in 2008. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Packer was the Global Head of High Yield Capital Markets at Credit Suisse First Boston, and before that he worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Packer serves as Treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees of Greenwich Academy, and Co‑Chair of the Honorary Board of Kids in Crisis, a nonprofit organization that serves children in Connecticut, and on the Advisory Board for the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia. Mr. Packer earned a B.S. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
We believe Mr. Packer’s depth of experience in corporate finance, capital markets and financial services gives the Board valuable industry‑specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters, and his history with us and the Adviser provide an important skillset and knowledge base to the Board.
Mr. Kirshenbaum is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP and also serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Owl Rock Advisers, the Company and ORCC, and the Chief Operating Officer of ORCC II and ORCC III. In addition, Mr. Kirshenbaum has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II since October 2015, on the board of directors of the Company since July 2018 and on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC since January 2020 and April 2020, respectively. Prior to Owl Rock, Mr. Kirshenbaum was Chief Financial Officer of Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., a business development company traded on the NYSE (TSLX). Mr. Kirshenbaum was responsible for building and overseeing TSLX’s finance, treasury, accounting and operations functions from 2011 through 2015, including during its initial public offering in March 2014. From August 2011 through October 2015, Mr. Kirshenbaum was also Chief Financial Officer of TPG Special Situations Partners. From 2007 to 2011, Mr. Kirshenbaum was the Chief Financial Officer of Natsource, a private investment firm and, prior to that, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of MainStay Investments. Mr. Kirshenbaum joined
Bear Stearns Asset Management (“BSAM”) in 1999 and was BSAM’s Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2006. Before joining BSAM, Mr. Kirshenbaum worked in public accounting at KPMG and J.H. Cohn. Mr. Kirshenbaum is actively involved in a variety of non‑profit organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and as trustee for the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Mr. Kirshenbaum is also a member of the Rutgers University Dean’s Cabinet. Mr. Kirshenbaum received a B.S. from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from New York University Stern School of Business.
We believe Mr. Kirshenbaum’s finance and operations experience, including serving as chief financial officer for a publicly traded business development company and prior experience going through the initial public offering process, as well as a history with us and the Adviser, provide an important skillset and knowledge base to the Board.
Meetings and Attendance
The Board met twelve times during 2020 and acted on various occasions by written consent. Each director attended all meetings of the Board (held during the period for which he has been a director) except for Messrs. Finn, Temple and Packer who did not attend one meeting of the Board, and Mr. Ostrover who did not attend four meetings of the Board.
Board Attendance at the Annual Meeting
Our policy is to encourage our directors to attend each annual meeting; however, such attendance is not required at this time. All of our then-current directors attended the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Overall responsibility for our oversight rests with the Board. We have entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement pursuant to which the Adviser will manage the Company on a day-to-day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and our other service providers in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and our charter. The Board is currently composed of eight members, five of whom are directors who are not "interested persons" of the Company or the Adviser as defined in the 1940 Act. The Board meets in person at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. As described below, the Board has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time, to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Board has appointed Edward D’Alelio, an independent director, to serve in the role of Chairman of the Board. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, counsel and other directors generally between meetings. The Chairman serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the directors. The Chairman also may perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over the matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of directors and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight.
We are subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risks, among others. Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Company and is addressed as part of various Board and committee activities. Day‑to‑day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of the Adviser and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), which carry out our investment management and business affairs. The Adviser and other service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various events or circumstances that give rise to risks, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each of the Adviser and other service providers has their own independent interest in risk management, and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Company or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. As part of its regular oversight of the Company, the Board interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, the Adviser, our chief compliance officer, our independent registered public accounting firm and counsel, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Company and applicable risk controls. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.
Communications with Directors
Shareholders and other interested parties may contact any member (or all members) of the Board by mail. To communicate with the Board, any individual directors or any group or committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to the Board or any such individual directors or group or committee of directors by either name or title. All such correspondence should be sent to Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Secretary.
Committees of the Board
The Board has an Audit Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and may form additional committees in the future. A brief description of each committee is included in this Form 10-K and the charters of the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.owlrock.com.
As of the date of this Form 10-K, the members of each of the Board’s committees are as follows (the names of the respective committee chairperson are bolded):
| Audit<br><br><br>Committee | Nominating and<br>Corporate Governance Committee |
|---|---|
| Edward D’Alelio | Edward D’Alelio |
| Brian Finn | Brian Finn |
| Eric Kaye | Eric Kaye |
| Christopher M. Temple<br><br><br>Melissa Weiler | Christopher M. Temple<br><br><br>Melissa Weiler |
Audit Committee Governance, Responsibilities and Meetings
In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board, the Audit Committee:
(a)assists the Board’s oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm;
(b)prepares an Audit Committee report, if required by the SEC, to be included in our annual proxy statement;
(c)oversees the scope of the annual audit of our financial statements, the quality and objectivity of our financial statements, accounting and financial reporting policies and internal controls;
(d)determines the selection, appointment, retention and termination of our independent registered public accounting firm, as well as approving the compensation thereof;
(e)pre‑approves all audit and non‑audit services provided to us and certain other persons by such independent registered public accounting firm; and
(f)acts as a liaison between our independent registered public accounting firm and the Board.
The Audit Committee had nine formal meetings in 2020. Each member of the Audit Committee (during the period for which he has been a member of the committee) who served on such committee during the 2020 fiscal year attended all of the meetings held during 2020, except for Mr. Finn who did not attend one meeting of the Audit Committee.
Our Board has determined that Christopher M. Temple and Brian Finn qualify as “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
Each member of the Audit Committee simultaneously serves on the audit committees of three or more public companies, and the Board has determined that each member’s simultaneous service on the audit committees of other public companies does not impair such member’s ability to effectively serve on the Audit Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Governance, Responsibilities and Meetings
In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:
(a)recommends to the Board persons to be nominated by the Board for election at the Company’s meetings of our shareholders, special or annual, if any, or to fill any vacancy on the Board that may arise between shareholder meetings;
(b)makes recommendations with regard to the tenure of the directors;
(c)is responsible for overseeing an annual evaluation of the Board and its committee structure to determine whether the structure is operating effectively; and
(d)recommends to the Board the compensation to be paid to the independent directors of the Board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider for nomination to the Board candidates submitted by our shareholders or from other sources it deems appropriate.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee had three formal meeting in 2020. Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (during the period for which he has been a member of the committee) who served on such committee during the 2020 fiscal year attended all of the meetings held during 2020.
Director Nominations
Nomination for election as a director may be made by, or at the direction of, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or by shareholders in compliance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws.
Shareholder proposals or director nominations to be presented at the annual meeting of shareholders, other than shareholder proposals submitted pursuant to the SEC's Rule 14a-8, must be submitted in accordance with the advance notice procedures and other requirements set forth in our bylaws. These requirements are separate from the requirements discussed above to have the shareholder nomination or other proposal included in our proxy statement and form of proxy/voting instruction card pursuant to the SEC's rules.
Our bylaws require that the proposal or recommendation for nomination must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the 150th day prior to the one year anniversary of the date the Company's proxy statement for the preceding year's annual meeting, or later than the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year's annual meeting. If the date of the annual meeting has changed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year's annual meeting, shareholder proposals or director nominations must be so received not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.
In evaluating director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers, among others, the following factors:
| • | whether the individual possesses high standards of character and integrity, relevant experience, a willingness to ask hard questions and the ability to work well with others; |
|---|---|
| • | whether the individual is free of conflicts of interest that would violate applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper performance of the responsibilities of a director; |
| --- | --- |
| • | whether the individual is willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company and be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a director and Board Committee member; |
| --- | --- |
| • | whether the individual has the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of the shareholder as a whole and not a special interest group or constituency; and |
| --- | --- |
| • | whether the individual possesses the skills, experiences (such as current business experience or other such current involvement in public service, academia or scientific communities), particular areas of expertise, particular backgrounds, and other characteristics that will help ensure the effectiveness of the Board and Board committees. |
| --- | --- |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's goal is to assemble a board that brings to the Company a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high-quality business and professional experience.
Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider other factors as they may deem are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board also believes it appropriate for certain key members of our management to participate as members of the Board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination. If any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identify the desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria above. The members of the Board are polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting the aforementioned criteria. Research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals. To date, we have not engaged third parties to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying potential nominees, although we reserve the right in the future to retain a third-party search firm, if necessary.
The Board has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. In determining whether to recommend a director nominee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers and discusses diversity, among other factors, with a view toward the needs of the Board as a whole. The Board generally conceptualizes diversity expansively to include, without limitation, concepts such as race, gender, national origin, differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill and other qualities that contribute to the Board, when identifying and recommending director nominees. The Board believes that the inclusion of diversity as one of many factors considered in selecting director nominees is consistent with the Board's goal of creating a Board that best serves the needs of the Company and the interests of its shareholders.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the Company’s directors and executive officers, and any persons holding more than 10% of its shares, are required to report their beneficial ownership and any changes therein to the SEC and the Company. Specific due dates for those reports have been established, and the Company is required to report herein any failure to file such reports by those due dates. Based on the Company’s review of Forms 3, 4, and 5 filed by such persons and information provided by the Company’s directors and officers, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to such persons were timely filed.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which applies to our executive officers, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as well as every officer, director and employee of the Company. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be accessed on our website at www.owlrock.com.
There have been no material changes to our corporate code of ethics or material waivers of the code that apply to our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. If we make any substantive amendment to, or grant a waiver from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on our website at www.owlrock.com as well as file a Form 8‑K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Information about Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
The following sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company who are not directors of the Company.
| Name | Age | Position | Officer Since | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Hager | 48 | Chief Compliance Officer | 2018 | |
| Bryan Cole | 36 | Chief Accounting Officer | 2018 | |
| Alexis Maged | 55 | Vice President | 2018 | |
| Neena Reddy | 42 | Vice President | 2019 |
The address for each of our executive officers is c/o Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022.
Ms. Hager is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP and also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer of each of the Owl Rock Advisers and each of the Owl Rock BDCs. Prior to joining Owl Rock in March 2018, Ms. Hager was Chief Compliance
Officer at Abbott Capital Management. Previous to Abbott, Ms. Hager worked as SVP, Director of Global Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer at The Permal Group, and as Director of Compliance at Dominick & Dominick Advisors LLC. Prior to joining Dominick & Dominick Advisors LLC, Ms. Hager was a Senior Securities Compliance Examiner/Staff Accountant at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Ms. Hager received a B.S. in Accounting from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.
Mr. Cole is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners and serves as the Chief Accounting Officer of each of the Owl Rock BDCs, Chief Financial Officer of each of ORCC II, ORCC III and ORCIC, and as Treasurer for ORCC III and ORCIC. Prior to joining Owl Rock in January 2016, Mr. Cole was Assistant Controller of Business Development Corporation of America, a non‑traded business development company, where he was responsible for overseeing the finance, accounting, financial reporting, operations and internal controls functions. Preceding that role, Mr. Cole worked within the Financial Services—Alternative Investments practice of PwC where he specialized in financial reporting, fair valuation of illiquid investments and structured products, internal controls and other technical accounting matters pertaining to alternative investment advisors, hedge funds, business development companies and private equity funds. Mr. Cole received a B.S. in Accounting from Fordham University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New York.
Mr. Maged is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP and also serves as the Head of Credit for each of the Owl Rock Advisers and as Vice President of each of the Owl Rock BDCs and is a member of the Investment Committee of each of the Owl Rock BDCs. Prior to joining Owl Rock in 2016, Mr. Maged was Chief Financial Officer of Barkbox, Inc., a New York‑based provider of pet‑themed products and technology, from 2014 to 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Maged was a Managing Director with Goldman Sachs & Co. from 2007 until 2014. At Goldman Sachs & Co., Mr. Maged held several leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer of the investment bank’s Global Credit Finance businesses, Co‑Chair of the Credit Markets Capital Committee and a member of the Firmwide Capital Committee. Prior to assuming that role in 2011, Mr. Maged served as Chief Underwriting Officer for the Americas and oversaw the U.S. Bank Debt Portfolio Group and US Loan Negotiation Group. From mid‑2007 to the end of 2008, Mr. Maged was Head of Bridge Finance Capital Markets in the Americas Financing Group’s Leveraged Finance Group, where he coordinated the firm’s High Yield Bridge Lending and Syndication business. Prior to joining Goldman, Sachs & Co, Mr. Maged was Head of the Bridge Finance Group at Credit Suisse and also worked in the Loan Capital Markets Group at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette. Upon DLJ’s merger with Credit Suisse in 2000, Mr. Maged joined Credit Suisse’s Syndicated Loan Group and, in 2003, founded its Bridge Finance Group. Earlier in his career, Mr. Maged was a member of the West Coast Sponsor Coverage Group at Citigroup and the Derivatives Group at Republic National Bank, as well as a founding member of the Loan Syndication Group at Swiss Bank Corporation. Mr. Maged received a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.B.A. from New York University Stern School of Business.
Ms. Reddy is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners LP, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of each of the Owl Rock Advisors and also serves as Vice President and Secretary of each of the Owl Rock BDCs. Prior to joining Owl Rock in June 2019, Ms. Reddy was counsel at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, where she was responsible for direct alternative products, including private credit. Previously, Ms. Reddy was an attorney at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Ms. Reddy received a B.A. in English from Georgetown University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Reddy was a financial analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Portfolio Managers
The management of the Company’s investment portfolio is the responsibility of the Adviser’s Investment Committee. The Company considers these individuals to be its portfolio managers. The members of the Investment Committee function as portfolio manager with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of our portfolio. Each member of the Investment Committee is responsible for determining whether to make prospective investments and monitoring the performance of the investment portfolio. The Investment Committee is comprised of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer and Alexis Maged. The Investment Committee meets regularly to consider the Company’s investments, direct its strategic initiatives and supervise the actions taken by the Adviser on its behalf. In addition, the Investment Committee reviews and determines whether to make prospective investments and monitors the performance of the investment portfolio. Each investment opportunity requires the unanimous approval of the Investment Committee. Follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies may require the Investment Committee’s approval beyond that obtained when the initial investment in the portfolio company was made. In addition, temporary investments, such as those in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, may require approval by the Investment Committee. The compensation packages of certain Investment Committee members from the Adviser include various combinations of discretionary bonuses and variable incentive compensation based primarily on performance for services provided.
The Investment Team is led by Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer and is supported by certain members of the Adviser’s senior executive team and the Investment Committee. The Investment Team, under the Investment Committee’s
supervision, sources investment opportunities, conducts research, performs due diligence on potential investments, structures the Company’s investments and monitors the Company’s portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.
None of the Adviser’s investment professionals receive any direct compensation from the Company in connection with the management of the Company’s portfolio. Certain members of the Investment Committee, through their financial interests in the Adviser, are entitled to a portion of the profits earned by the Adviser, which includes any fees payable to the Adviser under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, less expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
The members of the Investment Team perform a similar role for Owl Rock Capital Corporation, which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ORCC,” Owl Rock Capital Corporation II, Owl Rock Capital Corporation III and Owl Rock Core Income Corp., from which the Adviser and its affiliates may receive incentive fees. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS – Affiliated Transactions” for a description of the Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy governing allocations of investments among us and other investment vehicles with similar or overlapping strategies, as well as a description of certain other relationships between us and the Adviser. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS – We may compete for capital and investment opportunities with other entities managed by our Adviser or its affiliates, subjecting our Adviser to certain conflicts of interests” for a discussion of potential conflicts of interests.
The members of the Investment Committee function as portfolio managers with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of our portfolio. The Investment Committee is comprised of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, Alexis Maged, Erik Bissonnette and Pravin Vazirani. Information regarding the Investment Committee, is as follows:
| Name | Year of Birth |
|---|---|
| Douglas I. Ostrover | 1962 |
| Marc S. Lipschultz | 1969 |
| Craig W. Packer | 1966 |
| Alexis Maged | 1965 |
| Erik Bissonnette | 1979 |
| Pravin Vazirani | 1973 |
In addition to managing our investments, as of December 31, 2020, our portfolio managers also managed investments on behalf of the following entities:
| Name | Entity | Investment Focus | Gross Assets<br>( in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owl Rock Capital Corporation | Business development company | U.S. middle-market lending | |
| Owl Rock Capital Corporation II | Business development company | U.S. middle-market lending | |
| Owl Rock Capital Corporation III | Business development company | U.S. middle-market lending | |
| Owl Rock Core Income Corp. | Business development company | U.S. middle-market lending |
All values are in US Dollars.
As of December 31, 2020, our portfolio managers also managed 5 private funds (the "Owl Rock Private Funds" and together with the Owl Rock BDCs, the "Owl Rock Clients") with a total of approximately $2.5 billion in gross assets.
The management and incentive fees payable by the Owl Rock Clients are based on the gross assets and performance of each Owl Rock Client.
Biographical information regarding the members of the Investment Committee, who are not directors or executive officers of the Company is as follows:
Marc S. Lipschultz
Mr. Lipschultz is a co-founder and the President of Owl Rock Capital Partners and Co-Chief Investment Officer of each of the Owl Rock Advisers. Prior to founding Owl Rock, Mr. Lipschultz spent more than two decades at KKR, and he served on the firm's Management Committee and as the Global Head of Energy and Infrastructure. Mr. Lipschultz has a wide range of experience in alternative investments, including leadership roles in private equity, infrastructure and direct-asset investing. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Lipschultz was with Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and principal investment activities. He received an A.B. with honors and distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, from Stanford University and an M.B.A. with high distinction, Baker
Scholar, from Harvard Business School. Mr. Lipschultz serves on the board of the Hess Corporation, and is actively involved in a variety of non-profit organizations, serving as a trustee or board member of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Mount Sinai Health System, Riverdale Country School and as the President of the board of directors of the 92nd Street Y.
Erik Bissonnette
Mr. Bissonnette is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners and is a member of the Adviser’s Investment Committee. Prior to joining Owl Rock in 2018, Mr. Bissonnette was a Managing Director and Head of Technology Leveraged Finance at Capital Source from 2009 to 2017. Preceding Capital Source, Mr. Bissonnette was an Associate at ABS Capital Partners from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Bissonnette was an Associate at Wachovia Securities for four years, and Analyst at Banc of America Securities from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Bissonnette received a B.A. in Economics with a double major in English from Wake Forest University.
Pravin Vazirani
Mr. Vazirani is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners and is a member of the Adviser’s Investment Committee. Prior to joining Owl Rock in 2018, Mr. Vazirani was a partner with Menlo Ventures. While at Menlo Ventures Mr. Vazirani focused on investments in the SaaS, cloud and e-commerce sectors. Mr. Vazirani’s prior investments include Carbonite (IPO: CARB); Centrality Communications (acquired by SiR F Holdings); EdgeCast Networks (acquired by Verizon); Credant Technologies (acquired by Dell); Like.com (acquired by Google); and newScale (acquired by Cisco Systems). Mr. Vazirani’s current investments and board seats include BlueVine, Pillpack, Poshmark, Signifyd, and Stance. Mr. Vazirani started his career as an engineer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Later, Mr. Vazirani worked for Pacific Communication Sciences and ADC Telecommunications as a product manager. Mr. Vazirani holds BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from MIT, and an MBA from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.
The table below shows the dollar range of shares of our common stock to be beneficially owned by the members of the Investment Committee as of March 4, 2021 stated as one of the following dollar ranges: None; $1-$10,000; $10,001- $50,000; $50,001-$100,000; or Over $100,000. For purposes of this annual report, the term “Fund Complex” is defined to include the Owl Rock BDCs.
| Name | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp(1)(2) | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund Complex^(1)(3)^ |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas I. Ostrover | over 100,000 | over $100,000 |
| Marc S. Lipschultz | over 100,000 | over $100,000 |
| Craig W. Packer | over 100,000 | over $100,000 |
| Alexis Maged | over $100,000 | |
| Erik Bissonnette | over 100,000 | over $100,000 |
| Pravin Vazirani | over 100,000 | over $100,000 |
All values are in US Dollars.
________________
| (1) | Beneficial ownership determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) promulgated under the 1934 Act. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The dollar range of equity securities of the Company beneficially owned by members of the Investment Committee, if applicable, is calculated by multiplying the net asset value per share of the Company as of December 31, 2020 times the number of shares beneficially owned. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | The dollar range of equity securities in the Fund Complex beneficially owned by members of the Investment Committee, if applicable, is the sum of (a) the product obtained by multiplying the current net public offering price of Owl Rock Capital Corporation II, times the number of shares of Owl Rock Capital Corporation II beneficially owned, (b) the product obtained by multiplying the closing price of Owl Rock Capital Corporation common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 4, 2021 by the number of shares of Owl Rock Capital Corporation beneficially owned, (c) the product obtained by multiplying the net asset value per share of Owl Rock Capital Corporation III as of December 31, 2020 by the number of shares of Owl Rock Capital Corporation III beneficially owned, (d) the product obtained by multiplying the current net offering price of Owl Rock Core Income Corp. by the number of shares of Owl Rock Core Income Corp. beneficially owned and (e) the total dollar range of equity securities in the Company beneficially owned by the member of the Investment Committee. |
| --- | --- |
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, as applicable. Our day‑to‑day investment and administrative operations are managed by the Adviser. Most of the services necessary for the origination and administration of our investment portfolio will be provided by investment professionals employed by the Adviser or its affiliates.
None of our executive officers will receive direct compensation from us. We will reimburse the Adviser the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs (based on the percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs). The members of the Investment Committee, through their financial interests in the Adviser, are entitled to a portion of the profits earned by the Adviser, which includes any fees payable to the Adviser under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, less expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Director Compensation
No compensation is expected to be paid to our directors who are “interested persons,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Our directors who do not also serve in an executive officer capacity for us or the Adviser are entitled to receive annual cash retainer fees, fees for participating in in‑person board and committee meetings and annual fees for serving as a committee chairperson, determined based on our net assets as of the end of each fiscal quarter. These directors are Edward D’Alelio, Christopher M. Temple, Eric Kaye, Melissa Weiler and Brian Finn. We pay each independent director the following amounts for serving as a director:
| Annual Committee Chair Cash Retainer | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Cash Retainer | Board Meeting Fee | Chair of the Board | Audit | Committee Chair | Committee Meeting Fee | ||||||
| $ | 150,000 | $ | 2,500 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 15,000 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 1,000 |
We also reimburse each of the directors for all reasonable and authorized business expenses in accordance with our policies as in effect from time to time, including reimbursement of reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board meeting and each committee meeting not held concurrently with a board meeting.
The table below sets forth the compensation received by each director from the Company and the Fund Complex for service during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020:
| Name of Director | Fees Earned and Paid in Cash by the Company | Total Compensation from the Company | Total Compensation from the Fund Complex | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward D'Alelio | $ | 226,500 | $ | 226,500 | $ | 963,540 |
| Christopher M. Temple | $ | 214,000 | $ | 214,000 | $ | 917,224 |
| Eric Kaye | $ | 206,500 | $ | 206,500 | $ | 895,907 |
| Brian Finn | $ | 198,000 | $ | 198,000 | $ | 843,249 |
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These rules generally provide that a person is the beneficial owner of securities if such person has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting thereof, or to dispose or direct the disposition thereof or has the right to acquire such powers within 60 days. The following table sets forth, as of March 4, 2021 the beneficial ownership as indicated in the Company’s books and records of each current director, the nominees for director, the Company’s executive officers, the executive officers and directors as a group, and each person known to us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
The percentage ownership is based on 100,960,457 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 4, 2021. To our knowledge, except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, each of the shareholders listed below has sole voting and/or investment power with respect to shares of our common stock beneficially owned by such shareholder.
| Name and Address | Number of Shares Owned | Percentage of Class Outstanding | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% Owners | ||||||
| Regents of the University of California^(1)^ | 14,567,517 | 14 | % | |||
| Interested Directors | ||||||
| Douglas I. Ostrover^(2)^ | 2,203,111 | 2 | % | |||
| Craig W. Packer^(2)^ | 2,203,111 | 2 | % | |||
| Alan Kirshenbaum^(2)^ | 2,203,111 | 2 | % | |||
| Independent Directors | ||||||
| Brian Finn | — | 0 | % | |||
| Edward D'Alelio | 17,803 | * | ||||
| Eric Kaye | — | 0 | % | |||
| Christopher M. Temple | — | 0 | % | |||
| Melissa Weiler | — | 0 | % | |||
| Executive Officers | 0 | % | ||||
| Karen Hager | — | 0 | % | |||
| Bryan Cole | — | 0 | % | |||
| Alexis Maged | — | 0 | % | |||
| Neena Reddy | — | 0 | % | |||
| All officers and directors as a group (12 persons)^(3)^ | 2,220,914 | ^(4)^ | 2 | % | ||
| * | Less than 1%. | |||||
| --- | --- | |||||
| (1) | Includes 7,283,758 shares held by The Regents of the University of California, as Trustee for the University of California Retirement Plan and 7,283,759 shares held by The Regents of the University of California. The address of Regents of the University of California is 1111 Broadway, 21st Floor, Oakland, CA 94607. | |||||
| --- | --- | |||||
| (2) | Shares are held by Owl Rock FIC Tech BDC LLC. Messrs. Ostrover, Packer and Kirshenbaum disclaim beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. | |||||
| --- | --- | |||||
| (3) | The address for each of the directors and officers is c/o Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022. | |||||
| --- | --- | |||||
| (4) | Includes a total of 2,203,111 shares held by Owl Rock FIC Tech BDC LLC. | |||||
| --- | --- |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned by Directors
The table below shows the dollar range of equity securities of the Company and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities of the Fund Complex that were beneficially owned by each director as of March 4, 2021 stated as one of the following dollar ranges: None; $1‑$10,000; $10,001‑ $50,000; $50,001‑$100,000; or Over $100,000. For purposes of this Form 10-K, the term “Fund Complex” is defined to include the Owl Rock BDCs.
| Name of Director | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp(1)(2) | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund Complex^(1)(3)^ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interested Directors | |||
| Douglas I. Ostrover | over 100,000 | ^(4)^ | over $100,000 |
| Craig W. Packer | over 100,000 | ^(4)^ | over $100,000 |
| Alan Kirshenbaum | over 100,000 | ^(4)^ | over $100,000 |
| Independent Directors | |||
| Brian Finn | over $100,000 | ||
| Edward D'Alelio | over 100,000 | over $100,000 | |
| Eric Kaye | over $100,000 | ||
| Christopher M. Temple | over $100,000 | ||
| Melissa Weiler | over $100,000 |
All values are in US Dollars.
| (1) | Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 16a‑1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act. |
|---|---|
| (2) | The dollar range of equity securities of the Company beneficially owned by directors of the Company, if applicable, is calculated by multiplying the net asset value per share of the Company as of December 31, 2020, times the number of shares of the Company's common stock beneficially owned. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | The dollar range of Equity Securities in the Fund Complex beneficially owned by directors of the Company, if applicable, is the sum of (a) the product obtained by multiplying the current net offering price of Owl Rock Capital Corporation II by the number of shares of Owl Rock Capital Corporation II beneficially owned, (b) the product obtained by multiplying the closing price of Owl Rock Capital Corporation common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 4, 2021 by the number of shares of Owl Rock Capital Corporation beneficially owned, (c) the product obtained by multiplying the net asset value per share of Owl Rock Capital Corporation III as of December 31, 2020 by the number of shares of Owl Rock Capital Corporation III beneficially owned, (d) the product obtained by multiplying the current net offering price of Owl Rock Core Income Corp. by the number of shares of Owl Rock Core Income Corp. beneficially owned and (e) the total dollar range of equity securities in the Company beneficially owned by the director. |
| --- | --- |
| (4) | Reflects the shares held by Owl Rock FIC Tech BDC LLC. Each of Messrs. Ostrover, Packer, and Kirshenbaum disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his respective pecuniary interest therein. |
| --- | --- |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
We have entered into both the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay the Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS —Investment Advisory Agreement” for a description of how the fees payable to the Adviser will be determined. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we will reimburse the Adviser for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations. In addition, the Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees.
Our executive officers, certain of our directors and certain other finance professionals of Owl Rock Capital Partners also serve as executives of the Owl Rock Advisers and officers and directors of the Company and certain professionals of Owl Rock Technology Partners and the Adviser are officers of Owl Rock Capital Securities LLC. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the members of the Adviser and members of its investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same, or a related, line of business as we do (including the Owl Rock Advisers) including serving on their respective investment committees and/or on the investment committees of investments funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our affiliates which may have investment objective similar to our investment objective. At time we may compete with these other entities managed by the other Owl Rock Advisers, including the Owl Rock Clients, for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by the Owl Rock Clients. This can create a potential conflict when allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Owl Rock Clients. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of the Owl Rock Advisers may not be capable of being shared among some or all of such clients and affiliates due to the limited scale of the opportunity or other factors, including regulatory restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act. However, in order for the Adviser and its affiliates to fulfill their fiduciary duties to each of their clients, the Owl Rock Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities
The Owl Rock Advisers intend to allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and is consistent with its allocation policy, so that no client of the Adviser or its affiliates is disadvantaged in relation to any other client of the Adviser or its affiliates, taking into account such factors as the relative amounts of capital available for new investments, cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves, the investment programs and portfolio positions of the participating investment accounts, the clients for which participation is appropriate, targeted leverage level, targeted asset mix and any other factors deemed appropriate. The Owl Rock Advisers intend to allocate common expenses among us and other clients of the Adviser and its affiliates in a manner that is fair and equitable over time or in such other manner as may be required by applicable law or the Investment Advisory Agreement. Fees and expenses generated in connection with potential portfolio investments that are not consummated will be allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and in accordance with policies adopted by the Owl Rock Advisers and the Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Owl Rock Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the equitable allocation of investment opportunities and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act. When we engage in co-investments as permitted by the exemptive relief described below, we will do so in a manner consistent with the Owl Rock Advisers' allocation policy. In situations where co-investment with other entities managed by the Adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, a committee comprised of certain executive officers of the Owl Rock Advisers (including executive officers of the Adviser) along with other officers and employees, will need to decide whether we or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The allocation committee will make these determinations based on the Owl Rock Advisers' allocation policy, which generally requires that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts in a manner that will be fair and equitable over time.
The Owl Rock Advisers' allocation policy is designed to manage the potential conflicts of interest between the Adviser's fiduciary obligations to us and its or its affiliates' similar fiduciary obligations to other clients, including the Owl Rock Clients; however, there can be no assurance that the Owl Rock Advisers’ efforts to allocate any particular investment opportunity fairly among all clients for whom such opportunity is appropriate will result in an allocation of all or part of such opportunity to us. Not all conflicts of interest can be expected to be resolved in our favor.
The allocation of investment opportunities among us and any of the other investment funds sponsored or accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates may not always, and often will not, be proportional. In general, pursuant to the Owl Rock Advisers' allocation policy, the process for making an allocation determination includes an assessment as to whether a particular investment opportunity (including any follow-on investment in, or disposition from, an existing portfolio company held by the Company or another investment fund or account) is suitable for us or another investment fund or account including the Owl Rock Clients. In making this assessment,
the Owl Rock Advisers may consider a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the investment objectives, guidelines and strategies applicable to the investment fund or account; the nature of the investment, including its risk-return profile and expected holding period; portfolio diversification and concentration concerns; the liquidity needs of the investment fund or account; the ability of the investment fund or account to accommodate structural, timing and other aspects of the investment process; the life cycle of the investment fund or account; legal, tax and regulatory requirements and restrictions, including, as applicable, compliance with the 1940 Act (including requirements and restrictions pertaining to co-investment opportunities discussed below); compliance with existing agreements of the investment fund or account; the available capital of the investment fund or account; diversification requirements for BDCs or RICs; the gross asset value and net asset value of the investment fund or account; the current and targeted leverage levels for the investment fund or account; and portfolio construction considerations. The relevance of each of these criteria will vary from investment opportunity to investment opportunity. In circumstances where the investment objectives of multiple investment funds or accounts regularly overlap, while the specific facts and circumstances of each allocation decision will be determinative, the Owl Rock Advisers may afford prior decisions precedential value.
Pursuant to the Owl Rock Advisers' allocation policy, if through the foregoing analysis, it is determined that an investment opportunity is appropriate for multiple investment funds or accounts, the Owl Rock Advisers generally will determine the appropriate size of the opportunity for each such investment fund or account. If an investment opportunity falls within the mandate of two or more investment funds or accounts, and there are no restrictions on such funds or accounts investing with each other, then each investment fund or account will receive the amount of the investment that it is seeking, as determined based on the criteria set forth above.
Certain allocations may be more advantageous to us relative to one or all of the other investment funds, or vice versa. While the Owl Rock Advisers will seek to allocate investment opportunities in a way that it believes in good faith is fair and equitable over time, there can be no assurance that our actual allocation of an investment opportunity, if any, or terms on which the allocation is made, will be as favorable as they would be if the conflicts of interest to which the Adviser may be subject did not exist.
Exemptive Relief
We rely on exemptive relief, that has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates, to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a "required majority" (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing. In addition, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs, through December 31, 2020, we were permitted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to complete follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain private funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and covered by our exemptive relief, even if such private funds had not previously invested in such existing portfolio company. Without this order, private funds would generally not be able to participate in such follow-on investments with us unless the private funds had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with us. Although the conditional exemptive order has expired, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management has indicated that until March 31, 2021, it will not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing co-investment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the conditional exemptive order, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein. The Owl Rock Advisers' investment allocation policy incorporates the conditions of the exemptive relief. As a result of the exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of the other Owl Rock BDCs and/or other funds established by the Owl Rock Advisers that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
The Audit Committee is required to review and approve any transactions with related persons (as such term is defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K)
License Agreement
We have entered into a license agreement (the “License Agreement”), pursuant to which an affiliate of Owl Rock Capital Partners has granted us a non‑exclusive license to use the name “Owl Rock.” Under the License Agreement, we have a right to use the Owl Rock name 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 “Owl Rock” name or logo.
Material Non‑Public Information
Our senior management, members of the Adviser’s investment committee and other investment professionals from the Adviser may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest or in which we are considering making an investment. Through these and other relationships with a company, these individuals may obtain material non‑public information that might restrict our ability to buy or sell the securities of such company under the policies of the company or applicable law.
Director Independence
Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, a majority of the Board will at all times consist of directors who are not “interested persons” of us, of the Adviser, or of any of our or its respective affiliates, as defined in the 1940 Act. We refer to these directors as our “Independent Directors.”
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant transactions and relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and the Company, the Adviser, or of any of their respective affiliates, the Board has determined that each of Messrs. Finn, Kaye, Temple, and D'Alelio and Ms. Weiler are independent, has no material relationship with the Company, and is not an “interested person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Company. Messrs. Ostrover, Packer, and Kirshenbaum are considered "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company since they are employed by the Adviser.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, New York, New York, has been appointed by the Board to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP acted as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. The Company knows of no direct financial or material indirect financial interest of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the Company. A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be available to answer questions during the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so.
Fees
Set forth in the table below are audit fees, audit‑related fees, tax fees and all other fees billed to the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services performed for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | |||
| Audit Fees | $ | 780,000 | $ | 700,000 |
| Audit-Related Fees^(1)^ | 42,500 | — | ||
| Tax Fees | 82,500 | 52,500 | ||
| All Other Fees^(2)^ | 208,000 | — | ||
| Total Fees | $ | 1,113,000 | $ | 752,500 |
| (1) | “Audit‑Related Fees” are those fees billed to the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |||
| --- | --- | |||
| (2) | “All Other Fees” are those fees, if any, billed to the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in connection with permitted non‑audit services. | |||
| --- | --- |
Pre‑Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has established a pre‑approval policy that describes the permitted audit, audit‑related, tax and other services to be provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The policy requires that the Audit Committee pre‑approve the audit and non‑audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such service does not impair the auditor’s independence.
Any requests for audit, audit‑related, tax and other services that have not received general pre‑approval must be submitted to the Audit Committee for specific pre‑approval, irrespective of the amount, and cannot commence until such approval has been granted. Normally, pre‑approval is provided at regularly scheduled meetings of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee does not delegate its responsibilities to pre‑approve services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm to management.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
The following documents are filed as part of this annual report:
| (1) | Financial Statements – Financial statements are included in Item 8. See the Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1 of this annual report on Form 10-K. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Financial Statement Schedules – None. We have omitted financial statement schedules because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated statements or notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K. |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | Exhibits – The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this annual report on Form 10-K, including those incorporated by reference |
| --- | --- |
Please note that the agreements included as exhibits to this Form 10-K are included to provide information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about us or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or hereby incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the SEC:
________________
*Filed herein
**Furnished herein.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date: March 4, 2021 | By: | /s/ Alan Kirshenbaum |
| Alan Kirshenbaum | ||
| Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Craig W. Packer and Alan Kirshenbaum, 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 December 31, 2020, 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 in the capacities indicated on March 4, 2021.
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| /s/ Craig W. Packer | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
| Craig W. Packer | |
| /s/ Alan Kirshenbaum | Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director |
| Alan Kirshenbaum | |
| /s/ Douglas I. Ostrover | Director |
| Douglas I. Ostrover | |
| /s/ Edward D’Alelio | Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| Edward D’Alelio | |
| /s/ Christopher M. Temple | Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee |
| Christopher M. Temple | |
| /s/ Eric Kaye | Director and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
| Eric Kaye | |
| /s/ Brian Finn | Director |
| Brian Finn | |
| /s/ Melissa Weiler | Director |
| Melissa Weiler |
125
orctf-ex42_19.htm
Exhibit 4.2
DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES
| A. | Common stock, par value $0.01 per share. |
|---|
As of December 31, 2020, the authorized stock of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (“ORTF,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) consisted solely of 500 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and no shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), our charter, as amended, provides that a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), without any action by our shareholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. The charter also provides that the Board may classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into one or more classes or series of common stock or preferred stock by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, or limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of the shares. There is currently no market for our stock, and we can offer no assurances that a market for our stock will develop in the future. We do not currently intend for our shares to be listed on any national securities exchange, although it is possible that they would be listed in the future. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our shareholders generally are not personally liable for our debts, except as they may be liable by reason of their own conduct or acts. Unless the Board determines otherwise, we will issue all shares of our stock in uncertificated form.
None of our shares of common stock are subject to further calls or to assessments, sinking fund provisions, obligations of the Company or potential liabilities associated with ownership of the security (not including investment risks).
Under the terms of the charter, all shares of common stock have equal rights as to dividends, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Dividends and distributions may be paid to shareholders if, as and when authorized by the Board and declared by us out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and shareholders generally have no appraisal rights. Shares of common stock are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract (including the subscription agreement) and except that, in order to avoid the possibility that our assets could be treated as “plan assets,” we may require any person proposing to acquire shares of common stock to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is a Benefit Plan Investor, as defined in section 3(42) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or a controlling person, restrict or prohibit transfers of shares of such stock or redeem any outstanding shares of stock for such price and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by or at the direction of the Board. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay or otherwise provide for all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Subject to the rights of holders of any other class or series of stock, each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors, and the shareholders will possess the exclusive voting power. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Cumulative voting entitles a shareholder to as many votes as equals the number of votes which such holder would be entitled to cast for the election of directors multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and allows a shareholder to cast a portion or all of the shareholder’s votes for one or more candidates for seats on the Board. Without cumulative voting, a minority shareholder may not be able to elect as many directors as the shareholder would be able to elect if cumulative voting were permitted. Subject to the special rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect directors, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director’s election, except in the case of a “contested election” (as defined in the bylaws), in which directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the contested election of directors.
Limitation on Liability of Directors; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from
(a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. The charter contains a provision that eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity against reasonable expenses actually incurred in the proceeding in which the director or officer was successful. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (1) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (2) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation also may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
The charter obligates us, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify (1) any present or former director or officer; or (2) any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which the person or entity may become subject or may incur by reason of such person’s service in that capacity, and to pay or reimburse such person’s reasonable expenses as incurred in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to the extent that such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his, her or its office.
Maryland Law and Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions; Anti-Takeover Measures
Maryland law contains, and the charter and the bylaws also contain, provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of or to negotiate first with the Board. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of shareholders. We believe, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the Board’s ability to negotiate such proposals may improve their terms.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, consolidate, convert into another form of business entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless declared advisable by the corporation’s Board and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, the charter provides for approval of these actions by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Subject to certain exceptions provided in the charter, the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, with the holders of each class or series of our stock voting as a separate class will be necessary to effect any of the following actions:
• any amendment to the charter to make the common stock a “redeemable security” or to convert the Company from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act);
• the liquidation or dissolution of the Company and any amendment to the charter to effect and such liquidation or dissolution;
• any merger, consolidation, conversion, share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets that the MGCL requires be approved by shareholders; or
• any transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and any person or group of persons acting together that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly (other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of our directors generally, or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, employed by or acting as an agent of, any such person or member of such group.
However, if the proposal, transaction or business combination is approved by at least a majority of our continuing directors, the proposal, transaction or business combination may be approved only by the Board and, if necessary, the shareholders as otherwise would be required by applicable law, the charter and bylaws, without regard to the supermajority approval requirements discussed above. A “continuing director” is defined in the charter as (1) our current directors, (2) those directors whose nomination for election by the shareholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of our current directors then on the Board or (3) any successor directors whose nomination for election by the shareholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of continuing directors or the successor continuing directors then in office.
The charter also provides that the Board is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as practicable, with each class of directors serving for a staggered three-year term. Additionally, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, directors may be removed at any time, but only for cause (as such term is defined in the charter) and only by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class. The charter and bylaws also provide that, except as provided otherwise by applicable law, including the 1940 Act and subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any vacancy on the Board, and any newly created directorship resulting from an increase in the size of the Board, may only be filled by vote of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided that, under Maryland law, when the holders of any class, classes or series of stock have the exclusive power under the charter to elect certain directors, vacancies in directorships elected by such class, classes or series may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors so elected by such class, classes or series of our stock. In addition, the charter provides that, subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of stock to elect or remove one or more directors, the total number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board.
The classification of the Board and the limitations on removal of directors described above as well as the limitations on shareholders’ right to fill vacancies and newly created directorships and to fix the size of the Board could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring or attempting to acquire us.
Maryland law and the charter and the bylaws also provide that:
• any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting or by unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting;
• special meetings of the shareholders may only be called by the Board, the chairman of the Board or the chief executive officer, and must be called by the secretary upon the written request of shareholders who are entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting; and
• from and after the initial closing, any shareholder nomination or business proposal to be properly brought before a meeting of shareholders must have been made in compliance with certain advance notice and informational requirements.
These provisions could delay or hinder shareholder actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. these provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for the 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 shareholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called shareholders meeting, and not by written consent. The provisions of the charter requiring that the directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors will also prevent shareholders from removing incumbent directors except for cause and upon a substantial affirmative vote. in addition, although the advance notice and information requirements in the bylaws do not give the Board any power to disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or business proposals that are made in compliance with applicable advance notice procedures, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and the shareholders.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter unless the amendment is declared advisable by the corporation’s Board and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, the charter provides for approval of charter amendments by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Board, by vote of a majority of the members of the Board, has the exclusive power to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the bylaws. the charter provides that any amendment to the following provisions of the charter, among others, will require, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law or the charter, the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, with the holders of each class or series of our stock voting as a separate class, unless a majority of the continuing directors approve the amendment, in which case such amendment must be approved as would otherwise be required by applicable law, the charter and/or the bylaws:
• the provisions regarding the classification of the Board;
• the provisions governing the removal of directors;
• the provisions limiting shareholder action by written consent;
• the provisions regarding the number of directors on the Board; and
• the provisions specifying the vote required to approve extraordinary actions and amend the charter and the Board’s exclusive power to amend the bylaws.
Advance Notice Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals
The bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of individuals for election as directors and the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders may be made only (a) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board or (c) by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled
to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetingsof shareholders, only
the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election as directors at a special meeting at which directors are to be elected may be made only (a) by or at the direction of the Board or (b) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with the bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.
The purpose of requiring shareholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford the Board a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the Board, to inform shareholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of shareholders. Although our bylaws do not give the Board any power to disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, the advance notice and information requirements may have the effect of precluding election contests or the consideration of shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our shareholders.
No Appraisal Rights
For certain extraordinary transactions and charter amendments, the MGCL provides the right to dissenting shareholders to demand and receive the fair value of their shares, subject to certain procedures and requirements set forth in the statute. Those rights are commonly referred to as appraisal rights. As permitted by the MGCL, the charter provides that shareholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless the Board determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which shareholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.
Control Share Acquisitions
Certain provisions of the MGCL provide that a holder of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition has no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, which is referred to as the Control Share Acquisition Act. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
• one-tenth or more but less than one-third;
• one-third or more but less than a majority; or
• a majority or more of all voting power.
The requisite shareholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the Board of the corporation to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions,
including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or if a meeting of shareholders is held at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of such meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholder meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of stock. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) staff previously took the position that, if a business development company (“BDC”) failed to opt-out of the Control Share Acquisition Act, its actions would be inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. However, the SEC recently withdrew its previous position, and stated that is would not recommend enforcement action against a closed-end fund, including a BDC, that that opts in to being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act if the closed-end fund acts with reasonable care on a basis consistent with other applicable duties and laws and the duty to the company and its shareholders generally. As such, we may amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act, but will do so only if the Board determines that it would be in our best interests and if such amendment can be accomplished in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and SEC guidance.
Business Combinations
Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:
• any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s stock; or
• an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
A person is not an interested shareholder under this statute if the corporation’s Board approves in advance the transaction by which he or she otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. However, in approving a transaction, the Board may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the Board.
After the five-year prohibition, any such business combination generally must be recommended by the corporation’s Board and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
• 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and
• two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if holders of the corporation’s common stock receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares. The statute provides various exemptions
from its provisions, including for business combinations that are exempted by the corporation’s Board before the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. The Board intends to adopt a resolution exempting from the requirements of the statute any business combination between us and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by the Board (including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” within the meaning of the 1940 Act). This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the Board does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of the Company and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Conflict with the 1940 Act
The bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act or any provision of the charter or the bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.
Exclusive Forum
Our bylaws require that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any standard of conduct or legal duty owed by any of the Company’s director, officer or other agent to the Company or to its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or the Charter or tylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum selection provision in our bylaws does not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, this provision may increase costs for stockholders in bringing a claim against us or our directors, officers or other agents. Any investor purchasing or otherwise acquiring our shares is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision.
The exclusive forum selection provision in our bylaws may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and such persons. It is also possible that, notwithstanding such exclusive forum selection provision, a court could rule that such provision is inapplicable or unenforceable.
orctf-ex1013_69.htm
Exhibit 10.13
INDENTURE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
by and between
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1, as Issuer
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1 LLC, as Co-Issuer
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
Dated as of December 16, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
Definitions
| Section 1.1 | Definitions2 |
|---|---|
| Section 1.2 | Usage of Terms66 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 1.3 | Assumptions as to Assets66 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE II
The Securities
| Section 2.1 | Forms Generally69 |
|---|---|
| Section 2.2 | Forms of Notes69 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.3 | Authorized Amount; Stated Maturity; Denominations71 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.4 | Additional Securities73 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.5 | Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating74 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.6 | Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange75 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.7 | Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Note84 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.8 | Payment of Principal and Interest and Other Amounts; Principal and Interest Rights Preserved85 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.9 | Persons Deemed Owners87 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.10 | Cancellation88 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.11 | DTC Ceases to Be Depository88 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.12 | Non-Permitted Holders89 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.13 | Treatment and Tax Certification90 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE III
Conditions Precedent
| Section 3.1 | Conditions to Issuance of Securities on Closing Date92 |
|---|---|
| Section 3.2 | Conditions to Issuance of Additional Securities95 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 3.3 | Custodianship; Delivery of Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments96 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE IV
Satisfaction and Discharge
| Section 4.1 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture97 |
|---|
-i-
| Section 4.2 | Application of Trust Funds99 |
|---|---|
| Section 4.3 | Repayment of Funds Held by Paying Agent99 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 4.4 | Limitation on Obligation to Incur Administrative Expenses99 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE V
Remedies
| Section 5.1 | Events of Default100 |
|---|---|
| Section 5.2 | Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment102 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.3 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee103 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.4 | Remedies105 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.5 | Optional Preservation of Assets107 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.6 | Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Notes109 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.7 | Application of Funds Collected109 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.8 | Limitation on Suits109 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.9 | Unconditional Rights of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest110 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.10 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies110 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.11 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative110 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.12 | Delay or Omission Not Waiver110 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.13 | Control by Majority of Controlling Class110 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.14 | Waiver of Past Defaults111 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.15 | Undertaking for Costs111 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.16 | Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws112 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.17 | Sale of Assets112 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.18 | Action on the Notes113 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE VI
The Trustee
| Section 6.1 | Certain Duties and Responsibilities113 |
|---|---|
| Section 6.2 | Notice of Event of Default115 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.3 | Certain Rights of Trustee115 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.4 | Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes118 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.5 | May Hold Securities118 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.6 | Funds Held in Trust118 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.7 | Compensation and Reimbursement118 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.8 | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility120 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.9 | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor120 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.10 | Acceptance of Appointment by Successor121 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.11 | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee122 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.12 | Co-Trustees122 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.13 | Certain Duties of Trustee Related to Delayed Payment of Proceeds and the Assets123 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.14 | Authenticating Agents124 |
| --- | --- |
-ii-
| Section 6.15 | Withholding124 |
|---|---|
| Section 6.16 | Fiduciary for Holders Only; Agent for Each Other Secured Party125 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.17 | Representations and Warranties of the Bank125 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE VII
Covenants
| Section 7.1 | Payment of Principal and Interest126 |
|---|---|
| Section 7.2 | Maintenance of Office or Agency126 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.3 | Funds for Note Payments to Be Held in Trust127 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.4 | Existence of the Issuers129 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.5 | Protection of Assets130 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.6 | Opinions as to Assets131 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.7 | Performance of Obligations131 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.8 | [Reserved]132 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.9 | Negative Covenants132 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.10 | Statement as to Compliance135 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.11 | The Issuer May Consolidate, Etc.135 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.12 | Successor Substituted138 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.13 | No Other Business138 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.14 | Annual Rating Review139 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.15 | Reporting139 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.16 | Calculation Agent139 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.17 | Certain Tax Matters140 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.18 | Effective Date; Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations141 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.19 | Representations Relating to Security Interests in the Assets144 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.20 | Limitation on Long Dated Obligations146 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.21 | Proceedings147 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 7.22 | Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceedings147 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE VIII
Supplemental Indentures
| Section 8.1 | Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders147 |
|---|---|
| Section 8.2 | Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders150 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 8.3 | Execution of Supplemental Indentures152 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 8.4 | Effect of Supplemental Indentures153 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 8.5 | Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures154 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 8.6 | Hedge Agreements154 |
| --- | --- |
-iii-
ARTICLE IX
Redemption Of Notes
| Section 9.1 | Mandatory Redemption155 |
|---|---|
| Section 9.2 | Optional Redemption155 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 9.3 | Tax Redemption158 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 9.4 | Redemption Procedures159 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 9.5 | Notes Payable on Redemption Date160 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 9.6 | Special Redemption161 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 9.7 | Optional Re-Pricing162 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 9.8 | Clean-Up Call Redemption164 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE X
Accounts, Accountings And Releases
| Section 10.1 | Collection of Funds166 |
|---|---|
| Section 10.2 | Collection Account166 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.3 | Transaction Accounts168 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.4 | The Revolver Funding Account170 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.5 | Contributions171 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.6 | Reinvestment of Funds in Accounts; Reports by Trustee171 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.7 | Accountings172 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.8 | Release of Assets179 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.9 | Reports by Independent Accountants181 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.10 | Reports to Rating Agency and Additional Recipients182 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.11 | Procedures Relating to the Establishment of Accounts Controlled by the Trustee182 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 10.12 | Section 3(c)(7) Procedures182 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE XI
Application Of FUNDS
| Section 11.1 | Disbursements of Amounts from Payment Account185 |
|---|
ARTICLE XII
Sale of Collateral Obligations; Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations
| Section 12.1 | Sales of Collateral Obligations189 |
|---|---|
| Section 12.2 | Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations192 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 12.3 | Optional Purchase or Substitution of Collateral Obligations194 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 12.4 | Conditions Applicable to All Sale and Purchase Transactions197 |
| --- | --- |
-iv-
ARTICLE XIII
Holders’ Relations
| Section 13.1 | Subordination197 |
|---|---|
| Section 13.2 | Standard of Conduct198 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE XIV
Miscellaneous
| Section 14.1 | Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee198 |
|---|---|
| Section 14.2 | Acts of Holders199 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.3 | Notices, Etc. to the Trustee, the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, Initial Purchaser, the Collateral Administrator, the Rating Agency and the Co-Issuer200 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.4 | Notices to Holders; Waiver202 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.5 | Effect of Headings and Table of Contents203 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.6 | Successors and Assigns203 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.7 | Severability203 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.8 | Benefits of Indenture204 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.9 | Liability of Issuers204 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.10 | Governing Law204 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.11 | Submission to Jurisdiction204 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.12 | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL204 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.13 | Counterparts205 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.14 | Acts of Issuer205 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.15 | Confidential Information205 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 14.16 | 17g-5 Information207 |
| --- | --- |
ARTICLE XV
Assignment Of Certain Agreements
| Section 15.1 | Assignment of Collateral Management Agreement208 |
|---|
Schedules and Exhibits
| Schedule 1 | List of Collateral Obligations |
|---|---|
| Schedule 2 | S&P Industry Classifications |
| --- | --- |
| Schedule 3 | Moody’s Rating Definitions |
| --- | --- |
| Schedule 4 | S&P Recovery Rate Tables |
| --- | --- |
| Schedule 5 | Moody’s Equivalent Diversity Score Classification |
| --- | --- |
-v-
| Exhibit A | Forms of Secured Note |
|---|---|
| Exhibit B | Forms of Transfer and Exchange Certificates |
| --- | --- |
| B-1Form of Transferor Certificate for Transfer to Regulation S Global Note | |
| --- | |
| B-2Form of Transferor Certificate for Transfer to Rule 144A Global Note or Certificated Note | |
| --- | |
| B-3Form of Transferee Certificate | |
| --- | |
| Exhibit C | Form of Note Owner Certificate |
| --- | --- |
| Exhibit D | Form of Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate Notice |
| --- | --- |
| Exhibit E | Form of Notice of Purchase or Substitution |
| --- | --- |
| Exhibit F | Form of Account Agreement |
| --- | --- |
-vi-
INDENTURE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
This INDENTURE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of December 16, 2020, by and between OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the “Issuer”), OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1 LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the “Co-Issuer” and together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”), and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company, as trustee (herein, together with its permitted successors and assigns in the trusts hereunder, the “Trustee”).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
The Issuers are duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture to provide for the Notes issuable as provided herein. The Issuers are entering into this Indenture, and the Trustee is accepting the trusts created hereby, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers in accordance with the agreement’s terms have been done.
GRANTING CLAUSES
The Issuer hereby Grants to the Trustee, for the benefit and security of the Holders of the Secured Notes, the Collateral Manager, the Trustee, the Administrator, the Collateral Administrator and the Bank in each of its other capacities under the Transaction Documents (collectively, the “Secured Parties”), all of its right, title and interest in, to and under, in each case, whether now owned or existing, or hereafter acquired or arising, in each case as defined in the UCC, accounts, chattel paper, commercial tort claims, deposit accounts, documents, financial assets, general intangibles, goods, instruments, investment property, letter-of-credit rights and other property of any type or nature in which the Issuer has an interest, including all proceeds (as defined in the UCC) with respect to the foregoing: (a) all Collateral Obligations (including, as of the Closing Date, all Collateral Obligations listed on Schedule I to this Indenture), Closing Date Participation Interests, Workout Loans and Equity Securities and all payments thereon or with respect thereto, (b) each of the Accounts, including any Eligible Investments purchased with funds on deposit therein, and all income from the investment of funds therein, (c) the Collateral Management Agreement as set forth in Article XV hereof, the EU Retention Letter, the Account Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement, the Administration Agreement, the Fiscal Agency Agreement and the Loan Sale Agreement, (d) all cash, and (e) all proceeds with respect to the foregoing (the assets referred to in (a) through (e), subject to the exclusions noted below, are collectively referred to as the “Assets” or the “Collateral”); provided that such grants shall not include (i) the U.S.$250 transaction fee paid to the Issuer in consideration of the issuance of the Securities, (ii) the proceeds of the issuance and allotment of the Issuer’s ordinary shares, (iii) the membership interests of the Co-Issuer, (iv) any account in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere maintained in respect of the funds referred to in items (i) and (ii), together with any interest thereon
and (v) the Preferred Shares Payment Account and any funds deposited in or credited to such account (collectively, the “Excluded Property”).
The above Grant is made in trust to secure the Secured Notes and certain other amounts payable by the Issuer as described herein. Except as set forth in the Priority of Payments, Article IX and Article XIII of this Indenture, the Secured Notes are secured by the Grant equally and ratably without prejudice, priority or distinction between any Secured Note and any other Secured Note by reason of difference in time of issuance or otherwise. The Grant is made to secure, in accordance with the priorities set forth in the Priority of Payments, Article IX and Article XIII of this Indenture, (i) the payment of all amounts due on the Secured Notes in accordance with their terms, (ii) the payment of all other sums (other than in respect of the Preferred Shares) payable to the Secured Parties under this Indenture, (iii) the payment of amounts owing by the Issuer under the Collateral Management Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement and the Loan Sale Agreement and (iv) compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, all as provided herein. The foregoing Grant shall, for the purpose of determining the property subject to the lien of this Indenture, be deemed to include any debt and any investments granted to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Issuer, whether or not such debt or investments satisfy the criteria set forth in the definitions of “Collateral Obligation” or “Eligible Investments,” as the case may be.
The Trustee acknowledges such Grant, accepts the trusts hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof, and agrees to perform the duties herein in accordance with the terms hereof.
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Section 1.1Definitions. Except as otherwise specified herein or as the context may otherwise require, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below for all purposes of this Indenture, and the definitions of such terms are equally applicable both to the singular and plural forms of such terms and to the masculine, feminine and neuter genders of such terms. The word “including” shall mean “including without limitation.” All references herein to designated “Articles,” “Sections,” “sub‑Sections”, “clause” and other subdivisions are to the designated articles, sections, sub‑sections, “clause” and other subdivisions of this Indenture. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular article, section, sub‑Section or other subdivision.
“17g‑5 Information”: The meaning specified in Section 14.16.
“17g‑5 Website”: A password‑protected website which shall initially be located at https://www.17g5.com. Any change of the 17g‑5 Website shall only occur after notice has been delivered by the Issuer to the Information Agent, the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator, the Collateral Manager, the Initial Purchaser and the Rating Agency setting the date of change and new location of the 17g‑5 Website.
-2-
“1940 Act”: The United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
“Account Agreement”: An agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit F hereto.
“Accountants’ Effective Date Comparison AUP Report”: The meaning specified in Section 7.18(c).
“Accountants’ Effective Date Recalculation AUP Report”: The meaning specified in Section 7.18(c).
“Accountants’ Report”: A certificate of the firm or firms appointed by the Issuer pursuant to Section 10.9(a).
“Accounts”: (i) The Payment Account, (ii) the Collection Account, (iii) the Ramp-Up Account, (iv) the Revolver Funding Account, (v) the Expense Reserve Account, (vi) the Interest Reserve Account and (vii) the Custodial Account, each of which shall be comprised of a securities account, a related deposit account and such subaccounts as the Trustee or the Custodian, as the case may be, shall determine.
“Act” and “Act of Holders”: The meanings specified in Section 14.2.
“Additional Long Dated Obligation”: The meaning specified in Section 7.20(a).
“Additional Notes”: Any Secured Notes (including, Junior Mezzanine Notes) issued pursuant to Section 2.4.
“Additional Securities”: Collectively, any Additional Notes and any additional Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles.
“Additional Securities Closing Date”: The closing date for the issuance of any Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.4.
“Adjusted Collateral Principal Amount”: As of any date of determination, (a) the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Obligations, Long Dated Obligations, Discount Obligations and any Closing Date Participation Interests), plus (b) without duplication, the amounts on deposit in all Accounts (including Eligible Investments therein) representing Principal Proceeds, plus (c) the aggregate of the Defaulted Obligation Balances for each Defaulted Obligation and Long Dated Obligation, plus (d) the aggregate of the purchase prices for each Discount Obligation, excluding accrued interest, expressed as a percentage of par and multiplied by the Principal Balance of such Discount Obligation, plus (e) with respect to any Closing Date Participation Interest, on or prior to the Effective Date, its Principal Balance, and anytime thereafter, its S&P Recovery Amount, minus (f) the Excess CCC Adjustment Amount; provided that with respect to any Collateral Obligation that satisfies more than one of the definitions of Defaulted Obligation, Long Dated Obligation, Discount Obligation and Closing Date Participation Interest, or any asset that falls into the Excess CCC Adjustment Amount, such Collateral Obligation shall, for the purposes of this definition, be treated, in each
-3-
case without duplication, as belonging to the category of Collateral Obligations which results in the lowest Adjusted Collateral Principal Amount on any date of determination.
“Administration Agreement”: The Administration Agreement, dated the Closing Date, between the Issuer and the Administrator, providing for the administrative functions of the Issuer, as modified, amended, and supplemented and in effect from time to time.
“Administrative Expense Cap”: An amount equal on any Payment Date (when taken together with any Administrative Expenses paid during the period since the preceding Payment Date or in the case of the first Payment Date, the period since the Closing Date), to the sum of (a) 0.025% per annum (prorated for the related Interest Accrual Period on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed) of the Fee Basis Amount on the related Determination Date and (b) U.S.$375,000 per annum (prorated for the related Interest Accrual Period on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve (12) 30-day months); provided that (1) in respect of any Payment Date after the third Payment Date following the Closing Date, if the aggregate amount of Administrative Expenses paid pursuant to clause (A) of the Priority of Interest Proceeds, clause (A) of the Priority of Principal Proceeds and Section 11.1(a)(iii)(A) (including any excess applied in accordance with this proviso) on the three immediately preceding Payment Dates and during the related Collection Periods is less than the stated Administrative Expense Cap (without regard to any excess applied in accordance with this proviso) in the aggregate for such three preceding Payment Dates, then the excess may be applied to the Administrative Expense Cap with respect to the then-current Payment Date; and (2) in respect of the third Payment Date following the Closing Date, such excess amount shall be calculated based on the Payment Dates preceding such Payment Date.
“Administrative Expenses”: The fees, expenses (including indemnities) and other amounts due or accrued with respect to any Payment Date (including, with respect to any Payment Date, any such amounts that were due and not paid on any prior Payment Date in accordance with the Priority of Payments) and payable in the following order by the Issuer: first, to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.7 and the other provisions of this Indenture, second, to the Fiscal Agent and the Collateral Administrator pursuant to the Fiscal Agency Agreement and the Collateral Administration Agreement, respectively, and the Bank in any of its other capacities, third, to the Administrator, the fees and expenses payable under the Administration Agreement (including all filing, registration and annual return fees payable to the Cayman Islands government and registered office fees), fourth, on a pro rata basis, the following amounts to the following parties:
(i)Independent accountants, agents (other than the Collateral Manager), the remaining officers and managers of the Issuers (if any) and counsel of the Issuers for fees and expenses;
(ii)the Rating Agency for fees and expenses (including any annual fee, amendment fees and surveillance fees) in connection with any rating of the Secured Notes or in connection with the rating of (or provision of credit estimates in respect of) any Collateral Obligations;
(iii)the Collateral Manager for fees and expenses under the Collateral Management Agreement but excluding the Collateral Management Fee;
-4-
(iv)any other Person in respect of any other fees or expenses permitted under this Indenture and the documents delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Indenture (including without limitation the payment of all legal and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of any Collateral Obligations and any other expenses incurred in connection with the Collateral Obligations) and the Securities, including but not limited to, any amounts due in respect of the listing of the Notes on any stock exchange or trading system; and
(v)the Administrator under the Administration Agreement and Independent accountants, agents (other than the Collateral Manager) and counsel of the Issuers for indemnities payable to such Person and to pay costs to the Issuer of complying with the Tax Account Reporting Rules;
and fifth, on a pro rata basis and without duplication, indemnities payable to any Person (not already paid pursuant to clause (v) above) pursuant to any Transaction Document; provided that (x) amounts due in respect of actions taken on or before the Closing Date shall not be payable as Administrative Expenses but shall be payable only from the Expense Reserve Account pursuant to Section 10.3(d) and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, amounts that are expressly payable to any Person under the Priority of Payments in respect of an amount that is stated to be payable as an amount other than as Administrative Expenses (including, without limitation, interest and principal in respect of the Securities) shall not constitute Administrative Expenses.
“Administrator”: Walkers Fiduciary Limited (or any successor or assign thereto), in its capacity as an administrator under the Administration Agreement.
“Advisers Act”: The United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
“Affected Class”: Any Class of Secured Notes that, as a result of the occurrence of (and due to) a Tax Event, has not received 100% of the aggregate amount of principal and interest that would otherwise be due and payable to such Class on any Payment Date.
“Affiliate”: With respect to a Person, (i) any other Person who, directly or indirectly, is in control of, or controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person or (ii) any other Person who is a director, Officer, employee or general partner (a) of such Person, (b) of any subsidiary or parent company of such Person or (c) of any Person described in clause (i) above. For the purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, direct or indirect, (x) to vote more than 50% of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or (y) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise. With respect to the Issuers, this definition shall exclude the Administrator or any other entity to which the Administrator is or will be providing administrative services or acting as share trustee.
“Agent Members”: Members of, or participants in, DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream.
“Aggregate Funded Spread”: As of any Measurement Date, the sum of: (a) in the case of each Floating Rate Obligation (other than a Defaulted Obligation) that bears interest at a spread over a London interbank offered rate based index (including, for any Permitted Deferrable Obligation, only the excess of the required current cash pay interest required by the Underlying
-5-
Documents thereon over the applicable index and excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation and Revolving Collateral Obligation), (i) the stated interest rate spread paid in Cash on such Collateral Obligation above such index multiplied by (ii) the Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligation; provided that (i) with respect to any Reference Rate Floor Obligation, the stated interest rate spread paid in Cash on such Collateral Obligation over the applicable index shall be deemed to be equal to the sum of (x) the stated interest rate spread paid in Cash over the applicable index and (y) the excess, if any, of the specified “floor” rate relating to such Collateral Obligation over the applicable index and (ii) the interest rate of each Step-Up Obligation will be deemed to be its current rate of interest and the interest rate of each Step-Down Obligation will be deemed to be the lowest rate of interest that such Collateral Obligation will by its terms pay in the future solely as a function of the passage of time; and (b) in the case of each Floating Rate Obligation (including, for any Permitted Deferrable Obligation, only the required current cash pay interest required by the Underlying Documents thereon and excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation and Revolving Collateral Obligation) that bears interest at a spread over an index other than a London interbank offered rate based index, (i) the excess of the sum of such spread and such index paid in Cash over the Reference Rate as of the immediately preceding Interest Determination Date (which spread or excess may be expressed as a negative percentage) multiplied by (ii) the Principal Balance of each such Collateral Obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Reference Rate Amendment or an Alternative Reference Rate has been adopted, and the replacement Benchmark is the same benchmark rate currently in effect for determining interest on a Floating Rate Obligation, references to “London interbank offered rate based index” in this definition of Aggregate Funded Spread with respect to such Floating Rate Obligation shall be deemed to be a reference to such benchmark rate that is the same as the Benchmark.
“Aggregate Outstanding Amount”: With respect to (i) any of the Secured Notes as of any date, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Secured Notes Outstanding on such date and (ii) the Preferred Shares as of any date, the notional amount represented by such Outstanding Preferred Shares, assuming a notional amount of $1,000 per share.
“Aggregate Principal Balance”: When used with respect to all or a portion of the Collateral Obligations or the Assets, the sum of the Principal Balances of all or of such portion of the Collateral Obligations or Assets, respectively.
“Aggregate Unfunded Spread”: As of any Measurement Date, the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) for each Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation and Revolving Collateral Obligation (other than Defaulted Obligations), the related commitment fee rate then in effect as of such date and (ii) the undrawn commitments of each such Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation and Revolving Collateral Obligation as of such date.
“Alternative Reference Rate”: (1) the replacement rate (and any related adjustment) proposed by the Collateral Manager and consented to by a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares or (2) if no replacement rate is effective pursuant to clause (1), the applicable Benchmark Replacement; provided that the Alternative Reference Rate will be no less than zero.
“AML Compliance”: Compliance with the Cayman AML Regulations.
-6-
“Applicable Issuer”: With respect to (a) the Co-Issued Notes, the Issuers and (b) the Preferred Shares, the Issuer.
“Appraised Value”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation beneficially owned by the Issuer, the value of such Collateral Obligation, as determined by the applicable Approved Appraisal Firm, as set forth in the related appraisal (or, if a range of values is set forth therein, the midpoint of such values).
“Approved Appraisal Firm”: (a) Each of the following firms: Houlihan Lokey, Inc., Duff & Phelps LLC, Lincoln Advisors, Murray, Devine and Company and Valuation Research Corporation and (b) each Independent financial adviser of recognized standing retained by the Issuer, the Collateral Manager or the agent or lenders under any Collateral Obligation, as approved by the Collateral Manager.
“Assets”: The meaning specified in the Granting Clauses.
“Asset Replacement Percentage”: On any date of calculation, a fraction (expressed as a percentage) where the numerator is the outstanding principal balance of the Floating Rate Obligations that were indexed to one of the rates described in the definition of Benchmark Replacement for the Corresponding Tenor as of such calculation date and the denominator is the outstanding principal balance of all Floating Rate Obligations as of such calculation date.
“Assumed Reinvestment Rate”: The Reference Rate (as determined on the most recent Interest Determination Date relating to an Interest Accrual Period beginning on a Payment Date or the Closing Date) minus 0.25% per annum; provided that the Assumed Reinvestment Rate shall not be less than 0.00%.
“Authenticating Agent”: With respect to the Notes or a Class of Notes, the Person designated by the Trustee to authenticate such Notes on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 hereof.
“Authorized Officer”: With respect to the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer, any Officer or any other Person who is authorized to act for the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer, as applicable, in matters relating to, and binding upon, the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer, or, in the case of the Issuer, an Officer, employee or agent of the Collateral Manager who is authorized to act for the Collateral Manager in matters for which the Collateral Manager has authority to act on behalf of the Issuer and, for the avoidance of doubt, any appointed attorney-in-fact of the Issuer. With respect to the Collateral Manager, any Officer, employee or agent of the Collateral Manager who is authorized to act for the Collateral Manager in matters relating to, and binding upon, the Collateral Manager with respect to the subject matter of the request, certificate or order in question. With respect to the Retention Holder, any Officer, employee or agent of the Retention Holder who is authorized to act for the Retention Holder in matters relating to, and binding upon, the Retention Holder with respect to the subject matter of the request, certificate or order in question. With respect to the Trustee or any other bank or trust company acting as trustee of an express trust or as custodian, a Trust Officer. Each party may receive and accept a certification of the authority of any other party as conclusive evidence of the authority of any Person to act, and such certification may be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by such other party of written notice to the contrary.
-7-
“Balance”: On any date, with respect to Cash or Eligible Investments in any account, the aggregate of the (i) current balance of Cash, demand deposits, time deposits, certificates of deposit and federal funds; (ii) principal amount of interest-bearing corporate and government securities, money market accounts and repurchase obligations; and (iii) purchase price (but not greater than the face amount) of non-interest-bearing government and corporate securities and commercial paper.
“Bank”: State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its individual capacity and not as Trustee, or any successor thereto.
“Bankruptcy Code”: The federal Bankruptcy Code, Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time.
“Bankruptcy Law”: The Bankruptcy Code and any successor statute or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy law or similar law, including, without limitation, Part V of the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands and the Companies Winding Up Rules 2018 of the Cayman Islands, each as amended from time to time, and any bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, reorganization or similar law enacted under the laws of the Cayman Islands or any other applicable jurisdiction.
“Bankruptcy Subordination Agreement”: The meaning specified in Section 5.4(f).
“Base Management Fee”: The fee payable to the Collateral Manager in arrears on each Payment Date pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Collateral Management Agreement and Section 11.1 hereof, in an amount equal to 0.15% per annum, calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the applicable Interest Accrual Period divided by 360, of the Fee Basis Amount at the beginning of the Collection Period relating to such Payment Date.
“BDC Loan Sale Agreement”: The Loan Sale Agreement dated as of the Closing Date, between ORTF, as seller, and the Issuer, as purchaser, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
“Benchmark”: Initially LIBOR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to LIBOR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Alternative Reference Rate.
“Benchmark Replacement”: The first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Collateral Manager as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
(1)the sum of: (a) Term SOFR and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
(2)the sum of: (a) Compounded SOFR and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
(3)the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then‑current
-8-
Reference Rate for the Corresponding Tenor and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
(4)the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and
(5)the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by the Collateral Manager as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate of interest as a replacement for then then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar denominated collateralized loan obligation securitizations at such time and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
provided that, at the election of the Collateral Manager, if a Benchmark Transition Event described in clause (4) of the definition thereof has occurred (and no prior Benchmark Transition Event has occurred) and the Asset Replacement Percentage with respect to any of the rates described in clauses (1) through (4) above is equal to or greater than 50%, the Benchmark Replacement shall be such rate or the rate described in clause (5) above.
If a Benchmark Replacement is selected pursuant to clause (2) above, then on each Interest Determination Date following such selection, if a redetermination of the Benchmark Replacement on such date would result in the selection of a Benchmark Replacement under clause (1) above, then (x) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment shall be redetermined on such date utilizing the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement corresponding to the Benchmark Replacement under clause (1) above and (y) such redetermined Benchmark Replacement shall become the Benchmark on each Determination Date on or after such date. If a redetermination of the Benchmark Replacement on such date as described in the preceding sentence would not result in the selection of a Benchmark Replacement under clause (1), then the Benchmark shall remain the Benchmark Replacement as previously determined pursuant to clause (2) above.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment”: The first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Collateral Manager as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
(1)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, endorsed or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;
(2)if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; and
(3)the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Collateral Manager giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated collateralized loan obligation securitization transactions at such time.
-9-
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes”: With respect to any Alternative Reference Rate, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Interest Accrual Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, and other administrative matters) that the Collateral Manager decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Alternative Reference Rate in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Collateral Manager decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Collateral Manager determines that no market practice for use of the Alternative Reference Rate exists, in such other manner as the Collateral Manager determines is reasonably necessary).
“Benchmark Replacement Date”:
(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 relevant Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide such Benchmark;
(2)in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information; or
(3)in the case of clause (4) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the Interest Determination Date following the date of the related Monthly Report.
For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination. If the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs less than three Business Days prior to an Interest Determination Date and a replacement rate has not been proposed by the Collateral Manager with the consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares, the Issuer and the Calculation Agent shall use good faith and commercially reasonable efforts to determine the Benchmark Replacement as of such Interest Determination Date on or as soon as reasonably possible after such Interest Determination Date and the failure to determine the Benchmark Replacement on such Interest Determination Date shall not be a Default under this Indenture. The occurrence of the Benchmark Replacement Date will not affect any Interest Rate determination prior to the Benchmark Replacement Date, even if the related Payment Date occurs after the Benchmark Replacement Date.
“Benchmark Transition Event”: The occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(1)a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;
(2)a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction
-10-
over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;
(3)a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative; or
(4)the Asset Replacement Percentage is greater than 50%, as reported in the most recent Monthly Report.
“Beneficial Ownership Certificate”: The meaning specified in Section 14.2(e).
“Benefit Plan Investor”: (i) Any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA, (ii) any “plan” subject to Section 4975 of the Code, or (iii) any entity whose underlying assets are deemed to include “plan assets” (as defined by the Plan Asset Regulation) by reason of such an employee benefit plan’s or a plan’s investment in such entity.
“Bond”: A debt security that is not a Loan or a Participation Interest.
“Bridge Loan”: Any loan or other obligation that (x) is incurred in connection with a merger, acquisition, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person or similar transaction and (y) by its terms, is required to be repaid within one year of the incurrence thereof with proceeds from additional borrowings or other refinancings (it being understood that any such loan or debt security that has a nominal maturity date of one year or less from the incurrence thereof but has a term-out or other provision whereby (automatically or at the sole option of the Obligor thereof) the maturity of the indebtedness thereunder may be extended to a later date is not a Bridge Loan).
“Business Day”: Any day other than (i) a Saturday or a Sunday or (ii) a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by applicable law, regulation or executive order to close in New York, New York or in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located or, for any final payment of principal, in the relevant place of presentation.
“Calculation Agent”: The meaning specified in Section 7.16.
“Cash”: Such money (as defined in Article 1 of the UCC) or funds denominated in currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for payment of all public and private debts, including funds standing to the credit of an Account.
“Cause”: The meaning set forth in the Collateral Management Agreement.
-11-
“Cayman AML Regulations”: The Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (2020 Revision) and The Guidance Notes on the Prevention and Detection of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Cayman Islands, each as amended from time to time.
“Cayman FATCA Legislation”: The Cayman Islands Tax Information Authority Act (2017 Revision) (as amended) together with regulations and guidance notes made pursuant to such law, as amended from time to time.
“Cayman IGA”: The intergovernmental agreement between the Cayman Islands and the United States signed on November 29, 2013 (including any implementing legislation, rules, regulations and guidance notes), as the same may be amended from time to time.
“CCC Excess”: The amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Aggregate Principal Balance of all S&P CCC Collateral Obligations over an amount equal to 35.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount as of such date of determination; provided that in determining which of the S&P CCC Collateral Obligations shall be included in the CCC Excess, the S&P CCC Collateral Obligations with the lowest Market Value (expressed as a percentage of the Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligations as of such date of determination) shall be deemed to constitute such CCC Excess.
“Certificate of Authentication”: The meaning specified in Section 2.1.
“Certificated Note”: The meaning specified in Section 2.2(b)(iii).
“Certificated Security”: The meaning specified in Article 8 of the UCC.
“Class”: In the case of (i) the Secured Notes, all of the Secured Notes having the same Interest Rate, Stated Maturity and class designation and (ii) the Preferred Shares, all of the Preferred Shares. With respect to any exercise of voting rights, any Pari Passu Classes of Securities that are entitled to vote on a matter will vote together as a single Class, except as expressly provided otherwise herein.
“Class A Notes”: The Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes issued pursuant to this Indenture and having the characteristics specified in Section 2.3.
“Class Break-even Default Rate”: With respect to the Highest Ranking Class, the maximum percentage of defaults, at any time, that the Current Portfolio or the Proposed Portfolio, as applicable, can sustain, as determined through application of the applicable S&P CDO Monitor chosen by the Collateral Manager in accordance with this Indenture that is applicable to the portfolio of Collateral Obligations, which, after giving effect to the assumptions on recoveries, defaults and timing and to the Priority of Payments, will result in sufficient funds remaining for the payment of such Class or Classes of Secured Notes in full. After the Effective Date, S&P will provide the Collateral Manager with an input file that incorporates the Class Break-even Default Rates for each S&P CDO Monitor determined by the Collateral Manager (with notice to the Collateral Administrator) pursuant to the definition of “S&P CDO Monitor.” S&P will provide the Collateral Manager with the Class Break-even Default Rates for each S&P CDO Monitor input file based upon the Weighted Average Floating Spread and the Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate to be associated with such S&P CDO Monitor input file as selected by the Collateral Manager
-12-
from Section 2 of Schedule 4 or any other Weighted Average Floating Spread and Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate selected by the Collateral Manager from time to time.
“Class Default Differential”: With respect to the Highest Ranking Class, the rate calculated by subtracting the Class Scenario Default Rate at such time for such Class of Secured Notes from the Class Break-even Default Rate for such Class of Secured Notes at such time.
“Class Scenario Default Rate”: With respect to the Highest Ranking Class, an estimate of the cumulative default rate for the Current Portfolio or the Proposed Portfolio, as applicable, consistent with S&P’s initial rating of such Class or Classes of Secured Notes, determined by application by the Collateral Manager and the Collateral Administrator of the S&P CDO Monitor at such time.
“Clean-Up Call Redemption”: A redemption of the Secured Notes in accordance with Section 9.8.
“Clearing Agency”: An organization registered as a “clearing agency” pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
“Clearing Corporation”: (i) Clearstream, (ii) DTC, (iii) Euroclear and (iv) any entity included within the meaning of “clearing corporation” under Section 8‑102(a)(5) of the UCC.
“Clearing Corporation Security”: Securities which are in the custody of or maintained on the books of a Clearing Corporation or a nominee subject to the control of a Clearing Corporation and, if they are Certificated Securities in registered form, properly endorsed to or registered in the name of the Clearing Corporation or such nominee.
“Clearstream”: Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, a corporation organized under the laws of the Duchy of Luxembourg (formerly known as Cedelbank, société anonyme).
“Closing Date”: December 16, 2020.
“Closing Date Participation Interest”: The participation interests acquired by the Issuer pursuant to the Loan Sale Agreement on the Closing Date.
“Code”: The United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Co‑Issued Notes”: The Class A Notes.
“Co-Issuer”: Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1 LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and any successor thereto.
“Collateral Administration Agreement”: An agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the Issuer, the Collateral Manager and the Collateral Administrator, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
-13-
“Collateral Administrator”: State Street, in its capacity as Collateral Administrator under the Collateral Administration Agreement, and any successor thereto.
“Collateral Interest Amount”: As of any date of determination, without duplication, the aggregate amount of Interest Proceeds that has been received or that is expected to be received (other than Interest Proceeds expected to be received from Defaulted Obligations, but including Interest Proceeds actually received from Defaulted Obligations), in each case during the Collection Period in which such date of determination occurs (or after such Collection Period but on or prior to the related Payment Date if such Interest Proceeds would be treated as Interest Proceeds with respect to such Collection Period).
“Collateral Management Agreement”: The agreement dated as of the Closing Date, between the Issuer and the Collateral Manager relating to the management of the Collateral Obligations and the other Assets by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
“Collateral Management Fee”: The fee payable to the Collateral Manager in arrears on each Payment Date pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Collateral Management Agreement and Section 11.1 hereof, comprised of (x) the Base Management Fee and (y) the Subordinated Management Fee.
“Collateral Manager”: Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, until a successor Person shall have become the Collateral Manager pursuant to the provisions of the Collateral Management Agreement, and thereafter “Collateral Manager” shall mean such successor Person.
“Collateral Manager Securities”: Any Securities owned by the Collateral Manager, an Affiliate thereof, or any account, fund, client or portfolio established and controlled by the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof or for which the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof acts as the investment adviser or with respect to which the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof exercises discretionary control thereover.
“Collateral Manager Standard”: The standard of care applicable to the Collateral Manager set forth in the Collateral Management Agreement.
“Collateral Obligation”: A Senior Secured Loan, a First-Lien Last-Out Loan, a Second Lien Loan or a Workout Loan or a Participation Interest therein or a Senior Secured Bond, in each case, that (x) as of the date the Issuer commits to purchase (or ORTF commits to contribute to the Issuer) such obligation or (y) if a portion of the proceeds from a prepayment of a Collateral Obligation are exchanged (other than in connection with a restructuring of a Collateral Obligation due to financial distress or for the purpose of avoiding a payment default) as consideration for a new obligation, as of the date the Issuer commits to such exchange, such obligation:
(i)is U.S. Dollar denominated and is neither convertible by the issuer thereof into, nor payable in, any other currency;
(ii)unless it is a Workout Loan, is not (A) a Defaulted Obligation or (B) a Credit Risk Obligation;
-14-
(iii)is not a lease;
(iv)if it is a Deferrable Obligation, it is a Permitted Deferrable Obligation or a Workout Loan;
(v) provides for a fixed amount of principal payable in cash on scheduled payment dates and/or at maturity and does not by its terms provide for earlier amortization or prepayment at a price of less than par;
(vi)does not constitute Margin Stock;
(vii)gives rise only to payments that are not subject to withholding tax, other than withholding tax as to which the Obligor must make additional payments so that the net amount received by the Issuer after satisfaction of such tax is the amount due to the Issuer before the imposition of any withholding tax or any withholding taxes imposed under FATCA;
(viii)unless it is a Workout Loan, has an S&P Rating of at least “CCC-”;
(ix)is not a debt obligation whose repayment is subject to substantial non‑credit related risk as determined by the Collateral Manager;
(x)except for Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations and Revolving Collateral Obligations, is not an obligation pursuant to which any future advances or payments to the borrower or the Obligor thereof may be required to be made by the Issuer;
(xi)does not have an “f”, “p”, “sf” or “t” subscript assigned by S&P or, if such obligation is not rated by S&P, does not have an “sf” subscript assigned by any other NRSRO;
(xii)is not a repurchase obligation, a commodity forward contract, a Zero Coupon Bond, an Unsecured Loan, a Bridge Loan, a Commercial Real Estate Loan, a Synthetic Security or a Structured Finance Obligation;
(xiii)will not require the Issuer or the pool of Assets to be registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act;
(xiv)is not by its terms convertible into or exchangeable for an Equity Security;
(xv)is not the subject of an Offer of exchange, or tender by its issuer, for cash, securities or any other type of consideration other than a Permitted Offer;
(xvi)does not mature after the earliest Stated Maturity of any Secured Note Outstanding;
-15-
(xvii)other than in the case of a Fixed Rate Obligation, accrues interest at a floating rate determined by reference to (a) the Dollar prime rate, federal funds rate or Libor or (b) a similar interbank offered rate, commercial deposit rate or any other index;
(xviii)is Registered;
(xix)does not pay interest less frequently than semi‑annually;
(xx)is not a letter of credit and does not support a letter of credit;
(xxi)is purchased at a price at least equal to 65% of its outstanding principal balance;
(xxii)is not issued by an Obligor Domiciled in Greece, Italy, Portugal or Spain;
(xxiii)is issued by a Non‑Emerging Market Obligor Domiciled in the United States, Canada, a Group I Country, a Group II Country, a Group III Country or a Tax Jurisdiction;
(xxiv)is not a warrant and does not have attached equity warrants;
(xxv)is not a participation interest in a Participation Interest;
(xxvi)is not an obligation of a Portfolio Company; and
(xxvii)if it is a First-Lien Last-Out Loan, it is not a Cov-Lite Loan.
“Collateral Principal Amount”: As of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Obligations except as otherwise expressly set forth herein) and (b) without duplication, the amounts on deposit in any Account (including Eligible Investments therein) representing Principal Proceeds; provided that for purposes of calculating the Concentration Limitations and the CCC Excess, Defaulted Obligations shall be included in the Collateral Principal Amount with a principal balance equal to the Defaulted Obligation Balance thereof.
“Collateral Quality Test”: A test satisfied as of the Effective Date and any other date thereafter on which such test is required to be determined hereunder if, in the aggregate, the Collateral Obligations owned (or in relation to a proposed purchase of a Collateral Obligation, both owned and proposed to be owned) by the Issuer satisfy each of the tests set forth below (or, after the Effective Date, if any such test is not satisfied at the time of reinvestment, the level of compliance with such test is maintained or improved as described in the Investment Criteria):
(i)the S&P CDO Monitor Test;
(ii)the Minimum Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate Test;
-16-
(iii)the Minimum Weighted Average Coupon Test;
(iv)the Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread Test; and
(v)the Weighted Average Life Test.
“Collection Account”: The trust account established pursuant to Section 10.2 which consists of the Principal Collection Subaccount and the Interest Collection Subaccount.
“Collection Period”: (i) With respect to the first Payment Date, the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending at the close of business on the date that is 10 Business Days prior to the first Payment Date; and (ii) with respect to any other Payment Date, the period commencing on the day immediately following the prior Collection Period and ending (a) in the case of the final Collection Period preceding the latest Stated Maturity of any Class of Secured Notes, on the day of such Stated Maturity, (b) in the case of the final Collection Period preceding an Optional Redemption, Tax Redemption or Clean-Up Call Redemption in whole of the Secured Notes, or an Optional Preferred Shares Redemption on the Redemption Date and (c) in any other case, at the close of business on the date that is 10 Business Days prior to such Payment Date.
“Commercial Real Estate Loan”: Any Loan for which the underlying collateral consists primarily of real property owned by the Obligor and is evidenced by a note or other evidence of indebtedness.
“Compounded SOFR”: A rate equal to the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for such rate, and conventions for such rate (which, for example, may be compounded in arrears with a lookback and/or suspension period as a mechanism to determine the interest amount payable prior to the end of each Interest Accrual Period or compounded in advance) being established by the Collateral Manager in accordance with:
(1)the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining compounded SOFR; provided that
(2)if, and to the extent that, the Collateral Manager determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (1) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that have been selected by the Collateral Manager giving due consideration to any industry-accepted market practice for similar Dollar-denominated collateralized loan obligation securitization transactions at such time.
“Concentration Limitations”: Limitations satisfied on each Measurement Date on or after the Effective Date and during the Reinvestment Period if, in the aggregate, the Collateral Obligations owned (or in relation to a proposed purchase of a Collateral Obligation, owned and proposed to be owned) by the Issuer comply with all of the requirements set forth below (or in relation to a proposed purchase after the Effective Date, if any such requirement is not satisfied, the level of compliance with such requirement is maintained or improved after giving effect to the purchase), calculated in each case as required by Section 1.3 herein:
-17-
(i)not less than 90.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Senior Secured Loans, Senior Secured Bonds and Eligible Investments;
(ii)not more than 10.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of First-Lien Last-Out Loans and Second Lien Loans;
(iii)not more than 10.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Senior Secured Bonds;
(iv)not more than 3.75% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of obligations issued by a single Obligor and its Affiliates, except that, without duplication, (x) Collateral Obligations issued by up to two (2) Obligors and their respective Affiliates may each constitute up to 7.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount and (y) Collateral Obligations issued by up to five (5) Obligors and their respective Affiliates may each constitute up to 5.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount;
(v)not more than 35.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Collateral Obligations with an S&P Rating of “CCC+” or below (other than a Defaulted Obligation);
(vi)not more than 15.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Fixed Rate Obligations;
(vii)not more than 10.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Current Pay Obligations;
(viii)not more than 15.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist, in the aggregate, of unfunded commitments under Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations and unfunded and funded commitments under Revolving Collateral Obligations;
(ix)(a) excluding, prior to the first Payment Date, any Closing Date Participation Interests, not more than 20.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Participation Interests and (b) excluding any Closing Date Participation Interests, the Third Party Credit Exposure Limits may not be exceeded with respect to any such Participation Interest;
(x)not more than 10.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may have an S&P Rating derived from a Moody’s Rating as set forth in clause (iii)(a) of the definition of the term “S&P Rating”;
(xi)not more than the percentage listed below of the Collateral Principal Amount may be issued by Obligors Domiciled in the country or countries set forth opposite such percentage:
| % Limit | Country or Countries |
|---|---|
| 15.0% | All countries (in the aggregate) other than the United States; |
| 10.0% | Canada; |
-18-
| % Limit | Country or Countries |
|---|---|
| 10.0% | all countries (in the aggregate) other than the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom; |
| 5.0% | any individual Group I Country; |
| 2.5% | all Group II Countries in the aggregate; |
| 2.5% | any individual Group II Country; |
| 2.0% | all Group III Countries in the aggregate; and |
| 2.5% | all Tax Jurisdictions in the aggregate; |
(xii)not more than 25.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Collateral Obligations that pay interest at least semi‑annually, but less frequently than quarterly;
(xiii)not more than 10.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Cov‑Lite Loans;
(xiv)not more than 40.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Collateral Obligations that are Recurring Revenue Loans; and
(xv)not more than 5.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount may consist of Collateral Obligations that are DIP Collateral Obligations.
“Confidential Information”: The meaning specified in Section 14.15(b).
“Contribution”: The meaning specified in Section 10.5.
“Controlling Class”: The Class A Notes so long as any Class A Notes are Outstanding; and then the Preferred Shares.
“Corresponding Tenor”: With respect to a Benchmark Replacement, a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.
“Corporate Trust Office”: The principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which this Indenture is administered, currently located at State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, Mail Code: JAB0250, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171 Attention: Structured Trust and Analytics, Ref: Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders, the Collateral Manager and the Issuer or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee.
“Cov-Lite Loan”: A Collateral Obligation the Underlying Documents for which do not (i) contain any financial covenants or (ii) require the Obligor thereunder to comply with any Maintenance Covenant (regardless of whether compliance with one or more Incurrence Covenants is otherwise required by such Underlying Documents); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Collateral Obligation shall be deemed for all purposes (other than the S&P Recovery Rate for such Collateral Obligation) not to be a Cov-Lite Loan if the Underlying Documents for such Collateral Obligation contain a cross-default or cross-acceleration provision
-19-
to, or such Collateral Obligation is pari passu with, another loan, debt obligation or credit facility of the underlying Obligor that contains one or more Maintenance Covenants.
“Coverage Tests”: The Overcollateralization Ratio Test and the Interest Coverage Test.
“Credit Improved Criteria”: The criteria that will be met if, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, any of the following occur:
(a)such Collateral Obligation has experienced a reduction in its spread over the Reference Rate or other reference rate of 10% or more compared to the spread in effect as of the date of purchase by the Issuer of such Collateral Obligation; or
(b)such Collateral Obligation has a Market Value above the higher of (i) par and (ii) the initial purchase price paid by the Issuer for such Collateral Obligation.
“Credit Improved Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation which, in the judgment of the Collateral Manager (which may not be called into question due to subsequent events or investment determinations made by the Collateral Manager for its other clients or investment vehicles managed by the Collateral Manager), has improved in credit quality after it was acquired by the Issuer; provided that during a Restricted Trading Period, a Collateral Obligation will qualify as a Credit Improved Obligation only if (i) it has been upgraded by S&P at least one rating sub-category (which rating may include a credit estimate) or has been placed and remains on a credit watch with positive implication by S&P since it was acquired by the Issuer, (ii) the Credit Improved Criteria are satisfied with respect to such Collateral Obligation or (iii) a Majority of the Controlling Class consents to treat such Collateral Obligation as a Credit Improved Obligation.
“Credit Risk Criteria”: The criteria that will be met if, with respect to any Collateral Obligation, any of the following occur:
(a)the spread over the Reference Rate or other reference rate for such Collateral Obligation has been increased since the date of purchase by the Issuer by (A) 0.25% or more (in the case of a Collateral Obligation with a spread over the applicable reference rate (prior to such increase) less than or equal to 2%), (B) 0.375% or more (in the case of a Collateral Obligation with a spread over the applicable reference rate (prior to such increase) greater than 2% but less than or equal to 4%) or (C) 0.5% or more (in the case of a Collateral Obligation with a spread over the applicable reference rate (prior to such increase) greater than 4%) due, in each case, to a deterioration in the related Obligor’s financial ratios or financial results in accordance with the Underlying Documents relating to such Collateral Obligation; or
(b)the Market Value of such Collateral Obligation has decreased by at least 2.5% of the price paid by the Issuer for such Collateral Obligation due to a deterioration in the related Obligor’s financial ratios or financial results in accordance with the Underlying Documents relating to such Collateral Obligation.
“Credit Risk Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation that, in the judgment of the Collateral Manager (which may not be called into question due to subsequent events or investment
-20-
determinations made by the Collateral Manager for its other clients or investment vehicles managed by the Collateral Manager), has a material risk of declining in credit quality or price; provided that during a Restricted Trading Period, a Collateral Obligation will qualify as a Credit Risk Obligation for purposes of sales of Collateral Obligations only if (i) such Collateral Obligation has been downgraded by S&P at least one rating sub-category (which rating may include a credit estimate) or has been placed and remains on a credit watch with negative implication by S&P since it was acquired by the Issuer, (ii) the Credit Risk Criteria are satisfied with respect to such Collateral Obligation or (iii) a Majority of the Controlling Class consents to treat such Collateral Obligation as a Credit Risk Obligation.
“CRS”: The OECD Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information – Common Reporting Standard, as amended from time to time, including any implementing legislation or related regulations or guidance notes.
“Current Pay Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation that would otherwise be treated as a Defaulted Obligation but as to which no payments are due and payable that are unpaid and with respect to which the Collateral Manager has certified to the Trustee (with a copy to the Collateral Administrator) in writing that it believes, in its reasonable business judgment, that the Obligor of such Collateral Obligation (a) is current on all interest payments, principal payments and other amounts due and payable thereunder and will continue to make scheduled payments of interest thereon and will pay the principal thereof and all other amounts due and payable thereunder by maturity or as otherwise contractually due, (b) if the Obligor is subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, it has been the subject of an order of a bankruptcy court that permits it to make the scheduled payments on such Collateral Obligation and all interest payments, principal payments and other amounts due and payable thereunder have been paid in Cash when due and (c) the Collateral Obligation has a Market Value (not determined pursuant to clause (iv) of the definition thereof) of at least 80% of its par value.
“Current Portfolio”: At any time, the portfolio of Collateral Obligations and Cash and Eligible Investments representing Principal Proceeds (determined in accordance with Section 1.3 to the extent applicable), then held by the Issuer.
“Custodial Account”: The custodial account established pursuant to Section 10.3(b).
“Custodian”: The meaning specified in the first sentence of Section 3.3(a) with respect to items of collateral referred to therein, and each entity with which an Account is maintained, as the context may require, each of which shall be a Securities Intermediary.
“Cut-Off Date”: Each date on or after the Closing Date on which a Collateral Obligation is transferred to the Issuer.
“Default”: Any Event of Default or any occurrence that is, or with notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Obligation”: (x) Each Workout Loan unless until the date on which it meets the definition of Collateral Obligation (as determined on such date and without giving effect
-21-
to any exclusions for Workout Loans set forth in the definition of Collateral Obligation) and (y) any Collateral Obligation included in the Assets as to which:
(a)a default as to the payment of principal and/or interest has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Collateral Obligation (without regard to any grace period applicable thereto (except as otherwise provided in this clause (a)), or waiver or forbearance thereof, after the passage (in the case of a default that in the Collateral Manager’s judgment, as certified to the Trustee in writing, is not due to credit-related causes) of five (5) Business Days or seven calendar days, whichever is greater, but in no case beyond the passage of any grace period applicable thereto);
(b)the Collateral Manager has knowledge of a default as to the payment of principal and/or interest has occurred and is continuing on another debt obligation of the same Obligor which is senior or pari passu in right of payment to such Collateral Obligation (without regard to any grace period applicable thereto (except as otherwise provided in this clause (b)), or waiver or forbearance thereof, after the passage (in the case of a default that in the Collateral Manager’s judgment, as certified to the Trustee in writing, is not due to credit-related causes) of three (3) Business Days or five calendar days, whichever is greater, but in no case beyond the passage of any grace period applicable thereto) and holders of such other debt obligation of the same issuer have accelerated the maturity of all or a portion of such other debt obligation; provided that both the Collateral Obligation and such other debt obligation are full recourse obligations of the applicable Obligor or secured by the same collateral;
(c)other than in the case of DIP Collateral Obligations, the Obligor or others have instituted proceedings to have the Obligor adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent or placed into receivership and such proceedings have not been stayed or dismissed or such Obligor has filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code;
(d)such Collateral Obligation has an S&P Rating of “SD” or “CC” or lower or had such rating before such rating was withdrawn;
(e)such Collateral Obligation is junior or pari passu in right of payment as to the payment of principal and/or interest to another debt obligation of the same Obligor which has an S&P Rating of “SD” or “CC” or lower or had such rating before such rating was withdrawn; provided that both the Collateral Obligation and such other debt obligation are full recourse obligations of the applicable Obligor or secured by the same collateral;
(f)the Collateral Manager has received notice or a Responsible Officer thereof has actual knowledge that a default has occurred under the Underlying Documents and any applicable grace period has expired and the holders of such Collateral Obligation have accelerated the repayment of the Collateral Obligation (but only until such acceleration has been rescinded) in the manner provided in the Underlying Documents;
(g)the Collateral Manager has in its reasonable commercial judgment otherwise declared such debt obligation to be a “Defaulted Obligation”;
-22-
(h)such Collateral Obligation is a Participation Interest with respect to which the Selling Institution has defaulted in any respect in the performance of any of its payment obligations under the Participation Interest;
(i)such Collateral Obligation is a Participation Interest in a Loan that would, if such Loan were a Collateral Obligation, constitute a “Defaulted Obligation” or with respect to which the Selling Institution has an S&P Rating of “SD” or “CC” or lower or had such rating before such rating was withdrawn;
(j)such Collateral Obligation is a Deferring Obligation; or
(k)such Collateral Obligation has, since the date it was acquired by the Issuer, become subject to an amendment, waiver or modification that had the effect of reducing the principal amount of such Collateral Obligation;
provided that (i) a Collateral Obligation shall not constitute a Defaulted Obligation pursuant to clauses (b) through (e) above if such Collateral Obligation (or, in the case of a Participation Interest, the underlying Loan) is a Current Pay Obligation and (ii) the Aggregate Principal Balance of Current Pay Obligations exceeding 7.5% of the Collateral Principal Amount will be treated as Defaulted Obligations.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, the Collateral Manager shall give the Trustee prompt written notice should any Collateral Obligation become a Defaulted Obligation. Until so notified or until a Trust Officer obtains actual knowledge that a Collateral Obligation has become a Defaulted Obligation, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have any notice or knowledge that a Collateral Obligation has become a Defaulted Obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee shall remain obligated to perform its duties set forth in and in accordance with Section 6.13 hereof.
“Defaulted Obligation Balance”: For any Defaulted Obligation or Long Dated Obligation, the S&P Collateral Value of such Defaulted Obligation or Long Dated Obligation; provided that the Defaulted Obligation Balance will be zero for (w) any such Defaulted Obligation or Long Dated Obligation that the Issuer has owned for more than three years since its default date (in the case of Defaulted Obligations) or modification or amendment date (in the case of Long Dated Obligations), (x) any Excess Long Dated Obligations, (y) any Long Dated Obligations with a stated maturity beyond two years following the earliest Stated Maturity of any Secured Note Outstanding and (z) any Additional Long Dated Obligations.
“Deferrable Obligation”: A Collateral Obligation (including any Permitted Deferrable Obligation) that by its terms permits the deferral or capitalization of payment of accrued, unpaid interest.
“Deferring Obligation”: A Deferrable Obligation (other than a Permitted Deferrable Obligation) that is deferring the payment of the cash interest due thereon and has been so deferring the payment of such cash interest due thereon for two consecutive accrual periods, which deferred capitalized interest has not, as of the date of determination, been paid in Cash.
-23-
“Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation”: A Collateral Obligation that (a) requires the Issuer to make one or more future advances to the borrower under the Underlying Documents relating thereto, (b) specifies a maximum amount that can be borrowed on one or more fixed borrowing dates, and (c) does not permit the re-borrowing of any amount previously repaid by the borrower thereunder; but any such Collateral Obligation will be a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation only until all commitments by the Issuer to make advances to the borrower expire or are terminated or are reduced to zero.
“Deliver” or “Delivered” or “Delivery”: The taking of the following steps:
(i)in the case of each Certificated Security (other than a Clearing Corporation Security or a Certificated Security or an Instrument evidencing debt underlying a participation interest in a loan),
(a)causing the delivery of such Certificated Security or Instrument to the Intermediary registered in the name of the Intermediary or its affiliated nominee;
(b)causing the Intermediary to continuously identify on its books and records that such Certificated Security or Instrument is credited to the relevant Account; and
(c)causing the Intermediary to maintain continuous possession of such Certificated Security or Instrument;
(ii)in the case of each Uncertificated Security (other than a Clearing Corporation Security),
(a)causing such Uncertificated Security to be continuously registered on the books of the issuer thereof to the Intermediary; and
(b)causing the Intermediary to continuously identify on its books and records that such Uncertificated Security is credited to the relevant Account;
(iii)in the case of each Clearing Corporation Security,
(a)causing the relevant Clearing Corporation to continuously credit such Clearing Corporation Security to the securities account of the Intermediary at such Clearing Corporation, and
(b)causing the Intermediary to continuously identify on its books and records that such Clearing Corporation Security is credited to the relevant Account;
(iv)in the case of any Financial Asset that is maintained in book-entry record form on the records of a Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”),
(a)causing the continuous crediting of such Financial Asset to the securities account of the Intermediary at such FRB, and
-24-
(b)causing the Intermediary to continuously identify on its books and records that such Financial Asset is credited to the relevant Account;
(v)in the case of Cash,
(a)causing the deposit of such Cash with the Intermediary,
(b)causing the Intermediary to treat such Cash as a Financial Asset, and
(c)causing the Intermediary to continuously identify on its books and records that such Financial Asset is credited to the relevant Account;
(vi)in the case of each Financial Asset not covered by the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) above,
(a)causing the transfer of such Financial Asset to the Intermediary in accordance with applicable law and regulation and
(b)causing the Intermediary to continuously identify on its books and records that the underlying Financial Asset has been credited to the relevant Account;
(vii)in the case of each general intangible (including any participation interest in a loan that is not, or the debt underlying which is not, evidenced by a Certificated Security or an Instrument), notifying the obligor thereunder, if any, of the Grant to the Trustee (unless no applicable law requires such notice);
(viii)in the case of each participation interest in a loan as to which the underlying debt is represented by a Certificated Security or an Instrument, obtaining the acknowledgment of the Person in possession of such Certificated Security or Instrument (which may not be the Issuer) that it holds the Issuer’s interest in such Certificated Security or Instrument solely on behalf and for the benefit of the Trustee; and
(ix)in all cases, the filing of an appropriate Financing Statement in the appropriate filing office in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction.
“Determination Date”: The date that is 10 Business Days prior to each Payment Date.
“DIP Collateral Obligation”: A loan made to a debtor-in-possession pursuant to Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code having the priority allowed by either Section 364(c) or 364(d) of the Bankruptcy Code and fully secured by senior liens.
“Discount Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation forming part of the Assets which was purchased (as determined without averaging prices of purchases on different dates) for less than (a) 85.0% of its Principal Balance, if such Collateral Obligation has an S&P Rating lower than “B‑” or (b) 80.0% of its Principal Balance, if such Collateral Obligation has an S&P Rating
-25-
of “B‑” or higher; provided that such Collateral Obligation shall cease to be a Discount Obligation at such time as the Market Value (expressed as a percentage of the par amount of such Collateral Obligation) determined for such Collateral Obligation on each day during any period of 30 consecutive days since the acquisition by the Issuer of such Collateral Obligation, equals or exceeds 90.0% on each such day.
“Dissolution Expenses”: The amount of expenses reasonably likely to be incurred in connection with the discharge of this Indenture, the liquidation of the Assets and the dissolution of the Issuers, as reasonably calculated by the Collateral Manager or the Issuer, based in part on expenses incurred by the Trustee and reported to the Collateral Manager or the Issuer.
“Distribution Report”: The meaning specified in Section 10.7(b).
“Dodd-Frank Act”: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
“Dollar” or “U.S.$”: A dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for all debts, public and private.
“Domicile” or “Domiciled”: With respect to any Obligor with respect to, or issuer of, a Collateral Obligation:
(a)except as provided in clauses (b) and (c) below, its country of organization;
(b)if it is organized in a Tax Jurisdiction, each of such jurisdiction and the country in which, in the Collateral Manager’s good faith estimate, a substantial portion of its operations are located or from which a substantial portion of its revenue is derived, in each case directly or through subsidiaries (which shall be any jurisdiction and country known at the time of designation by the Collateral Manager to be the source of the majority of revenues, if any, of such Obligor or issuer); or
(c)if its payment obligations in respect of such Collateral Obligation are guaranteed by a person or entity that is organized in the United States or Canada, then the United States or Canada.
“DTC”: The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors.
“Due Date”: Each date on which any payment is due on an Asset in accordance with its terms.
“EBITDA”: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (determined, for any Collateral Obligation, in the manner provided in the Underlying Documents).
“Effective Date”: The earlier to occur of (i) June 15, 2021 and (ii) the first date on which the Collateral Manager certifies to the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator that the Target Initial Par Condition has been satisfied.
-26-
“Effective Date Report”: The meaning specified in Section 7.18(c).
“Effective Date S&P Conditions”: The conditions that are satisfied if, in connection with Effective Date, S&P has provided written confirmation of its initial ratings of the Secured Notes (which may take the form of a press release or other written confirmation).
“Effective Date Tested Items”: Each component test (other than the S&P CDO Monitor Test) of the Collateral Quality Test, the Overcollateralization Ratio Test, the Concentration Limitations and the Target Initial Par Condition.
“Eligible Institution”: The meaning specified in Section 10.1.
“Eligible Investment Required Ratings”: A long-term debt rating of at least “A+” by S&P or a long-term debt rating of at least “A” by S&P and a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” by S&P.
“Eligible Investments”: Either (a) Cash or (b) any Dollar investment that, at the time it is Delivered (directly or through an intermediary or bailee), is one or more of the following obligations or securities:
(i)direct obligations of, and obligations the timely payment of principal and interest on which is fully and expressly guaranteed by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States the obligations of which are expressly backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and which obligations of such agency or instrumentality satisfy the Eligible Investment Required Ratings;
(ii)(A) demand and time deposits in, certificates of deposit of, trust accounts with, bankers’ acceptances issued by, or federal funds sold by any depository institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States (including the Bank) or any state thereof and subject to supervision and examination by federal and/or state banking authorities, in each case payable within 183 days of issuance, so long as the commercial paper and/or the debt obligations of such depository institution or trust company (or, in the case of the principal depository institution in a holding company system, the commercial paper or debt obligations of such holding company) at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment have the Eligible Investment Required Ratings or (B) demand or time deposits that are covered by an extended Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance program where 100% of the deposits are insured by the FDIC, which is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, so long as the commercial paper and/or the debt obligations of such depository institution or trust company (or, in the case of the principal depository institution in a holding company system, the commercial paper or debt obligations of such holding company) at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment have the Eligible Investment Required Ratings;
(iii)commercial paper (excluding extendible commercial paper or asset-backed commercial paper) which satisfies the Eligible Investment Required Ratings; and
-27-
(iv)shares or other securities of registered money market funds which funds have, at all times, credit ratings of “AAAm” by S&P and the highest credit rating assigned by another NRSRO (excluding S&P);
provided that (A) Eligible Investments purchased with funds in the Collection Account shall be held until maturity except as otherwise specifically provided herein and shall include only such obligations or securities, other than those referred to in clause (iv) above, as mature (or are putable at par to the issuer thereof) no later than the earlier of 60 days and the Business Day prior to the next Payment Date (unless such Eligible Investments are issued by the Trustee in its capacity as a banking institution, in which case such Eligible Investments may mature on such Payment Date), (B) none of the foregoing obligations shall constitute Eligible Investments if (a) all, or substantially all, of the remaining amounts payable thereunder consist of interest and not principal payments or (b) such obligation or security has an “f,” “r,” “p,” “sf” or “t” subscript assigned by S&P and (C) Eligible Investments cannot have payments that are subject to withholding tax if owned by the Issuer unless the issuer or obligor or other Person (and guarantor, if any) is required to make “gross-up” payments that cover the full amount of any such withholding taxes. The Trustee shall not be responsible for determining or overseeing compliance with the foregoing. Eligible Investments may include, without limitation, those investments for which the Bank or the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Bank or the Trustee is the obligor or depository institution, or provides services and receives compensation subject to the proviso in the second preceding sentence.
“Enforcement Event”: The meaning specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv).
“Entitlement Order”: The meaning specified in Article 8 of the UCC.
“Equity Security”: Any security or other obligation that is not a Collateral Obligation or an Eligible Investment.
“ERISA”: The United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“EU Originated Assets”: With respect to the Collateral Obligations acquired by the Issuer, the Retention Holder, either itself or through related entities, directly or indirectly, was involved or will be involved in the original agreement which created or will create such obligation.
“EU Origination Requirement”: The requirement which will be satisfied on the relevant date of determination if:
(i)the Aggregate Principal Balance of all EU Originated Assets; divided by
(ii)the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments owned by the Issuer (including any Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments that the Issuer has made a binding commitment to acquire),
is greater than 50.0%.
“EU Retained Interest”: A material net economic interest in the first loss tranche of not less than 5% of the nominal value of the securitised exposures within the meaning of
-28-
paragraph 3(d) of Article 6 of the EU Securitization Regulation, in the form of Preferred Shares in such amount (as at the Closing Date) acquired on the Closing Date and retained by the Retention Holder pursuant to the EU Retention Letter.
“EU Retention Deficiency”: An event which shall occur if the Preferred Shares held by the Retention Holder are insufficient to constitute the EU Retained Interest.
“EU Retention Letter”: The risk retention letter entered into by the Retention Holder on the Closing Date with the Issuers, the Initial Purchaser and the Trustee (for the benefit of the Holders).
“EU Risk Retention Requirements”: Collectively, the EU Securitization Regulation together with any implementing laws or regulations in force in any Member State of the European Union as of the Closing Date, any relevant regulatory and/or implementing technical standards adopted by the European Commission in relation thereto, any relevant regulatory and/or implementing technical standards applicable in relation thereto pursuant to any transitional arrangements made pursuant to the EU Risk Retention Requirements, and, in each case, any relevant guidance published in relation thereto by the European Banking Authority or the European Securities and Markets Authority (or, in either case, any predecessor authority) or by the European Commission.
“EU Securitization Regulation”: Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 12, 2017.
“Euroclear”: Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.
“Event of Default”: The meaning specified in Section 5.1.
“Excel Default Model Input File”: An electronic spreadsheet file in Microsoft Excel format to be provided to S&P, as shall be agreed to by the Collateral Administrator, the Collateral Manager and S&P and which file shall include the following information (if available) with respect to each Collateral Obligation: (a) the name of the issuer thereof, the country of Domicile of the issuer thereof and the particular issue held by the Issuer, (b) the CUSIP, LoanX ID or other applicable identification number associated with such Collateral Obligation, (c) the par value of such Collateral Obligation, (d) the type of issue (including, by way of example, whether such Collateral Obligation is a Senior Secured Loan, Second Lien Loan, Cov-Lite Loan, First-Lien Last-Out Loan, etc.), using such abbreviations as may be selected by the Collateral Administrator, (e) a description of the index or other applicable benchmark upon which the interest payable on such Collateral Obligation is based (including, by way of example, fixed rate, step-up rate, zero coupon and LIBOR) and whether such Collateral Obligation is a Reference Rate Floor Obligation and the specified “floor” rate per annum related thereto, (f) the coupon (in the case of a Collateral Obligation which bears interest at a fixed rate) or the spread over the applicable index (in the case of a Collateral Obligation which bears interest at a floating rate), (g) the S&P Industry Classification for such Collateral Obligation, (h) the stated maturity of such Collateral Obligation, (i) the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation or the issuer thereof, as applicable, (j) the trade date and settlement date of each Collateral Obligation, (k) in the case of any purchase which has not settled, the purchase price thereof, and (l) such other information as the Collateral
-29-
Administrator may determine to include in such file. In addition, such file shall include a description of any Balance of Cash and other Eligible Investments. In respect of the file provided to S&P in connection with the Issuer’s request to S&P to confirm its Initial Ratings of each Class of Notes pursuant to Section 7.18, such file shall include a separate breakdown of the Aggregate Principal Balance and identity of all Collateral Obligations with respect to which the Issuer has entered into a binding commitment to acquire but with respect to which no settlement has occurred.
“Excess CCC Adjustment Amount”: As of any date of determination, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations included in the CCC Excess, over (ii) the sum of the Market Values of all Collateral Obligations included in the CCC Excess.
“Excess Long Dated Obligation”: Long Dated Obligations (or applicable portions thereof) representing the excess, if any, of the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Long Dated Obligations over an amount equal to 7.5% of the Collateral Principal Amount as of such date of determination; provided that in determining which of the Long Dated Obligations shall be included in the excess, the Long Dated Obligations with the latest stated maturities shall be deemed to constitute such excess.
“Exchange Act”: The United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exercise Notice”: The meaning specified in Section 9.7(c).
“Expense Reserve Account”: The trust account established pursuant to Section 10.3(d).
“Fair Market Value”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, the Market Value of such Collateral Obligation as determined by the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion in accordance with its valuation policy applicable to the Issuer and ORTF and marked as such on the books and records of ORTF.
“FATCA”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (including the Cayman IGA), or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, guidance notes, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement (including the Cayman FATCA Legislation).
“Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website”: The website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
“Federal Reserve Board”: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
“Fee Basis Amount”: As of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Collateral Principal Amount, (b) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Defaulted Obligations and (c) the aggregate amount of all Principal Financed Accrued Interest.
“Financial Asset”: The meaning specified in Article 8 of the UCC.
-30-
“Financing Statement”: The meaning specified in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the applicable jurisdiction.
“First-Lien Last-Out Loan”: Any Collateral Obligation that would be a Senior Secured Loan except that, following a default, such Collateral Obligation becomes fully subordinated to other senior secured loans of the same Obligor and is not entitled to any payments until such other senior secured loans are paid in full.
“Fiscal Agency Agreement”: The Fiscal Agency Agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the Fiscal Agent, the Share Registrar and the Issuer, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
“Fiscal Agent”: State Street, in its capacity as Fiscal Agent under the Fiscal Agency Agreement, and any successor thereto.
“Fixed Rate Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation that bears a fixed rate of interest.
“Floating Rate Notes”: Any Secured Notes that bear interest at floating rates, which on the Closing Date will consist of the Class A Notes.
“Floating Rate Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation that bears a floating rate of interest.
“GAAP”: The meaning specified in Section 6.3(j).
“Global Note”: Any Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note.
“Grant” or “Granted”: To grant, bargain, sell, convey, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge, create and grant a security interest in and right of setoff against, deposit, set over and confirm. A Grant of the Assets, or of any other instrument or property, shall include all rights, powers and options (but none of the obligations) of the granting party thereunder, including, the immediate continuing right to claim for, collect, receive and receipt for principal and interest payments in respect of the Assets, and all other amounts payable thereunder, to give and receive notices and other communications, to make waivers or other agreements, to exercise all rights and options, to bring Proceedings in the name of the granting party or otherwise, and generally to do and receive anything that the granting party is or may be entitled to do or receive thereunder or with respect thereto.
“Group I Country”: The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“Group II Country”: Germany, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland.
“Group III Country”: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Norway.
-31-
“Highest Ranking Class”: The outstanding Class rated by S&P with respect to which there is no Priority Class Outstanding.
“HMT”: The meaning specified in Section 7.9(a)(xx)(A).
“Holder” or “holder”: With respect to (i) any Secured Note, the Person whose name appears on the Register as the registered holder of such Secured Note kept at the offices of the Trustee, and, in the context of any risk involved in purchasing, holding or transferring any of the Secured Notes or any representation, warranty or covenant required or deemed to be made by an investor in any of the Secured Notes, “Holder” or “holder” will include the beneficial owner of such security, except as otherwise provided herein and (ii) any Preferred Shares, the Person whose name appears on the Share Register as the registered holder of such Preferred Shares.
“Holder AML Obligations”: The meaning specified in Section 2.6(e).
“Holder Reporting Obligations”: The obligation (a) to obtain and provide to the Issuer and the Trustee (including their respective agents and representatives) information or documentation, and to update or correct such information or documentation, as may be necessary or helpful (in the sole determination of the Issuer or the Trustee or their agents, as applicable) to enable the Issuer to achieve Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance and (b) to ensure that the information or documentation described in clause (a) is accurate and complete.
“Incurrence Covenant”: A covenant by any borrower to comply with one or more financial covenants (including without limitation any covenant relating to a borrowing base, asset valuation or similar asset-based requirement) only upon the occurrence of certain actions of the borrower, including a debt issuance, drawing a revolver, dividend payment, share purchase, merger, acquisition or divestiture.
“Indenture”: This instrument as originally executed and, if from time to time supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, as so supplemented or amended.
“Independent”: As to any Person, any other Person (including, in the case of an accountant or lawyer, a firm of accountants or lawyers, and any member thereof, or an investment bank and any member thereof) who (i) does not have and is not committed to acquire any material direct or any material indirect financial interest in such Person or in any Affiliate of such Person, and (ii) is not connected with such Person as an Officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, partner, manager, director or Person performing similar functions. “Independent” when used with respect to any accountant may include an accountant who audits the books of such Person if in addition to satisfying the criteria set forth above, the accountant is independent with respect to such Person within the meaning of Rule 101 of the Code of Professional Conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. For purposes of this definition, no special member, manager, director or independent review party of any Person will fail to be Independent solely because such Person acts as an independent special member, independent manager, independent director or independent review party thereof or of any such Person’s affiliates.
-32-
Whenever any Independent Person’s opinion or certificate is to be furnished to the Trustee, such opinion or certificate shall state that the signer has read this definition and that the signer is Independent within the meaning hereof.
Any pricing service, certified public accountant or legal counsel that is required to be Independent of another Person under this Indenture must satisfy the criteria above with respect to the Issuer, the Collateral Manager and their Affiliates.
“Ineligible Tax Holder”: Any Holder or beneficial owner of Notes (i) that fails to comply with its Holder Reporting Obligations or (ii) (x) if the Issuer reasonably determines that such Holder’s or beneficial owner’s direct or indirect acquisition, holding or transfer of an interest in any Note would otherwise prevent the Issuer from achieving Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance or (y) that is or that the Issuer is required to treat as a “nonparticipating FFI” or a “recalcitrant account holder” of the Issuer, in each case as defined in FATCA (or any Person of similar status under other applicable Tax Account Reporting Rules).
“Information”: S&P’s “Credit Estimate Information Requirements” dated April 2011, and any other available information S&P reasonably requests in order to produce a credit estimate for a particular asset.
“Information Agent”: The meaning specified in Section 14.16.
“Initial Rating”: With respect to the Secured Notes, the rating or ratings, if any, indicated in Section 2.3.
“Instrument”: The meaning specified in Article 9 of the UCC.
“Interest Accrual Period”: (i) With respect to the initial Payment Date (or, in the case of a Re-Priced Class or a Class that is subject to Refinancing, the first Payment Date following the Re-Pricing Date or the date of the Refinancing, respectively), the period from and including the Closing Date (or, in the case of (x) a Re-Pricing, the applicable Re-Pricing Date or (y) a Refinancing, the date of such Refinancing) to but excluding such Payment Date; and (ii) with respect to each succeeding Payment Date, the period from and including the immediately preceding Payment Date to but excluding the following Payment Date until the principal of the Securities is paid or made available for payment.
“Interest Collection Subaccount”: The meaning specified in Section 10.2(a).
“Interest Coverage Ratio”: For any designated Class or Classes of Secured Notes, as of any date of determination, the percentage derived from the following equation: (A – B) / C, where:
A = The Collateral Interest Amount as of such date of determination;
B = Amounts payable (or expected as of the date of determination to be payable) on the following Payment Date as set forth in clauses (A) and (B) (excluding any Base Management Fee waived by the Collateral Manager) in the Priority of Interest Proceeds; and
-33-
C = Interest due and payable on the Secured Notes of such Class or Classes and each Class of Secured Notes that rank senior to or pari passu with such Class or Classes on such Payment Date.
“Interest Coverage Test”: A test that is satisfied as of the Interest Coverage Test Effective Date and any other date thereafter on which such test is required to be determined hereunder if (i) the Interest Coverage Ratio for the Class A Notes on such date is at least equal to the Required Interest Coverage Ratio or (ii) the Class A Notes are no longer outstanding.
“Interest Coverage Test Effective Date”: The Determination Date relating to the second Payment Date after the Closing Date.
“Interest Determination Date”: The second London Banking Day preceding the first day of each Interest Accrual Period.
“Interest Proceeds”: With respect to any Collection Period or Determination Date, without duplication, the sum of:
(i)all payments of interest and delayed compensation (representing compensation for delayed settlement) received in Cash by the Issuer during the related Collection Period on the Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments, including the accrued interest received in connection with a sale thereof during the related Collection Period, less any such amount that represents Principal Financed Accrued Interest;
(ii)all principal and interest payments received by the Issuer during the related Collection Period on Eligible Investments purchased with Interest Proceeds;
(iii)all amendment and waiver fees, late payment fees and other fees received by the Issuer during the related Collection Period, except for those in connection with (a) the lengthening of the maturity of the related Collateral Obligation or (b) except with respect to call premiums or prepayment fees, the reduction of the par amount of the related Collateral Obligation; provided that amendment and waiver fees received by the Issuer in connection with a Specified Amendment will be Principal Proceeds, in each case as determined by the Collateral Manager with notice to the Trustee, the Fiscal Agent and the Collateral Administrator;
(iv)commitment fees and other similar fees received by the Issuer during such Collection Period in respect of Revolving Collateral Obligations and Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations;
(v)any amounts deposited in the Expense Reserve Account as specified in the Issuer Order delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(xi);
(vi)any amounts deposited in the Collection Account from the Expense Reserve Account and/or the Ramp-Up Account that are designated as Interest Proceeds pursuant to Section 10.3(d) in respect of the related Determination Date and/or the Effective Date;
-34-
(vii)any contributions made to the Issuer which are designated as Interest Proceeds as permitted by this Indenture; and
(viii)any amounts deposited in the Collection Account from the Interest Reserve Account that are designated as Interest Proceeds in the sole discretion of the Collateral Manager pursuant to Section 10.3(e);
provided that any amounts received in respect of any Defaulted Obligation (including interest received on Defaulted Obligations and proceeds of Equity Securities and other assets received by the Issuer in lieu of a current or prior Defaulted Obligation or a portion thereof in connection with a workout, restructuring or similar transaction of the obligor thereof) will constitute Principal Proceeds (and not Interest Proceeds) until, so long as a such Collateral Obligation remains a Defaulted Obligation, the aggregate of all collections in respect of such Defaulted Obligation since it became a Defaulted Obligation equals the Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligation at the time it became a Defaulted Obligation; provided further, that capitalized interest shall not constitute Interest Proceeds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the Collateral Manager’s sole discretion, Interest Proceeds may be classified as Principal Proceeds; provided that such designation will not result in non-payment of interest on any Class of Secured Notes.
“Interest Rate”: With respect to each Class of Secured Notes, the per annum stated interest rate payable on such Class with respect to each Interest Accrual Period equal to with respect to any Class of Floating Rate Notes, the Reference Rate for such Interest Accrual Period plus the spread specified in Section 2.3; provided that with respect to any Interest Accrual Period during which a Re-Pricing has occurred, the applicable Interest Rate of any Re-Priced Class shall reflect the applicable Re-Pricing Rate from, and including, the applicable Re-Pricing Date.
“Interest Reserve Account”: The trust account established pursuant to Section 10.3(e).
“Interest Reserve Amount”: U.S.$0.
“Intermediary”: The entity maintaining an Account pursuant to an Account Agreement.
“ISDA Definitions”: The 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.
“ISDA Fallback Adjustment”: The spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivative transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.
“ISDA Fallback Rate”: The rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.
-35-
“Initial Purchaser”: MUFG Securities Americas Inc., in its capacity as the Initial Purchaser of the Notes under the Purchase Agreement.
“Investment Criteria”: The criteria specified in Section 12.2(a).
“IRS”: The U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
“Issuer”: The Person named as such on the first page of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become the Issuer pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Issuer” shall mean such successor Person.
“Issuer Order” and “Issuer Request”: A written order or request (which may be a standing order or request) dated and signed in the name of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or by a Responsible Officer of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or by the Collateral Manager by a Responsible Officer thereof, on behalf of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer.
“Issuers”: The Issuer and the Co-Issuer.
“Issuers’ Notice Agent”: Any agent in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York appointed by the Issuer or the Co-Issuer where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, respectively, in respect of the Securities or this Indenture may be served, which shall initially be CT Corporation.
“Junior Class”: With respect to a particular Class of Secured Notes, (a) each Class of Secured Notes that is subordinated to such Class and (b) the Preferred Shares, as indicated in Section 2.3.
“Junior Mezzanine Notes”: The meaning specified in Section 2.4.
“Libor”: The London inter-bank offered rates.
“LIBOR”: With respect to the Floating Rate Notes, for any Interest Accrual Period will equal the greater of (i) zero and (ii) the rate appearing on the Reuters Screen for deposits with a term of three months; provided that LIBOR for the first Interest Accrual Period will equal the rate determined by interpolating between the rate appearing on the Reuters Screen for deposits with a term of three (3) months and the rate appearing on the Reuters Screen for deposits with a term of six (6) months. If the Calculation Agent is required but is unable to determine a rate as described above, LIBOR will be LIBOR as determined on the previous Interest Determination Date.
“LIBOR,” when used with respect to a Collateral Obligation, means the “libor” rate determined in accordance with the terms of such Collateral Obligation, as such rate may be modified or replaced in accordance with the terms of such Collateral Obligation and all references to “LIBOR” with respect to such Collateral Obligation shall mean such modified or replacement rate.
“Lien”: Any grant of a security interest in, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other),
-36-
preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing (including any UCC financing statement or any similar instrument filed against a Person’s assets or properties).
“Limited Liability Company Agreement”: The Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Co-Issuer, dated as of the Closing Date.
“Loan”: Any obligation for the payment or repayment of borrowed money that is documented by a term loan agreement, revolving loan agreement or other similar credit agreement.
“Loan Sale Agreement”: The BDC Loan Sale Agreement.
“London Banking Day”: A day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London, England.
“Long Dated Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation, the stated maturity date of which is extended to occur after the earliest Stated Maturity of any Secured Note Outstanding pursuant to an amendment or modification of its terms following its acquisition by the Issuer and any Additional Long Dated Obligation.
“Maintenance Covenant”: A covenant by any borrower to comply with one or more financial covenants (including without limitation any covenant relating to a borrowing base, asset valuation or similar asset-based requirement) during each reporting period, that exists regardless of whether or not such borrower has taken any specified action and includes a covenant that applies only when the related loan is funded.
“Majority”: With respect to (a) any Class or Classes of Secured Notes, the Holders of more than 50% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of such Class or Classes, as applicable, and (b) the Preferred Shares, the Holders of more than 50% of the Preferred Shares.
“Margin Stock”: “Margin Stock” as defined under Regulation U issued by the Federal Reserve Board, including any debt security which is by its terms convertible into “Margin Stock”.
“Market Value”: With respect to any loans or other assets, the amount (determined by the Collateral Manager) equal to the product of the principal amount thereof and the price (as a percentage of par) determined in the following manner:
(i)the bid price determined by (A) the Loan Pricing Corporation, LoanX Inc., Markit Group Limited, Mergent, IDC or, in each case, any successor thereto or (B) any other nationally recognized loan or bond pricing service selected by the Collateral Manager (with notice to the Rating Agency); provided that, with respect to this clause (B), consent to each such other nationally recognized loan or bond pricing service has been obtained from a Majority of the Controlling Class;
-37-
(ii)if the price described in clause (i) is not available or the Collateral Manager makes a commercially reasonable determination that it does not reflect the value of such Asset pursuant to the Collateral Manager’s valuation policy, (A) the average of the bid prices determined by three Qualified Broker/Dealers active in the trading of such asset that are Independent from each other and the Issuer and the Collateral Manager or (B) if only two such bids can be obtained, the lower of the bid prices of such two bids;
(iii)if the Market Value of an asset cannot be determined in accordance with clause (i) or (ii) above, then the Market Value shall be the Appraised Value; provided that the Appraised Value of such Collateral Obligation has been obtained or updated within the immediately preceding four months;
(iv)if a price or such bid described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) is not available, then the Market Value of an asset will be the lowest of (x) such asset’s S&P Recovery Rate, (y) the price at which the Collateral Manager reasonably believes such asset could be sold in the market within 30 days, as certified by the Collateral Manager to the Trustee and determined by the Collateral Manager consistent with the manner in which it would determine the market value of an asset for purposes of other funds or accounts managed by it and (z) if such asset is an S&P CCC Collateral Obligation which is included in the CCC Excess, 70% of its principal balance; or
(v)if the Market Value of any loan or other asset is not determined in accordance with clauses (i)- (iv) above, then such Market Value shall be deemed zero until such determination is made in accordance with clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above.
“Material Change”: An event that occurs with respect to a Collateral Obligation upon the occurrence of any of the following (a) non-payment of interest or principal, (b) the rescheduling of any interest or principal, (c) any covenant breach, (d) any restructuring of debt with respect to the Obligor of such Collateral Obligation, (e) the addition of payment in kind terms, change in maturity date or any change in coupon rates and (f) the occurrence of the significant sale or acquisition of assets by the Obligor.
“Material Covenant Default”: A default by an Obligor with respect to any Collateral Obligation, and subject to any grace periods contained in the related Underlying Document, that gives rise to the right of the lender(s) thereunder to accelerate the principal of such Collateral Obligation.
“Maturity”: With respect to any Security, the date on which the unpaid principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity (if applicable) or by acceleration, redemption or otherwise.
“Measurement Date”: (i) Any day on which a purchase of a Collateral Obligation occurs, (ii) any Determination Date, (iii) the date as of which the information in any Monthly Report is calculated, (iv) with five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice, any Business Day requested by the Rating Agency and (v) the Effective Date.
“Member State”: Any member state of the European Union.
-38-
“Memorandum and Articles”: The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer, as originally adopted and as amended and restated from time to time in accordance with their terms.
“Minimum Denominations”: As defined in Section 2.3.
“Minimum Weighted Average Coupon Test”: The test that will be satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average Coupon equals or exceeds 6.50%.
“Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread Test”: The test that will be satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average Floating Spread equals or exceeds the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread selected by the Collateral Manager in connection with the S&P CDO Monitor Test.
“Minimum Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate Test”: The test that will be satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate for the Highest Ranking Class equals or exceeds the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate for such Class of Secured Notes selected by the Collateral Manager in connection with the definition of S&P CDO Monitor.
“Monthly Report”: The meaning specified in Section 10.7(a).
“Monthly Report Determination Date”: The meaning specified in Section 10.7(a).
“Moody’s”: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor in interest thereto.
“Moody’s Equivalent Diversity Score”: A single number that indicates collateral concentration in terms of both issuer and industry concentration, calculated as set forth in Schedule 5 hereto.
“Moody’s Equivalent Weighted Average Rating Factor”: The number (rounded up to the nearest whole number) determined by:
(a)summing the products of (i) the Principal Balance of each Collateral Obligation (excluding Equity Securities and Defaulted Obligations) multiplied by (ii) the Moody’s Equivalent Rating Factor (as described below) of such Collateral Obligation; and
(b)dividing such sum by the Aggregate Principal Balance of all such Collateral Obligations.
The “Moody’s Equivalent Rating Factor” for each Collateral Obligation, is the number set forth in the table below opposite the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation.
-39-
| S&P Rating | Moody’s Equivalent Rating Factor | S&P Rating | Moody’s Equivalent Rating Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BB+ | 940 | |
| AA+ | 10 | BB | 1,350 |
| AA | 20 | BB- | 1,766 |
| AA- | 40 | B+ | 2,220 |
| A+ | 70 | B | 2,720 |
| A | 120 | B- | 3,490 |
| A- | 180 | CCC+ | 4,770 |
| BBB+ | 260 | CCC | 6,500 |
| BBB | 360 | CCC- | 8,070 |
| BBB- | 610 | CC or lower or SD | 10,000 |
“Moody’s Rating”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, the rating determined pursuant to Schedule 3 hereto.
“Moody’s Senior Secured Loan”: The meaning specified in Schedule 3 (or such other schedule provided by Moody’s to the Issuer, the Trustee and the Collateral Manager).
“Net Exposure Amount”: As of the applicable Cut-Off Date, with respect to any Substitute Collateral Obligation which is a Revolving Collateral Obligation or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation, the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of the then unfunded funding obligations thereunder, and (ii) the amount necessary to cause, upon completion of such substitution on the applicable Cut-Off Date, the amount of funds on deposit in the Revolver Funding Account to be at least equal to the sum of the unfunded funding obligations under all Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations and Revolving Collateral Obligations then included in the Assets.
“Non-Call Period”: The period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the Payment Date in January 2022.
“Non-Emerging Market Obligor”: An Obligor that is Domiciled in (a) the United States or Canada, (b) any country that has a foreign currency issuer credit rating of at least “AA-” by S&P, or (c) a Tax Jurisdiction.
“Non-Permitted ERISA Holder”: As defined in Section 2.12(c).
“Non-Permitted Holder”: As defined in Section 2.12(b).
“Note Interest Amount”: With respect to any Class of Secured Notes and any Payment Date, the amount of interest for the related Interest Accrual Period payable in respect of each U.S.$100,000 of outstanding principal amount of such Class of Secured Notes.
“Note Payment Sequence”: The application, in accordance with the Priority of Payments, of Interest Proceeds or Principal Proceeds, as applicable, to the payment of principal of the Class A Notes until the Class A Notes have been paid in full; provided that, in connection with any Tax Redemption, Optional Redemption or Clean-Up Call Redemption, Holders of 100% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of any Class of Secured Notes may elect to receive less than 100% of the Redemption Price that would otherwise be payable to the Holders of such Class of Secured Notes.
-40-
“Notes”: The Secured Notes.
“Notice of Substitution”: The meaning specified in Section 12.3(a)(ii).
“NRSRO”: Any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, other than the Rating Agency.
“NRSRO Certification”: A certification executed by a NRSRO in favor of the Issuer and the Information Agent that states that such NRSRO has provided the Issuer with the appropriate certifications under Exchange Act Rule 17g-5(a)(3)(iii)(B) and that such NRSRO has access to the 17g-5 Website.
“Obligor”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, any Person or Persons obligated to make payments pursuant to or with respect to such Collateral Obligation, including any guarantor thereof, but excluding, in each case, any such Person that is an obligor or guarantor that is in addition to the primary obligors or guarantors with respect to the assets, cash flows or credit on which the related Collateral Obligation is principally underwritten.
“Obligor Diversity Measure”: As of any date of determination, the number obtained by dividing (a) 1 by (b) the sum of the squares of the quotients, for each Obligor, obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate outstanding principal balance at such time of all Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Obligations) issued by such Obligor by (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal balance at such time of all Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Obligations).
“OFAC”: The meaning specified in Section 7.9(a)(xx)(A).
“Offer”: As defined in Section 10.8(c).
“Offering”: The offering of any Secured Notes pursuant to the relevant Offering Circular.
“Offering Circular”: Each offering circular relating to the offer and sale of the Secured Notes, including any supplements thereto.
“Officer”: (a) With respect to the Issuer and any corporation, any director, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of such entity or any Person authorized by such entity, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any duly appointed attorney-in-fact of the Issuer, (b) with respect to the Co-Issuer and any limited liability company, any managing member or manager thereof or any person to whom the rights and powers of management thereof are delegated in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of such limited liability company and (c) with respect to the Collateral Manager, any manager or member of the Collateral Manager or any duly authorized officer of the Collateral Manager with direct responsibility for the administration of the Collateral Management Agreement and this Indenture and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other duly authorized officer of the Collateral Manager to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
-41-
“Opinion of Counsel”: A written opinion addressed to the Trustee and, if required by the terms hereof, the Rating Agency, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (and, if so addressed, the Rating Agency), of a nationally or internationally recognized and reputable law firm one or more of the partners of which are admitted to practice, before the highest court of any State of the United States or the District of Columbia (or the Cayman Islands, in the case of an opinion relating to the laws of the Cayman Islands), which law firm, as the case may be, may, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be counsel for the Issuer, and which law firm, as the case may be, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Whenever an Opinion of Counsel is required hereunder, such Opinion of Counsel may rely on opinions of other counsel who are so admitted and so satisfactory, which opinions of other counsel shall accompany such Opinion of Counsel and shall be addressed to the Trustee (and, if required by the terms hereof, the Rating Agency) or shall state that the Trustee (and, if required by the terms hereof, the Rating Agency) shall be entitled to rely thereon.
“Optional Preferred Shares Redemption”: The meaning specified in Section 9.2(j).
“Optional Redemption”: A redemption of the Secured Notes in accordance with Section 9.2.
“ORTF”: Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., a Maryland corporation.
“Organizational Documents”: With respect to (a) the Issuer, its Memorandum and Articles and (b) the Co-Issuer, its Certificate of Formation and Limited Liability Company Agreement, in each case, as originally executed and as supplemented, amended and restated from time to time in accordance with their terms.
“Other Plan Law”: Any state, local, other federal or non-U.S. laws or regulations that are substantially similar to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
“Outstanding”: With respect to:
(a)the Secured Notes or the Secured Notes of any specified Class, as of any date of determination, all of the Secured Notes or all of the Secured Notes of such Class, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture except:
(i)Secured Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with the terms of Section 2.10 or registered in the Register on the date this Indenture is discharged in accordance with the terms of Section 4.1;
(ii)Secured Notes or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption funds in the necessary amount have been theretofore irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such Secured Notes pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(i)(B); provided that if such Secured Notes or portions thereof are to be redeemed or prepaid, as applicable, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
-42-
(iii)Secured Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which other Secured Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Secured Notes are held by a “protected purchaser” (within the meaning of Section 8‑303 of the UCC); and
(iv)Secured Notes alleged to have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen for which replacement Secured Notes have been issued as provided in Section 2.7; and
(b)Preferred Shares, all of such Preferred Shares shown as issued and outstanding in the Share Register;
provided that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite Aggregate Outstanding Amount have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (a) Securities owned by the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or (only in the case of a vote on (i) the removal of the Collateral Manager for Cause or (ii) the waiver of any event constituting Cause) Collateral Manager Securities shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities that a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded and (b) Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith shall be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not one of the Persons specified above.
“Overcollateralization Ratio”: With respect to any specified Class or Classes of Secured Notes as of any date of determination, the percentage derived from: (i) the Adjusted Collateral Principal Amount on such date divided by (ii) the Aggregate Outstanding Amount on such date of the Secured Notes of such Class or Classes, each Priority Class of Secured Notes and each Pari Passu Class of Secured Notes.
“Overcollateralization Ratio Test”: A test that is satisfied as of the Effective Date and any other date thereafter on which such test is required to be determined hereunder, if (i) the Overcollateralization Ratio for the Class A Notes on such date is at least equal to the Required Overcollateralization Ratio or (ii) the Class A Notes are no longer outstanding.
“Pari Passu Class”: With respect to any specified Class of Securities, each Class of Securities that ranks pari passu to such Securities, as indicated in Section 2.3.
“Partial Refinancing Interest Proceeds”: In connection with a Refinancing in part by Class of one or more Classes of Secured Notes, with respect to each such Class, Interest Proceeds up to the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on such Class, but only to the extent that such Interest Proceeds would be available under the Priority of Payments to pay accrued and unpaid interest on such Class on the date of a Refinancing of such Class (or, in the case of a Refinancing occurring on a date other than a Payment Date, only to the extent that such Interest Proceeds would be available under the Priority of Payments to pay accrued and unpaid interest on such Class on the next Payment Date, taking into account Scheduled Distributions on the Assets that are expected to be received on or prior to the next Determination Date).
-43-
“Participation Interest”: A participation interest in a loan originated by a bank or financial institution that, at the time of acquisition, or the Issuer’s commitment to acquire the same, satisfies each of the following criteria: (i) the loan underlying such participation would constitute a Collateral Obligation were it acquired directly, (ii) the Selling Institution is a lender on the loan, (iii) the aggregate participation in the loan granted by such Selling Institution to any one or more participants does not exceed the principal amount or commitment with respect to which the Selling Institution is a lender under such loan, (iv) such participation does not grant, in the aggregate, to the participant in such participation a greater interest than the Selling Institution holds in the loan or commitment that is the subject of the participation, (v) the entire purchase price for such participation is paid in full (without the benefit of financing from the Selling Institution or its affiliates (excluding any financing in the form of Securities)) at the time of the Issuer’s acquisition (or, to the extent of a participation in the unfunded commitment under a Revolving Collateral Obligation or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation, at the time of the funding of such loan), (vi) the participation provides the participant all of the economic benefit and risk of the whole or part of the loan or commitment that is the subject of the loan participation and (vii) such participation is documented under an LSTA, a Loan Market Association or a similar agreement standard for loan participation transactions among institutional market participants. For the avoidance of doubt, a Participation Interest shall not include a sub-participation interest in any loan.
“Paying Agent”: Any Person authorized by the Issuers to pay the principal of or interest on any Notes on behalf of the Issuers as specified in Section 7.2.
“Payment Account”: The payment account of the Trustee established pursuant to Section 10.3(a).
“Payment Date”: The 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (together with any Redemption Date (other than a Redemption Date in connection with a redemption of Secured Notes in part by Class not occurring on a regularly scheduled Payment Date)), commencing on July 15, 2021; provided that (x) the final scheduled Payment Date will be the Stated Maturity (subject to any earlier payment or redemption of the Secured Notes) and (y) for purposes of the Priority of Payments, the Redemption Date with respect to a Clean-Up Call Redemption will be deemed to be a Payment Date.
“PBGC”: The United States Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Permitted Deferrable Obligation”: Any Deferrable Obligation that by the terms of the related Underlying Document requires at all times the payment in cash of an interest rate of not less than (a) in the case of a Floating Rate Obligation, the Reference Rate plus 1.00% per annum or (b) in the case of a Fixed Rate Obligation, the zero-coupon swap rate in a fixed/floating interest rate swap with a term equal to five years at the time the Issuer committed to purchase such Deferrable Obligation.
“Permitted Liens”: With respect to the Assets: (i) security interests, liens and other encumbrances created pursuant to the Transaction Documents, (ii) with respect to agented Collateral Obligations, security interests, liens and other encumbrances in favor of the lead agent,
-44-
the collateral agent or the paying agent on behalf of all holders of indebtedness of such Obligor under the related facility and (iii) with respect to any Equity Security, any security interests, liens and other encumbrances granted on such Equity Security to secure indebtedness of the related Obligor and/or any security interests, liens and other rights or encumbrances granted under any governing documents or other agreement between or among or binding upon the Issuer as the holder of equity in such Obligor.
“Permitted Offer”: An Offer (i) pursuant to the terms of which the offeror offers to acquire a debt obligation (including a Collateral Obligation) in exchange for consideration consisting of (x) cash in an amount equal to or greater than the full face amount of such debt obligation plus any accrued and unpaid interest or (y) other debt obligations that rank pari passu or senior to the debt obligation being exchanged which have a face amount equal to or greater than the full face amount of the debt obligation being exchanged and are eligible to be Collateral Obligations plus any accrued and unpaid interest in cash (or any combination of (x) and (y)) and (ii) as to which the Collateral Manager has determined in its reasonable commercial judgment that the offeror has sufficient access to financing to consummate the Offer.
“Person”: An individual, company, corporation (including a business trust), partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, statutory trust, trust (including any beneficiary thereof), unincorporated association or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Purchase Agreement”: The Purchase Agreement dated as of December 16, 2020, by and among the Issuers and the Initial Purchaser relating to the purchase of the Notes specified therein, as amended from time to time.
“Plan Asset Regulation”: The regulation promulgated by the United States Department of Labor at 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA.
“Portfolio Company”: Any company that is controlled by the Collateral Manager, an Affiliate thereof, or an account, fund, client or portfolio established and controlled by the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof.
“Post-Reinvestment Period Settlement Obligation”: The meaning specified in Section 12.2(b).
“Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation”: A Collateral Obligation that, at the time the Issuer committed to purchase such Collateral Obligation, has an application to S&P for a credit estimate pending and that, upon the provision of such credit estimate (after the acquisition of such Collateral Obligation by the Issuer), becomes an S&P CCC Collateral Obligation.
“Preferred Shares”: 133,500 of preferred shares of the Issuer, U.S.$0.0001 par value per share issued pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles on the Closing Date (including any additional Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles and in compliance with the terms hereof), recorded as issued and Outstanding in the Share Register.
-45-
“Preferred Shares Payment Account”: The account established under the Fiscal Agency Agreement.
“Principal Balance”: Subject to Section 1.3, with respect to (a) any Asset other than a Revolving Collateral Obligation or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of such Asset (excluding any capitalized interest) and (b) any Revolving Collateral Obligation or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Collateral Obligation or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation (excluding any capitalized interest), plus (except as expressly set forth herein) any undrawn commitments that have not been irrevocably reduced or withdrawn with respect to such Revolving Collateral Obligation or Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation; provided that for all purposes the Principal Balance of (1) any Equity Security or interest only strip shall be deemed to be zero and (2) any Defaulted Obligation that is not sold or terminated within three years after becoming a Defaulted Obligation shall be deemed to be zero.
“Principal Collection Subaccount”: The meaning specified in Section 10.2(a).
“Principal Financed Accrued Interest”: With respect to (a) any Collateral Obligation owned or purchased by the Issuer on the Closing Date, any unpaid interest on such Collateral Obligation that accrued prior to the Closing Date that was owing to the Issuer and remained unpaid as of the Closing Date and (b) any Collateral Obligation purchased after the Closing Date, the amount of Principal Proceeds, if any, applied towards the purchase of accrued interest on such Collateral Obligation.
“Principal Proceeds”: With respect to any Collection Period or Determination Date, all amounts received by the Issuer during the related Collection Period that do not constitute Interest Proceeds and any other amounts that have been designated as Principal Proceeds pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. All Sale Proceeds from Workout Loans shall be treated as Principal Proceeds.
“Priority Category”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, the applicable category listed in the table under the heading “Priority Category” in Section 1(b) of Schedule 4.
“Priority Class”: With respect to any specified Class of Securities, each Class of Securities that ranks senior to such Class, as indicated in Section 2.3.
“Priority of Interest Proceeds”: The meaning specified in Section 11.1(a)(i).
“Priority of Payments”: The meaning specified in Section 11.1(a).
“Priority of Principal Proceeds”: The meaning specified in Section 11.1(a)(ii).
“Proceeding”: Any suit in equity, action at law or other judicial or administrative proceeding or procedure.
“Proposed Portfolio”: The portfolio of Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments resulting from the proposed purchase, sale, maturity or other disposition of a
-46-
Collateral Obligation or a proposed reinvestment in an additional Collateral Obligation, as the case may be.
“Purchase and Substitution Limit”: The meaning specified in Section 12.3(c).
“QIB”: A Qualified Institutional Buyer.
“QIB/QP”: Any Person that, at the time of its acquisition, purported acquisition or proposed acquisition of Notes is both a Qualified Institutional Buyer and a Qualified Purchaser.
“QP”: A Qualified Purchaser.
“Qualified Broker/Dealer”: Any of Bank of America Securities; The Bank of Montreal; The Bank of New York Mellon; Barclays Bank plc; BNP Paribas; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Citibank, N.A.; Credit Agricole S.A.; Credit Suisse; Deutsche Bank AG; Goldman Sachs & Co.; HSBC Bank; Imperial Capital LLC; Jefferies & Company, Inc.; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; KeyBank National Association; Lloyds TSB Bank; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated; Morgan Stanley & Co.; Natixis; Royal Bank of Canada; The Royal Bank of Scotland plc; Société Générale; SunTrust Bank, Inc.; The Toronto-Dominion Bank; UBS AG; U.S. Bank National Association; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
“Qualified Institutional Buyer”: The meaning specified in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
“Qualified Purchaser”: The meaning specified in Section 2(a)(51) of the 1940 Act and Rule 2a51‑2 or 2a51-3 under the 1940 Act.
“Ramp-Up Account”: The account established pursuant to Section 10.3(c).
“Rating Agency”: S&P, so long as any Secured Notes are rated thereby, or, with respect to the Secured Notes or the Collateral Obligations, as applicable, if at any time S&P ceases to provide rating services with respect to debt obligations, any other nationally recognized investment rating agency selected by the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer). If at any time S&P ceases to be the Rating Agency, references to rating categories of such entity herein shall be deemed instead to be references to the equivalent categories (as determined by the Collateral Manager) of such other rating agency as of the most recent date on which such other rating agency and S&P published ratings for the type of obligation in respect of which such alternative rating agency is used.
“Record Date”: With respect to the Securities, the date 15 days prior to the applicable Payment Date.
| “Recurring Revenue Loan”: | A Collateral Obligation (i) the extensions of credit under which, or a Maintenance Covenant applicable to which, is calculated on the basis of “recurring revenue” for a stated period rather than EBITDA or (ii) that, at the time of acquisition, has a negative EBITDA for the preceding 12-month period; provided that, if on any date of determination after the date of acquisition such Collateral Obligation has a positive EBITDA for |
|---|
-47-
| two consecutive quarters, the Collateral Manager may reclassify such Collateral Obligation so that it shall cease to be a Recurring Revenue Loan. |
|---|
“Redemption Assets”: Collectively, the Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments.
“Redemption Date”: Any Business Day specified for a redemption of Securities pursuant to Article IX (other than a Special Redemption).
“Redemption Price”: (a) For any Secured Notes (x) 100% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of such Secured Notes, plus (y) accrued and unpaid interest (including any defaulted interest) thereon to the Redemption Date or Re-Pricing Date, as applicable; provided that holders of 100% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of any such Class of Secured Notes may elect to receive less than 100% of the Redemption Price that would otherwise be payable to the Holders of any such Class of Secured Notes and (b) for each Preferred Share, its proportional share (based on the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of such Preferred Shares) of the amount of the proceeds of the Assets remaining after giving effect to the redemption of the Secured Notes in whole or after all of the Secured Notes have been repaid in full and payment in full of (and/or creation of a reserve for) all expenses (including, unless waived by the Collateral Manager all Collateral Management Fees and Administrative Expenses) of the Issuers.
“Reference Rate”: With respect to (a) Floating Rate Notes, the greater of (x) zero and (y) the Benchmark and (b) Floating Rate Obligations, the reference rate applicable to such Floating Rate Obligations calculated in accordance with the related Underlying Documents.
“Reference Rate Amendment”: A supplemental indenture to be executed by the Issuers and the Trustee at the direction of the Collateral Manager to elect a Benchmark with respect to the Floating Rate Notes (and make related changes advisable or necessary in the judgment and as determined by the Collateral Manager to implement the use of such replacement rate) pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(xxiv).
“Reference Rate Floor Obligation”: As of any date of determination, a Floating Rate Obligation (a) the interest in respect of which is paid based on a reference rate corresponding to the Reference Rate then applicable to the Floating Rate Notes and (b) that provides that such reference rate is (in effect) calculated as the greater of (i) a specified “floor” rate per annum and (ii) the value of such reference rate for the applicable interest period for such Collateral Obligation.
“Reference Time”: With respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is LIBOR, 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the day that is two London Banking Days preceding the date of such determination, and (2) if the Benchmark is not LIBOR, the time determined by the Collateral Manager in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.
“Refinancing”: The meaning specified in Section 9.2(c).
“Refinancing Proceeds”: The net Cash proceeds from a Refinancing.
“Register” and “Registrar”: The respective meanings specified in Section 2.6(a).
-48-
“Registered”: In registered form for U.S. federal income tax purposes and issued after July 18, 1984.
“Regulation S”: Regulation S, as amended, under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Global Note”: Any Temporary Global Note and any Note sold outside the United States to non‑“U.S. Persons” (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S and issued in the form of a permanent global security in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.
“Reinvestment Period”: The period from and including the Closing Date to and including the earliest of (i) the Payment Date in January 15, 2023, (ii) the date of the acceleration of the Maturity of any Class of Secured Notes pursuant to Section 5.2, (iii) the date on which the Collateral Manager has delivered written notice to the Trustee, the Fiscal Agent and the Rating Agency that it has reasonably determined that it can no longer reinvest in additional Collateral Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof and the Collateral Management Agreement in connection with a Special Redemption pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Special Redemption,” (iv) the date of any Tax Redemption and (v) the date of any Clean-Up Call Redemption.
“Reinvestment Target Par Balance”: As of any date of determination, the Target Initial Par Amount minus the amount of any reduction in the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes through the payment of Principal Proceeds plus the aggregate amount of Principal Proceeds received by the Issuer from the issuance of any additional Secured Notes and any Preferred Shares that are issued pro rata with such additional Secured Notes (after giving effect to such issuance of any Additional Secured Notes).
“Relevant Governmental Body”: 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.
“Re-Priced Class”: The meaning specified in Section 9.7(a).
“Re-Pricing”: The meaning specified in Section 9.7(a).
“Re-Pricing Date”: The meaning specified in Section 9.7(b).
“Re-Pricing Eligible Notes”: The Class A Notes.
“Re-Pricing Intermediary”: The meaning specified in Section 9.7(a).
“Re-Pricing Rate”: The meaning specified in Section 9.7(b)(i).
“Required Interest Coverage Ratio”: For the Class A Notes, 120.0%.
“Required Overcollateralization Ratio”: For the Class A Notes, 156.75%.
-49-
“Requirements”: Any international, federal, state, or local statutes, treaties, conventions, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, codes, rules of common law, orders (including consent orders), decrees, approvals, directives, requirements, or other governmental restrictions.
“Resolution”: With respect to the Issuer, a resolution of the board of directors of the Issuer duly appointed by the shareholders of the Issuer or otherwise duly appointed from time to time and, with respect to the Co-Issuer, a duly passed resolution of the manager or the member of the Co-Issuer.
“Responsible Officer”: With respect to any Person, any duly authorized director, officer or manager of such Person with direct responsibility for the administration of the applicable agreement and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other duly authorized director, officer or manager of such Person to whom such matter is referred because of such director’s, officer’s or manager’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. Each party may receive and accept a certification of the authority of any other party as conclusive evidence of the authority of any Person to act, and such certification may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by such other party of written notice to the contrary.
“Restricted Trading Period”: The period during which (a) the S&P rating of any of the Class A Notes is one or more sub-categories below its rating on the Closing Date and (b) after giving effect to any sale (and any related reinvestment) or purchase of the relevant Collateral Obligation, (i) the aggregate principal balance of all Collateral Obligations plus, without duplication, amounts on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount (including to the extent such amounts have been designated for application as Principal Proceeds in connection with a contribution to the Issuer) and the Ramp-Up Account will be less than the Reinvestment Target Par Balance or (ii)(A) any of the Coverage Tests are not satisfied or (B) solely with respect to any purchase or reinvestment of sale proceeds, the Collateral Quality Test is not satisfied, or if any test thereof is not satisfied, the level of compliance with such test is not maintained or improved unless with respect to any proposed sale of a Collateral Obligation, after giving effect to such sale and application of proceeds on the next succeeding Payment Date such Coverage Tests will be satisfied; provided that such period will not be a Restricted Trading Period (so long as the S&P rating of the Class A Notes has not been further downgraded, withdrawn or put on watch for potential downgrade) upon the direction of the Issuer with the consent of a Majority of the Class A Notes.
“Retention Holder”: ORTF.
“Reuters Screen”: Reuters Page LIBOR01 (or such other page that may replace that page on such service for the purpose of displaying comparable rates) as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets Commodities News (or any successor thereto) as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Interest Determination Date.
“Revolver Funding Account”: The meaning specified in Section 10.4.
“Revolving Collateral Obligation”: Any Collateral Obligation (other than a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation) that is a loan (including, without limitation, revolving
-50-
loans, including funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit lines and letter of credit facilities (but excluding secured letters of credit), unfunded commitments under specific facilities and other similar loans and investments) that by its terms may require one or more future advances to be made to the borrower by the Issuer; provided that any such Collateral Obligation will be a Revolving Collateral Obligation only until all commitments to make advances to the borrower expire or are terminated or irrevocably reduced to zero.
“Rule 144A”: Rule 144A, as amended, under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A Global Note”: The meaning specified in Section 2.2(b)(ii).
“Rule 144A Information”: The meaning specified in Section 7.15.
“Rule 17g-5”: The meaning specified in Section 14.16.
“S&P”: S&P Global Ratings, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization comprised of: (a) a separately identifiable business unit within Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company wholly owned by S&P Global Inc.; and (b) the credit ratings business operated by various other subsidiaries that are wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by S&P Global Inc.; and, in each case, any successor thereto.
“S&P CCC Collateral Obligation”: A Collateral Obligation (other than a Defaulted Obligation) with an S&P Rating of “CCC+” or lower.
“S&P CDO Monitor”: The dynamic, analytical computer model developed by S&P and used to calculate the default frequency in terms of the amount of debt assumed to default as a percentage of the original principal amount of the Collateral Obligations consistent with a specified benchmark rating level based upon certain assumptions (including the applicable S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate) and S&P’s proprietary corporate default studies, as may be amended by S&P from time to time upon notice to the Issuer, the Trustee, the Collateral Manager and the Collateral Administrator. Each S&P CDO Monitor will be chosen by the Collateral Manager (with notice to the Collateral Administrator) and associated with either (x) an S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate and an S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread from Section 2 of Schedule 4 or (y) an S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate and an S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread confirmed by S&P, provided that as of any date of determination (i) the Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate for the Highest Ranking Class equals or exceeds the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate for such Class chosen by the Collateral Manager and (ii) the Weighted Average Floating Spread equals or exceeds the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread chosen by the Collateral Manager. The model version of the S&P CDO Monitor is available at https://www.sp.sfproducttools.com.
“S&P CDO Monitor Test”: A test that will be satisfied on any date of determination (following receipt by the Issuer and the Collateral Administrator of the Class Break-even Default Rates for each S&P CDO Monitor input file (in accordance with the definition of “Class Break-even Default Rate”)) if, after giving effect to a proposed sale or purchase of an additional Collateral Obligation, the Class Default Differential of the Highest Ranking Class of the Proposed Portfolio is positive. The S&P CDO Monitor Test will be considered to be improved if the Class Default
-51-
Differential of the Proposed Portfolio that is not positive is greater than the corresponding Class Default Differential of the Current Portfolio.
“S&P Collateral Value”: With respect to any Defaulted Obligation or Long Dated Obligation, the lesser of (i) the S&P Recovery Amount of such Defaulted Obligation or Long Dated Obligation, as applicable, as of the relevant Measurement Date and (ii) the Market Value of such Defaulted Obligation or Long Dated Obligation, as applicable, as of the relevant Measurement Date.
“S&P Industry Classification”: The S&P Industry Classifications set forth in Schedule 2 hereto, which industry classifications may be updated at the option of the Collateral Manager if S&P publishes revised industry classifications.
“S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate”: As of any date of determination for each Class of Secured Notes, the recovery rate applicable to such Class of Secured Notes determined by reference to the “Recovery Rate” as set forth in the table in Section 2 of Schedule 4 chosen by the Collateral Manager (with prior notification to the Collateral Administrator and S&P) as currently applicable to the Collateral Obligations.
“S&P Rating”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, as of any date of determination, the rating determined in accordance with the following methodology:
(i)(a) if there is an issuer credit rating of the issuer of such Collateral Obligation by S&P as published by S&P, or the guarantor which unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees such Collateral Obligation pursuant to a form of guaranty which satisfies S&P’s then-current criteria applicable to guaranty agreements, then the S&P Rating shall be such rating (regardless of whether there is a published rating by S&P on the Collateral Obligations of such issuer held by the Issuer; provided that private ratings (that is, ratings provided at the request of the Obligor) may be used for purposes of this definition if the related Obligor has consented to the disclosure thereof and a copy of such consent has been provided to S&P) or (b) if there is no issuer credit rating of the issuer by S&P but (1) there is a senior secured rating on any obligation or security of the issuer, then the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation shall be one sub-category below such rating; (2) if clause (1) above does not apply, but there is a senior unsecured rating on any obligation or security of the issuer, the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation shall equal such rating; and (3) if neither clause (1) nor clause (2) above applies, but there is a subordinated rating on any obligation or security of the issuer, then the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation shall be one sub-category above such rating;
(ii)with respect to any Collateral Obligation that is a DIP Collateral Obligation, the S&P Rating thereof will be the credit rating assigned to such issue by S&P, or if such DIP Collateral Obligation was assigned a point-in-time rating by S&P that was withdrawn, such withdrawn rating may be used for 12 months after the assignment of such rating; provided that if the Collateral Manager is or becomes aware of a Specified Amendment with respect to the DIP Collateral Obligation that, in the Collateral Manager’s reasonable judgment, would have a material adverse impact on the value of the DIP Collateral Obligation, such withdrawn rating may not be used unless S&P otherwise confirms the
-52-
rating or provides an updated one; provided further that if any such Collateral Obligation that is a DIP Collateral Obligation is newly issued and the Collateral Manager expects an S&P credit rating within 90 days, the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation shall be “CCC-” until such credit rating is obtained from S&P; provided further that if the Collateral Manager is or becomes aware of a Material Change with respect to the DIP Collateral Obligation that would have a material adverse impact on the value of the DIP Collateral Obligation, the Collateral Manager shall notify S&P of such Material Change as soon as practicable after review of such Material Change in a reasonable time period after obtaining relevant information of such Material Change from the Obligor;
(iii)if there is not a rating by S&P on the issuer or on an obligation of the issuer, then the S&P Rating may be determined pursuant to clauses (a) through (c) below:
(a)if an obligation of the issuer is publicly rated by Moody’s or, with the written consent of S&P, any successor-in-interest to Moody’s, then the S&P Rating will be the S&P equivalent of the Moody’s Rating of such obligation, except that the S&P Rating of such obligation will be (1) one sub-category below the S&P equivalent of the Moody’s Rating if such Moody’s Rating is “Baa3” or higher and (2) two sub-categories below the S&P equivalent of the Moody’s Rating if such Moody’s Rating is “Ba1” or lower (for the avoidance of doubt, if S&P does not provide consent in connection with a successor of Moody’s, the S&P Rating may be determined pursuant to clauses (b) through (c) below, to the extent applicable);
(b)the S&P Rating may be based on a credit estimate provided by S&P, and in connection therewith, the Issuer, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer or the issuer of such Collateral Obligation will, prior to or within thirty (30) days after the acquisition of such Collateral Obligation, apply (and concurrently submit all available Information in respect of such application) to S&P for a credit estimate which will be its S&P Rating; provided that until the receipt from S&P of such estimate, such Collateral Obligation will have an S&P Rating as determined by the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion if the Collateral Manager certifies to the Trustee that it believes that such S&P Rating determined by the Collateral Manager is commercially reasonable and will be at least equal to such rating; provided further that, if such Information is not submitted within such thirty (30) day period, then, pending receipt from S&P of such estimate, the Collateral Obligation will have (1) the S&P Rating as determined by the Collateral Manager for a period of up to ninety (90) days after the acquisition of such Collateral Obligation and (2) an S&P Rating of “CCC‑” following such ninety day period; unless, during such ninety day period, the Collateral Manager has requested the extension of such period and S&P, in its sole discretion, has granted such request; provided further that with respect to any Collateral Obligation for which S&P has provided a credit estimate, the Collateral Manager (on behalf of the Issuer) will request that S&P confirm or update such estimate annually (and pending receipt of such confirmation or new estimate, the Collateral Obligation will have the prior estimate); provided further that such credit estimate shall expire 12 months after the acquisition of such Collateral Obligation, following which such Collateral Obligation shall have an S&P Rating of “CCC-” unless, during such 12-month
-53-
period, the Issuer applies for renewal thereof in accordance with Section 7.14(b), in which case such credit estimate shall continue to be the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation until S&P has confirmed or revised such credit estimate, upon which such confirmed or revised credit estimate shall be the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation; provided further that such confirmed or revised credit estimate shall expire on the next succeeding 12-month anniversary of the date of the acquisition of such Collateral Obligation and (when renewed annually in accordance with Section 7.14(b)) on each 12-month anniversary thereafter; provided further that the Issuer will submit all available Information in respect of such Collateral Obligation to S&P notwithstanding that the Issuer is not applying to S&P for a credit estimate; provided further that the Issuer will promptly notify S&P of any material events effecting any such Collateral Obligation if the Collateral Manager reasonably determines that such notice is required in accordance with S&P’s published criteria for credit estimates titled “What Are Credit Estimates And How Do They Differ From Ratings?” dated April 2011 (as the same may be amended or updated from time to time);
(c)with respect to a DIP Collateral Obligation, if the S&P Rating cannot otherwise be determined pursuant to this definition, the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation will be “CCC-”; and
(d)with respect to a Collateral Obligation that is not a Defaulted Obligation, the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation will at the election of the Issuer (at the direction of the Collateral Manager) be “CCC-”; provided that (i) neither the issuer of such Collateral Obligation nor any of its Affiliates are subject to any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings and (ii) the issuer has not defaulted on any payment obligation in respect of any debt security or other obligation of the issuer at any time within the two year period ending on such date of determination, all such debt securities and other obligations of the issuer that are pari passu with or senior to the Collateral Obligation are current and the Collateral Manager reasonably expects them to remain current; provided that the Issuer will submit all available Information in respect of such Collateral Obligation to S&P as if the Issuer were applying to S&P for a credit estimate; provided further that if there is a Material Change with respect to any Collateral Obligation with an S&P Rating of “CCC-” determined pursuant to this clause, the Issuer, or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, shall, upon notice or knowledge thereof, notify S&P and provide available Information with respect thereto via email to [email protected]; or
(iv)with respect to a Current Pay Obligation that is rated “D”, “SD” or less than “CCC” by S&P, the S&P Rating of such Current Pay Obligation will be, at the election of the Issuer (at the direction of the Collateral Manager), “CCC” or the S&P Rating determined pursuant to clause (iii)(b) above; provided that the Collateral Manager may not determine such S&P Rating pursuant to clause (iii)(b)(1) above;
provided that for purposes of the determination of the S&P Rating, (x) if the applicable rating assigned by S&P to an obligor or its obligations is on “credit watch positive” by S&P, such rating
-54-
will be treated as being one sub-category above such assigned rating and (y) if the applicable rating assigned by S&P to an obligor or its obligations is on “credit watch negative” by S&P, such rating will be treated as being one sub-category below such assigned rating.
“S&P Rating Condition”: With respect to any action taken or to be taken by or on behalf of the Issuer, a condition that is satisfied if S&P provides written confirmation (including by means of electronic message, facsimile transmission, press release or posting to its website) to the Issuer and the Trustee (unless in the form of a press release or posted to its website) that no immediate withdrawal or reduction with respect to its then-current rating by S&P of any Class of Secured Notes will occur as a result of such action; provided that the S&P Rating Condition will be deemed to be satisfied if no Class of Secured Notes then Outstanding is rated by S&P and provided further that such rating condition shall be deemed inapplicable with respect to such event or circumstance if (i) S&P has given written notice to the effect that it will no longer review events or circumstances of the type requiring satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition for purposes of evaluating whether to confirm the then-current ratings (or initial ratings) of obligations rated by S&P; or (ii) S&P has given written notice to the Issuer, the Collateral Manager or the Trustee (or their counsel) that it will not review such event or circumstance for purposes of evaluating whether to confirm the then-current ratings (or Initial Ratings) of the Secured Notes then rated by S&P.
“S&P Rating Confirmation Failure”: The meaning specified in Section 7.18(e) hereof.
“S&P Recovery Amount”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, an amount equal to: (a) the applicable S&P Recovery Rate multiplied by (b) the Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligation.
“S&P Recovery Rate”: With respect to a Collateral Obligation, the recovery rate set forth in Section 1 of Schedule 4 using the Initial Rating of the most senior Class of Secured Notes Outstanding at the time of determination.
“S&P Recovery Rating”: With respect to a Collateral Obligation for which an S&P Recovery Rate is being determined, the “Recovery rate” assigned by S&P to such Collateral Obligation based upon the tables set forth in Schedule 4 hereto.
“S&P Region Classification”: With respect to a Collateral Obligation, the applicable classification set forth in the table titled “S&P Region Classification” in Section 3 of Schedule 4.
“Sale”: The meaning specified in Section 5.17.
“Sale Proceeds”: All proceeds (excluding accrued interest, if any) received with respect to Assets as a result of sales of such Assets in accordance with the restrictions described in Article XII less any reasonable expenses incurred by the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator or the Trustee (other than amounts payable as Administrative Expenses) in connection with such sales. Sale Proceeds will include Principal Financed Accrued Interest received in respect of such sale.
“Sanctions Authorities”: The meaning specified in Section 7.9(a)(xx)(A).
-55-
“Schedule of Collateral Obligations”: The schedule of Collateral Obligations attached as Schedule 1 hereto, which schedule shall include the borrower and Principal Balance of each Collateral Obligation included therein, as amended from time to time (without the consent of or any action on the part of any Person) to reflect the release of Collateral Obligations pursuant to Article X hereof and the inclusion of additional Collateral Obligations as provided in Section 12.2 and Section 12.3 hereof.
“Scheduled Distribution”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, each payment of principal and/or interest scheduled to be made by the related Obligor under the terms of such Collateral Obligation (determined in accordance with the assumptions specified in Section 1.3 hereof) after (a) in the case of the initial Collateral Obligations, the Closing Date or (b) in the case of Collateral Obligations added or substituted after the Closing Date, the related trade date for such Collateral Obligation, as adjusted pursuant to the terms of the related Underlying Documents.
“Second Lien Loan”: Any Loan that: (a) is not (and cannot by its terms become) subordinate in right of payment to any other obligation of the Obligor of the Loan (other than with respect to liquidation, trade claims, capitalized leases or similar obligations) but which is subordinated (with respect to liquidation preferences with respect to pledged collateral) to a Senior Secured Loan of the Obligor; (b) is secured by a valid second-priority perfected security interest or lien in, to or on specified collateral securing the Obligor’s obligations under the Loan (subject to customary exceptions for permitted liens, including, without limitation, tax liens); (c) the value of the collateral securing the Loan at the time of purchase together with other attributes of the Obligor (including, without limitation, its general financial condition, ability to generate cash flow available for debt service and other demands for that cash flow) is adequate (in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Collateral Manager) to repay the Loan in accordance with its terms and to repay all other Loans of equal or higher seniority secured by a lien or security interest in the same collateral; and (d) is not secured solely or primarily by common stock or other equity interests; provided that the limitation set forth in this clause (d) shall not apply with respect to a Loan made to a parent entity that is secured solely or primarily by the stock of one or more of the subsidiaries of such parent entity to the extent that the granting by any such subsidiary of a lien on its own property would violate law or regulations applicable to such subsidiary (whether the obligation secured is such Loan or any other similar type of indebtedness owing to third parties).
“Secured Notes”: The Class A Notes, authorized by, and authenticated and delivered under, this Indenture (as specified in Section 2.3) together with any additional Secured Notes issued pursuant to and accordance with this Indenture.
“Secured Parties”: The meaning specified in the Granting Clauses.
“Securities”: Collectively, the Secured Notes and the Preferred Shares.
“Securities Act”: The United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities Intermediary”: As defined in Article 8 of the UCC.
“Security Entitlement”: The meaning specified in Section 8‑102(a)(17) of the UCC.
-56-
“Selling Institution”: The entity obligated to make payments to the Issuer under the terms of a Participation Interest.
“Senior Secured Bond”: Any obligation that: (a) constitutes borrowed money, (b) is in the form of, or represented by, a bond, note, certificated debt security or other debt security (other than any of the foregoing that evidences a loan or a Participation Interest), (c) if it is subordinated by its terms, is subordinated only to indebtedness for borrowed money, trade claims, capitalized leases or other similar obligations and (d) is secured by a valid first priority perfected security interest or lien in, to or on specified collateral securing the obligor’s obligations under such obligation.
“Senior Secured Loan”: Any assignment of or Participation Interest in a Loan that: (a) is not (and cannot by its terms become) subordinate in right of payment to any other obligation of the obligor of the Loan (other than with respect to trade claims, capitalized leases or similar obligations); (b) is secured by a valid first-priority perfected security interest or lien in, to or on specified collateral securing the obligor’s obligations under the Loan (subject to customary exceptions for permitted liens, including, without limitation, tax liens); (c) the value of the collateral securing the Loan at the time of purchase together with other attributes of the obligor (including, without limitation, its general financial condition, ability to generate cash flow available for debt service and other demands for that cash flow) is adequate (in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Collateral Manager) to repay the Loan in accordance with its terms and to repay all other Loans of equal seniority secured by a first lien or security interest in the same collateral; and (d) is not secured solely or primarily by common stock or other equity interests; provided that if such Loan is made to a parent entity that is secured solely or primarily by the stock of one or more of the subsidiaries of such parent entity to the extent that the granting by any such subsidiary of a lien on its own property would violate law or regulations applicable to such subsidiary (whether the obligation secured is such Loan or any other similar type of indebtedness owing to third parties), then the limitation set forth in this clause (d) shall not apply with respect to such Loan.
“Share Register”: The register maintained by or on behalf of the Issuer under the Fiscal Agency Agreement.
“Share Registrar”: State Street, in its capacity as Share Registrar under the Fiscal Agency Agreement, and any successor thereto.
“Shareholder”: With respect to any Preferred Shares, the Person in whose name such Preferred Shares are registered in the Share Register.
“SOFR”: With respect to any day, 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.
“Special Priority of Payments”: As defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv).
“Special Redemption”: As defined in Section 9.6.
“Special Redemption Amount”: As defined in Section 9.6.
-57-
“Special Redemption Date”: As defined in Section 9.6.
“Specified Amendment”: With respect to any Collateral Obligation, any amendment, waiver or modification which would:
(a)modify the amortization schedule with respect to such Collateral Obligation in a manner that (i) forgives or otherwise permanently eliminates the obligation to pay a dollar amount of Scheduled Distributions equal to more than the greater of (x) 15% and (y) U.S.$250,000, or (ii) causes the Weighted Average Life of the applicable Collateral Obligation to increase by more than 15%;
(b)reduce the cash interest rate payable by the Obligor thereunder by more than 50 basis points (excluding any reduction that (x) is not the result, in the reasonable determination of the Collateral Manager, of the financial distress of the obligor, (y) results in the creation of a Permitted Deferrable Obligation if, after giving effect to such reduction, the Concentration Limitation with respect to Permitted Deferrable Obligations is satisfied and (z) is the result of a change in rate due to a Benchmark Transition Event or similar concept specified in the Underlying Documents);
(c)extend the stated maturity date of such Collateral Obligation by more than 12 months or beyond the Stated Maturity;
(d)contractually or structurally subordinate such Collateral Obligation by operation of a priority of payments, turnover provisions, the transfer of assets in order to limit recourse to the related Obligor or the granting of Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the underlying collateral securing such Collateral Obligation;
(e)release any party from its obligations under such Collateral Obligation, if such release would have a material adverse effect on the Collateral Obligation;
(f)reduce the principal amount of the applicable Collateral Obligation; or
(g)in the reasonable business judgment of the Collateral Manager, have a material adverse impact on the value of such Collateral Obligation.
“Specified Obligor Information”: The meaning specified in Section 14.15(b).
“Standby Directed Investment”: Shall mean, initially, an interest bearing time deposit (which investment is, for the avoidance of doubt, an Eligible Investment); provided that the Issuer, or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, may by written notice to the Trustee change the Standby Directed Investment to any other Eligible Investment of the type described in clause (b) of the definition of “Eligible Investments” maturing not later than the earlier of (i) 30 days after the date of such investment (unless putable at par to the issuer thereof) or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date (or such shorter maturities expressly provided herein).
“State Street”: State Street Bank and Trust Company.
-58-
“Stated Maturity”: The Payment Date in January 2031.
“Step-Down Obligation”: An obligation or security which by the terms of the related Underlying Documents provides for a decrease in the per annum interest rate on such obligation or security (other than by reason of any change in the applicable index or benchmark rate used to determine such interest rate) or in the spread over the applicable index or benchmark rate, solely as a function of the passage of time; provided that an obligation or security providing for payment of a constant rate of interest at all times after the date of acquisition by the Issuer shall not constitute a Step-Down Obligation.
“Step-Up Obligation”: An obligation or security which by the terms of the related Underlying Documents provides for an increase in the per annum interest rate on such obligation or security (other than by reason of any change in the applicable index or benchmark rate used to determine such interest rate), or in the spread over the applicable index or benchmark rate, solely as a function of the passage of time; provided that an obligation or security providing for payment of a constant rate of interest at all times after the date of acquisition by the Issuer shall not constitute a Step-Up Obligation.
“Structured Finance Obligation”: 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 mortgage-backed securities; provided that any asset-based loan facilities and loans directly to financial services companies, factoring businesses, health care providers and other genuine operating businesses do not constitute Structured Finance Obligations.
“Subordinated Management Fee”: The fee payable to the Collateral Manager in arrears on each Payment Date pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Collateral Management Agreement and Section 11.1 of this Indenture, in an amount equal to 0.20% per annum, calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the applicable Interest Accrual Period divided by 360, of the Fee Basis Amount at the beginning of the Collection Period relating to such Payment Date.
“Substitute Collateral Obligations”: Collateral Obligations conveyed by ORTF to the Issuer as substitute Collateral Obligations pursuant to Section 12.3(a) since the Closing Date.
“Substitute Collateral Obligations Qualification Conditions”: The following conditions:
(i)the Coverage Tests, Collateral Quality Test and Concentration Limitations are satisfied or, if any requirement or test thereof is not satisfied, the level of compliance with such requirement or test is maintained or improved;
(ii)the Principal Balance of such Substitute Collateral Obligation (or, if more than one Substitute Collateral Obligation will be added in replacement of a Collateral Obligation or Collateral Obligations, the Aggregate Principal Balance of such Substitute Collateral Obligations) equals or exceeds the Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligation being substituted for and the Net Exposure Amount, if any, with respect thereto shall have been deposited in the Revolver Funding Account;
-59-
(iii)the Fair Market Value of such Substitute Collateral Obligation (or, if more than one Substitute Collateral Obligation will be added in replacement of a Collateral Obligation or Collateral Obligations, the aggregate Fair Market Value of such Substitute Collateral Obligations) equals or exceeds the Fair Market Value of the Collateral Obligation being substituted;
(iv)the S&P Rating of each Substitute Collateral Obligation is equal to or higher than the S&P Rating of the Collateral Obligation being substituted for;
(v)such Substitute Collateral Obligation has the same or shorter maturity than the Collateral Obligation being substituted for or the Weighted Average Life Test is satisfied;
(vi)the obligor of such Substitute Collateral Obligation is not the same as the obligor of the Collateral Obligation being substituted for; and
(vii)such substitution shall occur during the Reinvestment Period.
“Substitution Event”: An event which shall have occurred with respect to any:
(i)Collateral Obligation that becomes a Defaulted Obligation;
(ii)Collateral Obligation that has a Material Covenant Default;
(iii)Collateral Obligation that becomes subject to a Specified Amendment or a proposed Specified Amendment;
(iv)obligation that is an Equity Security or otherwise no longer satisfies the definition of Collateral Obligation;
(v)Collateral Obligation that becomes a Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation; or
(vi)Collateral Obligation that becomes a Credit Risk Obligation.
“Substitution Period”: The meaning specified in Section 12.3(a)(ii).
“Synthetic Security”: A security or swap transaction, other than a Participation Interest, that has payments associated with either payments of interest on and/or principal of a reference obligation or the credit performance of a reference obligation.
“Target Initial Par Amount”: U.S.$333,500,000.
“Target Initial Par Condition”: A condition satisfied as of the Effective Date if the Aggregate Principal Balance of Collateral Obligations (i) that are held by the Issuer and (ii) of which the Issuer has committed to purchase on such date, together with the amount of any proceeds of prepayments, maturities or redemptions of Collateral Obligations purchased by the Issuer prior
-60-
to such date (other than any such proceeds that have been reinvested in Collateral Obligations held by the Issuer), will equal or exceed the Target Initial Par Amount.
“Tax”: Any tax, levy, impost, duty, charge or assessment of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) imposed by any governmental taxing authority.
“Tax Account Reporting Rules”: FATCA, and any other laws, intergovernmental agreements, administrative guidance or official interpretations, adopted or entered into on, before or after the date of this Indenture, by one or more governments providing for the collection of financial account information and the automatic exchange of such information between or among governments for purposes of improving tax compliance, including but not limited to the CRS.
“Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance”: Compliance with Tax Account Reporting Rules as necessary to avoid (a) fines, penalties, or other sanctions imposed on the Issuer or any of its directors, or (b) the withholding or imposition of tax from or in respect of payments to or for the benefit of the Issuer.
“Tax Event”: (i)(x) Any Obligor under any Collateral Obligation being required to deduct or withhold from any payment under such Collateral Obligation to the Issuer for or on account of any Tax for whatever reason and such Obligor is not required to pay to the Issuer such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by the Issuer (free and clear of Taxes, whether assessed against such Obligor or the Issuer (other than withholding tax imposed on commitment fees or similar fees or fees that by their nature are commitment fees or similar fees, to the extent that such withholding tax does not exceed 30% of the amount of such fees)) will equal the full amount that the Issuer would have received had no such deduction or withholding occurred and (y) the total amount of such deductions or withholdings on the Assets results in a payment by, or charge or tax burden to, the Issuer that results or will result in the withholding of 5% or more of the aggregate Scheduled Distributions for all Collateral Obligations for any Collection Period, or (ii) any jurisdiction imposing net income, profits or similar Tax (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code) on the Issuer in an aggregate amount in any Collection Period in excess of U.S.$1,000,000.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture, the Collateral Manager shall give the Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of a Tax Event upon its discovery thereof. Until the Trustee receives written notice from the Collateral Manager or otherwise, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge to the contrary.
“Tax Jurisdiction”: The Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, Jersey, Singapore, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Aruba, Bonaire or Curaçao.
“Tax Redemption”: The meaning specified in Section 9.3(a) hereof.
“Temporary Global Note”: Each Co-Issued Note sold to non-“U.S. Persons” in an “offshore transaction” (each as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S and issued in the form of a temporary global note in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.
-61-
“Term SOFR”: The forward-looking term rate for the applicable Corresponding Tenor based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
“Third Party Credit Exposure”: As of any date of determination, the Principal Balance of each Collateral Obligation that consists of a Participation Interest.
“Third Party Credit Exposure Limits”: Limits that shall be satisfied if the Third Party Credit Exposure with counterparties having the ratings below from S&P do not exceed the percentage of the Collateral Principal Amount specified below:
| S&P’s credit rating of Selling Institution | Aggregate<br>Percentage<br>Limit | Individual<br>Percentage<br>Limit |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | 20% | 20% |
| AA+ | 10% | 10% |
| AA | 10% | 10% |
| AA- | 10% | 10% |
| A+ | 5% | 5% |
| A | 5% | 5% |
| Below A | 0% | 0% |
provided that a Selling Institution having an S&P credit rating of “A” must also have a short-term S&P rating of “A‑1” otherwise its “Aggregate Percentage Limit” and “Individual Percentage Limit” (each as shown above) shall be 0%.
“Trading Plan”: The meaning specified in Section 12.2(c).
“Trading Plan Period”: The meaning specified in Section 12.2(c).
“Transaction Documents”: This Indenture, the Collateral Management Agreement, the Administration Agreement, the Loan Sale Agreement, the Fiscal Agency Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement, the Account Agreement, the EU Retention Letter and the Purchase Agreement.
“Transfer Agent”: The Person or Persons, which may be the Issuer, authorized by the Issuer to exchange or register the transfer of Notes.
“Trust Officer”: When used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office (or any successor group of the Trustee) including any vice president, assistant vice president or officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred at the Corporate Trust Office because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, having direct responsibility for the administration of this transaction.
“Trustee”: As defined in the first sentence of this Indenture.
-62-
“UCC”: The Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement”: The Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“Uncertificated Security”: The meaning specified in Article 8 of the UCC.
“Underlying Document”: The loan agreement, credit agreement, indenture or other customary agreement pursuant to which an Asset has been created or issued and each other agreement that governs the terms of or secures the obligations represented by such Asset or of which the holders of such Asset are the beneficiaries.
“United States”: The United States of America, its territories and its possessions.
“Unregistered Securities”: The meaning specified in Section 5.17(c).
“Unsecured Loan”: A senior unsecured Loan obligation of any Person which is not (and by its terms is not permitted to become) subordinate in right of payment to any other debt for borrowed money incurred by the Obligor under such Loan.
“U.S. Person”: The meaning specified in Regulation S.
“U.S. Risk Retention Rules”: The final rules implementing Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
“Volcker Rule”: Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder.
“Weighted Average Coupon”: As of any date, the number, expressed as a percentage, determined by summing the products obtained by multiplying:
| For each Fixed Rate Obligation, the stated interest coupon on such Collateral Obligation | X | The principal balance of such Collateral Obligation (excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations or Revolving Collateral Obligations) |
|---|
and dividing such sum by:
the aggregate principal balance of all Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date (in each case, excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations or Revolving Collateral Obligations that are Fixed Rate Obligations);
provided that if the foregoing amount is less than 6.50%, then all or a portion of the Weighted Average Coupon Adjustment, if any, as of such date, to the extent not exceeding such shortfall, shall be added to such result; provided, further, that for purposes of this definition, the stated interest coupon of each Step-Up Obligation will be deemed to be its current rate of interest and the
-63-
stated interest coupon of each Step-Down Obligation will be deemed to be the lowest rate of interest that such Collateral Obligation will by its terms pay in the future solely as a function of the passage of time.
“Weighted Average Coupon Adjustment”: As of any date of determination, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of the Weighted Average Floating Spread for such date over the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread selected by the Collateral Manager at such time in connection with the S&P CDO Monitor Test, and (ii) the aggregate principal balance of all Collateral Obligations that are not Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal balance of all Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date (in each case, excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations or Revolving Collateral Obligations). In computing the Weighted Average Coupon Adjustment on any date, the Weighted Average Floating Spread for such date shall be computed as if the Weighted Average Floating Spread Adjustment was equal to zero.
“Weighted Average Floating Spread”: As of any Measurement Date, the number obtained by dividing: (a) the amount equal to (A) the Aggregate Funded Spread plus (B) the Aggregate Unfunded Spread by (b) an amount equal to the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Floating Rate Obligations as of such Measurement Date and (B) either (x) with respect to the S&P CDO Monitor Test, the Aggregate Principal Balance of Floating Rate Obligations and (y) otherwise, the Reinvestment Target Par Balance minus the Aggregate Principal Balance of Fixed Rate Obligations; provided that if the foregoing amount is less than the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread selected by the Collateral Manager in connection with the S&P CDO Monitor Test, then all or a portion of the Weighted Average Floating Spread Adjustment, if any, as of such date, to the extent not exceeding such shortfall, will be added to such result.
“Weighted Average Floating Spread Adjustment”: As of any Measurement Date, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of the Weighted Average Coupon for such date over 6.50% and (ii) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date, and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that are not Fixed Rate Obligations as of such date (in each case, excluding the unfunded portion of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations or Revolving Collateral Obligations). In computing the Weighted Average Floating Spread Adjustment on any date, the Weighted Average Coupon for such date will be computed as if the Weighted Average Coupon Adjustment was equal to zero.
“Weighted Average Life”: As of any date of determination with respect to all Collateral Obligations other than Defaulted Obligations, the number of years following such date obtained by summing the products obtained by multiplying:
(a)the Average Life at such time of each such Collateral Obligation by (b) the Principal Balance of such Collateral Obligation;
and dividing such sum by:
-64-
(b)the Aggregate Principal Balance at such time of all such Collateral Obligations.
For the purposes of the foregoing, the “Average Life” means, on any date of determination with respect to any Collateral Obligation, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of (a) the number of years (rounded to the nearest one hundredth thereof) from such date of determination to the respective dates of each successive Scheduled Distribution of principal of such Collateral Obligation and (b) the respective amounts of principal of such Scheduled Distributions by (ii) the sum of all successive Scheduled Distributions of principal on such Collateral Obligation as of such date of determination.
“Weighted Average Life Test”: A test satisfied on any date of determination if the Weighted Average Life of the Collateral Obligations as of such date is less than or equal to the value in the column entitled “Weighted Average Life Value” in the table below corresponding to the immediately preceding Payment Date (or, prior to the first Payment Date following the Closing Date, the Closing Date):
| Weighted Average Life Value | |
|---|---|
| Closing Date | 7.00 |
| Payment Date in July, 2021 | 6.50 |
| Payment Date in October, 2021 | 6.25 |
| Payment Date in January, 2022 | 6.00 |
| Payment Date in April, 2022 | 5.75 |
| Payment Date in July, 2022 | 5.50 |
| Payment Date in October, 2022 | 5.25 |
| Payment Date in January, 2023 | 5.00 |
| Payment Date in April, 2023 | 4.75 |
| Payment Date in July, 2023 | 4.50 |
| Payment Date in October, 2023 | 4.25 |
| Payment Date in January, 2024 | 4.00 |
| Payment Date in April, 2024 | 3.75 |
| Payment Date in July, 2024 | 3.50 |
| Payment Date in October, 2024 | 3.25 |
| Payment Date in January, 2025 | 3.00 |
| Payment Date in April, 2025 | 2.75 |
| Payment Date in July, 2025 | 2.50 |
| Payment Date in October, 2025 | 2.25 |
| Payment Date in January, 2026 | 2.00 |
| Payment Date in April, 2026 | 1.75 |
| Payment Date in July, 2026 | 1.50 |
| Payment Date in October, 2026 | 1.25 |
| Payment Date in January, 2027 | 1.00 |
| Payment Date in April, 2027 | 0.75 |
| Payment Date in July, 2027 | 0.50 |
| Payment Date in October, 2027 | 0.25 |
| Payment Date in January, 2028 and after | 0.00 |
“Weighted Average S&P Rating Factor”: The number (rounded up to the nearest whole number) determined by:
-65-
(a)summing the products of (i) the principal balance of each Collateral Obligation (excluding Defaulted Obligations) multiplied by (ii) the S&P Rating Factor of such Collateral Obligation set forth in Section 4 of Schedule 4; and
(b)dividing such sum by the principal balance of all such Collateral Obligations (excluding Defaulted Obligations).
“Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate”: As of any date of determination, the number, expressed as a percentage and determined separately for each Class of Secured Notes that is rated by S&P, obtained by summing the products obtained by multiplying the Principal Balance of each Collateral Obligation (other than Defaulted Obligations) by its corresponding recovery rate as determined in accordance with Section 1 of Schedule 4 hereto, dividing such sum by the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations (other than Defaulted Obligations), and rounding to the nearest tenth of a percent.
“Workout Loan”: A loan acquired by the Issuer resulting from, or received in connection with, the workout or restructuring of a Collateral Obligation related to the financial distress or actual or anticipated bankruptcy of the related Obligor that satisfies the definition of “Collateral Obligation”. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) a Collateral Obligation will not be deemed to be a Workout Loan solely as a result of becoming subject to a Specified Amendment and (y) any Workout Loan treated as a Defaulted Obligation must rank at least pari passu in right of payment to the Collateral Obligation in respect of which it was received.
“Zero Coupon Bond”: Any debt security that by its terms (a) does not bear interest for all or part of the remaining period that it is outstanding, (b) provides for periodic payments of interest in Cash less frequently than semi-annually or (c) pays interest only at its stated maturity.
Section 1.2Usage of Terms. With respect to all terms in this Indenture, the singular includes the plural and the plural the singular; words importing any gender include the other genders; references to “writing” include printing, typing, lithography and other means of reproducing words in a visible form; references to agreements and other contractual instruments include all amendments, modifications and supplements thereto or any changes therein entered into in accordance with their respective terms and not prohibited by this Indenture; references to Persons include their permitted successors and assigns; and the term “including” means “including without limitation.”
Section 1.3Assumptions as to Assets. In connection with all calculations required to be made pursuant to this Indenture with respect to Scheduled Distributions on any Asset, or any payments on any other assets included in the Assets, with respect to the sale of and reinvestment in Collateral Obligations, and with respect to the income that can be earned on Scheduled Distributions on such Assets and on any other amounts that may be received for deposit in the Collection Account, the provisions set forth in this Section 1.3 shall be applied. The provisions of this Section 1.3 shall be applicable to any determination or calculation that is covered by this Section 1.3, whether or not reference is specifically made to Section 1.3, unless some other method of calculation or determination is expressly specified in the particular provision.
-66-
(a)All calculations with respect to Scheduled Distributions on the Assets shall be made on the basis of information as to the terms of each such Asset and upon reports of payments, if any, received on such Asset that are furnished by or on behalf of the issuer of such Asset and, to the extent they are not manifestly in error, such information or reports may be conclusively relied upon in making such calculations.
(b)For purposes of calculating the Coverage Tests, except as otherwise specified in the Coverage Tests, such calculations will not include scheduled interest and principal payments on Defaulted Obligations unless or until such payments are actually made.
(c)For each Collection Period and as of any date of determination, the Scheduled Distribution on any Asset (including Current Pay Obligations but excluding Defaulted Obligations, which, except as otherwise provided herein, shall be assumed to have a Scheduled Distribution of zero, except to the extent any payments have actually been received) shall be the sum of (i) the total amount of payments and collections to be received during such Collection Period in respect of such Asset (including the proceeds of the sale of such Asset received and, in the case of sales which have not yet settled, to be received during the Collection Period and not reinvested in additional Collateral Obligations or Eligible Investments or retained in the Collection Account for subsequent reinvestment pursuant to Section 12.2) that, if paid as scheduled, will be available in the Collection Account at the end of the Collection Period and (ii) any such amounts received by the Issuer in prior Collection Periods that were not disbursed on a previous Payment Date.
(d)Each Scheduled Distribution receivable with respect to a Collateral Obligation shall be assumed to be received on the applicable Due Date, and each such Scheduled Distribution shall be assumed to be immediately deposited in the Collection Account to earn interest at the Assumed Reinvestment Rate. All such funds shall be assumed to continue to earn interest until the date on which they are required to be available in the Collection Account for application, in accordance with the terms hereof, to payments of principal of or interest on the Securities or other amounts payable pursuant to this Indenture.
(e)References in Section 11.1(a) to calculations made on a “pro forma basis” shall mean such calculations after giving effect to all payments, in accordance with the Priority of Payments described herein, that precede (in priority of payment) or include the clause in which such calculation is made.
(f)For purposes of calculating all Concentration Limitations, in both the numerator and the denominator of any component of the Concentration Limitations, Defaulted Obligations will be treated as having a Principal Balance equal to the Defaulted Obligation Balance.
(g)If a Collateral Obligation included in the Assets would be deemed a Current Pay Obligation but for the applicable percentage limitation in the proviso to the definition of “Defaulted Obligation,” then the Current Pay Obligations with the lowest Market Value (expressed as a percentage of the Principal Balance of such Current Pay Obligations as of the date of determination) shall be deemed Defaulted Obligations. Each such Defaulted Obligation will be treated as a Defaulted Obligation for all purposes until such time as the Aggregate Principal
-67-
Balance of Current Pay Obligations would not exceed, on a pro forma basis including such Defaulted Obligation, the applicable percentage of the Collateral Principal Amount.
(h)Except where expressly referenced herein for inclusion in such calculations, Defaulted Obligations will not be included in the calculation of the Collateral Quality Test.
(i)For purposes of calculating compliance with the Investment Criteria, upon the direction of the Collateral Manager by notice to the Trustee, the Fiscal Agent and the Collateral Administrator, any Eligible Investment representing Principal Proceeds received upon the sale or other disposition of a Collateral Obligation shall be deemed to have the characteristics of such Collateral Obligation until reinvested in an additional Collateral Obligation. Such calculations shall be based upon the principal amount of such Collateral Obligation, except in the case of Defaulted Obligations and Credit Risk Obligations, in which case the calculations will be based upon the Principal Proceeds received on the disposition or sale of such Defaulted Obligation or Credit Risk Obligation.
(j)For the purposes of calculating compliance with each of the Concentration Limitations all calculations will be rounded to the nearest 0.1%. All other calculations, unless otherwise set forth herein or the context otherwise requires, shall be rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth if expressed as a percentage, and to the nearest one-hundredth if expressed otherwise.
(k)Except as expressly set forth herein, the “principal balance” and the “outstanding principal balance” of a Revolving Collateral Obligation or a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation shall include all unfunded commitments that have not been irrevocably reduced or withdrawn.
(l)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture to the contrary, all monetary calculations hereunder shall be in Dollars.
(m)Any reference in this Indenture to an amount of the Trustee’s or the Collateral Administrator’s fees calculated with respect to a period at a per annum rate shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed during the related Interest Accrual Period and shall be based on the aggregate face amount of the Assets.
(n)To the extent of any ambiguity in the interpretation of any definition or term contained herein or to the extent more than one methodology can be used to make any of the determinations or calculations set forth herein, the Collateral Administrator shall request direction from the Collateral Manager as to the interpretation and/or methodology to be used, and the Collateral Administrator shall follow such direction, and together with the Trustee, shall be entitled to conclusively rely thereon without any responsibility or liability therefor.
(o)For purposes of calculating compliance with any tests under this Indenture, the trade date (and not the settlement date) with respect to any acquisition or disposition of a Collateral Obligation or Eligible Investment shall be used to determine whether and when such acquisition or disposition has occurred.
-68-
(p)For all purposes where expressly used herein, the “outstanding principal balance” and the “principal balance” of any or all of the Collateral Obligations shall exclude capitalized interest, if any.
(q)For purposes of calculating the sale proceeds of a Collateral Obligation in sale transactions, sale proceeds will include any Principal Financed Accrued Interest received in respect of such sale.
(r)For purposes of determining compliance with the EU Risk Retention Requirements, calculating the EU Retained Interest and determining whether an EU Retention Deficiency has occurred, the “principal balance” of any Asset shall be its principal balance in each case without any adjustments for purchase price or the application of haircuts or other adjustments.
ARTICLE II
The Securities
Section 2.1Forms Generally. The Notes and the Trustee’s or Authenticating Agent’s certificate of authentication thereon (the “Certificate of Authentication”) shall be in substantially the forms required by this Article, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon, as may be consistent herewith, determined by the Responsible Officers of the Applicable Issuer executing such Notes as evidenced by their execution of such Notes. Any portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note. The Applicable Issuer may assign one or more CUSIPs or similar identifying numbers to Notes for administrative convenience or in connection with Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance or implementation of the Bankruptcy Subordination Agreement.
Section 2.2Forms of Notes. (a) The forms of the Secured Notes, including the forms of Certificated Notes, Regulation S Global Notes and Rule 144A Global Notes, shall be as set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
(b)Secured Notes.
(i)The Notes sold to Persons that are not “U.S. Persons” (as defined in Regulation S) in an offshore transaction in reliance on Regulation S shall each be issued Regulation S Global Notes, and shall be deposited on behalf of the subscribers for such Notes represented thereby with the Trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, DTC for the respective accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent as hereinafter provided; provided that Co-Issued Notes sold to Persons that are not “U.S. Persons” (as defined in Regulation S) in an offshore transaction in reliance on Regulation S will be issued initially in the form of Temporary Global Notes, which will be exchanged for permanent Regulation S Global Notes after the Closing Date. Interests in a Temporary Global Notes or other Regulation S Global Notes may not be held at any time by a “U.S. Person” (as defined in Regulation S), and U.S. re‑offers or resales of Notes offered outside
-69-
the United States in reliance on Regulation S may be effected only in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and not involving directly or indirectly the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or their agents, Affiliates or intermediaries. On or after the 40th day after the later of the Closing Date and the commencement of the offering of the Co-Issued Notes, interests in such Temporary Global Notes of any Class of Co-Issued Notes will be exchangeable for interests in permanent Regulation S Global Note of the same Class upon certification that the beneficial interests in such Temporary Global Note are owned by persons who are not “U.S. Persons” (as defined in Regulation S).
(ii)The Notes sold to Persons that are QIB/QPs shall each be issued initially in the form of one permanent global Note per Class (unless such Persons elect to receive a Certificated Note) in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Rule 144A Global Note”) and shall be deposited on behalf of the subscribers for such Notes represented thereby with the Trustee as custodian for, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of, DTC, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent as hereinafter provided.
(iii)The Secured Notes sold to persons that are a QIB/QP, may upon request be issued in the form of one or more definitive, fully registered notes without coupons substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (a “Certificated Note”) which shall be registered in the name of the beneficial owner or a nominee thereof, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee or Authenticating Agent as hereinafter provided.
(iv)The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Notes and the Rule 144A Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee or DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as hereinafter provided.
(c)Book Entry Provisions. This Section 2.2(c) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of DTC.
The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” of Euroclear and the “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Participants” of Clearstream, respectively, will be applicable to the Global Notes insofar as interests in such Global Notes are held by the Agent Members of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be.
Agent Members shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Notes held on their behalf by the Trustee, as custodian for DTC, and DTC may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee, and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Note for all payment purposes whatsoever, and for all other purposes except as provided in Section 14.2(e). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Trustee, or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.
-70-
Section 2.3Authorized Amount; Stated Maturity; Denominations. The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, the Fiscal Agency Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles is limited to U.S.$333,500,000 (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities pursuant to Section 2.4, Section 2.6, Section 2.7 or Section 8.5 of this Indenture and the Memorandum and Articles).
-71-
Such Securities shall be divided into the Classes, having the designations, original principal amounts and other characteristics as follows:
| Class Designation | Class A Notes | Preferred Shares^(1)^ |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable Issuer | Issuers | Issuer |
| Initial Principal Amount^(2)^ | U.S.$200,000,000 | U.S.$133,500,000 |
| Stated Maturity | The Payment Date in January 2031 | N/A |
| Interest Rate: | ||
| Floating Rate Notes | Yes | N/A |
| Index^(3)^ | Reference Rate | N/A |
| Index Maturity^(4)^ | 3 month | N/A |
| Spread^(5)^ | 2.95% | N/A |
| Fixed Rate of Interest^(5)^ | N/A | N/A |
| Initial Rating(s): | ||
| S&P | “A(sf)” | N/A |
| Priority Class(es) | None | A |
| Pari Passu Class(es) | None | None |
| Junior Class(es) | Preferred Shares | None |
| Interest deferrable | No | N/A |
| Form | Book-Entry | Physical |
| 1. | The Preferred Shares are not being issued hereunder. | |
| --- | --- | |
| 2. | Aggregate issue price in the case of the Preferred Shares. | |
| --- | --- | |
| 3. | The Reference Rate may be changed from LIBOR to an Alternative Reference Rate as described in the definition thereof. | |
| --- | --- | |
| 4. | The Reference Rate shall be calculated in accordance with the definition thereof and shall initially be benchmarked from three-month LIBOR (subject to a floor of zero), except that LIBOR for the first Interest Accrual Period shall be an interpolation between 3-month LIBOR and 6-month LIBOR. | |
| --- | --- | |
| 5. | The spread over the Reference Rate with respect to the Re‑Pricing Eligible Notes may be reduced in connection with a Re-Pricing of such Class of Re-Pricing Eligible Notes, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 9.7. | |
| --- | --- |
-72-
The Secured Notes shall be issued in minimum denominations of U.S.$250,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1.00 in excess thereof (the “Minimum Denominations”).
Section 2.4Additional Securities. (a) At any time during the Reinvestment Period (or, in the case of an issuance solely of additional Preferred Shares or Junior Mezzanine Notes, at any time), the Issuer or the Issuers, as applicable, may (x) with the consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), issue and sell additional Securities of each existing Class of Securities (on a pro rata basis with respect to each Class of Secured Notes and at least a pro rata amount of Preferred Shares) or (y) issue and sell additional Preferred Shares (subject to and in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles) or notes of any one or more new classes of notes that are fully subordinated to the existing Secured Notes (or to the most junior class of securities of the Issuer issued pursuant to this Indenture, if any class of securities issued pursuant to this Indenture other than the Securities is then Outstanding) (such additional notes, “Junior Mezzanine Notes”) and use the net proceeds to purchase additional Collateral Obligations or as otherwise permitted; provided that (i) the Collateral Manager, the Retention Holder and a Majority of the Preferred Shares consent to such issuance (provided that the consent of a Majority of the Preferred Shares shall not be required in circumstances where an issuance of additional Preferred Shares is required to prevent or cure an EU Retention Deficiency), (ii) in the case of an issuance of Additional Securities of existing Classes, the terms of the Securities issued must be identical to the respective terms of previously issued Securities of the applicable Class (except that the interest due on Additional Notes will accrue from the issue date of such Additional Notes and the spread or fixed rate of interest (after giving effect to any original issue discount) of such Additional Notes may be lower (or higher) than those of the initial Secured Notes of that Class; provided that such Additional Notes must also be Floating Rate Notes and have a floating rate based on the same benchmark rate as the corresponding existing Class of such Floating Rate Notes, (iii) the S&P Rating Condition has been satisfied, (iv) the proceeds of any Additional Securities (net of fees and expenses incurred in connection with such issuance) shall be treated as Principal Proceeds and used to purchase additional Collateral Obligations or as otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that the Collateral Manager may elect to treat the portion of the proceeds from the issuance of additional Preferred Shares or Junior Mezzanine Notes that exceeds the Preferred Shares’ proportional share of the Additional Securities issued at such time as Interest Proceeds, (v) the Overcollateralization Ratio with respect to each Class of Secured Notes shall not be reduced after giving effect to such issuance unless after giving effect to such issuance the Overcollateralization Ratio is at least equal to the Overcollateralization Ratio as of the Effective Date, (vi) a written opinion of tax counsel of nationally recognized standing in the United States experienced in such matters shall be delivered to the Trustee, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Manager and the Trustee, to the effect that (A) any additional Class A Notes will be treated as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (B) such additional issuance will not result in the Issuer becoming subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to its net income (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code), or result in the Issuer being treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, provided, however, that the opinion or advice of tax counsel described in clause (A) will not be required with respect to any additional Notes that bear a different securities identifier from the Notes of the same Class that were issued on the Closing Date and are Outstanding at the time of the additional issuance, (vii) any such additional issuance will be issued in a manner that will allow the Issuer to accurately provide the
-73-
information described in Treasury Regulations section 1.1275-3(b)(1)(i), (viii) none of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Retention Holder or any “sponsor” of the Issuer under the U.S. Risk Retention Rules shall fail to be in compliance with the U.S. Risk Retention Rules or the EU Risk Retention Requirements as a result of such additional issuance unless such Person has consented to such additional issuance and (ix) an Officer’s certificate of the Issuer shall be delivered to the Trustee stating that the conditions of this Section 2.4(a) have been satisfied.
(b)Interest on the Additional Securities shall be payable commencing on the first Payment Date following the issue date of such Additional Securities (if issued prior to the applicable Record Date). The Additional Notes of an existing Class shall rank pari passu in all respects with the initial Notes of that Class.
(c)Any Additional Securities of any Class issued pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be offered first to Holders of that Class in such amounts as are necessary to preserve (on an approximate basis) their pro rata holdings of Securities of such Class; provided that the Collateral Manager and the Retention Holder and their respective affiliates shall have priority over such existing holders to the extent that the Collateral Manager or the Retention Holder determines in its sole discretion that the purchase of such Additional Securities is required to satisfy the U.S. Risk Retention Rules or to prevent or cure an EU Retention Deficiency.
Section 2.5Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. (a) The Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Applicable Issuer by one of its Authorized Officers. The signature of such Authorized Officer on the Notes may be manual or facsimile.
Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at the time of execution Authorized Officers of the Applicable Issuer shall bind the Applicable Issuer, notwithstanding the fact that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or did not hold such offices at the date of issuance of such Notes.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Applicable Issuer may deliver Notes executed by the Applicable Issuer to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent for authentication and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent, upon Issuer Order, shall authenticate and deliver such Notes as provided herein and not otherwise.
Each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent upon Issuer Order on the Closing Date shall be dated as of the Closing Date. All other Notes that are authenticated after the Closing Date for any other purpose under this Indenture shall be dated the date of their authentication.
Notes issued upon transfer, exchange or replacement of other Notes shall be issued in authorized denominations reflecting the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes so transferred, exchanged or replaced, but shall represent only the current outstanding principal amount of the Notes so transferred, exchanged or replaced. If any Note is divided into more than one Note in accordance with this Article II, the original principal amount of such Note shall be
-74-
proportionately divided among the Notes delivered in exchange therefor and shall be deemed to be the original aggregate principal amount of such subsequently issued Notes.
No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Note a Certificate of Authentication, substantially in the form provided for herein, executed by the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of their authorized signatories, and such Certificate of Authentication upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.6Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Issuer shall cause the Notes to be registered and shall cause to be kept a register (the “Register”) at the office of the Trustee in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall provide for the registration of Notes and the registration of transfers of Notes. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed registrar (the “Registrar”) for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of such Notes with respect to the Register maintained in the United States as herein provided. Upon any resignation or removal of the Registrar, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor or, in the absence of such appointment, assume the duties of Registrar.
If a Person other than the Trustee is appointed by the Issuer as Registrar, the Issuer will give the Trustee prompt written notice of the appointment of a Registrar and of the location, and any change in the location, of the Register, and the Trustee shall have the right to inspect the Register at all reasonable times and to obtain copies thereof and the Trustee shall have the right to rely upon a certificate executed on behalf of the Registrar by an Officer thereof as to the names and addresses of the Holders of the Notes and the principal or face amounts and numbers of such Notes. Upon written request at any time the Registrar shall provide to the Issuer, the Collateral Manager or the Initial Purchaser a current list of Holders as reflected in the Register.
Subject to this Section 2.6, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Notes at the office or agency of the Issuer to be maintained as provided in Section 7.2, the Issuer (and solely with respect to the Co‑Issued Notes, the Co-Issuer) shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, or cause the Authenticating Agent to authenticate, and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal or face amount. At any time, upon request of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager or the Initial Purchaser, the Trustee shall provide such requesting Person a list of Holders of the Notes.
In addition, when permitted under this Indenture, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Collateral Manager shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate of ownership provided to the Trustee by a beneficial owner of a Note (including a Beneficial Ownership Certificate or a certificate in the form of Exhibit C) and/or other forms of reasonable evidence of such ownership as to the names and addresses of such beneficial owner and the Classes, principal amounts and CUSIP numbers of Notes beneficially owned thereby. At any time, upon request of the Applicable Issuer, the Collateral Manager or the Initial Purchaser, the Trustee shall provide such requesting Person a copy of each Beneficial Ownership Certificate that the Trustee has received.
-75-
At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for Notes of like terms, in any authorized denominations and of like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Note is surrendered for exchange, the Applicable Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, or cause the Authenticating Agent to authenticate, and deliver, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Notes issued and authenticated upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Applicable Issuer, evidencing the same debt (to the extent they evidence debt), and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer, tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. The Trustee shall be permitted to request such evidence reasonably satisfactory to it documenting the identity and/or signatures of the transferor and transferee.
(b)No Note may be sold or transferred (including, without limitation, by pledge or hypothecation) unless such sale or transfer is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, is exempt from the registration requirements under applicable state securities laws and will not cause the Applicable Issuer to become subject to the requirement that it register as an investment company under the 1940 Act.
(c)Each purchaser, beneficial owner and subsequent transferee of a Note (or interest therein) will be deemed (and may be required) to represent and agree to the requirements of Section 2.13.
(d)Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall not be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer complies with, or for otherwise monitoring or determining compliance with, the registration provisions of or any exemptions from the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws or the applicable laws of any other jurisdiction, ERISA, the Code, the 1940 Act, or the terms hereof; provided that if a certificate is specifically required by the terms of this Section 2.6 to be provided to the Trustee by a prospective transferor or transferee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to receive and examine the same to determine whether or not the certificate substantially conforms on its face to the applicable requirements of this Indenture and shall promptly notify the party delivering the same and the Issuer if such certificate does not comply with such terms.
(e)Each Holder will provide the Issuer or its agents with such information and documentation that may be required for the Issuer to achieve AML Compliance and shall update
-76-
or replace such information or documentation, as may be necessary (the “Holder AML Obligations”).
(f)Transfers of Global Notes shall only be made in accordance with Section 2.2(b) and this Section 2.6(f).
(i)Rule 144A Global Note to Regulation S Global Note. If a holder of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note deposited with DTC wishes at any time to exchange its interest in such Rule 144A Global Note for an interest in the corresponding Regulation S Global Note, or to transfer its interest in such Rule 144A Global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in the corresponding Regulation S Global Note, such holder (provided that such holder or, in the case of a transfer, the transferee is not a U.S. Person) may, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence and the rules and procedures of DTC, exchange or transfer, or cause the exchange or transfer of, such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in the corresponding Regulation S Global Note. Upon receipt by the Registrar of (A) instructions given in accordance with DTC’s procedures from an Agent Member directing the Registrar to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the corresponding Regulation S Global Note, but not less than the Minimum Denomination applicable to such holder’s Notes, in an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to be exchanged or transferred, (B) a written order given in accordance with DTC’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of DTC and the Euroclear or Clearstream account to be credited with such increase, (C) a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1 attached hereto given by the holder of such beneficial interest stating that the exchange or transfer of such interest has been made in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes, including that the holder or the transferee, as applicable, is not a U.S. Person, and (D) a written certification in the form of Exhibit B-3 attached hereto given by the transferee in respect of such beneficial interest stating, among other things, that such transferee is not a U.S. Person, then the Registrar shall approve the instructions at DTC to reduce the principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note and to increase the principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to be exchanged or transferred, and to credit or cause to be credited to the securities account of the Agent Member specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the corresponding Regulation S Global Note equal to the reduction in the principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note.
(ii)Regulation S Global Note to Rule 144A Global Note. If a holder of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note deposited with DTC wishes at any time to exchange its interest in such Regulation S Global Note for an interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note or to transfer its interest in such Regulation S Global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of an interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note, such holder may, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence and the rules and procedures of Euroclear, Clearstream and/or DTC, as the case may be, exchange or transfer, or cause the exchange or transfer of, such interest for an equivalent beneficial interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note. Upon receipt by the Registrar of (A) instructions from Euroclear, Clearstream and/or DTC, as the case may be, directing the Registrar to cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the
-77-
corresponding Rule 144A Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest in such Regulation S Global Note, but not less than the Minimum Denomination applicable to such holder’s Notes to be exchanged or transferred, such instructions to contain information regarding the participant account with DTC to be credited with such increase, (B) a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached hereto given by the holder of such beneficial interest and stating, among other things, that, in the case of a transfer, the Person transferring such interest in such Regulation S Global Note reasonably believes that the Person acquiring such interest in a Rule 144A Global Note is a QIB/QP, is obtaining such beneficial interest in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction and (C) a written certification in the form of Exhibit B-3 attached hereto given by the transferee in respect of such beneficial interest stating, among other things, that such transferee is a QIB/QP, then the Registrar will approve the instructions at DTC to reduce, or cause to be reduced, the Regulation S Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to be transferred or exchanged and the Registrar shall instruct DTC, concurrently with such reduction, to credit or cause to be credited to the securities account of the Agent Member specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the corresponding Rule 144A Global Note equal to the reduction in the principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note.
(iii)Global Note to Certificated Note. Subject to Section 2.11(a), if a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note deposited with DTC wishes at any time to transfer its interest in such Global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of a corresponding Certificated Note, such holder may, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence and the rules and procedures of Euroclear, Clearstream and/or DTC, as the case may be, transfer, or cause the transfer of, such interest for a Certificated Note. Upon receipt by the Registrar of (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached hereto executed by the transferee and (B) appropriate instructions from DTC, if required, the Registrar will approve the instructions at DTC to reduce, or cause to be reduced, the Global Note by the aggregate principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred and record the transfer in the Register in accordance with Section 2.6(a) and upon execution by the Applicable Issuer, authentication by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivery by the Trustee of one or more corresponding Certificated Notes, registered in the names specified in the instructions described in clause (B) above, in principal amounts designated by the transferee (the aggregate of such principal amounts being equal to the aggregate principal amount of the interest in such Global Note transferred by the transferor), and in authorized denominations.
(g)Transfers of Certificated Notes shall only be made in accordance with Section 2.2(b) and this Section 2.6(g).
(i)Certificated Notes to Global Notes. If a holder of a Certificated Note wishes at any time to exchange its interest in such Certificated Note for a beneficial interest in a corresponding Global Note or to transfer such Certificated Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a corresponding Global Note, such holder may, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence and the rules and procedures of Euroclear, Clearstream and/or DTC, as the case may be, exchange or
-78-
transfer, or cause the exchange or transfer of, such Certificated Note for a beneficial interest in a corresponding Global Note. Upon receipt by the Registrar of (A) a Holder’s Certificated Note properly endorsed for assignment to the transferee, (B) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 or Exhibit B-2 (as applicable) attached hereto executed by the transferor and a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 (as applicable) attached hereto executed by the transferee, (C) instructions given in accordance with Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC’s procedures, as the case may be, from an Agent Member to instruct DTC to cause to be credited a beneficial interest in the applicable Global Notes in an amount equal to the Certificated Notes to be transferred or exchanged, and (D) a written order given in accordance with DTC’s procedures containing information regarding the Agent Member’s account at DTC and/or Euroclear or Clearstream to be credited with such increase, the Registrar shall cancel such Certificated Note in accordance with Section 2.10, record the transfer in the Register in accordance with Section 2.6(a) and approve the instructions at DTC, concurrently with such cancellation, to credit or cause to be credited to the securities account of the Agent Member specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the corresponding Global Note equal to the principal amount of the Certificated Note transferred or exchanged.
(ii)Certificated Notes to Certificated Notes. If a holder of a Certificated Note wishes at any time to exchange such Certificated Note for one or more Certificated Notes or to transfer such Certificated Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Note, such holder may exchange or transfer, or cause the exchange or transfer of, such Certificated Note. Upon receipt by the Registrar of (A) a Holder’s Certificated Note properly endorsed for assignment to the transferee, and (B) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 attached hereto executed by the transferee, the Registrar shall cancel such Certificated Note in accordance with Section 2.10, record the transfer in the Register in accordance with Section 2.6(a) and upon execution by the Applicable Issuer, authentication by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivery by the Trustee, deliver one or more Certificated Notes bearing the same designation as the Certificated Note endorsed for transfer, registered in the names specified in the assignment described in clause (A) above, in principal amounts designated by the transferee (the aggregate of such principal amounts being equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Certificated Note surrendered by the transferor), and in authorized denominations.
(h)If Notes are issued upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the applicable legends set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and if a request is made to remove such applicable legend on such Notes, the applicable legend shall not be removed unless there is delivered to the Trustee and the Applicable Issuer such satisfactory evidence, which may include an Opinion of Counsel acceptable to them, as may be reasonably required by the Applicable Issuer (and which shall by its terms permit reliance by the Trustee), to the effect that neither such applicable legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, ERISA or the Code. Upon provision of such satisfactory evidence, the Trustee or its Authenticating Agent, at the written direction of the Applicable Issuer shall, after due execution by the Applicable Issuer authenticate and deliver Notes that do not bear such applicable legend.
-79-
(i)Each Person who (x) becomes a holder of a Certificated Note at any time will be required to represent and agree in a representation letter or (y) becomes a beneficial owner of Notes represented by an interest in a Global Note will be deemed to have represented and agreed, as follows:
(i)In connection with the purchase of such Notes: (A) none of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Initial Purchaser, the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or any of their respective Affiliates is acting as a fiduciary or financial or investment adviser for such beneficial owner; (B) such beneficial owner has read and understands the Offering Circular (including, without limitation, the descriptions therein of the structure of the transaction in which the Notes are being issued and the risks to purchasers of the Notes) and is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel or representations (whether written or oral) of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator, the Initial Purchaser or any of their respective Affiliates other than any statements in the final Offering Circular for such Notes; (C) such beneficial owner has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary and has made its own investment decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any transaction pursuant to this Indenture) based upon its own judgment and upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator, the Initial Purchaser or any of their respective Affiliates; (D) such beneficial owner is either (1) in the case of a beneficial owner of an interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, both (a) a QIB that is not a broker-dealer which owns and invests on a discretionary basis less than U.S.$25,000,000 in securities of issuers that are not affiliated persons of the dealer and is not a plan referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) or (a)(1)(i)(E) of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or a trust fund referred to in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of Rule 144A under the Securities Act that holds the assets of such a plan, if investment decisions with respect to the plan are made by beneficiaries of the plan and (b) a Qualified Purchaser for purposes of Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act or an entity (other than a trust) owned exclusively by Qualified Purchasers or (2) in the case of a beneficial owner of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, a Person that is not a U.S. Person and is acquiring the Notes in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S; (E) unless otherwise agreed by the Initial Purchaser on the Closing Date, such beneficial owner is acquiring its interest in such Notes for its own account and not with a view to the resale, distribution or other disposition thereof in violation of the Securities Act; (F) unless it is a Person that is not a U.S. Person acquiring the Notes in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S thereunder, such beneficial owner was not formed for the purpose of investing in such Notes (unless each beneficial owner of the beneficial owner is a Qualified Purchaser); (G) such beneficial owner understands that the Issuer may receive a list of participants holding interests in the Notes from one or more book-entry depositories, (H) such beneficial owner will hold and transfer at least the Minimum Denomination of such Notes; (I) such beneficial owner is a sophisticated investor and is purchasing the Notes with a full understanding of all of the terms, conditions and risks thereof, and is capable of and willing to assume those risks; (J) such beneficial owner will provide notice of the relevant transfer restrictions to subsequent transferees; (K) it is not acquiring any Note as part of a plan to reduce, avoid or evade U.S. federal income
-80-
tax; (L) the investment by it is within its powers and authority, is permissible under applicable laws governing such purchase, has been duly authorized by it and complies with applicable securities laws and other laws; (M) it consents and agrees that agency cross-transactions with the Issuer are authorized by the Issuer and that any subsequent authorizations by the Issuer or revocation of such authorization may be effected through the board of directors of the Issuer and (N) it acknowledges the conflicts of interest inherent in the transactions described in the Offering Circular and herein and waives any claim with respect to any liability arising from the existence thereof.
(ii)(A) If such Person is, or is acting on behalf of, a Benefit Plan Investor, its acquisition, holding and disposition of such Notes does not and will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) if it is a governmental, church, non-U.S. or other plan which is subject to any Other Plan Law, its acquisition, holding and disposition of such Notes will not constitute or result in a non-exempt violation of any such Other Plan Law.
(iii)Such beneficial owner represents that either (x) its principal place of business is not located within any Federal Reserve District or (y) it has satisfied and will satisfy any applicable registration or other requirements of the FRB, including, without limitation, Regulation U, in connection with its acquisition of the Securities.
(iv)Such beneficial owner understands that such Notes are being offered only in a transaction not involving any public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act, such Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and, if in the future such beneficial owner decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer such Notes, such Notes may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the legend on such Notes. Such beneficial owner acknowledges that no representation has been made as to the availability of any exemption under the Securities Act or any state securities laws for resale of such Notes. Such beneficial owner understands that none of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the pool of Assets has been registered under the 1940 Act, and that they are exempt from registration as such by virtue of Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
(v)Such beneficial owner is aware that, except as otherwise provided herein, any Notes being sold to it in reliance on Regulation S will be represented by one or more Regulation S Global Notes and that in each case beneficial interests therein may be held only through DTC for the respective accounts of Euroclear or Clearstream.
(vi)Such beneficial owner will provide notice to each Person to whom it proposes to transfer any interest in the Notes of the transfer restrictions and representations set forth in this Section 2.6, including the Exhibits referenced herein.
(vii)Such beneficial owner understands that the Issuer has the right to compel any beneficial owner of any Re-Priced Class that does not consent to a Re-Pricing with respect to its Notes pursuant to the terms hereof to sell its interest in the Notes, or may sell such interest in the Notes on behalf of such beneficial owner in accordance with the terms hereof.
-81-
(viii)(1)(A) The express terms of this Indenture govern the rights of the Holders to direct the commencement of a Proceeding against any Person, (B) this Indenture contains limitations on the rights of the Holders to direct the commencement of any such Proceeding, and (C) each Holder shall comply with such express terms if it seeks to direct the commencement of any such Proceeding; (2) there are no implied rights under this Indenture to direct the commencement of any such Proceeding; and (3) notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture, the Secured Notes, the Preferred Shares, the Collateral Management Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement or any other agreement, the Issuer shall be under no duty or obligation of any kind to the holders of the Notes, or any of them, to institute any legal or other proceedings of any kind, against any person or entity, including, without limitation, the Trustee, the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator or the Calculation Agent.
(ix)Such beneficial owner agrees that the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, may enter into binding commitments to sell and transfer all Notes of a Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting holders pursuant to this Indenture, and if such beneficial owner is a non-consenting holder, it agrees to sell and transfer its Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and hereby irrevocably appoints the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution) in its name, place and stead and at its expense, in connection with such sale and transfer, and agrees to cooperate with the Issuer, the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, or the Trustee to effect such sale and transfers.
(x)Such beneficial owner agrees (A) subject to applicable law to comply with the Holder Reporting Obligations and (B) that the Issuer and/or the Trustee may (1) provide such information and documentation and any other information concerning its investment in the Notes to the Cayman Islands Tax Information Authority, the IRS and any other relevant tax authority or (2) take such other steps as they deem necessary or helpful to enable the Issuer to achieve Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance. Such beneficial owner understands and agrees that if it fails for any reason to comply with the Holder Reporting Obligations or otherwise becomes an Ineligible Tax Holder, the Issuer will have the right, in addition to withholding on “passthru payments” (as defined in the Code) or any other withholding required by Tax Account Reporting Rules as compensation for, and to the extent of, any amounts withheld from payments to or for the benefit of the Issuer as a result of such failure or such ownership, to (x) (to the extent necessary to avoid an adverse effect on the Issuer as a result of such failure or such ownership) compel it to sell its interest in such Note, (y) (if the Holder does not sell its Note within 10 Business Days after the notice from the Issuer or its agents) sell such interest on its behalf in accordance with the procedures specified in Section 2.12, and/or (z) assign to such Note a separate CUSIP or CUSIPs. Such beneficial owner agrees to indemnify the Issuer, the Trustee and other beneficial owners of Notes for all damages, costs and expenses that result from its failure to comply with its Holder Reporting Obligations. This indemnification will continue even after the person ceases to have an ownership interest in the Notes.
(xi)Such beneficial owner, by acceptance of such Notes or an interest in such Notes shall be deemed to have agreed, to treat, and shall treat, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer and
-82-
the Notes as described in the “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” section of the Offering Circular for all U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes and will take no action inconsistent with such treatment unless required by law.
(xii)Such beneficial owner is not a member of the public in the Cayman Islands.
(xiii)Such beneficial owner agrees to be subject to the Bankruptcy Subordination Agreement.
(xiv)Such beneficial owner understands and agrees that such Notes are from time to time and at any time limited recourse obligations of the Issuer (and, in the case of Co‑Issued Notes, the Co-Issuer), payable solely from proceeds of the Assets available at such time in accordance with the Priority of Payments, and following realization of the Assets and application of the proceeds thereof in accordance with this Indenture, all obligations of and any claims against the Issuer (and, in the case of Co‑Issued Notes, the Co-Issuer) thereunder or in connection therewith after such realization will be extinguished and will not thereafter revive.
(xv)In the case of Certificated Notes, such beneficial owner understands that the Issuer is subject to anti-money laundering legislation in the Cayman Islands and that, accordingly, the Issuer may require a detailed verification of the identity of such beneficial owner or any proposed transferee thereof and the source of the payment used by such beneficial owner or transferee for purchasing such Certificated Notes. Such beneficial owner understands that the laws of other major financial centers may impose similar obligations upon the Issuer.
(xvi)Such beneficial owner acknowledges receipt of the Issuer’s privacy notice (which can be accessed at https://www.walkersglobal.com/external/SPVDPNotice.pdf and provides information on the Issuer’s use of personal data in accordance with the Cayman Islands Data Protection Act, 2017 and, in respect of any EU data subjects, the EU General Data Protection Regulation) and, if applicable, agrees to promptly provide the privacy notice (or any updated version thereof as may be provided from time to time) to each individual (such as any individual directors, shareholders, beneficial owners, authorised signatories, trustees or others) whose personal data it provides to the Issuer or any of its affiliates or delegates including, but not limited to the Administrator.
(j)Each Person who becomes an owner of a Certificated Note will be required to make the representations and agreements set forth in Exhibit B-3.
(k)Any purported transfer of a Note not in accordance with this Section 2.6 shall be null and void and shall not be given effect for any purpose whatsoever.
(l)To the extent required by the Issuer, as determined by the Issuer or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, the Issuer may, upon written notice to the Trustee, impose additional transfer restrictions on the Securities to comply with the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 or the Code and other similar laws or regulations, including, without
-83-
limitation, requiring each transferee of a Security to make representations to the Issuer in connection with such compliance.
(m)The Registrar, the Trustee and the Issuers shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the information set forth on the face of any purchaser, transferor and transferee certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 2.6 and shall be able to presume conclusively the continuing accuracy thereof, in each case without further inquiry or investigation. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, the Trustee shall not be required to obtain any certificate specifically required by the terms of this Section 2.6 if the Trustee is not notified of or in a position to know of any transfer requiring such a certificate to be presented by the proposed transferor or transferee.
(n)For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, the Initial Purchaser may hold a position in a Regulation S Global Note prior to the distribution of the applicable Notes represented by such position.
Section 2.7Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Note. If (a) any mutilated or defaced Note is surrendered to a Transfer Agent, or if there shall be delivered to the Applicable Issuer, the Trustee and the relevant Transfer Agent evidence to their reasonable satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, and (b) there is delivered to the Applicable Issuer, the Trustee and such Transfer Agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Applicable Issuer, the Trustee or such Transfer Agent that such Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Applicable Issuer shall execute and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate, or cause the Authenticating Agent to authenticate, and deliver to the Holder, in lieu of any such mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note, of like tenor (including the same date of issuance) and equal principal or face amount, registered in the same manner, dated the date of its authentication, bearing interest from the date to which interest has been paid on the mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Note and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If, after delivery of such new Note, a protected purchaser of the predecessor Note presents for payment, transfer or exchange such predecessor Note, the Applicable Issuer, the Transfer Agent and the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such new Note from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking therefrom, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Applicable Issuer, the Trustee and the Transfer Agent in connection therewith.
In case any such mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become due and payable, the Applicable Issuer in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note pay such Note without requiring surrender thereof except that any mutilated or defaced Note shall be surrendered.
Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section 2.7, the Applicable Issuer may require the payment by the Holder thereof of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
-84-
Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.7 in lieu of any mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Applicable Issuer and such new Note shall be entitled, subject to the second paragraph of this Section 2.7, to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes of the same Class duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section 2.7 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.
Section 2.8Payment of Principal and Interest and Other Amounts; Principal and Interest Rights Preserved. (a) The Secured Notes of each Class shall accrue interest during each Interest Accrual Period at the applicable Interest Rate and such interest will be payable quarterly in arrears on each Payment Date on the Aggregate Outstanding Amount thereof as of the first day of the related Interest Accrual Period (after giving effect to payments of principal thereof on such date), except as otherwise set forth below; provided that any interest bearing Additional Securities issued after the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of this Indenture will accrue interest during the Interest Accrual Period in which such Additional Securities are issued from and including the applicable date of issuance of such Additional Securities to but excluding the last day of such Interest Accrual Period at the applicable Interest Rate for such Additional Securities; provided further that, with respect to any Interest Accrual Period during which a Re-Pricing has occurred, the applicable Interest Rate of any Re-Priced Class shall reflect the applicable Re-Pricing Rate from, and including, the applicable Re-Pricing Date. Payment of interest and distributions on each Class of Securities will be subordinated to the payment of interest on each related Priority Class as provided in Section 11.1. To the extent lawful and enforceable, interest on any interest that is not paid when due on any Secured Notes shall accrue at the Interest Rate for such Class until paid as provided herein.
(b)The principal of each Secured Note of each Class matures at par and is due and payable on the date of the Stated Maturity for such Class, unless such principal has been previously repaid or unless the unpaid principal of such Secured Note becomes due and payable at an earlier date by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payment of principal of each Class of Secured Notes may only occur in accordance with the Priority of Payments. Payments of principal on any Class of Secured Notes which are not paid, in accordance with the Priority of Payments, on any Payment Date (other than the Payment Date which is the Stated Maturity of such Class of Secured Notes or any Redemption Date), because of insufficient funds therefor shall not be considered “due and payable” for purposes of Section 5.1(a) until the Payment Date on which such principal may be paid in accordance with the Priority of Payments or all Priority Classes with respect to such Class have been paid in full.
(c)Principal payments on the Secured Notes will be made in accordance with the Priority of Payments and Article IX.
(d)The Paying Agent shall require the previous delivery of properly completed and signed applicable tax certifications (generally, in the case of U.S. federal income tax, an IRS Form W‑9 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a United States person or the applicable
-85-
IRS Form W‑8 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a Person that is not a United States person) or other certification acceptable to it to enable the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Trustee and any Paying Agent to determine their duties and liabilities with respect to any taxes or other charges that they may be required to pay, deduct or withhold from payments in respect of such Note or the Holder or beneficial owner of such Note under any present or future law or regulation of the United States, any other jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing authority therein or to comply with any reporting or other requirements under any such law or regulation (including any cost basis reporting obligations) and the delivery of any information required under FATCA. The Issuer shall not be obligated to pay any additional amounts to the Holders or beneficial owners of the Notes as a result of deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges with respect to the Notes. Nothing herein shall be construed to obligate the Paying Agent to determine the duties or liabilities of the Issuer or any other paying agent with respect to any tax certification or withholding requirements, or any tax certification or withholding requirements of any jurisdiction, political subdivision or taxing authority outside the United States.
(e)Payments in respect of interest on and principal of any Secured Notes shall be made by the Trustee in Dollars to DTC or its designee with respect to a Global Note and to the Holder or its nominee with respect to a Certificated Note, by wire transfer, as directed by such Person, in immediately available funds to a Dollar account maintained by DTC or its nominee with respect to a Global Note, to the Holder or its nominee with respect to a Certificated Note; provided that in the case of a Certificated Note (1) the Holder thereof shall have provided written wiring instructions to the Trustee on or before the related Record Date and (2) if appropriate instructions for any such wire transfer are not received by the related Record Date, then such payment shall be made by check drawn on a U.S. bank mailed to the address of the Holder specified in the Register. Payments in respect to the Preferred Shares shall be made by the Trustee to the Fiscal Agent, on behalf of the Issuer, for payments to Shareholders. Upon final payment due on the Maturity of a Note, the Holder thereof shall present and surrender such Note at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at the office of any Paying Agent on or prior to such Maturity; provided that if the Trustee and the Issuers shall have been furnished such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and an undertaking thereafter to surrender such certificate, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that the applicable Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, such final payment shall be made without presentation or surrender. None of the Issuers, the Trustee, the Collateral Manager, nor any Paying Agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records (or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing such records) maintained by DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream or any of the Agent Members or any of their nominees relating to or for payments made thereby on account of beneficial interests in a Global Note. In the case where any final payment of principal and interest is to be made on any Secured Note (other than on the Stated Maturity thereof), the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuers shall prior to the date on which such payment is to be made, mail (by first class mail, postage prepaid) to the Persons entitled thereto at their addresses appearing on the Register, a notice which shall specify the date on which such payment will be made, the amount of such payment per U.S.$1,000 original principal amount of such Notes and the place where such Notes may be presented and surrendered for such payment.
(f)Payments of principal to Holders of the Secured Notes of each Class shall be made in the proportion that the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of such
-86-
Class registered in the name of each such Holder on the applicable Record Date bears to the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Secured Notes of such Class on such Record Date.
(g)Interest accrued with respect to the Floating Rate Notes shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in the applicable Interest Accrual Period divided by 360.
(h)All reductions in the principal amount of a Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) effected by payments of installments of principal made on any Payment Date or Redemption Date shall be binding upon all future Holders of such Note and of any Notes issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not such payment is noted on such Note.
(i)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuers under the Co‑Issued Notes and the Issuer under the Securities and this Indenture from time to time and at any time are limited recourse obligations of the Issuers or the Issuer (as applicable) payable solely from the Assets available at such time and following realization of the Assets, and application of the proceeds thereof in accordance with this Indenture, all obligations of and any claims against the Issuers hereunder or in connection herewith after such realization shall be extinguished and shall not thereafter revive. No recourse shall be had against any officer, director, manager, partner, member, employee, shareholder, authorized Person or incorporator of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Collateral Manager or their respective Affiliates, successors or assigns for any amounts payable under the Notes or this Indenture. It is understood that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (i) shall not (i) prevent recourse to the Assets for the sums due or to become due under any security, instrument or agreement which is part of the Assets or (ii) constitute a waiver, release or discharge of any indebtedness or obligation evidenced by the Securities or secured by this Indenture until such Assets have been realized. It is further understood that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (i) shall not limit the right of any Person to name the Issuer or the Co-Issuer as a party defendant in any Proceeding or in the exercise of any other remedy under the Notes or this Indenture, so long as no judgment in the nature of a deficiency judgment or seeking personal liability shall be asked for or (if obtained) enforced against any such Person or entity.
(j)Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.8, each Note delivered under this Indenture and upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to unpaid interest and principal (or other applicable amount) that were carried by such other Note.
Section 2.9Persons Deemed Owners. The Applicable Issuer, the Trustee, and any agent of the Applicable Issuer or the Trustee shall treat as the owner of each Security the Person in whose name such Security is registered on the Register or Share Register, as applicable, on the applicable Record Date for the purpose of receiving payments of principal and interest on such Security and on, other than as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, any other date for all other purposes whatsoever (whether or not such Security is overdue), and neither the Applicable Issuer or the Trustee, or any agent of the Applicable Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
-87-
Section 2.10Cancellation. All Secured Notes surrendered for payment, registration of transfer, exchange or redemption, or deemed lost or stolen, shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee and may not be reissued or resold. No Notes may be surrendered (including any surrender in connection with any abandonment thereof) except for payment as provided herein, or for registration of transfer or exchange as provided herein or for replacement in connection with any Note deemed lost or stolen. Any Notes surrendered for cancellation as permitted by this Section 2.10 shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee. No Notes shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes canceled as provided in this Section 2.10, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Notes held by the Trustee shall be destroyed or held by the Trustee in accordance with its standard retention policy unless the Issuer shall direct by an Issuer Order received prior to destruction that they be returned to it. The Issuers are not permitted to repurchase any Securities; provided that such prohibition will not be deemed to limit the Issuer’s rights or obligations relating to any redemption of the Notes permitted or required pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 2.11DTC Ceases to Be Depository. (a) A Global Note deposited with DTC pursuant to Section 2.2 shall be transferred in the form of a corresponding Certificated Note to the beneficial owners thereof only if (A) such transfer complies with Section 2.6 of this Indenture and (B) either (x)(i) DTC notifies the Applicable Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global Note, or (ii) DTC ceases to be a Clearing Agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in each case, a successor depository is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after receiving notice of such event or (y) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such transfer is requested by any beneficial owner of an interest in such Global Note.
(b)Any Global Note that is transferable in the form of a corresponding Certificated Note to the beneficial owner thereof pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be surrendered by DTC to the Trustee’s Corporate Trust Office to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Applicable Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, or cause the Authenticating Agent to authenticate, and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive physical certificates (pursuant to the instructions of DTC) in authorized denominations. Any Certificated Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6, bear the legends set forth in Exhibit A and shall be subject to the transfer restrictions referred to in such legends.
(c)Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 2.11, the Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which such Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(d)In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in sub‑Section (a) of this Section 2.11, the Applicable Issuer will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Certificated Notes.
If Certificated Notes are not so issued by the Applicable Issuer to such beneficial owners of interests in Global Notes as required by sub-Section (a) of this Section 2.11, the
-88-
Applicable Issuers expressly acknowledge that the beneficial owners shall be entitled to pursue any remedy that the Holders of a Global Note would be entitled to pursue in accordance with Article V of this Indenture (but only to the extent of such beneficial owner’s interest in the Global Note) as if corresponding Certificated Notes had been issued; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon any certificate of ownership provided by such beneficial owners (including a certificate in the form of Exhibit C) and/or other forms of reasonable evidence of such ownership.
Neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall be liable for any delay in the delivery of directions from the DTC, as depository, and may conclusively rely on, and shall be fully protected in relying on, such direction as to the names of the beneficial owners in whose names such Certificated Notes shall be registered or as to delivery instructions for such Certificated Notes.
Section 2.12Non-Permitted Holders. (a) If any U.S. Person that is not a QIB/QP shall become the Holder or beneficial owner of an interest in any Note (other than a Regulation S Global Note) or any U.S. Person shall become the Holder of a Regulation S Global Note (any such Person a “Non-Permitted Holder”), the acquisition of Notes by such Holder shall be null and void ab initio.
(b)The Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer) shall, promptly after discovery that such Person is a Non-Permitted Holder by the Issuer or the Trustee or upon notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (if a trust officer of the Trustee obtains actual knowledge, in which case, the Trustee agrees to notify the Issuer of such discovery), send notice to such Non-Permitted Holder demanding that such Non-Permitted Holder transfer its interest in the Notes held by such Non-Permitted Holder to a Person that is not a Non-Permitted Holder within 30 days after the date of such notice. If such Non-Permitted Holder fails to so transfer such Notes, the Issuer or the Collateral Manager acting for the Issuer shall have the right, without further notice to the Non-Permitted Holder, to sell such Notes or interest in such Notes to a purchaser selected by the Issuer that is not a Non-Permitted Holder on such terms as the Issuer may choose. The Issuer, or the Collateral Manager acting on behalf of the Issuer, may select the purchaser by soliciting one or more bids from one or more brokers or other market professionals that regularly deal in securities similar to the Notes, and sell such Notes to the highest such bidder; provided that the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates and accounts, funds, clients or portfolios established and controlled by the Collateral Manager shall be entitled to bid in any such sale. However, the Issuer or the Collateral Manager may select a purchaser by any other means determined by it in its sole discretion. The Holder of each Note, the Non-Permitted Holder and each other Person in the chain of title from the Holder to the Non-Permitted Holder, by its acceptance of an interest in the Notes, agrees to cooperate with the Issuer, the Collateral Manager and the Trustee to effect such transfers. The proceeds of such sale, net of any commissions, expenses and taxes due in connection with such sale shall be remitted to the Non-Permitted Holder. The terms and conditions of any such sale shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Issuer, and none of the Issuer, the Trustee or the Collateral Manager shall be liable to any Person having an interest in the Notes sold as a result of any such sale or the exercise of such discretion.
(c)If any Person shall become the beneficial owner of an interest in any Note who has made or is deemed to have made a prohibited transaction, Benefit Plan Investor or Other Plan Law representation required by Section 2.6 that is subsequently shown to be false or misleading (any such Person a “Non-Permitted ERISA Holder”), the Issuer (or the Collateral
-89-
Manager on behalf of the Issuer) shall, promptly after discovery that such Person is a Non-Permitted ERISA Holder by the Issuer or upon notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (if a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge and who agrees to notify the Issuer upon obtaining actual knowledge), send notice to such Non-Permitted ERISA Holder demanding that such Non-Permitted ERISA Holder transfer all or any portion of the Notes held by such Person to a Person that is not a Non-Permitted ERISA Holder within 10 days after the date of such notice. If such Non-Permitted ERISA Holder fails to so transfer such Notes, the Issuer shall have the right, without further notice to the Non-Permitted ERISA Holder, to sell such Notes or interest in such Notes to a purchaser selected by the Issuer that is not a Non-Permitted ERISA Holder on such terms as the Issuer may choose. The Issuer may select the purchaser by soliciting one or more bids from one or more brokers or other market professionals that regularly deal in securities similar to the Notes, and selling such Notes to the highest such bidder. The holder of each Note, the Non-Permitted ERISA Holder and each other Person in the chain of title from the Holder to the Non-Permitted ERISA Holder, by its acceptance of an interest in the Notes, agrees to cooperate with the Issuer and the Trustee to effect such transfers. The proceeds of such sale, net of any commissions, expenses and taxes due in connection with such sale shall be remitted to the Non-Permitted ERISA Holder. The terms and conditions of any sale under this sub-Section (c) shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Issuer, and none of the Issuers the Trustee or the Collateral Manager shall be liable to any Person having an interest in the Notes sold as a result of any such sale or the exercise of such discretion.
(d)If (i) a Holder of a Note fails for any reason to comply with the Holder AML Obligations or such information or documentation is not accurate or complete or (ii) the Issuer otherwise reasonably determines that such Holder’s acquisition, holding or transfer of an interest in any Note would cause the Issuer to be unable to achieve AML Compliance, the Issuer (or any intermediary on the Issuer’s behalf) shall have the right to (x) compel the relevant Holder to sell its interest in such Note or (y) sell such interest on such Holder’s behalf. The Issuer shall not compel sales for failure to provide such other information or documentation as may be required under the Cayman AML Regulations unless the Issuer reasonably determines the Holder’s acquisition, holding or transfer of an interest in such Note would result in a materially adverse effect on the Issuer.
Section 2.13Treatment and Tax Certification. (a) Each Holder will timely furnish the Issuer, the Trustee or their respective agents with any tax forms or certifications (including, without limitation, IRS Form W-9, an applicable IRS Form W-8 (together with all applicable attachments), or any successors to such IRS forms) that the Issuer, the Trustee or their respective agents reasonably request in order to (A) make payments to the Holder without, or at a reduced rate of, withholding, (B) qualify for a reduced rate of withholding in any jurisdiction from or through which they receive payments, and (C) satisfy reporting and other obligations under the Code, Treasury regulations, or any other applicable law or regulation (including the Tax Account Reporting Rules), and will update or replace such tax forms or certifications in accordance with their terms or subsequent amendments. Such Holder acknowledges that the failure to provide, update or replace any such tax forms or certifications may result in the imposition of withholding or back-up withholding on payments to the beneficial owner, or to the Issuer. Amounts withheld by the Issuer or their agents that are, in their sole judgment, required to be withheld pursuant to applicable tax laws will be treated as having been paid to such Holder by the Issuer.
-90-
(b)Each Holder will comply with the Holder Reporting Obligations. In the event such Holder fails for any reason to comply with the Holder Reporting Obligations or otherwise becomes an Ineligible Tax Holder, or to the extent that its ownership of Notes would otherwise cause the Issuer to be subject to any tax under FATCA, the Issuer (and any agent acting on its behalf) is authorized to (A) withhold amounts otherwise distributable to the investor as compensation for, and to the extent of, any amounts withheld from payments to or for the benefit of the Issuer as a result of such failure or such ownership, and (B) to the extent necessary to avoid an adverse effect on the Issuer as a result of such failure or such ownership, the Issuer will have the right to compel the investor to sell its Notes and, if such person does not sell its Notes within 10 Business Days after notice from the Issuer or its agents, the Issuer will have the right to sell such Notes at a public or private sale called and conducted in any manner permitted by law, and to remit the net proceeds of such sale (taking into account, in addition to other related costs and charges, any taxes incurred by the Issuer in connection with such sale) to such person as payment in full for such Notes and/or (C) assign to such Note a separate CUSIP or CUSIPs. Each Holder agrees that the Issuer, the Trustee and/or their agents or representatives may (1) provide any information and documentation concerning its investment in its Notes to the Cayman Islands Tax Information Authority, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and any other relevant tax authority and (2) take such other steps as they deem necessary or helpful to ensure that the Issuer achieves Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance.
(c)Each Holder will be required or deemed to represent that, if it is not a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it:
(i)is:
(A)not a bank (or an entity affiliated with a bank) extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business (within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code);
(B)not a “10 percent shareholder” with respect to the holder or any beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) or section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code; and
(C)not a “controlled foreign corporation” that is related to the holder or any beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code;
(ii)has provided an IRS Form W-8ECI representing that all payments received or to be received by it from the Issuer are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States and includible in its gross income; or
(iii)is eligible for benefits under an income tax treaty with the United States that eliminates U.S. federal income taxation of payments on the Notes.
-91-
(d)Each Holder will be required or deemed to agree to provide the Issuer and the Trustee with certifications necessary to establish that it is not subject to withholding tax under the Tax Account Reporting Rules.
(e)Each Holder represents that it is not a member of an “expanded group” (as defined in Treasury regulations section 1.385-1(c)(4)) with respect to which a beneficial owner of Preferred Shares is a “covered member” (as defined in Treasury regulations section 1.385-1(c)(2)), except to the extent that the Issuer or its agents have provided such beneficial owner with an express waiver of this representation.
(f)Each Holder and beneficial owner of Preferred Shares will be required or deemed to agree to act in accordance with Sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the Fiscal Agency Agreement, as in effect on the Closing Date.
ARTICLE III
Conditions Precedent
Section 3.1Conditions to Issuance of Securities on Closing Date. (a) The Notes to be issued on the Closing Date may be executed by the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee for authentication and thereupon the same shall be authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered by the Trustee upon Issuer Order and upon receipt by the Trustee of the following:
(i)Officers’ Certificate of the Issuers Regarding Corporate Matters. An Officer’s certificate of the Issuers (A) evidencing the authorization by Resolution of the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and related transaction documents and the execution, authentication and delivery of the Notes, (B) specifying the Stated Maturity, principal amount and Interest Rate of each Class of Notes to be authenticated and delivered, and (C) certifying that (1) the attached copy of the Resolutions are a true and complete copy thereof, (2) such Resolutions have not been rescinded and are in full force and effect on and as of the Closing Date and (3) the Officers authorized to execute and deliver such documents hold the offices and have the signatures indicated thereon.
(ii)Governmental Approvals. From each of the Issuers either (A) a certificate of the Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, or other official document evidencing the due authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body or bodies, at the time having jurisdiction in the premises, together with an Opinion of Counsel of the Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, that no other authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body is required for the performance by the Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or (B) an Opinion of Counsel of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, that no such authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body is required for the performance by the Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, of its obligations under the Transaction Documents except as has been given.
-92-
(iii)Opinions. Opinions of (A) Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, counsel to the Issuers, the Collateral Manager and the Retention Holder, (B) Walkers, Cayman Islands counsel to the Issuer, (C) Nixon Peabody LLP, counsel to the Trustee and Collateral Administrator and (D) Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Initial Purchaser, each dated the Closing Date.
(iv)Officers’ Certificate of the Issuers Regarding Indenture. An Officer’s certificate of each of the Issuers stating that, to the best of the signing Officer’s knowledge, the Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, is not in default under this Indenture and that the issuance of the Notes applied for by it will not result in a default or a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, its Organizational Documents, any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; that all conditions precedent provided herein relating to the authentication and delivery of the Notes have been complied with; and that all expenses due or accrued with respect to the offering of such Notes or relating to actions taken on or in connection with the Closing Date have been paid or reserves therefor have been made. The Officer’s certificates of each of the Issuers shall also state that, to the best of the signing Officer’s knowledge, all of the Issuer’s or Co-Issuer’s, as applicable, representations and warranties contained herein are true and correct as of the Closing Date.
(v)Certificate of ORTF. An Officer’s certificate of ORTF, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that ORTF will not take any action that would result in the Issuer being treated as a corporation or a “publicly traded partnership” taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(vi)Certificate of the Collateral Manager. An Officer’s certificate of the Collateral Manager, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that immediately before the Delivery of the Collateral Obligations on the Closing Date:
(A)the information with respect to each Collateral Obligation in the Schedule of Collateral Obligations is true and correct and such schedule is complete with respect to each such Collateral Obligation;
(B)each Collateral Obligation in the Schedule of Collateral Obligations satisfies the requirements of the definition of “Collateral Obligation”; and
(C)the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations which the Issuer has purchased or entered into binding commitments to purchase on or prior to the Closing Date is at least U.S.$240,000,000.
(vii)Grant of Collateral Obligations. Contemporaneously with the issuance and sale of the Securities on the Closing Date, the Grant pursuant to the Granting Clauses of this Indenture of all of the Issuer’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral Obligations pledged to the Trustee for inclusion in the Assets on the Closing Date shall be effective, and Delivery of such Collateral Obligations (including each promissory note and
-93-
all other Underlying Documents related thereto to the extent received by the Issuer) as contemplated by Section 3.3 shall have been effected.
(viii)Certificate of the Issuer Regarding Assets. An Officer’s certificate of the Issuer, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that:
(A)in the case of each Collateral Obligation pledged to the Trustee for inclusion in the Assets, on the Closing Date and immediately prior to the Delivery thereof (or immediately after Delivery thereof, in the case of clause (VI)(y) below) on the Closing Date;
(I)the Issuer is the owner of such Collateral Obligation free and clear of any liens, claims or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever except for (i) those which are being released on the Closing Date; (ii) those Granted pursuant to this Indenture and (iii) any other Permitted Liens;
(II)the Issuer has acquired its ownership in such Collateral Obligation in good faith without notice of any adverse claim, except as described in clause (I) above;
(III)the Issuer has not assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered any interest in such Collateral Obligation (or, if any such interest has been assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered, it has been released) other than interests Granted pursuant to this Indenture and the Account Agreement;
(IV)the Issuer has full right to Grant a security interest in and assign and pledge such Collateral Obligation to the Trustee;
(V)based on the certificate of the Collateral Manager delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(vi), the information set forth with respect to such Collateral Obligation in the Schedule of Collateral Obligations is true and correct;
(VI)(x) based on the certificate of the Collateral Manager delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(vi), each Collateral Obligation included in the Assets satisfies the requirements of the definition of “Collateral Obligation” and (y) the requirements of Section 3.1(a)(vii) have been satisfied;
(VII)upon the Grant by the Issuer, the Trustee has a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral Obligations and other Assets, except as permitted by this Indenture; and
(B)based on the certificate of the Collateral Manager delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(vi), the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations which the Issuer has purchased or entered into binding commitments to purchase on or prior to the Closing Date is at least U.S.$240,000,000.
-94-
(ix)Rating Letter. An Officer’s certificate of the Issuer to the effect that attached thereto is a true and correct copy of a letter signed by the Rating Agency, and confirming that each Class of Secured Notes has been assigned the applicable Initial Rating and that such ratings are in effect on the Closing Date.
(x)Accounts. Evidence of the establishment of each of the Accounts.
(xi)Issuer Order for Deposit of Funds into Accounts. The Issuer hereby authorizes the deposit of the amounts set forth in the Issuer Order delivered on the Closing Date into each of the Ramp-Up Account for use pursuant to Section 10.3(c), the Expense Reserve Account as Interest Proceeds for use pursuant to Section 10.3(d) and the Interest Reserve Account for use pursuant to Section 10.3(e).
(xii)Other Documents. Such other documents as the Trustee may reasonably require; provided that nothing in this clause (xii) shall imply or impose a duty on the part of the Trustee to require any other documents.
Section 3.2Conditions to Issuance of Additional Securities. (a) Additional Notes to be issued on an Additional Securities Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.4 may be executed by the Applicable Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for authentication and thereupon the same shall be authenticated and delivered to the Applicable Issuer by the Trustee upon Issuer Order, upon compliance with clauses (vi) and (vii) of Section 3.1 (with all references therein to the Closing Date being deemed to be the applicable Additional Securities Closing Date and the Aggregate Principal Balance being deemed to be the Aggregate Principal Balance as of the applicable Additional Securities Closing Date) and upon receipt by the Trustee of the following:
(i)Officers’ Certificate of the Issuers Regarding Corporate Matters. An Officer’s certificate of each of the Issuers (1) evidencing the authorization by Resolution of each of the Issuers of the execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture and the execution, authentication and delivery of the Additional Securities applied for by it and, if applicable, specifying the Stated Maturity, the principal amount and Interest Rate of each Class of such Additional Securities to be authenticated and delivered, and (2) certifying that (a) the attached copy of such Resolutions are a true and complete copy thereof, (b) such Resolutions have not been rescinded and are in full force and effect on and as of the Additional Securities Closing Date and (c) the Officers authorized to execute and deliver such documents hold the offices and have the signatures indicated thereon.
(ii)Governmental Approvals. From each of the Issuers either (A) a certificate of the Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, or other official document evidencing the due authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body or bodies, at the time having jurisdiction in the premises, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that no other authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body is required for the valid issuance of such Additional Securities, or (B) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that no such authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body is required for the valid issuance of such Additional Securities except as have been given; provided that the opinions delivered pursuant to Section 3.2(iii) may satisfy the requirement.
-95-
(iii)Counsel Opinion. Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, special counsel to the Issuers or other counsel acceptable to the Trustee, dated the Additional Securities Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee.
(iv)Officers’ Certificate of the Issuers Regarding Indenture. An Officer’s certificate of each of the Issuers stating that the Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, is not in default under this Indenture and that the issuance of the Additional Securities applied for by it shall not result in a default or a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, its Organizational Documents, any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered in any Proceeding to which it is a party or by which it may be bound or to which it may be subject; that all conditions precedent provided in this Indenture and the supplemental indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of the Additional Securities applied for have been complied with and that the authentication and delivery of the Additional Securities is authorized or permitted under this Indenture and the supplemental indenture entered into in connection with such Additional Securities; and that all expenses due or accrued with respect to the Offering of the Additional Securities or relating to actions taken on or in connection with the Additional Securities Closing Date have been paid or reserved. The Officer’s certificate of the Issuer shall also state that all of its representations and warranties contained herein are true and correct as of the Additional Securities Closing Date.
(v)S&P Rating Condition. To the extent required by Section 2.4, evidence that the S&P Rating Condition has been satisfied with respect to such issuance of Additional Securities.
(vi)Other Documents. Such other documents as the Trustee may reasonably require; provided that nothing in this clause (vi) shall imply or impose a duty on the Trustee to so require any other documents.
(b)Prior to any Additional Securities Closing Date, the Trustee shall provide to the Holders notice of such issuance of Additional Securities as soon as reasonably practicable but in no case less than fifteen (15) days prior to the Additional Securities Closing Date; provided that the Trustee shall receive such notice at least two (2) Business Days prior to the 15th day prior to such Additional Securities Closing Date. On or prior to any Additional Securities Closing Date, the Trustee shall provide to the Holders copies of any supplemental indentures executed as part of such issuance pursuant to Article VIII.
Section 3.3Custodianship; Delivery of Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments. (a) The Collateral Manager, on behalf of the Issuer, shall deliver or cause to be delivered, on or prior to the Closing Date (with respect to the initial Collateral Obligations) and within five (5) Business Days after the related Cut-Off Date (with respect to any additional Collateral Obligations) to a custodian appointed by the Issuer, which shall be a Securities Intermediary (the “Custodian”) or the Trustee, as applicable, all Assets in accordance with the definition of “Deliver”. The Custodian appointed hereby shall act as agent and bailee for the Trustee on behalf of the Secured Parties. Initially, the Custodian shall be the Bank and if such
-96-
institution’s rating falls below “A” and “A-1” by S&P (or below “A+” by S&P if such institution has no short-term rating) the Assets held by the Custodian shall be moved within 30 calendar days to another institution that is rated at least “A” and “A-1” by S&P (or at least “A+” by S&P if such institution has no short-term rating) and is subject to regulations regarding fiduciary funds on deposit similar to Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulation Section 9.10(b). Any successor custodian shall also be a state or national bank or trust company that (i) has capital and surplus of at least U.S.$200,000,000 and (ii) is a Securities Intermediary.
(b)Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Trustee shall hold (i) all Collateral Obligations, Eligible Investments, Cash and other investments purchased in accordance with this Indenture and (ii) any other property of the Issuer otherwise Delivered to the Trustee or the Custodian, as applicable, by or on behalf of the Issuer, in the relevant Account established and maintained pursuant to Article X as to which, in each case, the Issuer and the Trustee shall have entered into the Account Agreement providing, inter alia, that the establishment and maintenance of such Account will be governed by a law of a jurisdiction satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee.
(c)Each time that the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer directs or causes the acquisition of any Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment or other investment, the Collateral Manager (on behalf of the Issuer) shall, if the Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment or other investment is required to be, but has not already been, transferred to the relevant Account, cause the Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment or other investment to be Delivered. The security interest of the Trustee in the funds or other property used in connection with the acquisition shall, immediately and without further action on the part of the Trustee, be released. The security interest of the Trustee shall nevertheless come into existence and continue in the Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment or other investment so acquired, including all interests of the Issuer in any contracts related to and proceeds of such Collateral Obligation, Eligible Investment or other investment.
(d)The Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on its behalf) shall cause any other Assets acquired by the Issuer to be Delivered.
ARTICLE IV
Satisfaction and Discharge
Section 4.1Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, (iii) rights of Holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, (iv) the rights, protections, indemnities and immunities of the Trustee and the specific obligations of the Trustee set forth below hereunder, (v) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Collateral Manager hereunder and under the Collateral Management Agreement, (vi) the rights, protections, indemnities and immunities of the Collateral Administrator hereunder and under the Collateral Administration Agreement and (vii) the rights of Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property deposited with the Trustee and payable to all or any of them (and the Trustee, on demand of and
-97-
at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture) when:
(a)(i) either:
(A)all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered to Holders other than (1) Notes which have been mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.7 and (2) Notes for whose payment funds have theretofore irrevocably been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 7.3 have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B)all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable, or (2) shall become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (3) are to be called for redemption pursuant to Article IX under an arrangement satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Issuer pursuant to Section 9.4 and either (x) the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust for such purpose, Cash or non-callable direct obligations of the United States; provided that the obligations are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States or are debt obligations which are rated “AAA” by S&P, in an amount sufficient, as recalculated by a firm of Independent certified public accountants which are nationally recognized, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable), or to the respective Stated Maturity or the respective Redemption Date, as the case may be, and shall have Granted to the Trustee a valid perfected security interest in such Eligible Investment that is of first priority or free of any adverse claim, as applicable, and shall have furnished an Opinion of Counsel with respect thereto or (y) in the event all of the Assets are liquidated following the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 5.5(a), the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid all proceeds of such liquidation of the Assets in accordance with the Priority of Payments;
(ii)the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable hereunder (including any amounts then due and payable pursuant to the Collateral Administration Agreement and the Collateral Management Agreement without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap) by the Issuer and no other amounts are scheduled to be due and payable by the Issuers other than Dissolution Expenses (it being understood that the requirements of this clause (ii) may be satisfied as set forth in Section 5.7); and
(iii)the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee Officer’s certificates, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with; or
(b)(i) the Trustee confirms to the Issuer that:
-98-
(A)the Trustee is not holding any Assets (other than (x) the Collateral Management Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement, the Loan Sale Agreement and the Account Agreement and (y) Cash in an amount not greater than the Dissolution Expenses); and
(B)no assets (other than Excluded Property and Cash in an amount not greater than the Dissolution Expenses) are on deposit in or to the credit of any deposit account or securities account (including any Accounts) in the name of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer (or the Trustee for the benefit of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Secured Party);
(ii)each of the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee a certificate stating that (1) there are no Assets (other than (x) the Collateral Management Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement and the Account Agreement and (y) Cash in an amount not greater than the Dissolution Expenses) that remain subject to the lien of this Indenture, and (2) all funds on deposit in the Accounts have been distributed in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or have otherwise been irrevocably deposited with the Trustee for such purpose; and
(iii)the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee Officer’s certificates, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Upon the discharge of this Indenture, the Trustee shall provide such certifications to the Issuer or the Administrator as may be reasonably required by the Issuer or the Administrator in order for the liquidation of the Issuer to be completed.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the rights and obligations of the Issuers, the Trustee, the Collateral Manager and, if applicable, the Holders, as the case may be, under Sections 2.8, 4.2, 5.4(d), 5.9, 5.18, 6.1, 6.3, 6.6, 6.7, 7.1, 7.3, 13.1, 14.10, 14.11, and 14.12 shall survive.
Section 4.2Application of Trust Funds. All amounts deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, including, without limitation, the Priority of Payments, to the payment of principal and interest, either directly or through any Paying Agent, as the Trustee may determine; and such amounts shall be held in an Account meeting the requirements of Section 10.1.
Section 4.3Repayment of Funds Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes, all amounts then held by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Trustee to be held and applied pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof and in accordance with the Priority of Payments and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such amounts.
Section 4.4Limitation on Obligation to Incur Administrative Expenses. If at any time when this Indenture is eligible to be discharged pursuant to Section 4.1, the sum of (i) Eligible Investments, (ii) Cash and (iii) amounts reasonably expected to be received by the
-99-
Issuer in Cash during the current Collection Period (as certified by the Collateral Manager in its reasonable judgment) is less than the sum of Dissolution Expenses and any accrued and unpaid Administrative Expenses, then notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Issuers shall no longer be required to incur Administrative Expenses as otherwise required by this Indenture to any Person other than the Trustee and their Affiliates, and the Collateral Manager, and failure to pay such amounts or provide or obtain any opinions, reports or services required under this Indenture shall not constitute a Default hereunder, and the Trustee shall have no liability for any failure to obtain or receive any of the foregoing opinions, reports or services.
ARTICLE V
Remedies
Section 5.1Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a)a default in the payment, when due and payable, of (i) any interest on any Class A Note and, in each case, the continuation of any such default for five (5) Business Days after a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge or receives notice from any holder of Securities of such payment default, or (ii) any principal of, or interest on, or any Redemption Price in respect of, any Secured Note at its Stated Maturity or any Redemption Date; provided that the failure to effect any Optional Redemption which is withdrawn by the Issuer in accordance with this Indenture or with respect to which any Refinancing fails to occur shall not constitute an Event of Default and provided further that, solely with respect to clause (i) above, in the case of a failure to disburse funds due to an administrative error or omission by the Collateral Manager, the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or any Paying Agent, such failure continues for seven (7) Business Days after a Trust Officer of the Trustee receives written notice or has actual knowledge of such administrative error or omission;
(b)the failure on any Payment Date to disburse amounts available in the Payment Account in excess of U.S.$25,000 in accordance with the Priority of Payments and continuation of such failure for a period of ten (10) Business Days or, in the case of a failure to disburse due to an administrative error or omission by the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or any Paying Agent, such failure continues for seven (7) Business Days after a Trust Officer of the Trustee receives written notice or has actual knowledge of such administrative error or omission;
(c)any of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the Assets becomes an investment company required to be registered under the 1940 Act and that status continues for forty-five (45) consecutive days;
(d)except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.1, a default in a material respect in the performance, or breach in a material respect, of any other material covenant of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer herein (it being understood, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, that (i) any failure to meet any Concentration Limitation, Collateral Quality Test or Coverage Test is not an Event of Default, except to the extent provided in clause (e) below and (ii) the failure of
-100-
the Issuer to satisfy the requirements of Section 7.18 will not constitute an Event of Default (unless the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the Collateral Manager acting on behalf of the Issuer, has acted in bad faith)), or the failure of any material representation or warranty of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer made herein or in any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith to be correct in each case in all material respects when the same shall have been made, which default, breach or failure has a material adverse effect on the Holders of the Securities and continues for a period of thirty (30) days after notice to the Issuer and the Collateral Manager by registered or certified mail or overnight delivery service, by the Trustee at the direction of the Holders of at least a Majority of the Controlling Class, specifying such default, breach or failure and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; provided that the delivery of a certificate or other report which corrects any inaccuracy contained in a previous report or certification shall be deemed to cure such inaccuracy as of the date of delivery of such updated report or certificate and any and all inaccuracies arising from continuation of such initial inaccurate report or certificate and the sale or other disposition of any asset that did not at the time of its acquisition satisfy any of the investment criteria set forth in this Indenture shall cure any breach or failure arising therefrom as of the date of such sale or disposition;
(e)on any Measurement Date as of which the Class A Notes are Outstanding, failure of the percentage equivalent of a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is equal to (1) the Collateral Principal Amount plus (2) the aggregate Market Value of all Defaulted Obligations on such date and (ii) the denominator of which is equal to the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Class A Notes, to equal or exceed 102.5%;
(f)the entry of a decree or order by a court having competent jurisdiction adjudging either of the Issuers as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of either of the Issuers under any Bankruptcy Law or any other applicable law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, provisional liquidator, assignee, or sequestrator (or other similar official) of either of the Issuers or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, respectively, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or
(g)the institution by either of the Issuers of Proceedings to have either of the Issuers adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent of either of the Issuers to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency Proceedings against either of the Issuers, or the filing by either of the Issuers of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any Bankruptcy Law or any other similar applicable law, or the consent by either of the Issuers to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment in a Proceeding of a receiver, liquidator, provisional liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or other similar official) of either of the Issuers or of any substantial part of its property, respectively, or the making by either of the Issuers of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by either of the Issuers in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the shareholders of the Issuer passing a resolution to have the Issuer wound up on a voluntary basis, or the taking of any action by either of the Issuers in furtherance of any such action.
Upon a Responsible Officer’s obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of an Event of Default, each of (i) the Issuers, (ii) the Trustee and (iii) the Collateral Manager shall notify each
-101-
other. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall promptly (and in no event later than three (3) Business Days thereafter) notify the Holders (as their names appear on the Register or Share Register, as applicable), each Paying Agent and the Rating Agency of such Event of Default in writing (unless such Event of Default has been waived as provided in Section 5.14).
Section 5.2Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. (a) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(f) or (g)), the Trustee may, and shall, upon the written direction of a Majority of the Controlling Class, by notice to the Issuer and the Rating Agency, declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Secured Notes to be immediately due and payable, and upon any such declaration such principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and other amounts payable hereunder, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(f) or (g) occurs, all unpaid principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, of all the Secured Notes, and other amounts payable thereunder and hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
(b)At any time after such a declaration of acceleration of maturity has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article V, a Majority of the Controlling Class by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(i)The Issuer has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
(A)all unpaid installments of interest and principal then due on the Secured Notes (other than any principal amounts due to the occurrence of an acceleration); and
(B)all unpaid taxes and Administrative Expenses of the Issuers and other sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder or by the Collateral Administrator under the Collateral Administration Agreement or hereunder, accrued and unpaid Collateral Management Fee then due and owing and any other amounts then payable by the Issuers hereunder prior to such Administrative Expenses and such Collateral Management Fee; or
(ii)It has been determined that all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the interest on or principal of the Secured Notes that has become due solely by such acceleration, have:
(A)been cured; and
(I)in the case of an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(a) due to failure to pay interest on the Class A Notes or in Section 5.1(e), a Majority of the Class A Notes, by written notice to the Trustee, have agreed with such determination (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); or
-102-
(II)in the case of any other Event of Default, a Majority of each Class of Secured Notes (voting separately by Class), in each case, by written notice to the Trustee, have agreed with such determination (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); or
(B)been waived as provided in Section 5.14.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon. The Trustee shall provide notice to S&P upon any such rescission.
(c)Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.2 to the contrary, the Secured Notes will not be subject to acceleration by the Trustee solely as a result of the failure to pay any amount due on the Secured Notes that are not of the Controlling Class.
Section 5.3Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Issuers covenant that if a default shall occur in respect of the payment of any principal of or interest when due and payable on any Secured Notes, the Issuers will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holder of such Secured Notes, the whole amount, if any, then due and payable on such Secured Notes for principal and interest with interest upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payments of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon overdue installments of interest, at the applicable Interest Rate, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel.
If the Issuers fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may, and shall, subject to the terms of this Indenture (including Section 6.3(e)) upon direction of a Majority of the Controlling Class, institute a Proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such Proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Secured Notes and collect the amounts adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the Assets.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion, and shall, subject to the terms of this Indenture (including Section 6.3(e)) upon written direction of a Majority of the Controlling Class, proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Secured Parties by such appropriate Proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual (if no such direction is received by the Trustee) or as the Trustee may be directed by a Majority of the Controlling Class, to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement herein or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy or legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
In case there shall be pending Proceedings relative to either of the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Secured Notes under the Bankruptcy Law or any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken
-103-
possession of the Issuer its respective property or such other obligor or its property, or in case of any other comparable Proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Secured Notes, or the creditors or property of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, regardless of whether the principal of any Secured Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and regardless of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.3, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such Proceedings or otherwise:
(a)to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Secured Notes upon direction by a Majority of the Controlling Class and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, except as a result of negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders allowed in any Proceedings relative to the Issuer or to the creditors or property of the Issuer;
(b)unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the Holders upon the direction of a Majority of the Controlling Class, in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency Proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable Proceedings; and
(c)to collect and receive any amounts or other property payable to or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver or liquidator, custodian or other similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Holders to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad faith.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holders, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Notes or any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holders, as applicable, in any such Proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar Person.
In any Proceedings brought by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Secured Notes (and any such Proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Secured Notes.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.3 to the contrary, the Trustee may not sell or liquidate the Assets or institute Proceedings in furtherance thereof pursuant to this Section 5.3 except according to the provisions specified in Section 5.5(a).
-104-
Section 5.4Remedies. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Secured Notes have been declared due and payable and such declaration and its consequences have not been rescinded and annulled, the Issuers agree that the Trustee may, and shall, subject to the terms of this Indenture (including Section 6.3(e)), upon written direction of a Majority of the Controlling Class, to the extent permitted by applicable law, exercise one or more of the following rights, privileges and remedies:
(i)institute Proceedings for the collection of all amounts then payable on the Secured Notes or otherwise payable under this Indenture, whether by declaration or otherwise, enforce any judgment obtained, and collect from the Assets any amounts adjudged due;
(ii)sell or cause the sale of all or a portion of the Assets or rights or interests therein, at one or more public or private sales called and conducted in any manner permitted by law and in accordance with Section 5.17 hereof;
(iii)institute Proceedings from time to time for the complete or partial foreclosure of this Indenture with respect to the Assets;
(iv)exercise any remedies of a secured party under the UCC and take any other appropriate action to protect and enforce the rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders of the Secured Notes hereunder (including exercising all rights of the Trustee under the Account Agreement); and
(v)exercise any other rights and remedies that may be available at law or in equity;
provided that the Trustee may not sell or liquidate the Assets or institute Proceedings in furtherance thereof pursuant to this Section 5.4 except according to the provisions of Section 5.5(a).
The Trustee may, but need not, obtain and rely upon an opinion of an Independent investment banking firm of national reputation in structuring and distributing securities similar to the Secured Notes (the reasonable cost of which shall be payable as an Administrative Expense), which may be the Initial Purchaser, as to the feasibility of any action proposed to be taken in accordance with this Section 5.4 and as to the sufficiency of the proceeds and other amounts receivable with respect to the Assets to make the required payments of principal of and interest on the Secured Notes which opinion shall be conclusive evidence as to such feasibility or sufficiency.
(b)If an Event of Default as described in Section 5.1(d) hereof shall have occurred and be continuing the Trustee may, and at the direction of the Holders of not less than 25% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Controlling Class shall, subject to the terms of this Indenture (including Section 6.3(e)), institute a Proceeding solely to compel performance of the covenant or agreement or to cure the representation or warranty, the breach of which gave rise to the Event of Default under such Section, and enforce any equitable decree or order arising from such Proceeding.
(c)Upon any sale, whether made under the power of sale hereby given or by virtue of judicial Proceedings, any of the Holders of the Securities, the Trustee, the Collateral
-105-
Manager, ORTF, the Collateral Administrator or any Affiliate of the Issuers may bid for and purchase the Assets or any part thereof and, upon compliance with the terms of sale and applicable law (including the Advisers Act), may hold, retain, possess or dispose of such property in its or their own absolute right without accountability.
Upon any sale, whether made under the power of sale hereby given or by virtue of judicial Proceedings, the receipt of the Trustee, or of the Officer making a sale under judicial Proceedings, shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers at any sale for its or their payment of the purchase price, and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obliged to see to the application thereof.
Any such sale, whether under any power of sale hereby given or by virtue of judicial Proceedings, shall bind the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, shall operate to divest all right, title and interest whatsoever, either at law or in equity, of each of them in and to the property sold, and shall be a perpetual bar, both at law and in equity, against each of them and their successors and assigns, and against any and all Persons claiming through or under them.
(d)If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Trustee has directed or been directed to cause a liquidation of the Assets pursuant to this Indenture, ORTF shall have the right to make a contribution in an amount no less than would be sufficient to discharge in full the amounts then due (or, in the case of interest, accrued) and unpaid on the Secured Notes for principal and interest and all other amounts that, pursuant to the Priority of Payments, are required to be paid prior to such payments on such Secured Notes (including any amounts due and owing as Administrative Expenses (without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap) and any due and unpaid Base Management Fee) and upon the making of such contribution, any such direction for liquidation shall be null and void and any liquidation procedures or auction shall be terminated.
(e)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, none of the Trustee, the Secured Parties or the Holders may, prior to the date which is one year (or if longer, any applicable preference period) plus one day after the payment in full of all Notes and any other debt obligations of the Issuer that have been rated upon issuance, institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, the Issuer or the Co-Issuer any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium, winding up or liquidation Proceedings, or other similar Proceedings under Cayman Islands, U.S. federal or state bankruptcy or similar laws. Nothing in this Section 5.4 shall preclude, or be deemed to estop, the Trustee (i) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned period in (A) any case or Proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Issuer or the Co-Issuer (B) any involuntary insolvency Proceeding filed or commenced by a Person other than the Trustee, or (ii) from commencing against the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any of its properties any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium, liquidation or similar Proceeding. The restrictions described this Section 5.4(e) are a material inducement for each Holder and beneficial owner of Notes to acquire such Notes and for the Issuer, the Co-Issuer and the Collateral Manager to enter into this Indenture (in the case of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer) and the other applicable Transaction Documents and are an essential term of this Indenture. Any Holder, beneficial owner of Notes or either of the Issuers may seek and obtain specific performance of such restrictions (including injunctive relief), including, without limitation, in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
-106-
insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings under Cayman Islands law, United States federal or state bankruptcy law or similar laws.
(f)In the event one or more Holders or beneficial owners of Securities cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer in violation of the prohibition described in Section 5.4(e) above, such Holder(s) or beneficial owner(s) will be deemed to acknowledge and agree that any claim that such Holder(s) or beneficial owner(s) have against the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or with respect to any Assets (including any proceeds thereof) shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Priority of Payments, be fully subordinate in right of payment to the claims of each Holder and beneficial owner of any Secured Notes that does not seek to cause any such filing, with such subordination being effective until each Secured Note held by each Holder or beneficial owner of any Secured Notes that does not seek to cause any such filing is paid in full in accordance with the Priority of Payments (after giving effect to such subordination). The terms described in the immediately preceding sentence are referred to herein as the “Bankruptcy Subordination Agreement”. The Bankruptcy Subordination Agreement will constitute a “subordination agreement” within the meaning of Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon an issuer order from the Issuer with respect to the payment of amounts payable to Holders, which amounts are subordinated pursuant to this Section 5.4(f).
(g)The Issuer or the Co‑Issuer, as applicable, shall, so long as any Notes remain Outstanding and for a year and a day thereafter, timely file an answer and any other appropriate pleading objecting to (i) the institution of any proceeding to have the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer, as the case may be, adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, or (ii) the filing of any petition seeking relief, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, liquidation, winding up or composition of or in respect of the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer, as the case may be, under any Bankruptcy Law or any other applicable law. The reasonable fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Issuer or Co‑Issuer (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) in connection with taking any such action shall be paid as Administrative Expenses.
Section 5.5Optional Preservation of Assets. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (but subject to the right of the Collateral Manager to direct the Trustee to sell Collateral Obligations or Equity Securities in strict compliance with Section 12.1), if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee shall retain the Assets securing the Secured Notes intact, collect and cause the collection of the proceeds thereof and make and apply all payments at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and deposit and maintain all accounts in respect of the Assets and the Securities in accordance with the Priority of Payments and the provisions of Article X, Article XII and Article XIII unless:
(i)the Trustee, pursuant to Section 5.5(c), determines that the anticipated proceeds of a sale or liquidation of the Assets (after deducting the reasonable expenses of such sale or liquidation) would be sufficient to discharge in full the amounts then due (or, in the case of interest, accrued) and unpaid on the Secured Notes for principal and interest, and all other amounts that, pursuant to the Priority of Payments, are required to be paid prior to such payments on such Secured Notes (including any amounts due and owing as Administrative Expenses (without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap) and any due and unpaid Base Management Fee) and a Majority of the Controlling Class agrees with such determination and directs the sale and liquidation of the Assets;
-107-
(ii)in the case of an Event of Default specified in (A) Section 5.1(a) due to a failure to pay interest on the Class A Notes in accordance with the Priority of Interest Proceeds or the Priority of Principal Proceeds, (B) Section 5.1(a) due to failure to pay interest on the Class A Notes in accordance with the Special Priority of Payments or (C) Section 5.1(e), the Holders of at least a Majority of the Class A Notes direct the sale and liquidation of the Assets (in each case without regard to whether another Event of Default has occurred prior, contemporaneously or subsequent to such Event of Default); or
(iii)if the Class A Notes are no longer Outstanding, or in the case of any other Event of Default not specified in clause (ii), the Holders of at least a Majority of each Class of Secured Notes (voting separately by Class) direct the sale and liquidation of the Assets.
So long as such Event of Default is continuing, any such retention pursuant to this Section 5.5(a) may be rescinded at any time when the conditions specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) exist.
(b)Nothing contained in Section 5.5(a) shall be construed to require the Trustee to sell the Assets securing the Secured Notes if the conditions set forth in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 5.5 (a) are not satisfied. Nothing contained in Section 5.5(a) shall be construed to require the Trustee to preserve the Assets securing the Secured Notes if prohibited by applicable law.
(c)In determining whether the condition specified in Section 5.5(a)(i) exists, the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts to obtain, with the cooperation of the Collateral Manager, bid prices with respect to each Asset from two nationally recognized dealers (as specified by the Collateral Manager in writing) at the time making a market in such Assets and shall compute the anticipated proceeds of sale or liquidation on the basis of the lower of such bid prices for each such Asset. In the event that the Trustee, with the cooperation of the Collateral Manager, is only able to obtain bid prices with respect to each Asset from one nationally recognized dealer at the time making a market in such Assets, the Trustee shall compute the anticipated proceeds of the sale or liquidation on the basis of such one bid price for each such Asset. In addition, for the purposes of determining issues relating to the execution of a sale or liquidation of the Assets and the execution of a sale or other liquidation thereof in connection with a determination whether the condition specified in Section 5.5(a)(i) exists, the Trustee may retain and rely on an opinion of an Independent investment banking firm of national reputation (the cost of which shall be payable as an Administrative Expense).
The Trustee shall deliver to the Holders and the Collateral Manager a report stating the results of any determination required pursuant to Section 5.5(a)(i) no later than 10 days after such determination is made. The Trustee shall make the determinations required by Section 5.5(a)(i) within 30 days after an Event of Default and at the request of a Majority of the Controlling Class at any time during which the Trustee retains the Assets pursuant to Section 5.5(a)(i).
The Trustee shall deliver written notice to the Issuers, the Collateral Manager and the Rating Agency upon receipt of direction pursuant to Section 5.5 (a)(i), (ii) or (iii) to liquidate and sell the Assets.
-108-
Section 5.6Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Notes. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or under any of the Secured Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Secured Notes or the production thereof in any trial or other Proceeding relating thereto, and any such action or Proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be applied as set forth in Section 5.7 hereof.
Section 5.7Application of Funds Collected. Any amounts collected by the Trustee with respect to the Notes pursuant to this Article V and any amounts that may then be held or thereafter received by the Trustee with respect to the Notes hereunder shall be applied, subject to Section 13.1 and in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.1(a)(iii), at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee. Upon the final distribution of all proceeds of any liquidation effected hereunder, the provisions of Section 4.1(a) and Section 4.1(b) shall be deemed satisfied for the purposes of discharging this Indenture pursuant to Article IV.
Section 5.8Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Note shall have any right to institute any Proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or any Note, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a)such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default;
(b)the Holders of not less than 25% of the then Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Securities of the Controlling Class shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute Proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and such Holder or Holders have provided the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities which might reasonably be incurred by it in compliance with such request;
(c)the Trustee, for 30 days after its receipt of such notice, request and provision of such indemnity, has failed to institute any such Proceeding; and
(d)no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 30-day period by a Majority of the Controlling Class; it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders of Notes shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing itself of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Notes of the same Class or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders of the Notes of the same Class or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders of Notes of the same Class subject to and in accordance with Section 13.1 and the Priority of Payments.
In the event the Trustee shall receive conflicting or inconsistent requests and indemnity pursuant to this Section 5.8 from two or more groups of Holders of the Controlling Class, each representing less than a Majority of the Controlling Class, the Trustee shall act in accordance with the request specified by the group of Holders with the greatest percentage of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Controlling Class, notwithstanding any other provisions of
-109-
this Indenture. If all such groups represent the same percentage, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, shall be taken.
Section 5.9Unconditional Rights of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest. Subject to Section 2.8(i), but notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Holder of any Secured Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Secured Note, as such principal, interest and other amounts become due and payable in accordance with the Priority of Payments and Section 13.1, as the case may be, and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.8, to institute proceedings for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. Holders of Secured Notes ranking junior to Secured Notes still Outstanding shall have no right to institute Proceedings to request the Trustee to institute proceedings for the enforcement of any such payment until such time as no Secured Notes ranking senior to such Secured Notes remains Outstanding, which right shall be subject to the provisions of Section 5.8, and shall not be impaired without the consent of any such Holder.
Section 5.10Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such Proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holder shall, subject to any determination in such Proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Issuers, Trustee and the Holder shall continue as though no such Proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.11Rights and Remedies Cumulative. No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.12Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or any Holder of Secured Notes to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein or of a subsequent Event of Default. Every right and remedy given by this Article V or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Secured Notes may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of the Secured Notes.
Section 5.13Control by Majority of Controlling Class. A Majority of the Controlling Class shall have the right following the occurrence, and during the continuance of, an Event of Default to cause the institution of and direct the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture; provided that:
-110-
(a)such direction shall not conflict with any rule of law or with any express provision of this Indenture;
(b)the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; provided that subject to Section 6.1, the Trustee need not take any action that it determines might involve it in liability or expense (unless the Trustee has received the indemnity as set forth in (c) below);
(c)the Trustee shall have been provided with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it; and
(d)notwithstanding the foregoing, any direction to the Trustee to undertake a Sale of the Assets shall be by the Holders of Secured Notes representing the requisite percentage of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of Secured Notes specified in Section 5.4 and/or Section 5.5.
Section 5.14Waiver of Past Defaults. Prior to the time a judgment or decree for payments due has been obtained by the Trustee, as provided in this Article V, a Majority of the Controlling Class may on behalf of the Holders of all the Secured Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default:
(a)in the payment of the principal of any Secured Note (which may be waived only with the consent of the Holder of such Secured Note);
(b)in the payment of interest on any Secured Note (which may be waived only with the consent of the Holder of such Secured Note);
(c)in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Section 8.2 cannot be modified or amended without the waiver or consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security materially and adversely affected thereby (which may be waived only with the consent of each such Holder); or
(d)in respect of a representation contained in Section 7.19 (which may be waived only by a Majority of the Controlling Class if the S&P Rating Condition is satisfied).
In the case of any such waiver, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto. The Trustee shall promptly give written notice of any such waiver to the Rating Agency, the Collateral Manager and each Holder. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture.
Section 5.15Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that
-111-
such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.15 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Controlling Class, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Secured Note on or after the applicable Stated Maturity (or, in the case of redemption which has resulted in an Event of Default, on or after the applicable Redemption Date).
Section 5.16Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Issuers covenant (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any valuation, appraisement, redemption or marshalling law or rights, in each case wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants set forth in, the performance of, or any remedies under this Indenture; and the Issuers (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law or rights, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted or rights created.
Section 5.17Sale of Assets. (a) The power to effect any sale (a “Sale”) of any portion of the Assets pursuant to Sections 5.4 and 5.5 shall not be exhausted by any one or more Sales as to any portion of such Assets remaining unsold, but shall continue unimpaired until the entire Assets shall have been sold or all amounts secured by the Assets shall have been paid. The Trustee may upon notice to the Holders, and shall, upon direction of a Majority of the Controlling Class, from time to time postpone any Sale by public announcement made at the time and place of such Sale. The Trustee hereby expressly waives its rights to any amount fixed by law as compensation for any Sale; provided that the Trustee shall be authorized to deduct the reasonable costs, charges and expenses incurred by it in connection with such Sale from the proceeds thereof notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.7 or other applicable terms hereof.
(b)The Trustee may bid for and acquire any portion of the Assets on behalf of the Holders in connection with a public Sale thereof, and may pay all or part of the purchase price by crediting against amounts owing on the Secured Notes in the case of the Assets or other amounts secured by the Assets, all or part of the net proceeds of such Sale after deducting the reasonable costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Trustee in connection with such Sale notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.7 hereof or other applicable terms hereof. The Secured Notes need not be produced in order to complete any such Sale, or in order for the net proceeds of such Sale to be credited against amounts owing on the Secured Notes. The Trustee may hold, lease, operate, manage or otherwise deal with any property so acquired in any manner permitted by law in accordance with this Indenture.
(c)If any portion of the Assets consists of securities issued without registration under the Securities Act (“Unregistered Securities”), the Trustee may seek an Opinion of Counsel, or, if no such Opinion of Counsel can be obtained and with the consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class, seek a no action position from the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
-112-
other relevant federal or State regulatory authorities, regarding the legality of a public or private Sale of such Unregistered Securities.
(d)The Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument of conveyance transferring its interest in any portion of the Assets in connection with a Sale thereof, without recourse, representation or warranty. In addition, the Trustee is hereby irrevocably appointed the agent and attorney in fact of the Issuer to transfer and convey its interest in any portion of the Assets in connection with a Sale thereof, and to take all action necessary to effect such Sale. No purchaser or transferee at such a sale shall be bound to ascertain the Trustee’s authority, to inquire into the satisfaction of any conditions precedent or see to the application of any payment.
Section 5.18Action on the Notes. The Trustee’s right to seek and recover judgment on the Notes or under this Indenture shall not be affected by the seeking or obtaining of or application for any other relief under or with respect to this Indenture. Neither the lien of this Indenture nor any rights or remedies of the Trustee or the Holders shall be impaired by the recovery of any judgment by the Trustee against the Issuer or by the levy of any execution under such judgment upon any portion of the Assets or upon any of the assets of the Issuer.
ARTICLE VI
The Trustee
Section 6.1Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default known to the Trustee:
(i)the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth herein, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii)in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements hereof; provided that in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they substantially conform to the requirements hereof and shall promptly, but in any event within three (3) Business Days in the case of an Officer’s certificate furnished by the Collateral Manager, notify the party delivering the same if such certificate or opinion does not conform. If a corrected form shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 15 days after such notice from the Trustee, the Trustee shall so notify the Holders.
(b)In case an Event of Default known to the Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall, prior to the receipt of directions, if any, from a Majority of the Controlling Class, or such other percentage as permitted by this Indenture, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its
-113-
exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.
(c)No provision hereof shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i)this sub-Section shall not be construed to limit the effect of sub‑Section (a) of this Section 6.1;
(ii)the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it shall be proven that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii)the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Issuers or the Collateral Manager in accordance with this Indenture and/or a Majority (or such other percentage as may be required by the terms hereof) of the Controlling Class (or other Class if required or permitted by the terms hereof), relating to the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;
(iv)no provision hereof shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial or other liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers contemplated hereunder, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it unless such risk or liability relates to the performance of its ordinary services, including mailing of notices under this Indenture; and
(v)in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage (including lost profits) even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such damages and regardless of such action.
(d)For all purposes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default described in Sections 5.1(c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) unless a Trust Officer assigned to and working in the Corporate Trust Office has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such an Event of Default or Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Securities generally, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Assets or this Indenture. For purposes of determining the Trustee’s responsibility and liability hereunder, whenever reference is made herein to such an Event of Default or a Default, such reference shall be construed to refer only to such an Event of Default or Default of which the Trustee is deemed to have notice as described in this Section 6.1.
(e)Upon the Trustee receiving written notice from the Collateral Manager that an event constituting “Cause” has occurred, the Trustee shall, not later than two (2) Business Days
-114-
thereafter, forward such notice to the Holders (as their names appear in the Register or the Share Register, as applicable) and the Rating Agency.
(f)Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 6.1.
Section 6.2Notice of Event of Default. Promptly (and in no event later than three (3) Business Days) after the occurrence of any Event of Default actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee or after any declaration of acceleration has been made or delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.2, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Rating Agency, all Holders (as their names and addresses appear on the Register or the Share Register, as applicable), notice of all Event of Defaults hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.
Section 6.3Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:
(a)the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, note or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b)any request or direction of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or Issuer Order, as the case may be;
(c)whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall (i) deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s certificate or Issuer Order or (ii) be required to determine the value of any Assets or funds hereunder or the cash flows projected to be received therefrom, the Trustee may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely on reports of nationally recognized accountants, investment bankers or other Persons qualified to provide the information required to make such determination, including nationally recognized dealers in Assets of the type being valued, securities quotation services, loan pricing services and loan valuation agents;
(d)as a condition to the taking or omitting of any action by it hereunder, the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(e)the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise or to honor any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have provided to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities which might reasonably be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
-115-
(f)the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, note or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may, and upon the written direction of a Majority of the Controlling Class or of the Rating Agency shall (subject to the right hereunder to be reasonably satisfactorily indemnified for associated expense and liability), make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit or as it shall be directed, and the Trustee shall be entitled, on reasonable prior notice to the Issuers and the Collateral Manager, to examine the books and records relating to the Securities and the Assets, personally or by agent or attorney, during the Issuers’ or the Collateral Manager’s normal business hours; provided that the Trustee shall, and shall cause its agents to, hold in confidence all such information, except (i) to the extent disclosure may be required by law by any regulatory, administrative or governmental authority and (ii) to the extent that the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine that such disclosure is consistent with its obligations hereunder; provided further that the Trustee may disclose on a confidential basis any such information to its agents, attorneys and auditors in connection with the performance of its responsibilities hereunder;
(g)the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys; provided that the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent appointed or attorney appointed, with due care by it hereunder;
(h)the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers hereunder, including actions or omissions to act at the direction of the Collateral Manager;
(i)nothing herein shall be construed to impose an obligation on the part of the Trustee to monitor, recalculate, evaluate or verify or independently determine the accuracy of any report, certificate or information received from the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the Collateral Manager (unless and except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth herein or in the Collateral Administration Agreement);
(j)to the extent any defined term hereunder, or any calculation required to be made or determined by the Trustee hereunder, is dependent upon or defined by reference to generally accepted accounting principles (as in effect in the United States) (“GAAP”), the Trustee shall be entitled to request and receive (and rely upon) instruction from the Issuer or the accountants identified in the Accountants’ Report (and in the absence of its receipt of timely instruction therefrom, shall be entitled to obtain from an Independent accountant at the expense of the Issuer) as to the application of GAAP in such connection, in any instance;
(k)the Trustee shall not be liable for the actions or omissions of, or any inaccuracies in the records of, the Collateral Manager, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee), DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream, or any other clearing agency or depository and without limiting the foregoing, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to monitor, evaluate or verify compliance by the Collateral Manager with the terms hereof or of the Collateral Management Agreement, or to verify or independently determine the accuracy of information received by the Trustee from the Collateral Manager (or from any selling institution, agent bank, trustee or similar source) with respect to the Assets;
-116-
(l)notwithstanding any term hereof (or any term of the UCC that might otherwise be construed to be applicable to a “securities intermediary” as defined in the UCC) to the contrary, none of the Trustee, the Custodian or the Securities Intermediary shall be under a duty or obligation in connection with the acquisition or Grant by the Issuer to the Trustee of any item constituting the Assets, or to evaluate the sufficiency of the documents or instruments delivered to it by or on behalf of the Issuers in connection with its Grant or otherwise, or in that regard to examine any Underlying Document, in each case, in order to determine compliance with applicable requirements of and restrictions on transfer in respect of such Assets;
(m)in the event the Bank is also acting in the capacity of Paying Agent, Registrar, Transfer Agent, Custodian, Calculation Agent, Collateral Administrator or Securities Intermediary, the rights, protections, benefits, immunities and indemnities afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI shall also be afforded to the Bank acting in such capacities; provided that such rights, protections, benefits, immunities and indemnities shall be in addition to any rights, immunities and indemnities provided in the Account Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement or any other documents to which the Bank in such capacity is a party;
(n)any permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking actions enumerated herein shall not be construed as a duty;
(o)to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of this Indenture or otherwise;
(p)except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any matter unless a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice thereof is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office and such notice references the Securities generally, the Issuer or this Indenture. Whenever reference is made herein to a Default or an Event of Default such reference shall, insofar as determining any liability on the part of the Trustee is concerned, be construed to refer only to a Default or an Event of Default of which the Trustee is deemed to have knowledge in accordance with this paragraph;
(q)the Trustee shall not be responsible for delays or failures in performance resulting from circumstances beyond its control (such circumstances include but are not limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications services);
(r)to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Trustee will obtain, verify, and record information that identifies individuals or entities that establish a relationship or open an account with the Trustee. The Trustee will ask for the name, address, tax identification number and other information that will allow the Trustee to identify the individual or entity who is establishing the relationship or opening the account. The Trustee may also ask for formation documents such as organizational documents, an offering memorandum, or other identifying documents to be provided;
(s)in making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or with any one or more of its Affiliates, in each case on an arm’s-length basis, whether it or such Affiliate is acting as a subagent
-117-
of the Trustee or for any third party or dealing as principal for its own account. If otherwise qualified, obligations of the Bank or any of its Affiliates shall qualify as Eligible Investments hereunder;
(t)the Trustee or its Affiliates are permitted to receive additional compensation that could be deemed to be in the Trustee’s economic self-interest for (i) serving as investment adviser, administrator, shareholder, servicing agent, custodian or subcustodian with respect to certain of the Eligible Investments, (ii) using Affiliates to effect transactions in certain Eligible Investments and (iii) effecting transactions in certain Eligible Investments. Such compensation is not payable or reimbursable under Section 6.7 of this Indenture; and
(u)the Trustee shall have no duty (i) to see to any recording, filing, or depositing of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or any financing statement or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording, filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof or (ii) to maintain any insurance.
Section 6.4Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, other than the Certificate of Authentication thereon, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer; and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture (except as may be made with respect to the validity of the Trustee’s obligations hereunder), the Assets or the Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of the Notes or the proceeds thereof or any money paid to the Issuer pursuant to the provisions hereof.
Section 6.5May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Registrar or any other agent of the Issuers, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any of their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or such other agent.
Section 6.6Funds Held in Trust. All funds held by the Trustee hereunder shall be held in trust to the extent required herein. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any funds received by it hereunder except to the extent of income or other gain on investments which are deposits in or certificates of deposit of the Bank in its commercial capacity and income or other gain actually received by the Trustee on Eligible Investments.
Section 6.7Compensation and Reimbursement. (a) The Issuer agrees:
(i)to pay the Trustee on each Payment Date reasonable compensation, as set forth in a separate fee schedule delivered to the Issuer in connection with this Indenture, for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(ii)except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee in a timely manner upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or other Transaction Document (including, without limitation, securities transaction charges and
-118-
the reasonable compensation and expenses and disbursements of its agents and legal counsel and of any accounting firm or investment banking firm employed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.4, 5.5, 6.3(c) or 10.7, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith) but with respect to securities transaction charges, only to the extent any such charges have not been waived during a Collection Period due to the Trustee’s receipt of a payment from a financial institution with respect to certain Eligible Investments, as specified by the Collateral Manager;
(iii)to indemnify the Trustee and its Officers, directors, employees and agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves (including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs) against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder and under any other agreement or instrument related hereto; and
(iv)to pay the Trustee reasonable additional compensation together with its expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) for any collection or enforcement action taken pursuant to Section 6.13 or Article V, respectively.
(b)The Trustee shall receive amounts pursuant to this Section 6.7 and any other amounts payable to it under this Indenture or in any of the Transaction Documents to which the Trustee is a party only as provided in the Priority of Interest Proceeds, the Priority of Principal Proceeds or Section 11.1(a)(iii), but only to the extent that funds are available for the payment thereof. Subject to Section 6.9, the Trustee shall continue to serve as Trustee under this Indenture notwithstanding the fact that the Trustee shall not have received amounts due it hereunder; provided that nothing herein shall impair or affect the Trustee’s rights under Section 6.9. No direction by the Holders shall affect the right of the Trustee to collect amounts owed to it under this Indenture. If, on any date when a fee or an expense shall be payable to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, insufficient funds are available for the payment thereof, any portion of a fee or an expense not so paid shall be deferred and payable on such later date on which a fee or an expense shall be payable and sufficient funds are available therefor.
(c)The Trustee hereby agrees not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy for the non-payment to the Trustee of any amounts provided by this Section 6.7 until at least one year (or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect) plus one day, after the payment in full of all Notes issued under this Indenture.
(d)The Issuer’s payment obligations to the Trustee under this Section 6.7 shall be secured by the lien of this Indenture payable in accordance with the Priority of Payments, and shall survive the discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
(e)Without limiting Section 5.4, the Trustee hereby agrees not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer on its own behalf or on behalf
-119-
of the Secured Parties until at least one year (or, if longer, the applicable preference period) plus one day after the payment in full of all of the Notes.
Section 6.8Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be an Independent organization or entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least U.S.$200,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority, having a long-term issuer credit rating of at least “BBB+” by S&P and having an office within the United States, and who makes the representations contained in Section 6.17. If such organization or entity publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.8, the combined capital and surplus of such organization or entity shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent published report of condition. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.8, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article VI.
Section 6.9Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article VI shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 6.10.
(b)Subject to Section 6.9(a), the Trustee may resign at any time by giving not less than 30 days’ written notice thereof to the Issuers, the Collateral Manager, the Holders of the Securities and the Rating Agency. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees satisfying the requirements of Section 6.8 by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by a Responsible Officer of the Issuer, one copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee so resigning and one copy to the successor Trustee or Trustees, together with a copy to each Holder and the Collateral Manager; provided that such successor Trustee shall be appointed only upon the Act of a Majority of the Securities of each Class or, at any time when an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, by an Act of a Majority of the Controlling Class. If no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee or any Holder, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.8.
(c)The Trustee may be removed at any time upon 30 days written notice by an Act of a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares or, at any time when an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing by an Act of a Majority of the Controlling Class, delivered to the Trustee and to the Issuer.
(d)If at any time:
(i)the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.8 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder; or
-120-
(ii)the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case (subject to Section 6.9(a)), (A) the Issuer, by Issuer Order, may remove the Trustee, or (B) subject to Section 5.15, any Holder may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e)If the Trustee shall be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee for any reason (other than resignation), the Issuer, by Issuer Order, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If the Issuer shall fail to appoint a successor Trustee within 30 days after such removal or incapability or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee may be appointed by a Majority of the Controlling Class by written instrument delivered to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee. The successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee and supersede any successor Trustee proposed by the Issuer. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Issuer or a Majority of the Controlling Class and shall have accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, subject to Section 5.15, the Trustee or any Holder may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f)The Issuer shall give prompt notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee by mailing written notice of such event by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Collateral Manager, to the Rating Agency and to the Holders of the Securities as their names and addresses appear in the Register (or, if applicable, the Share Register). Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be given at the expense of the Issuer.
Section 6.10Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall meet the requirements of Section 6.8, shall make the representations and warranties contained in Section 6.17, and shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment. In addition, so long as the retiring Trustee is the same institution as the Collateral Administrator, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Issuer, the successor and the retiring institutions, such successor Trustee shall automatically become, and hereby so agrees to be, the Collateral Administrator pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Collateral Administration Agreement and shall assume the duties of the Collateral Administrator under the terms and conditions of the Collateral Administration Agreement in its acceptance of appointment as successor Trustee until such time, if any, as it is replaced as Collateral Administrator by the Issuer pursuant to the Collateral Administration Agreement. Upon delivery of the required instruments, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts, duties and obligations of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Issuer or a Majority of any Class of Securities or the successor Trustee or successor
-121-
Collateral Administrator, as applicable, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuers shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.
Section 6.11Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any organization or entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any organization or entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder; provided that such organization or entity shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VI, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any of the Notes has been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes.
Section 6.12Co-Trustees. At any time or times, the Issuer and the Trustee shall have power to appoint one or more Persons to act as co-trustee (subject to the satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition), jointly with the Trustee, of all or any part of the Assets, with the power to file such proofs of claim and take such other actions pursuant to Section 5.6 herein and to make such claims and enforce such rights of action on behalf of the Holders, as such Holders themselves may have the right to do, subject to the other provisions of this Section 6.12.
The Issuer shall join with the Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint a co-trustee. If the Issuer does not join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by them of a request to do so, the Trustee shall have the power to make such appointment.
Should any written instrument from the Issuer be required by any co‑trustee so appointed, more fully confirming to such co-trustee such property, title, right or power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Issuer. The Issuer agrees to pay, to the extent funds are available therefor under clause (A) of the Priority of Interest Proceeds, for any reasonable fees and expenses in connection with such appointment.
Every co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms:
(a)the Notes shall be authenticated and delivered and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of securities, Cash and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustee hereunder, shall be exercised solely by the Trustee;
(b)the rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Trustee in respect of any property covered by the appointment of a co-trustee shall be conferred
-122-
or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee or by the Trustee and such co-trustee jointly as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such co-trustee;
(c)the Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it, with the concurrence of the Issuer evidenced by an Issuer Order, may accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee appointed under this Section 6.12, and in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall have the power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such co-trustee without the concurrence of the Issuer. A successor to any co-trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section 6.12;
(d)no co-trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of the Trustee hereunder;
(e)the Trustee shall not be liable by reason of any act or omission of a co-trustee; and
(f)any Act of the Holders delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been delivered to each co-trustee.
The Issuer shall notify the Rating Agency of the appointment of a co-trustee hereunder.
Section 6.13Certain Duties of Trustee Related to Delayed Payment of Proceeds and the Assets. If the Trustee shall not have received a payment with respect to any Asset on its Due Date, (a) the Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer and the Collateral Manager in writing and (b) unless within three (3) Business Days (or the end of the applicable grace period for such payment, if any) after such notice (x) such payment shall have been received by the Trustee or (y) the Issuer, in its absolute discretion (but only to the extent permitted by Section 10.2(a)), shall have made provision for such payment satisfactory to the Trustee in accordance with Section 10.2(a), the Trustee shall, not later than the Business Day immediately following the last day of such period and in any case upon request by the Collateral Manager, request the issuer of such Asset, the trustee under the related Underlying Document or a paying agent designated by either of them, as the case may be, to make such payment not later than three (3) Business Days after the date of such request. If such payment is not made within such time period, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of clause (iv) of Section 6.1(c), shall take such action as the Collateral Manager shall direct. Any such action shall be without prejudice to any right to claim a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture. If the Issuer or the Collateral Manager requests a release of an Asset and/or delivers an additional Collateral Obligation in connection with any such action under the Collateral Management Agreement or under this Indenture, such release shall be subject to Section 10.8 and Article XII of this Indenture, as the case may be. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuer or its designee any payment with respect to any Asset or any additional Collateral Obligation received after the Due Date thereof to the extent the Issuer previously made provisions for such payment satisfactory to the Trustee in accordance with this Section 6.13 and such payment shall not be deemed part of the Assets.
Reasonably promptly after receipt thereof, the Trustee will notify and provide to the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer a copy of any documents, financial reports, legal
-123-
opinions or any other information including, without limitation, any notices, reports, requests for waiver, consent requests or any other requests or communications relating to the Assets or any Obligor or to actions affecting the Assets or any Obligor. Upon reasonable request by the Collateral Administrator or the Collateral Manager, the Trustee further agrees to provide to the requesting Person from time to time, on a timely basis, any information in its possession relating to the Collateral Obligations, the Equity Securities and the Eligible Investments as requested so as to enable the requesting Person to perform its duties hereunder, under the Collateral Administration Agreement or under the Collateral Management Agreement, as applicable.
Section 6.14Authenticating Agents. Upon the request of the Applicable Issuer, the Trustee shall, and if the Trustee so chooses the Trustee may, appoint one or more Authenticating Agents with power to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication of Notes in connection with the issuance, transfers and exchanges under Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 and 8.5, as fully to all intents and purposes as though each such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized by such Sections to authenticate such Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication of Notes by an Authenticating Agent pursuant to this Section 6.14 shall be deemed to be the authentication of Notes by the Trustee.
Any Person into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, without the execution or filing of any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such Authenticating Agent or such successor corporation.
Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and the Applicable Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and the Applicable Issuer. Upon receiving such notice of resignation or upon such a termination, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Applicable Issuer, promptly appoint a successor Authenticating Agent and shall give written notice of such appointment to the Applicable Issuer.
Unless the Authenticating Agent is also the same entity as the Trustee, the Applicable Issuer agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services, and reimbursement for its reasonable expenses relating thereto as an Administrative Expense. The provisions of Sections 2.9, 6.4 and 6.5 shall be applicable to any Authenticating Agent.
Section 6.15Withholding. If any withholding tax is imposed by applicable law on the Issuer’s payments (or allocations of income) under the Notes, such tax shall reduce the amount otherwise distributable to the relevant Holder. The Trustee and any other Paying Agent are hereby authorized and directed to retain from amounts otherwise distributable to any Holder sufficient funds for the payment of any such tax that is legally owed or required to be withheld by the Issuer (but such authorization shall not prevent the Trustee or any such other Paying Agent from contesting any such tax in appropriate Proceedings and withholding payment of such tax, if permitted by law, pending the outcome of such Proceedings) and to timely remit such amounts to
-124-
the appropriate taxing authority. The amount of any withholding tax imposed with respect to any Note shall be treated as Cash distributed to the relevant Holder at the time it is withheld by the Trustee or any other Paying Agent. If there is a reasonable possibility that withholding is required by applicable law with respect to a distribution, the Paying Agent or the Trustee may, in its sole discretion, withhold such amounts in accordance with this Section 6.15. If any Holder or beneficial owner wishes to apply for a refund of any such withholding tax, the Trustee or such other Paying Agent shall reasonably cooperate with such Person in providing readily available information so long as such Person agrees to reimburse the Trustee or such Paying Agent for any out of pocket expenses incurred. Nothing herein shall impose an obligation on the part of the Trustee or any other Paying Agent to determine the amount of any tax or withholding obligation on the part of the Issuer or in respect of the Notes.
Section 6.16Fiduciary for Holders Only; Agent for Each Other Secured Party. With respect to the security interest created hereunder, the delivery of any item of Asset to the Trustee is to the Trustee as representative of the Holders and agent for each other Secured Party. In furtherance of the foregoing, the possession by the Trustee of any Asset, and the endorsement to or registration in the name of the Trustee of any Asset (including without limitation as entitlement holder of the Custodial Account) are all undertaken by the Trustee in its capacity as representative of the Holders, and agent for each other Secured Party.
Section 6.17Representations and Warranties of the Bank. The Bank hereby represents and warrants as follows, in its individual capacity and in its capacities as described below (and any Person that becomes a successor Trustee pursuant to Sections 6.9, 6.10, or 6.11 or a co-trustee pursuant to Section 6.12 represents and warrants as follows in its individual capacity and in its capacity as Trustee where applicable):
(a)Organization. The Bank has been duly organized and is validly existing as a trust company with trust powers under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has the power to conduct its business and affairs as a trustee, paying agent, registrar, transfer agent, custodian, calculation agent and securities intermediary.
(b)Authorization; Binding Obligations. The Bank has the corporate power and authority to perform the duties and obligations of Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar, Transfer Agent, Custodian, Calculation Agent and Securities Intermediary under this Indenture. The Bank has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Indenture, and all of the documents required to be executed by the Bank pursuant hereto. This Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Bank and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Bank enforceable in accordance with its terms subject, as to enforcement, (i) to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights as such laws would apply in the event of any bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or similar event applicable to the Bank and (ii) to general equitable principles (whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(c)Eligibility. The Bank is eligible under Section 6.8 to serve as Trustee hereunder.
-125-
(d)No Conflict. Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Indenture, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture, (i) is prohibited by, or requires the Bank to obtain any consent, authorization, approval or registration under, any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree that is binding upon the Bank or any of its properties or assets, or (ii) will violate any provision of, result in any default or acceleration of any obligations under, result in the creation or imposition of any lien pursuant to, or require any consent under, any material agreement to which the Bank is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
(e)Ownership of Securities. On the date of its appointment as Trustee, the Trustee does not own any Securities and has no present intention of acquiring any Securities although it is not restricted from doing so in the future as provided in Section 6.5.
ARTICLE VII
Covenants
Section 7.1Payment of Principal and Interest. The Issuer will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest on the Secured Notes, in accordance with the terms of such Secured Notes and this Indenture pursuant to the Priority of Payments. The Issuer will, to the extent funds are lawfully available therefor pursuant to the Priority of Payments, duly and punctually pay all required distributions on the Preferred Shares, in accordance with this Indenture and the Memorandum and Articles.
Amounts properly withheld under the Code or other applicable law by any Person from a payment under a Security shall be considered as having been paid by the Issuer to the relevant Holder for all purposes of this Indenture.
Section 7.2Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee as a Paying Agent for payments or distributions on the Securities, and appoint the Trustee as Transfer Agent at its applicable Corporate Trust Office as the Issuer’s agent where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange.
The Issuer may at any time and from time to time vary or terminate the appointment of any such agent or appoint any additional agents for any or all of such purposes and no paying agent shall be appointed in a jurisdiction which subjects payments or distributions on the Securities to withholding tax solely as a result of such Paying Agent’s activities. The Issuers shall at all times maintain a duplicate copy of the Register at the Corporate Trust Office. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee, the Rating Agency and the Holders of the appointment or termination of any such agent and of the location and any change in the location of any such office or agency.
If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency, or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, presentations and surrenders may be made (subject to the limitations described in the preceding paragraph), notices and demands may be served on the Issuers, and Notes may be presented and surrendered for payment to the Trustee
-126-
at its main office, and the Issuers hereby appoint the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Issuers shall maintain and implement administrative and operating procedures reasonably necessary in the performance of their obligations hereunder, and the Issuer shall keep and maintain or cause the Administrator to keep or maintain at all times, or cause to be kept and maintained at all times in the Cayman Islands, all documents, books, records, accounts and other information as are required under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
The Issuers shall maintain an Issuers’ Notice Agent at all times. If at any time the Issuers fail to maintain any such required office or agency in the United States, or fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, notices and demands may be served directly on the Issuers. For the avoidance of doubt, notices to the Issuers under the Transaction Documents shall be delivered in accordance with Section 14.3.
Section 7.3Funds for Note Payments to Be Held in Trust. All payments of amounts due and payable with respect to any Securities that are to be made from amounts withdrawn from the Payment Account shall be made on behalf of the Issuer (and, in the case of the Co‑Issued Notes, the Issuers) by the Trustee or a Paying Agent with respect to payments or distributions on the Securities.
When the Issuers shall have a Paying Agent that is not also the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, no later than the fifth day after each Record Date a list, if necessary, in such form as such Paying Agent may reasonably request, of the names and addresses of the Holders and of the certificate numbers of individual Notes held by each such Holder.
Whenever the Issuers shall have a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Issuers shall, on or before the Business Day next preceding each Payment Date and on any Redemption Date, as the case may be, direct the Trustee to deposit on such Payment Date or such Redemption Date, as the case may be, with such Paying Agent, if necessary, an aggregate sum sufficient to pay the amounts then becoming due (to the extent funds are then available for such purpose in the Payment Account), such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. Any funds deposited with a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) in excess of an amount sufficient to pay the amounts then becoming due on the Securities with respect to which such deposit was made shall be paid over by such Paying Agent to the Trustee for application in accordance with Article XI.
The initial Paying Agent shall be as set forth in Section 7.2. Any additional or successor Paying Agents shall be appointed by Issuer Order with written notice thereof to the Trustee; provided that, with respect to any additional or successor Paying Agent, (x) so long as the Notes of any Class are rated by S&P either (i) such Paying Agent has a long-term issuer credit rating of “A+” or higher by S&P or a short-term debt rating of “A‑1” by S&P or (ii) the S&P Rating Condition is satisfied. If such successor Paying Agent ceases to have any such minimum rating specified in clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Issuer shall promptly remove such Paying Agent and appoint a successor Paying Agent. The Issuers shall not appoint
-127-
any Paying Agent that is not, at the time of such appointment, a depository institution or trust company subject to supervision and examination by federal and/or state and/or national banking authorities. The Issuers shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee and if the Trustee acts as Paying Agent, it hereby so agrees, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.3, that such Paying Agent will:
(a)allocate all sums received for payment to the Holders of Securities for which it acts as Paying Agent on each Payment Date and any Redemption Date among such Persons in the proportion specified in the applicable Distribution Report to the extent permitted by applicable law;
(b)hold all sums held by it for the payment of amounts due with respect to the Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and pay such sums to such Persons as herein provided;
(c)if such Paying Agent is not the Trustee, immediately resign as a Paying Agent and forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held by it in trust for the payment of the Securities if at any time it ceases to meet the standards set forth above required to be met by a Paying Agent at the time of its appointment;
(d)if such Paying Agent is not the Trustee, immediately give the Trustee notice of any default by the Issuer in the making of any payment required to be made; and
(e)if such Paying Agent is not the Trustee, during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Issuers may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Issuer Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuers or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuers or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect thereto.
Except as otherwise required by applicable law, any amounts deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for any payment on any Securities and remaining unclaimed for two years after such amount has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on Issuer Order; and the Holder of such Securities shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment of such amounts (but only to the extent of the amounts so paid to the Issuer) and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such amounts shall thereupon cease. The Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such release of payment, may, but shall not be required to, adopt and employ, at the expense of the Issuers any reasonable means of notification of such release of payment, including, but not limited to, mailing notice of such release to Holders whose Securities have been called but have not been surrendered for redemption or whose right to or interest in amounts due and payable but not
-128-
claimed is determinable from the records of any Paying Agent, at the last address of record of each such Holder.
Section 7.4Existence of the Issuers. (a) Each of the Issuer and Co-Issuer shall take all reasonable steps to maintain its identity as a separate legal entity from that of its shareholders or members, as applicable. Each of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer shall keep its registered office or principal place of business (as the case may be) in the same city, state and country indicated in the address specified in Section 14.3. Each of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer shall keep separate books and records and shall not commingle its respective funds with those of any other Person. The Issuer and the Co-Issuer shall keep in full force and effect their rights and franchises as an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and as a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, respectively, shall comply with the provisions of their respective Organizational Documents and shall obtain and preserve their qualification to do business as foreign corporations in each jurisdiction in which such qualifications are or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities or any of the Assets; provided that, subject to Cayman Islands law, the Issuer shall be entitled to change its jurisdiction of incorporation from the Cayman Islands to any other jurisdiction reasonably selected by the Issuer and approved by a Majority of the Preferred Shares in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles, so long as (i) the Issuer has received an Opinion of Counsel (upon which the Trustee may conclusively rely) to the effect that such change is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders, (ii) written notice of such change shall have been given to the Trustee by the Issuer, which notice shall be promptly forwarded by the Trustee to the Holders, the Collateral Manager and the Rating Agency, (iii) the S&P Rating Condition is satisfied and (iv) on or prior to the 15th Business Day following receipt of such notice the Trustee shall not have received written notice from a Majority of the Controlling Class objecting to such change.
(b)Each of the Issuer and the Co‑Issuer shall (i) ensure that all corporate (or, in the case of the Co‑Issuer, limited liability company) or other formalities regarding its existence (including, to the extent required by applicable law, holding regular board of directors’, partners’, members’, managers’ and shareholders’ or other similar meetings) are followed, (ii) conduct business in its own name, (iii) correct any known misunderstanding as to its separate existence, (iv) maintain separate financial statements (if any), (v) maintain an arm’s‑length relationship with any Affiliates, (vi) maintain adequate capital in light of its contemplated business operations and (vii) not commingle its funds with those of any other entity. Neither the Issuer nor the Co-Issuer shall take any action, or conduct its affairs in a manner, that is likely to result in its separate existence being ignored or in its assets and liabilities being substantively consolidated with any other Person in a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) the Issuer shall not have any subsidiaries (other than the Co‑Issuer and any subsidiaries necessitated by a change of jurisdiction pursuant to clause (a), subject to satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition in the case of such clause (a)), (ii) the Co‑Issuer shall not have any subsidiaries and (iii) the Issuer and the Co‑Issuer shall not (A) have any employees (other than their respective directors, manager and officers) to the extent they are employees, (B) engage in any transaction with any shareholder, member or partner that would constitute a conflict of interest (provided that each Transaction Document shall not be deemed to be such a transaction that would constitute a conflict of interest) or (C) pay dividends or make distributions to its owners other than in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. This Section 7.4(b) shall not be binding to the
-129-
extent inconsistent with the status of the Issuer or Co-Issuer as an entity disregarded from its sole owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(c)The Co-Issuer will at all times have at least one Independent manager under the Limited Liability Company Agreement.
Section 7.5Protection of Assets. (a) The Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer will cause the taking of such action within the Collateral Manager’s control as is reasonably necessary in order to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Trustee in the Assets; provided that the Collateral Manager shall be entitled to rely on any Opinion of Counsel delivered pursuant to Section 7.6 and any Opinion of Counsel with respect to the same subject matter delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(iii) to determine what actions are reasonably necessary, and shall be fully protected in so relying on such an Opinion of Counsel, unless the Collateral Manager has actual knowledge that the procedures described in any such Opinion of Counsel are no longer adequate to maintain such perfection and priority. The Issuer shall from time to time execute and deliver all such supplements and amendments hereto and file or authorize the filing of all such Financing Statements, continuation statements, instruments of further assurance and other instruments, and shall take such other action as may be necessary or advisable or desirable to secure the rights and remedies of the Holders of the Notes hereunder and to:
(i)grant more effectively all or any portion of the Assets;
(ii)maintain, preserve and perfect any Grant made or to be made by this Indenture including, without limitation, the first priority nature of the lien or carry out more effectively the purposes hereof;
(iii)perfect, publish notice of or protect the validity of any Grant made or to be made by this Indenture (including, without limitation, any and all actions necessary or desirable as a result of changes in law or regulations);
(iv)enforce any of the Assets or other instruments or property included in the Assets;
(v)preserve and defend title to the Assets and the rights therein of the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Assets against the claims of all Persons and parties; or
(vi)pay or cause to be paid any and all taxes levied or assessed upon all or any part of the Assets.
The Issuer shall make an entry of the security interests Granted under this Indenture in its register of mortgages and charges maintained at the Issuer’s registered office in the Cayman Islands. The Issuer hereby designates the Trustee as its agent and attorney in fact to prepare and file and hereby authorizes the filing of any Financing Statement, continuation statement and all other instruments, and take all other actions, required pursuant to this Section 7.5. Such designation shall not impose upon the Trustee, or release or diminish, the Issuer’s and the Collateral Manager’s obligations under this Section 7.5. The Issuer further authorizes and shall cause the Issuer’s counsel to file without the Issuer’s signature an initial Financing Statement on the Closing Date that names the
-130-
Issuer as “Debtor” and the Trustee, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as “Secured Party” and that identifies “all assets in which the Issuer now or hereafter has rights” as the collateral in which the Trustee has a Grant.
(b)The Trustee shall not, except in accordance with Section 5.5 or Section 10.8(a), (b) and (c), as applicable, permit the removal of any portion of the Assets or transfer any such Assets from the Account to which it is credited, or cause or permit any change in the Delivery made pursuant to Section 3.3 with respect to any Assets, if, after giving effect thereto, the jurisdiction governing the perfection of the Trustee’s security interest in such Assets is different from the jurisdiction governing the perfection at the time of delivery of the most recent Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 7.6 (or, if no Opinion of Counsel has yet been delivered pursuant to Section 7.6, the Opinion of Counsel delivered at the Closing Date pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(iii)) unless the Trustee shall have received an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the lien and security interest created by this Indenture with respect to such property and the priority thereof will continue to be maintained after giving effect to such action or actions.
(c)If the Issuer shall at any time hold or acquire a “commercial tort claim” (as defined in the UCC) for which the Issuer (or predecessor in interest) has filed a complaint in a court of competent jurisdiction, the Issuer shall promptly provide notice to the Trustee in writing containing a sufficient description thereof (within the meaning of Section 9-108 of the UCC). If the Issuer shall at any time hold or acquire any timber to be cut, the Issuer shall promptly provide notice to the Trustee in writing containing a description of the land concerned (within the meaning of Section 9-203(b) of the UCC). Any commercial tort claim or timber to be cut so described in such notice to the Trustee will constitute an Asset and the description thereof will be deemed to be incorporated into the reference to commercial tort claims or to goods in the first Granting Clause. If the Issuer shall at any time hold or acquire any letter-of-credit rights, other than letter-of-credit rights that are supporting obligations (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(78) of the UCC), it shall obtain the consent of the issuer of the applicable letter of credit to an assignment of the proceeds of such letter of credit to the Trustee in order to establish control (pursuant to Section 9-107 of the UCC) of such letter-of-credit rights by the Trustee.
Section 7.6Opinions as to Assets. On or before March 31 that precedes the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date (and every five years thereafter for so long as any Secured Notes are Outstanding), the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee and the Rating Agency an Opinion of Counsel relating to security interest Granted by the Issuer to the Trustee, stating that, as of the date of such opinion, the lien and security interest created by this Indenture with respect to the Assets remain in effect and that no further action (other than as specified in such opinion) needs to be taken to ensure the continued effectiveness of such lien over the next year.
Section 7.7Performance of Obligations. (a) The Issuers shall not take any action, and will use its best efforts not to permit any action to be taken by others, that would release any Person from any of such Person’s covenants or obligations under any instrument included in the Assets, except in the case of enforcement action taken with respect to any Defaulted Obligation in accordance with the provisions hereof and actions by the Collateral Manager under the Collateral Management Agreement and in conformity therewith or with this Indenture, as applicable, or as otherwise required hereby or deemed necessary or advisable by the Collateral Manager in accordance with the Collateral Management Agreement.
-131-
(b)The Issuer shall notify the Rating Agency within ten (10) Business Days after it has received notice from any Holder or the Trustee of any material breach of any Transaction Document, following any applicable cure period for such breach.
Section 7.8[Reserved].
Section 7.9Negative Covenants. (a) The Issuer will not from and after the Closing Date:
(i)sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of, or pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber (or permit such to occur or suffer such to exist), any part of the Assets, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture and the Collateral Management Agreement;
(ii)claim any credit on, make any deduction from, or dispute the enforceability of payment of the principal or interest payable (or any other amount) in respect of the Securities (other than amounts withheld or deducted in accordance with the Code or any applicable laws of the Cayman Islands);
(iii)(A) incur or assume or guarantee any indebtedness, other than the Notes, this Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby or (B) issue any additional notes, securities or ownership interests after the Closing Date (other than Additional Securities or securities issued in connection with a Refinancing);
(iv)(A) permit the validity or effectiveness of this Indenture or any Grant hereunder to be impaired, or permit the lien of this Indenture to be amended, hypothecated, subordinated, terminated or discharged, or permit any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect to this Indenture or the Securities except as may be permitted hereby or by the Collateral Management Agreement, (B) except as permitted by this Indenture, permit any lien, charge, adverse claim, security interest, mortgage or other encumbrance (other than the lien of this Indenture) to be created on or extend to or otherwise arise upon or burden any part of the Assets, any interest therein or the proceeds thereof, or (C) except as permitted by this Indenture, take any action that would permit the lien of this Indenture not to constitute a valid first priority security interest in the Assets;
(v)amend the Collateral Management Agreement except pursuant to the terms thereof and Article XV of this Indenture;
(vi)dissolve or liquidate in whole or in part, except as permitted hereunder or required by applicable law (to the extent such matters are within its power and control);
(vii)pay any Cash distributions other than in accordance with the Priority of Payments;
(viii)conduct business under any name other than its own;
(ix)make or incur any capital expenditures, except as reasonably required to perform its functions in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
-132-
(x)become liable in any way, whether directly or by assignment or as a guarantor or other surety, for the obligations of the lessee under any lease, hire any employees or make any distributions to the Issuer;
(xi)enter into any transaction with any Affiliate or any Holder of Securities other than (A) the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (B) the transactions relating to the offering and sale of the Securities or (C) the purchase of any Collateral Obligation in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(xii)maintain any bank accounts, other than the Accounts and the Issuer’s bank account in the Cayman Islands (if any);
(xiii)change its name without first delivering to the Trustee and the Rating Agency notice thereof and an Opinion of Counsel that after giving effect to the name change the security interest under this Indenture is perfected to the same extent as it was prior to such name change;
(xiv)have any subsidiaries other than the Co‑Issuer and any subsidiaries necessitated by a change of jurisdiction pursuant to Section 7.4 (subject to satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition);
(xv)transfer its equity interest in the Co-Issuer so long as any Co‑Issued Notes are Outstanding;
(xvi)permit the Issuer to be a U.S. Person or a U.S. resident (as determined for purposes of the 1940 Act);
(xvii)elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as other than a disregarded entity or partnership (that is not a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes);
(xviii)fail to pay any tax, assessment, charge or fee with respect to the Assets, or fail to defend any action, if such failure to pay or defend may adversely affect the priority or enforceability of the lien over the Assets created by this Indenture; and
(xix)amend or waive any “non‑petition” and “limited recourse” provisions in any agreements that require such provisions pursuant to Section 7.9(c), unless the S&P Rating Condition is satisfied.
(b)The Co‑Issuer shall not, except as expressly permitted under this Indenture:
(i)claim any credit on, or make any deduction from, the principal or interest payable in respect of the Co‑Issued Notes (other than amounts withheld in accordance with the Code or any applicable laws of the Cayman Islands) or assert any claim against any present or future Holder by reason of the payment of any taxes levied or assessed upon any part of the Assets;
-133-
(ii)(A) incur, assume or guarantee, or become directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any indebtedness or any contingent obligations, other than pursuant to the Co‑Issued Notes, this Indenture and the other agreements and transactions expressly contemplated hereby and thereby or (B) issue any additional notes, securities or ownership interests after the Closing Date (other than Additional Securities or securities issued in a Refinancing);
(iii)(A) permit the validity or effectiveness of this Indenture or any Grant hereunder to be impaired, or permit the lien of this Indenture to be amended, hypothecated, subordinated, terminated or discharged, or permit any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect to this Indenture or the Co‑Issued Notes, (B) permit any lien, charge, adverse claim, security interest, mortgage or other encumbrance (including any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever or otherwise, other than the lien of this Indenture) to be created on or extend to or otherwise arise upon or burden the Assets or any part thereof; any interest therein or the proceeds thereof or (C) take any action that would cause the lien of this Indenture not to constitute a valid first priority perfected security interest in the Assets;
(iv)make or incur any capital expenditures;
(v)become liable in any way, whether directly or by assignment or as a guarantor or other surety, for the obligations of the lessee under any lease, hire any employees or make any distributions to its members;
(vi)enter into any transaction with any Affiliate or any Holder of Securities, other than the transactions relating to the offering and sale of the Securities;
(vii)maintain any bank accounts;
(viii)change its name without first delivering to the Trustee notice thereof;
(ix)have any subsidiaries;
(x)dissolve or liquidate in whole or in part, except as required by applicable law;
(xi)pay any distributions other than in accordance with the Priority of Payments;
(xii)conduct business under any name other than its own; or
(xiii)permit the transfer of any of its membership interests so long as any Co‑Issued Notes are Outstanding.
(c)The Issuers shall not be party to any agreements without including customary “non-petition” and “limited recourse” provisions therein (and shall not amend or eliminate such provisions in any agreement to which it is party), except for any agreements to
-134-
comply with FATCA, the Cayman FATCA Legislation and the CRS or any agreements related to the purchase and sale of any Assets which contain customary (as determined by the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion) purchase or sale terms or which are documented using customary (as determined by the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion) loan trading documentation.
(d)Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Issuers may not acquire any of the Securities; provided that this Section 7.9(d) shall not be deemed to limit any redemption pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
Section 7.10Statement as to Compliance. On or before December 31st in each calendar year commencing in 2021, or promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Issuer becomes aware thereof if there has been a Default under this Indenture and prior to the issuance of any Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.4, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee (to be forwarded by the Trustee to the Collateral Manager, each Holder making a written request therefor and the Rating Agency) an Officer’s certificate of the Issuer that, having made reasonable inquiries of the Collateral Manager, and to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the Issuer, there did not exist, as at a date not more than five days prior to the date of the certificate, nor had there existed at any time prior thereto since the date of the last certificate (if any), any Default hereunder or, if such Default did then exist or had existed, specifying the same and the nature and status thereof, including actions undertaken to remedy the same, and that the Issuer has complied with all of its obligations under this Indenture or, if such is not the case, specifying those obligations with which it has not complied.
Section 7.11The Issuer May Consolidate, Etc. (a) The Issuer shall not consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless permitted by Cayman Islands law and unless:
(i)the Issuer shall be the surviving entity, or the Person (if other than the Issuer) formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Issuer are transferred (A) shall be an exempted company or an exempted limited partnership incorporated or formed and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands or such other jurisdiction approved by a Majority of the Controlling Class; provided that no such approval shall be required in connection with any such transaction undertaken solely to effect a change in the jurisdiction of incorporation pursuant to Section 7.4, and (B) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto and an omnibus assumption agreement, executed and delivered to the Trustee, each Holder, the Collateral Manager and the Collateral Administrator, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all Secured Notes, the payments on the Preferred Shares and the performance of every covenant hereof and of each other Transaction Document on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed, all as provided herein or therein, as applicable;
(ii)the Rating Agency shall have been notified in writing of such consolidation or merger and the S&P Rating Condition shall have been satisfied;
(iii)if the Issuer is not the surviving entity, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which the properties and assets of
-135-
the Issuer are transferred substantially as an entirety shall have agreed with the Trustee (A) if the formed or surviving Person is a company, to observe the same legal requirements for the recognition of such company as a legal entity separate and apart from any of its Affiliates as are applicable to the Issuer with respect to its Affiliates and (B) not to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey or transfer the Assets or its assets substantially as an entirety to any other Person except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.11;
(iv)if the Issuer is not the surviving entity, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Issuer are transferred substantially as an entirety shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Rating Agency an Officer’s certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such Person shall be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in the jurisdiction in which it is organized; that it has sufficient power and authority to assume the obligations set forth in paragraph (i) above and to execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto and an omnibus assumption agreement for the purpose of assuming such obligations; that such Person has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of an indenture supplemental hereto and an omnibus assumption agreement for the purpose of assuming such obligations and that such supplemental indenture is a valid, legal and binding obligation of such Person, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject only to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably require; provided that (x) nothing in this Section 7.11(a)(iv) shall imply or impose a duty on the Trustee to require any other matters to be covered and (y) immediately following the event which causes such Person to become the successor to the Issuer, (A) such Person has good and marketable title, free and clear of any lien, security interest or charge, other than the lien and security interest of this Indenture, to the Assets and (B) the Trustee continues to have a valid perfected security interest in the Assets that is of first priority, free of any adverse claim or the legal equivalent thereof, as applicable; and (C) such Person will not be subject to U.S. net income tax;
(v)immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(vi)the Issuer shall have notified the Rating Agency of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and shall have delivered to the Trustee for transmission to each Holder an Officer’s certificate (based upon the advice of counsel), stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Section 7.11, that all conditions in this Section 7.11 have been satisfied and that no adverse U.S. federal or Cayman Islands tax consequences (relative to the tax consequences of not effecting the transaction) shall result therefrom to the Issuer or the Holders of the Securities;
(vii)after giving effect to such transaction, neither of the Issuers nor the pool of Assets will be required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act; and
-136-
(viii)after giving effect to such transaction, the outstanding interests in the Co-Issuer will not be beneficially owned within the meaning of the 1940 Act by any U.S. Person and the Issuer will not be a U.S. Person.
(b)The Co‑Issuer shall not consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person unless:
(i)the Co‑Issuer shall be the surviving entity, or the Person (if other than the Co‑Issuer) formed by such consolidation or into which the Co‑Issuer is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Co‑Issuer are transferred shall be a limited purpose organization organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware or such other jurisdiction approved by a Majority of the Controlling Class and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all Co‑Issued Notes and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Co‑Issuer to be performed or observed, all as provided herein;
(ii)the Rating Agency shall have been notified in writing of such consolidation or merger and the S&P Rating Condition shall have been satisfied;
(iii)if the Co‑Issuer is not the surviving entity, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Co‑Issuer is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Co‑Issuer are transferred substantially as an entirety shall have agreed with the Trustee (A) to observe the same legal requirements for the recognition of such formed or surviving corporation as a legal entity separate and apart from any of its Affiliates as are applicable to the Co‑Issuer with respect to its Affiliates and (B) not to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey or transfer its assets substantially as an entirety to any other Person except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.11;
(iv)if the Co‑Issuer is not the surviving entity, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Co‑Issuer is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Co‑Issuer are transferred substantially as an entirety shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Rating Agency an Officer’s certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such Person shall be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in the jurisdiction in which such Person is organized; that such Person has sufficient power and authority to assume the obligations set forth in paragraph (i) above and to execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto and an omnibus assumption agreement for the purpose of assuming such obligations; that such Person has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of an indenture supplemental hereto and an omnibus assumption agreement for the purpose of assuming such obligations and that such supplemental indenture is a valid, legal and binding obligation of such Person, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject only to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably require; provided that nothing in this clause shall imply or impose a duty on the Trustee to require any such other matters to be covered;
-137-
(v)immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(vi)the Co‑Issuer shall have notified the Rating Agency of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and shall have delivered to the Trustee and each Holder of a Co‑Issued Note an Officer’s certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Section 7.11, that all conditions in this Section 7.11 have been satisfied and that no adverse U.S. federal or Cayman Islands tax consequences will result therefrom to the Co‑Issuer or the Holders of the Co‑Issued Notes;
(vii)after giving effect to such transaction, neither of the Issuers nor the pool of Assets will be required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act;
(viii)after giving effect to such transaction, the outstanding ownership interests in the Co‑Issuer will not be beneficially owned within the meaning of the 1940 Act by any U.S. Person; and
(ix)the conditions specified in Section 7.17(a) are satisfied.
Section 7.12Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer substantially as an entity in accordance with Section 7.11, the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger (if other than the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer), or the Person to which such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as the case may be, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Person had been named as the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as the case may be, herein. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, transfer or conveyance, the Person named as the “Issuer” or the “Co-Issuer” herein or any successor which shall theretofore have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article VII may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter, and such Person thereafter shall be released, without further action by any Person, from its liabilities as obligor on all the Securities (or with respect to the Co-Issuer, the Co‑Issued Notes) and from its obligations under this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.
Section 7.13No Other Business. The Issuers shall not have any employees (other than its officers, directors and managers to the extent such officers, directors and managers might be considered employees) and shall not engage in any business or activity other than issuing, selling, paying, redeeming, prepaying and refinancing the Securities pursuant to this Indenture and the Memorandum and Articles, acquiring, holding, selling, exchanging, redeeming and pledging, solely for its own account, the Assets and other incidental activities thereto, including entering into the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and such other activities which are necessary, required or advisable to accomplish the foregoing; provided that the Issuer shall be permitted to enter into any additional agreements not expressly prohibited by Section 7.9 and to enter into any amendment, modification, or waiver of existing agreements or such additional agreements as otherwise provided in this Indenture, including in accordance with Article VIII. The Co‑Issuer shall not engage in any business or activity other than issuing and selling the Co‑Issued Notes
-138-
pursuant to this Indenture and such other activities which are necessary, required or advisable to accomplish the foregoing.
Each of the Issuer and Co-Issuer will provide prior written notice to S&P of any proposed amendment to its Organizational Documents. Neither the Issuer nor the Co-Issuer shall permit the amendment of its Organizational Documents, if such amendment would result in the rating of any Class of Secured Notes being reduced or withdrawn without the consent of a Majority of the Holders of each Class of Securities so affected, and shall not otherwise amend its Organizational Documents, without the consent of a Majority of any one or more Classes of Securities unless (i) the Issuer determines that such amendment would not, upon or after becoming effective, materially adversely affect the rights or interests of such Class or Classes, (ii) the Issuer gives ten days’ prior written notice to the Holders of such amendment, (iii) with respect to any such Class, a Majority of such Class do not provide written notice to the Issuer that, notwithstanding the determination of the Issuer, the Persons providing notice have reasonably determined that such amendment would, upon or after becoming effective, materially adversely affect such Class (the failure of any such Majority to provide such notice to the Issuer within ten days of receipt of notice of such amendment from the Issuer being conclusively deemed to constitute hereunder consent to and approval of such amendment) and (iv) the S&P Rating Condition is satisfied.
Section 7.14Annual Rating Review. (a) So long as any of the Secured Notes of any Class remains Outstanding, on or before December 16th in each year commencing in 2021, the Issuer shall obtain and pay for an annual review of the rating of each such Class of Secured Notes from the Rating Agency, as applicable. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Collateral Manager in writing (and the Trustee shall promptly provide the Holders with a copy of such notice) if at any time the Issuer is notified or has actual knowledge that the then-current rating of any such Class of Secured Notes has been, or is known will be, changed or withdrawn.
(b)The Issuer shall obtain and pay for an annual review by S&P of any Collateral Obligation which has an S&P Rating determined pursuant to clause (iii)(b) of the definition of “S&P Rating”.
Section 7.15Reporting. At any time when the Issuers are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and are not exempt from reporting pursuant to Rule 12g3 ‑ 2(b) under the Exchange Act, upon the request of a Holder or beneficial owner of a Note, the Issuers shall promptly furnish or cause to be furnished Rule 144A Information to such Holder or beneficial owner, to a prospective purchaser of such Note designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, or to the Trustee for delivery upon an Issuer Order to such Holder or beneficial owner or a prospective purchaser designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, as the case may be, in order to permit compliance by such Holder or beneficial owner with Rule 144A under the Securities Act in connection with the resale of such Note. “Rule 144A Information” shall be such information as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision thereto).
Section 7.16Calculation Agent. (a) The Issuers hereby agree that for so long as any Floating Rate Note remains Outstanding there will at all times be an agent appointed (which does not control or is not controlled or under common control with the Issuers or their Affiliates
-139-
or the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates) to calculate the Reference Rate in respect of each Interest Accrual Period in accordance with the definition of Reference Rate (the “Calculation Agent”). The Issuers hereby appoint the Collateral Administrator as Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent may be removed by the Issuers or the Collateral Manager, on behalf of the Issuers, at any time. If the Calculation Agent is unable or unwilling to act as such or is removed by the Issuers or the Collateral Manager, on behalf of the Issuers, the Issuers or the Collateral Manager, on behalf of the Issuers, will promptly appoint a replacement Calculation Agent which does not control or is not controlled by or under common control with the Issuer or its Affiliates or the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates and provide notice thereof to the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator. The Calculation Agent may not resign its duties or be removed without a successor having been duly appointed.
(b)The Calculation Agent shall be required to agree (and the Collateral Administrator as Calculation Agent agrees under the Collateral Administration Agreement) that, as soon as possible after 11:00 a.m. London time on each Interest Determination Date, but in no event later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the London Banking Day immediately following each Interest Determination Date, the Calculation Agent will calculate the Interest Rate applicable to each Class of Floating Rate Notes during the related Interest Accrual Period and the Note Interest Amount (in each case, rounded to the nearest cent, with half a cent being rounded upward) payable on the related Payment Date in respect of the related Interest Accrual Period. At such time, the Calculation Agent will communicate such rates and amounts to the Issuer, the Trustee, each Paying Agent, the Collateral Manager, DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream. The Calculation Agent will also notify the Issuer before 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on every Interest Determination Date if it has not determined and is not in the process of determining any such Interest Rate or Note Interest Amount together with its reasons therefor. The Calculation Agent’s determination of the foregoing rates and amounts for any Interest Accrual Period will (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding upon all parties.
Section 7.17Certain Tax Matters. (a) The Issuers will treat the Issuers and the Notes as described in the “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” section of the Offering Circular for all U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes and will take no action inconsistent with such treatment unless required by law.
(b)The Issuer and Co-Issuer shall prepare and file, or shall hire accountants and the accountants shall cause to be prepared and filed (and, where applicable, delivered to the Issuer or Holders) for each taxable year of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer the federal, state and local income tax returns and reports as required under the Code, or any tax returns or information tax returns required by any governmental authority which the Issuer and the Co-Issuer are required to file (and, where applicable, deliver), and shall provide to each Holder any information that such Holder reasonably requests in order for such Holder to comply with its U.S. federal, state or local tax and information return and reporting obligations.
(c)Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Issuer shall take any and all reasonable actions that may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the Issuer satisfies any and all withholding and tax payment obligations under Code Sections 1441, 1442, 1445, 1446, 1471, 1472, and any other provision of the Code or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Issuer may withhold any amount that it or any advisor
-140-
retained by the Trustee on its behalf determines is required to be withheld from any amounts otherwise distributable to any Person.
(d)Upon written request, the Trustee and the Registrar shall provide to the Issuer, the Collateral Manager or any agent thereof in accordance with Section 14.3 any information specified by such parties regarding the Holders of the Notes and payments on the Notes that is reasonably available to the Trustee or the Registrar, as the case may be, and may reasonably be necessary for the Issuer to achieve Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance.
(e)The Issuer (or an agent acting on its behalf) will take such reasonable actions, including hiring agents or advisors, consistent with law and its obligations under this Indenture, as are necessary to achieve Tax Account Reporting Compliance, including appointing any agent or representative to perform due diligence, withholding or reporting obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Tax Account Reporting Rules, and any other action that the Issuer would be permitted to take under this Indenture necessary to achieve Tax Account Reporting Compliance.
(f)Upon the Trustee’s receipt of a request by a Holder or by a Person certifying that it is an owner of a beneficial interest in a Note for the information described in United States Treasury regulations section 1.1275-3(b)(1)(i) that is applicable to such Holder or beneficial owner, the Issuer shall cause its Independent accountants to provide promptly to the Trustee and such requesting Holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such a Note all of such information. Any additional issuance of the additional Notes shall be accomplished in a manner that shall allow the Independent accountants of the Issuer to accurately calculate original issue discount income to Holders of the additional Notes.
(g)No more than 50% of the debt obligations (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) held by the Issuer may at any time consist of real estate mortgages as determined for purposes of Section 7701(i) of the Code unless, based on an opinion of nationally recognized U.S. tax counsel experienced in such matters, the ownership or such debt obligations will not cause the Issuer to be treated as a taxable mortgage pool for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(h)In connection with a Re-Pricing or a designation of a new Reference Rate, the Issuer will cause its Independent accountants to assist the Issuer in complying with any requirements under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1273-2(f)(9) (or any successor provision), including, (i) determining whether Notes subject to such Re-Pricing or a designation of a new Reference Rate are traded on an established market, (ii) if so traded, to cause its Independent accountants to determine the fair market value of such Notes, and (iii) to make available such fair market value determination to Holders and beneficial owners of Notes in a commercially reasonable fashion, including by electronic publication, within 90 days after the effective date of such Re-Pricing or a designation of a new Reference Rate.
Section 7.18Effective Date; Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations. (a) The Issuer will use commercially reasonable efforts to purchase, on or before June 15, 2021, Collateral Obligations (i) such that the Target Initial Par Condition is satisfied and (ii) that satisfy, as of the Effective Date, the Concentration Limitations, the Collateral Quality Test and the Coverage Tests.
-141-
(b)During the period from the Closing Date to and including the Effective Date, the Issuer will use funds to purchase additional Collateral Obligations as follows: (i) to pay for the principal portion of any Collateral Obligation from any amounts on deposit in the Ramp-Up Account or any Principal Proceeds on deposit in the Collection Account at the discretion of the Collateral Manager and (ii) to pay for accrued interest on any such Collateral Obligation from any amounts on deposit in the Ramp-Up Account or any Principal Proceeds on deposit in the Collection Account at the discretion of the Collateral Manager.
(c)Within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, (i) the Issuer shall provide to the Collateral Manager and the Trustee, an Accountants’ Report: (x) confirming the identity of the issuer (it being understood that the same issuer may be referred to differently due to the use of abbreviations or shorthand references by different record keepers), principal balance, coupon/spread, stated maturity, S&P Rating and country of Domicile with respect to each Collateral Obligation as of the Effective Date and the information provided by the Issuer with respect to every other asset included in the Assets, by reference to such sources as shall be specified therein (such report, the “Accountants’ Effective Date Comparison AUP Report”) and (y) recalculating and comparing as of the Effective Date the level of compliance with, or satisfaction or non-satisfaction of the Effective Date Tested Items and specifying the procedures undertaken by them to review data and computations relating to such report (the “Accountants’ Effective Date Recalculation AUP Report”), and (ii) the Issuer shall cause the Collateral Administrator to compile and deliver to the Rating Agency (in the case of delivery to S&P, via email to [email protected]) a report (the “Effective Date Report”), determined as of the Effective Date, containing (A) the information required in a Monthly Report, (B) a calculation of the Aggregate Principal Balance that indicates whether the Aggregate Principal Balance equals or exceeds the Target Initial Par Amount in satisfaction of the Target Initial Par Condition and (C) a list of any Closing Date Participation Interests held by the Issuer as of the Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Effective Date Report shall not include or refer to the Accountants’ Report and no Accountants’ Report shall be provided to or otherwise shared with the Rating Agency.
(d)In accordance with SEC Release No. 34-72936, Form 15-E, only in its complete and unedited form which includes the Accountants’ Effective Date Comparison AUP Report as an attachment and, if Additional Securities are issued, any Accountants’ Report delivered in connection thereto will be provided by the Independent accountants to the Issuer who will post such Form 15-E, except for the redaction of any sensitive information, on the 17g-5 Website. Copies of the Accountants’ Effective Date Recalculation AUP Report or any other accountants’ report provided by the Independent accountants to the Issuer, Trustee, Collateral Manager or Collateral Administrator will not be provided to any other party including the Rating Agency (other than as provided in an access letter between the accountants and such party).
(e)If the Effective Date S&P Conditions have not been satisfied on or prior to the Determination Date immediately preceding the first Payment Date (such event, an “S&P Rating Confirmation Failure”), then the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on the Issuer’s behalf) will instruct the Trustee to transfer amounts from the Interest Collection Subaccount to the Principal Collection Subaccount and may, prior to the first Payment Date, use such funds on behalf of the Issuer for the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations until such time as the Effective Date S&P Conditions have been satisfied (provided that the amount of such transfer would not
-142-
result in a default in the payment of interest with respect to the Class A Notes); provided that in lieu of complying with this clause (e), the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on the Issuer’s behalf) may take such action, including but not limited to, a Special Redemption and/or transferring amounts from the Interest Collection Subaccount to the Principal Collection Subaccount as Principal Proceeds (for use in a Special Redemption or to acquire additional Collateral Obligations), sufficient to enable the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on the Issuer’s behalf) to satisfy the Effective Date S&P Conditions.
(f)U.S.$90,913,744 of the net proceeds of the issuance of the Notes will be deposited in the Ramp-Up Account on the Closing Date. At the direction of the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer), the Trustee shall apply amounts held in the Ramp-Up Account to purchase additional Collateral Obligations and Principal Financed Accrued Interest, if any, from the Closing Date to and including the Effective Date as described in clause (b) above. If on the Effective Date, any amounts on deposit in the Ramp-Up Account have not been applied to purchase Collateral Obligations, such amounts shall be applied as described in Section 10.3(c).
(g)Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate; S&P CDO Monitor. On or prior to the Effective Date, the Collateral Manager will elect the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate that will apply on and after such date to the Collateral Obligations for purposes of determining compliance with the Minimum Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate Test, and the Collateral Manager will so notify the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator. Thereafter, at any time with written notice, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, to the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator and S&P, the Collateral Manager may elect a different S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate to apply to the Collateral Obligations; provided that if (i) the Collateral Obligations are currently in compliance with the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate case then applicable to the Collateral Obligations but the Collateral Obligations would not be in compliance with the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate case to which the Collateral Manager desires to change, then such changed case shall not apply or (ii) the Collateral Obligations are not currently in compliance with the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate case then applicable to the Collateral Obligations and would not be in compliance with any other S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate case, the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate to apply to the Collateral Obligations shall be the lowest S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate in Section 2 of Schedule 4. If the Collateral Manager does not notify the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator that it will alter the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate in the manner set forth in this Indenture, the S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate chosen as of the Effective Date shall continue to apply.
(h)Compliance with the S&P CDO Monitor Test will be measured by the Collateral Manager on each Measurement Date on or after the Effective Date and on or prior to the last day of the Reinvestment Period; provided, however, that on each Measurement Date, after receipt by the Issuer of the S&P CDO Monitor, the Collateral Manager will be required to provide to the Collateral Administrator a report on the portfolio of Collateral Obligations containing such information as shall be reasonably necessary to permit the Collateral Administrator to calculate the Class Default Differential with respect to the Highest Ranking Class on such Measurement Date. In the event that the Collateral Manager’s measurement of compliance and the Collateral Administrator’s measurement of compliance show different results, the Collateral Manager and
-143-
the Collateral Administrator shall be required to cooperate promptly in order to reconcile such discrepancy.
(i)The failure of the Issuer to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.18 will not constitute an Event of Default unless such failure constitutes an Event of Default under Section 5.1(d) hereof and the Issuer, or the Collateral Manager acting on behalf of the Issuer, has acted in bad faith.
Section 7.19Representations Relating to Security Interests in the Assets. (a) The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Closing Date (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Indenture and be deemed to be repeated on each date on which an Asset is Granted to the Trustee hereunder):
(i)The Issuer owns each Asset free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance of any Person, other than such as are being released on the Closing Date contemporaneously with the sale of the Securities on the Closing Date or on the related Cut-Off Date contemporaneously with the purchase of such Asset on the Cut-Off Date, created under, or permitted by, this Indenture and any other Permitted Liens.
(ii)Other than the security interest Granted to the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Indenture, except as permitted by this Indenture, the Issuer has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Assets. The Issuer has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any Financing Statements against the Issuer that include a description of collateral covering the Assets other than any Financing Statement relating to the security interest granted to the Trustee hereunder or that has been terminated; the Issuer is not aware of any judgment, PBGC liens or tax lien filings against the Issuer.
(iii)All Assets constitute Cash, accounts (as defined in Section 9‑102(a)(2) of the UCC), Instruments, general intangibles (as defined in Section 9‑102(a)(42) of the UCC), uncertificated securities (as defined in Section 8‑102(a)(18) of the UCC), Certificated Securities or security entitlements to financial assets resulting from the crediting of financial assets to a “securities account” (as defined in Section 8-501(a) of the UCC).
(iv)All Accounts constitute “securities accounts” under Section 8-501(a) of the UCC or “deposit accounts” (as defined in Section 9-102(a) of the UCC).
(v)This Indenture creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in Section 1 ‑ 201(37) of the UCC) in such Assets in favor of the Trustee, for the benefit and security of the Secured Parties, which security interest is prior to all other liens, claims and encumbrances (except as permitted otherwise herein), and is enforceable as such against creditors of and purchasers from the Issuer; provided that this Indenture will only create a security interest in those commercial tort claims, if any, and timber to be cut, if any, that are described in a notice delivered to the Trustee as contemplated by Section 7.5(c).
(b)The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Closing Date (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Indenture and be deemed
-144-
to be repeated on each date on which an Asset is Granted to the Trustee hereunder), with respect to Assets that constitute Instruments:
(i)Either (x) the Issuer has caused or will have caused, within ten days after the Closing Date, the filing of all appropriate Financing Statements in the proper office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the security interest in the Instruments granted to the Trustee, for the benefit and security of the Secured Parties or (y) (A) all original executed copies of each promissory note or mortgage note that constitutes or evidences the Instruments have been delivered to the Trustee or the Issuer has received written acknowledgement from a custodian that such custodian is holding the mortgage notes or promissory notes that constitute evidence of the Instruments solely on behalf of the Trustee and for the benefit of the Secured Parties and (B) none of the Instruments that constitute or evidence the Assets has any marks or notations indicating that they are pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
(ii)The Issuer has received all consents and approvals required by the terms of the Assets to the pledge hereunder to the Trustee of its interest and rights in the Assets.
(c)The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Closing Date (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Indenture and be deemed to be repeated on each date on which an Asset is Granted to the Trustee hereunder), with respect to the Assets that constitute Security Entitlements:
(i)All of such Assets have been and will have been credited to one of the Accounts which are securities accounts within the meaning of Section 8-501(a) of the UCC or “deposit accounts” as defined in Section 9-102(a) of the UCC. The Securities Intermediary for each Account that is a securities account has agreed to treat all assets other than cash or general intangibles credited to such Accounts as “financial assets” within the meaning of Section 8‑102(a)(9) the UCC.
(ii)The Issuer has received all consents and approvals required by the terms of the Assets to the pledge hereunder to the Trustee of its interest and rights in the Assets.
(iii)(x) The Issuer has caused or will have caused, within ten days after the Closing Date, the filing of all appropriate Financing Statements in the proper office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the security interest granted to the Trustee, for the benefit and security of the Secured Parties, hereunder and (y)(A) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee a fully executed Account Agreement pursuant to which the Custodian has agreed to comply with all instructions originated by the Trustee relating to the Accounts without further consent by the Issuer or (B) the Issuer has taken all steps necessary to cause the Custodian to identify in its records the Trustee as the Person having a security entitlement against the Custodian in each of the Accounts.
(iv)The Accounts are not in the name of any Person other than the Issuer or the Trustee. The Issuer has not consented to the Custodian to comply with the Entitlement
-145-
Order of any Person other than the Trustee (and the Issuer prior to a notice of exclusive control being provided by the Trustee).
(d)The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that, as of the Closing Date (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Indenture and be deemed to be repeated on each date on which an Asset is Granted to the Trustee hereunder), with respect to Assets that constitute general intangibles:
(i)The Issuer has caused or will have caused, within ten days after the Closing Date, the filing of all appropriate Financing Statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the security interest in the Assets granted to the Trustee, for the benefit and security of the Secured Parties, hereunder.
(ii)The Issuer has received, or will receive, all consents and approvals required by the terms of the Assets to the pledge hereunder to the Trustee of its interest and rights in the Assets.
(e)The Issuer agrees to notify the Collateral Manager and the Rating Agency promptly if it becomes aware of the breach of any of the representations and warranties contained in this Section 7.19 and shall not, without satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition, waive any of the representations and warranties in this Section 7.19 or any breach thereof.
Section 7.20Limitation on Long Dated Obligations. Neither the Issuer nor the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer shall agree to any amendment or modification to extend the stated maturity of a Collateral Obligation unless the amended stated maturity of such Collateral Obligation would be not later than two years beyond the earliest Stated Maturity of any Secured Notes Outstanding; provided that (x) immediately after giving effect to any such amendment or modification, the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Long Dated Obligations shall not exceed 7.5% of the Collateral Principal Amount and (y) if, after giving effect to such amendment or modification, the Weighted Average Life Test is not satisfied (or if not satisfied immediately prior to such amendment or modification, is not maintained or improved), then the Collateral Obligation that is subject to such amendment or modification (or portion thereof, as applicable) will be considered an “Additional Long Dated Obligation” and will be treated as an Equity Security until such time, if any, that the Weighted Average Life Test is satisfied, at which point such Long Dated Obligation shall no longer be deemed to be an Additional Long Dated Obligation; provided, however, that no Collateral Obligation will be considered an Additional Long Dated Obligation pursuant to the above proviso if such amendment or modification is being executed in connection with the restructuring of such Collateral Obligation as a result of an actual default, bankruptcy or insolvency of the related Obligor; provided further, however, that notwithstanding the prohibition set forth above, the Issuer or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer may agree to an amendment or modification to extend the stated maturity of a Collateral Obligation beyond two years following the earliest Stated Maturity of any Secured Note Outstanding and in such instances, for all purposes under this Indenture, such Collateral Obligation will be treated as an Equity Security. For the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to such amendment or modification, the Collateral Obligation that is the subject of such amendment or modification must satisfy the definition of Collateral Obligation (other than clause (xvi) thereof).
-146-
Subject to the foregoing, the Collateral Manager may, on behalf of the Issuer, agree to any amendment, waiver or modification with respect to any Collateral Obligation in accordance with the Collateral Management Agreement.
Section 7.21Proceedings. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Collateral Administration Agreement, the Collateral Management Agreement, the Administration Agreement or of any other agreement, the Issuer shall be under no duty or obligation of any kind to the Holders, or any of them, to institute any legal or other proceedings of any kind, against any person or entity, including, without limitation, the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator, the Administrator or the Calculation Agent. Nothing in this Section 7.21 shall imply or impose any additional duties on the part of the Trustee.
Section 7.22Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceedings. The Issuers shall take all actions necessary to defend and dismiss any petition, filing or institution of any involuntary bankruptcy, winding up or insolvency proceedings or procedures against the Issuer or Co-Issuer, or the filing with respect to the Issuer or the Co-Issuer of a petition or answer or consent seeking an involuntary reorganization, arrangement, moratorium, winding up or liquidation proceedings or other involuntary proceedings under any Bankruptcy Law or any similar laws; provided that the obligations of the Issuers in this Section 7.22 shall be subject to the availability of funds therefor under the Priority of Payments. The reasonable fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Issuer or the Co-Issuer (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and expenses) in connection with taking any such actions constitute Administrative Expenses payable in accordance with the Priority of Payments.
ARTICLE VIII
Supplemental Indentures
Section 8.1Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders. (a) Without the consent of the Holders of any Securities (except any consent explicitly required below) (but with the written consent of the Collateral Manager) and at any time and from time to time, subject to Section 8.3, and without regard to whether any Class would be materially and adversely affected thereby (except as expressly provided below), the Issuers and the Trustee may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(i)to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer or the Co-Issuer and the assumption by any such successor Person of the covenants of the Issuer or the Co‑Issuer herein and in the Securities;
(ii)to add to the covenants of the Issuers or the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties;
(iii)to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms and purposes of the issue, authentication and delivery of the Securities;
-147-
(iv)to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Sections 6.9, 6.10 and 6.12 hereof;
(v)to correct or amplify the description of any property at any time subject to the lien of this Indenture, or to better assure, convey and confirm unto the Trustee any property subject or required to be subjected to the lien of this Indenture (including, without limitation, any and all actions necessary or desirable as a result of changes in law or regulations, whether pursuant to Section 7.5 or otherwise) or to subject to the lien of this Indenture any additional property;
(vi)to modify the restrictions on and procedures for resales and other transfers of Securities to reflect any changes in ERISA or other applicable law or regulation (or the interpretation thereof) or to enable the Issuers to rely upon any exemption from registration under the Securities Act or the 1940 Act or otherwise comply with any applicable securities law;
(vii)to remove restrictions on resale and transfer of Securities to the extent not required under clause (vi) above;
(viii)to facilitate (A) the listing of any of the Notes on any non-U.S. exchange, (B) compliance with the guidelines of such exchange, or (C) if so listed, the de-listing of any of the Notes from such exchange if the Collateral Manager determines that the costs and burdens of maintaining such listing are excessive;
(ix)to correct any inconsistent or defective provisions herein or to cure any ambiguity, omission or errors herein;
(x)to conform the provisions of this Indenture to the Offering Circular;
(xi)to take any action necessary, advisable, or helpful to prevent the Issuer, or the holders of any Notes from being subject to (or to otherwise reduce) withholding or other taxes, fees or assessments, including by achieving Tax Account Reporting Rules Compliance, or to reduce the risk that the Issuer may be treated as publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject to U.S. federal, state or local tax on a net income or entity level basis (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code or any similar provision of law);
(xii)(A) with the consent of the Collateral Manager, the Retention Holder and a Majority of the Preferred Shares (and, solely with respect to an issuance of additional Secured Notes, the consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned)), to make such changes as shall be necessary to permit the Issuer or the Issuers, as applicable, to issue Additional Securities of any one or more existing Classes or Junior Mezzanine Notes in accordance with this Indenture or (B) at the direction of a Majority of the Preferred Shares, to permit the Issuer or the Issuers, as applicable, to issue replacement securities in connection with a Refinancing or to reduce the Interest Rate of a Class of Re-Pricing Eligible Notes in
-148-
connection with a Re-Pricing, in each case in accordance with this Indenture; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the supplemental indenture executed in connection therewith shall only effect such additional issuance, Re-Pricing or Refinancing, as applicable, and shall not modify any other provisions of this Indenture;
(xiii)to modify the procedures herein relating to compliance with Rule 17g-5;
(xiv)to conform to ratings criteria and other guidelines (including, without limitation, any alternative methodology published by the Rating Agency or any use of the Rating Agency’s credit models or guidelines for ratings determination) relating to collateral debt obligations in general published or otherwise communicated by the Rating Agency;
(xv)following receipt by the Issuer of written advice of counsel with a national reputation and experienced in such matters (which may be via e-mail), to amend, modify or otherwise accommodate changes to this Indenture to comply with any statute, rule or regulation enacted by regulatory agencies of the United States federal government, or by any Member State of the European Economic Area or otherwise under European law, after the Closing Date that are applicable to the Issuers, the Secured Notes, the Preferred Shares or the transactions contemplated by this Indenture or the Offering Circular, including, without limitation, the EU Risk Retention Requirements, U.S. Risk Retention Rules, securities laws or the Dodd-Frank Act and all rules, regulations, and technical or interpretive guidance thereunder, or any amendment in relation to the Volcker Rule;
(xvi)to amend the name of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer;
(xvii)(A) to modify or amend any component of the Collateral Quality Test and the definitions related thereto which affect the calculation thereof or (B) to modify the definition of “Credit Improved Obligation,” “Credit Risk Obligation,” “Defaulted Obligation” or “Equity Security,” the restrictions on the sales of Collateral Obligations set forth herein or the Investment Criteria set forth herein (other than the calculation of the Concentration Limitations and the Collateral Quality Test); provided, in each case under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), that consent to such supplemental indenture has been obtained from a Majority of the Controlling Class;
(xviii)to facilitate the issuance of participation notes, combination notes, composite securities, and other similar securities by the Issuer or the Issuers, as applicable;
(xix)to modify any provision to facilitate an exchange of one Note for another Note that has substantially identical terms except transfer restrictions, including to effect any serial designation relating to the exchange;
(xx)to evidence any waiver or modification by the Rating Agency as to any material requirement or condition, as applicable, of the Rating Agency set forth herein;
(xxi)to accommodate the settlement of the Notes in book-entry form through the facilities of DTC or otherwise;
-149-
(xxii)to change the date within the month on which reports are required to be delivered hereunder;
(xxiii)to enter into any additional agreements not expressly prohibited by this Indenture if the Issuer determines that such agreement would not, upon or after becoming effective, materially and adversely affect the rights and interests of the Holders of any Class of Securities; provided that (x) any such additional agreements include customary limited recourse and non-petition provisions and (y) consent to such supplemental indenture has been obtained from a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares (such consents not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned);
(xxiv)following (A) the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date, to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes as are necessary or advisable in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Manager to facilitate such change or (B) the occurrence of any Benchmark Transition Event and with the consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares, to implement an Alternative Reference Rate without regard to whether such changes materially and adversely affect any Class of Securities;
(xxv)to make such amendments as are necessary or advisable in the good faith and reasonable judgment of the Collateral Manager to conform this Indenture to any publication by the Relevant Governmental Body on or after the Closing Date of any new or updated recommendations with respect to reference rate replacement language for the leveraged loan market or the collateralized loan obligation market; or
(xxvi)to amend, modify or otherwise change the provisions of this Indenture so that (1) the Issuer is not a “covered fund” under the Volcker Rule, (2) the Secured Notes are not considered to constitute “ownership interests” under the Volcker Rule or (3) ownership of the Secured Notes will otherwise be exempt from the Volcker Rule.
Section 8.2Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. (a) With the written consent of (i) the Collateral Manager and (ii) a Majority of each Class of Securities (voting separately by Class) materially and adversely affected thereby, if any, the Trustee and the Issuers may, subject to Section 8.3 execute one or more supplemental indentures to add provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of, this Indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of any Class under this Indenture; provided that, no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each Class materially and adversely affected thereby:
(i)change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or the due date of any installment of interest on any Secured Notes, reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (except in connection with a Re-Pricing) or, except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Indenture, the Redemption Price with respect to any Securities, or change the earliest date on which Securities of any Class may be redeemed or re-priced, change the provisions of this Indenture relating to the application of proceeds of any Assets to the payment of principal of or interest on the Secured Notes, or distributions on the Preferred Shares or change any place where, or the coin or currency in which, Securities
-150-
or the principal thereof or interest or any distribution thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the applicable Redemption Date); provided that this Indenture may be amended without the consent of the Holders (except as expressly provided in Section 8.1(xxiv)) to facilitate a change from LIBOR to an Alternative Reference Rate or, pursuant to a Reference Rate Amendment, to any replacement Benchmark;
(ii)reduce the percentage of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of Holders of Securities of any Class whose consent is required for the authorization of any such supplemental indenture or for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder or their consequences provided for herein;
(iii)materially impair or materially adversely affect the Assets except as otherwise permitted herein;
(iv)except as otherwise permitted by this Indenture, permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the lien of this Indenture with respect to any part of the Assets or terminate such lien on any property at any time subject hereto or deprive the Holder of any Secured Note of the security afforded by the lien of this Indenture;
(v)reduce the percentage of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of Holders of any Class of Secured Notes whose consent is required to request the Trustee to preserve the Assets or rescind the Trustee’s election to preserve the Assets pursuant to Section 5.5 or to sell or liquidate the Assets pursuant to Section 5.4 or 5.5;
(vi)modify any of the provisions of (x) this Section 8.2, except to increase the percentage of Outstanding Class A Notes or Preferred Shares, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such action or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Class A Note Outstanding or Preferred Share Outstanding and affected thereby or (y) Section 8.1 or Section 8.3;
(vii)modify the definitions of any of the terms “Outstanding,” “Class,” “Controlling Class,” or “Majority” or the Priority of Payments; or
(viii)modify any of the provisions of this Indenture in such a manner as to affect the calculation of the amount of any payment of interest or principal on any Secured Notes or any amount available for distribution to the Preferred Shares, or to affect the rights of the Holders of any Securities to the benefit of any provisions for the redemption of such Securities contained herein.
The Trustee may conclusively rely on an Opinion of Counsel (which may be supported as to factual (including financial and capital markets) matters by any relevant certificates and other documents necessary or advisable in the judgment of counsel delivering the opinion) or a Responsible Officer’s certificate of the Collateral Manager as to whether the interests of any Holder of Securities would be materially and adversely affected by the modifications set forth in any supplemental indenture entered in pursuant to this Section 8.2, it being expressly understood and
-151-
agreed that the Trustee shall have no obligation to make any determination as to the satisfaction of the requirements related to any supplemental indenture which may form the basis of such Opinion of Counsel or such Responsible Officer’s certificate. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all present and future Holders. The Trustee shall not be liable for any such determination made in good faith and in reliance upon an Opinion of Counsel or such a Responsible Officer’s certificate delivered to the Trustee as described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Majority of any Class has provided written notice to the Trustee at least three Business Days prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that such Class would be materially and adversely affected thereby (and setting forth in reasonable detail how such Class would be materially and adversely affected) and such Class is not being redeemed in connection with the execution of such supplemental indenture, the Trustee will not enter into such supplemental indenture without the consent of a Majority (or such greater percentage as may be required above) of such Class.
Section 8.3Execution of Supplemental Indentures. (a) The Collateral Manager shall not be bound to follow any amendment or supplement to this Indenture unless it has consented thereto in accordance with this Article VIII. No amendment to this Indenture will be effective against the Collateral Administrator if such amendment would adversely affect the Collateral Administrator, including, without limitation, any amendment or supplement that would increase the duties or liabilities of, or adversely change the economic consequences to, the Collateral Administrator, unless the Collateral Administrator otherwise consents in writing.
(b)Notwithstanding any other provision relating to supplemental indentures herein, at any time after the expiration of the Non-Call Period, if any Class of Securities has been or contemporaneously with the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture will be paid in full in accordance with this Indenture as so supplemented or amended, no consent of any Holder of such Class will be required with respect to such supplemental indenture.
(c)The Trustee shall join in the execution of any such supplemental indenture and shall make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
(d)In executing or accepting the additional trusts created by any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article VIII or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.3) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent thereto have been satisfied. The Trustee shall not be liable for any reliance made in good faith upon such an Opinion of Counsel.
(e)At the cost of the Issuers, for so long as any Securities shall remain Outstanding, not later than ten (10) Business Days (or, in the case of a proposed supplemental indenture that effects a Refinancing, a Re-Pricing or an issuance of Additional Securities, five (5) Business Days) prior to the execution of any proposed supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall deliver to the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator, the Holders, the Rating Agency (if
-152-
any Class of Outstanding Notes is then rated by the Rating Agency) and the Issuers, a copy of such supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall, at the expense of the Issuer, notify the Holders if the Rating Agency determines that such supplemental indenture will affect its rating of any Class rated by the Rating Agency. At the cost of the Issuer, the Trustee shall provide to the Holders (in the manner described in Section 14.4) and the Rating Agency (if any Class of Outstanding Notes is then rated by the Rating Agency) a copy of the executed supplemental indenture after its execution. Any failure of the Trustee to publish or deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
(f)It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient, if the consent of any Holders to such proposed supplemental indenture is required, that such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
(g)Notwithstanding any other provision in this Article VIII or any other requirements set forth in this Indenture, in connection with a Refinancing of all Classes of Secured Notes, the Issuers and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture to add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of, this Indenture if (i) such supplemental indenture is effective on or after the date of such Refinancing, (ii) the Collateral Manager and a Majority of the Preferred Shares have consented to the execution of such supplemental indenture and (iii) such supplemental indenture does not, by its terms, modify the rights or terms applicable to any portion of the Preferred Shares in a manner intended to result in such rights or terms being materially different from any other portion of the Preferred Shares; provided further that with respect to any such supplemental indenture, a description of all material terms of such supplemental indenture was disclosed to the purchasers of the loans or replacement notes prior to the date of such Refinancing.
(h)Notwithstanding any other provision in this Article VIII, a supplemental indenture for which the Holders of each Outstanding Security of each Class have consented shall not require satisfaction of any timing requirements for prior notice of such supplemental indenture to any person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee shall subsequently provide to the Rating Agency then rating an Outstanding Class of Notes a copy of any supplemental indenture described in the immediately preceding sentence.
(i)Any amendment or supplement to this Indenture, will only be effective if none of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Retention Holder or any “sponsor” of the Issuer under the U.S. Risk Retention Rules fails to be in compliance with the U.S. Risk Retention Rules or the EU Risk Retention Requirements as a result of such amendment or supplement unless such Person has consented to such amendment or supplement.
Section 8.4Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article VIII, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Notes theretofore and thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
-153-
Section 8.5Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures. Notes authenticated and delivered as part of a transfer, exchange or replacement pursuant to Article II or Notes originally issued hereunder after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article VIII may, and if required by the Issuer shall, bear a notice in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer shall so determine, new Notes, so modified as to conform in the opinion of the Issuer to any such supplemental indenture, may be prepared and executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Notes.
Section 8.6Hedge Agreements. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no supplemental indenture, or other modification or amendment of this Indenture, may be entered into that permits the Issuer to enter into any hedge agreement unless (i) the written terms of the hedge agreement directly relate to the Collateral Obligations or the Securities and such hedge agreement reduces the interest rate and/or foreign exchange risks related to the Collateral Obligations or the Securities and (ii) the S&P Rating Condition is satisfied. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer cannot enter into hedge agreements without such a modification.
Section 8.7Effect of a Benchmark Transition Event. (a) If the Collateral Manager determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any determination of the Benchmark on any date, the Alternative Reference Rate will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the securitization in respect of such determination on such date and all determinations on all subsequent dates.
(b)In connection with the implementation of an Alternative Reference Rate , the Collateral Manager will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time in accordance with Section 8.1(a)(xxiv).
(c)Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Section 8.7 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 or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, may be made in the Collateral Manager’s sole discretion, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the documentation relating to the securities, shall become effective without consent from any other party.
(d)The Holders shall be deemed to have waived and released any and all claims, with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to an Alternative Reference Rate , including, without limitation, determinations as to the occurrence of a Benchmark Replacement Date or a Benchmark Transition Event, the selection of an Alternative Reference Rate, the determination of the applicable Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, and the implementation of any Reference Rate Amendment.
-154-
ARTICLE IX
Redemption Of Notes
Section 9.1Mandatory Redemption. If a Coverage Test is not met on any Determination Date on which such Coverage Test is applicable, the Issuer shall apply available amounts in the Payment Account to make payments on the Securities on the applicable Payment Date pursuant to the Priority of Payments (a “Mandatory Redemption”).
Section 9.2Optional Redemption. (a) The Secured Notes shall be redeemable by the Issuers at the written direction of a Majority of the Preferred Shares (with the consent of the Collateral Manager) as follows: (i) in whole (with respect to all Classes of Secured Notes) but not in part on any Business Day after the end of the Non-Call Period from Sale Proceeds, Refinancing Proceeds and/or all other available funds or (ii) in part by Class (with respect to one or more entire Classes of Secured Notes designated by a Majority of the Preferred Shares) on any Business Day after the end of the Non-Call Period from Refinancing Proceeds and/or Partial Refinancing Interest Proceeds; provided that any redemption in part by Class will be in respect of the entire Class or Classes of Secured Notes. In connection with any such redemption, the Secured Notes shall be redeemed at the applicable Redemption Prices and a Majority of the Preferred Shares must provide the above described written direction to the Issuer and the Trustee not later than thirty (30) days (or such shorter period of time (not to be less than fifteen (15) Business Days) as the Trustee and the Collateral Manager find reasonably acceptable) prior to the Business Day on which such redemption is to be made; provided that all Secured Notes to be redeemed must be redeemed simultaneously.
(b)Upon receipt of a notice of any redemption of Secured Notes in whole (from the Trustee via overnight delivery service) pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(i), the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion shall direct the sale (and the manner thereof) of all or part of the Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments in an amount such that the proceeds from such sale and all other funds available for such purpose in the Collection Account and the Payment Account will be at least sufficient to pay the Redemption Prices of the Secured Notes to be redeemed and to pay all Administrative Expenses (without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap) and Collateral Management Fee due and payable under the Priority of Payments. If such proceeds of such sale and all other funds available for such purpose in the Collection Account and the Payment Account would not be sufficient to redeem all Secured Notes and to pay such fees and expenses, the Secured Notes may not be redeemed. The Collateral Manager, in its sole discretion, may effect the sale of all or any part of the Collateral Obligations or other Assets through the direct sale of such Collateral Obligations or other Assets or by participation or other arrangement.
(c)In addition to (or in lieu of) a sale of Collateral Obligations and/or Eligible Investments in the manner provided above, the Issuers may redeem the Secured Notes with the consent of the Collateral Manager in whole from Refinancing Proceeds and Sale Proceeds, if any, or in part by Class (with respect to one or more entire Classes of Secured Notes designated by a Majority of the Preferred Shares) from Refinancing Proceeds and Partial Refinancing Interest Proceeds, in each case, by obtaining a loan or an issuance of replacement securities, whose terms in each case may be negotiated by the Issuer or, upon request of the Issuer, by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, from one or more financial institutions or purchasers (any such
-155-
redemption and refinancing, a “Refinancing”); provided that the terms of such Refinancing and any financial institutions acting as lenders thereunder or purchasers thereof must be acceptable to the Collateral Manager and a Majority of the Preferred Shares and such Refinancing must otherwise satisfy the conditions set forth below. Any loans or replacement securities issued in connection with a Refinancing will be offered first to the Collateral Manager and the Retention Holder, in such amount that the Collateral Manager or the Retention Holder has determined, in its sole discretion, is required for the U.S. Risk Retention Rules and EU Risk Retention Requirements to be satisfied.
(d)In the case of a Refinancing upon a redemption of the Secured Notes in whole but not in part pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(i), such Refinancing will be effective only if (i) the Refinancing Proceeds, all Sale Proceeds from the sale of Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments in accordance with the procedures set forth herein, and all other available funds will be at least sufficient to redeem simultaneously the Secured Notes then required to be redeemed at the respective Redemption Prices thereof, in whole but not in part, and to pay all accrued and unpaid Administrative Expenses (without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap), including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator and the Collateral Manager (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) in connection with such Refinancing, (ii) any Sale Proceeds, Refinancing Proceeds and other available funds are used (to the extent necessary) to make such redemption, (iii) none of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Retention Holder or any “sponsor” of the Issuer under the U.S. Risk Retention Rules shall fail to be in compliance with the U.S. Risk Retention Rules or the EU Risk Retention Requirements as a result of such Refinancing unless such Person has consented to such Refinancing, (iv) the agreements relating to the Refinancing contain limited recourse and non-petition provisions equivalent (mutatis mutandis) to those contained in Section 13.1(b) and Section 2.8(i) and (v) a written opinion of tax counsel of nationally recognized standing in the United States experienced in such matters, is delivered to the Trustee, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Manager and the Trustee, to the effect that such Refinancing will not result in the Issuer becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation with respect to its net income (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code), or result in the Issuer being treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(e)In the case of a Refinancing upon a redemption of the Secured Notes in part by Class pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(ii), such Refinancing will be effective only if (i) the S&P Rating Condition has been satisfied with respect to any remaining Secured Notes that were not the subject of the Refinancing, (ii) the Refinancing Proceeds and the Partial Refinancing Interest Proceeds will be at least sufficient to pay in full the aggregate Redemption Prices of the entire Class or Classes of Secured Notes subject to Refinancing, (iii) the Refinancing Proceeds and the Partial Refinancing Interest Proceeds are used (to the extent necessary) to make such redemption, (iv) the agreements relating to the Refinancing contain limited recourse and non-petition provisions equivalent (mutatis mutandis) to those contained in Section 13.1(b) and Section 2.8(i), (v) the aggregate principal amount of any obligations providing the Refinancing is no greater than the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes being redeemed with the proceeds of such obligations plus an amount equal to the reasonable fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred in connection with such Refinancing, (vi) the stated maturity of each class of obligations providing the Refinancing is no earlier than the corresponding Stated Maturity of each Class of Secured
-156-
Notes being refinanced, (vii) the reasonable fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred in connection with such Refinancing have been paid or will be adequately provided for from the Refinancing Proceeds (except for expenses owed to Persons that the Collateral Manager informs the Trustee will be paid solely as Administrative Expenses payable in accordance with the Priority of Payments; provided that any such fees due to the Trustee and determined by the Collateral Manager to be paid in accordance with the Priority of Payments shall not be subject to the Administrative Expense Cap), (viii) the weighted average interest rate (based on the aggregate principal amount of the obligations providing the Refinancing and the Reference Rate as in effect in the Interest Accrual Period in which the notice of redemption is delivered) with respect to such obligations providing the Refinancing must not exceed the weighted average interest rate (based on the aggregate principal amount of each Class of Secured Notes subject to a Refinancing and the Reference Rate as in effect in the Interest Accrual Period in which the notice of redemption is delivered) of the Class or Classes of Secured Notes that are being redeemed pursuant to such Refinancing; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that Floating Rate Notes may be refinanced with notes bearing a fixed rate of interest, (ix) the obligations providing the Refinancing are subject to the Priority of Payments and do not rank higher in priority pursuant to the Priority of Payments than the corresponding Class of Secured Notes being refinanced, (x) the voting rights, consent rights, redemption rights and all other rights of the obligations providing the Refinancing are the same as the rights of the corresponding Class of Secured Notes being refinanced, (xi) a Majority of the Preferred Shares directs the Issuer to effect such Refinancing, (xii) the Issuer has received a written opinion of tax counsel of nationally recognized standing in the United States experienced in such matters, to the effect that such Refinancing will not result in the Issuer becoming subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to its net income (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code), or result in the Issuer being treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (xiii) none of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Retention Holder or any “sponsor” of the Issuer under the U.S. Risk Retention Rules shall fail to be in compliance with the U.S. Risk Retention Rules or the EU Risk Retention Requirements as a result of such Refinancing unless such Person has consented to such Refinancing.
(f)The holders of the Preferred Shares will not have any cause of action against the Issuers, the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator or the Trustee for any failure to obtain a Refinancing. Unless it otherwise consents, neither the Collateral Manager nor any Affiliate of the Collateral Manager shall be required to acquire any obligations or securities of the Issuers in connection with such Refinancing. If a Refinancing is obtained meeting the requirements specified above as certified by the Collateral Manager, the Issuers and the Trustee shall amend this Indenture to the extent necessary to reflect the terms of the Refinancing and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Article VIII hereof, no further consent for such amendments shall be required from the Holders of Securities other than the consent of a Majority of the Preferred Shares directing the redemption (including with respect to any related amendment providing that replacement securities issued in connection therewith will not be subject to any subsequent Refinancing). The Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any amendment that, in its view, adversely affects its duties, obligations, liabilities or protections hereunder, and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel as to matters of law (which may be supported as to factual (including financial and capital markets) matters by any relevant certificates and other documents necessary or advisable in the judgment of counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel) provided by the Issuer to the effect that such
-157-
amendment meets the requirements specified above and is permitted under this Indenture (except that such officer or counsel shall have no obligation to certify or opine as to the sufficiency of the Refinancing Proceeds, or the sufficiency of the Accountants’ Report required hereunder).
(g)In the event of any Optional Redemption, the Issuer shall, at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the Redemption Date, notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date, the applicable Record Date, the principal amount of Secured Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date and the applicable Redemption Prices. The failure to effect any Optional Redemption shall not constitute an Event of Default.
(h)In connection with any redemption of any Class of Secured Notes, Holders of 100% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of any such Class may elect to receive less than 100% of the Redemption Price that would otherwise be payable to the Holders of such Class.
(i)If a Class or Classes of Secured Notes are redeemed in connection with a Refinancing in part by Class, Refinancing Proceeds, together with Partial Refinancing Interest Proceeds, shall be used to pay the Redemption Price(s) of such Class or Classes of Secured Notes without regard to the Priority of Payments.
(j)Subject to and in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles, the Preferred Shares may be redeemed by the Issuer at their Redemption Price (any such redemption, an “Optional Preferred Shares Redemption”), in whole but not in part, on any Business Day upon five (5) Business Days’ notice (or such shorter agreed period) to the Trustee on or after the redemption in full of the Secured Notes, at the direction of a Majority of the Preferred Shares (with the consent of the Collateral Manager) or at the direction of the Collateral Manager. If no funds are available to pay holders of the Preferred Shares pursuant hereto and to the Fiscal Agency Agreement, the Issuer may redeem the Preferred Shares (in whole but not in part) for no consideration on any Redemption Date, on the Stated Maturity or upon an acceleration of the Notes as the result of an Event of Default.
Section 9.3Tax Redemption. (a) The Securities shall be redeemed in whole but not in part (any such redemption, a “Tax Redemption”) at their applicable Redemption Prices at the written direction (delivered to the Trustee) of (x) a Majority of any Affected Class or (y) a Majority of the Preferred Shares, in either case following the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event.
(b)In connection with any Tax Redemption, Holders of 100% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of any Class of Secured Notes may elect to receive less than 100% of the Redemption Price that would otherwise be payable to the Holders of such Class of Secured Notes.
(c)Upon its receipt of such written direction directing a Tax Redemption, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Collateral Manager, the Holders and the Rating Agency thereof.
(d)If an Officer of the Collateral Manager obtains actual knowledge of the occurrence of a Tax Event, the Collateral Manager shall promptly notify the Issuer, the Collateral Administrator and the Trustee thereof, and upon receipt of such notice the Trustee shall promptly notify the Holders of the Securities and the Rating Agency thereof.
-158-
Section 9.4Redemption Procedures. (a) In the event of any Optional Redemption, the written direction of a Majority of the Preferred Shares and the consent of the Collateral Manager shall be provided to the Issuers, the Trustee and the Collateral Manager not later than thirty (30) days (or such shorter period of time, not to be less than fifteen (15) Business Days, as the Trustee and the Collateral Manager find reasonably acceptable) prior to the Business Day on which such redemption is to be made (which date shall be designated in such notice). In the event of any Optional Redemption or Tax Redemption, a notice of redemption shall be given by the Trustee by overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, mailed not later than fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the applicable Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities, at such Holder’s address in the Register or the Share Register, as applicable (and, in the case of Global Notes, delivered by electronic transmission to DTC) and the Rating Agency.
(b)All notices of redemption delivered pursuant to Section 9.4(a) shall state:
(i)the applicable Redemption Date;
(ii)the Redemption Prices of the Notes to be redeemed;
(iii)all of the Securities that are to be redeemed are to be redeemed in full and that interest on such Notes shall cease to accrue on the Payment Date specified in the notice; and
(iv)the place or places where Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Prices, which in the case of the Notes shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and in the case of the Preferred Shares shall be the offices of the Fiscal Agent as set forth in the Fiscal Agency Agreement.
(c)The Issuer may withdraw any such notice of an Optional Redemption on any day up to and including the later of (x) the day on which the Collateral Manager is required to deliver to the Trustee the sale agreement or agreements or certifications as described in Section 9.4(e), by written notice to the Trustee that the Collateral Manager will be unable after using commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such sale agreement or agreements or certifications or it elects in good faith based on an assessment of current market conditions not to deliver such sale agreement or agreements or certifications and (y) the day on which the Holders of Securities are notified of such redemption in accordance with Section 9.4(a), at the written direction of a Majority of Preferred Shares to the Trustee and the Collateral Manager. The Issuer shall provide notice to the Rating Agency of any such withdrawal. The reasonable fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred in connection with the failure of any such redemption will be paid by the Issuer as Administrative Expenses payable in accordance with the Priority of Payments.
(d)Notice of redemption (and any withdrawal thereof) pursuant to Section 9.2 or 9.3 shall be given to the Holders of Securities and the Rating Agency by the Issuer or, upon an Issuer Order, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer. Failure to give notice of redemption, or any defect therein, to any Holder of any Notes selected for redemption shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Notes.
(e)Unless Refinancing Proceeds are being used to redeem the Secured Notes in whole or in part, in the event of any Optional Redemption or Tax Redemption, no Secured Note
-159-
may be optionally redeemed unless (i) at least five (5) Business Days before the scheduled Redemption Date the Collateral Manager shall have furnished to the Trustee evidence in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer has entered into a binding agreement or agreements with a financial or other institution or institutions whose short-term unsecured debt obligations (other than such obligations whose rating is based on the credit of a Person other than such institution) are rated, or guaranteed by a Person whose short-term unsecured debt obligations are rated, at least “A-1” by S&P to purchase (directly or by participation or other arrangement), not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the scheduled Redemption Date in immediately available funds, all or part of the Assets at a purchase price at least sufficient, together with the Eligible Investments maturing, redeemable or putable to the issuer thereof at par on or prior to the scheduled Redemption Date, to pay all Administrative Expenses (without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap) and Collateral Management Fees payable in connection with such Optional Redemption or Tax Redemption, in each case, as applicable and in accordance with the Priority of Payments, and redeem the applicable Class of Secured Notes on the scheduled Redemption Date at the applicable Redemption Prices (including, without limitation, any such amount that the Holders of such Class have elected to receive, where Holders of such Class have elected to receive less than 100% of the Redemption Price that would otherwise be payable to the Holders of such Class), or (ii) prior to selling any Collateral Obligations and/or Eligible Investments, the Collateral Manager shall certify to the Trustee that, in its judgment (which may be based on the Issuer having entered into an agreement to sell such Assets to another special purpose entity (or any Affiliate which has sufficient cash or financing resources available) that has committed financing or that has priced but has not yet closed its securities offering if such securities offering is expected to close on or prior to the scheduled Redemption Date), the aggregate sum of (A) expected proceeds from the sale of Eligible Investments and all amounts that ORTF has committed to contribute to the Issuer, and (B) for each Collateral Obligation, its Market Value, shall exceed the sum of (x) the aggregate Redemption Prices of the applicable Class of Secured Notes (including, without limitation, any such amount that the Holders of such Class have elected to receive, where Holders of such Class have elected to receive less than 100% of the Redemption Price that would otherwise be payable to the Holders of such Class) and (y) all Administrative Expenses (without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap) and Collateral Management Fees payable in connection with such Optional Redemption or Tax Redemption, in each case, as applicable and in accordance with the Priority of Payments. Any certification delivered by the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Section 9.4(e) shall include (1) the prices of, and expected proceeds from, the sale (directly or by participation or other arrangement) of any Collateral Obligations and/or Eligible Investments and (2) all calculations required by this Section 9.4(e). Any holder of Securities, ORTF, the Collateral Manager or any of their respective Affiliates or accounts managed thereby or by any of their respective Affiliates may, subject to the same terms and conditions afforded to other bidders and compliance with applicable law (including the Advisers Act), bid on Assets to be sold as part of an Optional Redemption or Tax Redemption.
Section 9.5Notes Payable on Redemption Date. (a) Notice of redemption pursuant to Section 9.4 having been given as aforesaid, the Notes to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, subject to Section 9.4(e) and the Issuer’s right to withdraw any notice of redemption pursuant to Section 9.4(c), become due and payable at the Redemption Prices therein specified, and from and after the Redemption Date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Prices and accrued interest) all such Notes shall cease to bear interest on the
-160-
Redemption Date. Upon final payment on a Note to be so redeemed, the Holder shall present and surrender such Note at the place specified in the notice of redemption on or prior to such Redemption Date; provided that if there is delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save such party harmless and an undertaking thereafter to surrender such Note, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuer or the Trustee that the applicable Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, such final payment shall be made without presentation or surrender. Payments of interest on Notes to be so redeemed which are payable on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Notes, or one or more predecessor Notes, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Date according to the terms and provisions of Section 2.8(e).
(b)If any Secured Notes called for redemption shall not be paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the applicable Interest Rate for each successive Interest Accrual Period such Secured Notes remain Outstanding; provided that the reason for such non-payment is not the fault of such Holder.
Section 9.6Special Redemption. Principal payments on the Secured Notes shall be made in part in accordance with the Priority of Payments on any Payment Date (i) during the Reinvestment Period, if the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion notifies the Trustee at least five (5) Business Days prior to the applicable Special Redemption Date that it has been unable, for a period of at least twenty (20) consecutive Business Days, to identify additional Collateral Obligations that are deemed appropriate by the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion in accordance with the Collateral Manager Standard and which would satisfy the Investment Criteria in sufficient amounts to permit the investment or reinvestment of all or a portion of the funds then in the Collection Account that are to be invested in additional Collateral Obligations or (ii) after the Effective Date, if the Collateral Manager notifies the Trustee that a redemption is required pursuant to Section 7.18 in order to satisfy the Effective Date S&P Conditions (each of (i) and (ii), a “Special Redemption”). On the first Payment Date following the Collection Period in which such notice is given (a “Special Redemption Date”), the amount in the Collection Account representing, as applicable, either (i) Principal Proceeds which the Collateral Manager has determined in its sole discretion in accordance with the Collateral Manager Standard cannot be reinvested in additional Collateral Obligations will be applied as described in clause (D) of the Priority of Principal Proceeds, or (ii) Interest Proceeds and Principal Proceeds available therefor will be applied to pay principal of the Secured Notes in accordance with the Note Payment Sequence as described in clause (E) of the Priority of Interest Proceeds and clause (B) of the Priority of Principal Proceeds (but in the case of the Priority of Principal Proceeds, only to the extent that the Collateral Manager does not direct that the Interest Proceeds and Principal Proceeds be allocated to the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations) until the Effective Date S&P Conditions have been satisfied (the applicable amount payable under clause (i) or (ii), the “Special Redemption Amount”) will be applied in accordance with the Priority of Payments. Notice of a Special Redemption shall be given by the Trustee not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the applicable Special Redemption Date (x) by email transmission, if available, and otherwise by facsimile, if available, or (y) by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities affected thereby at such Holder’s facsimile number, email address or mailing address in the Register (and, in the case of Global Notes, delivered by electronic transmission to DTC) or the Share Register, as applicable, and to the Rating Agency.
-161-
Section 9.7Optional Re-Pricing. (a) On any Business Day after the Non-Call Period, at the written direction of a Majority of the Preferred Shares (with the consent of the Collateral Manager), the Issuers shall reduce the spread over the Reference Rate with respect to any Class of Re-Pricing Eligible Notes (such reduction, a “Re-Pricing” and any Class of Re-Pricing Eligible Notes to be subject to a Re-Pricing, a “Re-Priced Class”); provided that the Issuers shall not effect any Re-Pricing unless each condition specified in this Section 9.7 is satisfied with respect thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, no terms of any Secured Notes other than the Interest Rate applicable to the related Re-Priced Class may be modified or supplemented in connection with a Re-Pricing. In connection with any Re-Pricing, the Issuer may engage a broker-dealer (the “Re-Pricing Intermediary”) upon the recommendation and subject to the approval of (i) a Majority of the Preferred Shares and (ii) the Collateral Manager and such Re-Pricing Intermediary shall assist the Issuer in effecting the Re-Pricing.
(b)At least 30 days prior to the Business Day fixed by a Majority of the Preferred Shares for any proposed Re-Pricing (the “Re-Pricing Date”), the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, shall deliver a notice in writing to the Trustee (who shall promptly deliver a copy of such notice to each Holder of the proposed Re-Priced Class(es), the Collateral Manager and the Rating Agency), which notice shall:
(i)specify the proposed Re-Pricing Date and the revised Interest Rate to be applied with respect to such Class (the “Re-Pricing Rate”);
(ii)request each Holder of the Re-Priced Class to approve the proposed Re-Pricing; and
(iii)specify the price at which Secured Notes of any Holder of the Re-Priced Class which does not approve the Re-Pricing may be sold and transferred pursuant to Section 9.7(c), which, for purposes of such Re-Pricing, shall be the applicable Redemption Price after giving effect on a pro forma basis to all payments to be made pursuant to the Priority of Payments on the Re-Pricing Date if such date is a Payment Date.
(c)In the event any Holders of the Re-Priced Class do not deliver written consent to the proposed Re-Pricing on or before the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the proposed Re-Pricing Date, the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, shall deliver written notice thereof to the Trustee (who shall promptly deliver a copy of such notice to the consenting Holders of the Re-Priced Class), specifying the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by such non-consenting Holders, and shall request that each such consenting Holder provide written notice to the Issuer, the Trustee, the Collateral Manager and the Re-Pricing Intermediary if such Holder would like to purchase all or any portion of the Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by the non-consenting Holders (each such notice, an “Exercise Notice”) within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice. In the event the Issuer shall receive Exercise Notices with respect to more than the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders, the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, shall cause the sale and transfer of such Secured Notes, without further notice to the non-consenting Holders thereof (for settlement on the Re-Pricing Date) to the Holders delivering Exercise Notices with respect thereto, pro rata based on the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes such Holders indicated an interest in
-162-
purchasing pursuant to their Exercise Notices. In the event the Issuer shall receive Exercise Notices with respect to less than the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders, the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, shall cause the sale and transfer of such Secured Notes, without further notice to the non-consenting Holders thereof, for settlement on the Re-Pricing Date to the Holders delivering Exercise Notices with respect thereto, and any excess Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders shall be sold (for settlement on the Re-Pricing Date) to one or more transferees designated by the Re-Pricing Intermediary and consented to by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer. All sales of Re-Pricing Eligible Notes to be effected pursuant to this clause (c) shall be made at the applicable Redemption Price after giving effect on a pro forma basis to all payments to be made pursuant to the Priority of Payments on the Re-Pricing Date if such date is a Payment Date, and shall be effected only if the related Re-Pricing is effected in accordance with the provisions hereof. The Holder of each Re-Pricing Eligible Note, by its acceptance of an interest in the Re-Pricing Eligible Note, agrees that the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, may enter into binding commitments to sell and transfer all Re-Pricing Eligible Notes of a Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders in accordance with this Section 9.7 and, if it is a non-consenting Holder, hereby irrevocably appoints the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution) in its name, place and stead and at its expense, in connection with such sale and transfer, and agrees to sell and transfer its Secured Notes in accordance with this Section 9.7 and to cooperate with the Issuer, the Re-Pricing Intermediary and the Trustee to effect such sale and transfers. The Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, shall deliver written notice to the Trustee and the Collateral Manager not later than five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed Re-Pricing Date confirming that the Issuer has received written commitments to purchase all Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders. For the avoidance of doubt, such Re-Pricing will apply to all the Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class, including the Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders.
(d)The Issuer shall not effect any proposed Re-Pricing unless: (i) with the consent of a Majority of the Preferred Shares and the Collateral Manager, the Issuers and the Trustee shall have entered into a supplemental indenture, dated as of the Re-Pricing Date solely to decrease the spread over the Reference Rate applicable to the Re-Priced Class; (ii) the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, has received written commitments to purchase all Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders; (iii) the Rating Agency shall have been notified of such Re-Pricing; (iv) the Issuer has received a written opinion of tax counsel of nationally recognized standing in the United States experienced in such matters, to the effect that such Re-Pricing will not result in the Issuer becoming subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to its net income (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code), or result in the Issuer being treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (v) all expenses of the Issuer and the Trustee (including the fees of the Re-Pricing Intermediary and fees of counsel) incurred in connection with the Re-Pricing shall not exceed the amount of Interest Proceeds expected to be available after taking into account all amounts required to be paid pursuant to the Priority of Payments on the subsequent Payment Date prior to distributions to the Holders of the Preferred Shares, unless such expenses shall have been paid (including from proceeds of any additional issuance of Preferred Shares) or shall be adequately provided for by an entity other than the Issuer; and (vi) none of the Issuer, the Collateral
-163-
Manager, the Retention Holder or any “sponsor” of the Issuer under the U.S. Risk Retention Rules fails to be in compliance with the U.S. Risk Retention Rules or the EU Risk Retention Requirements as a result of such Re-Pricing unless such Person has consented to such Re-Pricing. Unless it otherwise consents, none of the Collateral Manager, the Retention Holder nor any of their Affiliates shall be required to acquire any obligations or securities of the Issuer in connection with such Re-Pricing.
(e)If notice has been received by the Trustee from the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, confirming that the Issuer, or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer, has received written commitments to purchase all Secured Notes of the Re-Priced Class held by non-consenting Holders, notice of a Re-Pricing shall be given by the Trustee by email transmission, if available, and by first class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Re-Pricing Date, to each Holder of Notes of the Re-Priced Class at the address in the Register (and, in the case of Global Notes, delivered by electronic transmission to DTC) (with a copy to the Collateral Manager), specifying the applicable Re-Pricing Date and Re-Pricing Rate. Notice of Re-Pricing shall be given by the Trustee at the expense of the Issuer. Failure to give a notice of Re-Pricing, or any defect therein, to any Holder of any Re-Priced Class shall not impair or affect the validity of the Re-Pricing or give rise to any claim based upon such failure or defect. Any notice of a Re-Pricing may be withdrawn by a Majority of the Preferred Shares on or prior to the fourth Business Day prior to the scheduled Re-Pricing Date by written notice to the Issuer, the Trustee and the Collateral Manager for any reason. Upon receipt of such notice of withdrawal, the Trustee shall send such notice to the Holders of Secured Notes and the Rating Agency.
(f)The Issuer shall direct the Trustee to segregate payments and take other reasonable steps to effect the Re-Pricing and the Trustee shall have the authority to take such actions as may be directed by the Issuer or the Collateral Manager as the Issuer (or the Re-Pricing Intermediary on behalf of the Issuer) or Collateral Manager shall deem necessary or desirable to effect a Re-Pricing. In order to give effect to the Re-Pricing, the Issuer may, to the extent necessary or desirable, obtain and assign a separate CUSIP or CUSIPs to the Secured Notes of each Class held by such consenting or non-consenting Holder(s). The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Re-Pricing is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent thereto have been complied with. The Trustee may request and rely on an Issuer Order providing direction and any additional information requested by the Trustee in order to effect a Re-Pricing.
Section 9.8Clean-Up Call Redemption. (a) At the written direction of the Collateral Manager to the Issuer and the Trustee, with a copy to the Rating Agency, at least twenty (20) Business Days prior to the proposed Redemption Date, the Secured Notes shall be subject to redemption by the Issuers, in whole but not in part, at the applicable Redemption Price, on any Business Day after the Non-Call Period on which the Collateral Principal Amount is less than 10% of the Target Initial Par Amount (a “Clean-Up Call Redemption”).
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Secured Notes shall not be redeemed pursuant to a Clean-Up Call Redemption unless (i) at least five (5) Business Days before the scheduled Redemption Date the Collateral Manager shall have furnished to the Trustee evidence, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, that the Collateral Manager on behalf of the
-164-
Issuer has entered into a binding agreement or agreements to sell to a financial or other institution or institutions not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the scheduled Redemption Date, all or part of the Collateral Obligations at a purchase price at least equal to an amount sufficient, together with the Eligible Investments maturing, redeemable (or putable to the issuer thereof at par) on or prior to the scheduled Redemption Date, to pay all Administrative Expenses and other fees and expenses payable in accordance with the Priority of Payments (without regard to the Administrative Expense Cap) prior to the payment of the principal of the Secured Notes to be redeemed and redeem all of the Secured Notes on the scheduled Redemption Date at the applicable Redemption Price, or (ii) prior to selling any Collateral Obligations and/or Eligible Investments, the Collateral Manager shall certify to the Trustee in a certificate of a Responsible Officer upon which the Trustee can conclusively rely that, in its judgment (which may be based on the Issuer having entered into an agreement to sell such Assets to another special purpose entity that has committed financing or that has priced but has not yet closed its securities offering if such securities offering is expected to close on or prior to the scheduled Redemption Date), the aggregate sum of (A) any expected proceeds from the sale of Eligible Investments and (B) for each Collateral Obligation, the Market Value thereof, shall equal or exceed the Redemption Price of the Secured Notes. Any certification delivered by the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Section 9.8 shall include (1) the prices of, and expected proceeds from, the sale (directly or by participation or other arrangement) of any Collateral Obligations and/or Eligible Investments and (2) all calculations required by this Section 9.8.
(c)Upon receipt from the Collateral Manager of a direction in writing to effect a Clean-Up Call Redemption, the Issuer will set the related Redemption Date and the Record Date and give written notice thereof to the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator, the Collateral Manager and the Rating Agency not later than fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the proposed Redemption Date. A notice of redemption will be given by email, if available, and by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the applicable Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities, at such Holder’s address in Register (and, in the case of Global Notes, delivered by electronic transmission to DTC) or the Share Register, as applicable, and the Rating Agency.
(d)Any notice of a Clean-Up Call Redemption may be withdrawn by the Issuer (or by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer) up to (and including) the fourth Business Day prior to the related Redemption Date by written notice to the Trustee, the Fiscal Agent and the Rating Agency (if the Secured Notes remain Outstanding) only if the Collateral Manager has not delivered the sale agreement or agreements or certifications as described in Section 9.8(b) in form satisfactory to the Trustee.
(e)The Trustee will give notice of any such withdrawal of a Clean-Up Call Redemption, at the expense of the Issuer, to each Holder of Securities that were to be redeemed at such holder’s address in the Register or Share Register, as applicable, by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery not later than the third Business Day prior to the related scheduled Redemption Date.
(f)On the Redemption Date related to any Clean-Up Call Redemption, the Redemption Price for the Secured Notes will be distributed pursuant to the Priority of Payments.
-165-
ARTICLE X
Accounts, Accountings And Releases
Section 10.1Collection of Funds. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee may demand payment or delivery of, and shall receive and collect, directly and without intervention or assistance of any fiscal agent or other intermediary, all amounts and other property payable to or receivable by the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, including all payments due on the Assets, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Assets. The Trustee shall segregate and hold all such amounts and property received by it in trust for the Holders of the Securities and shall apply it as provided herein. Each Account shall be established and maintained (a) with a federal or state-chartered depository institution that has a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” and a long-term issuer credit rating of at least “A” (or, in the absence of a short-term debt rating, a long-term issuer credit rating of at least “A+”) by S&P or (b) in segregated trust accounts with the corporate trust department of a federal or state-chartered deposit institution that has a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” and a long-term issuer credit rating of at least “A” (or, in the absence of a short-term debt rating, a long-term issuer credit rating of at least “A+”) by S&P and is subject to regulations regarding fiduciary funds on deposit similar to Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulation Section 9.10(b) (an “Eligible Institution”) and, in each case, if such institution’s rating falls below any such rating threshold, the assets held in such Account shall be moved within 30 calendar days to another institution that satisfies those ratings. Such institution shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least U.S.$200,000,000. All Cash deposited in the Accounts shall be invested only in Eligible Investments or Collateral Obligations in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. To avoid the consolidation of the Assets of the Issuer with the general assets of the Bank under any circumstances, the Trustee shall comply, and shall cause the Custodian to comply, with all law applicable to it as a Massachusetts trust company holding segregated trust assets in a fiduciary capacity. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall not credit or otherwise deposit Excluded Property into any Account. The Co-Issuer shall have no legal, equitable or beneficial interest in an Account.
Section 10.2Collection Account. (a) In accordance with this Indenture and the Account Agreement, the Issuer shall, prior to the Closing Date, cause the Trustee to establish at the Custodian two segregated trust accounts, one of which will be designated the “Interest Collection Subaccount” and one of which will be designated the “Principal Collection Subaccount” (and which together will comprise the Collection Account), each held in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each of which shall be maintained with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Agreement. The Trustee shall from time to time deposit into the Interest Collection Subaccount, in addition to the deposits required pursuant to Section 10.6(a), immediately upon receipt thereof or upon transfer from the Payment Account, all Interest Proceeds (unless simultaneously reinvested in additional Collateral Obligations in accordance with Article XII). The Trustee shall deposit immediately upon receipt thereof or upon transfer from the Expense Reserve Account, the Ramp-Up Account or Revolver Funding Account all other amounts remitted to the Collection Account into the Principal Collection Subaccount, including in addition to the deposits required pursuant to Section 10.6(a), (i) any funds designated as Principal Proceeds by the Collateral Manager in accordance with this Indenture and (ii) all other Principal Proceeds (unless simultaneously reinvested in additional Collateral Obligations in accordance with Article XII or in Eligible Investments). The Issuer may, but under no
-166-
circumstances shall be required to, deposit from time to time into the Collection Account, in addition to any amount required hereunder to be deposited therein, such amounts received from external sources for the benefit of the Secured Parties or the Issuer (other than payments on or in respect of the Collateral Obligations, Eligible Investments or other existing Assets) as the Issuer deems, in its sole discretion, to be advisable and to designate them as Interest Proceeds or Principal Proceeds. All amounts deposited from time to time in the Collection Account pursuant to this Indenture shall be held by the Trustee as part of the Assets and shall be applied to the purposes herein provided. Subject to Section 10.2(d), amounts in the Collection Account shall be reinvested pursuant to Section 10.6(a).
(b)The Trustee, within one Business Day after receipt of any distribution or other proceeds in respect of the Assets which are not Cash, shall so notify the Issuer and the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer) shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Trustee (or as soon as practicable thereafter), sell such distribution or other proceeds for Cash in an arm’s length transaction and deposit the proceeds thereof in the Collection Account; provided that the Issuer (i) need not sell such distributions or other proceeds if it delivers an Issuer Order or an Officer’s certificate to the Trustee certifying that such distributions or other proceeds constitute Collateral Obligations, Equity Securities or Eligible Investments or (ii) may otherwise retain such distribution or other proceeds for up to two years from the date of receipt thereof if it delivers an Officer’s certificate to the Trustee certifying that (x) it will sell such distribution within such two-year period and (y) retaining such distribution is not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture.
(c)At any time when reinvestment is permitted pursuant to Article XII, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer may by Issuer Order direct the Trustee to, and upon receipt of such Issuer Order the Trustee shall, withdraw funds on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount representing Principal Proceeds (together with any Principal Financed Accrued Interest) and reinvest (or invest, in the case of funds referred to in Section 7.18) such funds in additional Collateral Obligations, in each case in accordance with the requirements of Article XII and such Issuer Order. At any time, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer may by Issuer Order direct the Trustee to, and upon receipt of such Issuer Order the Trustee shall, withdraw funds on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount representing Principal Proceeds and deposit such funds in the Revolver Funding Account to meet funding requirements on Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations or Revolving Collateral Obligations.
(d)The Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer may by Issuer Order direct the Trustee to, and upon receipt of such Issuer Order the Trustee shall, pay from amounts on deposit in the Collection Account on any Business Day during any Interest Accrual Period (i) any amount required to purchase additional Collateral Obligations or to exercise a warrant or right to acquire securities held in the Assets in accordance with the requirements of Article XII and such Issuer Order; provided that any payment to exercise a warrant or right to acquire securities held in the Assets shall be made from Interest Proceeds only (including Contributions treated as Interest Proceeds), and (ii) from Interest Proceeds only, any Administrative Expenses (such payments to be counted against the Administrative Expense Cap for the applicable period and to be subject to the order of priority as stated in the definition of Administrative Expenses); provided that the aggregate Administrative Expenses paid pursuant to this Section 10.2(d) during any Collection Period shall not exceed the Administrative Expense Cap for the related Payment Date; provided
-167-
further that the Trustee shall be entitled (but not required) without liability on its part, to refrain from making any such payment of an Administrative Expense pursuant to this Section 10.2 on any day other than a Payment Date if, in its reasonable determination, the payment of such amount is likely to leave insufficient funds available to pay in full each of the items described in clause (A) of the Priority of Interest Proceeds as reasonably anticipated to be or become due and payable on the next Payment Date, taking into account the Administrative Expense Cap.
(e)The Trustee shall transfer to the Payment Account, from the Collection Account for application pursuant to Section 11.1(a), on the Business Day immediately preceding each Payment Date, the amount set forth to be so transferred in the Distribution Report for such Payment Date.
(f)In connection with a Refinancing in part by Class of one or more Classes of Notes, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer may direct the Trustee to apply Partial Refinancing Interest Proceeds from the Interest Collection Subaccount on the date of a Refinancing of one or more Classes of Notes to the payment of the Redemption Price(s) of the Class or Classes of Notes subject to Refinancing without regard to the Priority of Payments.
Section 10.3Transaction Accounts.
(a)Payment Account. In accordance with this Indenture and the Account Agreement, the Issuer shall, prior to the Closing Date, cause the Trustee to establish at the Custodian a single, segregated non-interest bearing trust account held in the name of the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall be designated as the Payment Account, which shall be maintained with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Agreement. Except as provided in Section 11.1(a), the only permitted withdrawal from or application of funds on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the Payment Account shall be to pay amounts due and payable on the Securities in accordance with their terms and the provisions of this Indenture and, upon Issuer Order, to pay Administrative Expenses, fees and other amounts due and owing to the Collateral Manager under the Collateral Management Agreement and other amounts specified herein, each in accordance with the Priority of Payments. The Issuer shall not have any legal, equitable or beneficial interest in the Payment Account other than in accordance with this Indenture (including the Priority of Payments) and the Account Agreement. Amounts in the Payment Account shall remain uninvested.
(b)Custodial Account. In accordance with this Indenture and the Account Agreement, the Issuer shall, prior to the Closing Date, cause the Trustee to establish at the Custodian a single, segregated non-interest bearing trust account held in the name of the Issuer, subject to the Lien of this Indenture, which shall be designated as the Custodial Account, which shall be maintained with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Agreement. All Collateral Obligations shall be credited to the Custodial Account. The only permitted withdrawals from the Custodial Account shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee agrees to give the Issuer immediate notice if (to the actual knowledge of a Trust Officer of the Trustee) the Custodial Account or any assets or securities on deposit therein, or otherwise to the credit of the Custodial Account, shall become subject to any writ, order, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process. The Issuer shall not have any legal, equitable or beneficial interest in the Custodial Account other than in accordance with this Indenture and the Priority of Payments.
-168-
(c)Ramp-Up Account. In accordance with this Indenture and the Account Agreement, the Trustee shall, if directed to do so by the Issuer, prior to the Closing Date, establish at the Custodian a single, segregated non-interest bearing trust account held in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall be designated as the Ramp-Up Account, which shall be maintained with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Agreement. The Issuer shall direct the Trustee to deposit the amount specified in the Issuer Order delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(xi) to the Ramp-Up Account on the Closing Date. In connection with any purchase of an additional Collateral Obligation, the Trustee will apply amounts held in the Ramp-Up Account as provided by Section 7.18(b) and Section 7.18(f). Any income earned on amounts deposited in the Ramp-Up Account will be deposited in the Interest Collection Subaccount. All other amounts on deposit in the Ramp-Up Account will be deemed to represent Principal Proceeds. Upon the occurrence of an Enforcement Event (and excluding any amounts that will be used to settle binding commitments entered into prior to such date), the Trustee will deposit any remaining amounts in the Ramp-Up Account into the Principal Collection Subaccount as Principal Proceeds. On the Effective Date (and excluding any amounts that will be used to settle binding commitments entered into prior to such date), the Collateral Manager will direct the Trustee to deposit from amounts remaining in the Ramp-Up Account into the Principal Collection Subaccount as Principal Proceeds.
(d)Expense Reserve Account. In accordance with this Indenture and the Account Agreement, the Issuer shall, prior to the Closing Date, cause the Trustee to establish at the Custodian a single, segregated non-interest bearing trust account held in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which shall be designated as the Expense Reserve Account, which shall be maintained with the Custodian in accordance with the Account Agreement. The Issuer shall direct the Trustee to deposit the amount specified in the Issuer Order delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(xi) to the Expense Reserve Account. On any Business Day from the Closing Date up to the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first Payment Date following the Closing Date, the Trustee shall apply funds from the Expense Reserve Account, as directed by the Collateral Manager, (i) to pay expenses of the Issuers incurred in connection with the establishment of the Issuers, the structuring and consummation of the Offering and the issuance of the Securities or (ii) to the Collection Account as Principal Proceeds (or, prior to the Effective Date, the Ramp‑Up Account) or (solely in respect of the first Payment Date) as Interest Proceeds. By the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first Payment Date following the Closing Date, all funds in the Expense Reserve Account (after deducting any expenses paid on such Payment Date) will be deposited in the Collection Account as Principal Proceeds and/or Interest Proceeds and the Expense Reserve Account will be closed. Thereafter, amounts may be deposited into the Expense Reserve Account in connection with the issuance of Additional Securities and the Trustee shall apply such funds from the Expense Reserve Account, as directed by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, as needed to pay expenses of the Issuer incurred in connection with such additional issuance or as a deposit into the Collection Account as Principal Proceeds or Interest Proceeds (solely with respect to the first Payment Date following such additional issuance). Any income earned on amounts deposited in the Expense Reserve Account will be deposited in the Interest Collection Subaccount as Interest Proceeds as it is received.
(e)Interest Reserve Account. In accordance with this Indenture and the Account Agreement, the Trustee shall, if directed to do so by the Issuer, prior to the Closing Date, establish a single, segregated non‑interest bearing trust account held in the name of the Trustee for
-169-
the benefit of the Secured Parties, designated as the “Interest Reserve Account”. The Issuer shall direct the Trustee to make the deposit specified in the Issuer Order delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(xi) to the Interest Reserve Account. Such Interest Reserve Amount shall be transferred to the Collection Account as Interest Proceeds on the Determination Date relating to the first Payment Date unless the Collateral Manager, in its discretion, provides written notice to the Trustee that such Interest Reserve Amount shall not be so transferred and should instead be held in the Interest Reserve Account for application in accordance with this Section 10.3(e). The only permitted withdrawals from or application of funds or property on deposit in the Interest Reserve Account shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including: (i) prior to the second Payment Date, at the discretion of the Collateral Manager, to the Collection Account as Interest Proceeds or to the Collection Account (or, prior to the Effective Date, the Ramp‑Up Account) as Principal Proceeds (as designated by the Collateral Manager), and (ii) amounts remaining in the Interest Reserve Account after the second Payment Date shall be transferred to the Collection Account as Interest Proceeds or Principal Proceeds (as designated by the Collateral Manager).
Section 10.4The Revolver Funding Account. Upon the purchase or acquisition of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation or Revolving Collateral Obligation identified by written notice to the Trustee, funds in an amount equal to the undrawn portion of such obligation shall be withdrawn from the Ramp-Up Account and/or from the Principal Collection Subaccount (at the direction of the Collateral Manager) and deposited by the Trustee in a single, segregated trust account established (in accordance with this Indenture and the Account Agreement) at the Custodian and held in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties (the “Revolver Funding Account”). Upon initial purchase or acquisition of any such obligations, funds deposited in the Revolver Funding Account in respect of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation or Revolving Collateral Obligation will be treated as part of the purchase price therefor. Amounts on deposit in the Revolver Funding Account will be invested in overnight funds that are Eligible Investments selected by the Collateral Manager pursuant to Section 10.6 and earnings from all such investments will be deposited in the Interest Collection Subaccount as Interest Proceeds. All other amounts held in the Revolver Funding Account will be deemed to represent Principal Proceeds.
The Issuer shall, at all times maintain sufficient funds on deposit in the Revolver Funding Account such that the sum of the amount of funds on deposit in the Revolver Funding Account shall be equal to or greater than the sum of the unfunded funding obligations under all such Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations and Revolving Collateral Obligations then included in the Assets. Funds shall be deposited in the Revolver Funding Account upon the purchase of any Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation or Revolving Collateral Obligation and upon the receipt by the Issuer of any Principal Proceeds with respect to a Revolving Collateral Obligation as directed by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer. In the event of any shortfall in the Revolver Funding Account, the Collateral Manager (on behalf of the Issuer) may direct the Trustee to, and the Trustee thereafter shall, transfer funds in an amount equal to such shortfall from the Principal Collection Subaccount to the Revolver Funding Account.
Any funds in the Revolver Funding Account (other than earnings from Eligible Investments therein) will be treated as Principal Proceeds and will be available solely to cover any drawdowns on the Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations and Revolving Collateral
-170-
Obligations; provided that any excess of (A) the amounts on deposit in the Revolver Funding Account over (B) the sum of the unfunded funding obligations under all Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations and Revolving Collateral Obligations that are included in the Assets (which excess may occur for any reason, including upon (i) the sale or maturity of a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation or Revolving Collateral Obligation, (ii) the occurrence of an event of default with respect to any such Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation or Revolving Collateral Obligation or (iii) any other event or circumstance which results in the irrevocable reduction of the undrawn commitments under such Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation or Revolving Collateral Obligation) may be transferred by the Trustee (at the written direction of the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer) from time to time as Principal Proceeds to the Principal Collection Subaccount.
Section 10.5Contributions. At any time, the holders of the Preferred Shares may, but shall not be required to, make contributions (each, a “Contribution”) of cash, Eligible Investments, or Collateral Obligations to the Issuer for any purpose; provided that, after the first Payment Date, each such Contribution shall be in an amount equal to or greater than U.S.$250,000. Cash Contributions may be treated as Interest Proceeds if so directed by the holders of a Majority of the Preferred Shares where necessary (i) to cure or prevent any default or to permit the Interest Coverage Test to be satisfied, or if not satisfied, maintained or improved or (ii) to acquire a Workout Loan or Equity Security, and otherwise will be treated as Principal Proceeds; provided that any such designation shall be irrevocable. No Contribution or portion thereof shall be returned to the contributor at any time (other than by operation of the Priority of Payments). The Trustee will post the details of any contributions on a dedicated page in the Monthly Report.
Section 10.6Reinvestment of Funds in Accounts; Reports by Trustee. (a) By Issuer Order (which may be in the form of standing instructions), the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer) shall at all times direct the Trustee to, and, upon receipt of such Issuer Order, the Trustee shall, invest all funds on deposit in the Collection Account, the Ramp-Up Account, the Revolver Funding Account, the Interest Reserve Account and the Expense Reserve Account, as so directed in Eligible Investments having stated maturities no later than the Business Day preceding the next Payment Date (or such shorter maturities expressly provided herein). If prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer shall not have given any such investment directions, the Trustee shall seek instructions from the Collateral Manager within three (3) Business Days after transfer of any funds to such accounts. If the Trustee does not thereafter receive written instructions from the Collateral Manager within five (5) Business Days after transfer of such funds to such accounts, it shall invest and reinvest the funds held in such accounts, as fully as practicable, in the Standby Directed Investment. If after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer shall not have given such investment directions to the Trustee for three consecutive days, the Trustee shall invest and reinvest such funds as fully as practicable in the Standby Directed Investment unless and until contrary investment instructions as provided in the preceding sentence are received or the Trustee receives a written instruction from the Issuer, or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, changing the Standby Directed Investment. Except to the extent expressly provided otherwise herein, all interest and other income from such investments shall be deposited in the Interest Collection Subaccount, any gain realized from such investments shall be credited to the Principal Collection Subaccount upon receipt, and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to the Principal Collection Subaccount. The Trustee shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency of such accounts which
-171-
results from any loss relating to any such investment; provided that nothing herein shall relieve the Bank of (i) its obligations or liabilities under any security or obligation issued by the Bank or any Affiliate thereof or (ii) liability for any loss resulting from gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud on the part of the Bank or any Affiliate thereof.
For all U.S. federal tax reporting purposes, all income earned on the funds invested and allocable to the Accounts is legally owned by the Issuer (and beneficially owned by the Issuer or the equity owners of the Issuer). The Issuer is required to provide to the Bank, in its capacity as Trustee, (i) an applicable IRS Form W-9 or W-8 no later than the date hereof, and (ii) any additional IRS forms (or updated versions of any previously submitted IRS forms) or other documentation at such time or times required by applicable law or upon the reasonable request of the Trustee as may be necessary (a) to reduce or eliminate the imposition of U.S. withholding taxes and (b) to permit the Trustee to fulfill its tax reporting obligations under applicable law with respect to the Accounts or any amounts paid to the Issuer. The Issuer is further required to report to the Trustee comparable information upon any change in the legal or beneficial ownership of the income allocable to the Accounts. The Bank, both in its individual capacity and in its capacity as Trustee, shall have no liability to the Issuer or any other person in connection with any tax withholding amounts paid, or retained for payment, to a governmental authority from the Accounts arising from the Issuer’s failure to timely provide an accurate, correct and complete applicable IRS Form W-9 or W-8 or such other documentation contemplated under this paragraph. For the avoidance of doubt, no funds shall be invested with respect to such Accounts absent the Trustee having first received (x) instructions with respect to the investment of such funds, and (y) the forms and other documentation required by this paragraph.
(b)The Trustee agrees to give the Issuer immediate notice if any Account or any funds on deposit in any Account, or otherwise to the credit of an Account, shall become subject to any writ, order, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process.
(c)The Trustee shall supply, in a timely fashion, to the Issuers, the Rating Agency, the Collateral Administrator and the Collateral Manager any information regularly maintained by the Trustee that the Issuers, the Rating Agency, the Collateral Administrator or the Collateral Manager may from time to time reasonably request with respect to the Assets, the Accounts and the other Assets and provide any other requested information reasonably available to the Trustee by reason of its acting as Trustee hereunder and required to be provided by Section 10.7 or to permit the Collateral Manager to perform its obligations under the Collateral Management Agreement or the Issuer’s obligations hereunder that have been delegated to the Collateral Manager. The Trustee shall promptly forward to the Collateral Manager copies of notices and other writings received by it from the obligor or issuer of any Asset or from any Clearing Agency with respect to any Asset which notices or writings advise the holders of such Asset of any rights that the holders might have with respect thereto (including, without limitation, requests to vote with respect to amendments or waivers and notices of prepayments and redemptions) as well as all periodic financial reports received from such obligor or issuer and Clearing Agencies with respect to such issuer.
-172-
Section 10.7Accountings.
(a)Monthly. Not later than the 22th calendar day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) of each calendar month (other than the calendar months in which a Payment Date occurs) and commencing in January 2021, the Issuer shall compile and make available (or cause to be compiled and made available) to the Rating Agency, the Trustee, the Collateral Manager, the Initial Purchaser and each other Holder shown on the Register and any beneficial owner of a Note who has delivered a Beneficial Ownership Certificate to the Trustee a monthly report on a settlement date basis (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) (each such report a “Monthly Report”). As used herein, the “Monthly Report Determination Date” with respect to any calendar month will be the 10th Business Day preceding the date the Monthly Report is made available. The Monthly Report for a calendar month shall contain the following information with respect to the Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments included in the Assets, and shall be determined as of the close of business on the Monthly Report Determination Date for such calendar month:
(i)Aggregate Principal Balance of Collateral Obligations, the aggregate unfunded commitments of the Collateral Obligations, any capitalized interest on the Collateral Obligations and Eligible Investments representing Principal Proceeds.
(ii)Adjusted Collateral Principal Amount of Collateral Obligations.
(iii)Collateral Principal Amount of Collateral Obligations.
(iv)A list of Collateral Obligations, including, with respect to each such Collateral Obligation, the following information:
(A)The obligor thereon (including the issuer ticker, if any);
(B)The LoanX ID (to the extent available) and any other security identifier thereof;
(C)The Principal Balance thereof (other than any accrued interest that was purchased with Principal Proceeds) and any unfunded commitment pertaining thereto;
(D)The percentage of the aggregate Collateral Principal Amount represented by such Collateral Obligation;
(E)(x) The related interest rate or spread (in the case of a Reference Rate Floor Obligation, calculated both with and without regard to the applicable specified “floor” rate per annum), (y) if such Collateral Obligation is a Reference Rate Floor Obligation, the related Reference Rate floor and (z) the identity of any Collateral Obligation that is not a Reference Rate Floor Obligation and for which interest is calculated with respect to any index other than the Reference Rate then applicable to the Floating Rate Notes;
(F)The stated maturity thereof;
-173-
(G)The related S&P Industry Classification;
(H)For each Collateral Obligation with an S&P Rating derived from a Moody’s Rating, the Moody’s Rating, unless such rating is based on a credit estimate unpublished by Moody’s (and, in the event of a downgrade or withdrawal of the applicable Moody’s Rating, the prior rating and the date such Moody’s Rating was changed);
(I)The S&P Rating, unless such rating is based on a credit estimate or is a private or confidential rating from S&P;
(J)The country of Domicile;
(K)An indication as to whether each such Collateral Obligation is (1) a Senior Secured Loan, (2) a Defaulted Obligation, (3) a Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligation, (4) a Revolving Collateral Obligation, (5) except for the Closing Date Participation Interests, a Participation Interest (indicating the related Selling Institution, if applicable, and its ratings by the Rating Agency), (6) a Permitted Deferrable Obligation, (7) a Fixed Rate Obligation, (8) a Current Pay Obligation, (9) a Discount Obligation, (10) [reserved], (11) a Cov-Lite Loan, (12) a First-Lien Last-Out Loan or (13) a DIP Collateral Obligation.
(L)[reserved];
(M)The Principal Balance of each Cov-Lite Loan and the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Cov-Lite Loans;
(N)The S&P Recovery Rate; and
(O)The date of the credit estimate of such Collateral Obligation, if applicable.
(v)If the Monthly Report Determination Date occurs on or after the Effective Date, for each of the limitations and tests specified in the definitions of Concentration Limitations and Collateral Quality Test, (1) the result, (2) if such Monthly Report Determination Date occurs on or prior to the last day of the Reinvestment Period, the related minimum or maximum test level and (3) if such Monthly Report Determination Date occurs on or prior to the last day of the Reinvestment Period, a determination as to whether such result satisfies the related test.
(vi)The calculation of each of the following:
(A)Each Interest Coverage Ratio (and setting forth the percentage required to satisfy the Interest Coverage Test); and
(B)Each Overcollateralization Ratio (and setting forth the percentage required to satisfy the Overcollateralization Ratio Test).
-174-
(vii)The calculation specified in Section 5.1(e).
(viii)For each Account, a schedule showing the beginning balance, each credit or debit specifying the nature, source and amount, and the ending balance.
(ix)A schedule showing for each of the following the beginning balance, the amount of Interest Proceeds received from the date of determination of the immediately preceding Monthly Report, and the ending balance for the current Measurement Date:
(A)Interest Proceeds from Collateral Obligations; and
(B)Interest Proceeds from Eligible Investments.
(x)Purchases and sales:
(A)The identity, Principal Balance (other than any accrued interest that was purchased with Principal Proceeds), unfunded commitment (if any), capitalized interest (if any), Principal Proceeds and Interest Proceeds received, and date for each Collateral Obligation that was released for sale or disposition pursuant to Section 12.1 since the last Monthly Report Determination Date and whether such Collateral Obligation was a Credit Risk Obligation or a Credit Improved Obligation, whether the sale of such Collateral Obligation was a discretionary sale; provided that Principal Proceeds shall not be required to be reported in connection with an Optional Redemption in full;
(B)The identity, Principal Balance (other than any accrued interest that was purchased with Principal Proceeds), unfunded commitment (if any), capitalized interest (if any) and cash expended to acquire each Collateral Obligation acquired pursuant to Section 12.2 since the last Monthly Report Determination Date;
(C)The identity, Principal Balance (other than any accrued interest that was purchased with Principal Proceeds), unfunded commitment (if any), Principal Proceeds and Interest Proceeds received, and date for each Collateral Obligation that was substituted pursuant to Section 12.3(a) or purchased pursuant to Section 12.3(b) since the last Monthly Report Determination Date, all as reported to the Trustee by the Collateral Manager at the time of such purchase or substitution; and
(D)On a dedicated page of the Monthly Report, the completion of any Trading Plan and the details of any Trading Plan (including, the proposed acquisitions and dispositions identified by the Collateral Manager as part of such Trading Plan).
(xi)The identity of each Defaulted Obligation, the S&P Collateral Value and Market Value of each such Defaulted Obligation and date of default thereof.
-175-
(xii)The identity of each Collateral Obligation with an S&P Rating of “CCC+” or below, and, if the CCC Excess is greater than zero, the Market Value of each such Collateral Obligation.
(xiii)The identity of each Deferring Obligation and Market Value of each Deferring Obligation, and the date on which interest was last paid in full in Cash thereon.
(xiv)The identity of each Current Pay Obligation, the Market Value of each such Current Pay Obligation, and the percentage of the Collateral Principal Amount comprised of Current Pay Obligations.
(xv)The identity, rating and maturity of each Eligible Investment.
(xvi)The Moody’s Equivalent Diversity Score, the Weighted Average Floating Spread, the Weighted Average Life, the Weighted Average S&P Recovery Rate and the Moody’s Equivalent Weighted Average Rating Factor.
(xvii)The results of the S&P CDO Monitor Test (with a statement as to whether it is passing or failing), including the Weighted Average S&P Rating Factor, the Obligor Diversity Measure, the Weighted Average Life, and the Class Default Differentials, the Class Break-even Default Rates and the Class Scenario Default Rate for the Highest Ranking Class of Notes, and, the Weighted Average Floating Spread that is calculated for purposes of the S&P CDO Monitor Test, the characteristics of the Current Portfolio and the benchmark rating levels used in connection with the related S&P CDO Monitor.
(xviii)The number, identity, Bloomberg Loan ID, FIGI, ISIN, Loan/X or CUSIP number, if applicable, of any Collateral Obligations.
(xix)The short-term debt rating and long-term issuer credit rating by S&P of the Eligible Institution.
(xx)Confirmation that each Account is held at an Eligible Institution (and which Eligible Institution).
(xxi)On a dedicated page of the Monthly Report, any amounts in the Ramp-Up Account which the Collateral Manager designated as Interest Proceeds on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 10.3(c).
(xxii)On a dedicated page of the Monthly Report, the amount of any contributions received by the Issuer pursuant to Section 10.5 since the previous Monthly Report Determination Date.
(xxiii)The identity of each Closing Date Participation Interest.
(xxiv)The identity of each Long Dated Obligation.
(xxv)Such other information as the Rating Agency or the Collateral Manager may reasonably request.
-176-
Upon receipt of each Monthly Report, the Trustee shall (a) if the relevant Monthly Report Determination Date occurred on or prior to the last day of the Reinvestment Period, notify the Issuer (who shall notify S&P) if such Monthly Report indicates that the S&P CDO Monitor Test has not been satisfied as of the relevant Measurement Date and (b) compare the information contained in such Monthly Report to the information contained in its records with respect to the Assets and shall, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of such Monthly Report, notify the Issuer, the Collateral Administrator, the Rating Agency and the Collateral Manager if the information contained in the Monthly Report does not conform to the information maintained by the Trustee with respect to the Assets. If any discrepancy exists, the Collateral Administrator and the Issuer, or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer, shall attempt to resolve the discrepancy. If such discrepancy cannot be promptly resolved, the Trustee shall within ten (10) Business Days notify the Collateral Manager who shall, on behalf of the Issuer, request that the Independent accountants appointed by the Issuer pursuant to Section 10.9 review such Monthly Report and the Trustee’s records to determine the cause of such discrepancy. If such review reveals an error in the Monthly Report or the Trustee’s records, the Monthly Report or the Trustee’s records shall be revised accordingly and, as so revised, shall be utilized in making all calculations pursuant to this Indenture and notice of any error in the Monthly Report shall be sent as soon as practicable by the Issuer to all recipients of such report which may be accomplished by making a notation of such error in the subsequent Monthly Report.
(b)Payment Date Accounting. The Issuer shall render (or cause to be rendered) an accounting (each a “Distribution Report”), determined as of the close of business on each Determination Date preceding a Payment Date, and shall make available such Distribution Report to the Trustee, the Collateral Manager, the Initial Purchaser, the Rating Agency and any Holder shown on the Register, any Shareholder shown on the Share Register and any beneficial owner of a Security who has delivered a Beneficial Ownership Certificate to the Trustee not later than the Business Day preceding the related Payment Date. The Distribution Report shall contain the following information:
(i)the information required to be in the Monthly Report pursuant to Section 10.7(a);
(ii)(a) the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of each Class at the beginning of the Interest Accrual Period and such amount as a percentage of the original Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of such Class, (b) the amount of principal payments to be made on the Secured Notes of each Class on the next Payment Date and the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of each Class after giving effect to the principal payments, if any, on the next Payment Date and such amount as a percentage of the original Aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Secured Notes of such Class and (c) the amount of distributions, if any, to be made on the Preferred Shares on the next Payment Date;
(iii)the Interest Rate and accrued interest for each applicable Class of Secured Notes for such Payment Date;
-177-
(iv)the amounts payable pursuant to each clause of the Priority of Interest Proceeds and each clause of the Priority of Principal Proceeds or each clause of Section 11.1(a)(iii), as applicable, on the related Payment Date;
(v)for the Collection Account:
(A)the Balance on deposit in the Collection Account at the end of the related Collection Period;
(B)the amounts payable from the Collection Account to the Payment Account, in order to make payments pursuant to the Priority of Interest Proceeds and the Priority of Principal Proceeds on the next Payment Date (net of amounts which the Collateral Manager intends to re-invest in additional Collateral Obligations pursuant to Article XII); and
(C)the Balance remaining in the Collection Account immediately after all payments and deposits to be made on such Payment Date; and
(vi)such other information as the Collateral Manager may reasonably request.
Each Distribution Report shall constitute instructions to the Trustee to withdraw funds from the Payment Account and pay or transfer such amounts set forth in such Distribution Report in the manner specified and in accordance with the priorities established in Section 11.1 and Article XIII.
(c)Interest Rate Notice. The Trustee shall include in the Monthly Report a notice setting forth the Interest Rate for each Class of Secured Notes for the Interest Accrual Period preceding the next Payment Date.
(d)Failure to Provide Accounting. If the Trustee shall not have received any accounting provided for in this Section 10.7 on the first Business Day after the date on which such accounting is due to the Trustee, the Trustee shall notify the Collateral Manager who shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain such accounting by the applicable Payment Date. To the extent the Collateral Manager is required to provide any information or reports pursuant to this Section 10.7 as a result of the failure of the Issuer to provide such information or reports, the Collateral Manager shall be entitled to retain an Independent certified public accountant in connection therewith and the reasonable costs incurred by the Collateral Manager for such Independent certified public accountant shall be paid by the Issuer.
(e)Required Content of Certain Reports. Each Monthly Report and each Distribution Report sent to any Holder or beneficial owner of an interest in a Security shall contain, or be accompanied by, the following notices:
The Securities may be beneficially owned only by Persons that are (a) not “U.S. Persons” (as defined in Regulation S) outside of the United States in reliance on Regulation S or (b) both (i) Qualified Institutional Buyers and (ii) Qualified Purchasers (or corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities (other than
-178-
trusts) each shareholder, partner, member or other equity owner of which is a Qualified Purchaser). The Applicable Issuer has the right to compel any beneficial owner of an interest in the Securities that does not meet the qualifications set forth in the preceding sentence to sell its interest in such Securities, or may sell such interest on behalf of such owner, pursuant to Section 2.12 of the Indenture in the case of the Secured Notes or pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Fiscal Agency Agreement in the case of the Preferred Shares.
Each holder receiving this report agrees to keep all non-public information herein confidential and not to use such information for any purpose other than its evaluation of its investment in the Securities; provided that any holder may provide such information on a confidential basis to any prospective purchaser of such holder’s Securities that is permitted by the terms of the Transaction Documents to acquire such holder’s Securities and that agrees to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents.
(f)Initial Purchaser Information. The Issuer and the Initial Purchaser or any successor to the Initial Purchaser, may post the information contained in a Monthly Report or Distribution Report to a password-protected internet site accessible only to the Holders of the Securities and to the Collateral Manager.
(g)Distribution of Reports. The Trustee will make the Monthly Report and the Distribution Report available via its website. The Trustee’s website shall initially be located at www.mystatestreet.com. The Trustee may change the way such statements are distributed. Access to the Trustee’s website shall be provided to Holders upon request. As a condition to access to the Trustee’s website, the Trustee may require registration and the acceptance of a disclaimer. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on but shall not be responsible for the content or accuracy of any information provided in the Monthly Report and the Distribution Report which the Trustee disseminates in accordance with this Indenture and may affix thereto any disclaimer it deems appropriate in its reasonable discretion.
(h)As promptly as possible following the delivery of each Monthly Report and Distribution Report to the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.7(a) or (b), as applicable, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer shall cause a copy of such report (or portions thereof, as determined by the Collateral Manager) to be delivered to Intex Solutions, Inc. and Bloomberg Financial Markets, and any other service provider as determined by the Collateral Manager in its reasonable judgment, which may be delivered via the Trustee’s website.
(i)In the event the Trustee receives instructions from the Issuer to effect a securities transaction as contemplated in 12 CFR 12.1, the Issuer acknowledges that upon its written request and at no additional cost, it has the right to receive the notification from the Trustee after the completion of such transaction as contemplated in 12 CFR 12.4(a) or (b). The Issuer agrees that, absent specific request, such notifications shall not be provided by the Trustee
-179-
hereunder, and in lieu of such notifications, the Trustee shall make available the Monthly Report in the manner required by this Indenture.
Section 10.8Release of Assets. (a) Subject to Article XII, the Issuer may, by Issuer Order executed by an Officer of the Collateral Manager, delivered to the Trustee at least one Business Day prior to the settlement date for any sale of an Asset certifying that the sale, purchase or substitution of such Asset is being made in accordance with Section 12.1 or 12.3 hereof or Section 2.2 of each Loan Sale Agreement, as applicable, and such sale, purchase or substitution complies with all applicable requirements of Section 12.1 or 12.3 hereof or Section 2.2 of each Loan Sale Agreement, as applicable (provided that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, neither the Issuer nor the Collateral Manager (on behalf of the Issuer) may direct the Trustee to release or cause to be released such Asset from the lien of this Indenture pursuant to a sale under Section 12.1(e), Section 12.1(f) or Section 12.1(g) unless the sale of such Asset is permitted pursuant to Section 12.4(c)), direct the Trustee to release or cause to be released such Asset from the lien of this Indenture and, upon receipt of such Issuer Order, the Trustee shall deliver any such Asset, if in physical form, duly endorsed to the broker or purchaser designated in such Issuer Order or, if such Asset is a Clearing Corporation Security, cause an appropriate transfer thereof to be made, in each case against receipt of the sales price therefor as specified by the Collateral Manager in such Issuer Order; provided that the Trustee may deliver any such Asset in physical form for examination in accordance with industry custom.
(b)Subject to the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee shall upon an Issuer Order (i) deliver any Asset, and release or cause to be released such Asset from the lien of this Indenture, which is set for any mandatory call or redemption or payment in full to the appropriate payor or paying agent, as applicable, on or before the date set for such call, redemption or payment, in each case against receipt of the call or redemption price or payment in full thereof and (ii) provide notice thereof to the Collateral Manager.
(c)Upon receiving actual notice of any Offer or any request for a waiver, direction, consent, amendment or other modification or action with respect to any Asset, the Trustee on behalf of the Issuer shall notify the Collateral Manager of any Asset that is subject to a tender offer, voluntary redemption, exchange offer, conversion or other similar action (an “Offer”) or such request. Unless the Notes have been accelerated following an Event of Default, the Collateral Manager may, by Issuer Order, direct (x) the Trustee to accept or participate in or decline or refuse to participate in such Offer and, in the case of acceptance or participation, to release from the lien of this Indenture such Asset in accordance with the terms of the Offer against receipt of payment therefor, or (y) the Issuer or the Trustee to agree to or otherwise act with respect to such consent, direction, waiver, amendment, modification or action; provided that in the absence of any such direction, the Trustee shall not respond or react to such Offer or request.
(d)As provided in Section 10.2(a), the Trustee shall deposit any proceeds received by it from the disposition or replacement of an Asset in the applicable subaccount of the Collection Account, unless simultaneously applied to the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations or Eligible Investments as permitted under and in accordance with the requirements of this Article X and Article XII.
-180-
(e)The Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order at such time as there are no Notes Outstanding and all obligations of the Issuer hereunder have been satisfied, release any remaining Assets from the lien of this Indenture.
(f)Any security, Collateral Obligation or amounts that are released pursuant to Section 10.8(a), (b) or (c) shall be released from the lien of this Indenture.
(g)Any amounts paid from the Payment Account to the holders of the Preferred Shares in accordance with the Priority of Payments shall be released from the lien of this Indenture.
(h)The Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, release from the lien of this Indenture any Collateral Obligation being transferred. Such Issuer Order shall be executed by an Authorized Officer of the Collateral Manager, request release of such Collateral Obligation, certify that such release is permitted under this Indenture and request that the Trustee execute the agreements, releases or other documents releasing such Collateral Obligation as presented to it by the Collateral Manager.
Section 10.9Reports by Independent Accountants. (a) At the Closing Date, the Issuer shall appoint one or more firms of Independent certified public accountants of recognized international reputation for purposes of reviewing and delivering the reports or certificates of such accountants required by this Indenture, which may be the firm of Independent certified public accountants that performs accounting services for the Issuer or the Collateral Manager. The Issuer may remove any firm of Independent certified public accountants at any time without the consent of any Holder of Securities. Upon any resignation by such firm or removal of such firm by the Issuer, the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer) shall promptly appoint by Issuer Order delivered to the Trustee and the Rating Agency a successor thereto that shall also be a firm of Independent certified public accountants of recognized international reputation, which may be a firm of Independent certified public accountants that performs accounting services for the Issuer or the Collateral Manager. If the Issuer shall fail to appoint a successor to a firm of Independent certified public accountants which has resigned within 30 days after such resignation, the Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of such failure in writing. If the Issuer shall not have appointed a successor within ten days thereafter, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Collateral Manager, who shall appoint a successor firm of Independent certified public accountants of recognized international reputation. The fees of such Independent certified public accountants and its successor shall be payable by the Issuer as Administrative Expenses. In the event such firm requires the Bank, in any of its capacities including but not limited to Trustee or Collateral Administrator, to agree to the procedures performed by such firm, which acknowledgment or agreement may include confidentiality provisions and/or releases of claims or other liabilities by the Bank, the Issuer hereby directs the Bank to so agree; it being understood that the Bank shall deliver such letter of agreement in conclusive reliance on the foregoing direction and the Bank shall make no inquiry or investigation as to, and shall have no obligation in respect of, the sufficiency, validity, or correctness of such procedures. The Bank, in each of its capacities, shall not disclose any information or documents provided to it by such firm of Independent accountants.
(b)On or before the date which is 30 days after the Payment Date occurring in January of each year commencing in 2022, the Issuer shall cause to be delivered to the Trustee and the Collateral Manager a statement from a firm of Independent certified public accountants for
-181-
each Distribution Report delivered in the previous year (i) indicating that such firm has performed agreed upon procedures to recalculate certain calculations within such Distribution Report (excluding the S&P CDO Monitor Test) and (ii) listing the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Assets and the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations securing the Notes as of the relevant Determination Dates; provided that in the event of a conflict between such firm of Independent certified public accountants and the Issuer with respect to any matter in this Section 10.9, the determination by such firm of Independent public accountants shall be conclusive.
(c)Upon the written request of the Trustee or any holder of a Preferred Share, the Issuer will cause the firm of Independent certified public accountants appointed pursuant to Section 10.9(a) to provide any holder of the Preferred Shares with all of the information required to be provided by the Issuer or pursuant to Section 7.17 or assist the Issuer in the preparation thereof.
Section 10.10Reports to Rating Agency and Additional Recipients. In addition to the information and reports specifically required to be provided to the Rating Agency pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the Issuer shall provide the Rating Agency with all information or reports delivered to the Trustee hereunder, and such additional information as the Rating Agency may from time to time reasonably request (including notification (i) to the Rating Agency of any Specified Amendment, which notice shall include (x) a copy of such Specified Amendment, (y) a brief summary of its purpose and (z) which criteria under the definition of “Collateral Obligation” are no longer satisfied with respect to such Collateral Obligation after giving effect to the Specified Amendment, if any, and (ii) to the Rating Agency of the occurrence of an event with respect to a Collateral Obligation that has a credit estimate or credit opinion from the Rating Agency and which in the reasonable business judgment of the Collateral Manager would require such notification to the Rating Agency under its credit estimate or credit opinion guidelines); provided that any reports, statements or certificates of the Issuer’s Independent certified public accountants shall not be provided to the Rating Agency. Within ten (10) Business Days after the Effective Date, together with each Monthly Report and on each Payment Date, the Issuer shall provide to S&P at [email protected] or via the Trustee’s website, a Microsoft Excel file of the Excel Default Model Input File and, with respect to each Collateral Obligation, the name of each obligor or issuer thereof, the CUSIP number thereof (if applicable) and the Priority Category thereof.
Section 10.11Procedures Relating to the Establishment of Accounts Controlled by the Trustee. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, the Trustee agrees that with respect to each of the Accounts, it will cause the Intermediary establishing such accounts to enter into an Account Agreement and, if the Intermediary is the Bank, shall cause the Bank to comply with the provisions of such Account Agreement. The Trustee shall have the right to open such subaccounts of any such account as it deems necessary or appropriate for convenience of administration.
Section 10.12Section 3(c)(7) Procedures. For so long as any Securities are Outstanding, the Issuer shall do the following:
(a)Notification. Each Monthly Report sent or caused to be sent by the Issuer to the Holders will include a notice to the following effect:
-182-
“The United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that all holders of the outstanding securities of the Issuer that are “U.S. persons” (as defined in Regulation S) be “Qualified Purchasers” (“Qualified Purchasers”) as defined in Section 2(a)(51)(A) of the 1940 Act and related rules. Under the rules, the Issuer must have a “reasonable belief” that all holders of its outstanding securities that are “U.S. persons” (as defined in Regulation S), including transferees, are Qualified Purchasers. Consequently, all sales and resales of the Securities in the United States or to “U.S. persons” (as defined in Regulation S) must be made solely to purchasers that are Qualified Purchasers. Each purchaser of a Security in the United States who is a “U.S. person” (as defined in Regulation S) (such Security a “Restricted Security”) will be deemed (or required, as the case may be) to represent at the time of purchase that: (i) the purchaser is a Qualified Purchaser who is a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“QIB”); (ii) the purchaser is acting for its own account or the account of another Qualified Purchaser and QIB; (iii) the purchaser is not formed for the purpose of investing in the Issuer (unless each beneficial owner of the purchaser is a Qualified Purchaser); (iv) the purchaser, and each account for which it is purchasing, will hold and transfer at least the minimum denominations of the Securities specified in the Transaction Documents; (v) the purchaser understands that the Issuer may receive a list of participants holding positions in securities from one or more book-entry depositories; and (vi) the purchaser will provide written notice of the foregoing, and of any applicable restrictions on transfer, to any subsequent transferees. The Restricted Securities may only be transferred to another Qualified Purchaser and QIB and all subsequent transferees are deemed to have made representations (i) through (vi) above.”
“The Issuer directs that the recipient of this notice, and any recipient of a copy of this notice, to provide a copy to any Person having an interest in this Security as indicated on the books of DTC or on the books of a participant in DTC or on the books of an indirect participant for which such participant in DTC acts as agent.”
“The Transaction Documents provide that if, notwithstanding the restrictions on transfer contained therein, the Issuer determines that any holder of, or beneficial owner of an interest in a Restricted Security is a “U.S. person” (as defined in Regulation S) who is determined not to have been a Qualified Purchaser at the time of acquisition of such Restricted Security, or beneficial interest therein, the Issuer may require, by notice to such Holder or beneficial owner, that such Holder or beneficial owner sell all of its right, title and interest to such Restricted Security (or any interest therein) to a
-183-
Person that is either (x) a Person that is not a “U.S. Person” (as defined in Regulation S) acquiring the Securities in an offshore transaction (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S, or (y) a Qualified Purchaser who is a QIB, with such sale to be effected within 30 days after notice of such sale requirement is given. If such holder or beneficial owner fails to effect the transfer required within such 30‑day period, (i) the Issuer or the Collateral Manager acting for the Issuer, without further notice to such holder, shall and is hereby irrevocably authorized by such holder or beneficial owner, to cause its Restricted Security, or beneficial interest therein, to be transferred in a commercially reasonable sale (conducted by the Collateral Manager in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC as in effect in the State of New York as applied to securities that are sold on a recognized market or that may decline speedily in value) to a Person that certifies to the Trustee, the Issuer and the Collateral Manager, in connection with such transfer, that such Person meets the qualifications set forth in clauses (x) and (y) above and (ii) pending such transfer, no further payments will be made in respect of such Restricted Security, or beneficial interest therein held by such holder or beneficial owner.”
(b)DTC Actions. The Issuer will direct DTC to take the following steps in connection with the Global Notes:
(i)The Issuer will direct DTC to include the marker “3c7” in the DTC 20‑character security descriptor and the 48-character additional descriptor for the Global Notes in order to indicate that sales are limited to Qualified Purchasers.
(ii)The Issuer will direct DTC to cause each physical deliver order ticket that is delivered by DTC to purchasers to contain the 20-character security descriptor. The Issuer will direct DTC to cause each deliver order ticket that is delivered by DTC to purchasers in electronic form to contain a “3c7” indicator and a related user manual for participants. Such user manual will contain a description of the relevant restrictions imposed by Section 3(c)(7).
(iii)On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer will instruct DTC to send a Section 3(c)(7) Notice to all DTC participants in connection with the offering of the Global Notes.
(iv)In addition to the obligations of the Registrar set forth in Section 2.6, the Issuer will from time to time (upon the request of the Trustee) make a request to DTC to deliver to the Issuer a list of all DTC participants holding an interest in the Global Notes.
(v)The Issuer will cause each CUSIP number obtained for a Global Note to have a fixed field containing “3c7” and “144A” indicators, as applicable, attached to such CUSIP number.
-184-
(c)Bloomberg Screens, Etc. The Issuer will from time to time request all third-party vendors to include on screens maintained by such vendors appropriate legends regarding Rule 144A and Section 3(c)(7) under the 1940 Act restrictions on the Global Notes. Without limiting the foregoing, the Initial Purchaser will request that each third-party vendor include the following legends on each screen containing information about the Notes:
(i)Bloomberg.
(A)“Iss’d Under 144A/3c7,” to be stated in the “Note Box” on the bottom of the “Security Display” page describing the Global Notes;
(B)a flashing red indicator stating “See Other Available Information” located on the “Security Display” page;
(C)a link to an “Additional Security Information” page on such indicator stating that the Global Notes are being offered in reliance on the exception from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 to Persons that are both (i) “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (ii) “qualified purchasers” as defined under Section 2(a)(51) of the 1940 Act, as amended; and
(D)a statement on the “Disclaimer” page for the Global Notes that the Notes will not be and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that the Issuer has not been registered under the 1940 Act, as amended, and that the Global Notes may only be offered or sold in accordance with Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, as amended.
(ii)Reuters.
(A)a “144A – 3c7” notation included in the security name field at the top of the Reuters Instrument Code screen;
(B)a “144A3c7Disclaimer” indicator appearing on the right side of the Reuters Instrument Code screen; and
(C)a link from such “144A3c7Disclaimer” indicator to a disclaimer screen containing the following language: “These Notes may be sold or transferred only to Persons who are both (i) Qualified Institutional Buyers, as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and (ii) Qualified Purchasers, as defined under Section 3(c)(7) under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940.”
ARTICLE XI
Application Of FUNDS
Section 11.1Disbursements of Amounts from Payment Account. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, but subject to the other sub‑Sections of this
-185-
Section 11.1 and to Section 13.1, on each Payment Date, the Trustee shall disburse amounts transferred from the Collection Account to the Payment Account pursuant to Section 10.2 in accordance with the following priorities (the “Priority of Payments”); provided that, unless an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, (x) amounts transferred from the Interest Collection Subaccount shall be applied solely in accordance with the Priority of Interest Proceeds; and (y) amounts transferred from the Principal Collection Subaccount shall be applied solely in accordance with the Priority of Principal Proceeds.
(i)On each Payment Date, unless an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, Interest Proceeds on deposit in the Collection Account, to the extent received on or before the related Determination Date (or if such Determination Date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and that are transferred into the Payment Account, shall be applied in the following order of priority (the “Priority of Interest Proceeds”):
(A)to the payment of (1) first, taxes and governmental fees owing by the Issuers, if any and (2) second, the accrued and unpaid Administrative Expenses, in the priority stated in the definition thereof, up to the Administrative Expense Cap (except as otherwise expressly provided in connection with any Optional Redemption or Tax Redemption);
(B)to the payment to the Collateral Manager of the accrued and unpaid Base Management Fee that has not been waived by the Collateral Manager;
(C)to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Class A Notes (including any defaulted interest);
(D)if any Class A Coverage Test is not satisfied on the related Determination Date (except, in the case of the Class A Interest Coverage Test, if such Determination Date is prior to the Interest Coverage Test Effective Date), to make payments in accordance with the Note Payment Sequence to the extent necessary to cause each such test to be satisfied on a pro forma basis after giving effect to all payments pursuant to this clause (D);
(E)if, with respect to any Payment Date following the Effective Date, the Effective Date S&P Conditions are not satisfied, to one or both of the following alternatives, as directed by the Collateral Manager: (i) for application in accordance with the Note Payment Sequence on such Payment Date or (ii) as Principal Proceeds and transferred to the Collection Account to invest in Eligible Investments (pending the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations) and/or to the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations (provided that such payment would not, in the reasonable determination of the Collateral Manager, cause an EU Retention Deficiency), in an amount sufficient to cause the Effective Date S&P Conditions to be satisfied;
(F)to the payment of (1) first (in the same manner and order of priority stated therein), any Administrative Expenses not paid pursuant to clause (A)(2)
-186-
above due to the limitation contained therein and (2) second, any expenses related to a Re-Pricing to the extent not paid on the effective date of such Re-Pricing;
(G)to the payment to the Collateral Manager of any accrued and unpaid Subordinated Management Fee that has not been waived by the Collateral Manager; and
(H)any remaining Interest Proceeds (i) first to be deposited in the Collection Account to the extent the Collateral Manager elects, in its sole discretion, to designate such amounts as Interest Proceeds or Principal Proceeds and (ii) second, to be paid to the Fiscal Agent for payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares.
(ii)On each Payment Date, unless an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, Principal Proceeds on deposit in the Collection Account that are received on or before the related Determination Date (or if such Determination Date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and that are transferred to the Payment Account (which will not include (i) amounts required to meet funding requirements with respect to Delayed Drawdown Collateral Obligations and Revolving Collateral Obligations that are deposited in the Revolver Funding Account or (ii) Principal Proceeds which the Issuer has entered into any commitment to reinvest in Collateral Obligations) shall be applied in the following order of priority (the “Priority of Principal Proceeds”):
(A)to pay the amounts referred to in clauses (A) through (D) of the Priority of Interest Proceeds (and in the same manner and order of priority stated therein), but only to the extent not paid in full thereunder;
(B)with respect to any Payment Date following the Effective Date, if after the application of Interest Proceeds as provided in clause (E) under the Priority of Interest Proceeds and the Effective Date S&P Conditions are not satisfied, to one or both of the following alternatives, as directed by the Collateral Manager: (i) for application in accordance with the Note Payment Sequence on such Payment Date or (ii) as Principal Proceeds and transferred to the Collection Account to invest in Eligible Investments (pending the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations) and/or to the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations (provided that such payment would not, in the reasonable determination of the Collateral Manager, cause an EU Retention Deficiency), in an amount sufficient to cause the Effective Date S&P Conditions to be satisfied;
(C)if such Payment Date is a Redemption Date, to make payments in accordance with the Note Payment Sequence;
(D)if such Payment Date is a Special Redemption Date occurring in connection with a Special Redemption described in clause (i) of the definition thereof to make payments in the amount of the Special Redemption Amount at the election of the Collateral Manager, in accordance with the Note Payment Sequence;
-187-
(E)during the Reinvestment Period, to the Collection Account as Principal Proceeds to invest in Eligible Investments (pending the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations) and/or to the purchase of additional Collateral Obligations (provided that such payment would not, in the reasonable determination of the Collateral Manager, cause an EU Retention Deficiency);
(F)after the Reinvestment Period, to make payments in accordance with the Note Payment Sequence;
(G)after the Reinvestment Period, to pay the amounts referred to in clause (F) of the Priority of Interest Proceeds only to the extent not already paid (in the same manner and order of priority stated therein);
(H)after the Reinvestment Period, to pay the amounts referred to in clause (G) of the Priority of Interest Proceeds only to the extent not already paid (in the same manner and order of priority stated therein); and
(I)any remaining Principal Proceeds to be paid to the Fiscal Agent for payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares.
(iii)On the Stated Maturity of the Notes, the Trustee shall pay the net proceeds from the liquidation of the Assets and all available Cash, but only after the payment of (or establishment of a reserve for) all Administrative Expenses (in the same manner and order of priority stated in the definition thereof), Collateral Management Fees, and interest and principal on the Notes, to the Holders of the Preferred Shares in final payment of such Preferred Shares (such payments to be made in accordance with the priority set forth in the Special Priority of Payments).
(iv)Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing Priority of Interest Proceeds and Priority of Principal Proceeds (other than the last paragraph thereof), on the Stated Maturity of the Notes, or if the maturity of the Notes has been accelerated following an Event of Default and has not been rescinded in accordance with the terms herein (an “Enforcement Event”), pursuant to Section 5.7, distributions and proceeds in respect of the Assets will be applied at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee in the following order of priority (the “Special Priority of Payments”):
(A)to the payment of (1) first, taxes and governmental fees owing by the Issuers, if any, and (2) second, the accrued and unpaid Administrative Expenses, in the priority stated in the definition thereof, up to the Administrative Expense Cap; provided that, following the commencement of the liquidation of Assets in accordance with this Indenture, the Administrative Expense Cap shall be disregarded for purpose of clause (2) above;
(B)to the payment to the Collateral Manager of the accrued and unpaid Base Management Fee that has not been waived by the Collateral Manager;
(C)to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Class A Notes (including any defaulted interest);
-188-
(D)to the payment of principal of the Class A Notes until the Class A Notes have been paid in full;
(E)to the payment of (in the same manner and order of priority stated therein) any Administrative Expenses not paid pursuant to clause (A)(2) above due to the limitation contained therein;
(F)to the payment to the Collateral Manager of any accrued and unpaid Subordinated Management Fee that has not been waived by the Collateral Manager;
(G)to the payment of any obligations of the Issuers or to establish any reserves determined by the Issuer or the Collateral Manager to be necessary or desirable; and
(H)to pay the balance to the Fiscal Agent for payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares.
If any declaration of acceleration has been rescinded in accordance with the provisions hereof, proceeds in respect of the Assets will be applied in accordance with the Priority of Interest Proceeds or the Priority of Principal Proceeds, as applicable.
(b)If on any Payment Date the amount available in the Payment Account is insufficient to make the full amount of the disbursements required by the Distribution Report, the Trustee shall make the disbursements called for in the order and according to the priority set forth under Section 11.1(a) above, subject to Section 13.1, to the extent funds are available therefor.
(c)In connection with the application of funds to pay Administrative Expenses of the Issuer in accordance with the Priority of Interest Proceeds, the Priority of Principal Proceeds and Section 11.1(a)(iii), the Trustee shall remit such funds, to the extent available (and subject to the order of priority set forth in the definition of “Administrative Expenses”), as directed and designated in an Issuer Order (which may be in the form of standing instructions, including standing instructions to pay Administrative Expenses in such amounts and to such entities as indicated in the Distribution Report in respect of such Payment Date) delivered to the Trustee no later than the Business Day prior to each Payment Date.
(d)The Collateral Manager may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive payment of any or all of any Collateral Management Fee otherwise due on any Payment Date by notice to the Issuer, the Collateral Administrator and the Trustee no later than the Business Day immediately prior to such Payment Date in accordance with the terms of Section 8(a) of the Collateral Management Agreement. Any such Collateral Management Fee, once waived, shall not thereafter become due and payable and any claim of the Collateral Manager therein shall be extinguished.
-189-
ARTICLE XII
Sale of Collateral Obligations; Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations
Section 12.1Sales of Collateral Obligations. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 12.4, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer may (except as otherwise specified in this Section 12.1) direct the Trustee to sell and the Trustee shall sell on behalf of the Issuer in the manner directed by the Collateral Manager any Collateral Obligation or Equity Security if, as certified by the Collateral Manager, such sale meets the requirements of any one of paragraphs (a) through (j) of this Section 12.1 (subject in each case to any applicable requirement of disposition under Section 12.1(h) and provided that (x) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Manager may not direct the Trustee to sell any Collateral Obligation or Equity Security pursuant to Section 12.1(e), Section 12.1(f) or Section 12.1(g) unless the sale of such Asset is permitted pursuant to Section 12.4(c) and (y) the Collateral Manager may not direct the Trustee to sell any Collateral Obligation pursuant to this Section 12.1 to ORTF unless such sale satisfies the Purchase and Substitution Limit). For purposes of this Section 12.1, the Sale Proceeds of a Collateral Obligation sold by the Issuer shall include any Principal Financed Accrued Interest received in respect of such sale.
(a)Credit Risk Obligations. The Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to sell any Credit Risk Obligation at any time.
(b)Credit Improved Obligations. The Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to sell any Credit Improved Obligation at any time during the Reinvestment Period, if the Collateral Manager reasonably believes prior to any such sale that either:
(i)after giving effect to such sale and subsequent reinvestment, the Adjusted Collateral Principal Amount (excluding the Collateral Obligation being sold but including, without duplication, the Collateral Obligation being purchased and the anticipated cash proceeds, if any, of such sale that are not applied to the purchase of such additional Collateral Obligation) will be at least equal to the Reinvestment Target Par Balance; or
(ii)it will be able to enter into binding commitments to reinvest all or a portion of the proceeds of such sale, in compliance with the Investment Criteria, in one or more additional Collateral Obligations with an aggregate outstanding principal balance at least equal to the outstanding principal balance (or, in the case of any Discount Obligation, the purchase price, excluding accrued interest, expressed as a percentage of par and multiplied by the outstanding principal balance thereof) of such Credit Improved Obligation within 20 Business Days of such sale;
(c)Defaulted Obligations; Workout Loans. The Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to sell any Defaulted Obligation or any Workout Loan at any time.
(d)Equity Securities. The Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to sell any Equity Security at any time and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the sale
-190-
of any Equity Security, regardless of price (provided that any sale to ORTF or its Affiliates must be on arm’s length terms), subject to any applicable transfer restrictions:
(i)within three years after receipt, if such Equity Security is (A) received upon the conversion of a Defaulted Obligation, or (B) received in an exchange initiated by the Obligor to avoid bankruptcy; and
(ii)within 45 days after receipt, if such Equity Security constitutes Margin Stock, unless such sale is prohibited by applicable law or contractual restriction, in which case such Equity Security shall be sold as soon as such sale is permitted by applicable law or such contract.
(e)Optional Redemption, Optional Preferred Shares Redemption or Clean-Up Call Redemption. In connection with an Optional Redemption of the Secured Notes, an Optional Preferred Shares Redemption or a Clean-Up Call Redemption, if all requirements for such redemption set forth in this Indenture are met (or expected to be met), if necessary to effect such redemption, the Collateral Manager shall direct the Trustee to sell (which sale may be through participation or other arrangement) all or a portion of the Collateral Obligations (provided that all of the Collateral Obligations shall be sold in connection with an Optional Preferred Shares Redemption) if the requirements of Article IX (including the certification requirements of Section 9.4(e)(ii), if applicable) are satisfied.
(f)Tax Redemption. After a Majority of an Affected Class or a Majority of the Preferred Shares has directed (by a written direction delivered to the Trustee) a Tax Redemption, the Collateral Manager shall, if necessary to effect such Tax Redemption, direct the Trustee to sell (which sale may be through participation or other arrangement) all or a portion of the Collateral Obligations if the requirements of Article IX (including the certification requirements of Section 9.4(e)(ii), if applicable) are satisfied (or expected to be satisfied).
(g)Discretionary Sales. The Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to sell (in addition to any sales pursuant to clauses (a) through (e) above) any Collateral Obligation to any party other than ORTF at any time other than during a Restricted Trading Period if after giving effect to such sale, the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations sold as described in this Section 12.1(g) during the preceding period of 12 calendar months (or, for the first 12 calendar months after the Closing Date, during the period commencing on the Closing Date) is not greater than 25% of the Collateral Principal Amount as of the first day of such 12 calendar month period (or as of the Closing Date, as the case may be).
(h)Mandatory Sales. The Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the sale (regardless of price, but after a reasonable period of market inquiry, except that sales to ORTF or its Affiliates must be on arm’s length terms) subject to any applicable transfer restrictions of any Collateral Obligation that (i) no longer meets the criteria described in clause (vii) of the definition of “Collateral Obligation,” within 18 months after the failure of such Collateral Obligation to meet such criteria or (ii) no longer meets the criteria described in clause (vi) of the definition of “Collateral Obligation” within 45 days after the failure of such Collateral Obligation to meet either such criteria.
-191-
(i)Sales in Connection with an Optional Substitution or Optional Repurchase. The Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to sell any Collateral Obligation to ORTF at any time in connection with an optional purchase or substitution of such Collateral Obligation pursuant to Section 12.3, it being understood that such sales will be subject to the Purchase and Substitution Limit.
(j)Sales at Stated Maturity. The Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to sell any Collateral Obligation in order to repay the Secured Notes at the earliest Stated Maturity of any Secured Notes Outstanding.
Section 12.2Purchase of Additional Collateral Obligations. On any date during the Reinvestment Period, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer may, subject to the other requirements in this Indenture, direct the Trustee to invest Principal Proceeds, amounts on deposit in the Ramp-Up Account and Principal Financed Accrued Interest, and the Trustee shall invest such Principal Proceeds and other amounts in accordance with such direction. After the Reinvestment Period, the Collateral Manager shall not direct the Trustee to invest any amounts on behalf of the Issuer; provided that in accordance with Section 12.2(f), Cash on deposit in any Account (other than the Payment Account) may be invested in Eligible Investments following the Reinvestment Period.
(a)Investment Criteria. No obligation may be purchased by the Issuer unless each of the following conditions is satisfied as of the date the Collateral Manager commits on behalf of the Issuer to make such purchase, in each case as determined by the Collateral Manager after giving effect to such purchase and all other sales or purchases previously or simultaneously committed to; provided that the conditions set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) below need only be satisfied with respect to purchases of Collateral Obligations occurring on or after the Effective Date (the “Investment Criteria”):
(i)such obligation is a Collateral Obligation;
(ii)each Coverage Test will be satisfied, or if any such test is not satisfied, the level of compliance with such test is maintained or improved;
(iii)(A) in the case of an additional Collateral Obligation purchased with the proceeds from the sale of a Credit Risk Obligation or a Defaulted Obligation, either (1) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all additional Collateral Obligations purchased with the proceeds from such sale will at least equal the Sale Proceeds from such sale, (2) the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations will be maintained or increased (when compared to the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations immediately prior to such sale) or (3) the Adjusted Collateral Principal Amount (excluding the Collateral Obligation being sold but including, without duplication, the Collateral Obligation being purchased and the anticipated cash proceeds, if any, of such sale that are not applied to the purchase of such additional Collateral Obligation) will be greater than the Reinvestment Target Par Balance and (B) in the case of any other purchase of additional Collateral Obligations purchased with the proceeds from the sale of a Collateral Obligation, either (1) the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral Obligations will be maintained or increased (when compared to the Aggregate Principal Balance of the Collateral
-192-
Obligations immediately prior to such sale) or (2) the Adjusted Collateral Principal Amount (excluding the Collateral Obligation being sold but including, without duplication, the Collateral Obligation being purchased and the anticipated cash proceeds, if any, of such sale that are not applied to the purchase of such additional Collateral Obligation) will be greater than the Reinvestment Target Par Balance;
(iv)either (A) each requirement or test, as the case may be, of the Concentration Limitations and the Collateral Quality Test (except, in the case of an additional Collateral Obligation purchased with the proceeds from the sale of a Credit Risk Obligation or a Defaulted Obligation, the S&P CDO Monitor Test) will be satisfied or (B) if any such requirement or test was not satisfied immediately prior to such investment, such requirement or test will be maintained or improved, in each case after giving effect to the investment;
(v)the date on which the Issuer (or the Collateral Manager on its behalf) commits to purchase such Collateral Obligation occurs during the Reinvestment Period;
(vi)if the Weighted Average Life Test is not satisfied immediately prior to the purchase of such additional Collateral Obligation, the Average Life of such additional Collateral Obligation shall be no greater than the level of the Weighted Average Life Test in effect as of the date of such purchase;
(vii)the EU Origination Requirement will be satisfied after giving effect to such purchase; and
(viii)no EU Retention Deficiency would occur as a result of, and immediately after giving effect to any such purchase.
(b)Post-Reinvestment Period Settlement Obligations. If the Issuer has entered into a written trade ticket or other written binding commitment to purchase a Collateral Obligation during the Reinvestment Period which purchase does not settle or is not scheduled to settle prior to the end of the Reinvestment Period (such Collateral Obligation, a “Post-Reinvestment Period Settlement Obligation”), such Post-Reinvestment Period Settlement Obligation shall be treated as having been purchased by the Issuer prior to the end of the Reinvestment Period for purposes of the Investment Criteria, and Principal Proceeds received after the end of the Reinvestment Period may be applied to the payment of the purchase price of such Post-Reinvestment Period Settlement Obligation, provided that the Collateral Manager believes, in its commercially reasonable business judgment, that the settlement date with respect to such purchase will occur within forty-five (45) Business Days of the date of the trade ticket or other commitment to purchase such Collateral Obligations. Not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the end of the Reinvestment Period, the Collateral Manager shall deliver to the Trustee a schedule of Collateral Obligations purchased by the Issuer with respect to which purchases the trade date has occurred but the settlement date has not yet occurred and shall certify to the Trustee that sufficient Principal Proceeds are available (including for this purpose, cash on deposit in the Principal Collection Subaccount as well as any Principal Proceeds received by the Issuer from the sale of Collateral Obligations for which the trade date has already occurred but the settlement date has not yet occurred) to effect the settlement of such Collateral Obligation.
-193-
(c)Trading Plan Period. For purposes of calculating compliance with the Investment Criteria, at the election of the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion, any proposed investment (whether a single Collateral Obligation or a group of Collateral Obligations) identified by the Collateral Manager as such at the time when compliance with the Investment Criteria is required to be calculated (a “Trading Plan”) may be evaluated after giving effect to all sales and reinvestments proposed to be entered into within the three (3) Business Days following the date of determination of such compliance (such period, the “Trading Plan Period”); provided that (i) no Trading Plan may result in the purchase of Collateral Obligations having an Aggregate Principal Balance that exceeds 5.0% of the Collateral Principal Amount as of the first day of the Trading Plan Period, (ii) no Trading Plan Period may include a Determination Date, (iii) no more than one Trading Plan may be in effect at any time during a Trading Plan Period, (iv) if the Investment Criteria are satisfied prospectively after giving effect to a Trading Plan but are not satisfied upon the expiry of the related Trading Plan Period, solely as a result of the purchases and sales included in the Trading Plan, the Investment Criteria shall not at any time thereafter be evaluated by giving effect to a Trading Plan, (v) no Trading Plan may result in the purchase of Collateral Obligations with the difference between the maturity of the Collateral Obligation with the shortest maturity in such group and the maturity of the Collateral Obligation with the longest maturity in such group being greater than 36 months, (vi) no Trading Plan may result in the purchase of a Collateral Obligation with a maturity of less than 6 months and (vii) with respect to Discount Obligations and for purposes of determining compliance with clause (xxiii) of the definition of “Collateral Obligation,” no such calculation or evaluation may be made using the weighted average price of any Collateral Obligation or any group of Collateral Obligations. The Collateral Manager shall provide written notice to the Rating Agency of (i) any Trading Plan, which notice shall specify the proposed investments identified by the Collateral Manager for acquisition as part of such Trading Plan, prior to utilizing such Trading Plan and (ii) the occurrence of the event described in clause (iv) above promptly following the occurrence thereof. The Collateral Manager shall notify the Trustee of the completion of any Trading Plan and, upon receipt of such notice, the Trustee will post a notice on the Trustee’s website and the Trustee will include the details of any Trading Plan in the Monthly Report.
(d)Exercise of Warrants. At any time, the Collateral Manager may, subject to Section 10.2(d), direct the Trustee to apply Interest Proceeds (but not Principal Proceeds) to make any payments required in connection with a workout or restructuring of a Collateral Obligation or exercise an option, warrant, right of conversion or similar right in connection with a workout or restructuring of a Collateral Obligation.
(e)Workout Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer may acquire a Workout Loan at any time during or after the Reinvestment Period: from Interest Proceeds (including Contributions designated as Interest Proceeds) provided that such application of Interest Proceeds would not cause the non-payment or deferral of interest on any Class of Secured Notes on the immediately succeeding Payment Date on a pro forma basis. In each case, the Issuer’s acquisition of a Workout Loan will not be required to satisfy the Investment Criteria.
(f)Certification by Collateral Manager. Not later than the Cut-Off Date for any Collateral Obligation purchased in accordance with this Section 12.2, the Collateral Manager shall deliver by e-mail or other electronic transmission to the Trustee and the Collateral
-194-
Administrator an Officer’s certificate of the Collateral Manager certifying that such purchase complies with this Section 12.2 and Section 12.4.
(g)Investment in Eligible Investments. Cash on deposit in any Account (other than the Payment Account) may be invested at any time in Eligible Investments in accordance with Article X.
Section 12.3Optional Purchase or Substitution of Collateral Obligations.
(a)Optional Substitutions.
(i)With respect to any Collateral Obligation as to which a Substitution Event has occurred, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 12.3 (including the Purchase and Substitution Limit), ORTF may (but shall not be obligated to) either (x) convey to the Issuer one or more Collateral Obligations in exchange for such Collateral Obligation or (y) deposit into the Principal Collection Subaccount an amount equal to the Fair Market Value (or, with respect to any Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation, the purchase price that the Issuer paid to acquire such Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation) for such Collateral Obligation and then, prior to the expiration of the Substitution Period, convey to the Issuer one or more Collateral Obligations in exchange for the funds so deposited or a portion thereof.
(ii)Any substitution pursuant to this Section 12.3(a) shall be initiated by delivery of written notice in the form of Exhibit E hereto (a “Notice of Substitution”) by ORTF to the Trustee, the Issuer and the Collateral Manager that ORTF intends to substitute a Collateral Obligation pursuant to this Section 12.3(a) and shall be completed prior to the earliest of: (x) the expiration of forty-five (45) days after delivery of such notice (or, with respect to any Collateral Obligation that is substituted or repurchased solely on the basis of becoming a Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation, 15 Business Days from the date on which it became a Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation); (y) delivery of written notice to the Trustee from ORTF stating that ORTF does not intend to convey any additional Substitute Collateral Obligations to the Issuer in exchange for any remaining amounts deposited in the Principal Collection Subaccount under clause (a)(i)(y); or (z) in the case of a Collateral Obligation which has become subject to a Specified Amendment, three Business Days after the effective date set forth in such Specified Amendment (such period described in this clause (ii), the “Substitution Period”).
(iii)Each Notice of Substitution shall specify the Collateral Obligation to be substituted, the reasons for such substitution and the Fair Market Value (or, with respect to any Collateral Obligation that is substituted or repurchased solely on the basis of becoming a Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation, the purchase price that the Issuer paid to acquire such Collateral Obligation) with respect to the Collateral Obligation. On the last day of any Substitution Period, any amounts previously deposited in accordance with clause (a)(i)(y) above which relate to such Substitution Period that have not been applied to purchase one or more Substitute Collateral Obligations (or to fund the Revolver Funding Account if necessary) with respect thereto shall be deemed to constitute Principal Proceeds; provided that prior to the expiration of the related Substitution Period any such amounts
-195-
shall not be deemed to be Principal Proceeds and shall remain in the Principal Collection Subaccount until applied to acquire Substitute Collateral Obligations (or to fund the Revolver Funding Account if necessary) with respect thereto.
(iv)The substitution of any Substitute Collateral Obligation will be subject to the satisfaction of the Substitute Collateral Obligations Qualification Conditions as of the related Cut-Off Date for each such Collateral Obligation (after giving effect to such substitution).
(b)Optional Purchases. In addition to the right to substitute for any Collateral Obligations that become subject to a Substitution Event, ORTF shall have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase from the Issuer any Collateral Obligation subject to the Purchase and Substitution Limit at a cash purchase price at least equal to the Fair Market Value of such Collateral Obligation (or applicable portion thereof) as of the date of such purchase, which the Trustee shall deposit into the Collection Account upon receipt.
(c)Purchase and Substitution Limit. At all times, (i) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that are Substitute Collateral Obligations, plus (ii) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that have been purchased by ORTF pursuant to Section 12.3(a) and that the purchase price therefor was not subsequently applied to purchase a Substitute Collateral Obligation, plus (iii) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that have been purchased by ORTF pursuant to Section 12.3(b) above, plus (iv) the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations that have been purchased by ORTF pursuant to Section 12.1 may not exceed an amount equal to 30% of the Target Initial Par Amount; provided that the aggregate principal balance of all Collateral Obligations that have been purchased by ORTF since the end of the Reinvestment Period under clauses (ii) – (iv) above may not exceed an amount equal to 7.5% of the Target Initial Par Amount; provided further that (I) clauses (i) - (iv) above shall not include (A) the Principal Balance related to any Collateral Obligation that is purchased or substituted by ORTF in connection with a Specified Amendment or a proposed Specified Amendment to such Collateral Obligation so long as such repurchase or substitution is effected not less than three Business Days after the effective date set forth in such Specified Amendment and ORTF certifies in writing to the Collateral Manager and the Trustee that such purchase or substitution is, in the commercially reasonable business judgment of ORTF, necessary or advisable in connection with the restructuring of such Collateral Obligation and such restructuring has or is expected to result in a Specified Amendment to such Collateral Obligation, (B) the purchase price of any Equity Securities sold to ORTF pursuant to Section 12.1(d), (C) the Principal Balance of Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligations that are substituted or repurchased solely on the basis of becoming a Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation; provided that (x) each such Collateral Obligation must be substituted or repurchased by ORTF within 15 Business Days from the date it becomes a Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation and (y) the purchase price, or substitution value, as applicable, for such Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation must be at least the greater of its Fair Market Value and the purchase price that the Issuer paid to acquire such Collateral Obligation (less any principal payments received by the Issuer) or (D) any purchase by ORTF in connection with an Optional Redemption, Tax Redemption or Clean-Up Call Redemption and (II) ORTF may not substitute or repurchase a Collateral Obligation that is a Post-Transition S&P CCC Collateral Obligation that was not substituted or repurchased in accordance with clause (I)(C) above or was an S&P CCC
-196-
Collateral Obligation at the time the Issuer acquired such Collateral Obligation, in each case, other than (A) if a Substitution Event has occurred with respect to such Collateral Obligation (other than a Substitution Event under clause (v) of the definition thereof) or (B) in connection with an Optional Redemption, Tax Redemption or Clean-Up Call Redemption. The foregoing provisions in this paragraph constitute the “Purchase and Substitution Limit.”
(d)Third Party Beneficiaries. The Issuer and the Trustee agree that ORTF shall be a third party beneficiary of this Indenture solely for purposes of this Section 12.3, and shall be entitled to rely upon and enforce such provisions of this Section 12.3 to the same extent as if it were a party hereto.
Section 12.4Conditions Applicable to All Sale and Purchase Transactions. (a) Any transaction effected under this Article XII or in connection with the acquisition, disposition or substitution of any Asset shall be conducted on an arm’s length basis and, if effected with an Affiliate of the Collateral Manager (or with an account or portfolio for which the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates serves as investment adviser), shall be effected in accordance with the requirements of Section 5 of the Collateral Management Agreement on terms no less favorable to the Issuer than would be the case if such Person were not an Affiliate of the Collateral Manager; provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility to oversee compliance with this clause (a) by the other parties. Any sale of a Collateral Obligation or an Equity Security (other than a Substitute Collateral Obligation) to the Collateral Manager, an Affiliate of the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate of the Issuer shall be at a purchase price at least equal to the current Fair Market Value of such Collateral Obligation or Equity Security and certified by the Collateral Manager to the Trustee.
(b)Upon any acquisition of a Collateral Obligation pursuant to this Article XII, all of the Issuer’s right, title and interest to the Asset or Assets shall be Granted to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, such Asset or Assets shall be Delivered to the Custodian, and, if applicable, the Custodian shall receive such Asset or Assets. The Trustee shall also receive, not later than the Cut‑Off Date, an Officer’s certificate of the Issuer containing the statements set forth in Section 3.1(a)(viii); provided that such requirement shall be satisfied, and such statements shall be deemed to have been made by the Issuer, in respect of such acquisition by the delivery to the Trustee of a trade ticket in respect thereof that is signed by a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager.
(c)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article XII or Article V to the contrary, in addition to the rights described herein, the Issuer shall have the right to effect any sale of any Asset or purchase of any Collateral Obligation and ORTF shall have the right to exercise any optional purchase or substitution rights with the consent of Holders evidencing at least 75% of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of each Class of Securities (and notice to the Trustee and the Rating Agency).
(d)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article XII or Article V to the contrary, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Enforcement Event, the Issuer shall not have the right to effect any sale of any Asset or purchase of any Collateral Obligation and ORTF shall not exercise any optional purchase or substitution rights, in each case without the consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class.
-197-
ARTICLE XIII
Holders’ Relations
Section 13.1Subordination. (a) Anything in this Indenture or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, the Holders of each Class of Securities that constitute a Junior Class agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of each Priority Class with respect to such Junior Class that such Junior Class shall be subordinate and junior to the Securities of each such Priority Class to the extent and in the manner expressly set forth in the Priority of Payments.
(b)The Holders of each Class of Securities and beneficial owners of each Class of Securities agree, for the benefit of all Holders of each Class of Securities and beneficial owners of each Class of Securities, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, insolvency or a similar proceeding in the United States, the Cayman Islands or any other jurisdiction against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer until the payment in full of all Notes and the expiration of a period equal to one year (or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect) plus one day, following such payment in full.
Section 13.2Standard of Conduct. In exercising any of its or their voting rights, rights to direct and consent or any other rights as a Holder under this Indenture, a Holder or Holders shall not have any obligation or duty to any Person or to consider or take into account the interests of any Person and shall not be liable to any Person for any action taken by it or them or at its or their direction or any failure by it or them to act or to direct that an action be taken, without regard to whether such action or inaction benefits or adversely affects any Holder, the Issuers, or any other Person, except for any liability to which such Holder may be subject to the extent the same results from such Holder’s taking or directing an action, or failing to take or direct an action, in bad faith or in violation of the express terms of this Indenture.
ARTICLE XIV
Miscellaneous
Section 14.1Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an Officer of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the Collateral Manager may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel (provided that, with respect to any matter of U.S. law, such counsel is a nationally or internationally recognized and reputable law firm, one or more of the partners of which are admitted to practice before the highest court of any State of the United States or the District of Columbia which law firm may, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be counsel for the Issuer), unless such Officer knows, or should know, that the certificate or opinion
-198-
or representations with respect to the matters upon which such certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate of an Officer of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the Collateral Manager or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Collateral Manager or any other Person (on which the Trustee shall be entitled to rely), stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Collateral Manager or such other Person, unless such Officer of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the Collateral Manager or such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may also be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer of the Collateral Manager or of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, stating that the information with respect to such matters is in the possession of the Collateral Manager or of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the absence of the occurrence and continuation of a Default or Event of Default is a condition precedent to the taking of any action by the Trustee at the request or direction of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, then notwithstanding that the satisfaction of such condition is a condition precedent to the Issuer’s or the Co-Issuer’s right to make such request or direction, the Trustee shall be protected in acting in accordance with such request or direction if it does not have knowledge of the occurrence and continuation of such Default or Event of Default as provided in Section 6.1(d).
The Bank (in any capacity under the Transaction Documents) agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to the Transaction Documents sent by unsecured email, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If any person elects to give the Bank email or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Bank in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Bank’s reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Bank shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Bank’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflicting with or being inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. Any person providing such instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Bank, including without limitation the risk of the Bank acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties and acknowledges and agrees that there may be more secure methods of transmitting such instructions than the method(s) selected by it and agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of such instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances.
Section 14.2Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein
-199-
otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Such instrument or instruments (and the action or actions embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section 14.2.
(b)The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any manner which the Trustee reasonably deems sufficient.
(c)The principal amount or face amount, as the case may be, and registered numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of such Person’s holding the same, shall be proved by the Register or Share Register, as applicable, or shall be provided by certification by such Holder.
(d)Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Security shall bind the Holder (and any transferee thereof) of such and of every Security issued upon the registration thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Issuers in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
(e)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note will have the right to receive access to reports on the Trustee’s website and will be entitled to exercise rights to vote, give consents and directions which holders of the related Class of Notes is entitled to give under this Indenture upon delivery of a beneficial ownership certificate (a “Beneficial Ownership Certificate”) to the Trustee which certifies (i) that such Person is a beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Note, (ii) the amount and Class of Notes so owned, and (iii) that such Person will notify the Trustee when it sells all or a portion of its beneficial interest in such Class of Notes. A separate Beneficial Ownership Certificate must be delivered each time any such vote, consent or direction is given; provided that nothing shall prevent the Trustee from requesting additional information and documentation with respect to any such beneficial owner.
Section 14.3Notices, Etc. to the Trustee, the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, Initial Purchaser, the Collateral Administrator, the Rating Agency and the Co-Issuer. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, instruction, order, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other documents or communication provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given, e-mailed or furnished to, or filed with:
(i)the Trustee shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to and mailed, by certified mail, return receipt requested, hand delivered, sent by overnight courier service guaranteeing next day delivery, by electronic mail, or by facsimile to State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, Mail Code: JAB0577, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171, Attention: Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, in legible form, to the Trustee addressed to it at its applicable Corporate Trust Office, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the other parties
-200-
hereto by the Trustee, and executed by a Responsible Officer of the entity sending such request, demand, authorization, direction, instruction, order, notice, consent, waiver or other document; provided that any demand, authorization, direction, instruction, order, notice, consent, waiver or other document sent to State Street Bank and Trust Company (in any capacity hereunder) will be deemed effective only upon receipt thereof by State Street Bank and Trust Company;
(ii)the Issuer shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, hand delivered, sent by overnight courier service, by electronic mail, or by facsimile in legible form, to the Issuer addressed to it at c/o Walkers Fiduciary Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9008, Cayman Islands, Attention: the Directors, Tel: +1 (345) 814 7600, email: [email protected], with a copy to the Collateral Manager, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the other parties hereto by the Issuer, with a copy to the Collateral Manager at its address below;
(iii)the Collateral Manager shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, hand delivered, sent by overnight courier service, by electronic mail or by facsimile in legible form, to the Collateral Manager addressed to it at 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the parties hereto;
(iv)the Initial Purchaser shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, hand delivered, sent by overnight courier service, in legible form, addressed to MUFG Securities Americas Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10020, Attention: Tricia Hazelwood, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the parties hereto, or sent by e-mail to [email protected]; and
(v)the Collateral Administrator shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (except as otherwise provided in Section 14.16 with respect to 17g-5 Information) if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, hand delivered, sent by overnight courier service, by electronic mail, or by facsimile in legible form, to the Collateral Administrator at State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, Mail Code: JAB0250, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171, Attention: Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the parties hereto;
(vi)the Rating Agency shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if delivered by electronic copy to [email protected]; provided that (x) in respect of any application for a ratings estimate by S&P in respect of a Collateral Obligation, Information must be submitted to [email protected], (y) in respect of any request for satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition in connection with the Effective Date, Information must be submitted to [email protected] and (x) in respect of emails related to the S&P CDO Monitor, Information must be submitted to [email protected];
-201-
(vii)the Administrator shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, hand delivered, sent by overnight courier service, by electronic mail, or by facsimile in legible form, to the Administrator addressed to it at Walkers Fiduciary Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9008, Cayman Islands, Attention: the Directors, Tel: +1 (345) 814 7600, email: [email protected]; and
(viii)the Co-Issuer shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, hand delivered, sent by overnight courier service, by electronic mail, or by facsimile in legible form, to c/o Puglisi & Associates, 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, DE 19711 or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the other parties hereto by the Co-Issuer with a copy to the Collateral Manager.
(b)If any provision herein calls for any notice or document to be delivered simultaneously to the Trustee and any other Person, the Trustee’s receipt of such notice or document shall entitle the Trustee to assume that such notice or document was delivered to such other Person or entity unless otherwise expressly specified herein.
(c)Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any agreement or document related thereto, any report, statement or other information required to be provided by the Issuer or the Trustee may be provided by providing access to a website containing such information.
(d)Unless the parties hereto otherwise agree, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment), 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; provided that if any such notice or other communication is not sent or posted during normal business hours, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day; provided further that if in any instance the intended recipient declines or opts out of the receipt acknowledgment, then such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the Business Day sent or posted, if sent or posted during normal business hours on such Business Day, or if otherwise, at the opening of business on the next Business Day.
Section 14.4Notices to Holders; Waiver. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event:
(a)such notice shall be sufficiently given to Holders if in writing and sent by email transmission, if available, and mailed, first class postage prepaid, or by overnight delivery service (or, in the case of Holders of Global Notes, emailed to DTC), to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Register not earlier than the earliest date and not later than the latest date prescribed for the giving of such notice; and
-202-
(b)such notice shall be in the English language.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to holders of Preferred Shares, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, or by overnight delivery service to Issuer, or by electronic mail transmission, at the Issuer’s address pursuant to Section 14.3 hereof. The Issuer shall forward all notices received pursuant to the preceding sentence to the holders of Preferred Shares. The Issuer shall provide notice and a consent solicitation package to each holder of a Preferred Share to the extent that such holder’s consent or approval is required hereunder. The Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee confirming any such approval or consent obtained from the requisite holders of the Preferred Shares.
Notwithstanding clause (a) above, a Holder may give the Trustee a written notice that it is requesting that notices to it be given by electronic mail or by facsimile transmissions and stating the electronic mail address or facsimile number for such transmission. Thereafter, the Trustee shall give notices to such Holder by electronic mail or facsimile transmission, as so requested; provided that if such notice also requests that notices be given by mail, then such notice shall also be given by mail in accordance with clause (a) above. Notices for Holders may also be posted to the Trustee’s website.
Subject to the requirements of Section 14.15, the Trustee will deliver to the Holders any information or notice relating to this Indenture requested to be so delivered by at least 25% of the Holders of any Class of Notes (by Aggregate Outstanding Amount), at the expense of the Issuer; provided that the Trustee may decline to send any such notice that it reasonably determines to be contrary to (i) any of the terms of this Indenture, (ii) any duty or obligation that the Trustee may have hereunder or (iii) applicable law. The Trustee may require the requesting Holders to comply with its standard verification policies in order to confirm Holder status.
Neither the failure to mail any notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or similar activity or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail of any event to Holders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then such notification to Holders as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by any Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Section 14.5Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein (including those used in cross-references herein) and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 14.6Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements herein by the Issuers shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
-203-
Section 14.7Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Indenture or the Securities, or the application thereof to any party hereto or any circumstance, is held to be unenforceable, invalid or illegal (in whole or in part) for any reason (in any relevant jurisdiction), the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture or the Securities, modified by the deletion of the unenforceable, invalid or illegal portion (in any relevant jurisdiction), will continue in full force and effect, and such unenforceability, invalidity, or illegality will not otherwise affect the enforceability, validity or legality of the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture or the Securities, as the case may be, so long as this Indenture or the Securities, as the case may be, as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the deletion of such portion of this Indenture or the Securities, as the case may be, will not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties.
Section 14.8Benefits of Indenture. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Indenture, nothing herein or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator, the Holders of the Securities and (to the extent provided herein) and the other Secured Parties any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 14.9Liability of Issuers. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Indenture, the Notes, or any other agreement entered into by either of the Issuers or otherwise, neither of the Issuers shall have any liability whatsoever to the other of the Issuers under this Indenture, the Notes, any other agreement, or otherwise. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, neither of the Issuers may take any action to enforce, or bring any action or proceeding, in respect of this Indenture, the Notes, any other agreement, or otherwise against the other of the Issuers. In particular, the Issuers may not petition or take any other steps for the winding up or bankruptcy of the other of the Issuers or of any and neither of the Issuers shall have any claim with respect to any assets of the other of the Issuers.
Section 14.10Governing Law. This Indenture shall be construed in accordance with, and this Indenture and any matters arising out of or relating in any way whatsoever to this Indenture (whether in contract, tort or otherwise), shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York.
Section 14.11Submission to Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Indenture or any matter between the parties arising under or in connection with this Indenture (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably: (i) submits to the non‑exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof; and (ii) waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party. Nothing herein precludes any of the parties from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction, nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.
-204-
Section 14.12WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE ISSUERS, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. Each party hereby (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of the other has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the other would not, in the event of a Proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it has been induced to enter into this Indenture by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this paragraph. THE ISSUERS IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OR DELIVERY OF COPIES OF SUCH PROCESS TO IT AT THE OFFICE OF THE ISSUERS’ NOTICE AGENT SET FORTH IN SECTION 7.2. THE ISSUERS AND THE TRUSTEE AGREE 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.
Section 14.13Counterparts. This Indenture (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by e-mail (.pdf) or facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart signature page of this Indenture by e-mail (.pdf) or facsimile shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Indenture. The parties agree that this Indenture may be electronically signed and that such electronic signatures appearing on this Indenture are the same as handwritten signatures for purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility.
Section 14.14Acts of Issuer. Any report, information, communication, request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or performed by the Issuer shall be effective if given or performed by the Issuer or by the Collateral Manager on the Issuer’s behalf.
The Issuer agrees to coordinate with the Collateral Manager with respect to any communication to the Rating Agency and to comply with the provisions of this Section and Section 14.16, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Collateral Manager.
Section 14.15Confidential Information. (a) The Trustee, the Collateral Administrator and each Holder or beneficial owner of Securities will maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Person in good faith to protect Confidential Information of third parties delivered to such Person; provided that such Person may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to: (i) such Person’s directors, trustees, managers, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 14.15 and to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required for the administration of this Indenture, the matters contemplated hereby or the investment represented by the Securities; (ii) such Person’s legal advisors, financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 14.15 and to the extent such disclosure is reasonably required for the administration of this
-205-
Indenture, the matters contemplated hereby or the investment represented by the Securities; (iii) any other Holder, or any of the other parties to this Indenture, the Collateral Management Agreement or the Collateral Administration Agreement; (iv) except for Specified Obligor Information, any Person of the type that would be, to such Person’s knowledge, permitted to acquire Securities or any other security of the Issuers in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.6 hereof to which such Person sells or offers to sell any such Securities or security or any part thereof or is proposing in good faith a transaction relating thereto; (v) any federal or state or other regulatory, governmental or judicial authority having jurisdiction over such Person; (vi) the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about the investment portfolio of such Person, reinsurers and liquidity and credit providers that agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with this Section 14.15; (vii) the Rating Agency (subject to Section 14.16); (viii) any other Person with the consent of the Issuer and the Collateral Manager; or (ix) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (A) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Person, (B) in response to any subpoena or other legal process (unless prohibited by applicable law, rule, order or decree or other requirement having the force of law), (C) in connection with any litigation to which such Person is a party (unless prohibited by applicable law, rule, order or decree or other requirement having the force of law), (D) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Person may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under this Indenture or the Securities or (E) in the Trustee’s or Collateral Administrator’s performance of its obligations under this Indenture, the Collateral Administration Agreement or other transaction document related thereto; and provided that delivery to the Holders by the Trustee or the Collateral Administrator of any report of information required by the terms of this Indenture to be provided to Holders shall not be a violation of this Section 14.15. Each Holder or beneficial owner of a Security will, by its acceptance of its Securities, be deemed to have agreed, except as set forth in clauses (v), (vi) and (ix) above, that it shall use the Confidential Information for the sole purpose of making an investment in the Securities or administering its investment in the Securities; and that the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator shall neither be required nor authorized to disclose to Holders any Confidential Information in violation of this Section 14.15. In the event of any required disclosure of the Confidential Information by such Holder or beneficial owner such Holder or beneficial owner will, by its acceptance of its Securities, be deemed to have agreed to use reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality of the Confidential Information. Each Holder or beneficial owner of a Security, by its acceptance of its Securities, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 14.15 (subject to Section 7.17(f)).
(b)For the purposes of this Section 14.15, (A) “Confidential Information” means information delivered to the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or any Holder of Securities by or on behalf of the Issuer in connection with and relating to the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Indenture (including, without limitation, information relating to Obligors); provided that such term does not include information that: (i) was publicly known or otherwise known to the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or such Holder prior to the time of such disclosure; (ii) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator, any Holder or any Person acting on behalf of the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or any Holder; (iii) otherwise is known or becomes known to the
-206-
Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or any Holder other than (x) through disclosure by the Issuer or (y) to the knowledge of the Trustee, the Collateral Administrator or a Holder, as the case may be, in each case after reasonable inquiry, as a result of the breach of a fiduciary duty to the Issuer or a contractual duty to the Issuer; or (iv) is allowed to be treated as non-confidential by consent of the Issuer; and (B) “Specified Obligor Information” means Confidential Information relating to Obligors that is not otherwise included in the Monthly Reports or Distribution Reports or the disclosure of which would be prohibited by applicable law or the Underlying Documents relating to such Obligor’s Collateral Obligation.
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator may disclose Confidential Information to the extent disclosure thereof may be required by law or by any regulatory or governmental authority and the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator may disclose on a confidential basis any Confidential Information to its agents, attorneys and auditors in connection with the performance of its responsibilities hereunder.
Section 14.1617g-5 Information. (a) The Issuer shall comply with their obligations under Rule 17g-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 17g-5”), by its or its agent’s posting on the 17g-5 Website, no later than the time such information is provided to the Rating Agency, all information that the Issuer or other parties on its behalf, including the Trustee and the Collateral Manager, provide to the Rating Agency for the purposes of determining the initial credit rating of the Secured Notes or undertaking credit rating surveillance of the Secured Notes (the “17g-5 Information”); provided that no party other than the Issuer (or the Information Agent on its behalf), the Trustee or the Collateral Manager may provide information to the Rating Agency on the Issuer’s behalf without the prior written consent of the Collateral Manager. At all times while any Secured Note is rated by the Rating Agency or any other NRSRO, the Issuer shall engage a third-party to post 17g-5 Information to the 17g-5 Website. On the Closing Date, the Issuer shall engage the Collateral Administrator (in such capacity, the “Information Agent”), to post 17g-5 Information it receives from the Issuer, the Trustee or the Collateral Manager to the 17g-5 Website in accordance with Section 2A of the Collateral Administration Agreement.
(b)To the extent that any of the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator or the Trustee is required to provide any information to, or communicate with, the Rating Agency in writing in accordance with its obligations under this Indenture, the Collateral Management Agreement or the Collateral Administration Agreement (as applicable), the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator or the Trustee, as applicable (or their respective representatives or advisors), shall provide such information or communication to the Information Agent by e-mail at [email protected] with the subject line specifically referencing “17g-5 Information” and “Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1,” which information the Information Agent shall promptly post to the 17g-5 Website in accordance with Section 2A of the Collateral Administration Agreement.
(c)To the extent any of the Issuer, the Trustee or the Collateral Manager are engaged in oral communications with the Rating Agency, for the purposes of determining the initial credit rating of the Secured Notes or undertaking credit rating surveillance of the Secured Notes, the party communicating with the Rating Agency shall cause such oral communication to either be (x) recorded and an audio file containing the recording to be promptly delivered to the Information Agent for posting to the 17g-5 Website or (y) summarized in writing and the summary
-207-
to be promptly delivered to the Information Agent by e-mail at [email protected] with the subject line specifically referencing “17g-5 Information” and “Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1,” which information the Information Agent shall promptly post to the 17g-5 Website in accordance with Section 2A of the Collateral Administration Agreement.
(d)All information to be made available to the Rating Agency pursuant to Section 14.3(a) shall be made available on the 17g-5 Website. In the event that any information is delivered or posted in error, the Issuer may remove it from the 17g-5 Website, and shall so remove promptly when instructed to do so by the Person that delivered such information. None of the Trustee, the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Administrator and the Information Agent shall have obtained or shall be deemed to have obtained actual knowledge of any information solely due to receipt and posting to the 17g-5 Website. Access will be provided to the Issuer, the Collateral Manager, the Rating Agency, and to any NRSRO upon receipt by the Issuer of an NRSRO Certification from such NRSRO (which may be submitted electronically via the 17g-5 Website).
(e)Notwithstanding the requirements herein, the Trustee shall have no obligation to engage in or respond to any oral communications, for the purposes of determining the initial credit rating of the Secured Notes or undertaking credit rating surveillance of the Secured Notes, with the Rating Agency or any of its respective officers, directors or employees.
(f)The Trustee shall not be responsible for maintaining the 17g-5 Website, posting any 17g-5 Information to the 17g-5 Website or assuring that the 17g-5 Website complies with the requirements of this Indenture, Rule 17g-5, or any other law or regulation. In no event shall the Trustee be deemed to make any representation in respect of the content of the 17g-5 Website or compliance of the 17g-5 Website with this Indenture, Rule 17g-5, or any other law or regulation.
(g)The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for the dissemination of any identification numbers or passwords for the 17g-5 Website, including by the Issuer, the Rating Agency, the NRSROs, any of their agents or any other party. The Trustee shall not be liable for the use of any information posted on the 17g-5 Website, whether by the Issuer, the Rating Agency, the NRSROs or any other third party that may gain access to the 17g-5 Website or the information posted thereon.
(h)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the maintenance by the Information Agent of the website described in Section 10.7(g) shall not be deemed as compliance by or on behalf of the Issuer with Rule 17g-5 or any other law or regulation related thereto.
(i)For the avoidance of doubt, no reports of Independent accountants shall be provided to the Rating Agency hereunder and shall not be posted to the 17g-5 Website.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, a breach of this Section 14.16 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default.
-208-
ARTICLE XV
Assignment Of Certain Agreements
Section 15.1Assignment of Collateral Management Agreement. (a) The Issuer hereby acknowledges that its Grant pursuant to the first Granting Clause hereof includes all of the Issuer’s estate, right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral Management Agreement, including (i) the right to give all notices, consents and releases thereunder, (ii) the right to give all notices of termination and to take any legal action upon the breach of an obligation of the Collateral Manager thereunder, including the commencement, conduct and consummation of proceedings at law or in equity, (iii) the right to receive all notices, accountings, consents, releases and statements thereunder and (iv) the right to do any and all other things whatsoever that the Issuer is or may be entitled to do thereunder; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall not have the authority to exercise any of the rights set forth in (i) through (iv) above or that may otherwise arise as a result of the Grant until the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and such authority shall terminate at such time, if any, as such Event of Default is cured or waived and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer may exercise any of its rights under the Collateral Management Agreement without notice to or the consent of the Trustee (except as otherwise expressly required by this Indenture), so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is not continuing. From and after the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Manager shall continue to perform and be bound by the provisions of the Collateral Management Agreement and this Indenture applicable thereto.
(b)The assignment made hereby is executed as collateral security, and the execution and delivery hereby shall not in any way impair or diminish the obligations of the Issuer under the provisions of the Collateral Management Agreement, nor shall any of the obligations contained in the Collateral Management Agreement be imposed on the Trustee.
(c)Upon the retirement of the Secured Notes, the payment of all amounts required to be paid pursuant to the Priority of Payments and the release of the Assets from the lien of this Indenture, this assignment and all rights herein assigned to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders shall cease and terminate and all the estate, right, title and interest of the Trustee in, to and under the Collateral Management Agreement shall revert to the Issuer and no further instrument or act shall be necessary to evidence such termination and reversion.
(d)The Issuer represents that, as of the date hereof, the Issuer has not executed any other assignment of the Collateral Management Agreement.
(e)The Issuer agrees that this assignment is irrevocable, and that it will not take any action which is inconsistent with this assignment or make any other assignment inconsistent herewith. The Issuer will, from time to time, execute all instruments of further assurance and all such supplemental instruments with respect to this assignment as may be necessary to continue and maintain the effectiveness of such assignment.
(f)The Issuer hereby agrees, and hereby undertakes to obtain the agreement and consent of the Collateral Manager in the Collateral Management Agreement, to the following:
-209-
(i)The Collateral Manager shall consent to the provisions of this assignment and agree to perform any provisions of this Indenture applicable to the Collateral Manager subject to the terms (including the Collateral Manager Standard) of the Collateral Management Agreement.
(ii)The Collateral Manager shall acknowledge that the Issuer is assigning all of its right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral Management Agreement to the Trustee as representative of the Holders and the Collateral Manager shall agree that all of the representations, covenants and agreements made by the Collateral Manager in the Collateral Management Agreement are also for the benefit of the Trustee.
(iii)The Collateral Manager shall deliver to the Trustee copies of all notices, statements, communications and instruments delivered or required to be delivered by the Collateral Manager to the Issuer pursuant to the Collateral Management Agreement.
(iv)Neither the Issuer nor the Collateral Manager will enter into any agreement amending, modifying or terminating the Collateral Management Agreement except as permitted by the Collateral Management Agreement.
(v)Except as otherwise set forth herein and in the Collateral Management Agreement (including pursuant to Section 8 thereof), the Collateral Manager shall continue to serve as Collateral Manager under the Collateral Management Agreement notwithstanding that the Collateral Manager shall not have received amounts due it under the Collateral Management Agreement because sufficient funds were not then available hereunder to pay such amounts in accordance with the Priority of Payments set forth under Section 11.1. The Collateral Manager agrees not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer for the nonpayment of the fees or other amounts payable by the Issuer to the Collateral Manager under the Collateral Management Agreement until the payment in full of all Notes issued under this Indenture and the expiration of a period equal to one year (or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect) and a day, following such payment. Nothing in this Section 15.1 shall preclude, or be deemed to estop, the Collateral Manager (i) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned period in (A) any case or Proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Issuer, or (B) any involuntary insolvency Proceeding filed or commenced by a Person other than the Collateral Manager, or (ii) from commencing against the Issuer or any of its properties any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding.
(vi)Except with respect to transactions contemplated by Section 5 of the Collateral Management Agreement, if the Collateral Manager determines that it or any of its Affiliates has a conflict of interest between the Holder of any Securities and any other account or portfolio for which the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates is serving as investment adviser which relates to any action to be taken with respect to any Asset, then the Collateral Manager will give written notice briefly describing such conflict and the action it proposes to take to the Trustee, who shall promptly forward such notice to the relevant Holder. The provisions of this clause (vi) shall not apply to any transaction permitted by the terms of the Collateral Management Agreement.
-210-
(vii)On each Measurement Date on which the S&P CDO Monitor Test is used, the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer will measure compliance under such test.
(g)The Issuer and the Trustee agree that the Collateral Manager shall be a third party beneficiary of this Indenture, and shall be entitled to rely upon and enforce such provisions of this Indenture to the same extent as if it were a party hereto.
(h)Upon a Trust Officer of the Trustee receiving written notice from the Collateral Manager that an event constituting “Cause” has occurred, the Trustee shall, not later than two (2) Business Days thereafter, forward such notice to the Holders (as their names appear in the Register).
[Signature Pages Follow]
-211-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands as of the day and year first written above.
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1, as Issuer
| By: | Name:<br>Title: |
|---|
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1 LLC, as Co-Issuer
| By: | Name:<br>Title: |
|---|
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee
| By: | Name:<br>Title: |
|---|
SCHEDULE 1
LIST OF COLLATERAL OBLIGATIONS
| Company Name | Facility Type | Par Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ConnectWise, LLC | 1st Lien | $23,234,026.95 |
| Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc. | 1st Lien | $7,944,269.62 |
| Definitive Healthcare Holdings, LLC | 1st Lien | $16,508,387.57 |
| Interoperability Bidco, Inc. | 1st Lien | $16,508,387.57 |
| Litera Bidco LLC | 1st Lien | $16,508,387.57 |
| Kaseya Inc. | 1st Lien | $5,616,265.62 |
| Kaseya Inc. | 1st Lien | $3,513,919.80 |
| Maverick Midco Inc. | 1st Lien | $3,181,800.00 |
| Maverick Midco Inc. | 1st Lien | $2,500,000.00 |
| Maverick Midco Inc. | 1st Lien | $1,000,000.00 |
| Maverick Midco Inc. | 1st Lien | $1,189,511.28 |
| Reef Global, Inc. (fka Cheese Acquisition, LLC) | 1st Lien | $12,473,003.94 |
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware) | 1st Lien | $2,345,834.39 |
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware) | 1st Lien | $4,392,610.93 |
| GS Acquisitionco, Inc. (dba insightsoftware) | 1st Lien | $5,734,558.62 |
| Integrity Marketing Acquisition, LLC | 1st Lien | $12,473,003.94 |
| Intelerad | 1st Lien | $12,228,435.24 |
| Paysimple, Inc. | 1st Lien | $12,228,435.24 |
| Dude Solutions Holdings, Inc. | 1st Lien | $12,228,435.24 |
| VVC Holdings Corp. (dba Athenahealth, Inc.) | 1st Lien | $293,373.33 |
| Instructure, Inc. | 1st Lien | $10,088,459.07 |
| MINDBODY, Inc. | 1st Lien | $10,088,459.07 |
| Aucerna | 1st Lien | $9,477,037.31 |
| Pec Veriforce | 1st Lien | $9,171,326.43 |
| Transact Holdings, Inc. | 1st Lien | $431,410.58 |
| Asurion, LLC | 2nd Lien | $5,197,084.98 |
| Bracket Intermediate Holding Corp. | 2nd Lien | $5,197,084.98 |
| Acquia Inc. | 1st Lien | $3,890,935.24 |
| Apptio, Inc. | 1st Lien | $3,890,935.24 |
| Certify, Inc. | 1st Lien | $3,890,935.24 |
| Circle Internet Services, Inc. | 1st Lien | $0.00 |
| Lightning Midco, LLC (dba Vector Solutions) | 1st Lien | $3,890,935.24 |
| Hyland Software, Inc. | 2nd Lien | $3,057,108.81 |
| SURF HOLDINGS, LLC (dba Sophos Group plc) | 2nd Lien | $3,057,108.81 |
SCH. 1-1
SCHEDULE 2
S&P INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATIONS
| Asset Type Code | Asset Type Description |
|---|---|
| 1020000 | Energy Equipment & Services |
| 1030000 | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels |
| 2020000 | Chemicals |
| 2030000 | Construction Materials |
| 2040000 | Containers & Packaging |
| 2050000 | Metals & Mining |
| 2060000 | Paper & Forest Products |
| 3020000 | Aerospace & Defense |
| 3030000 | Building Products |
| 3040000 | Construction & Engineering |
| 3050000 | Electrical Equipment |
| 3060000 | Industrial Conglomerates |
| 3070000 | Machinery |
| 3080000 | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| 3110000 | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| 9612010 | Professional Services |
| 3210000 | Air Freight & Logistics |
| 3220000 | Airlines |
| 3230000 | Marine |
| 3240000 | Road & Rail |
| 3250000 | Transportation Infrastructure |
| 4011000 | Auto Components |
| 4020000 | Automobiles |
| 4110000 | Household Durables |
| 4120000 | Leisure Products |
| 4130000 | Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods |
| 4210000 | Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure |
| 9551701 | Diversified Consumer Services |
| 4300001 | Entertainment |
| 4300002 | Interactive Media and Services |
| 4310000 | Media |
| 4410000 | Distributors |
| 4420000 | Internet and Direct Marketing Retail |
| 4430000 | Multiline Retail |
| 4440000 | Specialty Retail |
| 5020000 | Food & Staples Retailing |
| 5110000 | Beverages |
| 5120000 | Food Products |
| 5130000 | Tobacco |
| 5210000 | Household Products |
| 5220000 | Personal Products |
| 6020000 | Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
| 6030000 | Health Care Providers & Services |
| 9551729 | Health Care Technology |
| 6110000 | Biotechnology |
| 6120000 | Pharmaceuticals |
| 9551727 | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
SCH. 2-1
| Asset Type Code | Asset Type Description |
|---|---|
| 7011000 | Banks |
| 7020000 | Thrifts & Mortgage Finance |
| 7110000 | Diversified Financial Services |
| 7120000 | Consumer Finance |
| 7130000 | Capital Markets |
| 7210000 | Insurance |
| 7311000 | Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) |
| 7310000 | Real Estate Management & Development |
| 8030000 | IT Services |
| 8040000 | Software |
| 8110000 | Communications Equipment |
| 8120000 | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals |
| 8130000 | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| 8210000 | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| 9020000 | Diversified Telecommunication Services |
| 9030000 | Wireless Telecommunication Services |
| 9520000 | Electric Utilities |
| 9530000 | Gas Utilities |
| 9540000 | Multi-Utilities |
| 9550000 | Water Utilities |
| 9551702 | Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
| PF1 | Project finance: Industrial equipment |
| PF2 | Project finance: Leisure and gaming |
| PF3 | Project finance: Natural resources and mining |
| PF4 | Project finance: Oil and gas |
| PF5 | Project finance: Power |
| PF6 | Project finance: Public finance and real estate |
| PF7 | Project finance: Telecommunications |
| PF8 | Project finance: Transport |
SCH. 2-2
SCHEDULE 3
MOODY’S RATING DEFINITIONS
Moody’s Rating
(a)With respect to a Collateral Obligation that (A) is publicly rated by Moody’s, such public rating, or (B) is not publicly rated by Moody’s but for which a rating or rating estimate has been assigned by Moody’s upon the request of the Issuer or the Collateral Manager, such rating or, in the case of a rating estimate, the applicable rating estimate for such obligation;
(b)With respect to a Collateral Obligation that is a Moody’s Senior Secured Loan or Participation Interest in a Moody’s Senior Secured Loan, if not determined pursuant to clause (a) above, if the Obligor of such Collateral Obligation has a corporate family rating by Moody’s, then such corporate family rating; and
(c)With respect to a Collateral Obligation, if not determined pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above, if the Obligor of such Collateral Obligation has one or more senior unsecured obligations publicly rated by Moody’s, then the Moody’s public rating on any such obligation (or, if such Collateral Obligation is a Moody’s Senior Secured Loan, the Moody’s rating that is one subcategory higher than the Moody’s public rating on any such senior unsecured obligation) as selected by the Collateral Manager in its sole discretion.
For purposes of calculating a Moody’s Rating, each applicable rating, at the time of calculation, (i) on credit watch by Moody’s with positive implications will be treated as having been upgraded by one rating subcategory, (ii) on credit watch by Moody’s with negative implications will be treated as having been downgraded by two rating subcategories and (iii) on negative outlook by Moody’s will be treated as having been downgraded by one rating subcategory.
For purposes of this definition, any credit estimate assigned by Moody’s shall expire one year from the date such estimate was issued; provided that, for purposes of any calculation under this Indenture, if Moody’s fails to renew for any reason a credit estimate for a previously acquired Collateral Obligation thereunder on or before such one-year anniversary (which may be extended at Moody’s option to the extent the annual audited financial statements for the Obligor have not yet been received), after the Issuer or the Collateral Manager on the Issuer’s behalf has submitted to Moody’s all information that the Issuer or the Collateral Manager believed in good faith was required to provide such renewal, (1) the Issuer for a period of 30 days will continue using the previous credit estimate assigned by Moody’s with respect to such Collateral Obligation until such time as Moody’s renews the credit estimate for such Collateral Obligation, (2) after 30 days until the 90th day or until such time as Moody’s renews the credit estimate for such Collateral Obligation the Collateral Obligation will be treated as having been downgraded by one rating subcategory and (3) after 90 days but before Moody’s renews the credit estimate for such Collateral Obligation, the Collateral Obligation will be deemed to have a Moody’s rating of “Caa3”.
SCH. 3-1
Moody’s Senior Secured Loan
(a)A loan that:
(i)is not (and cannot by its terms become) subordinate in right of payment to any other debt obligation of the Obligor of the loan;
(ii)(x) is secured by a valid first priority perfected security interest or lien in, to or on specified collateral securing the Obligor’s obligations under the loan and (y) such specified collateral does not consist entirely of equity securities or common stock; provided that any loan that would be considered a Moody’s Senior Secured Loan but for clause (y) above shall be considered a Moody’s Senior Secured Loan if it is a loan made to a parent entity and as to which the Collateral Manager determines in good faith that the value of the common stock of the subsidiary (or other equity interests in the subsidiary) securing such loan at or about the time of acquisition of such loan by the Issuer has a value that is at least equal to the outstanding principal balance of such loan and the outstanding principal balances of any other obligations of such parent entity that are pari passu with such loan, which value may include, among other things, the enterprise value of such subsidiary of such parent entity; and
(iii)the value of the collateral securing the loan together with other attributes of the Obligor (including, without limitation, its general financial condition, ability to generate cash flow available for debt service and other demands for that cash flow) is adequate (in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Collateral Manager) to repay the loan in accordance with its terms and to repay all other loans of equal seniority secured by a first lien or security interest in the same collateral; or
(b)a loan that:
(i)is not (and cannot by its terms become) subordinate in right of payment to any other debt obligation of the Obligor of the loan, except that such loan can be subordinate with respect to the liquidation of such Obligor or the collateral for such loan;
(ii)with respect to such liquidation, is secured by a valid second priority perfected security interest or lien in, to or on specified collateral securing the Obligor’s obligations under the loan;
(iii)the value of the collateral securing the loan together with other attributes of the Obligor (including, without limitation, its general financial condition, ability to generate cash flow available for debt service and other demands for that cash flow) is adequate (in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Collateral Manager) to repay the loan in accordance with its terms and to repay all other loans of equal or higher seniority secured in the same collateral; and
SCH. 3-2
(iv)(x) has a Moody’s facility rating and the Obligor of such loan has a Moody’s corporate family rating and (y) such Moody’s facility rating is not lower than such Moody’s corporate family rating; and
(c)a loan that is not is not a loan for which the security interest or lien (or the validity or effectiveness thereof) in substantially all of its collateral attaches, becomes effective, or otherwise “springs” into existence after the origination thereof.
SCH. 3-3
SCHEDULE 4
S&P RECOVERY RATE TABLES
Section 1. S&P Recovery Rate Tables
(a)(i) If a Collateral Obligation has an S&P Recovery Rating, the S&P Recovery Rate for such Collateral Obligation will be the applicable percentage set forth in Table 1 below, based on such S&P Recovery Rating (for the applicable recovery point estimate) and the applicable Class of Notes:
Table 1: S&P Recovery Rates for Collateral Obligations with S&P Recovery Ratings*
| S&P Recovery Rating of a Collateral Obligation | Initial Liability Rating | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery Point Estimate** | “AAA” | “AA” | “A” | “BBB” | “BB” | “B” | “CCC” | |
| 1+ | 100% | 75.00% | 85.00% | 88.00% | 90.00% | 92.00% | 95.00% | 95.00% |
| 1 | 95% | 70.00% | 80.00% | 84.00% | 87.50% | 91.00% | 95.00% | 95.00% |
| 1 | 90% | 65.00% | 75.00% | 80.00% | 85.00% | 90.00% | 95.00% | 95.00% |
| 2 | 85% | 62.50% | 72.50% | 77.50% | 83.00% | 88.00% | 92.00% | 92.00% |
| 2 | 80% | 60.00% | 70.00% | 75.00% | 81.00% | 86.00% | 89.00% | 89.00% |
| 2 | 75% | 55.00% | 65.00% | 70.50% | 77.00% | 82.50% | 84.00% | 84.00% |
| 2 | 70% | 50.00% | 60.00% | 66.00% | 73.00% | 79.00% | 79.00% | 79.00% |
| 3 | 65% | 45.00% | 55.00% | 61.00% | 68.00% | 73.00% | 74.00% | 74.00% |
| 3 | 60% | 40.00% | 50.00% | 56.00% | 63.00% | 67.00% | 69.00% | 69.00% |
| 3 | 55% | 35.00% | 45.00% | 51.00% | 58.00% | 63.00% | 64.00% | 64.00% |
| 3 | 50% | 30.00% | 40.00% | 46.00% | 53.00% | 59.00% | 59.00% | 59.00% |
| 4 | 45% | 28.50% | 37.50% | 44.00% | 49.50% | 53.50% | 54.00% | 54.00% |
| 4 | 40% | 27.00% | 35.00% | 42.00% | 46.00% | 48.00% | 49.00% | 49.00% |
| 4 | 35% | 23.50% | 30.50% | 37.50% | 42.50% | 43.50% | 44.00% | 44.00% |
| 4 | 30% | 20.00% | 26.00% | 33.00% | 39.00% | 39.00% | 39.00% | 39.00% |
| 5 | 25% | 17.50% | 23.00% | 28.50% | 32.50% | 33.50% | 34.00% | 34.00% |
| 5 | 20% | 15.00% | 20.00% | 24.00% | 26.00% | 28.00% | 29.00% | 29.00% |
| 5 | 15% | 10.00% | 15.00% | 19.50% | 22.50% | 23.50% | 24.00% | 24.00% |
| 5 | 10% | 5.00% | 10.00% | 15.00% | 19.00% | 19.00% | 19.00% | 19.00% |
| 6 | 5% | 3.50% | 7.00% | 10.50% | 13.50% | 14.00% | 14.00% | 14.00% |
| 6 | 0% | 2.00% | 4.00% | 6.00% | 8.00% | 9.00% | 9.00% | 9.00% |
| Recovery rate | ||||||||
| * | The S&P Recovery Rate shall be the applicable rate set forth above based on the initial rating of the Highest Ranking Class at the time of determination. | |||||||
| --- | --- | |||||||
| ** | From S&P’s published reports. Recovery point estimates are rounded down to the nearest 5%. If a recovery estimate is not available from S&P’s published reports for a given loan with an S&P Recovery Rating of “1” through “6”, the lower estimate for the applicable recovery rating will be assumed. | |||||||
| --- | --- |
(ii)If (x) a Collateral Obligation does not have an S&P Recovery Rating and such Collateral Obligation is a senior unsecured loan, First-Lien Last-Out Loans or Second Lien Loan and (y) the issuer of such Collateral Obligation has issued another debt instrument that is outstanding and senior to such Collateral Obligation (a “Senior Secured Debt Instrument”) that
SCH. 4-1
has an S&P Recovery Rating, the S&P Recovery Rate for such Collateral Obligation shall be determined as follows:
For Collateral Obligations Domiciled in Group A*
| S&P Recovery Rating of the Senior Secured Debt Instrument | Initial Liability Rating | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “AAA” | “AA” | “A” | “BBB” | “BB” | “B” and “CCC” | |
| 1+ | 18% | 20% | 23% | 26% | 29% | 31% |
| 1 | 18% | 20% | 23% | 26% | 29% | 31% |
| 2 | 18% | 20% | 23% | 26% | 29% | 31% |
| 3 | 12% | 15% | 18% | 21% | 22% | 23% |
| 4 | 5% | 8% | 11% | 13% | 14% | 15% |
| 5 | 2% | 4% | 6% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
| 6 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Recovery rate | ||||||
| * | The S&P Recovery Rate shall be the applicable rate set forth above based on the initial rating of the Highest Ranking Class at the time of determination. | |||||
| --- | --- |
For Collateral Obligations Domiciled in Group B*
| S&P Recovery Rating of the Senior Secured Debt Instrument | Initial Liability Rating | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “AAA” | “AA” | “A” | “BBB” | “BB” | “B” and “CCC” | |
| 1+ | 13% | 16% | 18% | 21% | 23% | 25% |
| 1 | 13% | 16% | 18% | 21% | 23% | 25% |
| 2 | 13% | 16% | 18% | 21% | 23% | 25% |
| 3 | 8% | 11% | 13% | 15% | 16% | 17% |
| 4 | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| 5 | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| 6 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Recovery rate | ||||||
| * | The S&P Recovery Rate shall be the applicable rate set forth above based on the initial rating of the Highest Ranking Class at the time of determination. | |||||
| --- | --- |
SCH. 4-2
For Collateral Obligations Domiciled in Group C*
| S&P Recovery Rating of the Senior Secured Debt Instrument | Initial Liability Rating | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “AAA” | “AA” | “A” | “BBB” | “BB” | “B” and “CCC” | |
| 1+ | 10% | 12% | 14% | 16% | 18% | 20% |
| 1 | 10% | 12% | 14% | 16% | 18% | 20% |
| 2 | 10% | 12% | 14% | 16% | 18% | 20% |
| 3 | 5% | 7% | 9% | 10% | 11% | 12% |
| 4 | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| 5 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 6 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Recovery rate | ||||||
| * | The S&P Recovery Rate shall be the applicable rate set forth above based on the initial rating of the Highest Ranking Class at the time of determination. | |||||
| --- | --- |
(iii)If (x) a Collateral Obligation does not have an S&P Recovery Rating and such Collateral Obligation is a subordinated loan or subordinated bond and (y) the issuer of such Collateral Obligation has issued another debt instrument that is outstanding and senior to such Collateral Obligation that is a Senior Secured Debt Instrument that has an S&P Recovery Rating, the S&P Recovery Rate for such Collateral Obligation shall be determined as follows:
For Collateral Obligations Domiciled in Groups A and B*
| S&P Recovery Rating of the Senior Secured Debt Instrument | Initial Liability Rating | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “AAA” | “AA” | “A” | “BBB” | “BB” | “B” and “CCC” | |
| 1+ | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| 1 | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| 2 | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| 3 | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| 4 | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| 5 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 6 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Recovery rate | ||||||
| * | The S&P Recovery Rate shall be the applicable rate set forth above based on the initial rating of the Highest Ranking Class at the time of determination. | |||||
| --- | --- |
SCH. 4-3
For Collateral Obligations Domiciled in Group C*
| S&P Recovery Rating of the Senior Secured Debt Instrument | Initial Liability Rating | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “AAA” | “AA” | “A” | “BBB” | “BB” | “B” and “CCC” | |
| 1+ | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| 1 | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| 2 | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| 3 | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| 4 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 5 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 6 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Recovery rate | ||||||
| * | The S&P Recovery Rate shall be the applicable rate set forth above based on the initial rating of the Highest Ranking Class at the time of determination. | |||||
| --- | --- |
(b)If a recovery rate cannot be determined using clause (a), the recovery rate shall be determined using the following table.
Recovery rates for Obligors Domiciled in Group A, B or C*:
| Priority Category | Initial Liability Rating | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “AAA” | “AA” | “A” | “BBB” | “BB” | “B” and “CCC” | |
| Senior Secured Loans ^1^ | ||||||
| Group A | 50% | 55% | 59% | 63% | 75% | 79% |
| Group B | 39% | 42% | 46% | 49% | 60% | 63% |
| Group C | 17% | 19% | 27% | 29% | 31% | 34% |
| Senior Secured Loans (Cov-Lite Loans), Senior Secured Bonds^^^1, 2,^ | ||||||
| Group A | 41% | 46% | 49% | 53% | 63% | 67% |
| Group B | 32% | 35% | 39% | 41% | 50% | 53% |
| Group C | 17% | 19% | 27% | 29% | 31% | 34% |
| Second Lien Loans, First-Lien Last-Out Loans, Unsecured Loans^3, 4^ | ||||||
| Group A | 18% | 20% | 23% | 26% | 29% | 31% |
| Group B | 13% | 16% | 18% | 21% | 23% | 25% |
| Group C | 10% | 12% | 14% | 16% | 18% | 20% |
| Subordinated loans | ||||||
| Group A | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Group B | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Group C | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Recovery rate | ||||||
| Group A:Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.^5^<br><br><br>Group B:Brazil, Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Poland, South Africa.^5^<br><br><br>Group C:Dubai International Finance Center, Greece, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, countries that do not have a jurisdictional ranking assessment listed in “Jurisdiction Ranking Assessments Of National Insolvency Regimes Update: October 2019,” published October 21, 2019.^5^ |
SCH. 4-4
| * | The S&P Recovery Rate will be the applicable rate set forth above based on the initial rating of the Highest Ranking Class at the time of determination. |
|---|---|
| ^1^ | Solely for the purpose of determining the S&P Recovery Rate for such debt obligation, no debt obligation will constitute a “Senior Secured Loan” or “Senior Secured Bond” unless such debt obligation (a) is secured by a valid first priority security interest in collateral, (b) in the Collateral Manager’s commercially reasonable judgment (with such determination being made in good faith by the Collateral Manager at the time of such debt obligation’s purchase and based upon information reasonably available to the Collateral Manager at such time and without any requirement of additional investigation beyond the Collateral Manager’s customary credit review procedures), is secured by specified collateral that has a value not less than an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal balance of all debt obligations senior or pari passu to such debt obligations and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of such debt obligation, which value may be derived from, among other things, the enterprise value (including equity and goodwill) of the issuer of such debt obligation; provided that the terms of this footnote may be amended or revised at any time by a written notice from the Issuer and the Collateral Manager to the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator (without the consent of any holder of any Note), subject to the satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition, in order to conform to S&P then current criteria for such debt obligations and (c) is not subordinate to any other obligation; provided further that if 100% of the value of such debt obligation is derived from the enterprise value of the issuer of such debt obligation, such debt obligation will have either (1) the S&P Recovery Rate specified for Unsecured Loans in the table above, or (2) the S&P Recovery Rate determined by S&P on a case by case basis. |
| --- | --- |
| ^2^ | For the avoidance of doubt, each such Cov-Lite Loan will constitute a “senior secured cov-lite loan”. |
| --- | --- |
| ^3^ | For the avoidance of doubt, each Second Lien Loan that is also a Cov-Lite Loan will constitute a Second Lien Loan. |
| --- | --- |
| ^4^ | Solely for the purpose of determining the S&P Recovery Rate for such loan, the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Unsecured Loans, First-Lien Last-Out Loans and Second Lien Loans that, in the aggregate, represent up to 15% of the Collateral Principal Amount shall have the S&P Recovery Rate specified for Unsecured Loans, First-Lien Last-Out Loans and Second Lien Loans in the table above and the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Unsecured Loans, First-Lien Last-Out Loans and Second Lien Loans in excess of 15% of the Collateral Principal Amount shall have the S&P Recovery Rate specified for subordinated loans in the table above. |
| --- | --- |
| ^5^ | In each case, or such other countries identified as such by S&P in a press release, written criteria or other public announcement from time to time or as may be notified by S&P to the Collateral Manager from time to time. |
| --- | --- |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the S&P Recovery Rate of a Collateral Obligation that is a Senior Secured Loan (including any Cov-Lite Loan) secured solely or primarily by common stock or other equity interest, such Collateral Obligation shall be deemed to be an Unsecured Loan.
Section 2.S&P CDO Monitor
“S&P Minimum Weighted Average Recovery Rate”: As of any date of determination for each Class of Secured Notes, the recovery rate applicable to such Class of Secured Notes determined by reference to the “Recovery Rate” as set forth in the table below chosen by the Collateral Manager (with prior notification to the Collateral Administrator and S&P) as currently applicable to the Collateral Obligations.
| Liability Rating | Recovery Rate (in increments of 0.05%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Not Less Than | Not Greater Than | |
| “A” (%) | 40.00% | 65.00% |
SCH. 4-5
S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread.
“S&P Minimum Weighted Average Floating Spread”: A spread between 2.00% and 8.00% (in increments of .01%) without exceeding the Weighted Average Floating Spread as of such Measurement Date.
Section 3.S&P Region Classifications
| Region Code | Region Name | Country Code | Country Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Africa: Eastern | 253 | Djibouti |
| 17 | Africa: Eastern | 291 | Eritrea |
| 17 | Africa: Eastern | 251 | Ethiopia |
| 17 | Africa: Eastern | 254 | Kenya |
| 17 | Africa: Eastern | 252 | Somalia |
| 17 | Africa: Eastern | 249 | Sudan |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 247 | Ascension |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 267 | Botswana |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 266 | Lesotho |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 230 | Mauritius |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 264 | Namibia |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 248 | Seychelles |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 27 | South Africa |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 290 | St. Helena |
| 12 | Africa: Southern | 268 | Swaziland |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 244 | Angola |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 226 | Burkina Faso |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 257 | Burundi |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 225 | Cote d’lvoire |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 240 | Equatorial Guinea |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 241 | Gabonese Republic |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 220 | Gambia |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 233 | Ghana |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 224 | Guinea |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 245 | Guinea-Bissau |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 231 | Liberia |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 261 | Madagascar |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 265 | Malawi |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 223 | Mali |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 222 | Mauritania |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 258 | Mozambique |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 227 | Niger |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 234 | Nigeria |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 250 | Rwanda |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 239 | Sao Tome & Principe |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 221 | Senegal |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 232 | Sierra Leone |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 255 | Tanzania/Zanzibar |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 228 | Togo |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 256 | Uganda |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 260 | Zambia |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 263 | Zimbabwe |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 229 | Benin |
SCH. 4-6
| Region Code | Region Name | Country Code | Country Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 237 | Cameroon |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 238 | Cape Verde Islands |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 236 | Central African Republic |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 235 | Chad |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 269 | Comoros |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 242 | Congo-Brazzaville |
| 13 | Africa: Sub-Saharan | 243 | Congo-Kinshasa |
| 3 | Americas: Andean | 591 | Bolivia |
| 3 | Americas: Andean | 57 | Colombia |
| 3 | Americas: Andean | 593 | Ecuador |
| 3 | Americas: Andean | 51 | Peru |
| 3 | Americas: Andean | 58 | Venezuela |
| 4 | Americas: Mercosur and Southern Cone | 54 | Argentina |
| 4 | Americas: Mercosur and Southern Cone | 55 | Brazil |
| 4 | Americas: Mercosur and Southern Cone | 56 | Chile |
| 4 | Americas: Mercosur and Southern Cone | 595 | Paraguay |
| 4 | Americas: Mercosur and Southern Cone | 598 | Uruguay |
| 1 | Americas: Mexico | 52 | Mexico |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 1264 | Anguilla |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 1268 | Antigua |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 1242 | Bahamas |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 246 | Barbados |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 501 | Belize |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 441 | Bermuda |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 284 | British Virgin Islands |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 345 | Cayman Islands |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 506 | Costa Rica |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 809 | Dominican Republic |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 503 | El Salvador |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 473 | Grenada |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 590 | Guadeloupe |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 502 | Guatemala |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 504 | Honduras |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 876 | Jamaica |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 596 | Martinique |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 505 | Nicaragua |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 507 | Panama |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 869 | St. Kitts/Nevis |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 758 | St. Lucia |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 784 | St. Vincent & Grenadines |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 597 | Suriname |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 868 | Trinidad& Tobago |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 649 | Turks & Caicos |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 297 | Aruba |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 53 | Cuba |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 599 | Curacao |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 767 | Dominica |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 594 | French Guiana |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 592 | Guyana |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 509 | Haiti |
| 2 | Americas: Other Central and Caribbean | 664 | Montserrat |
| 101 | Americas: U.S. and Canada | 2 | Canada |
| 101 | Americas: U.S. and Canada | 1 | USA |
SCH. 4-7
| Region Code | Region Name | Country Code | Country Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Asia: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan | 86 | China |
| 7 | Asia: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan | 852 | Hong Kong |
| 7 | Asia: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan | 886 | Taiwan |
| 5 | Asia: India, Pakistan and Afghanistan | 93 | Afghanistan |
| 5 | Asia: India, Pakistan and Afghanistan | 91 | India |
| 5 | Asia: India, Pakistan and Afghanistan | 92 | Pakistan |
| 6 | Asia: Other South | 880 | Bangladesh |
| 6 | Asia: Other South | 975 | Bhutan |
| 6 | Asia: Other South | 960 | Maldives |
| 6 | Asia: Other South | 977 | Nepal |
| 6 | Asia: Other South | 94 | Sri Lanka |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 673 | Brunei |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 855 | Cambodia |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 62 | Indonesia |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 81 | Japan |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 856 | Laos |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 60 | Malaysia |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 95 | Myanmar |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 850 | North Korea |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 63 | Philippines |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 65 | Singapore |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 82 | South Korea |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 66 | Thailand |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 84 | Vietnam |
| 8 | Asia: Southeast, Korea and Japan | 670 | East Timor |
| 105 | Asia-Pacific: Australia and New Zealand | 61 | Australia |
| 105 | Asia-Pacific: Australia and New Zealand | 682 | Cook Islands |
| 105 | Asia-Pacific: Australia and New Zealand | 64 | New Zealand |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 679 | Fiji |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 689 | French Polynesia |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 686 | Kiribati |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 691 | Micronesia |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 674 | Nauru |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 687 | New Caledonia |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 680 | Palau |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 675 | Papua New Guinea |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 685 | Samoa |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 677 | Solomon Islands |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 676 | Tonga |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 688 | Tuvalu |
| 9 | Asia-Pacific: Islands | 678 | Vanuatu |
| 15 | Europe: Central | 420 | Czech Republic |
| 15 | Europe: Central | 372 | Estonia |
| 15 | Europe: Central | 36 | Hungary |
| 15 | Europe: Central | 371 | Latvia |
| 15 | Europe: Central | 370 | Lithuania |
| 15 | Europe: Central | 48 | Poland |
| 15 | Europe: Central | 421 | Slovak Republic |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 355 | Albania |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 387 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 359 | Bulgaria |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 385 | Croatia |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 383 | Kosovo |
SCH. 4-8
| Region Code | Region Name | Country Code | Country Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 389 | Macedonia |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 382 | Montenegro |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 40 | Romania |
| 16 | Europe. Eastern | 381 | Serbia |
| 16 | Europe: Eastern | 90 | Turkey |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 374 | Armenia |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 994 | Azerbaijan |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 375 | Belarus |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 995 | Georgia |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 8 | Kazakhstan |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 996 | Kyrgyzstan |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 373 | Moldova |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 976 | Mongolia |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 7 | Russia |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 992 | Tajikistan |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 993 | Turkmenistan |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 380 | Ukraine |
| 14 | Europe: Russia & CIS | 998 | Uzbekistan |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 376 | Andorra |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 43 | Austria |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 32 | Belgium |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 357 | Cyprus |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 45 | Denmark |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 358 | Finland |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 33 | France |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 49 | Germany |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 30 | Greece |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 354 | Iceland |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 353 | Ireland |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 101 | Isle of Man |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 39 | Italy |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 102 | Liechtenstein |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 352 | Luxembourg |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 356 | Malta |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 377 | Monaco |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 31 | Netherlands |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 47 | Norway |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 351 | Portugal |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 386 | Slovenia |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 34 | Spain |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 46 | Sweden |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 41 | Switzerland |
| 102 | Europe: Western | 44 | United Kingdom |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 973 | Bahrain |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 98 | Iran |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 964 | Iraq |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 965 | Kuwait |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 968 | Oman |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 974 | Qatar |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 966 | Saudi Arabia |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 971 | United Arab Emirates |
| 10 | Middle East: Gulf States | 967 | Yemen |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 213 | Algeria |
SCH. 4-9
| Region Code | Region Name | Country Code | Country Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 20 | Egypt |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 972 | Israel |
| 11 | Middle East MENA | 962 | Jordan |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 961 | Lebanon |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 212 | Morocco |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 970 | Palestinian Settlements |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 963 | Syrian Arab Republic |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 216 | Tunisia |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 1212 | Western Sahara |
| 11 | Middle East: MENA | 218 | Libya |
Section 4.S&P Rating Factor
“S&P Rating Factor”: With respect to each Collateral Obligation, the rating factor determined in accordance with the table below opposite the S&P Rating of such Collateral Obligation.
| S&P Rating | S&P Rating Factor |
|---|---|
| AAA | 13.51 |
| AA+ | 26.75 |
| AA | 46.36 |
| AA- | 63.90 |
| A+ | 99.50 |
| A | 146.35 |
| A- | 199.83 |
| BBB+ | 271.01 |
| BBB | 361.17 |
| BBB- | 540.42 |
| BB+ | 784.92 |
| BB | 1233.63 |
| BB- | 1565.44 |
| B+ | 1982.00 |
| B | 2859.50 |
| B- | 3610.11 |
| CCC+ | 4641.40 |
| CCC | 5293.00 |
| CCC- | 5751.10 |
| CC or lower or SD | 10,000 |
SCH. 4-10
SCHEDULE 5
MOODY’S EQUIVALENT DIVERSITY SCORE CALCULATION
The Moody’s Equivalent Diversity Score is calculated as follows:
(a)An “Issuer Par Amount” is calculated for each issuer of a Collateral Obligation, and is equal to the Aggregate Principal Balance of all Collateral Obligations issued by that issuer and all affiliates.
(b)An “Average Par Amount” is calculated by summing the Issuer Par Amounts for all issuers, and dividing by the number of issuers.
(c)An “Equivalent Unit Score” is calculated for each issuer, and is equal to the lesser of (x) one and (y) the Issuer Par Amount for such issuer divided by the Average Par Amount.
(d)An “Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score” is then calculated for each S&P Industry Classification, shown on Schedule 2, and is equal to the sum of the Equivalent Unit Scores for each issuer in such industry classification group.
(e)An “Industry Diversity Score” is then established for each S&P Industry Classification, shown on Schedule 2, by reference to the following table for the related Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score; provided that if any Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score falls between any two such scores, the applicable Industry Diversity Score will be the lower of the two Industry Diversity Scores:
| Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score | Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score | Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score | Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 5.0500 | 2.7000 | 10.1500 | 4.0200 | 15.2500 | 4.5300 |
| 0.0500 | 0.1000 | 5.1500 | 2.7333 | 10.2500 | 4.0300 | 15.3500 | 4.5400 |
| 0.1500 | 0.2000 | 5.2500 | 2.7667 | 10.3500 | 4.0400 | 15.4500 | 4.5500 |
| 0.2500 | 0.3000 | 5.3500 | 2.8000 | 10.4500 | 4.0500 | 15.5500 | 4.5600 |
| 0.3500 | 0.4000 | 5.4500 | 2.8333 | 10.5500 | 4.0600 | 15.6500 | 4.5700 |
| 0.4500 | 0.5000 | 5.5500 | 2.8667 | 10.6500 | 4.0700 | 15.7500 | 4.5800 |
| 0.5500 | 0.6000 | 5.6500 | 2.9000 | 10.7500 | 4.0800 | 15.8500 | 4.5900 |
| 0.6500 | 0.7000 | 5.7500 | 2.9333 | 10.8500 | 4.0900 | 15.9500 | 4.6000 |
| 0.7500 | 0.8000 | 5.8500 | 2.9667 | 10.9500 | 4.1000 | 16.0500 | 4.6100 |
| 0.8500 | 0.9000 | 5.9500 | 3.0000 | 11.0500 | 4.1100 | 16.1500 | 4.6200 |
| 0.9500 | 1.0000 | 6.0500 | 3.0250 | 11.1500 | 4.1200 | 16.2500 | 4.6300 |
| 1.0500 | 1.0500 | 6.1500 | 3.0500 | 11.2500 | 4.1300 | 16.3500 | 4.6400 |
| 1.1500 | 1.1000 | 6.2500 | 3.0750 | 11.3500 | 4.1400 | 16.4500 | 4.6500 |
| 1.2500 | 1.1500 | 6.3500 | 3.1000 | 11.4500 | 4.1500 | 16.5500 | 4.6600 |
| 1.3500 | 1.2000 | 6.4500 | 3.1250 | 11.5500 | 4.1600 | 16.6500 | 4.6700 |
| 1.4500 | 1.2500 | 6.5500 | 3.1500 | 11.6500 | 4.1700 | 16.7500 | 4.6800 |
| 1.5500 | 1.3000 | 6.6500 | 3.1750 | 11.7500 | 4.1800 | 16.8500 | 4.6900 |
| 1.6500 | 1.3500 | 6.7500 | 3.2000 | 11.8500 | 4.1900 | 16.9500 | 4.7000 |
SCH. 5-1
| Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score | Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score | Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score | Aggregate Industry Equivalent Unit Score | Industry Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7500 | 1.4000 | 6.8500 | 3.2250 | 11.9500 | 4.2000 | 17.0500 | 4.7100 |
| 1.8500 | 1.4500 | 6.9500 | 3.2500 | 12.0500 | 4.2100 | 17.1500 | 4.7200 |
| 1.9500 | 1.5000 | 7.0500 | 3.2750 | 12.1500 | 4.2200 | 17.2500 | 4.7300 |
| 2.0500 | 1.5500 | 7.1500 | 3.3000 | 12.2500 | 4.2300 | 17.3500 | 4.7400 |
| 2.1500 | 1.6000 | 7.2500 | 3.3250 | 12.3500 | 4.2400 | 17.4500 | 4.7500 |
| 2.2500 | 1.6500 | 7.3500 | 3.3500 | 12.4500 | 4.2500 | 17.5500 | 4.7600 |
| 2.3500 | 1.7000 | 7.4500 | 3.3750 | 12.5500 | 4.2600 | 17.6500 | 4.7700 |
| 2.4500 | 1.7500 | 7.5500 | 3.4000 | 12.6500 | 4.2700 | 17.7500 | 4.7800 |
| 2.5500 | 1.8000 | 7.6500 | 3.4250 | 12.7500 | 4.2800 | 17.8500 | 4.7900 |
| 2.6500 | 1.8500 | 7.7500 | 3.4500 | 12.8500 | 4.2900 | 17.9500 | 4.8000 |
| 2.7500 | 1.9000 | 7.8500 | 3.4750 | 12.9500 | 4.3000 | 18.0500 | 4.8100 |
| 2.8500 | 1.9500 | 7.9500 | 3.5000 | 13.0500 | 4.3100 | 18.1500 | 4.8200 |
| 2.9500 | 2.0000 | 8.0500 | 3.5250 | 13.1500 | 4.3200 | 18.2500 | 4.8300 |
| 3.0500 | 2.0333 | 8.1500 | 3.5500 | 13.2500 | 4.3300 | 18.3500 | 4.8400 |
| 3.1500 | 2.0667 | 8.2500 | 3.5750 | 13.3500 | 4.3400 | 18.4500 | 4.8500 |
| 3.2500 | 2.1000 | 8.3500 | 3.6000 | 13.4500 | 4.3500 | 18.5500 | 4.8600 |
| 3.3500 | 2.1333 | 8.4500 | 3.6250 | 13.5500 | 4.3600 | 18.6500 | 4.8700 |
| 3.4500 | 2.1667 | 8.5500 | 3.6500 | 13.6500 | 4.3700 | 18.7500 | 4.8800 |
| 3.5500 | 2.2000 | 8.6500 | 3.6750 | 13.7500 | 4.3800 | 18.8500 | 4.8900 |
| 3.6500 | 2.2333 | 8.7500 | 3.7000 | 13.8500 | 4.3900 | 18.9500 | 4.9000 |
| 3.7500 | 2.2667 | 8.8500 | 3.7250 | 13.9500 | 4.4000 | 19.0500 | 4.9100 |
| 3.8500 | 2.3000 | 8.9500 | 3.7500 | 14.0500 | 4.4100 | 19.1500 | 4.9200 |
| 3.9500 | 2.3333 | 9.0500 | 3.7750 | 14.1500 | 4.4200 | 19.2500 | 4.9300 |
| 4.0500 | 2.3667 | 9.1500 | 3.8000 | 14.2500 | 4.4300 | 19.3500 | 4.9400 |
| 4.1500 | 2.4000 | 9.2500 | 3.8250 | 14.3500 | 4.4400 | 19.4500 | 4.9500 |
| 4.2500 | 2.4333 | 9.3500 | 3.8500 | 14.4500 | 4.4500 | 19.5500 | 4.9600 |
| 4.3500 | 2.4667 | 9.4500 | 3.8750 | 14.5500 | 4.4600 | 19.6500 | 4.9700 |
| 4.4500 | 2.5000 | 9.5500 | 3.9000 | 14.6500 | 4.4700 | 19.7500 | 4.9800 |
| 4.5500 | 2.5333 | 9.6500 | 3.9250 | 14.7500 | 4.4800 | 19.8500 | 4.9900 |
| 4.6500 | 2.5667 | 9.7500 | 3.9500 | 14.8500 | 4.4900 | 19.9500 | 5.0000 |
| 4.7500 | 2.6000 | 9.8500 | 3.9750 | 14.9500 | 4.5000 | ||
| 4.8500 | 2.6333 | 9.9500 | 4.0000 | 15.0500 | 4.5100 | ||
| 4.9500 | 2.6667 | 10.0500 | 4.0100 | 15.1500 | 4.5200 |
(f)The Moody’s Equivalent Diversity Score is then calculated by summing each of the Industry Diversity Scores for each S&P Industry Classification shown on Schedule 2.
For purposes of calculating the Moody’s Equivalent Diversity Score, affiliated issuers in the same industry are deemed to be a single issuer (provided that one obligor shall not be considered an affiliate of another obligor solely because they are controlled by the same financial sponsor) except as otherwise agreed to by S&P.
SCH. 5-2
orctf-ex1014_70.htm
Exhibit 10.14
COLLATERAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2020 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands, with its registered office at the offices of Walkers Fiduciary Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9008, Cayman Islands (together with successors and assigns permitted hereunder, the “Issuer”), and Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC (“Owl Rock Technology Advisors”), a Delaware limited liability company, with its principal offices located at 399 Park Avenue, 38^th^ Floor, New York, NY 10022, as collateral manager (in such capacity, the “Collateral Manager”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Issuer intends to issue Notes pursuant to an indenture dated as of December 16, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1 LLC, as co-issuer of the Co-Issued Notes (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (together with any successor trustee permitted under the Indenture, the “Trustee”);
WHEREAS, the Issuer intends to issue Preferred Shares pursuant to the Issuer’s memorandum and articles of association and subject to the Fiscal Agency Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Fiscal Agency Agreement”), among the Fiscal Agent, the Share Registrar and the Issuer, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof;
WHEREAS, the Issuer intends to pledge certain Collateral Obligations, Eligible Investments and Cash (all as defined in the Indenture) and certain other assets (all as set forth in the Indenture) (collectively, the “Assets”) to the Trustee as security for its obligations under the Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Issuer wishes to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Collateral Manager agrees to perform, on behalf of the Issuer, certain duties with respect to the Assets in the manner and on the terms set forth herein and to perform such additional duties as are consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Indenture and the Collateral Administration Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Collateral Manager has the capacity to provide the services required hereby and is prepared to perform such services upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.Definitions.
Terms used herein and not defined below or elsewhere herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.
“Agreement” shall mean this Agreement, as amended from time to time.
“Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.
“Collateral Manager Information” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Offering Circular.
“Collateral Manager Securities” shall mean any Securities owned by the Collateral Manager, an Affiliate thereof, or any account, fund, client or portfolio established and controlled by the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof or for which the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof acts as the investment adviser or with respect to which the Collateral Manager or an Affiliate thereof exercises discretionary control thereover.
“Governing Instruments” shall mean the memorandum of association, articles of association and by-laws, if applicable, in the case of a corporation, the partnership agreement, in the case of a partnership, the limited liability company agreement and certificate of formation, in the case of a limited liability company or the trust agreement and (if applicable) certificate of trust, in the case of a trust.
“Notice of Removal” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.
“Offering Circular” shall mean the final Offering Circular with respect to the Notes.
“Related Person” shall mean with respect to any Person, the owners of the equity interests therein, directors, officers, employees, managers, agents and professional advisors thereof.
“Responsible Officer” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any duly authorized director, officer or manager of such Person with direct responsibility for the administration of the applicable agreement and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other duly authorized director, officer or manager of such Person to whom such matter is referred because of such director's, officer's or manager's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. Each party may receive and accept a certification of the authority of any other party as conclusive evidence of the authority of any Person to act, and such certification may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by such other party of written notice to the contrary.
“Termination Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.
2.General Duties and Authorization of the Collateral Manager.
The Collateral Manager shall provide services to the Issuer as follows:
(a)Subject to and in accordance with the applicable terms of the Indenture and the terms of this Agreement, the Collateral Manager agrees to, and is appointed and authorized by
the Issuer to (i) select the Assets to be acquired, sold, terminated, tendered or otherwise disposed of by the Issuer, (ii) invest and reinvest the Assets subject to the Investment Criteria and other conditions and restrictions set forth in the Indenture, (iii) instruct the Trustee with respect to any acquisition, disposition or tender of, or Offer with respect to, any Assets received in respect thereof in the open market or otherwise by the Issuer, and (iv) perform all other tasks and take all other actions that any of the Indenture, the Collateral Administration Agreement or this Agreement specify are to be taken by the Collateral Manager (provided that the Collateral Manager will not be bound to follow any amendment or supplement to the Indenture unless it has consented thereto in accordance with the Indenture); and the Collateral Manager may, in its sole discretion, take any other action not inconsistent with an action that such agreements specify may be taken by the Collateral Manager.
(b)The Collateral Manager shall monitor the Assets on behalf of the Issuer on an ongoing basis and will further agree to provide or cause to be provided to the Issuer all reports, schedules and other data reasonably available to the Collateral Manager that the Issuer is required to prepare and deliver or cause to be prepared and delivered under the Indenture, in such forms and containing such information required thereby, in reasonably sufficient time for such required reports, schedules and data to be reviewed and delivered by or on behalf of the Issuer to the parties entitled thereto under the Indenture. The obligation of the Collateral Manager to furnish such reports, schedules and other data is subject to the Collateral Manager’s timely receipt of necessary information, reports, schedules and other data from the Person responsible for the delivery or preparation thereof (including without limitation, Obligors of the Collateral Obligations, the Rating Agency, the Trustee and the Collateral Administrator) and to any confidentiality restrictions with respect thereto.
(c)Without limiting the foregoing, the Issuer authorizes the Collateral Manager to, at any time and subject to and in accordance with this Agreement, the Indenture and the Loan Sale Agreement: (i) direct the Trustee to dispose of any or all Assets in the open market or otherwise, (ii) direct the Trustee to acquire or retain, as security for the Secured Notes in substitution for or in addition to any Collateral Obligations, Eligible Investments or other Assets, one or more Collateral Obligations, Eligible Investments or other Assets, and (iii) as agent of the Issuer, direct the Trustee to take the following actions with respect to any Asset:
(A)tender such Assets pursuant to an Offer;
(B)consent or object to any proposed amendment, modification or waiver with respect to such Asset, including pursuant to an Offer;
(C)retain or dispose of any securities or other property (if other than Cash) received pursuant to an Offer or with respect to any Asset;
(D)waive any default with respect to any Asset;
(E)vote to accelerate, or to rescind the acceleration of, the maturity of any Asset; or
(F)exercise any other rights or remedies with respect to such Asset as provided in the related Underlying Document or take any other
action consistent with the terms of the Indenture and the standard of care set forth in Section 2(f).
(d)The Issuer hereby irrevocably (except as provided below) appoints the Collateral Manager as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution) in its name, place and stead and at its expense, in connection with the performance of its duties provided for in this Agreement or in the Indenture. The Issuer hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney-in-fact (or any substitute) shall lawfully do hereunder and pursuant hereto and authorizes such attorney-in-fact to exercise full discretion and act for the Issuer in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the managers or officers of the Issuer might or could do in respect of the performance of such services, as well as in respect of all other things the Collateral Manager deems necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such services, subject in each case to the other terms of this Agreement. The Issuer hereby authorizes such attorney-in-fact, in its sole discretion (but subject to applicable law and the provisions of this Agreement and the Indenture), to take all actions that it considers reasonably necessary and appropriate in respect of the Assets, this Agreement, the Indenture and the other Transaction Documents. This grant of power of attorney is coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent dissolution or bankruptcy of the Issuer, except that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the appointment herein of the Collateral Manager as the Issuer’s agent and attorney-in-fact shall automatically cease and terminate upon the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, the resignation of the Collateral Manager pursuant to Section 12 or any removal of the Collateral Manager pursuant to Section 14.
(e)The Collateral Manager and the Issuer shall take such other action, and furnish such certificates, opinions and other documents, as may be reasonably requested by the other party hereto in order to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement and to facilitate compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of this Agreement.
(f)The Collateral Manager will perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture and the Fiscal Agency Agreement with reasonable care and in good faith using a degree of skill and attention no less than that which the Collateral Manager exercises with respect to comparable assets that it may manage for itself and its other clients and which is consistent with what the Collateral Manager reasonably believes to be the customary and usual collateral management practices that a prudent collateral manager of national recognition in the United States would use to manage comparable assets for its own account and for the account of others, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, the Indenture and the Fiscal Agency Agreement or under applicable law; provided that the Collateral Manager shall not be liable for any losses or damages resulting from any failure to satisfy the foregoing standard of care except to the extent that such failure would result in liability pursuant to Section 10. Without prejudicing the preceding, the Collateral Manager shall follow its customary standards, policies and procedures in performing its duties under this Agreement, the Indenture and the Fiscal Agency Agreement.
3.Brokerage.
If the Collateral Manager chooses to effect a transaction for the purchase or sale of an Asset through a broker-dealer, the Collateral Manager shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the best execution for all orders placed with respect to the Assets, considering all
circumstances (but, for the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the foregoing, with no obligation to obtain the lowest price) and in a manner permitted by law. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Collateral Manager may, in the allocation of business, take into consideration research and other brokerage services furnished to the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates by brokers and dealers which are not Affiliates of the Collateral Manager. Such services may be furnished to the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates in connection with its other advisory activities or investment operations. Transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same investment for other accounts served by the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates. When these concurrent transactions occur, the objective of the Collateral Manager (and any of its Affiliates involved in such transactions) shall be to allocate the executions among the accounts in an equitable manner. A more complete description of the Collateral Manager’s policies with respect to the placement of orders is set forth in the Collateral Manager’s most recent Form ADV, a copy of which has been made available to the Issuer and to the Trustee.
4.Additional Activities of the Collateral Manager.
Nothing herein shall prevent the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates from engaging in its customary businesses, or from rendering services of any kind to the Issuer and its Affiliates, the Trustee, the Holders or beneficial owners of the Securities or any other Person or entity to the extent permitted by applicable law and not expressly prohibited under the Indenture. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates and any directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates may, among other things, and subject to any limits specified in the Indenture:
(a)serve as directors (whether supervisory or managing), partners, officers, employees, agents, nominees or signatories for the Issuer, its Affiliates or any issuer of any obligations included in the Assets, to the extent permitted by their Governing Instruments, as from time to time amended, or by any resolutions duly adopted by the Issuer, its Affiliates or any issuer of any obligations included in the Assets, pursuant to their respective Governing Instruments;
(b)receive fees for services of any nature rendered to the issuer of any obligations included in the Assets;
(c)be retained to provide services to the Issuer or its Affiliates that are unrelated to this Agreement, and be paid therefor;
(d)be a secured or unsecured creditor of, or hold an equity interest in, the Issuer, its Affiliates or any issuer of any obligation included in the Assets;
(e)make a market in any Collateral Obligations or in any Notes; and
(f)serve as a member of any “creditors’ committee” or informal workout group with respect to any obligation included in the Assets which is, has become, or, in the Collateral Manager’s opinion, may become a Defaulted Obligation.
It is understood that the Collateral Manager and any of its Affiliates have engaged (and expect to continue to engage) in other business and have furnished (and expect to continue to furnish) investment management and advisory services to others, including Persons which may
have investment policies similar to those followed by the Collateral Manager with respect to the Assets and which may own obligations or securities of the same class, or which are of the same type, as the Collateral Obligations or the Eligible Investments or other obligations or securities of the Obligors or issuers of the Collateral Obligations or the Eligible Investments. The Collateral Manager will be free, in its sole discretion, to make recommendations to others, or effect transactions on behalf of itself or for others, which may be the same as or different from those effected with respect to the Assets and the Issuer. Nothing in the Indenture or this Agreement shall prevent the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates, acting either as principal or agent on behalf of others, from buying or selling, or from recommending to or directing any other account to buy or sell, at any time, obligations or securities of the same kind or class, or obligations or securities of a different kind or class of the same Obligor or issuer, as those directed by the Collateral Manager to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Issuer.
It is understood that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates or their respective Related Persons or any member of their families or a Person advised by the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates may have an interest in a particular transaction or in obligations or securities of the same kind or class, or obligations or securities of a different kind or class of the same Obligor or issuer, as those whose purchase or sale the Collateral Manager may direct under this Agreement. If, in light of market conditions and investment objectives, the Collateral Manager determines that it would be advisable to purchase or sell the same Collateral Obligation both for the Issuer, and either the proprietary account of the Collateral Manager or any Affiliate of the Collateral Manager or another client of the Collateral Manager or any Affiliate, the Collateral Manager will allocate such investment opportunities across such Persons for which such opportunities are appropriate in a manner it deems fair and equitable over time in accordance with (i) its internal conflicts of interest and allocation policies (as such policies and procedures may change from time to time in the sole discretion of the Collateral Manager) and (ii) any applicable requirements of the Advisers Act. The Issuer agrees that, in the course of managing the Collateral Obligations held by the Issuer, the Collateral Manager may consider its relationships with other clients (including Obligors and issuers) and its Affiliates. The Collateral Manager may decline to make a particular investment for the Issuer in view of such relationships.
Unless the Collateral Manager determines in its sole discretion that such purchase or sale may be appropriate, the Collateral Manager may refrain from directing the purchase or sale hereunder of securities or obligations of (i) Persons of which the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates or any of its or their officers, directors, partners or employees are directors or officers, (ii) Persons for which the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates acts as financial adviser or underwriter or (iii) Persons about which the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates has information which the Collateral Manager deems confidential or non-public or otherwise might prohibit it from trading such securities or obligations in accordance with applicable law. The Collateral Manager shall not be obligated to utilize with respect to the Assets any particular investment opportunity of which it becomes aware or to pursue any particular investment strategy.
5.Acquisitions from or Dispositions to the Collateral Manager and Related Parties.
Subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations and subject to this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the Loan Sale Agreement and the Indenture, the Collateral Manager may direct the Trustee to acquire a Collateral Obligation from, or sell a Collateral
Obligation, Eligible Investment or Equity Security to, the Collateral Manager, any of its Affiliates or any client for whom the Collateral Manager or any of its Affiliates serve as investment advisor. Any such acquisition by the Issuer shall be for Fair Market Value or as otherwise specified in the Indenture.
6.Records; Confidentiality.
(a)The Collateral Manager shall maintain appropriate books of account and records relating to services performed hereunder, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection by a representative of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Independent accountants appointed by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer pursuant to Article X of the Indenture at any time during normal business hours and upon not less than three Business Days’ prior notice. The Collateral Manager shall provide the Issuer with sufficient information and reports to maintain the books and records of the Issuer.
(b)The Collateral Manager shall keep confidential any and all information obtained in connection with the services rendered hereunder and shall not disclose any such information to non-affiliated third parties except (i) with the prior written consent of the Issuer, (ii) such information as any Rating Agency shall reasonably request in connection with its rating of the Notes, (iii) in connection with establishing trading or investment accounts or otherwise in connection with effecting transactions on behalf of the Issuer, (iv) as required by law, regulation, court order or the rules or regulations of any self-regulating organization, regulatory authority, body or official having jurisdiction over the Collateral Manager, (v) to its professional advisers or (vi) such information as shall have been publicly disclosed other than in violation of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Manager (a) may present summary data with respect to the performance of the Assets in conjunction with presentation of performance statistics of other funds managed or to be managed by the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates, and may aggregate data with respect to the performance of one or more categories of Assets with similar data of such other funds and (b) may disclose such other information about the Issuer, the Assets and the Securities as is customarily disclosed by managers of collateralized loan obligations. For purposes of this Section 6, the Holders and beneficial owners of the Securities shall in no event be considered “non-affiliated third parties.”
(c)Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Collateral Manager, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders and beneficial owners of the Securities (and each of their respective employees, representatives or other agents) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the U.S. tax treatment and U.S. tax structure (in each case, under applicable federal, state or local law) of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to them relating to such U.S. tax treatment and U.S. tax structure; provided that such U.S. tax treatment and U.S. tax structure shall be kept confidential to the extent reasonably necessary to comply with applicable U.S. federal or state laws.
7.Obligations of the Collateral Manager.
Unless otherwise specifically required by any provision of this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or applicable law, the Collateral Manager shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that no action is taken by it, and shall not intentionally or with reckless disregard take any action, which would (a) materially adversely affect the Issuer for purposes of Cayman Islands law, United States federal or state law or any other law known to the Collateral Manager to be applicable to the Issuer, (b) not be permitted under the Issuers’ Governing Instruments, (c) violate in any material respect any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Issuer, including, without limitation, any Cayman Islands or United States federal, state or other applicable securities law, (d) require registration of the Issuer or the pool of Assets as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act or (e) result in the Issuer or the Co-Issuer violating the terms of the Indenture. In connection with the foregoing, but without prejudice to Section 2 hereof, the Collateral Manager will not be required to make any independent investigation of any facts or laws in connection with its obligations under this Agreement or the conduct of its business generally. If the Collateral Manager is ordered to take any such action by the Issuer, the Collateral Manager shall promptly notify the Issuer, the Trustee and the Rating Agency of the Collateral Manager’s judgment that such action would, or would reasonably be expected to, have one or more of the consequences set forth above and need not take such action unless (i) the action would not have the consequences set forth in clause (c) above and (ii) the Issuer again requests the Collateral Manager to do so and a Majority of each Class of Notes have consented thereto in writing. Notwithstanding any such request, the Collateral Manager need not take such action unless arrangements satisfactory to it are made to insure or indemnify the Collateral Manager from any liability it may incur as a result of such action. The Collateral Manager, its partners, their respective partners, and the Collateral Manager’s directors, officers, stockholders and employees shall not be liable to the Issuer, the Trustee, the Holders or any other Person, except as provided in Section 10 of this Agreement. Any indemnification or insurance pursuant to this Section 7 that is payable out of the Assets shall be payable only in accordance with the priorities set forth in Article XI of the Indenture.
8.Compensation.
(a)The Issuer shall pay to the Collateral Manager, for services rendered and performance of its obligations under this Agreement, a fee, payable in arrears on each Payment Date (including any Redemption Date, other than a Redemption Date in connection with a redemption of Secured Notes in part by Class not occurring on a regularly scheduled Payment Date) in accordance with the Priority of Payments that consists of (i) an amount equal to 0.15% per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed during the related Interest Accrual Period) of the Fee Basis Amount measured as of the first day of the Collection Period relating to such Payment Date (the “Base Management Fee”) and (ii) an amount equal to 0.20% per annum (calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed during the related Interest Accrual Period) of the Fee Basis Amount measured as of the first day of the Collection Period relating to such Payment Date (the “Subordinated Management Fee” and, together with the Base Management Fee, the “Management Fees”). If any portion of any Management Fee payable on any Payment Date in accordance with the Priority of Payments is not paid in full for any reason, such portion shall be deferred and remain due and payable on subsequent Payment Dates.
(b)The Collateral Manager may, in its sole discretion, waive its rights to receive any portion of the Management Fees payable on any Payment Date. The Collateral
Manager hereby waives its rights to receive all Management Fees until such date as the Collateral Manager notifies the Issuer and the Trustee that it is revoking such waiver.
(c)If this Agreement is terminated for any reason, or if the Collateral Manager resigns or is removed, the Base Management Fee and the Subordinated Management Fee will each be prorated for any partial period elapsing from the last Payment Date on which such Collateral Manager was entitled to receive the Base Management Fee and the Subordinated Management Fee to the effective date of such termination, resignation or removal and shall be immediately due and payable on each Payment Date following the effective date of such termination, resignation or removal in accordance with the Priority of Payments until paid in full. Otherwise, such Collateral Manager shall not be entitled to any further compensation for further services but shall be entitled to receive any expense reimbursement accrued to the effective date of termination, resignation or removal and any indemnity amounts owing (or that may become owing) under this Agreement. Any Management Fee, expense reimbursement and indemnities owed to such Collateral Manager or owed to any successor Collateral Manager on any Payment Date shall be paid pro rata based on the amount thereof then owing to each such Person, subject to the Priority of Payments.
(d)The Collateral Manager shall be responsible for expenses incurred in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, the Issuer will pay or reimburse the Collateral Manager for expenses including fees and out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Collateral Manager in connection with the services provided under this Agreement with respect to (i) the costs and expenses of the Collateral Manager incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and all other agreements and matters related to the issuance of any Securities; (ii) any transfer fees necessary to register any Collateral Obligation in accordance with the Indenture; (iii) any fees and expenses in connection with the acquisition, management or disposition of Assets or otherwise in connection with the Securities or the Issuer (including (a) investment related travel, communications and related expenses, (b) loan processing fees, accounting and legal fees and expenses (including internally allocated expenses) and other expenses of professionals retained by the Collateral Manager on behalf of the Issuer and (c) amounts in connection with the termination, cancellation or abandonment of a potential acquisition or disposition of any Assets that is not consummated); (iv) any and all taxes, regulatory and governmental charges that may be incurred or payable by the Issuer; (v) any and all insurance premiums or expenses incurred in connection with the activities of the Issuer by the Collateral Manager; (vi) any and all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the rating of the Secured Notes or obtaining ratings or credit estimates on Collateral Obligations, and communications with the Rating Agency; (vii) any and all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Collateral Manager's communications with the Holders (including charges related to annual meetings and for preparation of reports); (viii) costs, fees and expenses of one or more firms that provide software databases and applications for the purpose of modeling, evaluating and monitoring the Assets and the Securities pursuant to a licensing or other agreement; (ix) fees and expenses for services to the Issuer in respect of the Assets relating to asset pricing and rating services; (x) any and all expenses incurred to comply with any law or regulation related to the activities of the Issuer and, to the extent relating to the Issuer and the Assets, the Collateral Manager; (xi) the fees and expenses of any independent advisor employed to value or consider Collateral Obligations; (xii) any and all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with any amendment or supplemental indenture effected (or proposed to be effected) pursuant to the Indenture; (xiii) in the event the Issuer is included in the
consolidated financial statements of the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates, costs and expenses associated with the preparation of such financial statements and other information by the Collateral Manager or its Affiliates to the extent related to the inclusion of the Issuer in such financial statements; (xiv) any and all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and audit of the Issuer’s financial statements; (xv) any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred by the Collateral Manager in connection with complying with applicable law; and (xvi) as otherwise agreed upon by the Issuer and the Collateral Manager, to be paid in accordance with the Indenture. In addition, the Issuer will pay or reimburse the costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants) of the Collateral Manager and the Issuer incurred in connection with or incidental to the entering into of this Agreement or any amendment hereto.
9.Benefit of the Agreement.
The Collateral Manager shall perform its obligations hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Indenture applicable to it and shall use all reasonable endeavors, in the course of carrying out such obligations, to protect the interests of the Holders as a group. The Collateral Manager agrees that such obligations shall be enforceable at the instance of the Issuer, the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders, or the requisite percentage of Holders as provided in the Indenture.
10.Limits of Collateral Manager Responsibility.
(a)The Collateral Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder and under the terms of the Indenture applicable to it in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action or inaction of the Issuer or the Trustee in following or declining to follow any advice, recommendation or direction of the Collateral Manager. The Collateral Manager, its Affiliates, and their respective Related Persons shall not be liable to the Issuers, the Trustee, any Holder of Securities, any holder of the Issuer’s ordinary shares, the Initial Purchaser, any of their respective Affiliates or Related Persons or any other Person for any act, omission, error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any claim, loss, liability, damage, judgements, assessments, settlement cost, or other expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) arising out of any investment, or for any other act or omission in the performance of the Collateral Manager’s obligations under or in connection with this Agreement or the terms of any other Transaction Document applicable to the Collateral Manager, incurred as a result of actions taken or recommended or for any omissions of the Collateral Manager, or for any decrease in the value of the Assets, except the Collateral Manager will be liable (i) by reason of acts or omissions constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement and under the terms of the Indenture or (ii) with respect to the Collateral Manager Information, as of the date made, containing any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements in the Offering Circular, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) collectively referred to as “Collateral Manager Breaches”).
(b)The Collateral Manager shall not be liable for any consequential, punitive, exemplary or special damages or lost profits under this Agreement or under the Indenture. Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any liability which cannot be waived under applicable state or federal law or any rules or regulations thereunder.
(c)Indemnity by the Issuer. The Issuer shall indemnify and hold harmless (the Issuer in such case, the “Indemnifying Party”) the Collateral Manager, its Affiliates, and their respective Related Persons (such parties collectively in such case, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs or other liabilities (collectively, “Losses”) (as Administrative Expenses) and will promptly reimburse each such Indemnified Party for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by an Indemnified Party with respect thereto (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and costs of collection) (collectively, “Expenses”) (as Administrative Expenses) arising out of or in connection with the issuance of the Securities (including, without limitation, any untrue statement of material fact or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Offering Circular, or any omission or alleged omission to state in the Offering Circular a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, other than Collateral Manager Information), the transactions contemplated by the Offering Circular, the Indenture or this Agreement and any acts or omissions of any such Indemnified Party; provided that such Indemnified Party shall not be indemnified for any Losses or Expenses incurred as a result of any Collateral Manager Breach or any information contained under the headings “U.S. Credit Risk Retention” and “EU Risk Retention Requirements—The Retention Holder” in the Offering Circular as of the date made containing any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements in the Offering Circular, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d)Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the obligations of the Issuer under this Section 10 shall be limited-recourse obligations of the Issuer, payable solely out of the Assets in accordance with the priorities set forth in Article XI of the Indenture and shall be subject to the terms of Section 22 hereof.
(e)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed so as to provide for the exculpation of the Collateral Manager or the indemnification of the Issuer or the Collateral Manager for any liability (including liability under U.S. federal securities laws), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such liability may not be waived, modified or limited under applicable law or such indemnification may not be demanded under applicable law, but shall otherwise be construed so as to effectuate the provisions of this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
(f)In providing services under this Agreement, the Collateral Manager may rely in good faith upon and will be fully protected and incur no liability for acting at the direction of the Issuer (where such direction has been given without direct advice from the Collateral Manager) or for relying upon advice of nationally recognized counsel, accountants or other advisers as the Collateral Manager determines, in its sole discretion, is reasonably appropriate in connection with the services provided by the Collateral Manager under this Agreement.
(g)An Indemnified Party shall (or with respect to an Indemnified Party other than the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Manager shall cause such Indemnified Party to) promptly notify the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnified Party receives a complaint, claim,
compulsory process or other notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Section 10 and give written notice to the Indemnifying Party of such claim within ten (10) days after such claim is made or threatened, which notice shall specify in reasonable detail the nature of the claim and the amount (or an estimate of the amount) of the claim but failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party (i) shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party from its obligations under paragraph (a) above unless and to the extent that it did not otherwise learn of such action or proceeding and to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) shall not, in any event, relieve the Indemnifying Party for any obligations to any Person entitled to indemnity pursuant to paragraph (a) above other than the indemnification obligations provided for in paragraph (a) above.
(h)With respect to any claim made or threatened against an Indemnified Party, or compulsory process or request served upon such Indemnified Party for which such Indemnified Party is or may be entitled to indemnification under this Section 10, such Indemnified Party shall (or with respect to an Indemnified Party other than the Collateral Manager, the Collateral Manager shall cause such Indemnified Party to), at the Indemnifying Party’s expense:
(i)provide the Indemnifying Party such information and cooperation with respect to such claim as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably require, including, but not limited to, making appropriate personnel available to the Indemnifying Party at such reasonable times as the Indemnifying Party may request;
(ii)cooperate and take all such steps as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably request to preserve and protect any defense to such claim;
(iii)in the event suit is brought with respect to such claim, upon reasonable prior notice, afford to the Indemnifying Party the right, which the Indemnifying Party may exercise in its sole discretion and at its expense, to participate in the investigation, defense and settlement of such claim;
(iv)neither incur any material expense to defend against nor release or settle any such claim or make any admission with respect thereto (other than routine or incontestable admissions or factual admissions the failure to make which would expose such Indemnified Party to unindemnified liability) without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnifying Party shall have advised such Indemnified Party that such Indemnified Party is entitled to be indemnified hereunder with respect to such claim; and
(v)upon reasonable prior notice, afford to the Indemnifying Party the right, in its sole discretion and at its sole expense, to assume the defense of such claim, including, but not limited to, the right to designate counsel and to control all negotiations, litigation, arbitration, settlements, compromises and appeals of such claim; provided, that if the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of such claim, it shall not be liable for any fees and expenses of counsel for any Indemnified Party incurred thereafter in connection with such claim except that if such Indemnified Party reasonably determines that counsel designated by the Indemnifying Party has a conflict of interest, such Indemnifying Party shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel (in addition to any local
counsel) separate from its own counsel for all Indemnified Parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances; and provided further, that prior to entering into any final settlement or compromise, such Indemnifying Party shall seek the consent of the Indemnified Party and use its best efforts in the light of the then prevailing circumstances (including, without limitation, any express or implied time constraint on any pending settlement offer) to obtain the consent of such Indemnified Party as to the terms of settlement or compromise. If an Indemnified Party does not consent to the settlement or compromise within a reasonable time under the circumstances, the Indemnifying Party shall not thereafter be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party for any amount in excess of such proposed settlement or compromise.
(i)No Indemnified Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, settle or compromise any claim giving rise to a claim for indemnity hereunder, or permit a default or consent to the entry of any judgment in respect thereof, unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes, as an unconditional term thereof, the giving by the claimant to the Indemnifying Party of a release from liability substantially equivalent to the release given by the claimant to such Indemnified Party in respect of such claim.
(j)In the event that any Indemnified Party waives its right to indemnification hereunder, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to appoint counsel to represent such Indemnified Party nor shall the Indemnifying Party reimburse such Indemnified Party for any costs of counsel to such Indemnified Party.
(k)Indemnity by Collateral Manager. The Collateral Manager shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Issuer and its Related Persons from and against any and all Losses and shall reimburse each such Person for all Expenses in investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any claim, action, proceeding or investigation with respect to any pending or threatened litigation against the Issuer or any such Related Person (collectively, “Actions”), to the extent that such Action is caused by, or is a direct consequence of, any Collateral Manager Breach; provided that no such indemnity shall be paid to the extent that such Action was caused by, or arose out of or in connection with, bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Issuer or any Related Person.
11.No Partnership or Joint Venture.
The Issuer and the Collateral Manager are not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing herein shall be construed to make them such partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them. The Collateral Manager’s relation to the Issuer shall be deemed to be solely that of an independent contractor.
12.Term; Termination.
(a)This Agreement shall commence as of the date first set forth above and shall continue in force until the first of the following occurs: (i) the payment in full of the Notes and the termination of the Indenture in accordance with its terms; (ii) the liquidation of the Assets and the
final distribution of the proceeds of such liquidation pursuant to the terms of the Indenture; or (iii) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with clause (b) or (c) of this Section 12 or Section 14 of this Agreement.
(b)This Agreement may be terminated without cause by the Collateral Manager, and the Collateral Manager may resign upon 90 days’ prior written notice (or such shorter notice as is acceptable to the Issuer) to the Issuer, the Trustee (who will forward such notice to each Holder), and the Rating Agency; provided, however, that the Collateral Manager shall have the right to resign immediately upon the effectiveness of any material change in applicable law or regulations which renders the performance by the Collateral Manager of its duties under the Collateral Management Agreement or under the Indenture to be a violation of such law or regulation. No such termination or resignation shall be effective until the date as of which a successor collateral manager shall have been appointed in accordance with this Agreement and delivered an instrument of acceptance to the Issuer and the resigned Collateral Manager and the successor collateral manager has effectively assumed all of the Collateral Manager’s duties and obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
(c)If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 12, such termination shall be without any further liability or obligation of either party to the other, except as provided in Sections 8(c), 10, 15 and 22 of this Agreement, which provisions shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(d)Promptly after notice of any removal for Cause pursuant to Section 14 hereof or resignation of the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Section 12 while any Securities are Outstanding, the Issuer shall:
(i)transmit copies of such notice to the Trustee (who shall forward a copy of such notice to the Holders), the Fiscal Agent and the Rating Agency; and
(ii)at the direction of a Majority of the Preferred Shares appoint as a successor collateral manager any institution that (A) has demonstrated an ability to professionally and competently perform duties similar to those imposed upon the Collateral Manager hereunder, (B) is legally qualified and has the capacity to assume all of the duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Collateral Manager hereunder and under the applicable terms of the Indenture, (C) does not cause the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or the pool of Assets to become required to register under the Investment Company Act, (D) has been approved by a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that if a Majority of the Controlling Class or a Majority of the Preferred Shares has nominated such successor, it shall be deemed to have approved of such successor) and (E) does not by its appointment cause the Issuer or the Co-Issuer to be treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax on a net income basis (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code).
(e)If (i) a Majority of the Preferred Shares fails to nominate a successor within 30 days of initial notice of the resignation or removal of the Collateral Manager or (ii) a Majority of the Controlling Class does not approve the proposed successor nominated by the holders of the
Preferred Shares within 10 days of the date of the notice of such nomination, then a Majority of the Controlling Class shall, within 60 days of the failure described in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence, as the case may be, nominate a successor Collateral Manager that meets the criteria set forth in clause (d)(ii) above. If a Majority of the Preferred Shares approves such proposed successor nominated pursuant to the preceding sentence, such nominee shall become the Collateral Manager. If no successor Collateral Manager is appointed within 90 days (or, in the event of a change in applicable law or regulation which renders the performance by the resigning Collateral Manager of its duties under this Agreement or the Indenture to be a violation of such law or regulation, within 30 days) following the termination or resignation of the Collateral Manager, any of the Collateral Manager, a Majority of the Preferred Shares and the Majority of the Controlling Class shall have the right to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Collateral Manager, in either such case whose appointment shall become effective after such successor has accepted its appointment and without the consent of any Holder of any Securities.
(f)Any successor Collateral Manager shall be entitled to the Base Management Fee and the Subordinated Management Fee accruing from the effective date of its appointment. No compensation payable to such successor Collateral Manager shall be greater than such components of the Management Fee without the prior written consent of 100% of the Holders of each Class of Securities, including Collateral Manager Securities.
(g)The Issuer, the Trustee and the successor collateral manager shall take such action (or cause the outgoing Collateral Manager to take such action) consistent with this Agreement and the terms of the Indenture applicable to the Collateral Manager, as shall be necessary to effectuate any such succession. Promptly following the appointment of a successor collateral manager in accordance with the foregoing, the Issuer shall provide written notice thereof to the Rating Agency.
(h)In the event of removal of the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Agreement by the Issuer, the Issuer shall have all of the rights and remedies available with respect thereto at law or equity, and, without limiting the foregoing, the Issuer may by notice in writing to the Collateral Manager as provided under this Agreement terminate all the rights and obligations of the Collateral Manager under this Agreement (except those that survive termination pursuant to Section 12(c) above). Upon expiration of the applicable notice period with respect to termination specified in this Section 12 or Section 14 of this Agreement, as applicable, all authority and power of the Collateral Manager under this Agreement, whether with respect to the Assets or otherwise, shall automatically and without further action by any person or entity pass to and be vested in the successor collateral manager upon the appointment thereof. Nevertheless, the Collateral Manager shall take such steps as may be reasonably necessary to transfer such authority and power.
13.Delegation; Assignments; Succession.
(a)Except as provided in this Agreement, the Collateral Manager may not assign or delegate its rights or responsibilities under this Agreement without obtaining the consent of the Issuer and the consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares (voting separately).
(b)The Collateral Manager may, without obtaining the consent of any Holder of Securities, but subject to any consent of the Issuer required for an assignment under the Advisers Act, assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to an Affiliate of the Collateral Manager, to the surviving entity of a merger, consolidation or restructuring of the Collateral Manager, or to any other entity to which all or substantially all of the assets, or at the time of such transfer, the collateral management business, of the Collateral Manager has been transferred; provided that such Affiliate, successor or transferee (i) has demonstrated an ability to professionally and competently perform duties similar to those imposed upon the Collateral Manager pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) has the legal right and capacity to act as Collateral Manager under this Agreement, (iii) shall not cause any of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or the pool of Assets to become required to register under the provisions of the 1940 Act and (iv) by its appointment will not cause the Issuer or Co-Issuer to be treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax on a net income basis (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code). The Collateral Manager shall deliver prior notice to the Rating Agency of any such assignment or combination.
(c)In addition, the Collateral Manager may, without the consent of any Person, delegate to third parties (including without limitation its Affiliates) the duties assigned to the Collateral Manager under this Agreement, and employ third parties (including without limitation its Affiliates) to render advice (including investment advice), to provide services to arrange for trade execution and otherwise provide assistance to the Issuer, and to perform any of the Collateral Manager's duties under this Agreement; provided that the Collateral Manager shall not (i) delegate investment advice responsibilities, including (without limitation) asset selection, credit review and the negotiation and determination of the acquisition price of a Collateral Obligation to non-affiliates; (ii) be relieved of any of its duties under this Agreement regardless of the performance of any services by third parties; or (iii) by its appointment cause the Issuer or the Co-Issuer to be treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax on a net income basis (including any tax liability imposed under Section 1446 of the Code).
(d)Any assignment by the Collateral Manager consented to by the Issuer and the required Holders shall bind the assignee hereunder in the same manner as the Collateral Manager is bound. In addition, the assignee shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and the Trustee an appropriate agreement naming such assignee as a Collateral Manager. Upon the execution and delivery of such a counterpart by the assignee, the Collateral Manager shall be released from further obligations pursuant to this Agreement, except with respect to its obligations under Section 10 of this Agreement arising prior to such assignment and except with respect to its obligations under Sections 15 and 22 hereof.
(e)This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Issuer without the prior written consent of the Collateral Manager, except that the Collateral Manager agrees and consents to the assignment by the Issuer of this Agreement pursuant to Section 15.1(f) of the Indenture.
(f)In the event of any assignment by the Issuer, the Issuer shall (x) use its best efforts to cause its successor to execute and deliver to the Collateral Manager such documents as
the Collateral Manager shall consider reasonably necessary to effect fully such assignment and (y) provide written notice thereof to the Issuer, each Holder, the Trustee and the Rating Agency.
14.Termination by the Issuer for Cause.
This Agreement may be terminated, and the Collateral Manager may be removed for Cause (as defined below) upon 30 Business Days’ prior written notice by the Issuer (a “Termination Notice”) at the direction of either (i) a Majority of the Controlling Class or (ii) a Majority of the Preferred Shares; provided that Collateral Manager Securities shall be disregarded and have no voting rights with respect to any vote in respect of removal of the Collateral Manager for Cause. Simultaneous with its direction to the Issuer to so remove the Collateral Manager, either (i) a Majority of the Controlling Class or (ii) a Majority of the Preferred Shares (as applicable) shall give to the Issuer a written statement setting forth the reason for such removal (a “Notice of Removal”) and the Issuer shall deliver a copy of the Termination Notice and the Notice of Removal to the Trustee (who shall deliver a copy of such notice to the Holders) within five Business Days of receipt of such written notice. No such termination or removal pursuant to this Section 14 shall be effective (A) until the date as of which a successor collateral manager shall have been appointed in accordance with Section 12 and have delivered an instrument of acceptance to the Issuer and the removed Collateral Manager and the successor collateral manager has effectively assumed all of the Collateral Manager’s duties and obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture and (B) unless the Notice of Removal shall have been delivered to the Issuer as set forth above.
For purposes of determining “Cause” with respect to termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 14, such term shall mean any one of the following events:
(a)the Collateral Manager willfully and intentionally violated or breached any material provision of this Agreement or the Indenture applicable to it (not including a willful and intentional breach that results from a good faith dispute regarding reasonable alternative courses of action or reasonable interpretation of instructions);
(b)the Collateral Manager breached any provision of this Agreement or any terms of the Indenture applicable to it (other than as covered by clause (a) above and it being understood that failure to meet any Concentration Limitation, Collateral Quality Test or Coverage Test is not a breach for purposes of this clause (b)), which breach would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any Class of Secured Notes and shall not cure such breach (if capable of being cured) within 60 days after the earlier to occur of a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager receiving notice or having actual knowledge of such breach, unless, if such breach is remediable, the Collateral Manager has taken action commencing the cure thereof within such 60 day period that the Collateral Manager believes in good faith will remedy such breach within 90 days after the earlier to occur of a Responsible Officer receiving notice or having actual knowledge thereof;
(c)the failure of any representation or warranty of the Collateral Manager in Section 16 hereof to be correct in any material respect when such representation or warranty is made, which failure (i) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any Class of Secured Notes and (ii) if capable of being corrected, is not corrected by the Collateral Manager within 45 days of a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager receiving notice of
such failure, unless if such failure is remediable, the Collateral Manager has taken action commencing the cure thereof within such 45-day period that the Collateral Manager believes in good faith will remedy such failure within 90 days after the earlier to occur of a Responsible Officer receiving notice thereof or having actual knowledge thereof;
(d)(A) the Collateral Manager is wound up or dissolved; (B) there is appointed over the Collateral Manager or a substantial portion of its assets a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer; or (C) the Collateral Manager (i) ceases to be able to, or admits in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due and payable, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of, or enters into any composition or arrangement with, its creditors generally; (ii) applies for or consents (by admission of material allegations of a petition or otherwise) to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, assignee, custodian, liquidator or sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Collateral Manager or of any substantial part of its properties or assets, or authorizes such an application or consent, or proceedings seeking such appointment are commenced without such authorization, consent or application against the Collateral Manager and continue undismissed for 60 days; (iii) authorizes or files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or applies for or consents (by admission of material allegations of a petition or otherwise) to the application of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, insolvency or dissolution, or authorizes such application or consent, or proceedings to such end are instituted against the Collateral Manager without such authorization, application or consent and are approved as properly instituted and remain undismissed for 60 days or result in adjudication of bankruptcy or insolvency; or (iv) permits or suffers all or any substantial part of its properties or assets to be sequestered or attached by court order and the order remains undismissed for 60 days;
(e)the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default specified under clause (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of such term that results primarily from any material breach by the Collateral Manager of its duties under this Agreement or under the Indenture which breach or default is not cured within any applicable cure period (excluding any such Event of Default relating to a good faith dispute with respect to reasonable alternative courses of action or the meaning of any relevant provision under the Transaction Documents or any matter that is in the process of being reconciled in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents); or
(f)(i) the occurrence of an act by the Collateral Manager that constitutes fraud or felony criminal activity in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement (as determined pursuant to a final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction) or the Collateral Manager being indicted for a felony criminal offense materially related to its business of providing asset management services or (ii) any Responsible Officer of the Collateral Manager primarily responsible for the performance by the Collateral Manager of its obligations under this Agreement (in the performance of his or her investment management duties) is indicted for a felony criminal offense materially related to the business of the Collateral Manager providing asset management services and continues to have responsibility for the performance by the Collateral Manager under this Agreement for a period of thirty (30) days after such indictment.
Prior to the effective appointment of any successor collateral manager in accordance with this Agreement, the event or circumstance giving rise to the removal of the Collateral Manager for Cause described above (other than pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof) may be waived
by a written approval of both a Majority of the Controlling Class and a Majority of the Preferred Shares (voting separately) as a basis for termination of this Agreement and removal of the Collateral Manager hereunder; provided that Collateral Manager Securities shall be disregarded and have no voting rights for purposes of this waiver, it being understood that if all of the Securities of either such Class are Collateral Manager Securities, the approval of a Majority of such Class shall not be required for such waiver.
If any of the events specified in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 14 shall occur, the Collateral Manager shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Issuer, the Trustee (who shall forward such notice to the Holders) and the Rating Agency; provided that if the events specified in clause (d) above shall occur, the Collateral Manager shall give written notice thereof to the Issuer, the Trustee (who will forward such notice to the holders of the Securities) and the Rating Agency immediately upon the Collateral Manager’s becoming aware of the occurrence of such event. In no event will the Trustee be required to determine whether or not Cause exists to remove the Collateral Manager.
15.Action Upon Termination.
(a)From and after the effective date of termination of this Agreement, the Collateral Manager shall not be entitled to compensation for further services hereunder, but shall be paid all compensation to which it is entitled, and shall receive all other amounts for which it is entitled to reimbursement, all as provided in and subject to Section 8 hereof, and shall be entitled to receive any amounts owing under Sections 7 and 10 hereof. Upon such termination, the Collateral Manager shall as soon as practicable:
(i)deliver to and at the direction of the Issuer all property and documents of the Trustee or the Issuer or otherwise relating to the Assets then in the custody of the Collateral Manager; and
(ii)deliver to the Trustee an accounting with respect to the books and records delivered to the Trustee or the successor collateral manager appointed pursuant to Section 12(d) hereof.
Notwithstanding such termination, the Collateral Manager shall remain liable for its acts or omissions hereunder as described in Section 10 arising prior to termination and for any expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) in respect of or arising out of a breach of the representations and warranties made by the Collateral Manager in Section 16(b) hereof or from any failure of the Collateral Manager to comply in all material respects with the provisions of this Section 15.
(b)The Collateral Manager agrees that, notwithstanding any termination, it shall reasonably cooperate in any Proceeding arising in connection with this Agreement, the Indenture or any of the Assets (excluding any such Proceeding in which claims are asserted against the Collateral Manager or any Affiliate of the Collateral Manager) upon receipt of appropriate indemnification and expense reimbursement.
16.Representations and Warranties.
(a)The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Manager as follows:
(i)The Issuer has been duly incorporated and is validly existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, has all requisite corporate power and authority to own its assets and the securities proposed to be owned by it and included in the Assets and to transact the business in which it is presently engaged and is duly qualified under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires, or the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities would require, such qualification, except for failures to be so qualified, authorized or licensed that would not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Issuer.
(ii)The Issuer has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities and all obligations required hereunder, under the Indenture and the Securities and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities and the performance of all obligations imposed upon it hereunder and thereunder. No consent of any other Person including, without limitation, shareholders and creditors of the Issuer, and no license, permit, approval or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority, other than those that may be required under state securities or “blue sky” laws and those that have been or shall be obtained in connection with the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities, is required by the Issuer in connection with this Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities or the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities or the obligations imposed upon it hereunder or thereunder. This Agreement constitutes, and each instrument or document required hereunder, when executed and delivered hereunder, shall constitute, the legally valid and binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to (a) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights, as such laws would apply in the event of any bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or similar event applicable to the Issuer and (b) general equitable principles (whether enforceability of such principles is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(iii)The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the documents and instruments required hereunder shall not violate any provision of any existing law or regulation binding on the Issuer, or any order, judgment, award or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority binding on or applicable to the Issuer, or the Governing Instruments of, or any securities issued by, the Issuer or of any mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its assets is or may be bound, the violation of which would have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Issuer, and shall not result in or require the creation or imposition of any lien on any of its property, assets or revenues pursuant to the provisions of any such mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking (other than the lien of the Indenture).
(iv)The Issuer is not in violation of its Governing Instruments or in breach or violation of or in default under the Indenture or any contract or agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets may be bound, or any applicable statute or any rule, regulation or order of any court, government agency or body having jurisdiction over the Issuer or its properties, the breach or violation of which or default under which would have a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the performance by the Issuer of its duties hereunder.
(v)True and complete copies of the Indenture and the Issuer’s Governing Instruments have been or, no later than the Closing Date, will be delivered to the Collateral Manager. In addition, the Issuer acknowledges that it has received Part 2 of the Collateral Manager’s Form ADV filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as required by Rule 204-3 under the Advisers Act, prior to or concurrently with the date of execution of this Agreement.
The Issuer agrees to deliver a true and complete copy of each and every amendment to the documents referred to in Section 16(a)(v) above to the Collateral Manager as promptly as practicable after its adoption or execution.
(b)The Collateral Manager hereby represents and warrants to the Issuer as follows:
(i)The Collateral Manager is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the law of the State of Delaware and has full power and authority to own its assets and to transact the business in which it is currently engaged and is duly qualified as a limited liability company and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires, or the performance of this Agreement would require such qualification, except for those jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified, authorized or licensed would not have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Collateral Manager or on the ability of the Collateral Manager to perform its obligations under, or on the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement and the provisions of the Indenture which are applicable to the Collateral Manager; the Collateral Manager is a registered investment adviser under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).
(ii)The Collateral Manager has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform all obligations required hereunder and under the provisions of the Indenture which are applicable to the Collateral Manager, and the Collateral Manager has taken all necessary action to authorize this Agreement on the terms and conditions hereof and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and all obligations required hereunder and under the terms of the Indenture which are applicable to the Collateral Manager. No consent of any other person, including, without limitation, creditors of the Collateral Manager, and no license, permit, approval or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority (other than those already obtained) is required by the Collateral Manager in connection with this Agreement or the execution, delivery,
performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the obligations required hereunder or under the terms of the Indenture which are applicable to the Collateral Manager. This Agreement has been, and each instrument and document required hereunder or under the terms of the Indenture shall be, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Collateral Manager, and this Agreement constitutes, and each instrument and document required hereunder or under the terms of the Indenture when executed and delivered by the Collateral Manager hereunder or under the terms of the Indenture shall constitute, the legally valid and binding obligations of the Collateral Manager enforceable against the Collateral Manager in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to (a) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(iii)The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the terms of the Indenture applicable to the Collateral Manager and the documents and instruments required hereunder or under the terms of the Indenture shall not violate any provision of any existing law or regulation binding on or applicable to the Collateral Manager, or any order, judgment, award or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority binding on the Collateral Manager, or the Governing Instruments of, or any securities issued by the Collateral Manager or of any mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking to which the Collateral Manager is a party or by which the Collateral Manager or any of its assets is or may be bound, the violation of which would have a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Collateral Manager or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and shall not result in or require the creation or imposition of any lien on any of its property, assets or revenues pursuant to the provisions of any such mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking.
(iv)There is no charge, investigation, action, suit or proceeding before or by any court pending or, to the knowledge of the Collateral Manager, threatened that, if determined adversely to the Collateral Manager, would have a material adverse effect upon the performance by the Collateral Manager of its duties under, or on the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or the provisions of the Indenture applicable to the Collateral Manager hereunder.
(v)The Collateral Manager is authorized to carry on its business in the United States.
(vi)The Collateral Manager is not in violation of its Governing Instruments or in breach or violation of or in default under any contract or agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its property may be bound, or any applicable statute or any rule, regulation or order of any court, government agency or body having jurisdiction over the Collateral Manager or its properties, the breach or violation of which or default under which would have a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the provisions of the Indenture applicable to the Collateral Manager hereunder, or the performance by the Collateral Manager of its duties hereunder or under the Indenture.
(vii)The Collateral Manager Information contained in the Offering Circular, as the same may be thereafter amended or supplemented, as of the date thereof, as of the date of any such amendment or supplement, and as of the Closing Date, is true and correct in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The Collateral Manager makes no representation, express or implied, with respect to the Issuer or the disclosure with respect to the Issuer.
17.Observation Rights.
The Issuer covenants and agrees, if requested in writing by the Collateral Manager and to the extent practicable under the circumstances, to notify the Collateral Manager of each meeting of the Board of Directors of the Issuer following the receipt of such request by the Issuer and to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any materials distributed to the Board of Directors in connection with any such meeting and to afford a representative of the Collateral Manager the opportunity to be present at each such meeting, in person or by telephone at the option of the Collateral Manager.
18.Notices.
Unless expressly provided otherwise herein, all notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing (including by telecopy) and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made and received when delivered against receipt or upon actual receipt, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, by hand delivery, or by courier service or, in the case of telecopy or email notice, when received in legible form, addressed as set forth below:
| (a) | If to the Issuer: |
|---|---|
| Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1 | |
| c/o Walkers Fiduciary Limited | |
| Cayman Corporate Centre<br><br><br>27 Hospital Road,<br><br><br>George Town, Grand Cayman | |
| Attention: The Directors | |
| KY1-9008, Cayman Islands | |
| Telephone no. +1 (345) 814-7600 | |
| Email: [email protected] | |
| (b) | If to the Collateral Manager: |
| Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC | |
| 399 Park Avenue, Floor 38 | |
| New York, NY 10022 | |
| Attention: Alan Kirshenbaum | |
| E-mail Address: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] | |
| (c) | If to the Trustee: |
| --- | --- |
| State Street Bank and Trust Company | |
| 1776 Heritage Drive<br><br><br>Mail Code: JAB0250<br><br><br>North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171 | |
| Attention: Structured Trust and Analytics<br><br><br>Ref: Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1<br><br><br>Facsimile: (617) 937-4358<br><br><br>Telephone: (617) 662-9839 | |
| (d) | If to the Rating Agency: |
| S&P Global Rating<br><br><br>55 Water Street, 41^st^ Floor<br><br><br>New York, New York 10041 | |
| Attention: Structured Credit–CDO Surveillance | |
| (e) | If to the Holders: |
| At their respective addresses set forth on the Register. |
Any party may alter the address, email address or telecopy number to which communications or copies are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity with the provisions of this Section 18 for the giving of notice.
19.Binding Nature of Agreement; Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns as provided herein. The Collateral Manager agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be enforceable, at the instance of the Issuer, on behalf of the Issuer by the Trustee under the Indenture, as provided in the Indenture (subject to the rights and defenses of the Collateral Manager and the provisions of Sections 10 and 15 hereunder). The Collateral Manager agrees and consents to the provisions contained in Article XV of the Indenture.
20.Entire Agreement; Amendments.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter hereof. The parties hereto hereby acknowledge that any prior agreement concerning the subject matter hereof has been terminated as of the date hereof and is of no further force or effect (except for provisions in such agreement designated to survive termination). (For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge that this Agreement does not govern the relationship of Owl Rock Technology Advisors in its capacity as a Holder.) The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.
This Agreement may be amended by the parties thereto to (i) correct inconsistencies, typographical or other errors, defects or ambiguities or (ii) conform the Collateral Management Agreement to the Offering Circular, the Collateral Administration Agreement or the Indenture (as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof), in each case without the consent of the holders of any Securities and without satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition. The Collateral Manager will provide notice to the Rating Agency of any such amendment.
Any other amendment to this Agreement requires the consent of the parties hereto and the approval of a Majority of the Preferred Shares, with at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice to the Trustee (who shall forward such notice to the Controlling Class), the Fiscal Agent and the Rating Agency; provided that any such amendment to this Agreement that would (i) modify the definition of the term Cause, (ii) modify the Base Management Fee, including any component of the Base Management Fee, the method for calculating any component of the Base Management Fee or any definition used in any component of the Base Management Fee or (iii) modify the Class or Classes or the percentage of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount of any Class that has the right to remove the Collateral Manager, consent to any assignment of this Agreement or nominate or approve any successor Collateral Manager shall, in each case, also require the approval of a Majority of the Controlling Class and satisfaction of the S&P Rating Condition.
21.Conflict with the Indenture.
In the event that this Agreement requires any action to be taken with respect to any matter and the Indenture requires that a different action be taken with respect to such matter, and such actions are mutually exclusive, the provisions of the Indenture in respect thereof shall control.
22.Subordination; Limited Recourse; Non-Petition.
(a)The Collateral Manager agrees that the payment of all amounts to which it is entitled pursuant to this Agreement shall be subordinated to the extent set forth in the Indenture, including Article XI thereof.
(b)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligations of the Issuer hereunder are, from time to time and at any time, limited recourse obligations of the Issuer, payable solely from the Assets and only to the extent of funds available from time to time and in accordance with the Priority of Payments, and following exhaustion of the Assets, any claims of the Collateral Manager hereunder shall be extinguished and shall not thereafter revive. The Collateral Manager further agrees (i) not to take any action in respect of any claims hereunder against any officer, director, employee, shareholder, noteholder or administrator of the Issuer and (ii) not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer for the nonpayment of the fees or other amounts payable by the Issuer to the Collateral Manager under this Agreement until the payment in full of all Notes issued under the Indenture and the expiration of a period equal to one year and a day, or, if longer, the applicable preference period, following such payment. Nothing in this Section 22 shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, the Collateral Manager (x) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned period in (A) any case or Proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Issuer, or (B) any involuntary insolvency Proceeding filed or commenced by a Person other than the Collateral Manager, or (y) from commencing against the Issuer or any of its properties any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding. The provisions of this Section 22 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.
23.Governing Law.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
24.Indulgences Not Waivers.
Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.
25.Costs and Expenses.
The reasonable costs and expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants) incurred by the Collateral Manager in connection with the negotiation and preparation of and the execution of this Agreement, and all matters incident thereto, shall be borne by the Issuer and, unless paid on the Closing Date or shortly thereafter by ORCC or from the proceeds of the offering of the Securities (to the extent permitted under the Indenture), shall be subject to the Priority of Payments.
26.Titles Not to Affect Interpretation.
The titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation hereof.
27.Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, which may be effectively delivered by facsimile or other electronic means or other written form of communication, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.
28.Provisions Separable.
In case any provision in this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as written, such provision shall be construed in the manner most closely resembling the apparent intent of the parties with respect to such provision so as to be valid, legal and enforceable; provided, however, that if there is no basis for such a construction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent
of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and, unless the ineffectiveness of such provision destroys the basis of the bargain for one of the parties to this Agreement, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
29.Number and Gender.
Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context requires.
30.Jurisdiction and Venue.
The parties to this Agreement irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Securities or the Indenture, and the parties irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state or federal court. The parties to this Agreement irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent they may legally do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. The parties to this Agreement irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any action or proceeding by the mailing or delivery of copies of such process to it in accordance with Section 18. The parties agree 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.
31.Rule 17g-5 Compliance.
The Collateral Manager agrees that any notice, report, request for satisfaction of the Global Rating Condition or other information provided by the Collateral Manager (or any of its respective representatives or advisors) to any Rating Agency hereunder or under the Indenture or the Collateral Administration Agreement for the purposes of undertaking credit rating surveillance of the Secured Notes shall be provided, substantially concurrently, by the Collateral Manager to the Information Agent for posting on a password-protected website in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2A of the Collateral Administration Agreement and Section 14.16 of the Indenture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS LLC |
|---|
| By: |
| Name |
| Title: |
| OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1 |
| By: |
| Name: |
| Title: |
orctf-ex1015_71.htm
Exhibit 10.15
LOAN SALE AGREEMENT
between
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP.
as Seller
and
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1
as Purchaser
Dated as of December 16, 2020
Table of Contents
Page
| Article I DEFINITIONS | 1 |
|---|---|
| Section 1.1 Definitions | 1 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 1.2 Other Terms | 3 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 1.3 Computation of Time Periods | 3 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 1.4 Interpretation | 3 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 1.5 References | 4 |
| --- | --- |
| Article II CONVEYANCES OF Transferred ASSETS | 4 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.1 Conveyances | 4 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.2 Optional Substitution of Loan Assets; Optional Seller Purchase of Assets | 6 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.3 Assignments | 6 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.4 Actions Pending Completion of Conveyance | 7 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.5 Indemnification | 8 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 2.6 Assignment of Rights and Indemnities | 8 |
| --- | --- |
| Article III CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT | 8 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 3.1 Purchase Price; Substitution Value | 8 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 3.2 Payment of Purchase Price | 9 |
| --- | --- |
| Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 9 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 4.1 Seller’s Representations and Warranties | 9 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 4.2 Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by the Seller; Notice of Breach | 12 |
| --- | --- |
| Article V COVENANTS OF THE SELLER | 12 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 5.1 Covenants of the Seller | 12 |
| --- | --- |
| Article VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 13 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.1 Amendments, Etc. | 13 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.2 Governing Law: Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | 14 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.3 Notices | 15 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.4 Severability of Provisions | 15 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.5 Further Assurances | 15 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.6 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies | 15 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.7 Counterparts | 16 |
| --- | --- |
| -i- | |
| --- |
Table of Contents
(continued)
Page
| Section 6.8 NonPetition | 16 |
|---|---|
| Section 6.9 Transfer of Seller’s Interest | 16 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.10 Binding Effect; ThirdParty Beneficiaries and Assignability | 16 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.11 Merger and Integration | 16 |
| --- | --- |
| Section 6.12 Headings | 16 |
| --- | --- |
| -ii- | |
| --- |
This LOAN SALE AGREEMENT, dated as of December 16, 2020 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, this “Agreement”), between OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP., a Maryland corporation, as seller (in such capacity, the “Seller”) and OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands, as purchaser (in such capacity, the “Purchaser”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, on and after the date hereof, the Seller may, from time to time on each Conveyance Date (as defined below), sell or contribute, transfer, and otherwise convey, to the Purchaser, without recourse except to the extent specifically provided herein, and the Purchaser may, from time to time on each Conveyance Date, purchase or accept a contribution of all right, title and interest of the Seller (whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising, and wherever located) in and to the Loan Assets (as defined below) mutually agreed by the Seller and the Purchaser; and
WHEREAS, it is the Seller’s and the Purchaser’s intention that the conveyance of the Transferred Assets (as defined below) under each assignment agreement and this Agreement is a “true sale” or a “true contribution” for all purposes, such that, upon payment of the purchase price therefor or the making of a contribution, the Transferred Assets will constitute property of the Purchaser from and after the applicable transfer date;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between the Purchaser and the Seller as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS
Definitions
. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined). All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings specified in, or incorporated by reference into, the Indenture and Security Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2020 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Indenture”), by and among the Purchaser, as Issuer, Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1 LLC, as Co-Issuer, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Convey” means to sell, transfer, assign, contribute, substitute or otherwise convey assets hereunder (each such conveyance being herein called a “Conveyance”).
“Conveyance Date” means the date of a Conveyance, as specified in the applicable Purchase Notice or Notice of Substitution.
‑1‑
“Excluded Amounts” means, with respect to the Loan Assets, (i) any amount that is attributable to the reimbursement of payment by or on behalf of the Seller of any taxes, fee or other charge imposed by any governmental authority on any Loan Asset, (ii) any interest or fees (including origination, agency, structuring, management or other up‑front fees) that are for the account of the Seller, (iii) any escrows relating to Taxes, insurance and other amounts in connection with Loan Assets which are held in an escrow account for the benefit of the obligor and the secured party pursuant to escrow arrangements under the related underlying instruments, (iv) to the extent paid using amounts other than proceeds of the Loan Assets and proceeds of Loans, as applicable, any amount paid in respect of reimbursement for expenses owed in respect of any Loan Asset pursuant to the related underlying instrument or (v) any amount paid to the Purchaser in error.
“Indorsement” has the meaning specified in Section 8‑102(a)(11) of the UCC, and “Indorsed” has a corresponding meaning.
“Loan Asset” means each commercial loan identified on Schedule A hereto, and each commercial loan identified on any Purchase Notice.
“Optional Seller Purchase” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
“Optional Seller Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 (c).
“Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(n).
“Purchase Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
“Purchaser” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Related Property” means, with respect to any Loan Asset, the property identified in clauses (i) – (iii) below, and all accounts, cash and currency, chattel paper, tangible chattel paper, electronic chattel paper, copyrights, copyright licenses, equipment, fixtures, general intangibles, instruments, commercial tort claims, deposit accounts, inventory, investment property, letter-of-credit rights, accessions, proceeds and other property consisting of, arising out of, or related to any of the following (in each case, excluding the Retained Interest and Excluded Amounts):
i. all monies due, to become due or paid in respect of such Loan Asset, on and after the date hereof (other than accrued and unpaid interest due with respect to the period prior to the date hereof), including but not limited to all collections on such Loan Asset, and other recoveries thereon, in each case as they arise after the date hereof;
ii. any liens, security interests, property or assets designated and pledged or mortgaged as collateral to secure repayment of such Loan Asset, including, without limitation, Underlying Documents, mortgaged property and/or a pledge of the stock, membership or other ownership interests in the related obligor or its subsidiaries; and
‑2‑
iii. all income and proceeds of the foregoing.
“Retained Interest” means, with respect to any Loan Asset, (a) all of the obligations, if any, of the agent(s) under the documentation evidencing such Loan Asset and (b) the applicable portion of the interests, rights and obligations under the documentation evidencing such Loan Asset that relate to such portion(s) of the indebtedness and interest in other obligations that are owned by another lender.
“Seller” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Substitute Loan Asset” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
“Substitution” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
“Substitution Value” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).
“Transferred Asset” means each asset, including any Loan Asset and Substitute Loan Asset (including, if any, the Participation thereof), Conveyed by the Seller to the Purchaser hereunder, including with respect to each such asset, all Related Property; provided that the foregoing will exclude the Retained Interest and the Excluded Amounts.
Other Terms
. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. All terms used in Article 9 of the UCC, and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such Article 9.
Computation of Time Periods
. Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, in the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding.”
Interpretation
. In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears:
(i)reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns;
(ii)reference to any gender includes each other gender;
(iii)reference to day or days without further qualification means calendar days;
(iv)unless otherwise stated, reference to any time means New York time;
(v)references to “writing” include printing, typing, lithography, electronic or other means of reproducing words in a visible form;
‑3‑
(vi)reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended, modified, supplemented, replaced, restated, waived or extended and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and reference to any promissory note includes any promissory note that is an extension or renewal thereof or a substitute or replacement therefor;
(vii)reference to any requirement of law means such requirement of law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and reference to any section or other provision of any requirement of law means that provision of such requirement of law from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of such section or other provision; and
(viii)references to “including” mean “including, without limitation”.
References
.
All Section references (including references to the Preamble), unless otherwise indicated, shall be to Sections (and the Preamble) in this Agreement.
Article II
CONVEYANCES OF Transferred ASSETS
Conveyances
.
(a)In the event the Purchaser agrees (in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Indenture) from time to time to acquire one or more Loan Assets and Related Property from the Seller and the Seller agrees to Convey such Loan Assets and Related Property to the Purchaser, the Purchaser shall deliver written notice thereof to the Trustee substantially in the form set forth in Schedule B hereto (each, a “Purchase Notice”), designating the Conveyance Date and attaching a supplement to Schedule A identifying the Loan Assets proposed to be Conveyed and the Purchase Price with respect to such Conveyance. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Indenture, the Seller shall Convey to the Purchaser without recourse, and the Purchaser shall accept such Conveyance, on the applicable Conveyance Date, all of the Seller’s right, title and interest (whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising, and wherever located) in and to each Loan Asset then reported by the Seller on the Schedule A attached to the related Purchase Notice and the Related Property, together with all proceeds of the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, Schedule A, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, shall automatically be deemed to update any previously delivered Schedule A without the need for action or consent on the part of any Person. Without the need for a Purchase Notice, on the date hereof, the Purchaser agrees to acquire the Loan Assets set forth on Schedule A and the Related Property from the Seller and the Seller agrees to Convey such Loan Assets and Related Property to the Purchaser for the applicable Purchase Prices set forth on Schedule A.
‑4‑
(b)It is the express intent of the Seller and the Purchaser that each Conveyance of Transferred Assets by the Seller to the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement be construed as an absolute sale and/or contribution of such Transferred Assets by the Seller to the Purchaser providing Purchaser with the full risks and benefits of ownership of the Transferred Assets. Further, it is not the intention of the Seller and the Purchaser that any Conveyance be deemed a grant of a security interest in the Transferred Assets by the Seller to the Purchaser to secure a debt or other obligation of the Seller. However, in the event that, notwithstanding the intent of the parties expressed herein, the Conveyances hereunder shall be characterized as loans and not as sales and/or contributions, then (i) this Agreement also shall be deemed to be, and hereby is, a security agreement within the meaning of the UCC and other applicable law and (ii) the Conveyances by the Seller provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed to be, and the Seller hereby grants to the Purchaser, a first priority security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens) in, to and under all of the Seller’s right, title and interest in, to and under, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, such Transferred Assets and all proceeds of the foregoing to secure an obligation of the Seller to pay over and transfer to the Purchaser any and all distributions received by the Seller (other than Excluded Amounts) in relation to the Transferred Assets from time to time, whether in cash or in kind, so that the Purchaser will receive all distributions under, proceeds of and benefits of ownership of the Transferred Assets and to secure all other obligations of the Seller hereunder. If the Conveyances hereunder shall be characterized as loans and not as sales and/or contributions, the Purchaser and its assignees shall have, with respect to such Transferred Assets and other related rights, in addition to all the other rights and remedies available to the Purchaser and its assignees hereunder and under the underlying instruments, all the rights and remedies of a secured party under any applicable UCC.
(c)The Seller and the Purchaser shall, to the extent consistent with this Agreement, take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that, if this Agreement were deemed to create a security interest in the Transferred Assets to secure a debt or other obligation, such security interest would be deemed to be a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Purchaser under applicable law and will be maintained as such throughout the term of this Agreement. The Seller represents and warrants that the Transferred Assets are being transferred with the intention of removing them from the Seller’s estate pursuant to Section 541 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Purchaser assumes all risk relating to nonpayment or failure by the obligors to make any distributions owed by them under the Transferred Assets. Except with respect to the representations, warranties and covenants expressly stated in this Agreement, the Seller assigns each Transferred Asset “as is,” and makes no covenants, representations or warranties regarding the Transferred Assets.
(d)In connection with this Agreement, the Seller agrees to file (or cause to be filed) on or prior to the Closing Date, at its own expense, a financing statement or statements with respect to the Transferred Assets Conveyed by the Seller hereunder from time to time meeting the requirements of applicable state law in the jurisdiction of the Seller’s organization to perfect and protect the interests of the Purchaser created hereby under the UCC against all creditors of, and purchasers from, the Seller, and to deliver a file‑stamped copy of such financing statements or other evidence of such filings to the Purchaser as soon as reasonably practicable after its receipt thereof and to keep such financing statements effective at all times during the term of this Agreement.
‑5‑
(e)The Seller agrees that from time to time, at its expense, it will promptly execute and deliver all instruments and documents and take all actions as may be reasonably necessary or as the Purchaser may request, in order to perfect or protect the interest of the Purchaser in the Transferred Assets Conveyed hereunder or to enable the Purchaser to exercise or enforce any of its rights hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Seller will, in order to accurately reflect the Conveyances contemplated by this Agreement, execute and file such financing or continuation statements or amendments thereto or assignments thereof (as permitted pursuant hereto) or other documents or instruments as may be reasonably necessary or as requested by the Purchaser and mark its records noting the Conveyance to the Purchaser of the Transferred Assets. The Seller hereby authorizes the Purchaser to file and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law the Purchaser shall be permitted to sign (if necessary) and file, initial financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto and assignments thereof without further acts of the Seller; provided that the description of collateral contained in such financing statements shall be limited to only Transferred Assets. Carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or any financing statement shall be sufficient as a financing statement.
(f)Each of the Seller and the Purchaser agree that prior to the time of Conveyance of any Loan Assets hereunder, the Purchaser has no rights to or claim of benefit from any Loan Asset (or any interest therein) owned by the Seller.
(g)The Transferred Assets acquired, transferred to and assumed by the Purchaser from the Seller shall include the Seller’s entitlement to any surplus or responsibility for any deficiency that, in either case, arises under, out of, in connection with, or as a result of, the foreclosure upon or acceleration of any such Transferred Assets (other than Excluded Amounts).
Optional Substitution of Loan Assets; Optional Seller Purchase of Assets
.
(a)The Seller may, from time to time in its sole discretion and with the agreement of the Purchaser, substitute for any Collateral Obligation (each, a “Substitution” and such new Collateral Obligation, a “Substitute Loan Asset”) in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Indenture, including Section 12.3 thereof.
(b)The Seller may, from time to time in its sole discretion and with the agreement of the Purchaser, purchase from the Purchaser any Collateral Obligation or Equity Security in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Indenture, including Section 12.3 thereof, in which case, the purchase price for such Collateral Obligation or Equity Security shall be a dollar amount at least equal to the Fair Market Value (or such other price required under the Indenture) and, if such asset is a Loan Asset, the Seller shall update Schedule A to remove such asset effective as of the date such asset is conveyed to the Seller.
Assignments
. The Seller and the Purchaser acknowledge and agree that, solely for administrative convenience, any transfer document or assignment agreement required to be executed and delivered in connection with the transfer of a Transferred Asset in accordance with the terms of the related underlying instruments may reflect that (a) the Seller (or any Affiliate or third party from whom the Seller or the applicable Affiliate may
‑6‑
purchase Transferred Assets) is assigning such Transferred Asset directly to the Purchaser or (b) the Purchaser is acquiring such Transferred Asset at the closing of such Transferred Asset.
Actions Pending Completion of Conveyance
.
(a)Pending the receipt of any required consents to, and the effectiveness of, the sale of any Loan Assets from the Seller to the Purchaser on the date hereof in accordance with the applicable underlying instrument, the Seller hereby sells to the Purchaser a 100% participation in such Loan Asset and its related right, title and interest (each, a “Participation”). The Participations will not include any rights that are not permitted to be participated pursuant to the terms of the underlying instruments. Such sale of the Participations shall be without recourse to the Seller (including with regard to collectability), and shall constitute an absolute sale of each such Participation. Each of the Participations has the following characteristics:
(i)the Participation represents an undivided participating interest in 100% of the underlying Loan Asset and its proceeds (including the Proceeds);
(ii)the Seller does not provide any guaranty of payments to the Purchaser or other form of recourse (except as otherwise expressly provided in the representations and warranties set forth in Article IV) or credit support;
(iii)the Participation represents a pass through of all of the payments made on the Loan Asset (including the Proceeds) and will last for the same length of time as such Loan Asset except that each Participation will terminate automatically upon the settlement of the assignment of the underlying right, title and interest of the related Loan Asset from the Seller to the Purchaser; and
(iv)the Seller holds title in such participated Loan Assets for the benefit of the Purchaser and shall exercise the same care in the administration of the participated Loan Assets as it would exercise for loans held for its own account.
(b)Each party hereto shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Conveyance Date cause the Purchaser to become a lender under the underlying instrument with respect to the Seller’s interest in each Transferred Asset and take such action as shall be mutually agreeable in connection therewith and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the underlying instrument and consistent with the terms of this Agreement.
(c)Pending completion of the assignment of the Seller’s interest in each Transferred Asset in accordance with the applicable underlying instruments, to the extent feasible under applicable law, the Seller shall comply with any written instructions provided to the Seller by or on behalf of the Purchaser with respect to voting rights to be exercised by holders of such Transferred Assets and shall refrain from taking any action with respect to the participated Loan Assets other than as instructed by the Purchaser, other than with respect to any voting rights that are not permitted to be participated pursuant to the terms of the applicable underlying instrument (and such restrictions, requirements or prohibitions are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth herein).
‑7‑
Indemnification
.
(a)The Seller hereby agrees to indemnify the Purchaser and its successors, transferees, and assigns (including each Secured Party) or any of such Person’s respective shareholders, officers, employees, agents or Affiliates (each of the foregoing Persons being individually called an “Indemnified Party”) against, and hold each Indemnified Party harmless from, any and all costs, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented out‑of‑pocket fees, charges and disbursements of any outside counsel for any Indemnitee) (all of the foregoing being collectively called “Indemnified Amounts”) incurred by any Indemnified Party or awarded against any Indemnified Party in favor of any Person (including the Seller) other than such Indemnified Party arising out of the fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Seller with respect to this Agreement; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such Indemnified Amounts (i) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party or (ii) the uncollectability of any Loan Asset due to an Obligor’s failure to pay any amounts due under the applicable loan agreement in accordance with its terms.
(b)If the Seller has made any payment pursuant to this Section 2.5 and the recipient thereof later collects any payments from others (including insurance companies) in respect of such amounts or is found in a final and nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be entitled to such indemnification, then the recipient agrees that it shall promptly repay to the Seller such amounts collected.
Assignment of Rights and Indemnities
.
The Seller acknowledges that, pursuant to the Indenture, the Purchaser shall assign all of its right, title and interest in, to and under this Agreement, including its rights of indemnity granted hereunder, to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Upon such assignment, (a) the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall have all rights of the Purchaser hereunder and may in turn assign such rights, and (b) the obligations of the Seller under Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 shall inure to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Seller agrees that, upon such assignment, the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, may enforce directly, without joinder of the Purchaser, the indemnities set forth in Section 2.5 and Section 2.6.
Article III
CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT
Purchase Price; Substitution Value
.
(a)The purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) for each Loan Asset Conveyed by the Seller to the Purchaser on each Conveyance Date shall be a dollar amount at least equal to the Fair Market Value of such Loan Asset Conveyed as of such date.
(b)The substitution value (the “Substitution Value”) for each Substitute Loan Asset Conveyed from the Seller to the Purchaser on each Conveyance Date shall be a dollar amount
‑8‑
at least equal to the Fair Market Value (or such greater price as may be required under the Indenture).
Payment of Purchase Price
. The Purchase Price, along with any fees from origination of the applicable Loan Asset, for the Transferred Assets Conveyed from the Seller to the Purchaser shall be paid on the related Conveyance Date (a) by payment in cash in immediately available funds and/or (b) to the extent not paid in cash, as a capital contribution by the Seller to the Purchaser in respect of the preferred shares of the Purchaser held by the Seller (a “Contribution”). The applicable Purchase Notice shall specify the portions of the Purchase Price to be paid in cash and as a contribution; provided that, on the Closing Date, the portions of the Purchase Price to be paid in cash and as a contribution will be as set forth on Schedule A.
Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Seller’s Representations and Warranties
. The Seller represents and warrants to the Purchaser as of the Closing Date and as of each Conveyance Date:
(a)Existence, Qualification and Power. The Seller (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby and (iii) is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has not had, and could not be reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the Purchaser.
(b)Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance of the Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not (i) violate (1) any provision of any law or any governmental rule or regulation applicable to it, (2) any of its organizational documents or (3) any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on it or its properties (except where the violation could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser); (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any of its contractual obligations (except where the violation could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser); (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of its properties or assets (other than any Liens created under the Indenture in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties); or (iv) require any approval of its stockholders, members or partners or any approval or consent of any other Person.
(c)Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by the Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any governmental authority, except for filings and recordings with
‑9‑
respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to the Trustee for filing and/or recordation, as of the Closing Date.
(d)No Adverse Proceeding; Title. There is no litigation, adverse proceeding or investigation pending or threatened against the Seller, before any governmental authority (i) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement, (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (iii) seeking any determination or ruling that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser. The Seller is not (A) in violation of any applicable laws that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser or (B) subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Purchaser.
(e)Good and Marketable Title. The Seller owns and has good and marketable title to the Transferred Assets Conveyed to the Purchaser on the applicable Conveyance Date, which Transferred Assets were originated without any fraud or misrepresentation by the Seller or, to the best of the Seller’s knowledge, on the part of the applicable Obligor, and free and clear of any lien (other than the liens in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Indenture and inchoate liens arising by operation of law, Permitted Liens or any lien that will be released prior to or contemporaneously with the applicable Conveyance) and there are no financing statements naming the Seller as debtor and covering the Transferred Assets other than any financing statements in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Indenture, Permitted Liens or any lien that will be released prior to or contemporaneously with the applicable Conveyance.
(f)Backup Security Interest. In the event that, notwithstanding the intent of the parties, the Conveyances hereunder shall be characterized as loans and not as sales and/or contributions, then:
(i)this Agreement creates a valid and continuing lien and security interest on the Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Transferred Assets in favor of the Purchaser and the Trustee, as assignee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which security interest is validly perfected under Article 9 of the UCC (to the extent such security interest may be perfected by filing a UCC financing statement under such article), and is enforceable as such against creditors of and purchasers from the Seller;
(ii)the Transferred Assets are comprised of interests in instruments, security entitlements, general intangibles, accounts, certificated securities, uncertificated securities, securities accounts, deposit accounts, supporting obligations, insurance, investment property and proceeds (each as defined in the UCC) and such other categories of collateral under the UCC as to which the Seller has complied with its obligations as set forth herein;
(iii)the Seller has received all consents and approvals required by the terms of any Loan Asset to the sale and granting of a security interest in the Loan Assets
‑10‑
hereunder to the Purchaser and the Trustee, as assignee on behalf of the Secured Parties; the Seller has taken all necessary steps to file or authorize the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the security interest in that portion of the Transferred Assets in which a security interest may be perfected by filing pursuant to Article 9 of the UCC as in effect in Maryland;
(iv)none of the underlying promissory notes that constitute or evidence the Loan Assets has any marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Purchaser and the Trustee, as assignee on behalf of the Secured Parties; and
(v)with respect to a Transferred Asset that constitutes a “certificated security,” such certificated security has been delivered to the Trustee, or will be delivered to the Trustee, and, if in registered form, has been specially Indorsed to the Trustee or in blank by an effective Indorsement or has been registered in the name of the Trustee upon original issue or registration of transfer by the Seller of such certificated security, in each case, promptly upon receipt; provided that any file‑stamped document, promissory note and certificates relating to any Loan Asset shall be delivered as soon as they are reasonably available; and in the case of an uncertificated security, by (A) causing the Trustee to become the registered owner of such uncertificated security and (B) causing such registration to remain effective.
(g)Fair Consideration; No Avoidance for Loan Asset Payments. With respect to each Transferred Asset sold or contributed hereunder, the Seller sold or contributed such Transferred Asset to the Purchaser in exchange for payment, made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, in an amount which constitutes fair consideration and reasonably equivalent value. Each such Conveyance referred to in the preceding sentence shall not have been made for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by the Seller to the Purchaser and, accordingly, no such sale is or may be voidable or subject to avoidance under the Bankruptcy Code and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(h)Adequate Capitalization; No Insolvency. As of such date it is, and after giving effect to any Conveyance it will be, solvent and it is not entering into this Agreement or consummating any transaction contemplated hereby with any intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of its creditors.
(i)True Sale or True Contribution. Each Transferred Asset sold or contributed hereunder shall have been sold or contributed by the Seller to the Purchaser in a “true sale” or a “true contribution.”
(j)Notice to Agents and Obligors. The Seller will direct any agent, administrative agent or obligor for any Loan Asset included in the Transferred Assets to remit all payments and collections with respect to such Loan Asset directly to the relevant Collection Account.
‑11‑
(k)Proceeds. The Seller acknowledges that all Collections received by it or its Affiliates with respect to the Transferred Assets (other than Excluded Amounts) (the “Proceeds”) Conveyed to the Purchaser are held and shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Purchaser and its assignees until deposited into the Interest Collection Subaccount or the Principal Collection Subaccount. The Seller shall promptly remit to the Purchaser or the Purchaser’s designee any payment or any other sums relating to, or otherwise payable on account of, the Transferred Assets (other than Excluded Amounts) that the Seller receives after the applicable Conveyance Date.
Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by the Seller; Notice of Breach
. On the Closing Date and on each Conveyance Date, the Seller, by accepting the proceeds of the related Conveyance, shall be deemed to have certified that all representations and warranties described in Section 4.1 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such day as though made on and as of such day (or if specifically referring to an earlier date, as of such earlier date). The representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.1 shall survive (a) the Conveyance of the Transferred Assets to the Purchaser, (b) the termination of the rights and obligations of the Purchaser and the Seller under this Agreement and (c) the termination of the rights and obligations of the Purchaser under the Indenture. Upon discovery by a Responsible Officer of the Purchaser or the Seller of a breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties in any material respect, the party discovering such breach shall give prompt written notice to the other and to the Trustee.
Article V
COVENANTS OF THE SELLER
Covenants of the Seller
. The Seller hereby covenants and agrees with the Purchaser that, from the date hereof until the termination of this Agreement, unless the Purchaser otherwise consents in writing:
(a)Deposit of Collections. The Seller shall transfer, or cause to be transferred, all Collections (if any) it receives in respect of the Loan Assets (other than Excluded Amounts) to the Trustee promptly following the date such Collections are received by the Seller.
(b)Books and Records. The Seller shall maintain proper books of record and account of the transactions contemplated hereby, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions contemplated hereunder.
(c)Accounting of Purchases. Other than for consolidated accounting purposes, the Seller will not account for or treat the transactions contemplated hereby in any manner other than as a sale or contribution of the Transferred Assets by the Seller to the Purchaser; provided that solely for federal income tax reporting purposes, the Purchaser is treated as a “disregarded entity” of the Seller and, therefore, the Conveyance of Transferred Assets by the Seller to the Purchaser hereunder will not be recognized.
(d)Liens. The Seller shall not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any of its rights in the Transferred Assets (other than the liens in favor of the
‑12‑
Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Indenture, Permitted Liens and any lien that will be released prior to or contemporaneously with the applicable Conveyance). For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5.1(d) shall not apply to any property retained by the Seller and not Conveyed or purported to be Conveyed hereunder.
(e)Change of Name, Etc. The Seller shall not change its name, or name under which it does business, in any manner that would make any financing statement or continuation statement filed by the Seller or Purchaser pursuant hereto (or by the Trustee on behalf of the Seller or Purchaser) or change its jurisdiction of organization, unless the Seller shall have given the Purchaser at least 30 days prior written notice thereof, and shall promptly file appropriate amendments to all previously filed financing statements and continuation statements and, in the case of a change in jurisdiction, new financing statements. The Seller shall do or cause to be done, all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, its material rights and its material privileges, obligations, licenses and franchises for so long as any Participations remain outstanding pursuant to Section 2.4.
(f)Sale Characterization. The Seller shall not make statements or disclosures, or treat the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than for consolidated accounting purposes) in any manner other than as a true sale, contribution or absolute assignment of the title to and sole record and beneficial ownership interest of the Transferred Assets Conveyed or purported to be Conveyed hereunder; provided that the Seller may consolidate the Purchaser and/or its properties and other assets for accounting purposes in accordance with GAAP if any consolidated financial statements of the Seller contain footnotes that the Transferred Assets have been sold or contributed to the Purchaser.
(g)Expenses. The Seller shall pay its operating expenses and liabilities from its own assets.
(h)Commingling. The Seller shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, deposit or permit the deposit of any funds that do not constitute Collections of any Loan Asset into the Interest Collection Subaccount or the Principal Collection Subaccount.
(i)SPE Covenant. The Seller shall not take any action that would cause a violation of Section 7.4 of the Indenture by the Purchaser.
Article VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Amendments, Etc.
This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder may not be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified except in an instrument in writing signed by the Purchaser and the Seller and permitted under the Indenture; provided that the prior written consent of a Majority of the Controlling Class is required with respect to any amendments or modifications that could have a Material Adverse Effect on the Holders of the Notes. Any reconveyance executed in accordance with the provisions hereof shall not be considered an amendment or modification to this Agreement.
‑13‑
Governing Law: Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial
.
(a)THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND ANY DETERMINATIONS WITH RESPECT TO POST‑JUDGMENT INTEREST) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b)ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN OR, IF THAT COURT DOES NOT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, IN ANY STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY, FOR ITSELF, IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT IS LEGALLY PERMITTED TO DO SO (A) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS; (B) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS; (C) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE APPLICABLE PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6.3 AND (D) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (C) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT.
(c)EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PURCHASER/SELLER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING
‑14‑
(OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 6.2 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
Notices
. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing (including electronic communication) and shall be personally delivered or sent by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested), by overnight delivery service (with all charges paid), by electronic mail (“e‑mail”) or by hand delivery, to the intended party at the address of such party set forth below:
(a)in the case of the Purchaser, as provided under the Indenture;
(b)in the case of the Seller:
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP.
399 Park Avenue, Floor 38
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Alan Kirshenbaum
E-mail Address: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]
All such notices and correspondence shall be deemed given (a) if sent by certified or registered mail, three (3) Business Days after being postmarked, (b) if sent by overnight delivery service or by hand delivery, when received at the above stated addresses or when delivery is refused and (c) if sent by e-mail, when received.
Severability of Provisions
. If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall for any reason whatsoever be held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions, or terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions, or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement.
Further Assurances
. The Purchaser and the Seller each agree that at any time and from time to time, at its expense and upon reasonable request of the Trustee, it shall promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all reasonable further action, that is necessary or desirable to perfect and protect the Conveyances and security interests granted or purported to be granted by this Agreement or to enable the Trustee or any of the Secured Parties to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies under this Agreement with respect to any Transferred Assets.
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies
. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Purchaser, the Seller or the Trustee, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights,
‑15‑
remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exhaustive of any rights, remedies, powers and privilege provided by law.
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts including telecopy transmission thereof (and by different parties on separate counterparts), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or e‑mail in portable document format (.pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The parties agree that this Agreement may be electronically signed and that such electronic signatures appearing on the Agreement are the same as handwritten signatures for purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility.
Non‑Petition
. The Seller covenants and agrees that, prior to the date that is one year (or, if longer, any applicable preference period) and one day after the payment in full of all Notes (other than contingent reimbursement and indemnification obligations which are unknown, unmatured and for which no claim has been made), no party hereto shall institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, the Purchaser any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings or other similar proceedings under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or similar law. This Section 6.8 shall survive termination of the Agreement.
Transfer of Seller’s Interest
. With respect to each transfer of a Transferred Asset on any Conveyance Date, (a) the Purchaser shall, as to each Transferred Asset, be a party to the relevant underlying instruments and have the rights and obligations of a lender thereunder, and (b) the Seller shall, to the extent provided in this Agreement, and the applicable underlying instruments, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations, as to each Transferred Asset. The obligors or agents on the Transferred Asset were or will be notified of the transfer of the Transferred Asset to the Purchaser to the extent required under the applicable underlying instruments. The Trustee will have possession of the related underlying instrument (including the underlying promissory notes, if any).
Binding Effect; Third‑Party Beneficiaries and Assignability
. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and the Trustee are each intended by the parties hereto to be an express third‑party beneficiary of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Agreement may not be assigned by the Purchaser or the Seller without the prior written consent of the Trustee.
Merger and Integration
. Except as specifically stated otherwise herein, this Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all prior understandings, written or oral, are superseded by this Agreement.
‑16‑
Headings
. The headings herein are for purposes of reference only and shall not otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision hereof.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
‑17‑
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Purchaser and the Seller each have caused this Loan Sale Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above written.
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP., as Seller
| By: | Name:<br>Title: |
|---|
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1, as Purchaser
| By: | Name:<br>Title: |
|---|
[Signature Page to the Loan Sale Agreement]
Schedule A
SCHEDULE OF LOAN ASSETS
[see attached]
Schedule B
FORM OF PURCHASE NOTICE
[Date]
To:State Street Bank and Trust Company
as Trustee
1776 Heritage Drive, Mail Code: JAB0250
North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171
Attention: Structured Trust and Analytics
Re:Purchase Notice for Conveyance Date of [ ] (the “Conveyance Date”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Purchase Notice is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.1(a) of the Loan Sale Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2020 (together with all amendments, if any, from time to time made thereto, the “Sale Agreement”), between Owl Rock Technology Financing 2020-1, as purchaser (the “Purchaser”), and Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., as seller (the “Seller”). Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings provided in the Sale Agreement.
| In accordance with Section 2.1(a) of the Sale Agreement, effective as of the Conveyance Date, the Seller hereby Conveys to the Purchaser [as a sale for cash for a Purchase Price of $ | ] [and] [as a Contribution in the amount of $ ] on the above‑referenced Conveyance Date pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Sale Agreement the Loan Assets listed on Schedule A hereto, together with all Related Property and proceeds of the foregoing. |
|---|
Please wire the cash portion of the Purchase Price to the Seller pursuant to the Seller’s standing wiring instructions.
The Seller certifies that all conditions precedent described in Section 6.1 of the Sale Agreement have been satisfied with respect to such Conveyance.
The Seller agrees that if prior to the Conveyance Date any matter certified to herein by it will not be true and correct in all material respects at such time as if then made, it will promptly so notify the Purchaser and the Trustee. Except to the extent, if any, that prior to the Conveyance Date the Purchaser shall receive written notice to the contrary from the Seller, each matter certified to herein shall be deemed once again to be certified by the Seller as true and correct in all material respects at the Conveyance Date as if then made.
The Seller has caused this Purchase Notice to be executed and delivered, and the certification and warranties contained herein to be made, by its duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.
Very truly yours,
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP.
| By: | Name:<br>Title: |
|---|
Accepted and Agreed
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1
| By: | Name:<br>Title: |
|---|
orctf-ex211_6.htm
Exhibit 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP.
| Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| OR TECH LENDING LLC<br><br><br><br><br><br>OR TECH FINANCING I LLC<br><br><br><br><br><br>OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1<br><br><br><br><br><br>OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCING 2020-1 LLC | DELAWARE<br><br><br><br><br><br>DELAWARE<br><br><br><br><br><br>CAYMAN ISLANDS<br><br><br><br><br><br>DELAWARE |
orctf-ex311_17.htm
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Craig W. Packer, Chief Executive Officer of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., certify that:
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (the “registrant”) for the year ended December 31, 2020;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
- The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: March 4, 2021 | By: | /s/ Craig W. Packer |
|---|---|---|
| Craig W. Packer | ||
| Chief Executive Officer |
orctf-ex312_18.htm
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Alan Kirshenbaum, Chief Financial Officer of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., certify that:
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (the “registrant”) for the year ended December 31, 2020;
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
- The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: March 4, 2021 | By: | /s/ Alan Kirshenbaum |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Kirshenbaum | ||
| Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
orctf-ex321_15.htm
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 1350, CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned, as Chief Executive Officer of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (the “Company”), does hereby certify that to the undersigned’s knowledge:
1) the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2) the information contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: March 4, 2021 | By: | /s/ Craig W. Packer |
|---|---|---|
| Craig W. Packer | ||
| Chief Executive Officer |
orctf-ex322_16.htm
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 1350, CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned, as Chief Financial Officer of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (the “Company”), does hereby certify that to the undersigned’s knowledge:
1) the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2) the information contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: March 4, 2021 | By: | /s/ Alan Kirshenbaum |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Kirshenbaum | ||
| Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer |