File No. 812-
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 17(d) AND 57(i) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AND RULE 17d-1 UNDER THE
ACT PERMITTING CERTAIN JOINT TRANSACTIONS OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY SECTIONS 17(d) AND 57(a)(4) OF THE ACT AND RULE 17d-1 UNDER
THE ACT.
MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION,
MEDLEY LLC, MCC ADVISORS LLC, MEDLEY CAPITAL LLC, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND II LP, MOF II GP LLC,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND III LP, MOF III GP LLC, MOF II MANAGEMENT LLC, MOF III MANAGEMENT LLC, MEDLEY SBIC, LP, MEDLEY SBIC
GP, LLC, MEDLEY CREDIT STRATEGIES (KOC) LLC, SIERRA INCOME CORPORATION, SIC ADVISORS LLC, SIERRA TOTAL RETURN FUND, STRF
ADVISORS LLC, SIERRA OPPORTUNITY FUND, SOF ADVISORS LLC
280 Park Avenue, 6
th
Floor East
New York, NY 10017
(212) 759-0777
All Communications, Notices and Orders
to:
Brook Taube
Medley Capital Corporation
Seth Taube
Sierra Income Corporation
Sierra Total Return Fund
Sierra Opportunity Fund
280 Park Avenue, 6
th
Floor East
New York, NY 10017
(212) 759-0777
Copies to:
Steven B. Boehm, Esq.
Harry S. Pangas, Esq.
Payam Siadatpour, Esq.
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
700 6
th
Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-0100
May 24, 2017
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
In the Matter of
:
MEDLEY CAPITAL
CORPORATION, MEDLEY
LLC,
MCC ADVISORS LLC, MEDLEY
CAPITAL LLC,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY
FUND
II LP, MOF II GP LLC,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND III LP,
MOF III GP LLC, MOF II
MANAGEMENT
LLC, MOF III MANAGEMENT
LLC,
MEDLEY SBIC, LP, MEDLEY
SBIC
GP, LLC, MEDLEY CREDIT
STRATEGIES (KOC) LLC,
SIERRA
INCOME CORPORATION,
SIC
ADVISORS LLC, SIERRA
TOTAL
RETURN FUND, STRF ADVISORS
LLC,
SIERRA OPPORTUNITY FUND,
SOF ADVISORS LLC
280 Park Avenue,
6
th
Floor East
New York, NY 10017
(212) 759-0777
File No. 812-
Investment Company Act of 1940
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APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 17(d) AND
57(i) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 AND RULE 17d-1 UNDER THE ACT PERMITTING CERTAIN JOINT TRANSACTIONS OTHERWISE
PROHIBITED BY SECTIONS 17(d) AND 57(a)(4) OF THE ACT AND RULE 17d-1 UNDER THE ACT.
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INTRODUCTION
The following entities hereby request
an order (the “
Order
”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “
Commission
”) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “
Act
”),
1
and Rule 17d-1 promulgated under
the Act,
2
permitting certain joint transactions that otherwise may be prohibited by either or
both of Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4):
1
Unless otherwise indicated, all section references herein are to the Act.
2
Unless otherwise indicated, all rule references herein are to rules under the Act.
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·
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Medley
Capital Corporation (“
MCC
”),
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·
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Medley
SBIC, LP (“
Medley SBIC
”) and its general partner, Medley SBIC GP, LLC (the “
SBIC General
Partner
”),
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·
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Medley
LLC, the parent company for the Regulated Entity Advisers and the Existing Affiliated
Investment Advisers (each as defined below), and its direct, wholly-owned subsidiary,
Medley Capital LLC (together, the “
Medley Companies
”). The
Medley Companies, from time to time, may hold various financial assets in a principal
capacity (together, in such capacity, “
Existing Medley Proprietary Accounts
”
and together with any Future Medley Proprietary Account (as defined below), the “
Medley
Proprietary Accounts
”),
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MCC
Advisors LLC, MCC’s investment adviser (“
MCC Advisors
”),
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·
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Medley Capital LLC, MOF II Management LLC, and
MOF III
Management LLC (collectively, the “
Existing Affiliated Investment
Advisers
”),
3
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·
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MOF II GP LLC, MOF III GP LLC, and Medley Credit Strategies GP, LLC (collectively, the “
Existing
General
Partners
”),
4
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·
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Medley Opportunity Fund III LP, Medley Opportunity Fund II LP and Medley Credit Strategies (KOC) LLC (collectively, the
“
Existing
Affiliated
Funds
”),
5
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Sierra
Income Corporation (“
Sierra
”),
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·
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SIC Advisors LLC, Sierra’s investment adviser (
“SIC
Advisors”
),
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Sierra Total Return Fund (
“STRF”
),
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STRF Advisors LLC, STRF’s investment adviser
(
“STRF Advisors”
),
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Sierra
Opportunity Fund (
“SOF”
), and
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SOF
Advisors LLC, SOF’s investment adviser (
“SOF Advisors”
).
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In this Application:
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·
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The
term “
Affiliated Funds”
means the Existing Affiliated
Funds, the Existing Medley Proprietary Accounts, the Future Affiliated Funds (as defined
below), and any Future Medley Proprietary Accounts (as defined below).
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·
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The term “
Affiliated Investment Advisers
”
means the Existing Affiliated Investment Advisers, together with any future investment advisers that Medley LLC controls.
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3
The Existing Affiliated Investment Advisers
are domestic limited liability companies and are directly wholly-owned by and directly controlled by, Medley LLC. Medley LLC,
which is controlled by Medley Management Inc. ("MDLY"), a publicly traded asset management firm, which in turn is controlled by Medley
Group LLC, an entity controlled by the Principals. Medley LLC currently is exempt from registration
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), as a parent company that does not
directly advise an investment company. Medley Capital LLC, Medley Credit Strategies LLC and MOF II Management LLC are
registered investment advisers under the Advisers Act.
4
The Existing General Partners are directly wholly-owned
by, and directly controlled by, Medley GP Holdings LLC. Medley GP Holdings LLC is controlled by the Principals (as defined below).
5
No Existing Affiliated Fund is a
subsidiary of a Regulated Entity (as defined below).
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·
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The term “
Applicants
” refers to MCC,
Sierra, Medley SBIC, SBIC General Partner, Medley LLC, the Existing Medley Proprietary Accounts, MCC
Advisors, SIC
Advisors,
STRF, STRF
Advisors, SOF,
SOF Advisors,
the Existing
Affiliated
Investment
Advisers, the Existing General Partners and the Existing Affiliated Funds.
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·
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The term “
Board”
means, with
respect to any Regulated Entity (as defined below), the board of directors or trustees, as applicable, of that Regulated
Entity
(including the
MCC Board,
for MCC, the
Sierra Board, for Sierra, the STRF Board, for STRF, and the SOF Board, for SOF).
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·
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The term
“Co-Investment Transaction
”
means any transaction in which a Regulated Entity (or its Wholly-Owned Investment Sub, as defined below) participated, in reliance
on the Order or the Prior Order (as defined below), (a) together with one or more other Regulated Entities and/or
(b) together with one or more Affiliated Funds.
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The term “
Future Medley Proprietary
Account
” means any direct or indirect, wholly- or majority-owned subsidiary of Medley LLC that is formed
in the future that, from time to time, may hold various financial assets in a principal capacity.
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·
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The term “
Future Affiliated
Funds”
means any entity whose (i) investment adviser is an Affiliated Investment Adviser, (ii) that would
be an investment company but for section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act, (iii) that is not a subsidiary of a Regulated
Entity, and (iv) that intends to participate in the Co-Investment Program (as defined below).
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·
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The
term “
Independent Directors
”
, as used in this application, refers to the directors or trustees, as applicable,
of a Regulated Entity who are not “interested persons” of the Regulated Entity as defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the Act.
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·
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The
term “
Participating Funds
”
means Affiliated Funds that have the capacity to, and elect
to, co-invest with the Regulated Entities.
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The
term “
Potential Co-Investment Transaction
” means any investment opportunity in which a Regulated Entity
(or its Wholly-Owned Investment Sub) could not participate together with one or more Regulated Entities and/or together with one
or more Affiliated Funds without obtaining and relying on the Order.
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The
term “
Regulated Entity
” means any of (i) MCC; (ii) Sierra; (iii) STRF; (iv) SOF;
and (v) any
future closed-end investment company (a) that is registered under the Act or has elected to be regulated as a BDC
6
under the Act, (b) whose investment adviser is a Regulated Entity Adviser, and (c) that intends to participate in the Co-Investment
Program.
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The term “
Regulated Entity Advisers
”
means (i) MCC Advisors, (ii) SIC Advisors, (iii) STRF Advisors, (iv) SOF Advisors, and (v) any future investment adviser
that Medley LLC
controls.
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The term “
SBIC Subsidiary
” means an entity
that is licensed by the Small Business Administration (the “
SBA
”) to operate under the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958, as amended, (the “
SBA Act
”) as a small business investment company (an “
SBIC
”).
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6
Section 2(a)(48) defines a business development company (“
BDC
”) to be any closed-end investment
company that operates for the purpose of making investments in securities described in section 55(a)(1) through 55(a)(3) of the
Act and makes available significant managerial assistance with respect to the issuers of such securities.
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The term “
Wholly-Owned Investment Sub
” means
an entity (i) that is wholly-owned by a Regulated Entity (with such Regulated Entity at all times holding, beneficially and of
record, 100% of the voting and economic interests), (ii) whose sole business purpose is to hold one or more investments on behalf
of such Regulated Entity (and, in the case of an SBIC Subsidiary, maintain a license under the SBA Act and issue debentures guaranteed
by the SBA); (iii) with respect to which the Regulated Entity’s Board has the sole authority to make all determinations with
respect to the entity’s participation under the conditions of this Application; and (iv) that would be an investment company
but for section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act. All subsidiaries participating in the Co-Investment Program will be Wholly-Owned
Investment Subs and will have Objectives and Strategies (as defined below) that are either substantially the same as, or a subset
of, their parent Regulated Entity’s Objectives and Strategies. An SBIC Subsidiary may be a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub if
it satisfies the conditions in this definition.
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The Order would supersede an
exemptive order issued by the Commission on March 29, 2017 (the “
Prior
Order
”)
7
that was granted pursuant to Sections 57(a)(4) and 57(i) and Rule 17d-1,
with the result that no person will continue to rely on the Prior Order if the Order is granted.
The relief requested in
this application for an Order (the “
Application
”) would allow a Regulated Entity and one or
more other Regulated Entities and/or one or more Affiliated Funds to participate in the same investment opportunities through
a proposed co-investment program where such participation would otherwise be prohibited under Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) and
Rule 17d-1 (the “
Co-Investment Program
”).
8
A Regulated Entity may, from time
to time, form one or more Wholly-Owned Investment Subs. Such a subsidiary would be prohibited from investing in a
Co-Investment Transaction with any Affiliated Fund or another Regulated Entity because it would be a company controlled by
the Regulated Entity for purposes of Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) and Rule 17d-1. Applicants request that each Wholly-Owned
Investment Sub be permitted to participate in Co-Investment Transactions in lieu of the Regulated Entity that owns it and
that the Wholly-Owned Investment Sub’s participation in any such transaction be treated, for purposes of the Order, as though the Regulated Entity were participating directly. Applicants represent that this treatment is justified
because a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub would have no purpose other than serving as a holding vehicle for the Regulated
Entity’s investments and, therefore, no conflicts of interest could arise between the Regulated Entity and the
Wholly-Owned Investment Sub. The Regulated Entity’s Board would make all relevant determinations under the conditions
with regard to a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub’s participation in a Co-Investment Transaction, and the Regulated
Entity’s Board would be informed of, and take into consideration, any proposed use of a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub in
the Regulated Entity’s place. If the Regulated Entity proposes to participate in the same Co-Investment Transaction
with any of its Wholly-Owned Investment Subs, the Board of the Regulated Entity will also be informed of, and take into
consideration, the relative participation of the Regulated Entity and the Wholly-Owned Investment Sub.
7
In
the Matter of Medley Capital Corporation, et al.,
Investment Company Act Release Nos. 32520 (Mar. 3, 2017) (notice)
and 32581 (Mar. 29, 2017) (order).
8
The Regulated Entities and the Affiliated Funds may, subject to the terms and conditions of the Order, make
additional investments in securities of issuers, including through the exercise of warrants, conversion privileges, and other
rights to purchase securities of the issuers (“
Follow-On Investments
”).
All existing entities that currently intend
to rely on the Order have been named as Applicants. Any other existing or future entity that relies on the Order
in the future will comply with the terms and conditions of the Application.
I.
APPLICANTS
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A.
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Medley Capital Corporation
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MCC is an externally managed, closed-end,
non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC. MCC filed a registration statement
on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “
1933 Act
”) in connection with its initial
public offering, which became effective on January 20, 2011. In addition, MCC has elected to be treated as a regulated investment
company (“
RIC
”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “
Code
”)
and intends to continue to qualify as a RIC in the future. MCC’s principal place of business is 280 Park Avenue, 6
th
Floor East, New York, New York 10017.
MCC’s investment objective is to
generate current income and capital appreciation by lending directly to privately-held middle market companies. MCC’s investments
are made directly through MCC, and may in the future be made through one or more Wholly-Owned Investment Subs that MCC may establish
from time to time. Such Wholly-Owned Investment Subs will have Objectives and Strategies (as defined below) that are substantially
the same as, or a subset of, those of MCC, although the Wholly-Owned Investment Subs will be subject to different regulatory regimes.
MCC’s portfolio will generally consist of secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, subordinate loans and equity positions
in situations where they are also a secured lender. MCC seeks to provide customized financing solutions, typically in the form
of secured loans to corporate and asset-based borrowers, and may utilize structures such as sale leaseback transactions, direct
asset purchases or other hybrid structures that it believes replicate the economics and risk profile of secured loans. MCC may
also selectively make subordinated debt and equity investments in borrowers to which they have extended secured debt financing.
MCC believes that its proposed investment strategy will allow it to generate cash available for distribution to its stockholders
and to provide competitive total returns to its stockholders.
MCC’s business and affairs are
managed under the direction of MCC’s board of directors (the “
MCC Board
”). The MCC Board
currently consists of seven members, four of whom are Independent Directors.
Each of Brook Taube and Seth
Taube
(the
“Principals”
) and Jeff Tonkel serves as an interested director
on the MCC Board. The MCC Board delegates daily management and investment authority to MCC Advisors pursuant to an
investment management agreement (the
“Investment
Management Agreement
”).
MCC Advisors also serves as MCC’s administrator pursuant to an administration agreement (the “
Medley
Administration Agreement
”). Seth Taube is not an officer of MCC. Brook Taube serves as MCC’s Chief
Executive Officer. Jeff Tonkel serves as MDLY’s President. None of the Principals nor any members of
Medley LLC’s senior management team will benefit directly or indirectly from any Co-Investment Transaction, other than
by virtue of the ownership of securities of MCC and the Affiliated Investment Advisers, and none will participate
individually in any Co-Investment Transaction.
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B.
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Medley SBIC, LP and Medley SBIC GP, LLC
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Medley SBIC was organized as a limited
partnership under the laws of the state of Delaware on February 8, 2012, and submitted an application for a license to operate
as an SBIC under the SBA Act with the SBA on December 9, 2011 (the “
SBIC Application
”). Medley SBIC
has the same investment objective and strategies as MCC, as summarized above.
On March 26, 2013, Medley SBIC received an
SBIC license from the SBA. As a result, MCC now has the ability to issue, through Medley SBIC, debentures guaranteed by the SBA
at favorable interest rates. Medley SBIC will not be registered under the Act based on the exclusion from the definition of investment
company contained in Section 3(c)(7). MCC directly owns a 100% limited partnership interest in Medley SBIC.
The SBIC General Partner was organized
as a limited liability company under the laws of the state of Delaware on February 8, 2012, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of MCC, which is the sole member of the SBIC General Partner. Each of the Principals are managers of the SBIC General Partner.
MCC may remove the managers of the SBIC General Partner at any time, with or without cause, subject to the approval of the SBA.
Medley SBIC is functionally a wholly-owned
subsidiary of MCC because MCC and the SBIC General Partner (which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC) own all of the equity and
voting interests in Medley SBIC.
MCC effectively controls Medley SBIC because
SBIC General Partner is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC. MCC’s Board may remove the managers of SBIC General Partner with
or without cause, subject to SBA approval. Moreover, MCC owns all of the limited partnership interests of Medley SBIC, and believes
that its oversight of Medley SBIC is appropriate to protect MCC’s interests. Accordingly, the MCC Board effectively has the
power to exercise authority and provides oversight with respect to Medley SBIC and will in fact exercise such authority and provide
such oversight.
Subject to the overall supervision of the
MCC Board, MCC Advisors will serve as the investment adviser to Medley SBIC pursuant to a management services agreement dated as
of March 23, 2012 (as amended and re-approved from time to time by the MCC Board, the “
Management Services Agreement
”).
On March 27, 2012, MCC, Medley SBIC, the
SBIC General Partner and MCC Advisors filed an application with the Commission for an order pursuant to Section 6(c) granting
exemptions from Sections 18(a) and 61(a). On November 14, 2012, the Commission issued an order (the “
SBIC Order
”)
9
permitting MCC to adhere to a modified asset coverage requirement under Section 61 with respect to any direct or indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of MCC that is an SBIC and relies on section 3(c)(7) for an exemption from the definition of an “investment
company” under the Act.
9
Medley Capital Corporation et.al.
Investment Company Act Release Nos. 30234 (Oct. 16, 2012) (notice) and 30262 (Nov. 14,
2012) (order).
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C.
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Sierra Income Corporation
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Sierra is an externally managed, non-diversified
closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Act. Sierra filed a registration statement
on Form N-2 (File No. 333-175624) under the 1933 Act in connection with its initial public offering, which became effective
on April 16, 2012. Sierra is offering on a best efforts, continuous basis 150,000,000 shares of its common stock. In addition, Sierra intends to make an election to be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code, and intends to continue to make such election in the future. Sierra’s principal
place of business is 280 Park Avenue, 6
th
Floor East, New York, New York 10017.
Sierra’s investment objective is
to generate current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in the debt of privately-held U.S. companies with a
focus on senior secured debt, second lien debt and, to a lesser extent, subordinated debt. Sierra’s investments are made
directly through Sierra, and may in the future be made through one or more Wholly-Owned Investment Subs that Sierra may establish
from time to time. Such Wholly-Owned Investment Subs will have Objectives and Strategies (as defined below) that are substantially
the same as, or a subset of, those of Sierra, although the Wholly-Owned Investment Subs will be subject to different regulatory
regimes. Sierra intends to originate transactions sourced through the existing network of its advisor, SIC Advisors, and expects
to acquire debt securities through the secondary market. Sierra may make equity investments in companies but does not expect this
to be a substantial portion of its portfolio.
Sierra’s business and
affairs are managed under the direction of a board of directors (the
“Sierra Board
”). The
Sierra Board currently consists of five members, three of whom are Independent Directors.
Each of the
Principals serves as an interested director on the Sierra Board. Seth Taube also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of
Sierra. Jeff Tonkel serves as the President of Sierra. The Sierra Board delegates daily management and investment authority
to the SIC Advisors pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “
Sierra Investment Management
Agreement
”). Medley Capital LLC serves as Sierra’s administrator pursuant to an administration
agreement (the
“Sierra Administration Agreement
”). The responsibilities of Medley Capital LLC
under the Sierra Administration Agreement include overseeing Sierra’s financial records, preparing reports to Sierra
stockholders and reports filed with the Commission, and generally monitoring the payment of Sierra’s expenses and the
performance of administrative and professional services rendered to Sierra by others.
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D.
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Sierra Total Return Fund
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STRF is
an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. STRF will
be operated as an interval fund. STRF filed a registration statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 811-23137 and 333-209496) under
the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act in connection with its initial public offering, which became effective on November 9, 2016. STRF is offering on a best efforts,
continuous basis 40,000,000 shares of beneficial interest of STRF. In addition, STRF intends
to make an election to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code, and intends to continue to make
such election in the future. STRF’s principal place of business is 280 Park Avenue, 6th Floor East, New York, New York
10017.
STRF’s Objectives and
Strategies are similar to the Objectives and Strategies of each of the other Regulated Entities. STRF’s investment
objective is to generate total return through a combination of current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing
in a portfolio of debt securities and equities. STRF intends to meet its investment objectives by investing in the debt of
U.S. companies with a focus on transactions sourced for STRF by STRF Advisors, including in fixed-income oriented funds. STRF
anticipates that a substantial portion of its portfolio will consist of senior and subordinated debt. STRF’s debt
investments may take the form of corporate loans or bonds, may be secured or unsecured and may, in some cases, be accompanied
by warrants, options or other forms of equity participation. STRF may also allocate capital for investment in any part of the
capital structure, including distressed and more subordinated positions, where the STRF Advisors believes the borrower and
the potential investment present an opportunity for risk-adjusted income and returns. STRF may separately purchase common or
preferred equity interests in transactions. STRF’s portfolio is expected to include fixed-rate investments that
generate absolute returns as well as floating-rate investments that allow coupons to rise in rising interest rate and
inflationary environments. STRF may also invest in non-controlling interests in equity and junior debt tranches of
collateralized debt obligations and other structured products consisting of collateralized bond obligations, collateralized
loan obligations and credit-linked notes, that invest principally in loans and fixed-income instruments (or other
instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics).
STRF intends to pursue its investment objectives
by investing its assets (defined as net assets plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in the debt and equity
of fixed-income and fixed-income related securities, including real estate securities (defined below). STRF defines fixed-income
and fixed-income related securities, including real estate securities, to consist of: (i) loans, bonds and other fixed-income instruments
(or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics) of corporate borrowers; (ii) real
estate securities including common stock, partnership or similar interests, convertible or non-convertible preferred stock, and
convertible or non-convertible secured, secured or unsecured debt issued by: (A) private, institutional real estate investment
funds managed by institutional investment managers; and (B) publicly traded or publicly registered and non-traded real estate investment
trusts; publicly traded or publicly registered and non-traded real estate operating companies; exchange traded funds; index mutual
funds; and other investment vehicles such as closed-end funds, mutual funds and unregistered investment funds that invest principally,
directly or indirectly, in real estate; (iii) equity of investment funds, which may include (A) public investment funds managed
by unaffiliated institutional asset managers, including closed and open-end funds, exchange traded funds, exchange traded notes,
index mutual funds and business development companies that are publicly-traded or are publicly registered and non-traded, that
invest principally in loans and fixed-income (or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics),
as well as any public real estate related funds as listed above and (B) private investment funds managed by unaffiliated institutional
asset managers that invest principally in loans and fixed-income (or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with
similar economic characteristics), as well as any private real estate related funds as listed above; and (iv) non-controlling interests
in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized debt obligations and other structured products, consisting of collateralized
bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations and credit-linked notes, that invest principally in loans and fixed-income instruments
(or other instruments, including derivative instruments, with similar economic characteristics). With respect to the foregoing
investments, STRF’s general investment strategy will be broad and will not be limited to any specific industry, sector, or
a minimum or maximum market cap. In addition, STRF may invest across domestic and foreign markets.
STRF’s business and affairs are
managed under the direction of a board of trustees (the
“STRF Board
”). The STRF Board currently
consists of five members, three of whom are Independent Directors. Each of the Principals serves as an interested trustee
on the STRF Board. Seth Taube also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of STRF. Jeff Tonkel serves as the President of
STRF. The STRF Board delegates daily management and investment authority to the STRF Advisors pursuant to an investment
management agreement (the “
STRF Investment Management Agreement
”). Medley Capital LLC serves as
STRF’s administrator pursuant to an administration agreement (the
“STRF
Administration
Agreement
”). The responsibilities of Medley Capital LLC under the STRF Administration Agreement
include overseeing STRF’s financial records, preparing reports to STRF stockholders and reports filed with the
Commission, and generally monitoring the payment of STRF’s expenses and the performance of administrative and
professional services rendered to STRF.
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E.
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Sierra Opportunity Fund
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SOF is an externally managed, non-diversified,
closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. SOF will be operated as an interval fund. SOF filed a registration
statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 811-23208 and 333-214346) under the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act in connection with its initial public
offering. SOF is offering on a best efforts, continuous basis 40,000,000 shares of beneficial interest of SOF. In addition, SOF
intends to make an election to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code, and intends to continue to make
such election in the future. SOF’s principal place of business is 280 Park Avenue, 6th Floor East, New York, New York 10017.
SOF’s Objectives and Strategies are
similar to the Objectives and Strategies of each of the other Regulated Entities. SOF’s investment objective is to generate
current income and, as a secondary objective, long-term capital appreciation. SOF seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing in senior secured loans made to companies whose debt is rated below investment grade or, in limited circumstances, unrated,
which we collectively refer to as “Senior Secured Loans,” with an emphasis on current income. Securities either rated
below investment grade, or unrated securities possessing similar credit characteristics as below investment grade securities, are
known as “junk” and “high risk” securities. SOF’s investments may take the form of the purchase of
Senior Secured Loans (either in the primary or secondary markets) or through investments in entities that in turn own a pool of
Senior Secured Loans. SOF may invest in Senior Secured Loans directly to implement its investment objective but expect to invest
primarily in the equity and junior debt tranches of a type of such pools of Senior Secured Loans known as collateralized loan obligations,
referred to as CLOs. Structurally, CLOs are entities that are formed to manage a portfolio of Senior Secured Loans. The Senior
Secured Loans within a CLO are limited to Senior Secured Loans which meet specified credit and diversity criteria and are subject
to concentration limitations in order to create an investment portfolio that is broadly assorted across different Senior Secured
Loans, borrowers, and industries, with limitations on non-U.S. borrowers. SOF may also, at times, seek to achieve its investment
objective by investing a significant portion of its assets opportunistically. Opportunistic investments will not be limited to
specific investment structures or types of investments, and may include, but will not be limited to, direct investments in the
debt and equity of companies; the debt and equity of fixed-income and fixed-income related securities, including real estate securities;
mezzanine securities; convertible securities; and all forms of public and private equity, the funds of which may themselves directly
pursue such investment strategies, including buyouts, venture capital, growth capital, private debt and special situations.
SOF’s business and affairs are managed
under the direction of a board of trustees (the
“SOF
Board
”).
The SOF Board currently consists of five members,
three of whom are Independent Directors. Each of the Principals serves as an interested trustee on the SOF Board. Seth Taube also
serves as the Chief Executive Officer of SOF. The SOF Board delegates daily management and investment authority to the SOF Advisors
pursuant to an investment management agreement (the
“
SOF
Investment Management Agreement
”).
Medley Capital LLC serves as SOF’s
administrator pursuant to an administration agreement (the
“SOF
Administration Agreement
”).
The responsibilities of Medley
Capital LLC under the SOF Administration Agreement include overseeing SOF’s financial records, preparing reports to SOF stockholders
and reports filed with the Commission, and generally monitoring the payment of SOF’s expenses and the performance of administrative
and professional services rendered to SOF.
Medley LLC is controlled by MDLY,
a publicly traded asset management firm, which in turn is controlled by Medley Group LLC, an entity controlled by
the Principals. Medley LLC is the parent company for the Regulated Entity Advisers and the Existing Affiliated Investment
Advisers. The Medley Proprietary Accounts hold various financial assets in a principal capacity. Medley LLC has various
business lines that it operates through its wholly- or majority-owned subsidiaries, and the subsidiaries that exist and
currently intend to participate in the Co-Investment Program have been included as Applicants herein.
|
G.
|
The Regulated Entity Advisers, the Existing Affiliated Investment Advisers and Affiliated Investment Advisers
|
MCC Advisors.
MCC Advisors,
a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act serves as the investment
adviser to MCC and Medley SBIC pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and the Management Services Agreement (collectively,
the “
Management Agreements
”). Subject to the overall supervision of the Board, MCC Advisors manages
the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory and management services to, MCC and Medley SBIC. Under the
terms of the Management Agreements, MCC Advisors: (i) determines the composition of MCC’s and Medley SBIC’s portfolios,
the nature and timing of the changes to such portfolios and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identifies, evaluates
and negotiates the structure of the investments that MCC and Medley SBIC make (including performing due diligence on prospective
portfolio companies); (iii) closes and monitors the investments MCC and Medley SBIC make; and (iv) determines the securities
and other assets that MCC and Medley SBIC purchases, retains or sells. MCC Advisors’ services under the Management Agreements
are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities, consistent with its fiduciary duties to MCC and
Medley SBIC.
Pursuant to the Medley Administration Agreement,
MCC Advisors furnishes MCC with office equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at MCC’s office facilities.
Under the Medley Administration Agreement, MCC Advisors also performs, or oversees the performance of, MCC’s required administrative
services, which include, among other things, providing assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, technology and
investor relations. MCC Advisors is responsible for the financial records that MCC is required to maintain and prepares reports
to MCC’s stockholders and reports filed with the Commission. In addition, MCC Advisors assists MCC in determining and publishing
MCC’s net asset value, oversees the preparation and filing of MCC’s tax returns and the printing and dissemination
of reports to MCC’s stockholders, and generally oversees the payment of MCC’s expenses and the performance of administrative
and professional services rendered to MCC by others.
SIC Advisors.
SIC Advisors,
a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, serves as the investment
adviser to Sierra pursuant to the Sierra Investment Management Agreement. SIC Advisors is a majority owned subsidiary of Medley,
LLC. Subject to the overall supervision of the Sierra Board, SIC Advisors manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment
advisory and management services to, Sierra. Under the terms of the Sierra Investment Management Agreement, SIC Advisors:
(i) determines the composition of Sierra’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to Sierra’s portfolio
and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments Sierra
makes (including performing due diligence on the Sierra’s prospective portfolio companies); (iii) closes and monitors
the investments Sierra makes; and (iv) determines the securities and other assets that Sierra purchases, retains or sells. SIC
Advisors’ services under the Sierra Investment Management Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar
services to other entities, consistent with its fiduciary duties to Sierra. The Principals are, collectively, majority owners of
SIC Advisors.
STRF Advisors.
STRF Advisors, a
Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, serves as the investment
adviser to STRF pursuant to the STRF Investment Management Agreement. STRF Advisors is a majority owned subsidiary of Medley,
LLC. Subject to the overall supervision of the STRF Board, STRF Advisors manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment
advisory and management services to, STRF. Under the terms of the STRF Investment Management Agreement, STRF Advisors: (i) determines
the composition of STRF’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to STRF’s portfolio and the manner of
implementing such changes; (ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments STRF makes (including performing
due diligence on the STRF’s prospective portfolio companies); (iii) closes and monitors the investments STRF makes; and
(iv) determines the securities and other assets that STRF purchases, retains or sells. STRF Advisors’ services under the
STRF Investment Management Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities, consistent
with its fiduciary duties to STRF. The Principals are, collectively, majority owners of STRF Advisors.
SOF
Advisors.
SOF Advisors, a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers
Act, serves as the investment adviser to SOF pursuant to the SOF Investment Management Agreement. SOF Advisors is a majority owned
subsidiary of Medley, LLC. Subject to the overall supervision of the SOF Board, SOF Advisors manages the day-to-day operations
of, and provides investment advisory and management services to, SOF. Under the terms of the SOF Investment Management Agreement,
SOF Advisors: (i) determines the composition of SOF’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to SOF’s portfolio
and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments SOF makes
(including performing due diligence on the SOF’s prospective portfolio companies); (iii) closes and monitors the investments
SOF makes; and (iv) determines the securities and other assets that SOF purchases, retains or sells. SOF Advisors’ services
under the SOF Investment Management Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities,
consistent with its fiduciary duties to SOF. The Principals are, collectively, majority owners of SOF Advisors.
The Existing Affiliated Investment Advisers.
The
Existing Affiliated Investment Advisers currently serve as investment advisers to the Existing Affiliated Funds. Additionally,
the Affiliated Investment Advisers may serve as investment adviser to Future Affiliated Funds.
The Regulated Entity Advisers and the Affiliated
Investment Advisers are controlled by Medley LLC. The Principals control Medley LLC.
|
H.
|
Existing Affiliated Funds
|
Medley Opportunity Fund II LP
Medley Opportunity Fund II LP is a Delaware
limited partnership. MOF II GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of Medley Opportunity Fund II
LP and MOF II Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the investment adviser for Medley Opportunity Fund II LP.
The Principals are the managing members of MOF II GP LLC and MOF II Management LLC. MOF II GP LLC is responsible for managing the
business of Medley Opportunity Fund II LP. MOF II Management LLC is responsible for investment advisory services for Medley Opportunity
Fund II LP. MOF II Management LLC is under common control of Medley LLC. MOF II GP LLC is under common control of Medley GP Holdings
LLC.
The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity
Fund II LP is to generate current income and capital appreciation by lending directly to privately-held middle market companies.
The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund II LP is similar to the Regulated Entities’ respective investment strategies.
Medley Opportunity Fund III LP
Medley Opportunity Fund III LP is a Delaware limited partnership. MOF III GP LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, is the general partner of Medley Opportunity Fund III LP and MOF III Management LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, is the investment adviser for Medley Opportunity Fund III LP. The Principals are the managing members
of MOF III GP LLC and MOF III Management LLC. MOF III GP LLC is responsible for managing the business of Medley Opportunity
Fund III LP. MOF III Management LLC is responsible for investment advisory services for Medley Opportunity Fund III LP. MOF
III Management LLC is under common control of Medley LLC. MOF III GP LLC is under common control of Medley GP Holdings LLC.
The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund III LP is to generate current income and capital appreciation by lending
directly to privately-held middle market companies. The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund III LP is similar to
the Regulated Entities' respective investment strategies.
Medley Credit Strategies (KOC) LLC
Medley Credit Strategies (KOC)
LLC is a Delaware limited liability company. Medley SMA Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the manager
and the investment adviser for Medley Credit Strategies (KOC) LLC. Medley LLC is the sole member of Medley SMA Advisors LLC.
Medley SMA Advisors LLC is responsible for investment advisory services for and management of Medley Credit Strategies (KOC)
LLC. The primary investment strategy of Medley Credit Strategies (KOC) LLC is to generate current income and capital appreciation
by lending directly to privately-held middle market companies. The investment strategy of Medley Credit Strategies (KOC) LLC
is similar to the Regulated Entities' respective investment strategies.
II.
RELIEF FOR PROPOSED CO-INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
|
A.
|
Co-Investment in Portfolio Companies by the Regulated Entities and the Affiliated Funds
|
|
1.
|
Reasons for Co-Investing
|
It is anticipated that co-investment in
portfolio companies by the Regulated Entities and the Affiliated Funds should increase the number of favorable investment opportunities
for the Regulated Entities. The Co-Investment Program will be implemented if it is approved by a Required Majority (as defined
below) of the applicable Regulated Entity.
The Regulated Entity Advisers expect that
co-investment by the Regulated Entities and the Affiliated Funds, or among the Regulated Entities themselves, will provide the
Regulated Entities with the ability to achieve greater diversification and, together with the Affiliated Funds, the opportunity
to exercise greater influence on the portfolio companies in which the Regulated Entities and the Participating Funds co-invest.
A BDC that makes investments of the type
contemplated by the Regulated Entities typically limits its participation in any one transaction to a specific dollar amount,
which may be determined by legal or internally imposed limits on exposure in a single investment. In addition, the Code imposes
diversification requirements on companies, such as the Regulated Entities, which seek certain favorable tax treatment under Subchapter
M of the Code.
10
In view of the foregoing, in cases when a Regulated Entity Adviser identifies investment opportunities
requiring larger capital commitments it must seek the participation of other entities with similar investment styles. The availability
of the Affiliated Funds and/or other Regulated Entities as investing partners of a Regulated Entity may alleviate the necessity
in certain circumstances.
Without the opportunity for co-investment,
each Regulated Entity, acting alone, might have to forego some investment opportunities if the respective Regulated Entity cannot
provide all of the financing required by a potential portfolio company. Portfolio companies may reject an offer of funding arranged
by A Regulated Entity Adviser as a result of the Regulated Entity’s inability to commit the entire amount of financing required
by the portfolio company in a timely manner. By reducing the number of instances in which a Regulated Entity’s individual
or aggregate investment limits require the Regulated Entity Adviser to arrange a syndicated financing with unaffiliated entities,
the Regulated Entities likely will be required to forego fewer attractive investment opportunities. With the assets of the Affiliated
Funds along with the assets of the other Regulated Entities available for co-investment, there should be an increase in the number
of opportunities accessible to each Regulated Entity.
10
See I.R.C. Section 851(b)(3).
The Regulated Entity Advisers and the Board
of each of the Regulated Entities believe that it would be desirable for the Regulated Entities to co-invest with other Regulated
Entities and with the Affiliated Funds, and that such investments would be consistent with the investment objective, investment
policies, investment positions, investment strategies, investment restrictions, regulatory requirements, and other pertinent factors
applicable to the Regulated Entities.
|
2.
|
Mechanics of the Co-Investment Program
|
In selecting investments for each Regulated Entity, the Regulated Entity Advisers will consider the investment objective,
investment policies, investment position, capital available for investment, and other factors relevant to the respective Regulated
Entities they advise. Similarly, in selecting investments for the Affiliated Funds, the Affiliated Investment Adviser will
choose investments separately for each entity, considering, in each case, the investment objective, investment policies, investment
position, capital available for investment, and other factors relevant to that particular investing entity. As described herein,
each of the Affiliated Funds has or will have investment objectives and strategies that are generally similar to or overlap
with the Objectives and Strategies of each of the Regulated Entities. To the extent that there is an investment opportunity
that falls within the Objectives and Strategies of a Regulated Entity and one or more other Regulated Entities and/or the
investment objectives and strategies of one or more of the Affiliated Funds, the Regulated Entity Advisers and the Affiliated
Investment Advisers would expect such Regulated Entities and Affiliated Funds to co-invest with each other, with certain exceptions
based on available capital or diversification, as discussed below. The Regulated Entities, however, will not be obligated
to invest, or co-invest, when investment opportunities are referred to them.
The Regulated Entity Adviser, as applicable,
will present each Proposed Co-Investment Transaction and the proposed allocation of each investment opportunity to the directors
of the relevant Regulated Entity’s Board that are eligible to vote under Section 57(o) (the “
Eligible Directors
”).
The “required majority,” as defined in Section 57(o) (“
Required Majority
”) of a Regulated
Entity will approve each Co-Investment Transaction prior to any investment by the Regulated Entity. No Independent Director will
have any direct or indirect financial interest in any Co-Investment Transaction or any interest in any portfolio company, other
than through an interest (if any) in the securities of the Regulated Entity.
All subsequent activity (i.e., exits or
Follow-On Investments) in a Co-Investment Transaction will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Application.
A Regulated
Entity may participate in a pro rata disposition or Follow-On Investment without obtaining prior approval of the Required Majority
if, among other things: (i) the proposed participation of each Regulated Entity and Affiliated Fund is proportionate to its outstanding
investments in the issuer immediately preceding the disposition or Follow-On Investment, as the case may be; and (ii) the Board of the Regulated Entity has approved that Regulated Entity’s participation in pro rata dispositions and Follow-On
Investments as being in the best interests of the Regulated Entity. If the Board has not given such approval in advance, any such
disposition or Follow-On Investment will be submitted to the Regulated Entity’s Eligible Directors.
The Board of a
Regulated Entity may at any time rescind, suspend or qualify its approval of pro rata dispositions and Follow-On Investments with
the result that all dispositions and/or Follow-On Investments must be submitted to the Eligible Directors.
The Co-Investment Program stipulates that
the terms, conditions, price, class of securities, settlement date, and registration rights applicable to the applicable Regulated
Entity’s purchase be the same as those applicable to the purchase by the other Regulated Entities and/or Participating Funds.
The amount of each Regulated Entity’s
capital available for investment will be determined based on the amount of cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves, if
any, the targeted leverage level, targeted asset mix and other investment policies and restrictions set from time to time by the
Board of the applicable Regulated Entity or imposed by applicable laws, rules, regulations or interpretations. Likewise, an Affiliated
Fund’s capital available for investment is determined based on the amount of cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves,
if any, the targeted leverage level, targeted asset mix and other investment policies and restrictions set by the Affiliated Fund’s
directors, general partners or adviser or imposed by applicable laws, rules, regulations or interpretations.
|
1.
|
Sections 17(d), 57(a)(4) and 57(i), and Rule 17d-1
|
Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act generally prohibits an affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of
the 1940 Act), or an affiliated person of such affiliated person, of a registered closed-end investment company acting as principal,
from effecting any transaction in which the registered closed-end investment company is a joint or a joint and several participant,
in contravention of such rules as the Commission may prescribe for the purpose of limiting or preventing participation by
the registered closed-end investment company on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of such other participant.
Rule 17d-1 under the 1940 Act generally prohibits participation by a registered investment company and an affiliated person
(as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) or principal underwriter for that investment company, or an affiliated
person of such affiliated person or principal underwriter, in any “joint enterprise or other joint arrangement or profit-sharing
plan,” as defined in the rule, without prior approval by the Commission by order upon application.
Similarly, with regard
to BDCs, Section 57(a)(4) makes it unlawful for any person who is related to a BDC in a manner described in
Section 57(b), acting as principal, knowingly to effect any transaction in which the BDC or a company controlled by such
BDC is a joint or a joint and several participant with that person in contravention of rules and regulations as the
Commission may prescribe for the purpose of limiting or preventing participation by the BDC or controlled company on a basis
less advantageous than that of the other participant. Although the Commission has not adopted any rules expressly under
Section 57(a)(4), Section 57(i) provides that the rules under Section 17(d) applicable to registered
closed-end investment companies (
e.g.
, Rule 17d-1) are, in the interim, deemed to apply to transactions subject
to Section 57(a). Rule 17d-1, as made applicable to BDCs by Section 57(i), prohibits any person who is related
to a BDC in a manner described in Section 57(b), as modified by Rule 57b-1, acting as principal, from participating
in, or effecting any transaction in connection with, any joint enterprise or other joint arrangement or profit-sharing plan
in which the BDC or a company controlled by such BDC is a participant, unless an application regarding the joint enterprise,
arrangement, or profit-sharing plan has been filed with the Commission and has been granted by an order entered prior to the
submission of the plan or any modification thereof to security holders for approval, or prior to its adoption or modification
if not so submitted.
In passing upon applications under Rule 17d-1,
the Commission will consider whether the participation by the BDC or controlled company in such joint transaction is consistent
with the provisions, policies, and purposes of the Act and the extent to which such participation is on a basis different from
or less advantageous than that of other participants.
|
2.
|
Section 57(b) and Rule 57b-1
|
Section 57(b), as modified by Rule 57b-1,
specifies the persons to whom the prohibitions of Section 57(a)(4) apply. These persons include the following: (1) any
director, officer, employee, or member of an advisory board of a BDC or any person (other than the BDC itself) who is, within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(3)(C), an affiliated person of any such person; or (2) any investment adviser or promoter of,
general partner in, principal underwriter for, or person directly or indirectly either controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with a BDC (except the BDC itself and any person who, if it were not directly or indirectly controlled by the BDC, would
not be directly or indirectly under the control of a person who controls the BDC), or any person who is, within the meaning of
Section 2(a)(3)(C) or (D), an affiliated person of such person.
Rule 57b-1 exempts certain persons
otherwise related to a BDC in a manner described in Section 57(b)(2) from being subject to the prohibitions of Section 57(a). Specifically,
this rule states that the provisions of Section 57(a) shall not apply to any person: (a) solely because that person
is directly or indirectly controlled by a BDC; or (b) solely because that person is directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with, a person described in (a) of the rule or is an officer, director, partner, copartner, or
employee of a person described in (a) of the rule.
Section 2(a)(9) defines “control”
as the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the
result of an official position with such company. The statute also sets forth the interpretation that any person who owns
beneficially, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, more than 25 percent of the voting securities of a company
shall be presumed to control such company; any person who does not so own more than 25 percent of the voting securities of a company
shall be presumed not to control such company; and a natural person shall be presumed not to be a controlled person.
Sections 2(a)(3)(C) and (D) define
an “affiliated person” of another person as: (C) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with, such other person; and (D) any officer, director, partner, copartner, or employee of such
other person.
Co-Investment Transactions may
be prohibited by Sections 17(d) and/or 57(a)(4) and Rule 17d-1 without a prior order of the Commission to the extent
that the Affiliated Funds and the other Regulated Entities fall within the category of persons described by
Section 17(d) and Section 57(b), as modified by Rule 57b-1 thereunder, vis-à-vis each Regulated Entity.
First, the Regulated Entities and the Affiliated
Funds may be deemed to be affiliated persons within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3). An Existing Affiliated Investment Adviser
is the investment adviser to each of the Affiliated Funds. A Regulated Entity Investment Adviser is the investment adviser to each
of the Regulated Entities. The Existing Affiliated Investment Advisers and the Regulated Entity Advisers are each under the common
control of Medley LLC. To the extent that the Regulated Entities and the Affiliated Funds may be deemed to be controlled by or
under the common control with the Regulated Entity Advisers, the Regulated Entities and the Affiliated Funds may be deemed affiliated
persons within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3).
Second, each Regulated Entity may be deemed
to be affiliated persons of each other Regulated Entity within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3). A Regulated Entity Adviser
is the investment adviser to each of the Regulated Entities. To the extent that a Regulated Entity may be deemed to be controlled
by or under common control with each of the Regulated Entity Advisers, each Regulated Entity may be deemed affiliated persons of
each other Regulated Entity within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3).
Third, because the Medley Proprietary
Accounts are controlled by Medley LLC and, therefore, are under common control with the Regulated Entities,
the Medley Proprietary Accounts could be deemed to be persons related to the Regulated Entities (or a company controlled by
the Regulated Entities) in a manner described by Section 57(b) and also prohibited from participating in the
Co-Investment Program.
The Applicants acknowledge that
some of the Affiliated Funds may not be funds advised by an Affiliated Investment Adviser because they are Medley
Proprietary Accounts (i.e., Medley LLC investing in a principal capacity). The Applicants further acknowledge that almost
all previously ordered exemptive applications seeking similar co-investment relief have been limited to co-investment
transactions between a BDC and its affiliated funds only.
11
The Applicants do not believe these Medley Proprietary
Accounts should raise issues under the Conditions of this Application because the allocation policies and procedures of the
account owners provide that investment opportunities will be offered to client accounts before they are offered to Medley
Proprietary Accounts. The Applicants do not believe that the participation of Medley Proprietary Accounts in the
Co-Investment Program would raise any regulatory or mechanical concerns different from those discussed with respect to the
Affiliated Funds that are advised by an Affiliated Investment Adviser. In accordance with the allocation policies and
procedures, Potential Co-Investment Transactions will be offered to, and allocated among, the Affiliated Funds (other than
the Medley Proprietary Accounts) and Regulated Entities based on each client’s particular Objectives and Strategies and
in accordance with the Conditions. If the aggregate amount recommended by the applicable Affiliated Investment Advisers and
the Regulated Entity Advisers to be invested by the Affiliated Funds (other than the Medley Proprietary Accounts) and the
Regulated Funds in a Potential Co-Investment Transaction were equal to or more than the amount of the investment opportunity,
a Medley Proprietary Account would not participate in the investment opportunity. If the aggregate amount recommended by the
applicable Affiliated Investment Advisers and the Regulated Entity Advisers to be invested by the Affiliated Funds (other
than the Medley Proprietary Accounts) and the Regulated Entities in a Potential Co-Investment Transaction were less than
the amount of the investment opportunity, a Medley Proprietary Account would then have the opportunity to participate in the
Potential Co-Investment Transaction in a principal capacity, up to the excess amount of the investment opportunity.
Accordingly, Applicants respectfully request
an Order of the Commission, pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) and Rule 17d-1, permitting (a) the Existing Affiliated
Funds, and any Future Affiliated Funds, to participate with one or more Regulated Entities in Co-Investment Transactions, and
(b) the Regulated Entities to participate in Co-Investment Transactions with each other.
The Commission has granted
co-investment relief on numerous occasions in recent years.
12
Applicants submit that the formulae and
procedures set forth as conditions for the relief requested herein are consistent with the range of investor protection found
in the cited orders. We note, in particular, that the co-investment protocol to be followed by the Applicants here is
substantially similar to the protocol followed by MCC and its affiliates, for which an order was granted on November 25,
2013.
13
We also note that the Commission has granted co-investment relief to permit a BDC and its SBIC
subsidiary to co-invest with another fund.
13
The Commission also has issued orders
extending co-investment relief to proprietary accounts.
14
11
See
Corporate Capital Trust, Inc. et.
al.
(File No. 812-13844) Release No. IC-30009 (May 21, 2013) (order), Release No. IC-30494 (April 25, 2013) (notice);
Harvest
Capital Credit Corporation, et al.
(File No. 812-14365), Release No. IC- 31930 (December 10, 2015) (order), Release No.
IC-31860 (October 5, 2015) (notice);
NF Investment Corp., et al.
(File
No. 812-14472) Release No. IC-32362 (November 22, 2015) (order), Release No. IC-32340 (October 27, 2016) (notice), all of
which included relief for proprietary accounts.
12
See, e.g.,
Medley Capital Corporation, et al.
(File No. 812-14679) Release No. IC-32581
(March 29, 2017) (order), Release No. IC-32520 (March 3, 2017) (notice);
Golub Capital BDC, Inc., et al.
(File No. 812-13764)
Release No. IC-32509 (February 27, 2017) (order), Release No. IC-32461 (January 31, 2017) (notice);
Owl Rock Capital Corporation,
et al.
(File No. 812-14568) Release No. IC-32469 (February 7, 2017) (order), Release No. IC-32422 (January 11, 2017) (notice);
Ares Capital Corporation, et al.
(File No. 812-13603) Release No. IC-32427 (January 18, 2017) (order), Release No. IC-32399
(December 21, 2016) (notice);
Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., et al.
(File No. 812-14219) Release No. IC-32409 (January 4, 2017)
(order), Release No. IC-32382 (December 7, 2016) (notice);
Fidus Investment Corporation, et al.
(File No. 812-14605) Release
No. IC-32411 (January 4, 2017) (order), Release No. IC-32381 (December 7, 2016) (notice)
.
13
Main Street Capital Corporation et. al., Investment
Company Act Release Nos. 28265 (May 8, 2008) (notice) and 28295 (June 3, 2008) (order).
14
See
Corporate Capital Trust, Inc. et. al.
(File No. 812-13844), Release No. IC-30009 (May 21, 2013) (order), Release No. IC-30494 (April 25, 2013) (notice);
Harvest
Capital Credit Corporation, et. al.
(File No. 812-14365), Release No. IC-31930 (December 10, 2015) (order), Release No. IC-31860
(October 5, 2015) (notice);
NF Investment Corp., et. al.
(File No. 812-14472) Release No. IC-32362 (November 22, 2015)
(order), Release No. IC-32340 (October 27, 2016) (notice).
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F.
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Applicants’ Legal Arguments
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Rule 17d-1 was promulgated by the
Commission pursuant to Section 17(d) and made applicable to BDCs by Section 57(i). Paragraph (a) of Rule 17d-1
permits an otherwise prohibited person, acting as principal, to participate in, or effect a transaction in connection with, a joint
enterprise or other joint arrangement or profit-sharing plan in which a BDC is a participant if an application regarding the joint
enterprise, arrangement, or profit-sharing plan has been filed with the Commission and has been granted by an order issued prior
to the submission of such plan or any modification thereof to security holders for approval, or prior to its adoption or modification
if not so submitted. Paragraph (b) of Rule 17d-1 states that in passing upon applications under that rule, the Commission
will consider whether the participation by the investment company in such joint enterprise, joint arrangement, or profit-sharing
plan on the basis proposed is consistent with the provisions, policies, and purposes of the Act and the extent to which such participation
is on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of other participants.
Applicants submit that the fact that the
Required Majority of each Regulated Entity will approve each Co-Investment Transaction before the investment is made, and other
protective conditions set forth in this Application will ensure that the Regulated Entities will be treated fairly. Each Regulated
Entity would have the ability to engage in Follow-On Investments in a fair manner consistent with the protections of the other
conditions.
If the Regulated Entity Advisers or
the Principals, or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Regulated Entity Advisers or the
Principals, and the Affiliated Funds (collectively, the “
Holders
”) own in the aggregate more than
25 percent of the outstanding voting shares of a Regulated Entity (the “
Shares
”), then the Holders
will vote such Shares as directed by an independent third party when voting on (1) the election of
directors; (2) the removal of one or more directors; or (3) any other matter under either the Act or applicable
state law affecting the Board’s composition, size or manner of election.
Applicants believe that this condition
will ensure that the Independent Directors will act independently in evaluating the Co-Investment Program, because the ability
of the Regulated Entity Advisers or the Principals to influence the Independent Directors by a suggestion, explicit or implied,
that the Independent Directors can be removed will be limited significantly. The Independent Directors shall evaluate and approve
any independent third party, taking into account its qualifications, reputation for independence, cost to the shareholders,
and other factors that they deem relevant.
The conditions to which the
requested relief will be subject are designed to ensure that the Regulated Entity Advisers, the Affiliated Investment
Advisers or the Principals would not be able to favor the Affiliated Funds over the Regulated Entities (or one Regulated
Entity over another) through the allocation of investment opportunities among them.
To
the extent there is an investment that falls within the Objectives and Strategies of a Regulated Entity and one or more other
Regulated Entities and/or the investment objectives and strategies of one or more Affiliated Funds, it is expected that a
Regulated Entity will co-invest with one or more other Regulated Entities and/or one or more Affiliated Funds, with certain
exceptions based on available capital or diversification. The Regulated Entities, however, will not be obligated to invest,
or co-invest, when investment opportunities are referred to them.
Applicants submit that the Co-Investment Program
presents an attractive alternative to the institution of some form of equitable allocation protocol for the allocation of
100% of individual investment opportunities to either one Regulated Entity or the Affiliated Funds as opportunities
arise.
Applicants submit that the Regulated Entities’
participation in the Co-Investment Transactions will be consistent with the provisions, policies, and purposes of the Act and on
a basis that is not different from or less advantageous than that of other participants. Applicants believe that the conditions
will ensure that the Regulated Entity Advisers, the Affiliated Investment Advisers and the Principals would not be able to favor
the Affiliated Funds over the Regulated Entities (or one Regulated Entity over another) through the allocation of investment opportunities
among them because, as a guiding principle, the conditions permit a co-investment transaction only if the Eligible Directors have
made a determination that the proposed investment would not benefit an affiliated person other than the fund participating in the
transaction and then only to the extent strictly permitted by the conditions.
After making the determinations required
in conditions 1 and 2(a), other than in the case of pro rata dispositions and Follow-On Investments as provided for in conditions
7 and 8, the applicable Regulated Entity Adviser will present each Potential Co-Investment Transaction and the proposed allocation
to the Eligible Directors, and the Required Majority will approve each Co-Investment Transaction prior to any investment by the
Regulated Entity.
Applicants
believe that participation by the Regulated Entities in pro rata dispositions and Follow-On Investments, as provided in conditions
7 and 8, is consistent with the provisions, policies and purposes of the Act and will not be made on a basis different from or
less advantageous than that of other participants. A formulaic approach, such as pro rata dispositions and Follow-On Investments,
eliminates the discretionary ability to make allocation determinations, and in turn eliminates the possibility for overreaching
and promotes fairness.
Applicants agree that any order of the
Commission granting the requested relief will be subject to the following conditions:
1. Each time a Regulated Entity
Adviser or an Affiliated Investment Adviser considers a Potential Co-Investment Transaction for an Affiliated Fund or another
Regulated Entity that falls within the then-current Objectives and Strategies of a Regulated Entity,
15
the
appropriate Regulated Entity Adviser will make an independent determination of the appropriateness of the investment for the
Regulated Entity in light of the Regulated Entity’s then-current circumstances.
2. (a) If a Regulated Entity Adviser deems
a Regulated Entity’s participation in any Potential Co-Investment Transaction to be appropriate for such Regulated Entity,
it will then determine an appropriate level of investment for such Regulated Entity.
(b) If the aggregate amount recommended
by Regulated Entity Advisers to be invested by the Regulated Entities in such Potential Co-Investment Transaction, together with
the amount proposed to be invested by each Participating Fund, collectively, in the same transaction, exceeds the amount of the
investment opportunity, the amount proposed to be invested by each such party will be allocated among them
pro rata
based
on each participating party’s capital available for investment in the asset class being allocated, up to the amount proposed
to be invested by each. The Regulated Entity Advisers will provide the respective Eligible Directors with information concerning
each party’s available capital to assist the Eligible Directors with their review of such Regulated Entity’s investments
for compliance with these allocation procedures.
15
“
Objectives and Strategies
” means the Regulated Entity’s investment objectives and strategies,
as described in the Regulated Entity’s registration statement on Form N-2, other filings the Regulated Entity has made with
the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and the Regulated Entity’s reports to stockholders.
(c) After making the determinations required
in conditions 1 and 2(a), the Regulated Entity Advisers will distribute written information concerning the Potential Co-Investment
Transaction, including the amount proposed to be invested by each Regulated Entity and any Participating Fund, to the Eligible
Directors of the each participating Regulated Entity for their consideration. A Regulated Entity will co-invest with another Regulated
Entity and/or any Participating Fund only if, prior to participating in the Potential Co-Investment Transaction, a Required Majority
of the Regulated Entity concludes that:
(i)
the terms
of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to the Regulated Entity and its stockholders
and do not involve overreaching in respect of the Regulated Entity or its stockholders on the part of any person concerned
;
(ii)
the transaction is consistent with
(A)
the interests of the Regulated Entity’s stockholders; and
(B) the Regulated Entity’s
then-current Objectives and Strategies.
(iii) the investment by another Regulated
Entity or one or more Participating Funds would not disadvantage the Regulated Entity, and participation by such Regulated Entity
is not on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of any Participating Fund or other Regulated Entity;
provided
that, if any Participating Fund or other Regulated Entity, but not the Regulated Entity itself, gains the right to nominate
a director for election to a portfolio company’s board of directors or the right to have a board observer or any similar
right to participate in the governance or management of the portfolio company, such event shall not be interpreted to prohibit
the Required Majority from reaching the conclusions required by this condition (2)(c)(iii), if
(A) the Eligible Directors shall
have the right to ratify the selection of such director or board observer, if any;
(B) the Regulated Entity Adviser
agrees to, and does, provide periodic reports to the Board of the applicable Regulated Entity with respect to the actions of such
director or the information received by such board observer or obtained through the exercise of any similar right to participate
in the governance or management of the portfolio company; and
(C) any fees or other compensation
that any other Regulated Entity or any Participating Fund or any affiliated person of either receives in connection with the right
of a Participating Fund or other Regulated Entity to nominate a director or appoint a board observer or otherwise to participate
in the governance or management of the portfolio company will be shared proportionately among any Participating Funds (who may,
in turn, share their portion with their affiliated persons) and the participating Regulated Entities in accordance with the amount
of each party’s investment; and
(iv) the proposed investment by the Regulated
Entity will not benefit the Regulated Entity Advisers, the Affiliated Funds or other Regulated Entities, or any affiliated person
of any of them (other than the other parties to the Co-Investment Transaction), except (a) to the extent permitted by condition
13; (b) to the extent permitted by Sections 17(e) or 57(k), as applicable; (c) indirectly, as a result of an interest
in securities issued by one of the parties to the Co-Investment Transaction; or (d) in the case of fees or other compensation
described in condition 2(c)(iii)(C).
3. Each Regulated Entity has the right
to decline to participate in any Potential Co-Investment Transaction or to invest less than the amount proposed.
4. The Regulated Entity Advisers will present
to the Board of each Regulated Entity, as applicable, on a quarterly basis, a record of all investments in Potential Co-Investment
Transactions made by the Affiliated Funds and other Regulated Entities during the preceding quarter that fell within the Regulated
Entity’s then-current Objectives and Strategies that were not made available to the respective Regulated Entity, and an explanation
of why the investment opportunities were not offered to the Regulated Entity. All information presented to the Board pursuant
to this condition will be kept for the life of the Regulated Entity and at least two years thereafter, and will be subject to examination
by the Commission and its staff.
5. Except for Follow-On Investments made
pursuant to condition 8 below
16
, a Regulated Entity will not invest in reliance on the Order in any portfolio company
in which any other Regulated Entity, any Affiliated Fund, or any affiliated person of any other Regulated Entity or Affiliated
Fund is an existing investor.
6. A Regulated Entity will not participate
in any Potential Co-Investment Transaction unless the terms, conditions, price, class of securities to be purchased, settlement
date and registration rights will be the same for such Regulated Entity as for the Participating Funds and/or other Regulated Entities.
The grant to an Affiliated Fund or another Regulated Entity, but not such Regulated Entity, of the right to nominate a director
for election to a portfolio company’s board of directors, the right to have an observer on the board of directors or similar
rights to participate in the governance or management of the portfolio company will not be interpreted so as to violate this condition
6, if conditions 2(c)(iii)(A), (B) and (C) are met.
7. (a) If any Regulated Entity or Participating
Fund elects to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of an interest in a security that was acquired in a Co-Investment Transaction,
then:
(i) the investment adviser to such Regulated
Entity or Participating Fund will notify each other Regulated Entity that participated in the Co-Investment Transaction of the
proposed disposition at the earliest practical time; and
16
This exception applies only to Follow-On
Investments by a Regulated Entity in issuers in which that Regulated Entity already holds investments.
(ii) the investment adviser to each other
Regulated Entity that participated in the Co-Investment Transaction will formulate a recommendation as to participation by such
Regulated Entity in the disposition.
(b) Each Regulated Entity will have the
right to participate in such disposition on a proportionate basis, at the same price and on the same terms and conditions as those
applicable to any Participating Funds and any other Regulated Entities.
(c) A Regulated Entity may
participate in such disposition without obtaining prior approval of the Required Majority if: (i) the proposed
participation of each Regulated Entity and the Participating Funds in such disposition is proportionate to its outstanding
investments in the issuer immediately preceding the disposition; (ii) the Board of the applicable Regulated Entity has
approved as being in the best interests of the applicable Regulated Entity the ability to participate in such dispositions on
a
pro rata
basis (as described in greater detail in this Application); and (iii) the Board of the
applicable Regulated Entity is provided on a quarterly basis with a list of all dispositions made in accordance with this
condition. In all other cases, the applicable Regulated Entity Adviser will provide its written recommendation as to such
Regulated Entity’s participation to the Eligible Directors, and such Regulated Entity will participate in such
disposition solely to the extent that a Required Majority determines that it is in such Regulated Entity’s best
interests.
(d) Each Regulated Entity and each of the
Participating Funds will bear its own expenses in connection with any such disposition.
8. (a) If any Regulated Entity or Participating
Fund desires to make a Follow-On Investment in a portfolio company whose securities were acquired in a Co-Investment Transaction,
then:
(i) the investment adviser to such Regulated
Entity or Participating Fund will notify each other Regulated Entity that participated in the Co-Investment Transaction of the
proposed transaction at the earliest practical time; and
(ii) the investment adviser to each other
Regulated Entity that participated in the Co-Investment Transaction will formulate a recommendation as to the proposed participation,
including the amount of the proposed investment, by such Regulated Entity.
(b) A Regulated Entity may
participate in such Follow-On Investment without obtaining prior approval of the Required Majority if: (i) the proposed
participation of each Regulated Entity and Participating Fund in such investment is proportionate to its outstanding
investments in the issuer immediately preceding the Follow-On Investment; (ii) the Board of the applicable Regulated
Entity has approved as being in the best interests of such Regulated Entity the ability to participate in Follow-On
Investments on a pro rata basis (as described in greater detail in this Application); and (iii) the Board of the applicable Regulated Entity is provided on a quarterly
basis with a list of all Follow-on Investments made in accordance with this condition. In all other cases, the
applicable Regulated Entity Adviser will provide its written recommendation as to such Regulated Entity’s participation
to the Eligible Directors, and such Regulated Entity will participate in such follow-on investment solely to the extent that
a Required Majority determines that it is in such Regulated Entity’s best interests.
(c) If, with respect to any follow-on
investment:
(i) the amount of the opportunity is not
based on the Regulated Entities’ and the Participating Funds’ outstanding investments immediately preceding the follow-on
investment; and
(ii) the aggregate amount recommended
by the applicable Regulated Entity Adviser to be invested by each Regulated Entity in such Co-Investment Transaction, together
with the amount proposed to be invested by the Participating Funds and/or other Regulated Entity, collectively, in the same transaction,
exceeds the amount of the investment opportunity, then the amount to be invested by each such party will be allocated among them
pro
rata
based on each party’s capital available for investment in the asset class being allocated, up to the amount
proposed to be invested by each.
(d) The acquisition of Follow-On Investments as permitted by this condition will be considered
a Co-Investment Transaction for all purposes and be subject to the other conditions set forth in the Application.
9. The Independent Directors of each Regulated
Entity will be provided quarterly for review all information concerning Potential Co-Investment Transactions and Co-Investment
Transactions, including investments made by other Regulated Entities or Affiliated Funds that the Regulated Entity considered
but declined to participate in, so that the Independent Directors may determine whether all investments made during the preceding
quarter, including those investments that the Regulated Entity considered but declined to participate in, comply with the conditions
of the Order. In addition, the Independent Directors will consider at least annually the continued appropriateness for
the Regulated Entities of participating in new and existing Co-Investment Transactions.
10.
Each Regulated
Entity will maintain the records required by section 57(f)(3) as if each of the Regulated Entities were a BDC and each of the
investments permitted under these conditions were approved by the Required Majority under section 57(f).
11. No Independent
Director of a Regulated Entity will also be a director, general partner, managing member or principal, or otherwise an “affiliated
person” (as defined in the Act) of, any of the Affiliated Funds.
12. The expenses,
if any, associated with acquiring, holding or disposing of any securities acquired in a Co-Investment Transaction (including,
without limitation, the expenses of the distribution of any such securities registered for sale under the 1933 Act) shall, to
the extent not payable by the Regulated Entity Advisers or the Affiliated Investment Advisers under their respective investment
advisory agreements with the Regulated Entities and the Participating Funds, be shared by the applicable Regulated Entities and
the Participating Funds in proportion to the relative amounts of their securities held or being acquired or disposed of, as the
case may be.
13. Any
transaction fee (including break-up or commitment fees but excluding brokers’ fees contemplated by
Section 57(k)(2) or 17(e)(2), as applicable) received in connection with a Co-Investment Transaction will be distributed
to the applicable Regulated Entities and the Participating Funds on a
pro rata
basis based on the amounts
each invested or committed, as the case may be, in such Co-Investment Transaction. If any transaction fee is to be held by a
Regulated Entity Adviser or an Affiliated Investment Adviser pending consummation of the transaction, the fee will be
deposited into an account maintained by the Regulated Entity Adviser or such other adviser, as the case may be, at a bank or
banks having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(1), and the account will earn a competitive rate of interest
that will also be divided
pro rata
among each applicable Regulated Entity and each Participating Fund based
on the amount each invests in such Co-Investment Transaction. None of the Affiliated Funds, Regulated Entity Advisers,
Affiliated Investment Advisers, or any affiliated person of any of the Regulated Entities will receive additional
compensation or remuneration of any kind (other than (a) in the case of the Regulated Entities and the Participating
Funds, the
pro rata
transaction fees described above and fees or other compensation described in
condition 2(c)(iii)(C) and (b) in the case of the Regulated Entity Advisers and the Affiliated Advisers, investment
advisory fees paid in accordance with the Regulated Entities’ and Affiliated Funds’ governing agreements) as a
result of or in connection with a Co-Investment Transaction.
14. If the Regulated Entity Advisers,
the Principals, any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Regulated Entity Advisers or the Principals,
and the Affiliated Funds (collectively, the “
Holders
”) own in the aggregate more than 25% of the outstanding
voting securities of a Regulated Entity (“
Shares
”), then the Holders will vote such Shares as directed
by an independent third party when voting on (1) the election
of directors; (2) the removal of one or more directors; or (3) any other matter under either the Act or applicable state
law affecting the Board’s composition, size or manner of election.
15. The Medley Proprietary
Accounts will not be permitted to invest in a Potential Co-Investment Transaction except to the extent the aggregate demand from
the Regulated Entities and the other Affiliated Funds is less than the total investment opportunity.
16. The Regulated
Entity Advisers and the Affiliated Investment Advisers will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure
compliance with the foregoing conditions. These policies and procedures will require, among other things, that each Regulated
Entity Adviser will be notified of all Potential Co-Investment Transactions that fall within the then-current Objectives and Strategies
of any Regulated Entity it advises and will be given sufficient information to make its independent determination and recommendations
under conditions 1, 2(a), 7 and 8.
17. Each Regulated
Entity’s chief compliance officer, as defined in Rule 38a-1(a)(4), will prepare an annual report for its Board each
year that evaluates (and documents the basis of that evaluation) the Regulated Entity’s compliance with the terms and
conditions of the application and the procedures established to achieve such compliance.
III. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Please address all communications concerning
this Application and the Notice and Order to:
Brook Taube
Medley Capital Corporation
Seth Taube
Sierra Income Corporation
Sierra Total Return Fund
Sierra Opportunity Fund
280 Park Avenue, 6
th
Floor East
New York, NY 10017
(212) 759-0777
Please address any questions, and a copy
of any communications, concerning this Application, the Notice and Order to:
Steven B. Boehm, Esq.
Harry S. Pangas, Esq.
Payam Siadatpour, Esq.
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
700 6
th
Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-0100
Pursuant to Rule 0-2(c) under
the Act, Applicants hereby state that each of MCC, Sierra, STRF, and SOF, by resolution duly adopted on May 5, 2017, May 5,
2017, May 11, 2017, and May 23, 2017, respectively (attached hereto as Exhibits A, B, C and D), have authorized to cause to
be prepared and to execute and file with the Commission this Application and any amendment thereto under Sections 17(d)
and 57(i) of the Act and Rule 17d-1 under the Act, for an order permitting certain joint transactions that may otherwise
be prohibited under Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) of such Act. Each person executing the application on behalf of
the Applicants says that he has duly executed the Application for and on behalf of the Applicants; that he is authorized
to execute the Application pursuant to the terms of an operating agreement, management agreement or otherwise; and that
all actions by members, directors or other bodies necessary to authorize each such deponent to execute and file the
Application have been taken.
All requirements for the execution
and filing of this Application in the name of and on behalf of each Applicant by the undersigned have been complied with and
the undersigned is fully authorized to do so and has duly executed this Application this 24th day of May, 2017.
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MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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MEDLEY LLC
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Title: Manager
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MCC ADVISORS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Title: Manager
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MEDLEY CAPITAL LLC,
MEDLEY
OPPORTUNITY FUND II LP, MOF II
GP LLC, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY
FUND III LP, MOF III GP LLC, MOF II
MANAGEMENT LLC, MOF III
MANAGEMENT LLC, MEDLEY SBIC,
LP, MEDLEY SBIC
GP, LLC, SIERRA
TOTAL RETURN FUND, MEDLEY
CREDIT STRATEGIES (KOC) LLC,
STRF ADVISORS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Authorized Person
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SIERRA INCOME CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Seth Taube
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Name: Seth Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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SIC ADVISORS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Name: Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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SIERRA TOTAL RETURN FUND
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By:
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/s/ Seth Taube
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Name: Seth Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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STRF ADVISORS LLC
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/s/ Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Name: Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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SIERRA OPPORTUNITY FUND
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By:
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/s/ Seth Taube
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Name: Seth Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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SOF ADVISORS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Name: Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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VERIFICATION
The undersigned states that he has duly executed the foregoing Application, dated as of the date first above written, for and on behalf of the Applicants, as the
case may be, that he holds the office with such entity as indicated below and that all action by the directors, stockholders, general
partners, trustees or members of each entity, as applicable, necessary to authorize the undersigned to execute and file such instrument
has been taken. The undersigned further states that he is familiar with such instrument and the contents thereof and that
the facts set forth therein are true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
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MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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MEDLEY LLC
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Title: Manager
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MCC ADVISORS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Title: Manager
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MEDLEY CAPITAL LLC,
MEDLEY
OPPORTUNITY FUND II LP, MOF II
GP LLC, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY
FUND III LP, MOF III GP LLC, MOF II
MANAGEMENT LLC, MOF III
MANAGEMENT LLC, MEDLEY SBIC,
LP, MEDLEY SBIC
GP, LLC, SIERRA
TOTAL RETURN FUND, MEDLEY
CREDIT STRATEGIES (KOC) LLC,
STRF ADVISORS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: Brook Taube
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Authorized Person
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SIERRA INCOME CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Seth Taube
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Name: Seth Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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SIC ADVISORS, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Name: Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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SIERRA TOTAL RETURN FUND
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By:
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/s/ Seth Taube
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Name: Seth Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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STRF ADVISORS, LLC
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/s/ Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Name: Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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SIERRA OPPORTUNITY FUND
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By:
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/s/ Seth Taube
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Name: Seth Taube
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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SOF ADVISORS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Name: Richard T. Allorto, Jr.
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT A
Resolution of the Board of Directors
of
MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION
WHEREAS
,
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”
) granted the Company an exemptive order on March
29, 2017 (the
“Prior Order”
) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the “
1940 Act
”) and Rule 17d-1 permitting certain joint transactions that otherwise may
be prohibited by Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) of the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS
,
management of the Company believes that it would be in the Company’s best interest to expand the scope of the Prior Order
to add Medley LLC and its subsidiary, Medley Capital LLC, to the extent that they hold financial assets in a principal capacity,
and any direct or indirect, wholly- or majority-owned subsidiary of Medley LLC that is formed in the future and, from time to
time, that may hold various financial assets in a principal capacity to the list of applicants that will be permitted to participate
in the co-investment program that would be authorized by the new exemptive application (the
“
New Exemptive Application
”
);
WHEREAS
,
the Board has reviewed the New Exemptive Application, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, for an order of the SEC
(the “
New Order
”) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the 1940 Act, and Rule 17d-1 promulgated under
the 1940 Act, permitting certain joint transactions that otherwise may be prohibited by either or both of Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4);
WHEREAS,
the Board deems it advisable and in the best interest of the Company that the Company file the New Exemptive Application;
and
WHEREAS
,
the Company will continue to rely on the Prior Order until the SEC issues the New Order, at which point the Company will cease
relying on the Prior Order.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED
, that the officers, shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in
the name and on behalf of the Company, to cause to be executed, delivered and filed with the SEC the New Exemptive Application,
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in the name
and on behalf of the Company, to cause to be made, executed, delivered and filed with the SEC any amendments to the New Exemptive
Application and any additional applications for exemptive relief as are determined necessary, advisable or appropriate by any of
the officers in order to effectuate the foregoing resolutions, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the taking of
any such action;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that all acts and things previously done by any of the officers, on or prior to the date hereof, in the name and
on behalf of the Company in connection with the foregoing resolutions are in all respects authorized, ratified, approved, confirmed
and adopted as the acts and deeds by and on behalf of the Company;
and
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed to certify and deliver copies
of these resolutions to such governmental bodies, agencies, persons, firms or corporations as the officers may deem necessary and
to identify by his or her signature or certificate, or in such form as may be required, the documents and instruments presented
to and approved herein and to furnish evidence of the approval, by an officer authorized to give such approval, of any document,
instrument or provision or any addition, deletion or change in any document or instrument.
(Adopted on May 5, 2017)
EXHIBIT B
Resolution of the Board of Directors
of
SIERRA INCOME CORPORATION
WHEREAS
,
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”
) granted the Company an exemptive order on
March 29, 2017 (the
“Prior Order”
) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the “
1940 Act
”) and Rule 17d-1 permitting
certain joint transactions that otherwise may be prohibited by Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) of the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS
,
management of the Company believes that it would be in the Company’s best interest to expand the scope of the Prior Order
to add Medley LLC and its subsidiary, Medley Capital LLC, to the extent that they hold financial assets in a principal capacity,
and any direct or indirect, wholly- or majority-owned subsidiary of Medley LLC that is formed in the future and, from time to
time, that may hold various financial assets in a principal capacity to the list of applicants that will be permitted to participate
in the co-investment program that would be authorized by the new exemptive application (the
“
New Exemptive Application
”
);
WHEREAS
,
the Board has reviewed the New Exemptive Application, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, for an order of the SEC
(the “
New Order
”) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the 1940 Act, and Rule 17d-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act, permitting certain joint transactions
that otherwise may be prohibited by either or both of Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4);
WHEREAS,
the Board deems it advisable and in the best interest of the Company that the Company file the New Exemptive Application;
and
WHEREAS
,
the Company will continue to rely on the Prior Order until the SEC issues the New Order, at which point the Company will cease
relying on the Prior Order.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED
, that the officers, shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in
the name and on behalf of the Company, to cause to be executed, delivered and filed with the SEC the New Exemptive Application,
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in the name
and on behalf of the Company, to cause to be made, executed, delivered and filed with the SEC any amendments to the New Exemptive
Application and any additional applications for exemptive relief as are determined necessary, advisable or appropriate by any of
the officers in order to effectuate the foregoing resolutions, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the taking of
any such action;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that all acts and things previously done by any of the officers, on or prior to the date hereof, in the name and
on behalf of the Company in connection with the foregoing resolutions are in all respects authorized, ratified, approved, confirmed
and adopted as the acts and deeds by and on behalf of the Company;
and
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed to certify and deliver copies
of these resolutions to such governmental bodies, agencies, persons, firms or corporations as the officers may deem necessary and
to identify by his or her signature or certificate, or in such form as may be required, the documents and instruments presented
to and approved herein and to furnish evidence of the approval, by an officer authorized to give such approval, of any document,
instrument or provision or any addition, deletion or change in any document or instrument.
(Adopted on May 5,
2017)
EXHIBIT C
Resolution of the Board of Trustees
of
SIERRA TOTAL RETURN FUND
WHEREAS
,
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”
) granted the Fund an exemptive order on March
29, 2017 (the
“Prior Order”
) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the “
1940 Act
”) and Rule 17d-1 permitting certain
joint transactions that otherwise may be prohibited by Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) of the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS
,
management of the Fund believes that it would be in the Fund’s best interest to expand the scope of the Prior Order to add
Medley LLC and its subsidiary, Medley Capital LLC, to the extent that they hold financial assets in a principal capacity, and
any direct or indirect, wholly- or majority-owned subsidiary of Medley LLC that is formed in the future and, from time to time,
that may hold various financial assets in a principal capacity to the list of applicants that will be permitted to participate
in the co-investment program that would be authorized by the new exemptive application (the
“
New Exemptive Application
”
);
WHEREAS
,
the Board has reviewed the New Exemptive Application, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, for an order of the SEC
(the “
New Order
”) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the 1940 Act, and Rule 17d-1 promulgated under the 1940 Act, permitting certain joint transactions
that otherwise may be prohibited by either or both of Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4);
WHEREAS,
the Board deems it advisable and in the best interest of the Fund that the Fund file the New Exemptive Application;
and
WHEREAS
,
the Fund will continue to rely on the Prior Order until the SEC issues the New Order, at which point the Fund will cease relying
on the Prior Order.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED
, that the officers, shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in
the name and on behalf of the Fund, to cause to be executed, delivered and filed with the SEC the New Exemptive Application, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in the name
and on behalf of the Fund, to cause to be made, executed, delivered and filed with the SEC any amendments to the New Exemptive
Application and any additional applications for exemptive relief as are determined necessary, advisable or appropriate by any of
the officers in order to effectuate the foregoing resolutions, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the taking of
any such action;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that all acts and things previously done by any of the officers, on or prior to the date hereof, in the name and
on behalf of the Fund in connection with the foregoing resolutions are in all respects authorized, ratified, approved, confirmed
and adopted as the acts and deeds by and on behalf of the Fund; and
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed to certify and deliver copies
of these resolutions to such governmental bodies, agencies, persons, firms or corporations as the officers may deem necessary and
to identify by his or her signature or certificate, or in such form as may be required, the documents and instruments presented
to and approved herein and to furnish evidence of the approval, by an officer authorized to give such approval, of any document,
instrument or provision or any addition, deletion or change in any document or instrument.
(Adopted on May 11, 2017)
EXHIBIT D
Resolution of the Sole Trustee
of
SIERRA OPPORTUNITY FUND
WHEREAS
,
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”
) granted the Fund an exemptive order on March
29, 2017 (the
“Prior Order”
) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the “
1940 Act
”) and Rule 17d-1 permitting certain
joint transactions that otherwise may be prohibited bySections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) of the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS
,
management of the Fund believes that it would be in the Fund’s best interest to expand the scope of the Prior Order to add
Medley LLC and its subsidiary, Medley Capital LLC, to the extent that they hold financial assets in a principal capacity, and
any direct or indirect, wholly- or majority-owned subsidiary of Medley LLC that is formed in the future and, from time to time,
that may hold various financial assets in a principal capacity to the list of applicants that will be permitted to participate
in the co-investment program that would be authorized by the new exemptive application (the
“
New Exemptive Application
”
);
WHEREAS
,
the Board has reviewed the New Exemptive Application, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, for an order of the
SEC (the “
New Order
”) pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the 1940 Act, and Rule 17d-1
promulgated under the 1940 Act, permitting certain joint transactions that otherwise may be prohibited by either or both of
Sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4);
WHEREAS,
the Board deems it advisable and in the best interest of the Fund that the Fund file the New Exemptive Application;
and
WHEREAS
,
the Fund will continue to rely on the Prior Order until the SEC issues the New Order, at which point the Fund will cease relying
on the Prior Order.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED
, that the officers, shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in
the name and on behalf of the Fund, to cause to be executed, delivered and filed with the SEC the New Exemptive Application, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers shall be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, in the name
and on behalf of the Fund, to cause to be made, executed, delivered and filed with the SEC any amendments to the New Exemptive
Application and any additional applications for exemptive relief as are determined necessary, advisable or appropriate by any of
the officers in order to effectuate the foregoing resolutions, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the taking of
any such action;
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that all acts and things previously done by any of the officers, on or prior to the date hereof, in the name and
on behalf of the Fund in connection with the foregoing resolutions are in all respects authorized, ratified, approved, confirmed
and adopted as the acts and deeds by and on behalf of the Fund;
and
FURTHER
RESOLVED
, that the officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed to certify and deliver copies
of these resolutions to such governmental bodies, agencies, persons, firms or corporations as the officers may deem necessary and
to identify by his or her signature or certificate, or in such form as may be required, the documents and instruments presented
to and approved herein and to furnish evidence of the approval, by an officer authorized to give such approval, of any document,
instrument or provision or any addition, deletion or change in any document or instrument.
(Adopted on May 23, 2017)
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