AG Twin Brook BDC, Inc. (the “Company”), formerly known as 1889 BDC, Inc., is a Delaware corporation which was formed on February 4, 2016. The Company has elected to be regulated as a Business Development Company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). In addition, for tax purposes, the Company has elected to be treated as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company seeks to provide risk-adjusted returns and current income to investors by investing primarily in senior secured debt of middle market companies. The Company may also invest opportunistically in other parts of the capital structure, including senior secured stretch and unitranche facilities, second lien loans, mezzanine and mezzanine-related loans, and equity investments, as well as select other subordinated instruments either directly or through acquisitions in the secondary market.
AG Twin Brook Manager, LLC (the “Advisor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. (“Angelo Gordon”), serves as the investment adviser of the Company. The Advisor is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Twin Brook Capital Partners, LLC (“TBCP”) is an affiliate of Angelo Gordon and provides collateral agent, administrative and other services with respect to certain investments held by the Company. Twin Brook Capital Servicer, LLC (“TBCS”) is an affiliate of Angelo Gordon and provides loan servicing with respect to certain investments held by the Company.
The Company conducts private offerings (each, a “Private Offering”), where investors make a capital commitment to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with the Company. Investors will be required to make capital contributions to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock each time the Company delivers a drawdown notice. The initial closing of the Private Offering occurred on July 19, 2019 (the “Initial Closing”), and additional closings of the Private Offering are expected to occur from time to time as determined by the Company. Upon the earlier to occur of (i) a Qualified IPO (as defined below), and (ii) the five year anniversary of the Initial Closing, investors will be released from any further obligation to purchase additional shares, subject to certain exceptions. A “Qualified IPO” is an initial public offering (“IPO”) of the Company’s common stock that results in an unaffiliated public float of at least the lower of (A) $60 million and (B) 17.5% of the aggregate capital commitments received prior to the date of such initial public offering.
The Company commenced its loan origination and investment activities with the initial drawdown from investors in the Private Offering on July 29, 2019 (the commencement of operations). The Company made its first portfolio company investment in August 2019.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These consolidated financial statements reflect adjustments that in the opinion of management are necessary for the fair statement of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented herein. The Company commenced operations on July 29, 2019 and its fiscal year ends on December 31.
The Company may earn various fees during the life of the loans. Such fees include, but are not limited to, syndication, commitment, administration, prepayment and amendment fees, some of which are paid to the Company on an ongoing basis. These fees and any other income are recognized as earned as a component of "Other" income on the consolidated statement of operations.
Investments at Fair Value
The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), as amended, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and required disclosures of fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In accordance with ASC 820, the Company discloses the fair value of its investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation (Level 3 measurements). ASC 820 establishes three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:
| Level 1 | Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date; |
| Level 2 | Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; |
| Level 3 | Inputs that are unobservable. |
Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, interest rates, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement; however, the determination of what constitutes “observable” requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company’s perceived risk of that instrument.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from product to product and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including for example, the type of product, whether the product is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), and the Advisor in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments in investment funds include vehicles structured for the purpose of investing in privately held common and preferred equity interests. Fair values are generally determined utilizing the NAV supplied by, or on behalf of, management of each investment fund, which is net of management and incentive fees or allocations charged by the investment fund, if applicable, and is in accordance with the “practical expedient”, as defined by FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-12, Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share. NAVs received by, or on behalf of, management of
12
AG Twin Brook BDC, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
each investment fund are based on the fair value of the investment funds’ underlying investments in accordance with policies established by management of each investment fund, as described in each of their financial statements and offering memorandum. Withdrawals and distributions from investments in investment funds are at the discretion of the Advisor and may depend on the liquidation of underlying assets. Investments which are valued using NAV as a practical expedient are excluded from the above hierarchy.
The Board oversees and supervises a multi-step valuation process, which includes, among other procedures, the following:
| • | The valuation process begins with each investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment in conjunction with the portfolio management team.
|
• | The Advisor’s management reviews the preliminary valuations with the investment professionals. Agreed upon valuation recommendations are presented to the Board.
|
• | The Board reviews the recommended valuations and determines the fair value of each investment; valuations that are not based on readily available market quotations are valued in good faith, based on, among other things, the input of the Advisor and, where applicable, other third parties.
|
When determining the fair value of Level 3 investments, the Company may take into account the following factors, where relevant: recent transactions, the enterprise value of the underlying company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the underlying company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flows, the markets in which the underlying company does business, financial covenants, the seniority of the financial instrument in the capital structure of the company, comparisons to publicly traded securities, and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made and other relevant factors. The primary method for determining enterprise value uses a multiple analysis whereby appropriate multiples are applied to the portfolio company’s net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). The enterprise value analysis is performed to determine the value of equity investments and to determine if debt investments are credit impaired. If debt investments are credit impaired, the Company will use the enterprise value analysis or a liquidation basis analysis to determine fair value. For debt investments that are not determined to be credit impaired, the Company uses a market interest rate yield analysis to determine fair value.
The Company’s investments trade infrequently and when they are traded, the price may be unobservable, and as a result, multiple external pricing sources may not be available. In such instances, the Company may use an internal pricing model as either a corroborating or sole data point in determining the price. Pricing models take into account the contractual terms of the financial instrument, as well as relevant inputs, including where applicable, equity prices, interest rate yield curves, credit curves, correlation, and the creditworthiness of the counterparty. The Company generally engages third party firm(s) to assist in validating certain financial instruments where multiple external prices cannot be obtained. The third party firm(s) either independently determine prices or assess the reasonableness of the Company’s prices. The analyses provided by such third party firm(s) are reviewed and considered by the Company. As part of the risk management process, the Company reviews and analyzes the prices obtained from external pricing sources to evaluate their reliability and accuracy, which includes identifying and excluding vendor prices and broker quotations that the Company believes does not reflect fair value. In addition, the Advisor’s valuation committee meets regularly and engages in ongoing reviews of the valuation processes and procedures including reviews of methodology, ongoing accuracy, source quality and independence. Such reviews include, but are not limited to, comparison of current vendor prices and broker quotations against ongoing daily trading activity, vendor due diligence, and back testing.
13
AG Twin Brook BDC, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the assumptions are set to reflect those that the Company believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
Organizational Costs
Organizational costs to establish the Company are charged to expense as incurred. These expenses consist primarily of legal fees and other costs of organizing the Company.
Offering Costs
Offering costs in connection with the offering of common shares of the Company are capitalized as a deferred charge and amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over 12 months from the commencement of operations. These expenses consist primarily of legal fees and other costs incurred with the Company’s share offerings, the preparation of the Company’s registration statement, and registration fees.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs consist of financing costs incurred in connection with obtaining the Company’s subscription facility. Such financing costs are capitalized and amortized over the life of the facility utilizing the straight-line method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company paid approximately $120,000 and amortized approximately $40,000 and $94,000 of financing costs, respectively, which have been included in “Interest” expense on the consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and for the period from May 6, 2019 (inception) to September 30, 2019, the Company paid approximately $178,000 of financing costs, of which approximately $8,000 have been amortized and included in “Interest” expense on the consolidated statement of operations.
Deferred Income
Deferred income consists of annual administrative agent fees received in connection with the servicing of certain loan investments. Such fees are deferred when received and recognized as earned over the applicable period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company received approximately $46,000 and $70,000 of agent fees, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, approximately $23,000 and $61,000 of agent fees, respectively, have been recognized as earned and included in “Other” income on the consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and for the period from May 6, 2019 (inception) to September 30, 2019, the Company received approximately $30,000 of agent fees, of which approximately $3,000 have been amortized and included in “Other” income on the consolidated statement of operations.
Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The Company also has elected to be treated as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a RIC, the Company generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes timely to its shareholders as dividends. To the extent the Company continues to qualify as a RIC, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by the Company represents obligations of the Company’s investors and will not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
To continue to qualify as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. In addition, to continue to qualify for RIC tax treatment, the Company must distribute to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of its “investment
14
AG Twin Brook BDC, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
company taxable income” for that year, which is generally its ordinary income plus the excess of its realized net short-term capital gains over its realized net long-term capital losses. The Company will generally be subject to a 4% non-deductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income or gains in respect of any calendar year, unless it distributes annually an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its net ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 in such calendar year and (iii) any net ordinary income and capital gain net income recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years. The Company, at its discretion, may carry forward taxable income for distribution in the following taxable year and pay the applicable U.S. federal excise tax. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and for the period from May 6, 2019 (inception) to September 30, 2019, the Company did not accrue any U.S. federal excise tax.
The Company conducts certain of its activities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Twin Brook Equity XVIII Corp., a Delaware C corporation. Twin Brook Equity XVIII Corp. is treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and is subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not accrue any U.S. federal tax expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and for the period from May 6, 2019 (inception) to September 30, 2019, the Company accrued approximately $14,000 of U.S. federal tax expense related to fee income received, which is included in “Other” expense on the consolidated statement of operations.
The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reserved and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. There were no tax penalties, and no interest associated with income taxes was incurred through September 30, 2020.
Loan Syndications and Participations
The Company may originate certain loans and then syndicate all or a portion of those loans to a third party. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company earned approximately $44,000 and $137,000, respectively, of syndication and other origination fee income, which is included in “Other” income on the consolidated statement of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and for the period from May 6, 2019 (inception) to September 30, 2019, the Company earned approximately $80,000 of syndication and other origination fee income, which is included in “Other” income on the consolidated statement of operations.
The Company follows the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 860 Transfers and Servicing when accounting for loan participations and other partial loan sales. Such guidance requires a participation or other partial loan sale to meet the definition of a “participating interest,” as defined in the guidance, in order for sale treatment to be allowed. Participations or other partial loan sales that do not meet the definition of a participating interest remain on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities and the proceeds are recorded as a secured borrowing until the definition is met. Secured borrowings are carried at fair value to correspond with the related investments, which are carried at fair value. There were no participations that were accounted for as secured borrowings during the period.
Distributions
Distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the record date. The amount to be distributed, if any, is determined by the Board each quarter. The Company intends to distribute net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually out of the
15
AG Twin Brook BDC, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
assets legally available for such distributions. However, the Company may decide in the future to retain such capital gains for investment, incur a corporate-level tax on such capital gains, and elect to treat such capital gains as deemed distributions to stockholders.
Note 3. Investments
Under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify non-controlled investments where it owns 5% or more of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “affiliated” companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify investments where it owns more than 25% of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “controlled” companies. Under the 1940 Act, "non-affiliated investments" are defined as investments that are neither controlled investments nor affiliated investments. Detailed information with respect to the Company’s non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; and controlled affiliated investments is contained in the consolidated financial statements, including the consolidated schedule of investments. The information in the tables below is presented on an aggregate portfolio basis, without regard to whether they are non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; or controlled affiliated investments.
Investments at fair value and amortized cost consisted of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
| | September 30, 2020
| | |
December 31, 2019
| |
| (Amounts in thousands) | Amortized Cost | | | Fair Value | | | Amortized Cost | | | Fair Value | |
| First lien senior secured debt | $ | 62,870 | | | $ | 61,966 | | | $ | 38,096 | | | $ | 38,156 | |
| Sponsor subordinated note | | 6 | | | | 7 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| Investment in affiliated fund | | 2,249 | | | | 2,229 | | | | 1,641 | | | | 1,641 | |
| Total investments | $ | 65,125 | | | $ | 64,202 | | | $ | 39,737 | | | $ | 39,797 | |
