BlackRock TCP Capital Corp

1. Organization and Nature of Operations

BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. (the “Company”), formerly known as TCP Capital Corp., is a Delaware corporation formed on April 2, 2012 as an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. The Company elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company’s investment objective is to achieve high total returns through current income and capital appreciation, with an emphasis on principal protection. The Company invests primarily in the debt of middle-market companies as well as small businesses, including senior secured loans, junior loans, mezzanine debt and bonds. Such investments may include an equity component, and, to a lesser extent, the Company may make equity investments directly. The Company was formed through the conversion on April 2, 2012 of the Company’s predecessor, Special Value Continuation Fund, LLC, from a limited liability company to a corporation in a non-taxable transaction, leaving the Company as the surviving entity. On April 3, 2012, the Company completed its initial public offering.

Investment operations are conducted through the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Special Value Continuation Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("SVCP"), TCPC Funding I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“TCPC Funding”), TCPC Funding II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("TCPC Funding II") and TCPC SBIC, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “SBIC”). SVCP was organized as a limited partnership and had elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act through July 31, 2018. On August 1, 2018, SVCP withdrew its election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and withdrew the registration of its common limited partner interests under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and, on August 2, 2018, terminated its general partner, Series H of SVOF/MM, LLC, and converted to a Delaware limited liability company. The SBIC was organized in June 2013, and, on April 22, 2014, received a license from the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) to operate as a small business investment company under the provisions of Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, SVCP, TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidation.

The Company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a RIC, the Company will not be taxed on its income to the extent that it distributes such income each year and satisfies other applicable income tax requirements. TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC have elected to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. SVCP was treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes through August 1, 2018 and upon its conversion to a limited liability company on August 2, 2018 and thereafter is and will be treated as a disregarded entity.

Series H of SVOF/MM, LLC serves as the administrator of the Company (the “Administrator”). The managing member of SVOF/MM is Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC (the “Advisor”), which serves as the investment manager to the Company, TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC. On August 1, 2018, the Advisor merged with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock Capital Investment Advisors, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., with the Advisor as the surviving entity.

Company management consists of the Advisor and the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”). The Advisor directs and executes the day-to-day operations of the Company, subject to oversight from the Board of Directors, which sets the broad policies of the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company has delegated investment management of SVCP’s assets to the Advisor. The Board of Directors consists of six persons, five of whom are independent.

On September 6, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“BCIC”), BCIC Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (formerly known as Project Spurs Merger Sub, LLC, “Merger Sub”), and, solely for the limited purposes set forth therein, (x) BlackRock Capital Investment Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and investment advisor to BCIC (“BCIA”), and (y) the Advisor (the "Merger"). The Company’s Board of Directors and the BCIC Board of Directors, including all of the independent directors of each board, on the recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of the independent directors of each respective board, have approved the Merger Agreement and the terms and transactions contemplated thereby. See “Note 12 – Proposed Merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation” for further information regarding the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The Company is an investment company following accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. The Company has consolidated the results of its wholly owned subsidiaries in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 946. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies of the Company.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Although management believes these estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material.

Investment Valuation

Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act, the Board of Directors designated the Advisor as the Company’s valuation designee (the “Valuation Designee”) to perform certain fair value functions, including performing fair value determinations and has approved policies and procedures adopted by the Advisor to seek to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Rule.

The Company’s investments are generally held by the Company's subsidiaries. Investments are recorded at fair value in accordance with GAAP, based upon the principles and methods of valuation set forth in the policies adopted by the Valuation Designee and approved by the Board of Directors. Fair value is generally defined as the amount for which an investment would be sold in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

All investments are valued at least quarterly based on quotations or other affirmative pricing from independent third-party sources, with the exception of investments priced directly by the Valuation Designee which in the aggregate comprise less than 5% of the assets of the Company. Investments listed on a recognized exchange or market quotation system, whether U.S. or foreign, are valued using the closing price on the date of valuation. Investments not listed on a recognized exchange or market quotation system, but for which reliable market quotations are readily available are valued using prices provided by a nationally recognized pricing service or by using quotations from broker-dealers.

Investments for which market quotations are either not readily available or are determined to be unreliable are priced at fair value using affirmative valuations performed by independent valuation services approved by the Valuation Designee or, for investments aggregating less than 5% of the total assets of the Company, using valuations determined directly by the Valuation Designee. Such valuations are determined under documented valuation policies and procedures reviewed and approved by a committee established by the Valuation Designee (the “Valuation Committee”).

Generally, to increase objectivity in valuing the investments, the Valuation Designee will utilize external measures of value, such as public markets or third-party transactions, whenever possible. The Valuation Designee’s valuation is not based on long-term work-out value, immediate liquidation value, nor incremental value for potential changes that may take place in the future. The values assigned to investments are based on available information and do not necessarily represent amounts that might ultimately be realized, as these amounts depend on future circumstances and cannot reasonably be determined until the individual investments are actually liquidated. Such circumstances may include macroeconomic, geopolitical and other events and conditions that may significantly impact the profitability or viability of businesses in which the Company is invested, and therefore may significantly impact the return on the Company’s investments. The foregoing policies apply to all investments, including any in companies and groups of affiliated companies aggregating more than 5% of the Company’s assets.

Fair valuations of investments in each asset class are determined using one or more methodologies including market quotations, the market approach, income approach, or, in the case of recent investments, the cost approach, as appropriate. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. Such information may include observed multiples of earnings and/or revenues at which transactions in securities of comparable companies occur, with appropriate adjustments for differences in company size, operations or other factors affecting comparability.

The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts (for example, cash flows or earnings) to a single present value amount (discounted). The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The discount rates used for such analyses reflect market yields for comparable investments, considering such factors as relative credit quality, capital structure, and other factors.

In following these approaches, the types of factors that may be taken into account also include, as relevant: available current market data, including relevant and applicable market trading and transaction comparables, security covenants, call protection provisions, information rights, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, its earnings and cash flows, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public, merger and acquisition comparables, comparable costs of capital, the principal market in which the investment trades and enterprise values, among other factors.

Investments may be categorized based on the types of inputs used in valuing such investments. The level in the GAAP valuation hierarchy in which an investment falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation of the investment in its entirety. Transfers between levels are recognized as of the beginning of the reporting period.

At December 31, 2023, the Company's investments were categorized as follows:

(1)

Includes senior secured loans

(2)

Includes senior secured notes, unsecured debt and subordinated debt

(3)

For example, quoted prices in inactive markets or quotes for comparable investments

Unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2023 included the following:

(1)

Weighted by fair value.

(2)

Fair value was determined using an asset approach and is based on the remaining cash held, net of all liabilities.

(3)

Fair value was determined based on the most recently available net asset value of the issuer adjusted for identified changes in the valuations of the underlying portfolio of the issuer through the measurement date.

(4)

Fair value was determined using the transaction price to acquire the position. There has been no change to the valuation based on the underlying assumptions used at the closing of such transaction.

Certain fair value measurements may employ more than one valuation technique, with each valuation technique receiving a relative weight between 0% and 100%. Generally, a change in an unobservable input may result in a change to the value of an investment as follows:

Changes in investments categorized as Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

(1)

Includes payments received in kind and accretion of original issue and market discounts.

(2)

Comprised of three investments that were transferred from Level 2 due to reduced number of market quotes.

(3)

Comprised of five investments that were reclassified to Valuation Designee Valuation.

(1)

Includes payments received in kind and accretion of original issue and market discounts.

(2)

Comprised of five investments that were reclassified from Independent Third-Party Valuation.

At December 31, 2022, the Company’s investments were categorized as follows:

(1)

Includes senior secured loans.

(2)

Includes senior secured notes, unsecured debt and subordinated debt.

(3)

For example, quoted prices in inactive markets or quotes for comparable investments.

Unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2022 included the following:

(1)

Weighted by fair value.

(2)

Fair value was determined based on the most recently available net asset value of the issuer adjusted for identified changes in the valuations of the underlying portfolio of the issuer through the measurement date.

Changes in investments categorized as Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:

(1)

Includes payments received in kind and accretion of original issue and market discounts

(2)

Comprised of two investments that were transferred from Level 2 due to reduced number of market quotes

(3)

Comprised of one investment that was reclassified to Advisor Valuation and one that was reclassified from Advisor Valuation

(1)

Includes payments received in kind and accretion of original issue and market discounts

(2)

Comprised of one investment that was reclassified to Advisor Valuation and one that was reclassified from Advisor Valuation

Investment Transactions

Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date, except for private transactions that have conditions to closing, which are recorded on the closing date. The cost of investments purchased is based upon the purchase price plus those professional fees which are specifically identifiable to the investment transaction. Realized gains and losses on investments are recorded based on the specific identification method, which typically allocates the highest cost inventory to the basis of investments sold.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash consists of amounts held in accounts with the custodian bank. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of generally 60 days or less and may not be insured by the FDIC or may exceed federally insured limits. Cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 in the GAAP valuation hierarchy. There wasno restricted cash at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Restricted Investments

The Company may invest without limitation in instruments that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These instruments generally may be resold to institutional investors in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these investments may involve time-consuming negotiations and additional expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted investments is included at the end of the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Restricted investments, including any restricted investments in affiliates, are valued in accordance with the investment valuation policies discussed above.

Foreign Currency Investments

The Company may invest in instruments traded in foreign countries and denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign currency denominated investments comprised approximately 0.5% and 0.5% of total investments at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Such positions were converted at the respective closing foreign exchange rates in effect at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and reported in U.S. dollars. Purchases and sales of investments and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies, when they occur, are translated into U.S. dollars based on the foreign exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. The portion of gains and losses on foreign investments resulting from fluctuations in foreign currencies is included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

Investments in foreign companies and securities of foreign governments may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and securities of the U.S. government. These risks include, among other things, revaluation of currencies, less reliable information about issuers, different transaction clearance and settlement practices, and potential future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, investments in foreign companies and securities of foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies and the U.S. government.

Derivatives

In order to mitigate certain currency exchange and interest rate risks, the Company may enter into certain derivative transactions. All derivatives are subject to a master netting agreement and are reported at their gross amounts as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Transactions entered into are accounted for using the mark-to-market method with the resulting change in fair value recognized in earnings for the current period. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in interest rates and the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Certain derivatives may also require the Company to pledge assets as collateral to secure its obligations.

During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company didnot enter into any derivative transactions nor hold any derivative positions.

Valuations of derivatives are determined using observable market inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and, accordingly, are generally classified as Level 2 in the GAAP valuation hierarchy.

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs

Certain costs incurred in connection with the issuance and/or extension of debt of the Company and its subsidiaries were capitalized and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the respective instruments. The impact of utilizing the straight-line amortization method versus the effective-interest method is not material to the operations of the Company.

Revenue Recognition

Interest and dividend income, including income paid in kind, is recorded on an accrual basis, when such amounts are considered collectible. Origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees, including original issue discounts, earned with respect to capital commitments are generally amortized or accreted into interest income over the life of the respective debt investment, as are end-of-term or exit fees receivable upon repayment of a debt investment. Other fees, including certain amendment fees, prepayment fees and commitment fees on broken deals, are recognized as earned. Prepayment fees and similar income due upon the early repayment of a loan or debt security are recognized when earned and are included in interest income.

Certain debt investments are purchased at a discount to par as a result of the underlying credit risks and financial results of the issuer, as well as general market factors that influence the financial markets as a whole. Discounts on the acquisition of corporate bonds are generally amortized using the effective-interest or constant-yield method assuming there are no questions as to collectability. When principal payments on a loan are received in an amount in excess of the loan’s amortized cost, the excess principal payments are recorded as interest income.

Income Taxes

The Company intends to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required. The income or loss of SVCP, TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC is reported in the respective members' or partners’ income tax returns, as applicable. In accordance with ASC Topic 740 - Income Taxes, the Company recognizes in its consolidated financial statements the effect of a tax position when it is determined that such position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination. The tax returns of the Company, SVCP, TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC remain open for examination by tax authorities for a period of three years from the date they are filed. No such examinations are currently pending. Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Company as of December 31, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the consolidated financial statements.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the following permanent differences, primarily attributable to treatment of expenses, amortization methods for premiums and discounts on fixed income securities and investments in partnerships, were reclassified as follows:

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

(1) Amount available to offset future realized capital gains.

(2) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the timing and recognition of partnership income, the timing and recognition of realized gains (losses) for tax purposes and the accrual of income on securities in default.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

The fund hereby designates the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as interest-related dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

The Fund hereby designates the following amount, or maximum amount allowable by law, as interest income eligible to be treated as a Section 163(j) interest dividend for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

The following amount, or maximum amount allowable by law, is hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020 and January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 and ASU No. 2021-01, respectively, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848),” which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective and can be adopted by all entities through December 31, 2022. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract modifications and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging transactions as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which deferred the sunset day of this guidance to December 31, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2020-04 on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, “Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity,” which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by removing the separation models for (1) convertible debt with a cash conversion feature and (2) convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature. As a result, after adoption, a convertible debt instrument will be accounted for as a single liability measured at its amortized cost. Additionally, ASU 2020-06 requires the application of the if-converted method to calculate the impact of convertible instruments on diluted earnings per share. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and can be adopted on either a fully retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 under the modified retrospective basis as of January 1, 2022. The impact of the Company’s adoption under the modified retrospective basis required an adjustment of $0.1 million to opening net assets for the remaining unamortized discount on the 2022 Convertible Notes, an increase to our debt balance in the amount of $0.1 million as a result of the recombination of the equity conversion component of the 2022 Convertible Notes, and $0.1 million lower interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s adoption of this guidance didnot have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (“ASU 2022-03”),” which clarifies guidance for fair value measurement of an equity security subject to a contractual sale restriction and establishes new disclosure requirements for such equity securities. ASU 2022-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company has concluded that this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Management Fees, Incentive Fees and Other Expenses

On February 8, 2019, the stockholders of the Company approved an amended investment management agreement to be effective on February 9, 2019 between the Company and the Advisor which (i) reduced the management fee on total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) that exceed an amount equal to 200% of the net asset value of the Company from 1.5% to 1.0%, (ii) reduced the incentive compensation on net investment income and net realized gains (reduced by any net unrealized losses) from 20% to 17.5% and (iii) reduced the cumulative total return hurdle from 8% to 7%.

Accordingly, the Company’s management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% on total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) up to an amount equal to 200% of the net asset value of the Company, and 1.0% thereafter. The management fee is calculated on a consolidated basis as of the beginning of each quarter and is payable to the Advisor quarterly in arrears.

Incentive compensation is only incurred to the extent the Company’s cumulative total return (after incentive compensation) exceeds a 7% annual rate on daily weighted-average contributed common equity. Subject to that limitation, incentive compensation is calculated on ordinary income (before incentive compensation) and net realized gains (net of any unrealized depreciation) at rates of 17.5% on income since the fee reduction on February 8, 2019 and 20% previously. Incentive compensation is computed as the difference between incentive compensation earned and incentive compensation paid, subject to the total return hurdle, on a cumulative basis since January 1, 2013, and is payable quarterly in arrears.

A reserve for incentive compensation is accrued based on the amount of any additional incentive compensation that would have been payable to the Advisor assuming a hypothetical liquidation of the Company at net asset value on the balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, no such reserve was accrued.

The Company bears all expenses incurred in connection with its business, including fees and expenses of outside contracted services, such as custodian, administrative, legal, audit and tax preparation fees, costs of valuing investments, insurance costs, brokers’ and finders’ fees relating to investments, and any other transaction costs associated with the purchase and sale of investments.

4. Debt

Debt is comprised of unsecured notes due August 2024 issued by the Company (the “2024 Notes”), unsecured notes due February 2026 issued by the Company (the “2026 Notes”), amounts outstanding under a senior secured revolving, multi-currency credit facility issued by SVCP (the “Operating Facility”), amounts outstanding under a senior secured revolving credit facility issued by TCPC Funding II (“Funding Facility II”) and debentures guaranteed by the SBA (the “SBA Debentures”). Prior to being repaid on March 1, 2022, debt included $140.0 million in convertible senior unsecured notes due March 2022 issued by the Company (the "2022 Convertible Notes"). Prior to being repaid on September 17, 2021, debt included $175.0 million in unsecured notes due August 2022 issued by the Company (the "2022 Notes").

Total debt outstanding and available at December 31, 2023 was as follows:

(1)

(2)

As of December 31, 2023, $155.0 million of the outstanding amount was subject to a SOFR credit adjustment of 0.11%. $8.2 million of the outstanding amount bore interest at a rate of EURIBOR +2.00%.

(3)

(4)

Subject to certain funding requirements and a SOFR credit adjustment of 0.15%

(5)

(6)

Total debt outstanding and available at December 31, 2022 was as follows:

(1)

(2)

As of December 31, 2022, $7.9 million of the outstanding amount bore interest at a rate of EURIBOR +2.00% and $16.0 million of the outstanding amount bore interest at a rate of Prime +1.00%

(3)

(4)

Subject to certain funding requirements

(5)

(6)

The combined weighted-average interest rates on total debt outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were 4.29% and 3.90%, respectively.

Total expenses related to debt included the following:

Outstanding debt is carried at amortized cost in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, the estimated fair values of the Operating Facility, Funding Facility II and the SBA Debentures approximated their carrying values, and the 2024 Notes and the 2026 Notes had estimated fair values of $246.0 million and $303.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the estimated fair values of the Operating Facility, Funding Facility II and the SBA Debentures approximated their carrying values, and the 2024 Notes and the 2026 Notes had estimated fair values of $238.7 million and $290.1 million, respectively. The estimated fair values of the Operating Facility, Funding Facility II and the SBA Debentures were determined by discounting projected remaining payments using market interest rates for borrowings of the Company and entities with similar credit risks at the measurement date. The estimated fair values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes were determined using market quotations. The estimated fair values of the Operating Facility, Funding Facility II, the 2024 Notes, the 2026 Notes and the SBA Debentures as prepared for disclosure purposes were deemed to be Level 3 in the GAAP valuation hierarchy.

Convertible Unsecured Notes

On August 30, 2016, the Company issued $140.0 million of convertible senior unsecured notes, which matured on March 1, 2022. The 2022 Convertible Notes were general unsecured obligations of the Company, and ranked structurally junior to the Operating Facility, Funding Facility II and the SBA Debentures. The Company did not have the right to redeem the 2022 Convertible Notes prior to maturity. The 2022 Convertible Notes bore interest at an annual rate of 4.625%, paid semi-annually. In certain circumstances, the 2022 Convertible Notes could have been converted into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock (such combination to be at the Company’s election), at an initial conversion rate of 54.5019 shares of common stock per one thousand dollar principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $18.35 per share of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilutional adjustments. The initial conversion price was approximately 10.0% above the $16.68 per share closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 30, 2016. Prior to its maturity on March 1, 2022, the principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes exceeded the value of the conversion rate multiplied by the per share closing price of the Company’s common stock. Therefore, no additional shares were added to the calculation of diluted earnings per common share and weighted average common shares outstanding.

The 2022 Convertible Notes were accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 470-20 –Debt with Conversion and Other Options. Upon conversion of any of the 2022 Convertible Notes, the Company intended to pay the outstanding principal amount in cash and, to the extent that the conversion value exceeds the principal amount, had the option to pay the excess amount in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock (or a combination of cash and shares), subject to the requirements of the respective indenture. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2020-06, the Company had determined that the embedded conversion options in 2022 Convertible Notes were not required to be separately accounted for as derivatives under GAAP. At the time of issuance the estimated values of the debt and equity components of the 2022 Convertible Notes were approximately 97.6% and 2.4%, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2020-06 using the modified retrospective basis. In accordance with this guidance, the Company recombined the equity conversion component of our 2022 Convertible Notes outstanding, and accounted for the 2022 Convertible Notes as a single liability measured at amortized cost. This resulted in a cumulative decrease to additional paid in capital of $3.3 million, partially offset by a decrease to accumulated loss of $3.2 million as of January 1, 2022 (see Note 2).

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding September 1, 2021, holders were permitted to convert their 2022 Convertible Notes only under certain circumstances set forth in the indenture governing the terms of the 2022 Convertible Notes. On or after September 1, 2021 until the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding March 1, 2022, holders may have converted their 2022 Convertible Notes at any time. Upon conversion, the Company would pay or deliver, as the case may be, at its election, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to the requirements of the indenture. No notes were converted prior to the notes maturing on March 1, 2022.

The original issue discounts equal to the equity components of the 2022 Convertible Notes were recorded in “paid-in capital in excess of par” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As a result, the Company records interest expense comprised of both stated interest and amortization of the original issue discounts. At the time of issuance, the equity components of the 2022 Convertible Notes were $3.3 million.

For theyears ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the components of interest expense for the convertible notes were as follows:

The estimated effective interest rate of the debt component of the 2022 Convertible Notes, equal to the stated interest of 4.625% plus the accretion of the original issue discount, was approximately 5.125% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 under the modified retrospective basis as of January 1, 2022. As a result of the adoption, the Company didnot recognized any amortization of original discount on the 2022 Convertible Notes during the year ended December 31, 2022 (see Note 2).

Unsecured Notes

On August 4, 2017, the Company issued $125.0 million of unsecured notes with a maturity date of August 11, 2022, unless previously repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms. On November 3, 2017, the Company issued an additional $50.0 million of the 2022 Notes. The 2022 Notes bore interest at an annual rate of 4.125%, payable semi-annually, and all principal were due upon maturity. The 2022 Notes were general unsecured obligations of the Company and ranked structurally junior to the Operating Facility, Funding Facility I, Funding Facility II and the SBA Debentures, and ranked pari passu with the 2022 Convertible Notes, the 2024 Notes and the 2026 Notes.

On September 17, 2021 and pursuant to the indenture governing the 2022 Notes, the Company redeemed all $175.0 million of the 2022 Notes then outstanding at a price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, and accrued and unpaid interest. In connection with the redemption, the Company recognized a $6.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt as reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

On August 23, 2019, the Company issued $150.0 million of unsecured notes that mature on August 23, 2024, unless previously repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms. On November 26, 2019, the Company issued an additional $50.0 million of the 2024 Notes and on October 2, 2020, the Company issued an additional $50.0 million of the 2024 Notes for a total outstanding aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million. The 2024 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 3.900%, payable semi-annually, and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2024 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and rank structurally junior to the Operating Facility, Funding Facility I, Funding Facility II and the SBA Debentures, and rank pari passu with the 2026 Notes. The 2024 Notes may be redeemed in whole or part at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2024 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest. The 2024 Notes were issued at a discount to the principal amount.

On February 9, 2021, the Company issued $175.0 million of unsecured notes that mature on February 9, 2026, unless previously repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms. The 2026 Notes were issued at a discount to the principal amount. On August 27, 2021, the Company issued an additional $150.0 million of the 2026 Notes, at a premium to par, for a total outstanding aggregate principal amount of $325.0 million. The 2026 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.850%, payable semi-annually, and all principal is due upon maturity. The 2026 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and rank structurally junior to the Operating Facility, Funding Facility I, Funding Facility II and the SBA Debentures, and rank pari passu with the 2024 Notes. The 2026 Notes may be redeemed in whole or part at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to par plus a "make whole" premium, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2026 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the components of the carrying value of 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes were as follows:

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the components of interest expense for the 2022 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes were as follows:

Operating Facility

The Operating Facility consists of a revolving, multi-currency credit facility which provides for amounts to be drawn up to $300.0 million, subject to certain collateral and other restrictions. The Operating Facility includes a $100.0 million accordion feature which allows for expansion of the facility to up to $400.0 million subject to consent from the lender and other customary conditions. Most of the cash and investments held directly by SVCP, as well as the net assets of TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC, are included in the collateral for the facility.

On June 22, 2021, the Operating Facility was amended to (i) extend the maturity date by two years from May 6, 2024 to May 6, 2026, (ii) change the interest rate applicable to borrowings to (a) LIBOR plus an applicable margin equal to either 1.75% or 2.00%, or (b) in the case of ABR borrowings, generally the prime rate in effect plus an applicable margin of either 0.75% or 1.00% depending on a ratio of the borrowing base to the facility commitments in both cases, and (iii) reduce commitment fees on the undrawn portion of the Operating Facility above the minimum utilization amount from 0.50% per annum to 0.375% per annum. Undrawn portions of the Operating Facility below the minimum utilization amount continued to accrue commitment fees at a rate of 0.50% per annum until March 1, 2022, the date on which the March 2022 Convertible Notes were terminated in full, after which time they accrue at a rate of 2.00% per annum.

On June 15, 2023, the Operating Facility was amended to update the terms of the interest rate from LIBOR to SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.11%, plus a margin equal to either 1.75% or 2.00%, depending on a ratio of the borrowing base to the facility commitments. The Operating Facility may be terminated, and any outstanding amounts there under may become due and payable, should SVCP fail to satisfy certain financial or other covenants. As of December 31, 2023, SVCP was in full compliance with such covenants.

Funding Facility I

Funding Facility I was a senior secured revolving credit facility which provided for amounts to be drawn up to $300.0 million, subject to certain collateral and other restrictions and had a maturity of May 31, 2023. Borrowings under Funding Facility I bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus either 2.00% or 2.35% per annum, subject to certain funding requirements, plus an administrative fee of 0.25% per annum. In addition to amounts due on outstanding debt, the facility accrued commitment fees of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the facility, or 0.50% per annum when the unused portion is greater than 33% of the total facility, plus an administrative fee of 0.25% per annum. The facility was terminated in August 2020 and replaced with Funding Facility II.

Funding Facility II

Funding Facility II is a senior secured revolving credit facility which provides for amounts to be drawn up to $200.0 million, subject to certain collateral and other restrictions. The facility contains an accordion feature which allows for expansion of the facility to up to $250.0 million subject to consent from the lender and other customary conditions. The cash and investments of TCPC Funding II are included in the collateral for the facility.

Borrowings under Funding Facility II bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum, subject to certain funding requirements, plus a 0.35% fee on drawn amounts and an administrative fee of 0.15% per annum on the facility. The facility also accrued commitment fees of 0.35% per annum on the unused portion of the facility.

Since February 28, 2023, borrowings under Funding Facility II bore interest at a rate of SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.15%, plus a margin of 2.00% per annum, which is subject to increase after the end of the revolving period or under other customary circumstances. The facility also accrues a 0.35% fee on drawn amounts and an administrative fee of 0.15% per annum on the facility. The facility also accrues commitment fees of 0.35% per annum on the unused portion of the facility.

On August 4, 2023, the Funding Facility II was amended to extend the maturity date from August 4, 2025 to August 4, 2027, and updated interest to a rate of SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.15%, plus a margin of 2.05%. The facility may be terminated, and any outstanding amounts thereunder may become due and payable, should TCPC Funding II fail to satisfy certain financial or other covenants. As of December 31, 2023, TCPC Funding II was in full compliance with such covenants.

SBA Debentures

As of December 31, 2023, the SBIC is able to issue up to $160.0 million in SBA Debentures, subject to funded regulatory capital and other customary regulatory requirements. As of December 31, 2023, SVCP had committed $87.5 million of regulatory capital to the SBIC, all of which had been funded. SBA Debentures are non-recourse and may be prepaid at any time without penalty. Once drawn, the SBIC debentures bear an interim interest rate of LIBOR plus 30 basis points. The rate then becomes fixed at the time of SBA pooling, which occurs twice each year, and is set to the then-current 10-year treasury rate plus a spread and an annual SBA charge.

SBA Debentures outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:

• Weighted-average interest rate

5. Commitments, Contingencies, Concentration of Credit Risk and Off-Balance Sheet Risk

SVCP, TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC conduct business with brokers and dealers that are primarily headquartered in New York and Los Angeles and are members of the major securities exchanges. Banking activities are conducted with a firm headquartered in the San Francisco area.

In the normal course of business, investment activities involve executions, settlement and financing of various transactions resulting in receivables from, and payables to, brokers, dealers and the custodian. These activities may expose the Company to risk in the event that such parties are unable to fulfill contractual obligations. Management does not anticipate any material losses from counterparties with whom it conducts business. Consistent with standard business practice, the Company, SVCP, TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II and the SBIC enter into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications, and are engaged from time to time in various legal actions. The maximum exposure under these arrangements and activities is unknown. However, management expects the risk of material loss to be remote.

5. Commitments, Contingencies, Concentration of Credit Risk and Off-Balance Sheet Risk — (continued)

The Consolidated Schedules of Investments include certain revolving loan facilities and other commitments with unfunded balances at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 as follows:

5. Commitments, Contingencies, Concentration of Credit Risk and Off-Balance Sheet Risk — (continued)

From time to time, the Company and the Advisor may be parties to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business, including with respect to our investments in our portfolio companies. On September 13, 2023, the Company was named as a defendant, together with the Advisor and certain other funds managed by the Advisor, as well as certain other defendants, in a lawsuit filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The suit relates to a third-party sponsored collateralized loan obligation in which the Company and certain other defendants invested. The suit alleges that the Company and the other defendants knew or should have known of certain fraudulent activities of the third-party manager relating to its management of the collateralized loan obligation that caused the plaintiffs to suffer investment losses. The suit seeks to recover from the Company approximately $15 million, plus interest, additional amounts from the other Defendants, and attorneys’ fees and costs from all Defendants. the Company, the affiliated funds and the Advisor intend to vigorously defend against these claims. At this time, however, the Company and the Advisor cannot predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome, including any potential losses that could result. On November 6, 2023, the Company, the affiliated funds, and the Advisor, and certain other Defendants filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit, which was fully briefed on February 12, 2024 and is scheduled to be argued in court on March 6, 2024.

6. Other Related Party Transactions

The Company, SVCP, TCPC Funding, TCPC Funding II, the SBIC, the Advisor and their members and affiliates may be considered related parties. From time to time, SVCP advances payments to third parties on behalf of the Company which are reimbursable through deductions from distributions to the Company. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, no such amounts were outstanding. From time to time, the Advisor advances payments to third parties on behalf of the Company and SVCP and receives reimbursement from the Company. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, amounts reimbursable to the Advisor totaled $0.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Pursuant to an administration agreement between the Administrator and the Company (the “Administration Agreement”), the Administrator may be reimbursed for costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator for office space rental, office equipment and utilities allocable to the Company, as well as costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator or its affiliates relating to any administrative, operating, or other non-investment advisory services provided by the Administrator or its affiliates to the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, expenses allocated pursuant to the Administration Agreement totaled $1.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

On September 6, 2023, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with BCIC, Merger Sub and, solely for the limited purposes set forth therein, BCIA and the Advisor. On January 10, 2024, the Merger Agreement was amended and restated. See “Note 12 – Proposed Merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation” for further information regarding the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

7. Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends

Prior to its discontinuance effective July 7, 2020, the Company had offered an “opt in” dividend reinvestment plan to common stockholders, pursuant to which the dividends payable to those shareholders who so elected would be reinvested in shares of common stock.

The Company’s dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The following table summarizes the Company’s dividends declared and paid for theyear ended December 31, 2023:

The following table summarizes the Company’s dividends declared and paid for the year ended December 31, 2022:

On February 24, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan (the “Company Repurchase Plan”) to acquire up to $50.0 million in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock at prices at certain thresholds below the Company’s net asset value per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 of the 1934 Act. The Company Repurchase Plan is designed to allow the Company to repurchase its common stock at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws. The Company Repurchase Plan requires an agent selected by the Company to repurchase shares of common stock on the Company’s behalf if and when the market price per share is at certain thresholds below the most recently reported net asset value per share. Under the plan, the agent will increase the volume of purchases made if the price of the Company’s common stock declines, subject to volume restrictions. The timing and amount of any stock repurchased depends on the terms and conditions of the Company Repurchase Plan, the market price of the common stock and trading volumes, and no assurance can be given that any particular amount of common stock will be repurchased. The Company Repurchase Plan was re-approved on October 26, 2023, to be in effect through the earlier of two trading days after the Company’s fourth quarter 2023 earnings release unless further extended or terminated by the Company’s Board of Directors, or such time as the approved $50.0 million repurchase amount has been fully utilized, subject to certain conditions.

No shares were repurchased by the Company under the Company Repurchase Plan for theyears ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

8. Earnings Per Share

In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Other potentially dilutive common shares, if any, and the related impact to earnings, are considered when calculating earnings per share on a diluted basis. The following information sets forth the computation of the net increase in net assets per share resulting from operations for theyears ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:

9. Subsequent Events

On February 27, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors re-approved the Company Repurchase Plan, to be in effect through the earlier of two trading days after the Company’s first quarter 2024 earnings release or such time as the approved $50.0 million repurchase amount has been fully utilized, subject to certain conditions.

On February 29, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a first quarter regular dividend of $0.34 per share payable on March 29, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 14, 2024.

10. Financial Highlights

(1)

Total return based on market value is calculated by determining the percentage change in market value per share during the period.

(2)

Total return based on net asset value is calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value per share during the period, including incentive compensation and all Company expenses including interest and other debt costs.

(3)

Net of incentive compensation and excise taxes.

(4)

Includes interest and other debt costs but excludes excise taxes.

(5)

Includes incentive compensation and all Company expenses including interest and other debt costs.

(6)

Excludes unamortized debt issuance costs which are netted in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

(7)

See Note 2 and 4 for further information related to the adoption of ASU 2020-06.

(8)

Excludes SBA Debentures.

(9)

Dividends to common shareholders include a tax return of capital of $0 ($0.00 per share), $0 ($0.00 per share), $13,563,291 ($0.23 per share), $11,313,222 ($0.19 per share) and $2,486,618 ($0.04 per share) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

11. Senior Securities

Information about the Company's senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of each of the last ten fiscal years and the period ended December 31, 2023.

11. Senior Securities — (continued)

(1)

Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented (in 1,000’s).

(2)

The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing indebtedness is calculated as our consolidated total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by senior securities representing indebtedness. For the Operating Facility, Funding Facility I and Funding Facility II, the asset coverage ratio with respect to indebtedness is multiplied by $1,000 to determine the Asset Coverage Per Unit.

(3)

The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. The “—” in this column indicates that the SEC expressly does not require this information to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.

(4)

The Company's senior securities are not registered for public trading.

12. Proposed Merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation

On September 6, 2023, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with BCIC, Merger Sub, and, solely for the limited purposes set forth therein, BCIA and the Advisor. The Merger Agreement provides that, subject tothe requisite approvals of the Company's stockholders and BCIC's stockholders being obtained, required regulatory approvals and the other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time, BCIC will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company and as a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Special Value Continuation Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). The boards of directors of BCIC and the Company, in each case on the recommendation of a special committee comprised solely of all of the independent directors of BCIC or the Company, as applicable, have approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. On January 10, 2024, the Merger Agreement was amended and restated.

At the Effective Time, (as defined in the Merger Agreement), each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of BCIC (“BCIC Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares (i) owned by the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries or (ii) held by BCIC as treasury stock (the “Cancelled Shares”) will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Company Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio (as defined below), plus any cash (without interest) in lieu of fractional shares.

Each of the Company and BCIC will deliver to the other a calculation of its net asset value as of a date no more than 48 hours prior to the closing of the Merger (the “Determination Date”) in each case, based on the same assumptions and methodologies, and applying the same categories of adjustments to net asset value historically used in preparing the calculation of the net asset value per share by the applicable party, except (i) that, in the case of BCIC, any quoted investments valued by reference to bid-ask prices will be valued at the mid-point of the bid-ask spread as reported by the pricing vendor or broker, such that the valuation treatment of such investments is consistent with the valuation policies of the Company, and (ii) as otherwise may be mutually agreed by the parties. We refer to such calculation with respect to BCIC as the “Closing BCIC Net Asset Value” and such calculation with respect to the Company as the “Closing Company Net Asset Value”. Based on such calculations, the parties will calculate the “BCIC Per Share NAV”, which will be equal to (i) the Closing BCIC Net Asset Value divided by (ii) the number of shares of BCIC Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Determination Date (excluding any Cancelled Shares), and the “Company Per Share NAV”, which will be equal to (A) the Closing Company Net Asset Value divided by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Determination Date. The “Exchange Ratio” will be equal to the quotient (rounded to four (4) decimal places) of (i) the BCIC Per Share NAV divided by (ii) the Company Per Share NAV, each calculated as of the Determination Date.

BCIC and the Company will update and redeliver the Closing BCIC Net Asset Value or the Closing Company Net Asset Value, respectively, in the event that the closing of the Merger is delayed or there is a more than de minimis change to such calculation between the Determination Date and the closing of the Merger and if needed to ensure that the calculation is determined within 48 hours (excluding Sundays and holidays) prior to the effective time of the Merger.

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by each of the Company, the Advisor, BCIA and BCIC. The Merger Agreement also contains customary covenants, including, among others, covenants relating to the operation of each of the Company’s and BCIC’s businesses during the period prior to the closing of the Mergers. Consummation of the Merger, which is currently anticipated to occur during the first quarter of 2024, is subject to certain closing conditions, including requisite approvals of the Company’s stockholders and BCIC's stockholders and regulatory approvals.

The Merger Agreement also contains certain termination rights in favor of the Company and BCIC, including if the Merger is not completed on or before August 31, 2024 or if the requisite approvals of BCIC or Company stockholders are not obtained.

In connection with the signing of the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Advisor entered into an amended and restated investment advisory agreement that will become effective as of the Effective Time (the “Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement”) that provides that the Advisor will reduce its base management fee rate for managing the Company from 1.50% to 1.25% on assets equal to or below 200% of the net asset value of the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, the base management fee rate on assets that exceed 200% of the net asset value of the Company would remain 1.00%) with no change to the basis of calculation.

In connection with the signing of the Merger Agreement, the Company also entered into a fee waiver agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”) with the Advisor. The Fee Waiver Agreement provides that the Advisor will waive all or a portion of its advisory fees to the extent the adjusted net investment income of the Company on a per share basis (determined by dividing the adjusted net investment income of the Company by the weighted average outstanding shares of the Company during the relevant quarter) is less than $0.32 per share in any of the first four (4) fiscal quarters ending after the Effective Time (the first of which will be the quarter in which the Effective Time occurs unless it is the last day of the quarter) to the extent there are sufficient advisory fees to cover such deficit.

12. Proposed Merger with BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation — (continued)

The Merger is expected to be accounted for as an asset acquisition of BCIC by the Company in accordance with the asset acquisition method of accounting as detailed in ASC 805-50 ("ASC 805"), Business Combinations-Related Issues. Under asset acquisition accounting, acquiring assets in groups not only requires ascertaining the cost of the asset (or net assets), but also allocating that cost to the individual assets (or individual assets and liabilities) that make up the group. Per ASC 805-50-30-1, assets are recognized based on their cost to the acquiring entity, which generally includes transaction costs of the asset acquisition, and no gain or loss is recognized unless the fair value of noncash assets given as consideration differs from the assets’ carrying amounts on the acquiring entity’s records. ASC 805-50-30-2 provides that asset acquisitions in which the consideration given is cash are measured by the amount of cash paid. However, if the consideration given is not in the form of cash (that is, in the form of noncash assets, liabilities incurred, or equity interests issued), measurement is based on the cost to the acquiring entity or the fair value of the assets (or net assets) acquired, whichever is more clearly evident and, thus, more reliably measured.

As set forth in the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Advisor has agreed that, for purposes of calculating net investment income and certain incentive fee calculations under the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor will exclude any amortization or accretion of any purchase premium or purchase discount to interest income or any gains and losses resulting solely from accounting adjustments to the cost basis of the BCIC assets acquired in the Merger as required under ASC 805.

All fees and expenses incurred by any party or any of its consolidated subsidiaries in connection with the Merger Agreement will be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated. All fees and expenses (whether or not incurred or owed by the Company or BCIC) related to (i) the drafting of the Merger Agreement and the other documents and agreements related thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby and the joint proxy statement/prospectus, (ii) filing and other fees paid to the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (iii) filing and other fees incurred in connection with any filing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be borne by the Company and BCIC on a pro rata basis based upon the relative net assets of the Company and BCIC as of the date on which the Exchange Ratio is determined, subject to the sharing of a portion of these charges by the Advisor or BCIA as described below.

The Advisor, in the case of the Company, and BCIA, in the case of BCIC, will each bear 50% of the aggregate reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Company or BCIC, as applicable, up to a combined aggregate amount equal to $6 million, except that if the Closing does not occur because either the BCIC Stockholders fail to approve the BCIC Merger Proposal or the Company Stockholders fail to approve the Company Stock Issuance Proposal, then, such amount will be reduced to $3 million. The foregoing expense limits will be allocated between the Company and BCIC on a pro rata basis based upon the relative net assets of the Company and BCIC as of the date on which the Exchange Ratio is determined, subject to reallocation should one of the Company or BCIC incur expenses that are less than its proportional amount of the expense cap. In accordance with ASC 805, transaction expenses of the Company are capitalized and deferred, while transaction expenses of BCIC are expensed as incurred. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had capitalized approximately $1.5 million in transaction related expenses and such amount is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement and as of specific dates; were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement (except as may be expressly set forth in the Merger Agreement); may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts; and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Stockholders and security holders should not rely on such representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, or any descriptions thereof, as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of any of the parties to the Merger Agreement or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures by the parties to the Merger Agreement.