SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
Information Required in Proxy Statement
__________________________________
Schedule 14A Information
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
__________________________________
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Garrison Capital Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, If Other Than the Registrant)
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GARRISON CAPITAL INC.
1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914
New York, New York 10104
March 21, 2017July [•], 2018
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2017 Annuala Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual“Special Meeting”) of Garrison Capital Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on May 3, 2017August 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Garrison Investment Group LP, located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York.
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the proxy statement which are accessible on the Internet or by request, provideprovides an outline of the business to be conducted at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. At the AnnualSpecial Meeting, you will be asked to: (1) elect one directorto approve the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company and (2) approve a new investment advisory agreement betweenAct of 1940, as amended, to the Company, and Garrison Capital Advisers LLC,which would reduce the Company’s investment adviser. I will also report onasset coverage requirements applicable to the Company’s progress sinceCompany from 200% to 150%. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the last meeting and respondapproval of the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act to stockholders’ questions.the Company.
It is very important that your shares be represented at the AnnualSpecial Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting in person, I urge you to follow the instructions on the Notice ofenclosed proxy card and vote via the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to vote youror telephone or by signing, dating and returning the proxy oncard in the Internet. We encouragepostage-paid envelope provided. Management encourages you to vote via the Internet, if possible, as it saves the Company significant time and processing costs. On the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, you also will find instructions on how to request a hard copy of the proxy statement and proxy card free of charge, and you may vote your proxy by returning a proxy card to us after you request the hard copy materials. Your vote and participation in the governance of the Company are very important to us.management.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Joseph Tansey
Joseph Tansey
Chief Executive Officer
GARRISON CAPITAL INC.
1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914
New York, NY 10104
(212) 372-9590
NOTICE OF ANNUAL SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 3, 2017AUGUST 14, 2018
Notice is hereby given to the owners of shares of common stock (the “Stockholders”)stockholders of Garrison Capital Inc. (the “Company”) that:
The 2017 AnnualA Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual“Special Meeting”) of the Company will be held at the offices of Garrison Investment Group LP, located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York, on May 3, 2017August 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time,Time. At the Special Meeting, stockholders of the Company will consider and vote on a proposal to approve the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), to the Company, which would reduce the asset coverage requirements applicable to the Company from 200% to 150%. These reduced asset coverage requirements were enacted into law on March 23, 2018 in the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”). The SBCAA, among other things, amended Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act to add a new Section 61(a)(2) that reduces the asset coverage requirements applicable to business development companies (“BDCs”) from 200% to 150%. Under these modified asset coverage requirements, a BDC will be able to incur additional leverage, as the asset coverage requirements for senior securities (leverage) applicable to the following purposes:Company pursuant to Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act will be reduced to 150% (equivalent to a 66-2/3% debt-to-total capital ratio) from 200% (equivalent to a 50% debt-to-total capital ratio).
If this proposal is approved by stockholders, the Company and its investment adviser intend to reduce the base management fee payable under the fourth amended and restated investment advisory agreement between the Company and the investment adviser to an annual rate of 1.50% of the Company's average gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average value of the Company’s gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the Company’s average net assets at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.
If this proposal is not approved by stockholders, the Company will continue to operate within the 200% asset coverage requirements until March 28, 2019 (the one year anniversary of the approval of the application of the modified asset coverage requirements to the Company by its board of directors). Until such time, the Company would continue to operate in accordance with its current investment strategy.
You have the right to receive notice of, and to vote at, the AnnualSpecial Meeting if you were a Stockholderstockholder of record at the close of business on March 8, 2017. We are furnishing proxy materials to our Stockholders on the Internet, rather than mailing printed copies of those materials to each Stockholder. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request them. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will instruct you as to how you may access and review the proxy materials, and vote your proxy, on the Internet.July 3, 2018.
Your vote is extremely important to us.the Company. If you are unable to attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting, we encouragethe Company encourages you to vote your proxy on the Internet by following the instructions provided on the Notice ofenclosed proxy card and vote via the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. You may also request from us, free of charge, hard copies ofor telephone or by signing, dating and returning the proxy statement and a proxy card by followingin the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.postage-paid envelope provided. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve the proposalsproposal at the time of the AnnualSpecial Meeting, the AnnualSpecial Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies by the Company.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING EACHUNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS,UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTEFOR EACHAPPLICATION OF THE PROPOSALS.REDUCED ASSET COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 61(A)(2) OF THE 1940 ACT TO THE COMPANY.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Michael L. ButlerMichael L. Butler
Kaitlin Betancourt
Kaitlin Betancourt
Secretary
New York, New YorkMarch 21, 2017
July [•], 2018
This is an important meeting. To ensure proper representation at the AnnualSpecial Meeting, please follow the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials toenclosed proxy card and vote your proxy via the Internet or request, complete, sign, datetelephone or by signing, dating and return areturning the proxy card.card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Even if you vote your shares prior to the AnnualSpecial Meeting, you still may attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting and vote your shares in person if you wish to change your vote.
GARRISON CAPITAL INC.
1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914
New York, NY 10104
(212) 372-9590
PROXY STATEMENT
For2017 Annual
Special Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on May 3, 2017August 14, 2018
This document will give you the information you need to vote on the mattersproposal listed on the accompanying Notice of AnnualSpecial Meeting of Stockholders (“Notice of AnnualSpecial Meeting”). Much of the information in this proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”) is required under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and some of it is technical in nature. If there is anything you do not understand, please contact usGarrison Capital Inc. (the “Company”) at (212) 372-9590.
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Garrison Capital Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”)the Company for use at our 2017 Annuala Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual“Special Meeting”) to be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2017Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Garrison Investment Group LP (“Garrison Investment Group”), located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. This Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “Annual Report”) areis being providedsent to stockholders (“Stockholders”) of the Company of record as of March 8, 2017July 3, 2018 (the “Record Date”) on or about July [•], 2018.
Please follow the voting instructions on the enclosed proxy card and vote via the Internet on or about March 21, 2017. In addition, a Notice of Annual Meeting and a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials are being sent to Stockholders of record as of the Record Date.
Stockholders may provide their voting instructions through the Internet, by telephone or by mail by followingsigning, dating and returning the instructions onproxy card in the Notice ofpostage-paid envelope provided. Voting via the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. These options requireor telephone requires Stockholders to input the control number, which is provided with the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.enclosed proxy card. If you vote using the Internet, after visitingwww.proxyvote.com and inputting your control number, you will be prompted to provide your voting instructions. Stockholders will have an opportunity to review their voting instructions and make any necessary changes before submitting their voting instructions and terminating their Internet link. Stockholders that vote via the Internet, in addition to confirming their voting instructions prior to submission, will, upon request, receive an e-mail confirming their instructions.
If a Stockholder wishes to participate in the AnnualSpecial Meeting but does not wish to give a proxy by the Internet, the Stockholder may (1) attend the AnnualSpecial Meeting in person, or (2) request and submit a proxy card or (3) vote by telephone by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.enclosed proxy card.
Any proxy authorized pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving the proxy at any time before it is exercised (1) by submitting new voting instructions via the Internet voting site, by telephone, by obtaining and properly completing another proxy card that is dated later than the original proxy card and returning it, by mail, in time to be received before the AnnualSpecial Meeting, (2) by attending the AnnualSpecial Meeting and voting in person or (3) by a notice, provided in writing and signed by the Stockholder, delivered to the Company’s Secretary on any business day before the date of the AnnualSpecial Meeting.
Purpose of the AnnualSpecial Meeting
At the AnnualSpecial Meeting, youStockholders of the Company will be asked to vote on the following proposals:
proposal (the “Proposal”): to approve the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), to the Company.
If the Proposal is approved by Stockholders, the Company and Garrison Capital Advisers LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) intend to reduce the base management fee payable under the fourth amended and restated investment advisory agreement between the Company and Garrison Capital Advisers (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) from (a) an annual rate of 1.50% of the Company’s average gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters to (b) an annual rate of 1.50% of the Company’s average gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average value of the Company’s gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the Company’s average net assets at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.
Voting Securities
You may vote your shares at the AnnualSpecial Meeting only if you were a Stockholder of record at the close of business on the Record Date. There were 16,049,352 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) outstanding on the Record Date. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote.
Quorum Required
A quorum must be present at the AnnualSpecial Meeting for any business to be conducted. The presence at the AnnualSpecial Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum. If there are not enough votes present for a quorum, the chairman of the AnnualSpecial Meeting will have the power to adjourn the AnnualSpecial Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies.
Abstentions.Abstentions will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
Broker Non-Votes.Shares held by a broker or other nominee for which the nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares on non-routine proposals (which are considered “broker non-votes” with respect to such proposals) will not be treated as shares present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
Votes Required
Election of Directors
The election of a directorProposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stockvotes cast at the AnnualSpecial Meeting in person or by proxy. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes.
Abstentions.With respect to approval of the Proposal, 1, abstentions will not be included in determining the number of votes cast and, as a result, will have no effect on the election of directors.Proposal.
Broker Non-Votes. The Proposal 1 is a non-routine matter. As a result, if you hold shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank or nominee willnot be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to Proposal 1 at the Annual Meeting.Special Meeting and the shares will not be treated as present for quorum purposes. Therefore, if you do not vote and you do not give your broker or other nominee specific instructions on how to vote for you, then your broker cannot vote with respect to the Proposal 1.
Approval of the New Advisory Agreement
Approval of the New Advisory Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Company. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more ofand the shares of the Companywill not be treated as present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. If Proposal 2 is approved by the Stockholders, the New Advisory Agreement is expected to become effective as of the date on which such approval is received. If Proposal 2 is not approved by the Stockholders, the current investment advisory agreement between the Company and the Adviser will continue in effect, and the Board will consider the various alternatives, including seeking subsequent approval of a new investment advisory agreement by the Stockholders.
Abstentions.With respect to approval of Proposal 2, abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.
Broker Non-Votes.Proposal 2 is a non-routine matter. As a result, if you hold shares in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank or nominee willnot be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to Proposal 2 at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, if you do not vote and you do not give your broker or other nominee specific instructions on how to vote for you, then your broker cannot vote with respect to Proposal 2, which will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.quorum purposes.
Adjournment and Additional Solicitation
If there appears not to be enough votes to approve the proposalsProposal at the AnnualSpecial Meeting, the chairman of the AnnualSpecial Meeting will have the power to adjourn the AnnualSpecial Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies.
A Stockholder vote may be taken on Proposal 1 or Proposal 2 prior to any such adjournment if there are sufficient votes for approval of such proposal.
Appraisal Rights
Stockholders who vote against either proposalthe Proposal will not have appraisal or other similar rights with respect to such proposal.rights.
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Information Regarding This Solicitation
The Company will bear the expense of the solicitation of proxies for the AnnualSpecial Meeting, including the cost of preparing and postingmailing this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to the Internet and the cost of mailing the Notice of Annual Meeting, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and any requestedaccompanying proxy materials to Stockholders.card. The Company intends to use the services of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of investor communications solutions, to aid in the distribution and collection of proxy votes. The Company expects to pay market rates for such services. The Company reimburses brokers, trustees, fiduciaries and other institutions for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners and soliciting them to execute proxies.
In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the Internet, proxies may be solicited in person and/or by telephone, mail or facsimile transmission by directors or officers of the Company, officers or employees of Garrison Capital Advisers LLC, Garrison Capital Administrator LLC, the Company’s administrator (“Garrison Capital Administrator”), and/or by a retained solicitor. No additional compensation will be paid to such directors, officers or regular employees for such services. If the Company retains a solicitor, the Company has estimated that it would pay approximately $10,000 for such services. If the Company engages a solicitor, you could be contacted by telephone on behalf of the Company and urged to vote. The solicitor will not attempt to influence how you vote your shares but will ask that you take the time to cast a vote. You may also be asked if you would like to vote over the telephone and to have your vote transmitted to ourthe Company’s proxy tabulation firm.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
As of the Record Date, to ourthe Company’s knowledge, there are no persons who would be deemed to “control” us,the Company, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain ownership information with respect to ourthe Common Stock for those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote, five percent or more of ourthe Company’s outstanding Common Stock and all officers and directors, individually and as a group.
Name and address (1) | Type of ownership | Shares owned | Percentage of outstanding Common Stock | ||
Corbin Capital Partners, L.P. and affiliates (2) | Record/Beneficial | 1,731,305 | 10.8 | % | |
Caxton Corporation (3) | Beneficial | 1,089,834 | 6.8 | % | |
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (4) | Beneficial | 1,060,624 | 6.6 | % | |
Joseph Tansey (5) | Record/Beneficial | 925,906 | 5.8 | % | |
Brian Chase (6) | Record/Beneficial | 71,035 |
| * | |
Cecil Martin (7) | Record/Beneficial | 6,000 |
| * | |
Joseph Morea (8) | Beneficial | 4,500 |
| * | |
Matthew Westwood (9) | Record/Beneficial | 15,232 |
| * | |
All executive officers and directors as a group (5 persons) | Record/Beneficial | 1,022,673 | 6.4 | % |
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(1)
Percentage of Common Stock outstanding | ||||||||||||
Name and address(1) | Type of ownership | Shares owned | Percentage | |||||||||
Joseph Tansey(2) | Record/Beneficial | 867,906 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||
Brian Chase(3) | Record/Beneficial | 43,025 | * | |||||||||
Cecil Martin(4) | Record/Beneficial | 3,000 | * | |||||||||
Joseph Morea(5) | Beneficial | 2,000 | * | |||||||||
Matthew Westwood(6) | Record/Beneficial | 14,450 | * | |||||||||
All executive officers and directors as a group (5 persons) | Record/Beneficial | 930,381 | 5.8 | % |
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The business address for each officer and director is c/o Garrison Investment Group, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104. | ||
(2) | The address for Corbin Capital Partners, L.P. and its affiliates is 590 Madison Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10022. The number of shares beneficially owned is based on a Schedule 13G filed by Corbin Capital Partners, L.P. on January 31, 2018, which Schedule 13G reflects shared voting power over 1,731,305 shares by each of Corbin Capital Partners, L.P. and Corbin Capital Partners Group, LLC and shared voting power over 1,232,220 shares by Corbin Opportunity Fund, L.P. | |
(3) | Bruce S. Kovner is the Chairman and sole shareholder of Caxton Corporation, and as such beneficially owns the 1,089,834 shares owned by Caxton Corporation. The address for Caxton Corporation and Bruce S. Kovner is 731 Alexander Road, Bldg. 2, Suite 500, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. The number of shares beneficially owned by Caxton Corporation is based on a Schedule 13G filed by Caxton Corporation on February 14, 2018, which Schedule 13G reflects shared voting power over 1,089,834 shares by each of Caxton Corporation and Bruce S. Kovner. |
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company’s directors and other executive officers and any persons holding more than 10% of its Common Stock 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 in this Proxy Statement any failure to file such reports by those due dates. Based on a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed by directors, other executive officers and any person holding more than 10% of the Common Stock and other information provided to the Company, the Company believes that during the year ended December 31, 2016, no such person failed to file such reports by their specific due dates.
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned by Directors
The following table sets forth the dollar range of ourthe Company’s equity securities beneficially owned by each of our directorsdirector as of the Record Date. We areThe Company is not part of a “family of investment companies,” as that term is defined in Schedule 14A.
Name of Director | Dollar Range of | |||
Independent Directors | ||||
Cecil Martin | $10,001 – $50,000 | |||
Joseph Morea | $10,001 – $50,000 | |||
Matthew Westwood | Over $100,000 | |||
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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
In accordance with the Company’s bylaws, the Board currently has five members. Two of these members are interested directors and three are independent directors. An interested director is an “interested person” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act, and independent directors are all other directors (the “Independent Directors”). Messrs. Cecil Martin, Joseph Morea and Matthew Westwood qualify as Independent Directors.
Directors are divided into three classes and are elected for staggered terms, with a term of office of one of the three classes of directors expiring each year. After this election, the terms of Class I, II and III will expire in 2019, 2020 and 2018, respectively. Each director will hold office for the term to which he is elected or until his successor is duly elected and qualifies.
A Stockholder can vote for or against, or abstain from voting with respect to, any nominee. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, it is the intention of Joseph Tansey and Brian Chase, the persons named as proxies, to vote such proxy FOR the election of each nominee named below. If a nominee should decline or be unable to serve as a director, it is intended that the proxy will be voted for the election of such person as is nominated by the Board as a replacement. The Board has no reason to believe that the nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve.
If the nominee is not elected by the Stockholders at the Annual Meeting, in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the nominee will continue to serve as a director until his successor is elected and qualifies or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.
THE BOARD, INCLUDING EACH OF ITS INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTEFOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Information about the Nominee and Directors
Certain information with respect to the Class II nominee for election at the Annual Meeting, as well as each of the other directors, is set forth below, including their names, ages, a brief description of their recent business experience, including present occupations and employment, certain directorships that each person holds and the year in which each person became a director of the Company. The nominee for Class II director currently serves as a director of the Company.
Mr. Westwood has been nominated for election as a Class II director for a term expiring at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Westwood is not being proposed for election pursuant to any agreement or understanding between Mr. Westwood and the Company.
Nominee for Class II Director
Class I Directors (continuing directors not up for re-election at the Annual Meeting)
Name, Age and Address(1) | Position(s) Held with the Company | Director Since | Expiration of Term | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years | Other Directorships Held by Director or Nominee for Director During the Past Five Years(2) | |||||||||
Interested Director | ||||||||||||||
Joseph Tansey (44)(3) | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | 2011 | 2019 | President — Garrison Investment Group (March 2007 – present) | None | |||||||||
Independent Director | ||||||||||||||
Cecil Martin (75) | Director | 2011 | 2019 | Independent Commercial Real Estate Investor | Director — Comstock Resources, Inc. (1988 – present) | |||||||||
Director — Crosstex Energy, Inc. (2006 –2014) | ||||||||||||||
Director — Crosstex Energy, L.P. (2006 – 2014) |
Class III Directors (continuing directors not up for re-election at the Annual Meeting)
Name, Age and Address(1) | Position(s) Held with the Company | Director Since | Expiration of Term | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years | Other Directorships Held by Director or Nominee for Director During the Past Five Years(2) | |||||||||
Interested Director | ||||||||||||||
Brian Chase (39)(4) | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director | 2011 | 2018 | Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer — Garrison Investment Group (March 2007 – present) | None | |||||||||
Independent Director | ||||||||||||||
Joseph Morea (61) | Director | 2015 | 2018 | Principal – Berkeley Realty Ventures LLC (August 2012 – present) Vice Chairman and Managing Director – RBC Capital Markets (2003 – June 2012) | Director – RMR Real Estate Income Fund (May 2016 – present) Trustee – Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund (April 2015 – present) Director – TravelCenters of America LLC (February 2015 – present) Trustee– THL Credit Senior Loan Fund (June 2013 – present) Trustee – Equity Commonwealth (formerly known as CommonWealth REIT) (July 2012 – March 2014) |
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Corporate Governance
We believe that maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance is a crucial part of our business, and we are committed to having in place the necessary controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Director Independence
The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) corporate governance requirements require listed companies to have a board of directors with at least a majority of Independent Directors. Under NASDAQ corporate governance requirements, in order for a director to be deemed independent, the Board must determine that the individual does not have a relationship that would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities. On an annual basis, each of our directors is required to complete a questionnaire designed to provide information to assist the Board in determining whether the director is independent under NASDAQ corporate governance requirements, the 1940 Act and our corporate governance guidelines. The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Martin, Morea and Westwood is independent under the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements and the 1940 Act. Our corporate governance guidelines require any director who has previously been determined to be independent to inform the Chairman of the Board, the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Secretary of any change in circumstance that may cause his status as an Independent Director to change. The Board limits membership on the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Valuation Committee to Independent Directors.
The Board’s Oversight Role in Management
The Board’s role in management of the Company is one of oversight. Oversight of the Company’s investment activities extends to oversight of the risk management processes employed by Garrison Capital Advisers as part of its day-to-day management of our investment activities. The Board reviews risk management processes at both regular and special Board meetings throughout the year, consulting with appropriate representatives of Garrison Capital Advisers as necessary and periodically requesting the production of risk management reports or presentations. The goal of the Board’s risk oversight function is to ensure that the risks associated with our investment activities are accurately identified, thoroughly investigated and responsibly addressed. Stockholders should note, however, that the Board’s oversight function cannot eliminate all risks or ensure that particular events do not adversely affect the value of the Company’s investments.
The Board’s Composition and Leadership Structure
The 1940 Act and NASDAQ corporate governance requirements require that at least a majority of the Company’s directors not be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company. Currently, three of the Company’s five directors are Independent Directors (and are not “interested persons”). Joseph Tansey, President of Garrison Investment Group, Chairman of the Board and our Chief Executive Officer is an interested person of the Company. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of our investors for Mr. Tansey to lead the Board because of his familiarity with our portfolio companies, his broad experience with the day-to-day management and operation of other investment funds and his significant background in the financial services industry, as described below.
The Board does not have a lead Independent Director. However, Mr. Martin, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Mr. Morea, the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and Mr. Westwood, the Chairman of the Valuation Committee, are Independent Directors and act as liaisons between the Independent Directors and management between meetings of the Board. The Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate because the structure allocates areas of responsibility among the individual directors and the committees in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board also believes that its small size creates an efficient corporate governance structure that provides opportunity for direct communication and interaction between Garrison Capital Advisers and the Board.
Information About Each Director’s Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills
Below is additional information about each director (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes and/or skills that each director possesses and which the Board believes has prepared each director to be an effective member of the Board. The Board believes that the significance of each director’s experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience or a factor that is important for one director may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single director, or particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that directors need to have the ability to review, evaluate, question and discuss critical information provided to them and to interact effectively with Company management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties. The Board believes that its members satisfy this standard. Experience relevant to having this ability may be achieved through a director’s professional experience, education and/or other personal experiences. The Company’s counsel has significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate. The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.
Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and/or Skills that Led to the Board’s Conclusion that such Members Should Serve as Directors of the Company
The Board believes that, collectively, the directors have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, which allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the Company and protecting the interests of the Stockholders. Below is a description of the various experiences, qualifications, attributes and/or skills with respect to each director considered by the Board.
Interested Directors
Joseph Tansey has served
Over $100,000
Brian Chase
Over $100,000
___________
(1) | Dollar ranges are as |
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PROPOSAL — APPROVAL OF APPLICATION OF REDUCED ASSET COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS TO THE COMPANY
The Company is a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act contains asset coverage requirements which limit the ability of BDCs to incur leverage, and a BDC is generally only allowed to borrow amounts by issuing debt securities or preferred stock (collectively referred to as “senior securities”) if its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such borrowing. For purposes of the 1940 Act, “asset coverage” means the ratio of (1) the total assets of a BDC, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to (2) the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness (plus, in the case of senior securities represented by preferred stock, the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference of such preferred stock). The Company has received exemptive relief from the SEC to exclude from its asset coverage ratio the debentures of any small business investment company (“SBIC”) subsidiary.
On March 23, 2018, the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”) was enacted into law. The SBCAA, among other things, amended Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act to add a new Section 61(a)(2) that reduces the asset coverage requirements applicable to BDCs from 200% to 150%, which permits a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage that it is permitted to incur, so long as the BDC meets certain disclosure requirements and obtains certain approvals. Under these modified asset coverage requirements, a BDC will be able to incur additional leverage, as the asset coverage requirements for senior securities (leverage) applicable to the Company pursuant to Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act will be reduced to 150% (equivalent to a 66-2/3% debt-to-total capital ratio) from 200% (equivalent to a 50% debt-to-total capital ratio). Effectiveness of the reduced asset coverage requirement to a BDC requires approval by either (1) a “required majority,” as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act, of such BDC’s board of directors with effectiveness one year after the date of such approval or (2) a majority of votes cast at a special or annual meeting of such BDC’s stockholders at which a quorum is present, which can be effective as soon as the day after such stockholder approval.
At a meeting of the Board held on March 28, 2018, the Board, including a “required majority” of the Company’s directors, as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act, approved the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act as being in the best interests of the Company and Stockholders, and, as a result, and subject to certain additional disclosure requirements as described below and provided such approval is not later rescinded, the reduced asset coverage requirements will apply to the Company effective as of March 28, 2019 (unless earlier approved at the Special Meeting).
In addition, the Board has determined that it is advisable and in the best interest of the Company and Stockholders that the reduced asset coverage requirements for senior securities in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act apply to the Company as soon as practicable. Therefore, the Board has decided to hold the Special Meeting to seek approval from Stockholders of the Proposal in an effort to accelerate the effectiveness of the reduced asset coverage requirements. If the Proposal is approved by Stockholders at the Special Meeting, the asset coverage required for the Company’s senior securities will be 150% rather than 200% commencing on the first day after such approval. If the Proposal is not approved by Stockholders, the Company currently intends to continue to operate within the 200% asset coverage requirements in accordance with its current investment strategy until March 28, 2019.
Recommendation and Rationale
The Board unanimously recommends that Stockholders vote in favor of the Proposal and the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act to the Company. In reaching its decision to recommend the Proposal, the Board, including all of the independent directors, considered the following factors related to the Proposal:
the Company’s investment strategy and focus on first lien senior secured loans;
the additional flexibility to manage the Company’s capital to seek to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities;
the potential impact (both positive and negative) on net investment income, return to Stockholders and net asset value;
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the impact on fees payable by the Company to Garrison Capital Advisers; and
the other considerations noted below.
Investment strategy and focus on first lien senior secured loans
The Board noted that the Company primarily invests in first lien senior secured loans. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 97.2% and 98.2%, respectively, of the Company’s portfolio at fair value consisted of first lien senior secured loans. The Board observed that a portfolio primarily comprised of senior debt investments would be well-positioned to incur additional leverage and that because of the Company’s exemptive relief with respect to SBIC debentures, as of March 31, 2018, the Company’s asset coverage was 178% as computed under generally accepted accounting principles as compared to 204% as computed under the 1940 Act.
Flexibility to manage the Company’s capital to seek to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities
The Company believes that attractive investment opportunities can arise throughout credit and economic cycles and that it intends to deploy capital with a focus on long-term results. However, neither the Company nor Garrison Capital Advisers can predict when attractive opportunities may arise and such opportunities may arise at a time when (i) it may be disadvantageous, (ii) the Company is unable to raise additional equity due to the 1940 Act limitations on the issuance of Common Stock at prices below net asset value per share absent stockholder approval (which the Company does not currently have) or (iii) market conditions are not attractive for raising equity capital. The Board noted that if the Company is not able to (or chooses not to) access additional capital when attractive investment opportunities arise, its ability to continue to pay regular distributions to Stockholders could be adversely affected. Based on the Company’s balance sheet as of March 31, 2018, reducing the asset coverage requirements applicable to the Company to 150% would permit the Company to borrow up to approximately $185.2 million in additional capital. The ability to access this additional capital would provide enhanced flexibility to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities as they arise. The Board discussed various types of debt financing and noted that debt securitizations, were they to continue to be used by the Company, can provide advantages over other types of financing structures, such as a lower borrowing cost and a longer period during which the Company’s collateralized loan obligation subsidiary can continue to use principal proceeds from existing loans to purchase new loans. Furthermore, the Board discussed that there could be no assurance that the Company would be able to obtain additional leverage from lenders on favorable terms, or at all.
In addition, the Board noted that any increase in total assets available for investment would increase the assets available for investment in assets that are “non-qualifying assets” for purposes of Section 55 of the 1940 Act, thereby further increasing the likelihood that the Company could take advantage of attractive investment opportunities.
Potential impact on net investment income, return to Stockholders and net asset value
The Board considered the impact of additional leverage on the Company’s net investment income, noting that additional leverage could increase net investment income. Management finally noted that additional leverage would magnify increases in the Company’s income, if any, which could cause the Company’s net investment income to exceed the quarterly hurdle rate for the incentive fee the Company pays to Garrison Capital Advisers with comparatively lower absolute returns on the Company’s investments but that the cap and deferral mechanism would provide some protection against incentive fees being paid where the Company’s net assets decline. The Board also discussed that additional leverage could cause the Company’s net investment income to decline more sharply if the Company’s portfolio had more non-performing assets than it otherwise would have if the Company did not employ such additional leverage, for example, if spreads were to narrow or interest rates on the Company’s borrowings increased. In addition, any additional leverage incurred by the Company would increase its expenses, including interest expense or dividends and potential fees and costs related to entering into new debt securitizations or credit facilities. Increased expenses when combined with any decrease in the Company’s income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had the Company not incurred additional leverage, which could negatively affect the Company’s ability to make Common Stock distributions or debt payments.
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The following table is intended to assist stockholders in understanding the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in the Common Stock assuming that the Company employs leverage such that its asset coverage equals (1) the Company’s actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2018 (204%), (2) 200% (excluding the Company’s SBIC debentures as permitted by the Company’s exemptive relief) and (3) 150% at various annual returns, net of expenses, as of March 31, 2018. The assumed returns on the Company’s portfolio are required by regulation to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the Company’s projected or actual performance. 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 Portfolio (Net of Expenses) | -10.00% | -5.00% | 0.00% | 5.00% | 10.00% |
Corresponding net return to Stockholders assuming actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2018 (204% asset coverage)(1) | -28.66% | -17.25% | -5.83% | 5.58% | 17.00% |
Corresponding return to Stockholders assuming 200% asset coverage(2) | -29.40% | -17.69% | -5.99% | 5.71% | 17.42% |
Corresponding return to Stockholders assuming 150% asset coverage(3) | -43.76% | -27.06% | -10.36% | 6.35% | 23.05% |
___________
(1) | Assumes $427.0 million in total assets, $238.7 million of debt outstanding (including the
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(2) | Assumes $433.5 million in total assets, $245.2 million of total debt outstanding (including the
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(3) | Assumes $618.7 million in total assets, $423.9 million of total debt outstanding (including the
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Based on the Company’s outstanding indebtedness of $238.7 million as of March 31, 2018 and an average cost of funds of 4.52% as of that date, the Company’s investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 2.55% to cover annual interest payments on outstanding debt. Based on assumed outstanding indebtedness of $245.2 million on an assumed 200% asset coverage ratio and an average cost of funds of 4.52%, the Company’s investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 2.56% to cover annual interest payments on the total debt outstanding. Based on assumed outstanding indebtedness of $423.9 million on an assumed 150% asset coverage ratio and an average cost of funds of 4.52%, the Company’s investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 3.10% to cover annual interest payments on the total debt outstanding.
___________
Michael L. Butler has served as our Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary since May 2015. Mr. Butler has served as General Counsel of Garrison Investment Group since April 2015. Prior to joining Garrison Investment Group, Mr. Butler was General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Hercules Capital, Inc. (fka Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.), a business development company, from October 2014 until March 2015, where he had oversight of all legal and compliance matters. From February 2010 to October 2014, Mr. Butler was Associate General Counsel and Executive Vice President at Bain Capital, where he worked on transactional legal matters for investments by Bain’s credit fund and provided legal support for the management and purchase of portfolio companies. Prior to joining Bain, Mr. Butler was Counsel at TPG-Axon Capital from January 2007 to January 2010 and worked directly with the investment principals of TPG’s long-short hedge fund affiliate and acted as general counsel to portfolio companies in the United States, Europe and South America. Mr. Butler was previously an associate at Ropes & Gray from September 2003 to January 2007, specializing in private equity, venture capital and M&A transactions. Mr. Butler previously worked at Axiom Legal Services, Silicon Alley Venture Partners, The Exeter Group and Andersen Consulting. Mr. Butler received a J.D. and an L.L.M. from New York University School of Law. Mr. Butler received B.A. from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge. He is licensed to practice law in State of New York and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Code of Conduct and Joint Code of Ethics
We expect each of our officers and directors, as well as any person affiliated with our operations, to act in accordance with the highest standards of personal and professional integrity at all times and to comply with the Company’s policies and procedures and all laws, rules and regulations of any applicable international, federal, provincial, state or local government. To this effect, the Company has adopted a Code of Conduct, which applies to the Company’s directors, executive officers, officers and their respective staffs. The Code of Conduct is posted on the Company’s website atwww.garrisoncapitalbdc.comand we intend to disclose any material amendments to or waivers of required provisions of the Code of Conduct on a current report on Form 8-K or on our website.
We and Garrison Capital Advisers have adopted and maintain a Joint Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the Joint Code of Ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the Joint Code of Ethics’ requirements. You may read and copy the Joint Code of Ethics at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. In addition, the Joint Code of Ethics is available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site atwww.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of the Joint Code of Ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Joint Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s website atwww.garrisoncapitalbdc.com.
Compensation of Directors
The following table shows information regarding the compensation earned by our directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. No compensation is paid to directors who are “interested persons” of the Company.
Year ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||
Name | Fees earned or paid in cash(1) | All other compensation(2) | Total compensation from the Company | |||||||||
Independent Directors | ||||||||||||
Cecil Martin | $ | 107,749 | — | $ | 107,749 | |||||||
Joseph Morea | $ | 91,924 | — | $ | 91,924 | |||||||
Bruce Shewmaker(3) | $ | 80,278 | — | $ | 80,278 | |||||||
Matthew Westwood | $ | 99,445 | — | $ | 99,445 | |||||||
Interested Directors | ||||||||||||
Rafael Astruc(4) | — | — | — | |||||||||
Brian Chase | — | — | — | |||||||||
Joseph Tansey | — | — | — |
___________
Our Independent Directors each receive an annual fee of $75,000. They also receive $2,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each in-person Board meeting and receive $1,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each in-person committee meeting. In addition, the Chairman of each of the Valuation Committee and the Audit Committee receives an annual fee of $10,000 for their additional services in these capacities and the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional annual fee of $5,000 for his additional services in this capacity. No compensation is paid to directors who are not independent of the Company and Garrison Capital Advisers. In addition, we have purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers. The Board reviews and determines the compensation of our Independent Directors.
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
We have entered into agreements with Garrison Capital Advisers, in which our senior management and members of our investment committee have ownership and financial interests. Members of our senior management and members of the investment committee also serve as principals of other investment managers affiliated with Garrison Capital Advisers that do and may in the future manage investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles with investment objectives similar to ours. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the members of Garrison Capital Advisers and members of the investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same, or related, line of business as we do or of investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our affiliates. These investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles may have investment objectives similar to our investment objective. As a result, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by Garrison Capital Advisers or its affiliates or by members of the investment committee. However, in order to fulfill its fiduciary duties to each of its clients, Garrison Capital Advisers intends to allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and is consistent with the written allocation policy of Garrison Investment Group and its affiliated investment advisers, including Garrison Capital Advisers so that we are not disadvantaged in relation to any other client.
Policies and Procedures for Managing Conflicts
Garrison Capital Advisers and its affiliates have both subjective and objective procedures and policies in place and designed to manage the potential conflicts of interest between Garrison Capital Advisers’ fiduciary obligations to us and the similar fiduciary obligations of its affiliates to other clients. For example, such policies and procedures are designed to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated in a fair and equitable manner among clients of Garrison Capital Advisers and its affiliates. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of Garrison Capital Advisers and its affiliates 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. There can be no assurance that Garrison Capital Advisers’ or its affiliates’ 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.
Garrison Capital Advisers may manage investment vehicles with similar or overlapping investment strategies with us and has put in place a conflict-resolution policy that addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act and seeks to ensure the equitable allocation of investment opportunities when we are able to invest alongside other accounts managed by Garrison Capital Advisers and its affiliates. When we invest alongside such other accounts as permitted, such investments are made consistent with the written allocation policy of Garrison Investment Group and its affiliated advisers, including Garrison Capital Advisers. Under this allocation policy, a fixed calculation, based on the type of investment, will be applied to determine the amount of each opportunity to be allocated to us. This allocation policy will be periodically approved by Garrison Capital Advisers and reviewed by our Independent Directors. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts sponsored or managed by Garrison Capital Advisers and its affiliates. Where we are able to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, if sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy our and each such account’s proposed demand, we expect that the opportunity will be allocated in accordance with Garrison Capital Advisers’ pre-transaction determination. If there is an insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy us and other accounts sponsored or managed by Garrison Capital Advisers or its affiliates, the allocation policy further provides that allocations among us and such other accounts will generally be made pro rata based on each account’s available capital in the asset class being allocated, up to the amount proposed to be invested by each account. However, we cannot assure you that investment opportunities will be allocated to us fairly or equitably in the short-term or over time. We expect that these determinations will be made similarly for other accounts sponsored or managed by Garrison Investment Group and its affiliates. In situations where co-investment with other accounts managed by Garrison Capital Advisers or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, Garrison Investment Group and Garrison Capital Advisers will need to decide which client will proceed with the investment. The allocation policy of Garrison Investment Group and its affiliated investment advisers provides, in such circumstances, for investments to be allocated on a rotational basis to assure that all clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities.
Co-Investment Opportunities
We have in the past and expect in the future to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates, unless doing so is impermissible with existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations and our allocation procedures. We, Garrison Investment Group and Garrison Capital Advisers obtained exemptive relief from the SEC on January 12, 2015 to permit greater flexibility to negotiate the terms of co-investments if the Board determines that it would be advantageous for us to co-invest with other accounts managed by Garrison Capital Advisers or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objectives, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors.
Material Non-Public Information
Our senior management, members of our investment committee and other investment professionals from Garrison Capital Advisers 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.
Investment Advisory Agreement
As further described below,we originally entered into an investment advisory agreement (as most recently amended and restated on August 5, 2016, the “Current Advisory Agreement”) with Garrison Capital Advisers on October 9, 2012, pursuant to which we pay Garrison Capital Advisers a fee for investment management services consisting of a base management fee and an incentive fee.
The management fee and incentive fee paid to Garrison Capital Advisers are based on the value of our investments, and there may be a conflict of interest when personnel of Garrison Capital Advisers are involved in the valuation process for our portfolio investments in addition to the incentives the incentive fee structure may create for Garrison Capital Advisers to make speculative investments. Garrison Capital Advisers was paid management fees and incentive fees under the Current Advisory Agreement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 in the amount of $8.8 million and zero, respectively, and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 in the amount of $7.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The address of Garrison Capital Advisers is 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104.
As further described below, the New Advisory Agreement is being presented to the Stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.
Administration Agreement
We have entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) pursuant to which Garrison Capital Administrator furnishes us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services. Under the Administration Agreement, Garrison Capital Administrator performs, or oversees the performance of, our required administrative services, which include being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our Stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. Garrison Investment Group is the sole member of and controls Garrison Capital Administrator. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company reimbursed Garrison Capital Administrator in the amount of $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for services provided under the Administration Agreement. The address of Garrison Capital Administrator is 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104. The New Advisory Agreement will not affect amounts payable under the Administration Agreement.
License Agreement
We have entered into a license agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Garrison Investment Group pursuant to which Garrison Investment Group has granted us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the name “Garrison.” Under the License Agreement, we have a right to use the Garrison name for so long as Garrison Capital Advisers or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we have no legal right to the “Garrison” name.
Staffing Agreement
Garrison Capital Advisers has entered into a staffing agreement (the “Staffing Agreement”) with Garrison Investment Group. Under the Staffing Agreement, Garrison Investment Group makes available to Garrison Capital Advisers experienced investment professionals and access to the senior investment personnel and other resources of Garrison Investment Group and its affiliates. The Staffing Agreement provides Garrison Capital Advisers with access to deal flow generated by the professionals of Garrison Investment Group and commits the members of Garrison Capital Advisers’ investment committee to serve in that capacity. Garrison Capital Advisers capitalizes on what we believe to be the significant deal origination, credit underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience of Garrison Investment Group’s investment professionals.
Related Party Transactions Policy
The Audit Committee, in consultation with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel, has established a written policy to govern the review of potential related party transactions. The Audit Committee conducts quarterly reviews of any potential related party transactions and, during these reviews, it also considers any conflicts of interest brought to its attention pursuant to the Company’s Code of Conduct or Joint Code of Ethics.
PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
We are asking Stockholders to approve the New Advisory Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto asExhibit A, pursuant to which the fees payable to the Adviser would be revised to lower the base management fee and to lower the hurdle rate on the incentive fee on income (each as described in more detail below). The following description of the material terms of the New Advisory Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference toExhibit A.
If Proposal 2 is approved by the Stockholders, the New Advisory Agreement is expected to become effective as of the date on which such approval is received. If Proposal 2 is not approved by the Stockholders, the Current Advisory Agreement will continue in effect, and the Board will consider the various alternatives, including seeking subsequent approval of a new investment advisory agreement by the Stockholders.
Summary of the Advisory Agreements
Advisory Services
Subject to the overall supervision of the Board, the Adviser manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment management services to the Company. Under both the Current Advisory Agreement, and the New Advisory Agreement, the Adviser (i) determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies); (iii) executes, closes, services and monitors the Company’s investments; (iv) determines the securities and other assets that the Company will purchase, retain or sell; and (v) provides the Company with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds.
Duration and Termination
The Company initially entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser effective as of October 9, 2012, which was most recently amended and restated on August 5, 2016 upon the assignment of the previous agreement for purposes of the 1940 Act (and the resulting termination of such agreement) in connection with certain changes in the indirect ownership of the Adviser. The most recent amendment and restatement of the Current Advisory Agreement was approved by the Stockholders on May 1, 2015, was initially approved by the Board at an in-person meeting in March 2015 and was most recently approved by the Board at an in-person meeting on January 31, 2017. The Current Advisory Agreement has an initial one-year term and continues thereafter for successive one-year periods following annual approval in the manner required by the 1940 Act. If the Stockholders approve the New Advisory Agreement, the New Advisory Agreement will be in effect for an initial one year term and will continue thereafter for successive one-year periods following annual approval in the manner required by the 1940 Act.
Each of the Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty (i) by vote of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act, or (ii) by the Adviser, each upon not less than sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other. In addition, each of the Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Each of the Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement provides that Garrison Capital Advisers and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and affiliates are not liable to us for any act or omission by it in connection with its duties or obligations under the Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement or otherwise as the Adviser, except that the foregoing exculpation does not extend to any act or omission constituting 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 Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement. The Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement also provide for indemnification by us of Garrison Capital Advisers and its managers, partners, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons, members and affiliates for damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by them in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by us or our Stockholders or in our or our Stockholders’ right) arising out of or based on Garrison Capital Advisers’ duties or obligations under the Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement or otherwise as the Adviser, subject to the same limitations and conditions.
Advisory Fees
Each of the Current Advisory Agreement and the New Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser receives a base management fee and an incentive fee.
Base Management Fee
Under the Current Advisory Agreement, the base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of our gross assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, and is payable quarterly in arrears. The New Advisory Agreement will lower the base management fee payable to Garrison Capital Advisers pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement is currently 1.50% of the gross assets of the Company, excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds. The Board considered that incurring additional leverage will increase the management fee payable to Garrison Capital Advisers irrespective of the return on the incremental assets but also noted that sourcing additional investment opportunities to deploy any additional capital will require additional time and effort on the part of Garrison Capital Advisers and its investment personnel. The Board also noted that, if the Proposal is approved by Stockholders, the Company and Garrison Capital Advisers intend to reduce the base management fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement (a) from an annual rate of 1.50% of the Company’s average gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters to (b) to an annual rate of 1.50% of the Company's average gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, the base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average value of the Company’s gross assets, excluding cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds, that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the Company’s average net assets at the end of each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. If the Proposal is not approved by Stockholders, the base management fees will not be reduced as described herein.
As noted above, additional leverage will magnify any positive returns on the Company’s investment portfolio, which would cause the Company’s income to possibly exceed the hurdle rate on the incentive fee payable to Garrison Capital Advisers pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement at a lower return on the Company’s investments. Thus, if the Company incurs additional leverage, additional incentive fees may be payable to Garrison Capital Advisers under the Investment Advisory Agreement without any corresponding increase in the Company’s performance. The Board noted that the incentive fee payable by the Company to Garrison Capital Advisers may create an incentive for it to make investments on the Company’s behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns. The Board also discussed that, if additional leverage were incurred, Garrison Capital Advisers would potentially be able to earn an incentive fee with a lower risk and lower yielding portfolio, which could mitigate this risk.
8
The following table is intended to assist stockholders in understanding the estimated annual expenses that an investor in the Common Stock would bear, directly or indirectly, assuming that the Company employs leverage such that its asset coverage equals (1) the Company’s actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2018 (204%), (2) 200% (excluding the Company’s SBIC debentures as permitted by the Company’s exemptive relief) and (3) 150% as of March 31, 2018. The Company cautions that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The following table should not be considered a representation of the Company’s future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. Except where the context suggests otherwise, stockholders will indirectly bear these fees and expenses.
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Estimated annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets |
| Actual asset |
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| 200% asset |
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| 150% asset |
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Base management fees(4) |
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| 3.22 | % |
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| 3.27 | % |
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| 3.99 | % |
Incentive fees payable under Investment Advisory Agreement (20% of pre-incentive fee net investment income and 20% of realized capital gains)(5) |
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| 0.00 | % |
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| 0.00 | % |
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| 0.00 | % |
Interest payments on borrowed funds(6) |
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| 5.37 | % |
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| 5.51 | % |
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| 9.53 | % |
Other expenses(7) |
|
| 2.71 | % |
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| 2.71 | % |
|
| 2.71 | % |
Total annual expenses |
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| 11.30 | % |
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| 11.49 | % |
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| 16.23 | % |
Examples
The following examples demonstrate the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in the Common Stock, assuming (1) actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2018 (204%), (2) hypothetical asset coverage of 200% and (3) hypothetical asset coverage of 150%. In calculating the following expenses, the Company has assumed that its annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above for the respective asset coverage ratio, except for the incentive fee on income payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
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An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in |
| 1 year |
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| 3 Years |
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| 5 Years |
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| 10 Years |
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Based on Actual Asset Coverage as of March 31, 2018 (204%) |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes no return from net realized capital gains or net unrealized capital appreciation) |
| $ | 109 |
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| $ | 308 |
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| $ | 482 |
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| $ | 831 |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes return from only realized capital gains and thus subject to the capital gains incentive fee) |
| $ | 119 |
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| $ | 330 |
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| $ | 512 |
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| $ | 863 |
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Based on 200% Asset Coverage |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes no return from net realized capital gains or net unrealized capital appreciation) |
| $ | 111 |
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| $ | 312 |
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| $ | 488 |
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| $ | 837 |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes return from only realized capital gains and thus subject to the capital gains incentive fee) |
| $ | 120 |
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| $ | 334 |
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| $ | 518 |
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| $ | 868 |
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Based on 150% Asset Coverage |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes no return from net realized capital gains or net unrealized capital appreciation) |
| $ | 153 |
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| $ | 410 |
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| $ | 612 |
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| $ | 950 |
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Assuming a 5% annual return (assumes return from only realized capital gains and thus subject to the capital gains incentive fee) |
| $ | 162 |
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| $ | 428 |
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| $ | 634 |
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| $ | 964 |
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9
___________
(1) | For purposes of this table, expenses for the “Actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2018 (204%)” column are based on actual expenses incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2018, annualized for a full year. |
(2) | For purposes of this table, expenses for the “200% asset coverage” column is based on hypothetical expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which assume a hypothetical asset coverage ratio of 200% (excluding the Company’s SBIC debentures as permitted by the Company’s exemptive relief), the maximum amount of borrowings that currently could be incurred by the Company, annualized for a full year. This information is not a representation of the amount of borrowings that the Company intends to incur or that would be available to the Company to be incurred. |
(3) | For purposes of this table, expenses for the “150% asset coverage” column are based on hypothetical expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which assume a hypothetical asset coverage ratio of 150%, the maximum amount of borrowings that could be incurred by the Company upon effectiveness of the 150% asset coverage requirements to the Company, annualized for a full year. This information is not a representation of the amount of borrowings that the Company intends to incur or that would be available to the Company to be incurred. |
(4) | The base management fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement is based on the Company’s gross assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds,
|
(5) | As of March 31, 2018, the Company had cumulative net realized and
|
(6) | For purposes of the “actual asset coverage as of March 31, 2018 (204%)” column, the borrowing costs included in the table above represent the product of (i) the actual amounts of debt outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and (ii) 4.16% which represents the actual weighted average interest rate on
|
THE BOARD, INCLUDING EACH OF THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTEFOR THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENT.
10
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The example above should not be considered a representation of the Company’s future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.
While the examples assume, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, the Company’s performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. The incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the examples. The examples assume reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions at net asset value. Participants in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of the Common Stock determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to a participant by the market price per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the distribution.
Other Considerations
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board knows of no other matter that is likely to come before the Annual Meeting or that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, apart from the consideration of an adjournment or postponement.
If there appears not to be enough votes for a quorum or to approve the proposals at the Annual Meeting, then either the presiding officer of the Annual Meeting or the Stockholders who are represented in person or by proxy may vote to adjourn the Annual Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies. The person(s) named as proxies will vote proxies held by them, unless marked to be voted against any proposal for which an adjournment is sought, for such adjournment.
ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY REPORTS
Copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K are available, without charge, on our website atwww.garrisoncapitalbdc.com or upon request by writing to us or by calling us collect at (212) 372-9590. Please direct your written request to Secretary, Garrison Capital Inc., c/o Michael Butler, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104. Copies of such reports are also posted and are available without charge on the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov.
DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS
Please note that only one copy of the Proxy Statement, the Annual Report or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials may be delivered to two or more Stockholders who share an address unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the Stockholders. We will deliver promptly, upon request, a separate copy of any of these documents to Stockholders at a shared address to which a single copy of such document(s) was delivered. Stockholders who wish to receive a separate copy of any of these documents, or to receive a single copy of such documents if multiple copies were delivered, now or in the future, should submit their request by writing to us or by calling us collect at (212) 372-9590. Please direct your written requests to Secretary, Garrison Capital Inc., c/o Michael L. Butler, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104.
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company expects that the 2018 annual meeting of Stockholders will be held in May 2018, but the exact date, time and location of such meeting have yet to be determined. A Stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2018 annual meeting, including nomination of a director, must submit the proposal in writing addressed to Secretary, Garrison Capital Inc., c/o Michael Butler, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104. Notices of intention to present proposals, including nomination of a director, at the 2018 annual meeting must be received by the Company between November 21, 2017 and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 21, 2017. The submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement or presentation at the 2018 annual meeting unless certain securities law requirements are met. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order or to take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
The Company’s Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer. Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer, including complaints involving the Chief Compliance Officer, may submit complaints directly to the Company’s Audit Committee. Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
The Chief Compliance Officer may be contacted at:
Garrison Capital Inc.Attn: Chief Compliance Officer1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914New York, New York 10104
The Audit Committee Members may be contacted at:
Garrison Capital Inc.Attn: Chairman of Audit CommitteeEmail: GARS@openboard.infoWebsite: http://www.openboard.info/GARS/Phone: 1-866-899-9218
You are cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you are requested to vote in accordance with the voting instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or by requesting hard copy proxy materials from us and returning a proxy card.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Michael L. ButlerMichael L. ButlerSecretary
New York, New York
March 21, 2017
Exhibit A
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTMENT ADVISORY aGREEMENT
by and BETWEEN
Garrison capital Inc.
AND
garrison capital advisers LLC
This Fourth Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement made this [●] day of [●] 2017 (this “Agreement”), by and between GARRISON CAPITAL INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and GARRISON CAPITAL ADVISERS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).
WHEREAS, the Corporation operates as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company;
WHEREAS, the Corporation has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”);
WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Adviser are party to that certain third amended and restated investment advisory agreement dated August 5, 2016 by and between the Corporation and the Adviser (the “Prior Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Adviser desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions for the continued provision by the Adviser of investment advisory services to the Corporation, and the stockholders of the Corporation approved this Agreement at a meeting held on [●], 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Duties of the Adviser.
(a) The Corporation hereby employs the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Corporation and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Corporation, subject to the supervision of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth, (i) in accordance with the investment objective, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Corporation’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the same may be amended from time to time, (ii) in accordance with the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act and all other applicable federal and state law and (iii) in accordance with the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended or restated from time to time.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, (i) determine the composition of the portfolio of the Corporation, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Corporation (including performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies); (iii) execute, close, service and monitor the Corporation’s investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Corporation will purchase, retain or sell; and (v) provide the Corporation with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the Corporation may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds. The Adviser shall have the power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to effectuate its investment decisions for the Corporation, including the execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Corporation’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Corporation.
In the event that the Corporation determines to acquire debt financing or to refinance existing debt financing, the Adviser shall arrange for such financing on the Corporation’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board of Directors.
If it is necessary or convenient for the Adviser to make investments on behalf of the Corporation through a subsidiary or special purpose vehicle or to otherwise form such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle, the Adviser shall have authority to create or arrange for the creation of such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle and to make such investments through such subsidiary or special purpose vehicle in accordance with the Investment Company Act.
(b) The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services described herein for the amounts of compensation provided herein.
(c) Subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Adviser is hereby authorized, but not required, to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisers (each, a “Sub-Adviser”) pursuant to which the Adviser may obtain the services of the Sub-Adviser(s) to assist the Adviser in fulfilling its responsibilities hereunder. Specifically, the Adviser may retain a Sub-Adviser to recommend specific securities or other investments based upon the Corporation’s investment objective and policies, and work, along with the Adviser, in structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of such investments and monitoring investments on behalf of the Corporation, subject in all cases to the oversight of the Adviser and the Corporation. The Adviser, and not the Corporation, shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Adviser. Any sub-advisory agreement entered into by the Adviser shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act and other applicable federal and state law.
(d) For all purposes herein provided, the Adviser shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Corporation in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Corporation.
(e) The Adviser shall keep and preserve, in the manner and for the period that would be applicable to investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act, any books and records relevant to the provision of its investment advisory services to the Corporation, shall specifically maintain all books and records with respect to the Corporation’s portfolio transactions and shall render to the Board of Directors such periodic and special reports as the Board of Directors may reasonably request. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains for the Corporation are the property of the Corporation and shall surrender promptly to the Corporation any such records upon the Corporation’s request, provided that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records.
2. Corporation’s Responsibilities and Expenses Payable by the Corporation. All investment professionals of the Adviser and their respective staffs, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, shall be provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Corporation.
The Corporation shall bear all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including those relating to: (a) organization; (b) calculating the Corporation’s net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); (c) fees and expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser or payable to third parties in performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies, monitoring the Corporation’s investments and, if necessary, enforcing the Corporation’s rights; (d) interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance the Corporation’s investments; (e) costs of offerings of the Corporation’s common stock and other securities; (f) the Base Management Fee (as defined below) and any Incentive Fee (as defined below); (g) distributions on the Corporation’s common stock; (h) administration fees payable to the Garrison Capital Administrator LLC (the “Administrator”) under the administration agreement dated as of October 9, 2012 (as amended from time to time, the “Administration Agreement”); (i) transfer agent and custody fees and expenses; (j) the allocated costs incurred by the Administrator in providing managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it; (k) amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, evaluating, making and disposing of investments; (l) brokerage fees and commissions; (m) registration fees; (n) listing fees; (o) taxes; (p) independent director fees and expenses; (q) costs associated with the Corporation’s reporting and compliance obligations under the Investment Company Act and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; (r) the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to the Corporation’s stockholders, including printing costs; (s) costs of holding stockholder meetings; (t) the Corporation’s fidelity bond; (u) directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (v) litigation, indemnification and other non-recurring or extraordinary expenses; (w) direct costs and expenses of administration and operation, including audit and legal costs; (x) fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts; (y) dues, fees and charges of any trade association of which the Corporation is a member; and (z) all other expenses reasonably incurred by the Corporation or the Administrator in connection with administering the Corporation’s business, such as the allocable portion of overhead under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the Corporation’s allocable portion of the costs and expenses of its chief compliance officer, chief financial officer and their respective staffs.
3. Compensation of the Adviser. The Corporation agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the investment advisory and management services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a fee consisting of two components: a base management fee (the “Base Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”), each as hereinafter set forth. The Corporation shall make any payments due hereunder to the Adviser or to the Adviser’s designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Adviser may elect, or adopt a deferred compensation plan pursuant to which it may elect to defer all or a portion of its fees hereunder for a specified period of time.
(a) The Base Management Fee shall be calculated at an annual rate equal to 1.50% of the gross assets of the Corporation, excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed funds. For services rendered under this Agreement, the Base Management Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears. The Base Management Fee shall be calculated based on the average carrying value of the gross assets of the Corporation at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. Such amount shall be appropriately 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 a calendar quarter. The Base Management Fee for any partial month or quarter shall be appropriately pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such partial month or quarter relative to the total number of days in such month or quarter). For purposes of this Agreement, cash equivalents shall mean U.S. government securities and commercial paper instruments maturing within 270 days of the date of purchase of such instrument by the Corporation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser provides investment advisory, collateral management or other similar services to a subsidiary of the Corporation, the Base Management Fee shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of (a) the total fees paid to the Adviser by such subsidiary for such services and (b) the percentage of such subsidiary’s total equity that is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(b) The Incentive Fee, which is subject to the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism (as defined under Section 3(c) below), shall consist of two parts, as follows:
The Board also noted that holders of any senior securities, including any additional senior securities that the Company may be able to issue as a result of the reduced asset coverage requirements, will have fixed-dollar claims on the Company’s assets that are superior to the claims of Stockholders. In the case of a liquidation event, holders of these senior securities would receive proceeds to the extent of their fixed claims before any distributions are made to Stockholders, and the issuance of additional senior securities may result in fewer proceeds remaining for distribution to Stockholders if the assets purchased with the capital raised from the issuance of such senior securities decline in value.
The Board also discussed the additional disclosures required upon the modification of the asset coverage requirements. Such additional disclosure includes a requirement to disclose the approval of the 150% asset coverage requirements in a filing with the SEC within five business days of such approval. Following such approval, the Company will be required to include in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K the principal amount or liquidation preference of its senior securities and its asset coverage ratio as of the date of the most recent financial statements, the fact that the 150% asset coverage had been approved by the Company and the effective date of such approval along with the principal risk factors associated with the Company’s senior securities. The Board noted that such disclosure requirements were not anticipated to be burdensome to the Company.
Based on its consideration of each of the above factors and such other information as the Board deemed relevant, the Board concluded that the Proposal is in the best interests of the Company and Stockholders and recommended that Stockholders approve the Proposal.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the application of the reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act to the Company.
Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Corporation’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 1.75% per quarter. The Corporation will pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income in each calendar quarter as follows; (1) no Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle rate; (2) 100% of the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of the Corporation’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter.
The portion of such Incentive Fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as payment-in-kind interest or original issue discount) will be paid to the Adviser, together with any other interest accrued on the loan from the date of deferral to the date of payment, only if and to the extent the Corporation actually receives such interest in cash, and any accrual thereof will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual.
These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current quarter.
11
The Board knows of no other matter that is likely to come before the Special Meeting or that may properly come before the Special Meeting, apart from the consideration of an adjournment or postponement.
If there appears not to be enough votes for a quorum or to approve the Proposal, then either the presiding officer of the Special Meeting or Stockholders who are represented in person or by proxy may vote to adjourn the Special Meeting to permit the further solicitation of proxies. The person(s) named as proxies will vote proxies held by them, unless marked to be voted against the Proposal for which an adjournment is sought, for such adjournment.
ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY REPORTS
Copies of the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K are available, without charge, on the Company’s website at www.garrisoncapitalbdc.com or upon request by writing to the Company or by calling collect at (212) 372-9590. Please direct your written request to Garrison Capital Inc., c/o Kaitlin Betancourt, Secretary, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104. Copies of such reports are also posted and are available without charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS
Please note that only one copy of the Proxy Statement may be delivered to two or more Stockholders who share an address unless the Company have received contrary instructions from one or more Stockholders. The Company will deliver promptly, upon request, a separate copy of any of these documents to Stockholders at a shared address to which a single copy of such document(s) was delivered. Stockholders who wish to receive a separate copy of any of these documents, or to receive a single copy of such documents if multiple copies were delivered, now or in the future, should submit their request by writing to the Company or by calling collect at (212) 372-9590. Please direct your written requests to Garrison Capital Inc., c/o Kaitlin Betancourt, Secretary, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104.
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company expects that the 2019 annual meeting of Stockholders will be held in May 2019, but the exact date, time and location of such meeting have yet to be determined. A Stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2019 annual meeting, including nomination of a director, must submit the proposal in writing addressed to Garrison Capital Inc., c/o Kaitlin Betancourt, Secretary, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104. Notices of intention to present proposals, including nomination of a director, at the 2019 annual meeting must be received by the Company between November 20, 2018 and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 20, 2018. The submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement or presentation at the 2019 annual meeting unless certain securities law requirements are met. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order or to take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
The Company’s Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer. Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer, including complaints involving the Chief Compliance Officer, may submit complaints directly to the Company’s Audit Committee. Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
The Chief Compliance Officer may be contacted at:
Garrison Capital Inc.
Attn: Chief Compliance Officer
1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914
New York, New York 10104
12
The Audit Committee Members may be contacted at:
Garrison Capital Inc.
Attn: Chairman of Audit Committee
Email: GARS@openboard.info
Website: http://www.openboard.info/GARS/
Phone: 1-866-899-9218
You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting in person. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, you are requested to vote in accordance with the voting instructions in the enclosed proxy card.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Kaitlin Betancourt
Kaitlin Betancourt
Secretary
New York, New York
July [•], 2018
13
GARRISON CAPITAL INC. 1290 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS SUITE 94 NEW YORK, NY 10104 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:ForAgainst Abstain 1. Approval of application of reduced asset coverage requirements in Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 to the Company, which would reduce the asset coverage requirements applicable to the Company from 200% to 150%. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. 000 Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement is available at www.proxyvote.com GARRISON CAPITAL INC. Special Meeting of Stockholders August 14, 2018 10:00 AM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholders(s) hereby appoint(s) Joseph Tansey and Brian Chase, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint its substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of GARRISON CAPITAL INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the offices of Garrison Investment Group LP, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 914, New York, New York 10104, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side
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The Corporation shall accrue the Capital Gains Fee if, on a cumulative basis, the sum of net realized gains/(losses) plus net unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) is positive. The Capital Gains Fee excludes any portion of realized gains/(losses) that are associated with the reversal of any portion of unrealized appreciation/depreciation attributable to periods prior to April 1, 2013.
(c) No Incentive Fee shall be paid to the Adviser for any fiscal quarter if, after such payment, the cumulative incentive fees paid to the Adviser for the period that includes the such quarter and the 11 full preceding fiscal quarters (the “Incentive Fee Look-back Period”) would exceed 20.0% of the Corporation’s Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return (as defined below) during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period. Each quarterly Incentive Fee is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”) and a deferral mechanism through which the Adviser may recoup a portion of such deferred incentive fees (collectively, the “Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism”). For the avoidance of doubt, the initial Incentive Fee Look-back Period commenced on April 1, 2013. The “Incentive Fee Cap” is equal to (a) 20.0% of Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period less (b) cumulative incentive fees of any kind paid to the Adviser during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period. To the extent the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value in any quarter, the Corporation shall pay no Incentive Fee to the Adviser in that quarter. To the extent that the payment of Incentive Fees is limited by the Incentive Fee Cap, the payment of such fees shall be deferred and paid in subsequent quarters up to three years after their date of deferment, subject to applicable limitations included herein. The Corporation shall only pay Incentive Fees to the extent allowed by the Incentive Fee Cap and Deferral Mechanism. “Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return” during any Incentive Fee Look-back Period means the sum of (a) Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for each quarter during the Incentive Fee Look-back Period and (b) the sum of cumulative realized capital gains, cumulative realized capital losses, cumulative unrealized capital depreciation and cumulative unrealized capital appreciation during the applicable Incentive Fee Look-back Period.
4. Covenants of the Adviser. The Adviser hereby covenants that it is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act. The Adviser hereby agrees that its activities shall at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments.
5. Excess Brokerage Commissions. The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Corporation to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting such transaction if the Adviser determines, in good faith and taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that the amount of such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Corporation’s portfolio, and constitutes the best net result for the Corporation.
6. Proxy Voting. The Adviser shall be responsible for voting any proxies solicited by an issuer of securities held by the Corporation in the best interest of the Corporation and in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as any such proxy voting policies and procedures may be amended from time to time. The Corporation has been provided with a copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures and has been informed as to how it can obtain further information from the Adviser regarding proxy voting activities undertaken on behalf of the Corporation. The Adviser shall be responsible for reporting the Corporation’s proxy voting activities, as required, through periodic filings on Form N-PX.
7. Limitations on the Employment of the Adviser. The services of the Adviser to the Corporation are not, and shall not be, exclusive. The Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to those of the Corporation; provided that its services to the Corporation hereunder are not impaired thereby. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith (including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the portfolio companies of the Corporation, subject at all times to applicable law). So long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect, the Adviser shall be the only investment adviser for the Corporation, subject to the Adviser’s right to enter into sub-advisory agreements. The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Corporation are or may become interested in the Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members, managers or otherwise, and that the Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members and managers of the Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Corporation as stockholders or otherwise.
Subject to any restrictions prescribed by law, by the provisions of the Code of Ethics of the Corporation and the Adviser and by the Adviser’s Allocation Policy, the Adviser and its members, officers, employees and agents shall be free from time to time to acquire, possess, manage and dispose of securities or other investment assets for their own accounts, for the accounts of their family members, for the account of any entity in which they have a beneficial interest or for the accounts of others for whom they may provide investment advisory, brokerage or other services (collectively, “Managed Accounts”), in transactions that may or may not correspond with transactions effected or positions held by the Corporation or to give advice and take action with respect to Managed Accounts that differs from advice given to, or action taken on behalf of, the Corporation; provided that the Adviser allocates investment opportunities to the Corporation, over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis compared to investment opportunities extended to other Managed Accounts. The Adviser is not, and shall not be, obligated to initiate the purchase or sale for the Corporation of any security that the Adviser and its members, officers, employees or agents may purchase or sell for its or their own accounts or for the account of any other client if, in the opinion of the Adviser, such transaction or investment appears unsuitable or undesirable for the Corporation. Moreover, it is understood that when the Adviser determines that it would be appropriate for the Corporation and one or more Managed Accounts to participate in the same investment opportunity, the Adviser shall seek to execute orders for the Corporation and for such Managed Account(s) on a basis that the Adviser considers to be fair and equitable over time. In such situations, the Adviser may (but is not required to) place orders for the Corporation and each Managed Account simultaneously or on an aggregated basis. If all such orders are not filled at the same price, the Adviser may cause the Corporation and each Managed Account to pay or receive the average of the prices at which the orders were filled for the Corporation and all relevant Managed Accounts on each applicable day. If all such orders cannot be fully executed under prevailing market conditions, the Adviser may allocate the investment opportunities among participating accounts in a manner that the Adviser considers equitable, taking into account, among other things, the size of each account, the size of the order placed for each account and any other factors that the Adviser deems relevant.
8. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees. If any person who is a manager, member, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator is or becomes a director, officer and/or employee of the Corporation and acts as such in any business of the Corporation, then such manager, member, partner, officer and/or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Corporation and not as a manager, member, partner, officer and/or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator or under the control or direction of the Adviser or the Administrator, even if paid by the Adviser or the Administrator.
9. Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including its managing member and the Administrator) shall not be liable to the Corporation for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Corporation, except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services, and the Corporation shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its managing member and the Administrator, each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (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 the Corporation or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 9 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff thereunder).
10. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. This Agreement shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the vote of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation and (b) the vote of a majority of the Corporation’s Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, or by the vote of the Corporation’s Directors or by the Adviser.
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act). The provisions of Section 9 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration and Section 9 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.
11. Notices. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.
12. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Corporation must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
13. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.
[Signature Page to Fourth Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement]