Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp

General

We are a specialty finance company focused primarily on investing in senior secured loans to private equity-owned U.S. middle market companies. We are externally managed by our Adviser, Churchill DLC Advisor LLC, and through our Sub-Advisers, Churchill Asset Management LLC and Nuveen Asset Management. Our Adviser and our Sub-Advisers are affiliates and subsidiaries of Nuveen, the investment management division of TIAA and one of the largest asset managers globally. We invest in directly originated senior secured loans that typically pay floating interest rates and are senior in the capital structure to junior debt and equity, as we believe these loans offer us more attractive risk-adjusted returns and stronger protections than investments in the traditional public debt capital markets. We seek to partner with high quality, private equity-owned middle market companies that have strong management teams executing on long-term growth strategies. Additionally, the private equity sponsors that own the businesses we lend to typically have the ability and strong incentive to support their portfolio companies by providing additional capital and managerial and operational assistance. We believe this support could potentially enhance the performance of our portfolio companies and provide additional protections for our investments.

We were formed as a Delaware limited liability company in March 2018 and we converted into a Maryland corporation in June 2019. We are a closed-end, externally managed, non-diversified management investment company that 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, we have elected, and intend to qualify annually, to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

On January 29, 2024, we closed our initial public offering (“IPO”), issuing 5.5 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $18.05. We received cash proceeds of approximately $99.3 million. Our common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “NCDL” on January 25, 2024.

Our investment objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns through current income by investing primarily in senior secured loans to private equity-owned U.S. middle market companies, which we define as companies with $10 million to $250 million of EBITDA. We primarily focus on investments in U.S. middle market companies with $10 million to $100 million of EBITDA, which we consider the core middle market. Our portfolio is comprised primarily of first-lien senior secured debt and unitranche loans. Although it is not our primary strategy, we also opportunistically invest in junior capital opportunities, including second-lien loans, subordinated debt, equity co-investments and similar equity-related securities.

Each of the Adviser, Churchill and Nuveen Asset Management are investment advisers registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and are controlled by Nuveen, LLC (“Nuveen”). Nuveen is the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”), a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund.

The Adviser — Churchill DLC Advisor LLC

Churchill DLC Advisor LLC (f/k/a Nuveen Churchill Advisors LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as our Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. The Adviser is responsible for the overall management of our activities pursuant to the Advisory Agreement.

The Adviser has delegated substantially all of its daily portfolio-management obligations as set forth in the Advisory Agreement to Churchill pursuant to the CAM Sub-Advisory Agreement, which was approved by our board of directors (the “Board”), including a majority of directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of us, the Advisers, or of any of their respective affiliates (the “independent directors”). The Adviser has general oversight over the investment process on our behalf and manages our capital structure, including, but not limited to, asset and liability management. The Adviser also has ultimate responsibility for our performance under the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

The Sub-Adviser — Churchill Asset Management LLC

Churchill serves as our Sub-Adviser pursuant to the CAM Sub-Advisory Agreement. Churchill provides investment advisory and management services to us. Under the terms of the CAM Sub-Advisory Agreement, Churchill: (i) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of investments (including performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies); (ii) closes and monitors investments; and (iii) determines the securities and other assets to be purchased, retained or sold. The Adviser and Churchill have entered into the CAM Sub-Advisory Agreement, which has been approved by our Board, and the terms of which provide Churchill with broad delegated authority to oversee our portfolio.

In addition to serving as our Sub-Adviser, Churchill manages other middle market investment strategies for affiliated entities such as TIAA, its ultimate parent company, as well as for third-party institutional investors, private funds, CLOs and separate accounts, Nuveen Churchill Private Capital Income Fund, a BDC, and NC SLF Inc. and Corient Registered Alternatives Fund, each closed-end investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

Churchill manages (directly or as a sub-adviser) over $52 billion of committed capital across its integrated capital solutions platform as of January 1, 2025. Churchill manages a range of vehicles, including BDCs, registered closed-end investment companies, separate accounts, structured finance products, and private funds investing in private middle market leveraged loans, subordinated debt, equity related securities, private equity, limited partner commitments, and related strategies. Of its over $52 billion of committed capital across the platform, Churchill manages over $11 billion in limited partner capital commitments to approximately 325 private equity funds on behalf of TIAA’s general account and third-party investors. Churchill offers a full array of solutions across the capital structure, benefiting from the investment guidance of its principals who have a long history of disciplined investing in the middle market across various economic cycles. With over $28 billion of committed capital dedicated to middle market private credit as of January 1, 2025, Churchill provides us with the ability to invest in larger transactions while limiting concentration in our portfolio. While it is managed and operated independently of TIAA and Nuveen, Churchill benefits from the scale, capital and resources of its parent companies.

The Investment Committee

All investment decisions for the Company require the unanimous approval of the members of an investment committee dedicated to management of the Company’s portfolio (the “Investment Committee”) comprised of Churchill Founders, Kenneth Kencel and Randy Schwimmer, together with Mathew Linett and the head of its Private Equity and Junior Capital Solutions team, Jason Strife. The Investment Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all investment opportunities for the Company, which are sourced by Churchill’s separate and distinct investment committees dedicated to senior loan investments and junior capital opportunities, respectively.

Advisory Agreement

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, we pay a base management fee and incentive fees to the Adviser, as described below. On October 27, 2023, our Board unanimously approved the Advisory Agreement and our shareholders approved the Advisory Agreement on December 15, 2023. The Advisory Agreement became effective on January 29, 2024 upon the consummation of the IPO. The Advisory Agreement amended the prior investment advisory agreement, dated December 31, 2019, as follows:

•reduces the base management fee payable by the Company to the Adviser following the IPO from an annual rate of 1.25% of Average Total Assets (as defined below) to an annual rate of 0.75% of Average Total Assets for the first five quarters beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated (i.e., beginning with the calendar quarter ending March 31, 2024 through the calendar quarter ending March 31, 2025), and thereafter, the base management fee will step up to 1.00% of Average Total Assets;

•waives both the incentive fee on income and the incentive fee on capital gains for the first five quarters beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated;

•the calculation of the incentive fee on income will be subject to a “three-year look back”;

•the incentive fee on income is subject to a cap (the “Incentive Fee Cap”) equal to the difference between (x) 15% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return (as defined below) in respect of the current calendar quarter and the eleven preceding calendar quarters (or, if fewer, the number of calendar quarters beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated) (such period, the “Trailing Twelve Quarters”) and (y) the aggregate incentive fee on income that were paid to the Adviser by the Company in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or, if fewer, the number of calendar quarters beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters; and

•the calculation of the incentive fee on capital gain will include cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and cumulative aggregate realized capital losses from the beginning of the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated.

Base Management Fee

Under the Advisory Agreement, for the first five quarters beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated, the management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 0.75% of average total assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents and including assets financed using leverage (“Average Total Assets”), at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, and thereafter, the management fee will step up to 1.00% of Average Total Assets. For purposes of this calculation, cash and cash equivalents include any temporary investments in cash-equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality investment grade debt investments that mature in 12 months or less from the date of investment. Any management fees will be payable quarterly in arrears.

The Adviser retains 32.5% of the management fee. The remaining amount will be paid by the Adviser to Churchill as compensation for services provided by Churchill pursuant to the CAM Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Incentive Fee

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is waiving the incentive fee on income and incentive fee on capital gains for the first five quarters beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated. Following the expiration of the fee waiver, we will pay an incentive fee to the Adviser that will consist of two parts. The incentive fees will be based on our income and our capital gains, each as described below. The portion of the incentive fee based on income will be calculated, subject to the Incentive Fee Cap, and payable quarterly in arrears based on pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters commencing from the beginning of the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated, as follows:

•no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which the aggregate pre-incentive fee net investment income (as defined below) in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.50% (6% annually) for such Trailing Twelve Quarters;

•100% of our aggregate pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 1.7647% in any calendar quarter following the consummation of the IPO. We refer to this portion of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as the “catch-up” provision. The catch-up is meant to provide the Adviser with 15% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 1.7647% multiplied by our NAV at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters; and

•15% of the aggregate pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, in respect of the Trailing Twelve Quarters that exceeds 1.7647%.

Under the Advisory Agreement, following the expiration of the fee waiver, the incentive fee on income for a particular quarter will be subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee Cap will be equal to the difference between (x) 15% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return over the Trailing Twelve Quarters and (y) the aggregate incentive fee on income that was paid to the Adviser by us in respect of the first eleven calendar quarters (or, if fewer, the number of calendar quarters beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated) included in the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters.

“Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return” during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters, beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated, means (x) the pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters less (y) any Net Capital Loss (as defined below), if any, in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap is zero or a negative value, we will pay no incentive fee on income to the Adviser in respect of that quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is a positive value but is less than the incentive fee on income that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter calculated as described above, we will pay an incentive fee on income to the Adviser equal to the Incentive Fee Cap in respect of such quarter. If, in any quarter, the Incentive Fee Cap for such quarter is equal to or greater than the incentive fee on income that is payable to the Adviser for such quarter calculated as described above, we will pay an incentive fee on income to the Adviser equal to the incentive fee calculated as described above for such quarter without regard to the Incentive Fee Cap.

“Net Capital Loss” in respect of a particular period, beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated, means the difference, if positive, between (i) aggregate capital losses, whether realized or unrealized, in respect of such period and (ii) aggregate capital gains, whether realized or unrealized, in respect of such period.

Pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the relevant calendar quarters, minus operating expenses for the relevant calendar quarters (including the management fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred shares, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income will include, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature such as market discount, debt instruments with PIK interest, preferred shares with PIK dividends and zero-coupon securities, accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. The Adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the incentive fee it received that was based on accrued interest that we never receive.

Pre-incentive fee net investment income will not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses. If any distributions from portfolio companies are characterized as a return of capital, such returns of capital would affect the capital gains incentive fee to the extent a gain or loss is realized.

To determine whether the pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate, pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters will be compared to a “hurdle amount” equal to the product of (i) the “hurdle rate” of 1.50% per quarter (6% annualized) and (ii) the sum of our net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) at the beginning of each applicable calendar quarter comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. Because of the structure of the incentive fee on income, it is possible that we may pay an incentive fee in a calendar quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable incentive fee even if we have incurred a loss in that calendar quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses, subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. In addition, because the quarterly hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given calendar quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached and therefore the likelihood of us paying an incentive fee for that calendar quarter, subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. In addition, if market interest rates rise, we may be able to invest in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier for the Adviser to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive an incentive fee based on such net investment income.

These calculations will be appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the applicable calendar quarter.

Under the Advisory Agreement, following the expiration of the fee waiver, the second part of the incentive fee will be a capital gains incentive fee that will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), and equals 15.0% of our realized capital gains as of the end of the fiscal year following the IPO. In no event will the capital gains incentive fee payable pursuant to the Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act, including Section 205 thereof.

In determining the capital gains incentive fee payable to the Adviser, we will calculate the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and cumulative aggregate realized capital losses beginning with the calendar quarter in which the IPO was consummated, and the aggregate unrealized capital depreciation as of the date of the calculation, as applicable, with respect to each of the investments in our portfolio. For this purpose, cumulative aggregate realized capital gains, if any, equals the sum of the differences between the net sales price of each investment, when sold, and the amortized cost of such investment. Cumulative aggregate realized capital losses equals the sum of the amounts by which the net sales price of each investment, when sold, is less than the amortized cost of such investment beginning with the calendar quarter in which this offering is consummated. Aggregate unrealized capital depreciation equals the sum of the difference, if negative, between the valuation of each investment as of the applicable calculation date and the amortized cost of such investment. At the end of the applicable year, the amount of capital gains that will serve as the basis for the calculation of the capital gains incentive fee equals the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains less cumulative aggregate realized capital losses, less aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, with respect to our portfolio of investments.

The Adviser retains 32.5% of the incentive fee. The remaining amount will be paid by the Adviser to Churchill as compensation for services provided by Churchill pursuant to the CAM Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The Sub-Adviser — Nuveen Asset Management, LLC

On October 27, 2023, our Board, including all of the independent directors, unanimously approved the NAM Sub-Advisory Agreement and our shareholders approved the NAM Sub-Advisory Agreement on December 15, 2023. The NAM Sub-Advisory Agreement became effective on January 29, 2024 upon the consummation of the IPO. Pursuant to the NAM Sub-Advisory Agreement, Nuveen Asset Management may manage certain of our liquid investments. Subject to the pace and amount of investment activity in our middle market investment program, a portion of our portfolio may be comprised of cash and cash equivalents, liquid fixed-income securities (including broadly syndicated loans) and other liquid credit instruments. The percentage of our portfolio allocated to the liquid investment strategy managed by Nuveen Asset Management will be at the discretion of Churchill.

The fees payable to Nuveen Asset Management pursuant to the NAM Sub-Advisory Agreement to manage our liquid investment allocation will be payable by Churchill and will not impact the advisory fees payable by our shareholders.

Nuveen Asset Management conducts its high yield corporate and leveraged loan investment activities through its leveraged finance platform (“Nuveen Leveraged Finance”), offering investors access to high yield, leveraged loan and alternative credit strategies that draw upon Nuveen’s size and scale. Nuveen provides a comprehensive range of outcome-focused investment solutions designed to secure the long-term financial goals of institutional and individual investors. As the investment management business of TIAA, Nuveen has approximately $1.3 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024, with its affiliates offering deep expertise across a comprehensive range of traditional and alternative investments through a wide array of vehicles and customized strategies.

Competitive Advantages

We believe that our competitive advantages stem from long-standing market presence, significant lending capacity, scale to support attractive investments, strong relationships with private equity firms, differentiated sourcing capabilities, and ability to compete on factors other than pricing. Further, we believe that Churchill has built a reputation of professionalism and collaboration that positions us to be a preferred capital provider to support the needs of private equity sponsors. We believe Churchill has the scale, platform, and unique capabilities to effectively manage our U.S. private credit investment strategy, offering investors the following competitive advantages:

Scaled Platform with Extensive Private Credit Expertise

Since 2006, Churchill’s senior leadership team has worked together to establish a cycle-tested track record in direct lending and private capital investments. The Churchill team has deep middle market investment expertise, providing customized financing solutions to private equity-backed middle market companies across the capital structure, including senior loans, junior capital, equity co-investments and similar equity-related securities. Overseeing over $52 billion in committed capital as of January 1, 2025 and deploying over $13 billion in the year ended December 31, 2024 across its multiple investment strategies, Churchill is one of the most active direct lenders in the U.S. middle market. With nearly 200 dedicated professionals in New York, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas, Churchill operates a fully integrated investment platform with advanced infrastructure, risk management, investor relations, finance, operations, and legal support functions. The scale of Churchill’s platform provides us with the ability to invest in larger transactions with limited concentration in our portfolio. We believe that the breadth and depth of Churchill’s expertise, coupled with its long history of disciplined investment across industries and various economic cycles, provides differentiated strengths when sourcing and evaluating large and complex investment opportunities.

Unique Benefits from Alignment with Nuveen and TIAA

Churchill benefits substantially from the scale and resources of its parent company, Nuveen, and Nuveen’s ultimate parent company, TIAA. Nuveen, as the investment management division of TIAA, is one of the world’s largest asset managers with $1.3 trillion assets under management as of September 30, 2024, of which approximately $125 billion is invested in private capital. TIAA, a leading provider of secure retirement and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions, is the third largest private debt investor in the world.1 Together, TIAA and Nuveen have been investors in the private debt and equity markets for over 50 years.

Leveraging the scale, capital and resources of Nuveen’s platform, Churchill is able to focus on its middle market investment expertise. Specifically, Nuveen’s distribution capabilities from its approximately 160 person U.S. wealth coverage team enable Churchill to prioritize originating, underwriting and managing its high quality, diversified portfolios while relying on Nuveen’s retail and wealth distribution platform.

TIAA is an important part of Churchill’s committed capital base, as Churchill manages TIAA’s general account allocation to U.S. middle market private capital side-by-side with Churchill’s third-party investors. This provides for a unique alignment of interests that we believe causes Churchill to think and act like a long-term investor in the asset class.

Strong Private Equity Relationships and Fund Investments Drive Proprietary Origination Opportunities

Churchill believes it has established itself as a highly value-additive capital provider and partner of choice for leading private equity firms given its ability to provide a full array of scaled solutions across the capital structure. Churchill’s dedicated loan origination team has cultivated deep, long-standing relationships with over 575 middle market private equity firms across diversified strategies, industry focus and U.S. geographies. Of over $52 billion of committed capital as of January 1, 2025, over $11 billion is comprised of committed capital that supports a carefully constructed portfolio of primary limited partner capital commitments made by TIAA and certain other institutional investor clients of Churchill to approximately 325 private equity funds primarily focused on

1 Source: Rankings published in the Private Debt Investor Magazine’s Global Investor 50, December 2023/January 2024. Private Debt Investor Magazine’s research and analytics team carried out primary and secondary research on more than 100 institutions to produce rankings on the world’s largest institutional private debt investors based on the market value of private debt portfolios. Nuveen submitted data to the research and analytics team. There were no fees paid in connection with this recognition.

the U.S. middle market. We believe Churchill’s role as a valuable limited partner and its fully integrated partnership approach helps drive differentiated origination opportunities often on an early look, first access basis. Additionally, we believe Churchill’s deep network of private equity relationships and representation on hundreds of private equity fund advisory boards further enhances Churchill’s proprietary deal sourcing advantages while remaining highly selective of investment opportunities without compromising on its stringent underwriting standards or transaction terms. Churchill is a trusted and desired financing partner, demonstrated by its ability to earn the lead or co-lead role in approximately 80% of its senior loan transaction volume in the trailing twelve-months ended December 31, 2024. In this capacity, Churchill is able to structure and negotiate transactions directly with the private equity sponsor, driving efficiencies and stronger relationships, often leading to the sponsor’s decision to select Churchill as a lead lending partner for subsequent transactions as well. Churchill’s sourcing strategy is not, however, entirely centered on leading every transaction as it also partners with other middle market lenders on attractive investment opportunities, helping to drive a more stable and reliable capital deployment pace in the middle market.

Many of Churchill’s senior management and investment team members have held senior positions at other middle market lending firms and continue to maintain strong relationships with numerous active participants in the segment. These long-established relationships help source incremental investment opportunities and contribute to the high levels of deal flow with approximately 1,000 first-lien senior secured debt and unitranche loan investment opportunities reviewed per year. In contrast, peer lenders who focus primarily on lead agency roles often can find themselves in direct competition with one another adversely impacting deal flow and selectivity. Churchill’s dual sourcing model emphasizes long-term partnerships, ensuring that Churchill can focus exclusively on investment credit quality. We believe we are well-positioned to take advantage of the demand for capital in the middle market, particularly from private equity sponsored middle market companies.

Ability to Deliver Scaled and Flexible Capital Solutions

We believe Churchill’s ability to provide a variety of capital solutions and to invest opportunistically across the capital structure is a key differentiator and highly valued by private equity sponsors. Churchill is able to provide a comprehensive set of customized capital solutions to meet the needs of the borrower. With respect to senior loans, the investment team can opportunistically pivot between traditional first-lien senior secured loans and unitranche loans, as well as offer delayed draw term loans, in order to deliver the most attractive risk-adjusted returns. Further, the investment team’s partnership approach offers a strong value proposition to private equity firms, as one of a handful of middle market lenders with the ability to commit up to $500 million per transaction. This flexibility and the ability to deliver a fully underwritten solution ensures that Churchill has exposure to a wide range of transactions enabling it to be highly selective with respect to investment opportunities. Additionally, with respect to junior capital opportunities, the investment team has the ability to pivot between junior secured or unsecured debt instruments. Having the latitude to pivot across capital solutions differentiates Churchill compared to most other direct lenders in situations when capital requirements change during a transaction and thereby has positioned it as the preferred capital partner for private equity sponsors.

Disciplined and Rigorous Investment Approach with Comprehensive Portfolio Monitoring

Selectivity, broad industry diversification and rigorous underwriting standards are key to Churchill’s investment philosophy. Churchill provides us with a large and diverse pipeline of middle market investment opportunities, enhancing our ability to be highly selective and to maintain stringent underwriting standards and a diversified portfolio across sectors. Churchill employs a multi-step selection process when reviewing each potential investment opportunity that includes analyzing business prospects, thoroughly reviewing historical and pro forma financial information, meeting and discussing the business with the management team and private equity sponsor, understanding sponsor investment strategy and risk considerations, evaluating industry diligence to determine market position and competitive advantages, and assessing the track record of the private equity sponsor and its historical investments in other businesses.

Using a disciplined and cycle-tested investment approach, Churchill’s investment teams seek to limit credit losses through comprehensive due diligence of portfolio company fundamentals, terms and conditions and covenant packages. Following the closing of each investment, the investment professionals who initially underwrite the opportunity typically lead the hands-on portfolio monitoring effort to ensure continuity and the ability to respond efficiently to any portfolio company requests. Churchill implements a regimented credit monitoring system that involves a variety of discussions, analyses and reviews by its investment professionals on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis, depending on the assessed monitoring need, which we believe enables Churchill to proactively detect and identify potential challenges at portfolio companies. See “ – Investment Process Overview” below.

Proven Leadership Team with Extensive Private Capital Experience Across Economic Cycles

Churchill is led by industry veterans who bring on average more than 25 years of experience in middle market investing, the majority of whom have worked together for over a decade and have demonstrated an ability to prudently invest across various economic cycles at Churchill and its predecessor entities. Churchill was founded by current senior management team members Kenneth Kencel, Randy Schwimmer and Christopher Cox (the “Churchill Founders”), who have together unanimously approved all of the over 875 senior loans made by Churchill and its predecessor entities since 2006. This core management team has been strengthened with the addition of several additional senior executives from Churchill’s predecessor entities and its ultimate parent company, TIAA. Among these additional senior management colleagues are Mathew Linett and Shai Vichness, who comprise the remaining members of the investment committee dedicated to senior loan opportunities alongside the Churchill Founders. Additionally, in connection with its affiliation with TIAA, Churchill assumed management of TIAA’s private equity and junior capital investment management platform, resulting in a unified middle market private capital asset management firm that capitalizes on opportunities throughout the U.S. sponsor-backed middle market.

Investment Selection Criteria

We primarily invest in first-lien senior secured debt and unitranche loans. In addition, we have and may continue to invest opportunistically in (i) secured second-lien loans, (ii) subordinated loans (both secured and unsecured) that provide for high fixed interest rates with substantial current interest income, and potentially equity participation or warrants that materially enhance the overall return of the security, and (iii) equity co-investments alongside private equity sponsors in a limited number of transactions where we believe the potential returns are attractive.

We have identified a number of key attributes when evaluating new investment opportunities that are aimed at offering attractive risk / reward characteristics. Our objective is to invest broadly across a diverse set of companies and industries to limit the risk of and the impact that a potential downturn could have on our overall portfolio. We target a diverse investment portfolio with an average investment size of 1 - 2% per portfolio company. Churchill’s investment teams seek to identify new transactions based on the following key criteria, while also applying in-depth fundamental underwriting and credit research to produce reliable investment decisions designed to minimize potential losses.

Established Companies with Attractive Business Prospects

We seek to invest in core U.S. middle market companies typically generating between $10 million to $100 million of annual EBITDA, which we believe have developed strong and sustainable leading positions within their respective markets. These companies must also exhibit the potential to maintain sufficient cash flows and profitability to service their obligations across various economic environments, while continuing to grow and/or maintain their market position. To this end, we screen for non-cyclical companies with market-leading products and/or services, attractive industry fundamentals, strong pricing power and ability to pass through inflationary cost pressures, low capital expenditures requirements, as well as diversification of customers, products and suppliers. Furthermore, we seek to invest in companies with defensible market niches and barriers to entry and analyzes the strength of potential target companies by comparing them against similar businesses and competitors. We typically avoid reimbursement dependent, cyclical or commodity-driven industries.

Proven Management Teams with Established Track Records

When selecting investments, we focus on companies that possess experienced, high-quality management teams with a demonstrated track record of success. Examples of qualities sought in the portfolio company management teams include, but are not limited to, prior success operating in a leveraged environment and a demonstrated ability to adapt to challenging economic or business conditions. We also review the management team’s tenure and compensation structure to ensure their interests are aligned with the long-term success of the portfolio company, which provides us additional comfort in the portfolio company investment.

Strong Financial Performance

We perform comprehensive quantitative analysis on the historical and projected financial performance of a potential investment in a target company. Ideal target companies have strong and scalable revenues, and stable, predictable cash flows with low technology and market risk. Additionally, we seek companies that can demonstrate more than sufficient ability to service and repay debt obligations, have strong asset values and are resilient through different economic cycles. During the underwriting process, we develop multiple cash flow models reflecting different economic and operating scenarios, including a downside case that incorporates interest rate sensitivities to evaluate the company’s ability to service its debt in a rising rate environment, among other factors. These factors are used to identify and underwrite investments that present a strong potential return relative to the overall risk profile, while guiding to the appropriate capital structure through various economic conditions.

High-Quality Private Equity Sponsors

We focus on participating in transactions sponsored by what it believes to be high-quality private equity firms, as primarily determined by a private equity firm’s record of historical investment performance. Target investment opportunities typically include transactions where a private equity sponsor is willing to contribute significant equity capital as a percentage of enterprise value. We believe that private equity sponsors with significant equity capital at risk generally have the ability and strong incentive to support a borrower through a challenging economic environment with a variety of managerial, operational and financial resources, including potentially providing additional capital to the borrowers. We also evaluate a private equity sponsor’s role in the target company’s corporate governance and management which means the private equity sponsor is more likely to have an active and influential role in the Company’s operations and day-to-day activities. These factors, if identified, provide additional comfort and protection for our investments.

Portfolio Composition

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, our investments consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):

1 As of December 31, 2024, Subordinated Debt is comprised of second lien term loans and/or second lien notes of $67,780, mezzanine debt of $89,740 and $1,618 of structured debt at fair value and second lien term loans and/or second lien notes of $71,622, mezzanine debt of $94,978 and 4,357 of structured debt at amortized cost.

As of December 31, 2023, Subordinated Debt is comprised of second lien term loans and/or second lien notes of $97,203, mezzanine debt of $83,528 and $2,656 of structured debt at fair value and second lien term loans and/or second lien notes of $100,711, mezzanine debt of $86,495 and $3,247 of structured debt at amortized cost.

The industry composition of our portfolio as a percentage of fair value as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

See the Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2024, and 2023 in our consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on these investments, including a list of companies and type, cost and fair value of investments.

Investment Process Overview

Churchill views the investment process employed on our behalf as consisting of four distinct phases described below:

Origination. Each investment team will source middle market investment opportunities through the investment team’s network of relationships with private equity firms and other middle market lenders. Each investment team believes that the strength and breadth of its relationships with numerous middle market private equity funds and overall deal sourcing capabilities should enable them to maximize deal flow, support a highly selective investment process, and afford us the opportunity to establish favorable portfolio diversification.

Investment Evaluation. Each investment team intends to utilize a systematic, consistent approach to credit and portfolio company evaluation, with a particular focus on an acceptable level of debt repayment and deleveraging as well as accretive growth and exit assumptions under a “base case” set of projections (the “Base Case”); this Base Case generally reflects a more conservative estimate than the set of projections provided by a prospective portfolio company (the “Management Case”) and that of the private equity sponsor purchasing/financing the portfolio company, as applicable. The key criteria that each investment team evaluates includes (i) strong and resilient underlying business fundamentals, (ii) a substantial equity cushion in the form of capital ranking junior in right of payment to our investment and (iii) a conclusion that the overall Base Case and, in most cases, the “Downside Case” allow for adequate debt repayment and deleveraging. In evaluating a particular investment opportunity, each investment team will put more emphasis on credit considerations (such as (i) debt repayment and deleveraging under a Base Case set of projections, (ii) the ability of the company to maintain a modest liquidity cushion under a Base Case set of projections, and (iii) the ability of the portfolio company to service its fixed charge obligations under a Base Case set of projections) than on profit potential and loan pricing (among other considerations both quantitative and qualitative). Each investment team’s due diligence process for middle market investments will typically entail:

•a thorough review of historical and pro forma financial information (including both performance metrics and proposed capital structure and growth prospects);

•meetings and discussions with management and financial sponsors and their advisors;

•a review of loan documents and material contracts impactful to the operation and profitability of the business in question;

•third-party “quality of earnings” accounting due diligence;

•when appropriate, background checks on key management and/or sponsors;

•third-party research relating to the company’s business, industry, markets, products and services, customers, competitors and regulatory exposure/treatment;

•the commission of third-party analyses when appropriate;

•sensitivity of Management Case and “sponsor case” projections; and

•various comprehensive cash flow analyses and sensitivities.

Each investment team’s deal screening, underwriting, approval and closing processes are substantially similar. The following chart summarizes the investment process of the investment teams:

Execution. In executing transactions, each investment team will apply what it believes is a thorough, consistent approach to credit evaluation, and maintain discipline with respect to credit, pricing and structure to ensure the ultimate success of the financing. Upon completion of due diligence, the investment professionals working on a proposed portfolio investment will deliver a memorandum to the relevant investment committee(s). Once an investment has been approved by a unanimous vote of such investment committee, the memorandum will be delivered to our investment committee. Once an investment has been approved by a unanimous vote of our investment committee, it will move through a series of steps, including an in-depth review of documentation by deal teams, negotiation of final documentation, including resolution of business points and the execution of original documents held in escrow. Upon completion of final documentation, a portfolio investment is funded after execution of a final closing memorandum.

Monitoring. The investment teams view active portfolio monitoring as a vital part of the investment process and further consider regular dialogue with company management and sponsors as well as detailed, internally generated monitoring reports to be critical to monitoring performance. The investment teams will implement a monitoring template designed to reasonably ensure compliance with these standards. This template will be used as a tool by the investment teams to assess investment performance relative to plan.

As part of the monitoring process, the investment teams have developed risk policies pursuant to which they will regularly assess the risk profile of our investments. The investment teams will rate each investment based on our “Internal Risk Ratings”. For more information on the Internal Risk Ratings of our portfolio, see Part II, Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Portfolio and Investment Activity.”

The investment teams monitor and, when appropriate, change the investment ratings assigned to each investment in our portfolio. Each investment team reviews the investment ratings in connection with monthly and quarterly portfolio reviews. In addition, the investment teams employ what they believe is a proactive monitoring approach as illustrated in the chart below:

Use of Leverage

The amount of leverage we use in any period depends on a variety of factors, including cash available for investing, the cost of financing and general economic and market conditions. We may borrow money from time to time if immediately after such borrowing, the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, is at least 150%. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company — Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio” for more information regarding the foregoing and other regulatory considerations.

In any period, our interest expense will depend largely on the extent of our borrowing and we expect interest expense will increase as we increase our leverage over time, subject to the limits of the 1940 Act. In addition, we may dedicate assets to financing facilities.

We currently have in place two special purpose vehicle asset credit facilities (the “Wells Fargo Financing Facility” and the “SMBC Financing Facility”), a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and together with the Wells Fargo Financing Facility and the SMBC Financing Facility, the “Financing Facilities”), three term debt securitizations (the “2022 Debt Securitization”, “2023 Debt Securitization” and "2024 Debt Securitization"), and have issued the 6.650% Notes due 2030 (the "March 2030 Notes"). In the future may enter into additional credit facilities and term debt securitizations, and we may issue additional unsecured notes. We also had in place a revolving credit facility with a borrowing base calculated based on our unfunded capital commitments (the “Subscription Facility”). The Subscription Facility expired on September 8, 2023. For more information on our Financing Facilities, the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Debt Securitizations, and the March 2030 Notes, see Note 6 and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Environmental, Social and Governance Policies

Churchill has established a Responsible Investing policy for its investment program. Churchill is focused on delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns to its clients, including the Company, while upholding the highest ethical standards. Churchill assesses material environmental, social and governance ("ESG") factors as part of its investment process, which Churchill believes helps both create and protect value for its clients and is consistent with its fiduciary duties and efforts to maximize returns.

As part of its investment process, Churchill evaluates ESG-related risks that Churchill believes have the potential to damage a company’s operations and reputation. During due diligence, Churchill’s responsible investing team performs an analysis of each proposed portfolio company's operating history to identify material ESG risk factors to potentially minimize defaults and losses in its portfolio. Churchill’s responsible investment team utilizes a proprietary ESG ratings template that applies a set of criteria against each proposed investment, the output of which helps to inform Churchill’s determination of portfolio company suitability.

Churchill's ESG ratings template is designed to provide an assessment of a portfolio company’s ESG risks and is intended to aid Churchill in evaluating the return and risk profile of a given investment. Using a proprietary ESG rating methodology, the template rates individual issuers based on its perceived level of ESG-related risks. Post-investment, portfolio companies are monitored on an ongoing basis. Churchill’s investment teams conduct reviews with management teams and investment partners to discuss developments at the portfolio company, which may include a discussion of legal claims, complaints, or environmental issues, should they arise. When necessary, ESG updates are discussed at periodic portfolio review meetings in order to perform an ongoing risk assessment.

Churchill’s Responsible Investing policy is updated as needed to reflect changing practices and industry standards. The consideration of ESG factors as part of Churchill’s underwriting and portfolio management process, however, does not mean that the Company will pursue a specific ESG investment strategy or that a portfolio company will be selected solely on the basis of ESG factors. Although Churchill believes that ESG considerations aid Churchill in evaluating the return and risk profile of a given investment, Churchill may make investment decisions for the Company other than on the basis of ESG considerations.

Competition

Our primary competitors in providing credit investments to middle market companies include other BDCs, public and private funds, CLOs, commercial and investment banks, other middle market asset managers and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than those available to us. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than ours, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than those established by each of our investment teams. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms or structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms or structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the market for investments in middle market private U.S. companies is underserved by traditional commercial banks and other financial sources. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of our competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC. There cannot be any assurance that the competitive pressures faced by us will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors – We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses” for further information.

Human Resource Capital

We do not have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. We depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the senior investment professionals of our sub-adviser, Churchill, who source, evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor and service our investments in accordance with the terms of the CAM Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The Private Offering

Beginning with our initial closing in March 2020, we conducted private offerings of our shares of common stock to accredited investors. As a result of these private offerings, we received an aggregate of approximately $906.4 million from such private offerings. Following the final drawdown notice dated December 21, 2023 and due January 5, 2024, we had no undrawn capital commitments remaining.

Regulation as a Business Development Company

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a BDC unless approved by “a majority of our outstanding voting securities” as defined in the 1940 Act. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of such company’s voting securities present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company. We do not anticipate any substantial change in the nature of our business.

We generally are not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below NAV per share. We may, however, issue and sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current NAV of our common stock if (1) our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders, and (2) our shareholders approved our policy and practice of making such sales within the preceding 12 months. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities. At a special meeting of shareholders held on December 15, 2023, our shareholders authorized us, subject to the approval of our Board, to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock during the next year at a price below our NAV per share, subject to certain conditions set forth in the proxy statement relating to the special meeting of shareholders. The authorization was effective until December 15, 2024. We expect to present a similar proposal to our shareholders at our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

We also may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC.

We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, except for registered money market funds, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company, or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, if any, it should be noted that such investments might subject our shareholders to additional expenses as they will be indirectly responsible for the costs and expenses of such companies. None of our investment policies are fundamental, and thus may be changed without shareholder approval.

Qualifying Assets. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as “qualifying assets,” unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the BDC’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to the Company’s business are any of the following:

(1)Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

(a)is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

(b)is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

(c)satisfies any of the following:

(i)does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;

(ii)has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;

(iii)is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

(iv)is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million;

(2)Securities of any eligible portfolio company controlled by the Company;

(3)Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements;

(4)Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and the Company already owns 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company;

(5)Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities; or

(6)Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

In addition, a BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

Control, as defined by the 1940 Act, is presumed to exist where a BDC beneficially owns more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of the portfolio company, but may exist in other circumstances based on the facts and circumstances.

Significant Managerial Assistance. A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described above. A BDC must also offer to make available to the issuer of the qualifying assets significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance. The Administrator or its affiliate provides such services on our behalf to portfolio companies that accept our offer of managerial assistance.

Temporary Investments. Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, our investments can consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which are referred to herein, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets would be qualifying assets. We may invest in highly rated commercial paper, U.S. Government agency notes, U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements relating to such securities that are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies.

Issuance of Warrants, Options or Rights. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC is subject to restrictions on the issuance, terms and amount of warrants, options or rights to purchase shares of capital stock that it may have outstanding at any time. Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (i) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years, (ii) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance, (iii) shareholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our Board approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in our best interests and the shareholders best interests and (iv) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities. In particular, the amount of capital stock that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase capital stock cannot exceed 25% of the BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock.

Senior Securities; Asset Coverage Ratio. We are generally permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if immediately after such borrowing or issuance, the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, is at least 150%. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we will be required to make provisions to prohibit any dividend distribution to our shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the asset coverage ratio requirement at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. We also will be permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes, which borrowings would not be considered senior securities. Our borrowings, whether for temporary purposes or otherwise, are subject to the asset coverage requirements of Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act.

Code of Ethics. We and each of the Advisers are each subject to a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions by our officers and the Advisers’ employees. We have also adopted a separate code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions by our independent directors. Individuals subject to these codes are permitted to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with such code’s requirements. You may obtain copies of these codes of ethics by e-mailing our Adviser at NCDL-IR@churchillam.com, or by writing to our Adviser at Investor Relations c/o Churchill Asset Management, 375 Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10152. The code of ethics is also available on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of the code of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

Affiliated Transactions. The Company may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with its affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC.

The Company expects to co-invest on a concurrent basis with other affiliates of the Company and the Advisers, unless doing so would be impermissible under existing regulatory guidance, applicable regulations, the terms of any exemptive relief granted to the Company and its affiliates, and the allocation procedures of Churchill. On June 7, 2019, the Advisers, the Company, and certain other funds and accounts sponsored or managed by either of the Advisers and/or their affiliates were granted an order (the “Order”) that permits the Company to co-invest in portfolio companies with certain funds and entities managed by the Advisers or its affiliates in certain negotiated transactions where co-investing would otherwise be prohibited under the 1940 Act, subject to the conditions of the Order. The Company believes that the ability to co-invest with similar investment structures and accounts sponsored or managed by either of the Advisers and their affiliates will provide additional investment opportunities and the ability to achieve greater diversification. Pursuant to the Order, we are permitted to co-invest with our affiliates if a ‘‘required majority’’ (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including, but not limited to, that (1) the terms of the potential co-investment transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of us or our shareholders on the part of any person concerned, and (2) the potential co-investment transaction is consistent with the interests of our shareholders and is consistent with our then-current investment objective and strategies. The Board will regularly review the allocation policy of Churchill.

In addition, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs through December 31, 2020 (the “Temporary Relief”), the Company was permitted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to complete follow-on investments in our existing portfolio companies with certain affiliates that are private funds if such private funds did not hold an investment in such existing portfolio company. Without the Temporary Relief, such private funds would not be able to participate in such follow-on investments with us unless the private funds had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with the Company. Although the Temporary Relief expired on December 31, 2020, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management had indicated that until March 31, 2022, it would not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing co-investment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the Temporary Relief, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein. The conditional exemptive order is no longer effective; however, on October 14, 2022, the SEC granted the Company’s request to amend the Order to make the Temporary Relief permanent for the Company and permit the Company to continue to complete follow-on investments in its existing portfolio companies with certain affiliates that are private funds if such private funds did not hold an investment in such existing portfolio company.

Other. The Company will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act and the Exchange Act, and are subject to the periodic reporting and related requirements of the Exchange Act.

The Company is also required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to insure against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, the Company is prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to shareholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

The Company is also required to designate a chief compliance officer and to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation.

We intend to operate as a non-diversified management investment company; however, we are currently and may, from time to time, in the future, be considered a diversified management investment company pursuant to the definitions set forth in the 1940 Act.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Board has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Company to the Adviser, and has approved the delegation of such responsibility from the Adviser to Churchill, and has directed Churchill to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Company consistent with the duties and procedures set forth in Churchill’s policies and procedures. Churchill may retain one or more vendors to review, monitor and recommend how to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the duties and procedures set forth in such policies and procedures, to ensure that such proxies are voted on a timely basis and to provide reporting and/or record retention services in connection with proxy voting for the Company.

Churchill acts as a fiduciary of the Company and must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. In discharging this fiduciary duty, Churchill must maintain and adhere to its policies and procedures for addressing conflicts of interest and must vote proxies in a manner substantially consistent with its policies, procedures and guidelines, as presented to the Board.

Any actual or potential conflicts of interest between the Company and Churchill arising from the proxy voting process will be addressed by the application of Churchill’s proxy voting procedures. In the event Churchill determines that a conflict of interest cannot be resolved under Churchill’s proxy voting procedures, Churchill is responsible for notifying the Board or the Audit Committee of such irreconcilable conflict of interest and assisting the Board or the Audit Committee with any actions it determines are necessary.

Proxy Policies

Churchill will vote all proxies relating to our portfolio securities in the best interest of our shareholders. Churchill reviews on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a shareholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by the Company. Although Churchill will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on our clients’ portfolio securities, Churchill may vote for such a proposal if there exist compelling long-term reasons to do so. Churchill will abstain from voting only in unusual circumstances and where there is a compelling reason to do so. Churchill may retain one or more vendors to review, monitor and recommend how to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the duties and procedures set forth in its policies and procedures, to ensure that such proxies are voted on a timely basis and to provide reporting and/or record retention services in connection with proxy voting for the Company.

Churchill’s proxy voting decisions are made by members of the applicable Investment Team who are responsible for monitoring each of our investments. Any actual or potential conflicts of interest between the Company and Churchill arising from the proxy voting process will be addressed by the application of the Churchill’s proxy voting procedures. In the event Churchill determines that a conflict of interest cannot be resolved under Churchill’s proxy voting procedures, Churchill will be responsible for notifying the Board or the audit committee of the Board of such irreconcilable conflict of interest and assisting the Board or the audit committee of the Board with any actions it determines are necessary.

Proxy Voting Records

You may obtain information about how Churchill voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp., 375 Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10152, Attention: Chief Compliance Officer, Charmagne Kukulka or by emailing our investor relations team at NCDL-IR@churchillam.com.

Privacy Policy

The following information is provided to help investors understand what personal information the Company collects, how the Company protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Company may share information with select other parties.

In order to provide you with individualized service, the Company collects certain nonpublic personal information about you from information you provide on your subscription agreement or other forms (such as your address and social security number), and information about your account transactions with the Company (such as purchases of our shares and account balances). The Company may also collect such information through your account inquiries by mail, email, telephone, or website.

The Company does not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you to anyone, except as permitted by law. Specifically, so that the Company, the Advisers and their affiliates may continue to offer services that best meet your investing needs, the Company may disclose the information we collect, as described above, to companies that perform administrative or marketing services on behalf of the Company, such as transfer agents, or printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. These companies will use this information only for the services for which they have been hired, and are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

We will continue to adhere to the privacy policies and practices described in this notice if you no longer hold our shares of the Company.

The Company and the Advisers maintain internal security procedures to restrict access to your personal and account information to those officers and employees who need to know that information to service your account. The Company maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal information.

Reporting Obligations

We furnish our shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. We are required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the Exchange Act.

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, as well as reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 regarding directors, officers or 10% beneficial owners of us, filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a), 15(d) or 16(a) of the Exchange Act, are available free of charge by contacting the Adviser at: 375 Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10152. Shareholders and the public may also view any materials we file with the SEC on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company

We have elected, and intend to qualify annually, to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code; however, no assurance can be given that we will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute to our shareholders as dividends.

To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, to be eligible to be taxed as a RIC, we generally must timely distribute to our shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”). The following discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC and have satisfied the Annual Distribution Requirement.

If we:

•qualify as a RIC; and

•satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement,

then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our income that is timely distributed (or is deemed to be timely distributed) to our shareholders as dividends. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed at corporate rates on the portion of our income that is not timely distributed (or deemed distributed) to our shareholders..

In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless we distribute in a timely manner each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our net ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of the amount by which our capital gain exceeds our capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). While we intend to make distributions to our shareholders in each taxable year that will be sufficient to avoid any U.S. federal excise tax on our earnings, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in entirely avoiding this tax.

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

•continue to qualify as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

•derive in each taxable year at least 90% of gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of certain securities, gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of stock or other securities or foreign currencies, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code), or other income derived with respect to the business of investing in such stock or securities (the “90% Income Test”); and

•diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

◦at least 50% of the value of its assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of its assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and

◦no more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in (i) the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, (ii) securities, other than securities of other RICs, of two or more issuers that are controlled by us and which are determined,under applicable Code rules, engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”).

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to include in our taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount ("OID") (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), it must include in its taxable income in each year the portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in its taxable income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as accruals on a contingent payment debt instrument or deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Because OID or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual and before we receive any corresponding cash payments, we may be required to make a distribution to shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we would not have received any corresponding cash payment.

Accordingly, to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may need to sell some of our assets at times and/or at prices that we would not consider advantageous, we may need to raise additional equity or debt capital or we may need to forego new investment opportunities or otherwise take actions that are disadvantageous to our business (or be unable to take actions that are advantageous to our business). If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and, thus, become subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed at corporate rates (and any applicable state and local taxes).

We may be prevented by financial covenants contained in our debt financing agreements, if any, from making distributions to our shareholders. In addition, under the 1940 Act, we are generally not permitted to make distributions to our shareholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain "asset coverage" tests are met. Limits on distributions to our shareholders may prevent us from satisfying the Annual Distribution Requirement and, therefore, may jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a RIC or subject us to the 4% U.S. federal excise tax.

Although we do not presently expect to do so, we may borrow funds and sell assets in order to make distributions to our shareholders that are sufficient for us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. However, our ability to dispose of assets may be limited by (i) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (ii) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, it may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things: (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions; (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income; (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited); (iv) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash; (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of securities is deemed to occur; (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions; and (vii) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test described above. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax decisions in order to mitigate the potential adverse effect of these provisions.

A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, ordinary income plus the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses). If our expenses in a given year exceed investment company taxable income, we would experience a net operating loss for that year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent years. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. A RIC may not use any net capital losses (that is, realized capital losses in excess of realized capital gains) to offset the RIC’s investment company taxable income, but may carry forward such losses indefinitely and use them to offset capital gains. Due to these limits on the deductibility of expenses, over the course of one or more taxable years we may have, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, aggregate taxable income that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to our shareholders, even if such income is greater than the aggregate net income we actually earned during those years. Such required distributions may be made from our cash assets or by liquidation of investments, if necessary. We may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event we realize net capital gains from such transactions, a shareholder may receive a larger capital gain distribution than we would have received in the absence of such transactions.

A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering within the meaning of Section 4 of the Securities Act, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. While we anticipate that we will constitute a publicly offered RIC, there can be no assurance that we will in fact so qualify for any of our taxable years. If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any calendar year, each U.S. shareholder that is an individual, trust or estate will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. shareholder’s allocable share of the base management fee and incentive fees paid to the Advisers and certain of our other expenses for the calendar year, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. shareholder.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

If we fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and certain relief provisions are unable to be satisfied, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates, regardless of whether we make any distributions to our shareholders. Distributions would not be required, but if such distributions are paid, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, they would be taxable to our shareholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain holding period requirements and other limitations under the Code, our corporate shareholders would be eligible to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to such dividend and our non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. In order to requalify as a RIC, we would be required to distribute all of our previously undistributed earnings attributable to the period we failed to qualify as a RIC by the end of the first year that we intend to requalify as a RIC. If we fail to requalify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed at regular corporate rates on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.