82_FR_31769 82 FR 31640 - Vertical Capital Income Fund and Oakline Advisors, LLC

82 FR 31640 - Vertical Capital Income Fund and Oakline Advisors, LLC

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 129 (July 7, 2017)

Page Range31640-31642
FR Document2017-14314

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 129 (Friday, July 7, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 129 (Friday, July 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31640-31642]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14314]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Investment Company Act Release No. 32723; 812-14716]


Vertical Capital Income Fund and Oakline Advisors, LLC

July 3, 2017.
AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice of an application under section 6(c) of the Investment 
Company Act of 1940 (the ``Act'') for an exemption from sections 
18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) of the Act, under sections 6(c) and 23(c)(3) 
of the Act for an exemption from rule 23c-3 under the Act, and for an 
order pursuant to section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d-1 under the 
Act.

Summary of Application: Applicants request an order to permit certain 
registered closed-end management investment companies to issue multiple 
classes of shares and to impose asset-based distribution and 
shareholder service fees and early withdrawal charges.

Applicants: Vertical Capital Income Fund (the ``Initial Fund''), and 
Oakline Advisors, LLC (the ``Adviser'').

Filing Dates: The application was filed on November 21, 2016, and 
amended on April 20, 2017.

Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An order granting the requested 
relief will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. 
Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission's 
Secretary and serving applicants with a copy of the request, personally 
or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 
5:30 p.m. on July 28, 2017, and should be accompanied by proof of 
service on the applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or, for 
lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0-5 under the Act, 
hearing requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, any 
facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the 
reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to 
be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the 
Commission's Secretary.

ADDRESSES: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F 
Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090; Applicants: c/o JoAnn Strasser, 
Esq., Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, OH 
43215-6101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura L. Solomon, Senior Counsel, at 
(202) 551-6915, or David J. Marcinkus, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6821 
(Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the 
application. The complete application may be obtained via the 
Commission's Web site by searching for the file number, or for an 
applicant using the Company name box, at http://www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by calling (202) 551-8090.

Applicants' Representations

    1. The Initial Fund is a Delaware statutory trust that is 
registered under the Act as a diversified, closed-end management 
investment company. The Initial Fund's primary investment objective is 
to seek income.
    2. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company and is 
registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act 
of 1940 (``Advisers Act''). The Adviser serves as investment adviser to 
the Initial Fund.
    3. The applicants seek an order to permit the Funds (as defined 
below) to issue multiple classes of shares, each having its own fee and 
expense structure and to impose early withdrawal charges and asset-
based distribution and shareholder service fees with respect to certain 
classes.
    4. Applicants request that the order also apply to any 
continuously-offered registered closed-end management investment 
company that has been previously organized or that may be organized in 
the future for which the Adviser or any entity controlling, controlled 
by, or under common control with the Adviser, or any successor in 
interest to any such entity,\1\ acts as investment adviser and which 
operates as an interval fund pursuant to rule 23c-3 under the Act or 
provides periodic liquidity with respect to its shares pursuant to rule 
13e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') 
(each, a ``Future Fund'' and together with the Initial Fund, the 
``Funds'').\2\
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    \1\ A successor in interest is limited to an entity that results 
from a reorganization into another jurisdiction or a change in the 
type of business organization.
    \2\ Any Fund relying on this relief in the future will do so in 
a manner consistent with the terms and conditions of the 
application. Applicants represent that each entity presently 
intending to rely on the requested relief is listed as an applicant.
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    5. Each Fund intends to engage in a continuous offering of its 
shares of beneficial interest. Applicants state that additional 
offerings by any Fund relying on the order may be on a private 
placement or public offering basis. Shares of the Funds will not be 
listed on any securities exchange nor publicly traded. There is 
currently no secondary market for the Funds' shares and the Funds 
expect that no secondary market will develop.
    6. If the requested relief is granted, the Initial Fund intends to 
redesignate its common shares as Class A shares and to commence a 
continuous offering of Class I and Class C shares, with each class 
having its own fee and expense structure, and may also offer additional 
classes of shares in the future. Because of the different distribution 
fees, services and any other class expenses that may be attributable to 
the Class A, Class I, and Class C shares, the net income attributable 
to, and the dividends payable on, each class of shares may differ from 
each other.
    7. Applicants state that, from time to time, the Initial Fund may 
create additional classes of shares, the terms of which may differ from 
Class A, Class I and Class C shares in the following respects: (i) The 
amount of fees permitted by different distribution plans or different 
shareholder services fee arrangements; (ii) voting rights with respect 
to a distribution plan of a class; (iii) different class designations; 
(iv) the impact of any class expenses directly attributable to a 
particular class of shares allocated on a class basis as described in 
the application; (v) any differences in dividends and net asset value 
resulting from differences in fees under a distribution plan or in 
class expenses; (vi) any early withdrawal

[[Page 31641]]

charge or other sales load structure; and (vii) exchange or conversion 
privileges of the classes as permitted under the Act.
    8. Applicants state that the Initial Fund has adopted a fundamental 
policy to repurchase a specified percentage of its shares (no less than 
5%) at net asset value on a quarterly basis. Such repurchase offers 
will be conducted pursuant to rule 23c-3 under the Act. Each of the 
other Funds will likewise adopt fundamental investment policies in 
compliance with rule 23c-3 and make quarterly repurchase offers to its 
shareholders, or provide periodic liquidity with respect to its shares 
pursuant to rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act.\3\ Any repurchase offers 
made by the Funds will be made to all holders of shares of each such 
Fund.
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    \3\ Applicants submit that rule 23c-3 and Regulation M under the 
Exchange Act permit an interval fund to make repurchase offers to 
repurchase its shares while engaging in a continuous offering of its 
shares pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended.
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    9. Applicants represent that any asset-based service and 
distribution fees for each class of shares of the Funds will comply 
with the provisions of FINRA Rule 2341 (``FINRA Sales Charge 
Rule'').\4\ Applicants also represent that each Fund will disclose in 
its prospectus the fees, expenses and other characteristics of each 
class of shares offered for sale by the prospectus, as is required for 
open-end multiple class funds under Form N-1A.\5\ As is required for 
open-end funds, each Fund will disclose its expenses in shareholder 
reports, and describe any arrangements that result in breakpoints in or 
elimination of sales loads in its prospectus.\6\ In addition, 
applicants will comply with applicable enhanced fee disclosure 
requirements for fund of funds, including registered funds of hedge 
funds.\7\
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    \4\ Any reference in the application to the FINRA Sales Charge 
Rule includes any successor or replacement rule to the FINRA Sales 
Charge Rule.
    \5\ In all respects other than class-by-class disclosure, each 
Fund will comply with the requirements of Form N-2.
    \6\ See Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure 
of Registered Management Investment Companies, Investment Company 
Act Release No. 26372 (Feb. 27, 2004) (adopting release) (requiring 
open-end investment companies to disclose fund expenses in 
shareholder reports); and Disclosure of Breakpoint Discounts by 
Mutual Funds, Investment Company Act Release No. 26464 (June 7, 
2004) (adopting release) (requiring open-end investment companies to 
provide prospectus disclosure of certain sales load information).
    \7\ Fund of Funds Investments, Investment Company Act Rel. Nos. 
26198 (Oct. 1, 2003) (proposing release) and 27399 (Jun. 20, 2006) 
(adopting release). See also Rules 12d1-1, et seq. of the Act.
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    10. Each of the Funds will comply with any requirements that the 
Commission or FINRA may adopt regarding disclosure at the point of sale 
and in transaction confirmations about the costs and conflicts of 
interest arising out of the distribution of open-end investment company 
shares, and regarding prospectus disclosure of sales loads and revenue 
sharing arrangements, as if those requirements applied to the Fund. In 
addition, each Fund will contractually require that any distributor of 
the Fund's shares comply with such requirements in connection with the 
distribution of such Fund's shares.
    11. Each Fund will allocate all expenses incurred by it among the 
various classes of shares based on the net assets of the Fund 
attributable to each class, except that the net asset value and 
expenses of each class will reflect distribution fees, shareholder 
service fees, and any other incremental expenses of that class. 
Expenses of the Fund allocated to a particular class of shares will be 
borne on a pro rata basis by each outstanding share of that class. 
Applicants state that each Fund will comply with the provisions of rule 
18f-3 under the Act as if it were an open-end investment company.
    12. Applicants state that each Fund may impose an early withdrawal 
charge on shares submitted for repurchase that have been held less than 
a specified period and may waive the early withdrawal charge for 
certain categories of shareholders or transactions to be established 
from time to time. Applicants state that each of the Funds will apply 
the early withdrawal charge (and any waivers or scheduled variations of 
the early withdrawal charge) uniformly to all shareholders in a given 
class and consistently with the requirements of rule 22d-1 under the 
Act as if the Funds were open-end investment companies.
    13. Each Fund operating as an interval fund pursuant to rule 23c-3 
under the Act may offer its shareholders an exchange feature under 
which the shareholders of the Fund may, in connection with the Fund's 
periodic repurchase offers, exchange their shares of the Fund for 
shares of the same class of (i) registered open-end investment 
companies or (ii) other registered closed-end investment companies that 
comply with rule 23c-3 under the Act and continuously offer their 
shares at net asset value, that are in the Fund's group of investment 
companies (collectively, ``Other Funds''). Shares of a Fund operating 
pursuant to rule 23c-3 that are exchanged for shares of Other Funds 
will be included as part of the amount of the repurchase offer amount 
for such Fund as specified in rule 23c-3 under the Act. Any exchange 
option will comply with rule 11a-3 under the Act, as if the Fund were 
an open-end investment company subject to rule 11a-3. In complying with 
rule 11a-3, each Fund will treat an early withdrawal charge as if it 
were a contingent deferred sales load.

Applicants' Legal Analysis

Multiple Classes of Shares

    1. Section 18(a)(2) of the Act provides that a closed-end 
investment company may not issue or sell a senior security that is a 
stock unless certain requirements are met. Applicants state that the 
creation of multiple classes of shares of the Funds may violate section 
18(a)(2) because the Funds may not meet such requirements with respect 
to a class of shares that may be a senior security.
    2. Section 18(c) of the Act provides, in relevant part, that a 
closed-end investment company may not issue or sell any senior security 
if, immediately thereafter, the company has outstanding more than one 
class of senior security. Applicants state that the creation of 
multiple classes of shares of the Funds may be prohibited by section 
18(c), as a class may have priority over another class as to payment of 
dividends because shareholders of different classes would pay different 
fees and expenses.
    3. Section 18(i) of the Act provides that each share of stock 
issued by a registered management investment company will be a voting 
stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding voting 
stock. Applicants state that multiple classes of shares of the Funds 
may violate section 18(i) of the Act because each class would be 
entitled to exclusive voting rights with respect to matters solely 
related to that class.
    4. Section 6(c) of the Act provides that the Commission may exempt 
any person, security or transaction or any class or classes of persons, 
securities or transactions from any provision of the Act, or from any 
rule or regulation under the Act, if and to the extent such exemption 
is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with 
the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the 
policy and provisions of the Act. Applicants request an exemption under 
section 6(c) from sections 18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) to permit the 
Funds to issue multiple classes of shares.
    5. Applicants submit that the proposed allocation of expenses 
relating to distribution and voting rights among multiple classes is 
equitable and will not discriminate against any group or

[[Page 31642]]

class of shareholders. Applicants submit that the proposed arrangements 
would permit a Fund to facilitate the distribution of its shares and 
provide investors with a broader choice of shareholder services. 
Applicants assert that the proposed closed-end investment company 
multiple class structure does not raise the concerns underlying section 
18 of the Act to any greater degree than open-end investment companies' 
multiple class structures that are permitted by rule 18f-3 under the 
Act. Applicants state that each Fund will comply with the provisions of 
rule 18f-3 as if it were an open-end investment company.

Early Withdrawal Charges

    1. Section 23(c) of the Act provides, in relevant part, that no 
registered closed-end investment company shall purchase securities of 
which it is the issuer, except: (a) On a securities exchange or other 
open market; (b) pursuant to tenders, after reasonable opportunity to 
submit tenders given to all holders of securities of the class to be 
purchased; or (c) under other circumstances as the Commission may 
permit by rules and regulations or orders for the protection of 
investors.
    2. Rule 23c-3 under the Act permits a registered closed-end 
investment company (an ``interval fund'') to make repurchase offers of 
between five and twenty-five percent of its outstanding shares at net 
asset value at periodic intervals pursuant to a fundamental policy of 
the interval fund. Rule 23c-3(b)(1) under the Act permits an interval 
fund to deduct from repurchase proceeds only a repurchase fee, not to 
exceed two percent of the proceeds, that is paid to the interval fund 
and is reasonably intended to compensate the fund for expenses directly 
related to the repurchase.
    3. Section 23(c)(3) provides that the Commission may issue an order 
that would permit a closed-end investment company to repurchase its 
shares in circumstances in which the repurchase is made in a manner or 
on a basis that does not unfairly discriminate against any holders of 
the class or classes of securities to be purchased.
    4. Applicants request relief under section 6(c), discussed above, 
and section 23(c)(3) from rule 23c-3 to the extent necessary for the 
Funds to impose early withdrawal charges on shares of the Funds 
submitted for repurchase that have been held for less than a specified 
period.
    5. Applicants state that the early withdrawal charges they intend 
to impose are functionally similar to contingent deferred sales loads 
imposed by open-end investment companies under rule 6c-10 under the 
Act. Rule 6c-10 permits open-end investment companies to impose 
contingent deferred sales loads, subject to certain conditions. 
Applicants note that rule 6c-10 is grounded in policy considerations 
supporting the employment of contingent deferred sales loads where 
there are adequate safeguards for the investor and state that the same 
policy considerations support imposition of early withdrawal charges in 
the interval fund context. In addition, applicants state that early 
withdrawal charges may be necessary for the distributor to recover 
distribution costs. Applicants represent that any early withdrawal 
charge imposed by the Funds will comply with rule 6c-10 under the Act 
as if the rule were applicable to closed-end investment companies. The 
Funds will disclose early withdrawal charges in accordance with the 
requirements of Form N-1A concerning contingent deferred sales loads.

Asset-Based Distribution and Shareholder Service Fees

    1. Section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d-1 under the Act prohibit 
an affiliated person of a registered investment company, or an 
affiliated person of such person, acting as principal, from 
participating in or effecting any transaction in connection with any 
joint enterprise or joint arrangement in which the investment company 
participates unless the Commission issues an order permitting the 
transaction. In reviewing applications submitted under section 17(d) 
and rule 17d-1, the Commission considers whether the participation of 
the investment company in a joint enterprise or joint arrangement is 
consistent with the provisions, policies and purposes of the Act, and 
the extent to which the participation is on a basis different from or 
less advantageous than that of other participants.
    2. Rule 17d-3 under the Act provides an exemption from section 
17(d) and rule 17d-1 to permit open-end investment companies to enter 
into distribution arrangements pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the Act. 
Applicants request an order under section 17(d) and rule 17d-1 under 
the Act to the extent necessary to permit the Fund to impose asset-
based distribution and shareholder service fees. Applicants have agreed 
to comply with rules 12b-1 and 17d-3 as if those rules applied to 
closed-end investment companies, which they believe will resolve any 
concerns that might arise in connection with a Fund financing the 
distribution of its shares through asset-based distribution fees.
    For the reasons stated above, applicants submit that the exemptions 
requested under section 6(c) are necessary and appropriate in the 
public interest and are consistent with the protection of investors and 
the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. 
Applicants further submit that the relief requested pursuant to section 
23(c)(3) will be consistent with the protection of investors and will 
insure that applicants do not unfairly discriminate against any holders 
of the class of securities to be purchased. Finally, applicants state 
that the Funds' imposition of asset-based distribution and shareholder 
service fees is consistent with the provisions, policies and purposes 
of the Act and does not involve participation on a basis different from 
or less advantageous than that of other participants.

Applicants' Condition

    Applicants agree that any order granting the requested relief will 
be subject to the following condition:
    Each Fund relying on the order will comply with the provisions of 
rules 6c-10, 12b-1, 17d-3, 18f-3, 22d-1, and, where applicable, 11a-3 
under the Act, as amended from time to time, as if those rules applied 
to closed-end management investment companies, and will comply with the 
FINRA Sales Charge Rule, as amended from time to time, as if that rule 
applied to all closed-end management investment companies.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, 
under delegated authority.
Eduardo Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-14314 Filed 7-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                    31640                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                    available for Web site viewing and                         a hearing. Interested persons may                     organized in the future for which the
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public                        request a hearing by writing to the                   Adviser or any entity controlling,
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                          Commission’s Secretary and serving                    controlled by, or under common control
                                                    Washington, DC 20549, on official                          applicants with a copy of the request,                with the Adviser, or any successor in
                                                    business days between the hours of                         personally or by mail. Hearing requests               interest to any such entity,1 acts as
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                     should be received by the Commission                  investment adviser and which operates
                                                    filing also will be available for                          by 5:30 p.m. on July 28, 2017, and                    as an interval fund pursuant to rule
                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                    should be accompanied by proof of                     23c–3 under the Act or provides
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                       service on the applicants, in the form of             periodic liquidity with respect to its
                                                    received will be posted without change;                    an affidavit, or, for lawyers, a certificate          shares pursuant to rule 13e–4 under the
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                      of service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under                Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                    identifying information from                               the Act, hearing requests should state                (‘‘Exchange Act’’) (each, a ‘‘Future
                                                    submissions. You should submit only                        the nature of the writer’s interest, any              Fund’’ and together with the Initial
                                                    information that you wish to make                          facts bearing upon the desirability of a              Fund, the ‘‘Funds’’).2
                                                    available publicly. All submissions                        hearing on the matter, the reason for the                5. Each Fund intends to engage in a
                                                    should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–                       request, and the issues contested.                    continuous offering of its shares of
                                                    2017–49 and should be submitted on or                      Persons who wish to be notified of a                  beneficial interest. Applicants state that
                                                    before July 28, 2017.                                      hearing may request notification by                   additional offerings by any Fund relying
                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                   writing to the Commission’s Secretary.                on the order may be on a private
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                 ADDRESSES: Secretary, U.S. Securities                 placement or public offering basis.
                                                    authority.9                                                and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                 Shares of the Funds will not be listed on
                                                    Brent J. Fields,                                           NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090;                       any securities exchange nor publicly
                                                    Secretary.                                                 Applicants: c/o JoAnn Strasser, Esq.,                 traded. There is currently no secondary
                                                    [FR Doc. 2017–14247 Filed 7–6–17; 8:45 am]                 Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High                      market for the Funds’ shares and the
                                                                                                               Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, OH                      Funds expect that no secondary market
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                               43215–6101.                                           will develop.
                                                                                                                                                                        6. If the requested relief is granted, the
                                                                                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                                                                          Initial Fund intends to redesignate its
                                                                                                               Laura L. Solomon, Senior Counsel, at
                                                    COMMISSION                                                                                                       common shares as Class A shares and to
                                                                                                               (202) 551–6915, or David J. Marcinkus,
                                                                                                                                                                     commence a continuous offering of
                                                    [Investment Company Act Release No.
                                                                                                               Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6821
                                                                                                                                                                     Class I and Class C shares, with each
                                                    32723; 812–14716]                                          (Division of Investment Management,
                                                                                                                                                                     class having its own fee and expense
                                                                                                               Chief Counsel’s Office).
                                                                                                                                                                     structure, and may also offer additional
                                                    Vertical Capital Income Fund and                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                        classes of shares in the future. Because
                                                    Oakline Advisors, LLC                                      following is a summary of the                         of the different distribution fees,
                                                                                                               application. The complete application                 services and any other class expenses
                                                    July 3, 2017.
                                                                                                               may be obtained via the Commission’s                  that may be attributable to the Class A,
                                                    AGENCY: Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                               Web site by searching for the file                    Class I, and Class C shares, the net
                                                    Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
                                                                                                               number, or for an applicant using the                 income attributable to, and the
                                                    ACTION: Notice.                                            Company name box, at http://                          dividends payable on, each class of
                                                       Notice of an application under section                  www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by                   shares may differ from each other.
                                                    6(c) of the Investment Company Act of                      calling (202) 551–8090.                                  7. Applicants state that, from time to
                                                    1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) for an exemption from                   Applicants’ Representations                           time, the Initial Fund may create
                                                    sections 18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) of the                                                                        additional classes of shares, the terms of
                                                                                                                  1. The Initial Fund is a Delaware                  which may differ from Class A, Class I
                                                    Act, under sections 6(c) and 23(c)(3) of
                                                                                                               statutory trust that is registered under              and Class C shares in the following
                                                    the Act for an exemption from rule 23c–
                                                                                                               the Act as a diversified, closed-end                  respects: (i) The amount of fees
                                                    3 under the Act, and for an order
                                                                                                               management investment company. The                    permitted by different distribution plans
                                                    pursuant to section 17(d) of the Act and
                                                                                                               Initial Fund’s primary investment                     or different shareholder services fee
                                                    rule 17d–1 under the Act.
                                                                                                               objective is to seek income.                          arrangements; (ii) voting rights with
                                                    SUMMARY OF APPLICATION: Applicants
                                                                                                                  2. The Adviser is a Delaware limited
                                                    request an order to permit certain                                                                               respect to a distribution plan of a class;
                                                                                                               liability company and is registered as an
                                                    registered closed-end management                                                                                 (iii) different class designations; (iv) the
                                                                                                               investment adviser under the
                                                    investment companies to issue multiple                                                                           impact of any class expenses directly
                                                                                                               Investment Advisers Act of 1940
                                                    classes of shares and to impose asset-                                                                           attributable to a particular class of
                                                                                                               (‘‘Advisers Act’’). The Adviser serves as
                                                    based distribution and shareholder                                                                               shares allocated on a class basis as
                                                                                                               investment adviser to the Initial Fund.
                                                    service fees and early withdrawal                                                                                described in the application; (v) any
                                                                                                                  3. The applicants seek an order to
                                                    charges.                                                                                                         differences in dividends and net asset
                                                                                                               permit the Funds (as defined below) to
                                                    APPLICANTS: Vertical Capital Income                                                                              value resulting from differences in fees
                                                                                                               issue multiple classes of shares, each
                                                    Fund (the ‘‘Initial Fund’’), and Oakline                                                                         under a distribution plan or in class
                                                                                                               having its own fee and expense
                                                    Advisors, LLC (the ‘‘Adviser’’).                                                                                 expenses; (vi) any early withdrawal
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                               structure and to impose early
                                                    FILING DATES: The application was filed                    withdrawal charges and asset-based                      1 A successor in interest is limited to an entity
                                                    on November 21, 2016, and amended on                       distribution and shareholder service                  that results from a reorganization into another
                                                    April 20, 2017.                                            fees with respect to certain classes.                 jurisdiction or a change in the type of business
                                                    HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An                        4. Applicants request that the order               organization.
                                                                                                                                                                       2 Any Fund relying on this relief in the future will
                                                    order granting the requested relief will                   also apply to any continuously-offered
                                                                                                                                                                     do so in a manner consistent with the terms and
                                                    be issued unless the Commission orders                     registered closed-end management                      conditions of the application. Applicants represent
                                                                                                               investment company that has been                      that each entity presently intending to rely on the
                                                      9 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                              previously organized or that may be                   requested relief is listed as an applicant.



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                                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2017 / Notices                                            31641

                                                    charge or other sales load structure; and                Commission or FINRA may adopt                         3 under the Act. Any exchange option
                                                    (vii) exchange or conversion privileges                  regarding disclosure at the point of sale             will comply with rule 11a–3 under the
                                                    of the classes as permitted under the                    and in transaction confirmations about                Act, as if the Fund were an open-end
                                                    Act.                                                     the costs and conflicts of interest arising           investment company subject to rule
                                                       8. Applicants state that the Initial                  out of the distribution of open-end                   11a–3. In complying with rule 11a–3,
                                                    Fund has adopted a fundamental policy                    investment company shares, and                        each Fund will treat an early
                                                    to repurchase a specified percentage of                  regarding prospectus disclosure of sales              withdrawal charge as if it were a
                                                    its shares (no less than 5%) at net asset                loads and revenue sharing                             contingent deferred sales load.
                                                    value on a quarterly basis. Such                         arrangements, as if those requirements
                                                    repurchase offers will be conducted                      applied to the Fund. In addition, each                Applicants’ Legal Analysis
                                                    pursuant to rule 23c–3 under the Act.                    Fund will contractually require that any              Multiple Classes of Shares
                                                    Each of the other Funds will likewise                    distributor of the Fund’s shares comply
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Section 18(a)(2) of the Act provides
                                                    adopt fundamental investment policies                    with such requirements in connection
                                                    in compliance with rule 23c–3 and                                                                              that a closed-end investment company
                                                                                                             with the distribution of such Fund’s
                                                    make quarterly repurchase offers to its                                                                        may not issue or sell a senior security
                                                                                                             shares.
                                                    shareholders, or provide periodic                           11. Each Fund will allocate all                    that is a stock unless certain
                                                    liquidity with respect to its shares                     expenses incurred by it among the                     requirements are met. Applicants state
                                                    pursuant to rule 13e–4 under the                         various classes of shares based on the                that the creation of multiple classes of
                                                    Exchange Act.3 Any repurchase offers                     net assets of the Fund attributable to                shares of the Funds may violate section
                                                    made by the Funds will be made to all                    each class, except that the net asset                 18(a)(2) because the Funds may not
                                                    holders of shares of each such Fund.                     value and expenses of each class will                 meet such requirements with respect to
                                                       9. Applicants represent that any asset-               reflect distribution fees, shareholder                a class of shares that may be a senior
                                                    based service and distribution fees for                  service fees, and any other incremental               security.
                                                    each class of shares of the Funds will                   expenses of that class. Expenses of the                  2. Section 18(c) of the Act provides,
                                                    comply with the provisions of FINRA                      Fund allocated to a particular class of               in relevant part, that a closed-end
                                                    Rule 2341 (‘‘FINRA Sales Charge                          shares will be borne on a pro rata basis              investment company may not issue or
                                                    Rule’’).4 Applicants also represent that                 by each outstanding share of that class.              sell any senior security if, immediately
                                                    each Fund will disclose in its                           Applicants state that each Fund will                  thereafter, the company has outstanding
                                                    prospectus the fees, expenses and other                  comply with the provisions of rule 18f–               more than one class of senior security.
                                                    characteristics of each class of shares                  3 under the Act as if it were an open-                Applicants state that the creation of
                                                    offered for sale by the prospectus, as is                end investment company.                               multiple classes of shares of the Funds
                                                    required for open-end multiple class                        12. Applicants state that each Fund                may be prohibited by section 18(c), as
                                                    funds under Form N–1A.5 As is                            may impose an early withdrawal charge                 a class may have priority over another
                                                    required for open-end funds, each Fund                   on shares submitted for repurchase that               class as to payment of dividends
                                                    will disclose its expenses in shareholder                have been held less than a specified                  because shareholders of different classes
                                                    reports, and describe any arrangements                   period and may waive the early                        would pay different fees and expenses.
                                                    that result in breakpoints in or                         withdrawal charge for certain categories                 3. Section 18(i) of the Act provides
                                                    elimination of sales loads in its                        of shareholders or transactions to be                 that each share of stock issued by a
                                                    prospectus.6 In addition, applicants will                established from time to time.                        registered management investment
                                                    comply with applicable enhanced fee                      Applicants state that each of the Funds               company will be a voting stock and
                                                    disclosure requirements for fund of                      will apply the early withdrawal charge                have equal voting rights with every
                                                    funds, including registered funds of                     (and any waivers or scheduled                         other outstanding voting stock.
                                                    hedge funds.7                                            variations of the early withdrawal                    Applicants state that multiple classes of
                                                       10. Each of the Funds will comply                     charge) uniformly to all shareholders in              shares of the Funds may violate section
                                                    with any requirements that the                           a given class and consistently with the               18(i) of the Act because each class
                                                                                                             requirements of rule 22d–1 under the                  would be entitled to exclusive voting
                                                      3 Applicants submit that rule 23c–3 and
                                                                                                             Act as if the Funds were open-end                     rights with respect to matters solely
                                                    Regulation M under the Exchange Act permit an            investment companies.                                 related to that class.
                                                    interval fund to make repurchase offers to
                                                    repurchase its shares while engaging in a
                                                                                                                13. Each Fund operating as an interval                4. Section 6(c) of the Act provides that
                                                    continuous offering of its shares pursuant to Rule       fund pursuant to rule 23c–3 under the                 the Commission may exempt any
                                                    415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.        Act may offer its shareholders an                     person, security or transaction or any
                                                      4 Any reference in the application to the FINRA
                                                                                                             exchange feature under which the                      class or classes of persons, securities or
                                                    Sales Charge Rule includes any successor or              shareholders of the Fund may, in                      transactions from any provision of the
                                                    replacement rule to the FINRA Sales Charge Rule.
                                                      5 In all respects other than class-by-class            connection with the Fund’s periodic                   Act, or from any rule or regulation
                                                    disclosure, each Fund will comply with the               repurchase offers, exchange their shares              under the Act, if and to the extent such
                                                    requirements of Form N–2.                                of the Fund for shares of the same class              exemption is necessary or appropriate
                                                      6 See Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio
                                                                                                             of (i) registered open-end investment                 in the public interest and consistent
                                                    Disclosure of Registered Management Investment           companies or (ii) other registered                    with the protection of investors and the
                                                    Companies, Investment Company Act Release No.
                                                    26372 (Feb. 27, 2004) (adopting release) (requiring      closed-end investment companies that                  purposes fairly intended by the policy
                                                    open-end investment companies to disclose fund           comply with rule 23c–3 under the Act                  and provisions of the Act. Applicants
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    expenses in shareholder reports); and Disclosure of      and continuously offer their shares at                request an exemption under section 6(c)
                                                    Breakpoint Discounts by Mutual Funds, Investment         net asset value, that are in the Fund’s               from sections 18(a)(2), 18(c) and 18(i) to
                                                    Company Act Release No. 26464 (June 7, 2004)
                                                    (adopting release) (requiring open-end investment        group of investment companies                         permit the Funds to issue multiple
                                                    companies to provide prospectus disclosure of            (collectively, ‘‘Other Funds’’). Shares of            classes of shares.
                                                    certain sales load information).                         a Fund operating pursuant to rule 23c–                   5. Applicants submit that the
                                                      7 Fund of Funds Investments, Investment
                                                                                                             3 that are exchanged for shares of Other              proposed allocation of expenses relating
                                                    Company Act Rel. Nos. 26198 (Oct. 1, 2003)
                                                    (proposing release) and 27399 (Jun. 20, 2006)
                                                                                                             Funds will be included as part of the                 to distribution and voting rights among
                                                    (adopting release). See also Rules 12d1–1, et seq. of    amount of the repurchase offer amount                 multiple classes is equitable and will
                                                    the Act.                                                 for such Fund as specified in rule 23c–               not discriminate against any group or


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                                                    31642                             Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2017 / Notices

                                                    class of shareholders. Applicants submit                 by open-end investment companies                      financing the distribution of its shares
                                                    that the proposed arrangements would                     under rule 6c–10 under the Act. Rule                  through asset-based distribution fees.
                                                    permit a Fund to facilitate the                          6c–10 permits open-end investment                        For the reasons stated above,
                                                    distribution of its shares and provide                   companies to impose contingent                        applicants submit that the exemptions
                                                    investors with a broader choice of                       deferred sales loads, subject to certain              requested under section 6(c) are
                                                    shareholder services. Applicants assert                  conditions. Applicants note that rule                 necessary and appropriate in the public
                                                    that the proposed closed-end                             6c–10 is grounded in policy                           interest and are consistent with the
                                                    investment company multiple class                        considerations supporting the                         protection of investors and the purposes
                                                    structure does not raise the concerns                    employment of contingent deferred                     fairly intended by the policy and
                                                    underlying section 18 of the Act to any                  sales loads where there are adequate                  provisions of the Act. Applicants further
                                                    greater degree than open-end                             safeguards for the investor and state that            submit that the relief requested
                                                    investment companies’ multiple class                     the same policy considerations support                pursuant to section 23(c)(3) will be
                                                    structures that are permitted by rule                    imposition of early withdrawal charges                consistent with the protection of
                                                    18f–3 under the Act. Applicants state                    in the interval fund context. In addition,            investors and will insure that applicants
                                                    that each Fund will comply with the                      applicants state that early withdrawal                do not unfairly discriminate against any
                                                    provisions of rule 18f–3 as if it were an                charges may be necessary for the                      holders of the class of securities to be
                                                    open-end investment company.                             distributor to recover distribution costs.            purchased. Finally, applicants state that
                                                    Early Withdrawal Charges                                 Applicants represent that any early                   the Funds’ imposition of asset-based
                                                                                                             withdrawal charge imposed by the                      distribution and shareholder service
                                                       1. Section 23(c) of the Act provides,                 Funds will comply with rule 6c–10                     fees is consistent with the provisions,
                                                    in relevant part, that no registered                     under the Act as if the rule were                     policies and purposes of the Act and
                                                    closed-end investment company shall                      applicable to closed-end investment                   does not involve participation on a basis
                                                    purchase securities of which it is the                   companies. The Funds will disclose                    different from or less advantageous than
                                                    issuer, except: (a) On a securities                      early withdrawal charges in accordance                that of other participants.
                                                    exchange or other open market; (b)                       with the requirements of Form N–1A
                                                    pursuant to tenders, after reasonable                                                                          Applicants’ Condition
                                                                                                             concerning contingent deferred sales
                                                    opportunity to submit tenders given to                   loads.                                                  Applicants agree that any order
                                                    all holders of securities of the class to                                                                      granting the requested relief will be
                                                    be purchased; or (c) under other                         Asset-Based Distribution and                          subject to the following condition:
                                                    circumstances as the Commission may                      Shareholder Service Fees                                Each Fund relying on the order will
                                                    permit by rules and regulations or                                                                             comply with the provisions of rules 6c–
                                                                                                                1. Section 17(d) of the Act and rule
                                                    orders for the protection of investors.                                                                        10, 12b–1, 17d–3, 18f–3, 22d–1, and,
                                                       2. Rule 23c–3 under the Act permits                   17d–1 under the Act prohibit an
                                                                                                             affiliated person of a registered                     where applicable, 11a–3 under the Act,
                                                    a registered closed-end investment                                                                             as amended from time to time, as if
                                                    company (an ‘‘interval fund’’) to make                   investment company, or an affiliated
                                                                                                             person of such person, acting as                      those rules applied to closed-end
                                                    repurchase offers of between five and                                                                          management investment companies,
                                                    twenty-five percent of its outstanding                   principal, from participating in or
                                                                                                             effecting any transaction in connection               and will comply with the FINRA Sales
                                                    shares at net asset value at periodic                                                                          Charge Rule, as amended from time to
                                                    intervals pursuant to a fundamental                      with any joint enterprise or joint
                                                                                                             arrangement in which the investment                   time, as if that rule applied to all closed-
                                                    policy of the interval fund. Rule 23c–                                                                         end management investment
                                                    3(b)(1) under the Act permits an interval                company participates unless the
                                                                                                             Commission issues an order permitting                 companies.
                                                    fund to deduct from repurchase
                                                    proceeds only a repurchase fee, not to                   the transaction. In reviewing                           For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    exceed two percent of the proceeds, that                 applications submitted under section                  Investment Management, under delegated
                                                    is paid to the interval fund and is                      17(d) and rule 17d–1, the Commission                  authority.
                                                    reasonably intended to compensate the                    considers whether the participation of                Eduardo Aleman,
                                                    fund for expenses directly related to the                the investment company in a joint                     Assistant Secretary.
                                                    repurchase.                                              enterprise or joint arrangement is                    [FR Doc. 2017–14314 Filed 7–6–17; 8:45 am]
                                                       3. Section 23(c)(3) provides that the                 consistent with the provisions, policies              BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    Commission may issue an order that                       and purposes of the Act, and the extent
                                                    would permit a closed-end investment                     to which the participation is on a basis
                                                    company to repurchase its shares in                      different from or less advantageous than              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    circumstances in which the repurchase                    that of other participants.                           COMMISSION
                                                    is made in a manner or on a basis that                      2. Rule 17d–3 under the Act provides
                                                                                                             an exemption from section 17(d) and                   [Release No. 34–81061; File No. SR–
                                                    does not unfairly discriminate against                                                                         NYSEArca-2017–70]
                                                    any holders of the class or classes of                   rule 17d–1 to permit open-end
                                                    securities to be purchased.                              investment companies to enter into                    Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
                                                       4. Applicants request relief under                    distribution arrangements pursuant to                 Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
                                                    section 6(c), discussed above, and                       rule 12b–1 under the Act. Applicants                  Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
                                                    section 23(c)(3) from rule 23c–3 to the                  request an order under section 17(d) and              Rule Change To Specify in Exchange
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    extent necessary for the Funds to                        rule 17d–1 under the Act to the extent                Rules the Exchange’s Primary and
                                                    impose early withdrawal charges on                       necessary to permit the Fund to impose                Secondary Sources of Data Feeds
                                                    shares of the Funds submitted for                        asset-based distribution and shareholder              From NYSE MKT LLC
                                                    repurchase that have been held for less                  service fees. Applicants have agreed to
                                                    than a specified period.                                 comply with rules 12b–1 and 17d–3 as                  June 30, 2017.
                                                       5. Applicants state that the early                    if those rules applied to closed-end                    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
                                                    withdrawal charges they intend to                        investment companies, which they                      Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                    impose are functionally similar to                       believe will resolve any concerns that
                                                    contingent deferred sales loads imposed                  might arise in connection with a Fund                   1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).



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Document Created: 2017-07-07 02:19:48
Document Modified: 2017-07-07 02:19:48
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesThe application was filed on November 21, 2016, and amended on April 20, 2017.
ContactLaura L. Solomon, Senior Counsel, at (202) 551-6915, or David J. Marcinkus, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6821 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).
FR Citation82 FR 31640 

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