83 FR 9564 - Alcentra Capital Corporation, et al.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 44 (March 6, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 44 (March 6, 2018)
| Page Range | 9564-9569 | |
| FR Document | 2018-04447 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 6, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 9564-9569] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-04447] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Investment Company Act Release No. 33038; File No. 812-14760] Alcentra Capital Corporation, et al. February 28, 2018. AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice of application for an order under sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ``Act'') and rule 17d-1 under the Act to permit certain joint transactions otherwise prohibited by sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) of the Act and rule 17d-1 under the Act. SUMMARY OF APPLICATION: Applicants request an order to permit business development companies (``BDCs'') and certain closed-end management investment companies to co-invest in portfolio companies with each other and with affiliated investment funds. Applicants: Alcentra Capital Corporation (the ``Company''); Alcentra BDC Equity Holdings, LLC (the ``Subsidiary''); Alcentra Middle Market Fund IV, L.P. (the ``Existing Co-Investment Affiliate''); Alcentra NY, LLC (``Alcentra NY''); The Dreyfus Corporation (``Dreyfus''); Dreyfus Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund, Inc. (``DCF''); Stira Alcentra Global Credit Fund (``Stira Alcentra,'' and together with the Company and DCF, the ``Existing Regulated Funds''); and Stira Investment Adviser, LLC (``Stira Adviser''). Filing Dates: The application was filed on April 10, 2017 and amended on August 21, 2017, October 27, 2017, January 26, 2018, and February 14, 2018. 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 March 26, 2018, and should be accompanied by proof of service on 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 St. NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090. Applicants: Alcentra Capital Corporation, Alcentra Middle Market Fund IV, L.P, Alcentra NY, LLC, Alcentra BDC Equity Holdings, LLC, The Dreyfus Corporation, and Dreyfus [[Page 9565]] Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund, Inc., 200 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10166; Stira Alcentra Global Credit Fund and Stira Investment Adviser, LLC, 18100 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 500, Irvine, CA 92612. For Further Information Contact: Courtney S. Thornton, Senior Counsel, or Robert H. Shapiro, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6821 (Chief Counsel's Office, Division of Investment Management). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the application. The complete application may be obtained via the Commission's website 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 Company was organized as a corporation under the General Corporate Laws of the State of Maryland. The Company operates as an externally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company (``BDC'') under the Act.\1\ The Company's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation primarily by making direct investments in lower middle-market companies in the form of subordinated debt and, to a lesser extent, senior debt and minority equity investments. Four of the seven members of the board of directors (``Board'') \2\ of the Company are persons who are not ``interested persons,'' as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Act (the ``Independent Directors''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Section 2(a)(48) defines a BDC to be any closed-end investment company that operates for the purpose of making investments in securities described in sections 55(a)(1) through 55(a)(3) of the Act and makes available significant managerial assistance with respect to the issuers of such securities. \2\ ``Board'' refers to the board of directors or trustees, as applicable, of any Regulated Fund (as defined below). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. The Subsidiary, a Delaware limited liability company, is a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub (as defined below), the sole business purpose of which is to hold one or more investments on behalf of the Company. 3. DCF is a Maryland corporation that is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Act that has a limited term of approximately seven years. DCF's investment objective is to seek high current income by investing at least 80% of its managed assets in credit instruments and other investments with similar economic characteristics. The Board of DCF currently consists of six members, all of whom are Independent Directors. 4. Stira Alcentra is a non-diversified, closed-end management company registered under the Act organized as a Delaware statutory trust. Stira Alcentra's investment objective is to provide current income and capital preservation with the potential for capital appreciation. Stira Alcentra intends to pursue its investment objective by providing customized financing solutions to lower middle-market and middle-market companies in the form of floating and fixed rate senior secured loans, second lien loans and subordinated debt and, to a lesser extent, minority equity investments. Stira Alcentra's shares will not be listed for trading on any securities exchange. Three of the five members of the Board of Stira Alcentra are Independent Directors. 5. The Existing Co-Investment Affiliate is a Delaware limited partnership. The Existing Co-Investment Affiliate's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation primarily by making direct investments in lower middle-market companies. The Existing Co-Investment Affiliate currently has no investments. In reliance on the exclusion from the definition of ``investment company'' provided by section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act, none of the Co-Investment Affiliates (as defined below) will be registered under the Act. 6. Alcentra NY is a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the ``Advisers Act''). Alcentra NY is a subsidiary of the Alcentra Group, which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (``BNY Mellon''). Alcentra NY serves as investment adviser to the Company pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. Because the Subsidiary is a wholly-owned, consolidated subsidiary of the Company, Alcentra NY manages the assets of the Subsidiary. Alcentra NY also serves as investment adviser to the Existing Co-Investment Affiliate and as sub-adviser to DCF and Stira Alcentra. 7. Dreyfus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon, is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York and an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act. Dreyfus serves as the investment manager to DCF pursuant to a management agreement. Dreyfus has delegated substantially all of its portfolio management obligations to Alcentra NY pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement, but is responsible for the overall management of DCF's portfolio and for the supervision and ongoing monitoring of Alcentra NY. Dreyfus will not source potential co-investments under the order. 8. Stira Adviser is organized as a Delaware limited liability company and is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Stira Adviser serves as investment adviser to Stira Alcentra pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. Stira Adviser has delegated substantially all of its portfolio-management obligations to Alcentra NY pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement, but will have general oversight over the investment process on behalf of Stira Alcentra. Stira Adviser also will have ultimate responsibility for Alcentra NY's performance under the terms of the investment sub- advisory agreement. 9. Alcentra NY is solely responsible for identifying and recommending investments for Stira Alcentra. Prior to any investment by Stira Alcentra, Alcentra NY will hold an investment committee meeting, with respect to which Stira Adviser has observer rights. Stira Adviser will participate in the investment process with regard to Stira Alcentra through the exercise of its observer rights. Stira Adviser will not source any Potential Co-Investment Transactions (as defined below) under the requested Order. 10. Applicants seek an order (``Order'') to permit a Regulated Fund \3\ (or a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub) and one or more other Regulated Funds (or a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub) and/or one or more Co- Investment [[Page 9566]] Affiliates \4\ to participate in the same investment opportunities through a proposed co-investment program (the ``Co-Investment Program'') where such participation would otherwise be prohibited under sections 17(d) and 57(a)(4) and rule 17d-1.\5\ ``Co-Investment Transaction'' means any transaction in which a Regulated Fund (or a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub) participates together with one or more other Regulated Funds (or a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub) and/or one or more Co-Investment Affiliates in reliance on the requested Order. ``Potential Co-Investment Transaction'' means any investment opportunity in which a Regulated Fund (or a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub) could not participate together with one or more other Regulated Funds (or a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub) and/or one or more Co- Investment Affiliates without obtaining and relying on the Order.\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ ``Regulated Funds'' means the Existing Regulated Funds and any future closed-end investment companies that (a) are registered under the Act or have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the Act, (b) are (i) advised by an Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser, as defined below, or (ii) advised by Stira Adviser and sub-advised by an Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser where the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser has discretionary authority to make investment decisions for such Regulated Fund, and (c) that intend to participate in the Co- Investment Program. ``Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser'' means Alcentra NY, Dreyfus, or an entity registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (``Advisers Act'') that is controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BNY Mellon. The term ``Adviser'' means an Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser or Stira Adviser. Alcentra NY and Dreyfus are direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of BNY Mellon. All references to the term ``Adviser'' include successors-in-interest. A successor-in-interest is limited to any entity resulting from a reorganization of the Adviser into another jurisdiction or a change in the type of business organization. \4\ ``Co-Investment Affiliates'' means the Existing Co- Investment Affiliate and any Future Co-Investment Affiliate. ``Future Co-Investment Affiliate'' means any entity (i) whose investment adviser is an Adviser, (ii) that would be an investment company but for Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act and (iii) that intends to participate in the Co-Investment Program. \5\ The Order would supersede an exemptive order issued by the Commission (the ``Prior Order''). Alcentra Capital Corporation, et al., Investment Company Act Release Nos. 31927 (Dec. 4, 2015) (notice) and 31951 (Dec. 30, 2015) (order). No person will continue to rely on the Prior Order if the Order is granted. \6\ 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Applicants state that a Regulated Fund may, from time to time, form one or more Wholly-Owned Investment Subs.\7\ Such a subsidiary would be prohibited from investing in a Co-Investment Transaction with any Co-Investment Affiliate or another Regulated Fund because it would be a company controlled by the Regulated Fund 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 Fund that owns it and that the Wholly-Owned Investment Sub's participation in any such transaction be treated, for purposes of the requested Order, as though the Regulated Fund 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 Fund's investments and, therefore, no conflicts of interest could arise between the Regulated Fund and the Wholly-Owned Investment Sub. The 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 Board would be informed of, and take into consideration, any proposed use of a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub in the Regulated Fund's place. If a Regulated Fund proposes to participate in the same Co-Investment Transaction with any of its Wholly-Owned Investment Subs, the Board will also be informed of, and take into consideration, the relative participation of the Regulated Fund and the Wholly-Owned Investment Sub. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ ``Wholly-Owned Investment Sub'' means an entity (i) that is wholly-owned by a Regulated Fund (with the Regulated Fund 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 the Regulated Fund (and, in the case of any SBIC Subsidiaries (as defined below), to maintain a license under the SBA Act (as defined below) and issue debentures guaranteed by the SBA (as defined below)); (iii) with respect to which the Board of a Regulated Fund has the sole authority to make all determinations with respect to the Wholly-Owned Investment Sub's participation under the conditions to the Application; and (iv) that would be an investment company but for Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act. ``SBIC Subsidiary'' means a Wholly-Owned Investment Sub 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''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. In selecting investments for the Regulated Funds, an Alcentra/ Dreyfus Adviser will consider only the investment objective, investment policies, investment position, capital available for investment and other factors relevant to each Regulated Fund. Each of the Co- Investment Affiliates has or will have investment objectives and strategies that are similar to or overlap with the Objectives and Strategies \8\ of each Regulated Fund. To the extent there is an investment opportunity that falls within the Objectives and Strategies of one or more Regulated Funds and the investment objectives and strategies of one or more of the Co-Investment Affiliates, the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser would expect such Regulated Funds and Co- Investment Affiliates to co-invest with each other, with certain exceptions based on available capital or diversification.\9\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ ``Objectives and Strategies,'' with respect to each Regulated Fund, means the Regulated Fund's investment objectives and strategies, as described in the Regulated Fund's registration statement on Form N-2, other filings the Regulated Fund has made with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the ``1933 Act''), or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Regulated Fund's report to stockholders. \9\ The Regulated Funds, however, will not be obligated to invest, or co-invest, when investment opportunities are referred to them. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. After making the determinations required in conditions 1 and 2(a), other than in the case of pro rata Dispositions (as defined below) and Follow-On Investments,\10\ as provided in conditions 7 and 8, the Adviser will present each Potential Co-Investment Transaction and the proposed allocation to the directors or trustees of the Board that are eligible to vote under section 57(o) of the Act (the ``Eligible Directors''). The ``required majority,'' as defined in section 57(o) of the Act (``Required Majority''),\11\ of a Regulated Fund will approve each Co-Investment Transaction prior to any investment by the Regulated Fund. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ ``Follow-On Investment'' means any additional investment in an existing portfolio company, the exercise of warrants, conversion privileges or other similar rights to acquire additional securities of the portfolio company. \11\ In the case of a Regulated Fund that is a registered closed-end fund, the Board members that make up the Required Majority will be determined as if the Regulated Fund were a BDC subject to section 57(o). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. All subsequent activity, meaning either to (a) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of an investment (collectively, a ``Disposition'') or (b) complete a Follow-On Investment, in respect of an investment acquired in a Co-Investment Transaction will also be made in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the application. With respect to the pro rata Dispositions and Follow-On Investments provided in conditions 7 and 8, a Regulated Fund 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 Co-Investment Affiliate and Regulated Fund in such Disposition or Follow-On Investment 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 Fund has approved that Regulated Fund's participation in pro rata Dispositions and Follow-On Investments as being in the best interests of the Regulated Fund. If the Board does not so approve, any such Disposition or Follow-On Investment will be submitted to the Regulated Fund's Eligible Directors. The Board of any Regulated Fund 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 [[Page 9567]] Investments must be submitted to the Eligible Directors. 15. No Independent Director of a Regulated Fund will have a financial interest in any Co-Investment Transaction, other than indirectly through share ownership in one of the Regulated Funds. 16. Under condition 14, if an Adviser, its principals, or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or its principals, and the Co-Investment Affiliates (collectively, the ``Holders'') own in the aggregate more than 25 percent of the outstanding voting shares of a Regulated Fund (the ``Shares''), then the Holders will vote such Shares as directed by an independent third party when voting on matters specified in the condition. 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 Adviser or its principals to influence the Independent Directors by a suggestion, explicit or implied, that the Independent Directors can be removed will be limited significantly. Applicants represent that the Independent Directors will evaluate and approve any such independent third party, taking into account its qualifications, reputation for independence, cost to the Regulated Fund's shareholders, and other factors that they deem relevant. Applicants' Legal Analysis 1. Section 57(a)(4) of the Act prohibits certain affiliated persons of a BDC from participating in joint transactions with the BDC or a company controlled by a BDC in contravention of rules as prescribed by the Commission. Under section 57(b)(2) of the Act, any person who is directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a BDC is subject to section 57(a)(4). Applicants submit that each of the other Regulated Funds and Co-Investment Affiliates may be deemed to be a person related to a Regulated Fund in a manner described by section 57(b) by virtue of being under common control. Section 57(i) of the Act provides that, until the Commission prescribes rules under section 57(a)(4), the Commission's rules under section 17(d) of the Act applicable to registered closed-end investment companies will be deemed to apply to transactions subject to section 57(a)(4). Because the Commission has not adopted any rules under section 57(a)(4), rule 17d-1 also applies to joint transactions with Regulated Funds that are BDCs. Section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d-1 under the Act are applicable to Regulated Funds that are registered closed-end investment companies. 2. Section 17(d) of the Act and rule 17d-1 under the Act prohibit affiliated persons of a registered investment company from participating in joint transactions with the company unless the Commission has granted an order permitting such transactions. In passing upon applications under rule 17d-1, the Commission considers whether the company's participation in the 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. 3. Applicants state that in the absence of the requested relief, the Regulated Funds would be, in some circumstances, limited in their ability to participate in attractive and appropriate investment opportunities. Applicants believe that the proposed terms and conditions will ensure that the Co-Investment Transactions are consistent with the protection of each Regulated Fund's shareholders and with the purposes intended by the policies and provisions of the Act. Applicants state that the Regulated Funds' 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' Conditions Applicants agree that any Order of the Commission granting the requested relief will be subject to the following conditions: 1. Each time an Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser considers a Potential Co- Investment Transaction for a Co-Investment Affiliate or another Regulated Fund that falls within a Regulated Fund's then-current Objectives and Strategies, the Regulated Fund's Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will make an independent determination of the appropriateness of the investment for the Regulated Fund in light of the Regulated Fund's then-current circumstances. 2. (a) If the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser deems a Regulated Fund's participation in any Potential Co-Investment Transaction to be appropriate for the Regulated Fund, it will then determine an appropriate level of investment for the Regulated Fund. (b) If the aggregate amount recommended by the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser to be invested by the applicable Regulated Fund in the Potential Co-Investment Transaction, together with the amount proposed to be invested by the other participating Regulated Funds and Co- Investment Affiliates, 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 applicable Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will provide the Eligible Directors of each participating Regulated Fund with information concerning each participating party's available capital to assist the Eligible Directors with their review of the Regulated Fund's investments for compliance with these allocation procedures. (c) After making the determinations required in conditions 1 and 2(a), the applicable Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will distribute written information concerning the Potential Co-Investment Transaction, including the amount proposed to be invested by each Regulated Fund and each Co-Investment Affiliate to the Eligible Directors of each participating Regulated Fund for their consideration. A Regulated Fund will co-invest with one or more other Regulated Funds and/or one or more Co-Investment Affiliates only if, prior to the Regulated Fund's participation in the Potential Co-Investment Transaction, a Required Majority concludes that: (i) the terms of the Potential Co-Investment Transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to the Regulated Fund and its stockholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of the Regulated Fund or its stockholders on the part of any person concerned; (ii) the Potential Co-Investment Transaction is consistent with: (A) The interests of the Regulated Fund's stockholders; and (B) the Regulated Fund's then-current Objectives and Strategies; (iii) the investment by the other Regulated Funds or any Co- Investment Affiliates would not disadvantage the Regulated Fund, and participation by the Regulated Fund would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of any other Regulated Fund or Co- Investment Affiliate; provided that, if any other Regulated Fund or Co- Investment Affiliate, but not the Regulated Fund 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 [[Page 9568]] be interpreted to prohibit the Required Majority from reaching the conclusions required by this condition 2(c)(iii), if: (A) The Eligible Directors will have the right to ratify the selection of such director or board observer, if any; (B) the applicable Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser agrees to, and does, provide periodic reports to the Board of the Regulated Fund 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 Fund, or any Co-Investment Affiliate, or any affiliated person of either receives in connection with the right of any other Regulated Fund or a Co-Investment Affiliate 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 the participating Co-Investment Affiliates (which each may, in turn, share its portion with its affiliated persons) and the participating Regulated Funds in accordance with the amount of each party's investment; and (iv) the proposed investment by the Regulated Fund will not benefit the Advisers, the Co-Investment Affiliates, the other Regulated Funds or any affiliated person of any of them (other than the 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) of the Act, as applicable, (C) indirectly, as a result of an interest in the 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 Fund has the right to decline to participate in any Potential Co-Investment Transaction or to invest less than the amount proposed. 4. The applicable Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will present to the Board of the applicable Regulated Fund, on a quarterly basis, a record of all investments in Potential Co-Investment Transactions made by any of the other Regulated Funds and Co-Investment Affiliates during the preceding quarter that fell within the Regulated Fund's then-current Objectives and Strategies that were not made available to the Regulated Fund, and an explanation of why the investment opportunities were not offered to the Regulated Fund. All information presented to the Board pursuant to this condition will be kept for the life of the Regulated Fund 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 in accordance with condition 8 below,\12\ a Regulated Fund will not invest in reliance on the Order in any issuer in which another Regulated Fund, Co-Investment Affiliate, or any affiliated person of another Regulated Fund or Co- Investment Affiliate is an existing investor. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ This exception applies only to Follow-On Investments by a Regulated Fund in issuers in which that Regulated Fund already holds investments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. A Regulated Fund 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 each participating Regulated Fund and Co- Investment Affiliate. The grant to a Co-Investment Affiliate or another Regulated Fund, but not the Regulated Fund, 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 Co-Investment Affiliate or any Regulated Fund elects to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of an interest in a security that was acquired in a Co-Investment Transaction, the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will: (i) Notify each Regulated Fund that participated in the Co- Investment Transaction of the proposed Disposition at the earliest practical time; and (ii) formulate a recommendation as to participation by each Regulated Fund in the Disposition. (b) Each Regulated Fund 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 Co- Investment Affiliates and any other Regulated Funds. (c) A Regulated Fund may participate in such Disposition without obtaining prior approval of the Required Majority if: (i) The proposed participation of each Co-Investment Affiliate and Regulated Fund in such Disposition is proportionate to its outstanding investments in the issuer immediately preceding the Disposition; (ii) the Board of the Regulated Fund has approved as being in the best interests of the Regulated Fund the ability to participate in such Dispositions on a pro rata basis (as described in greater detail in the application); and (iii) the Board of the Regulated Fund is provided on a quarterly basis with a list of all Dispositions made in accordance with this condition. In all other cases, the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will provide its written recommendation as to the Regulated Fund's participation to the Regulated Fund's Eligible Directors, and the Regulated Fund will participate in such Disposition solely to the extent that a Required Majority determines that it is in the Regulated Fund's best interests. (d) Each Co-Investment Affiliate and each Regulated Fund will bear its own expenses in connection with any such Disposition. 8. (a) If any Co-Investment Affiliate or any Regulated Fund desires to make a Follow-On Investment in a portfolio company whose securities were acquired in a Co-Investment Transaction, the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will: (i) Notify each Regulated Fund that participated in the Co- Investment Transaction of the proposed transaction at the earliest practical time; and (ii) formulate a recommendation as to the proposed participation, including the amount of the proposed Follow-On Investment, by each Regulated Fund. (b) A Regulated Fund may participate in such Follow-On Investment without obtaining prior approval of the Required Majority if: (i) The proposed participation of each Co-Investment Affiliate and each Regulated Fund in such investment is proportionate to its outstanding investments in the issuer immediately preceding the Follow-On Investment; (ii) the Board of the Regulated Fund has approved as being in the best interests of the Regulated Fund the ability to participate in Follow-On Investments on a pro rata basis (as described in greater detail in the application); and (iii) the Board of the Regulated Fund 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 Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser will provide its written recommendation as to the Regulated Fund's participation to the Eligible Directors, and the Regulated Fund will participate in such Follow-On Investment solely to the extent that a Required Majority determines that it is in the Regulated Fund's best interests. (c) If, with respect to any Follow-On Investment: (i) The amount of the Follow-On Investment is not based on the Co- Investment Affiliates' and the Regulated [[Page 9569]] Funds' outstanding investments immediately preceding the Follow-On Investment; and (ii) the aggregate amount recommended by the Alcentra/Dreyfus Adviser to be invested by each Regulated Fund in the Follow-On Investment, together with the amount proposed to be invested by the participating Co-Investment Affiliates in the same transaction, exceeds the amount of the opportunity, then the amount 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. (d) The acquisition of Follow-On Investments as permitted by this condition will be considered a Co-Investment Transaction for all purposes and subject to the other conditions set forth in the application. 9. The Independent Directors of each Regulated Fund will be provided quarterly for review all information concerning Potential Co- Investment Transactions and Co-Investment Transactions, including investments made by the Co-Investment Affiliates and the other Regulated Funds that the Regulated Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund of participating in new and existing Co-Investment Transactions. 10. Each Regulated Fund will maintain the records required by section 57(f)(3) of the Act as if each of the Regulated Funds were a BDC and each of the investments permitted under these conditions were approved by the Required Majority under section 57(f) of the Act. 11. No Independent Director of a Regulated Fund will also be a director, general partner, managing member or principal, or otherwise an ``affiliated person'' (as defined in the Act), of any Co-Investment Affiliate. 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) will, to the extent not payable by the Advisers under their respective advisory agreements with the Co-Investment Affiliates and the Regulated Funds, be shared by the participating Co-Investment Affiliates and the participating Regulated Funds in proportion to the relative amounts of the securities held or being acquired or disposed of, as the case may be. 13. Any transaction fee \13\ (including break-up or commitment fees but excluding broker's fees contemplated by section 17(e) or 57(k) of the Act, as applicable) received in connection with a Co-Investment Transaction will be distributed to the participating Co-Investment Affiliates and Regulated Funds on a pro rata basis based on the amount they each invested or committed, as the case may be, in such Co- Investment Transaction. If any transaction fee is to be held by an Adviser pending consummation of the transaction, the fee will be deposited into an account maintained by the Adviser at a bank or banks having the qualifications prescribed in section 26(a)(1) of the Act, and the account will earn a competitive rate of interest that will also be divided pro rata among the participating Co-Investment Affiliates and Regulated Funds based on the amount each invests in such Co- Investment Transaction. None of the Co-Investment Affiliates, the Regulated Funds, the Advisers nor any affiliated person of the Regulated Funds or Co-Investment Affiliates will receive additional compensation or remuneration of any kind as a result of or in connection with a Co-Investment Transaction (other than (a) in the case of the Co-Investment Affiliates and the Regulated 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 Advisers, investment advisory fees paid in accordance with their respective investment advisory agreements with the Regulated Funds and Co-Investment Affiliates). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \13\ Applicants are not requesting and the staff is not providing any relief for transaction fees received in connection with any Co-Investment Transaction. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. If the Holders own in the aggregate more than 25 percent of the Shares of a Regulated Fund, 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) all other matters under either the Act or applicable State law affecting the Board's composition, size, or manner of election. 15. Each Regulated Fund's chief compliance officer, as defined in rule 38a-1(a)(4), will prepare an annual report for its Board that evaluates (and documents the basis of that evaluation) the Regulated Fund's compliance with the terms and conditions of the application and the procedures established to achieve such compliance. 16. The Advisers to the Regulated Funds and Co-Investment Affiliates 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 of the Advisers to each Regulated Fund will be notified of all Potential Co-Investment Transactions that fall within a Regulated Fund's then- current Objectives and Strategies and will be given sufficient information to make its independent determination and recommendations under conditions 1, 2(a), 7 and 8. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, under delegated authority. Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018-04447 Filed 3-5-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
![9564 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 / Notices
argues that, without access to the amendments, all written statements ACTION: Notice.
information provided by OCC on a with respect to the proposed rule
confidential basis, the public cannot change that are filed with the Notice of application for an order
‘‘meaningfully comment on the Commission, and all written under sections 17(d) and 57(i) of the
propriety of the proposed fee communications relating to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
increase.’’ 25 The Commission is also proposed rule change between the ‘‘Act’’) and rule 17d–1 under the Act to
instituting proceedings to allow for Commission and any person, other than permit certain joint transactions
additional consideration and comment those that may be withheld from the otherwise prohibited by sections 17(d)
on this and other issues raised by the public in accordance with the and 57(a)(4) of the Act and rule 17d–1
commenter. Finally, the Commission provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be under the Act.
believes that OCC’s proposed rule available for website viewing and SUMMARY OF APPLICATION: Applicants
change raises questions as to whether it printing in the Commission’s Public request an order to permit business
is consistent with Section 17A(b)(3)(D) Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, development companies (‘‘BDCs’’) and
of the Act,26 which requires clearing Washington, DC 20549, on official certain closed-end management
agency rules to provide for the equitable business days between the hours of investment companies to co-invest in
allocation of reasonable dues, fees and 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such portfolio companies with each other and
other charges among its participants. filing also will be available for with affiliated investment funds.
inspection and copying at the principal APPLICANTS: Alcentra Capital
VI. Request for Written Comments
office of OCC and on OCC’s website at Corporation (the ‘‘Company’’); Alcentra
The Commission requests that https://www.theocc.com/about/ BDC Equity Holdings, LLC (the
interested persons provide written publications/bylaws.jsp. ‘‘Subsidiary’’); Alcentra Middle Market
submissions of their views, data, and All comments received will be posted Fund IV, L.P. (the ‘‘Existing Co-
arguments with respect to the proposed without change. Persons submitting Investment Affiliate’’); Alcentra NY,
fee change. In particular, the comments are cautioned that we do not LLC (‘‘Alcentra NY’’); The Dreyfus
Commission invites the written views of redact or edit personal identifying Corporation (‘‘Dreyfus’’); Dreyfus
interested persons concerning whether information from comment submissions. Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024
the proposed fee change is consistent You should submit only information Target Term Fund, Inc. (‘‘DCF’’); Stira
with Section 17A(b)(3)(D) of the Act 27 that you wish to make available Alcentra Global Credit Fund (‘‘Stira
or any other provision of the Act, rules, publicly. Alcentra,’’ and together with the
and regulations thereunder. Interested All submissions should refer to File Company and DCF, the ‘‘Existing
persons are invited to submit written No. SR–OCC–2018–004 and should be Regulated Funds’’); and Stira
data, views and arguments concerning submitted on or before March 27, 2018. Investment Adviser, LLC (‘‘Stira
the foregoing, including whether the Any person who wishes to file a rebuttal Adviser’’).
proposed rule change is consistent with to any other person’s submission must FILING DATES: The application was filed
the Act. Comments may be submitted by file that rebuttal on or before April 10, on April 10, 2017 and amended on
any of the following methods: 2018. August 21, 2017, October 27, 2017,
Electronic Comments January 26, 2018, and February 14,
VII. Conclusion
2018.
• Use the Commission’s internet It is therefore ordered, pursuant to HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING:
comment form (http://www.sec.gov/ Section 19(b)(3)(C) of the Act,28 that File
rules/sro.shtml); or An order granting the requested relief
No. SR–OCC–2018–004, be and hereby will be issued unless the Commission
• Send an email to rule-comments@
is, temporarily suspended. In addition, orders a hearing. Interested persons may
sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–
the Commission is instituting request a hearing by writing to the
OCC–2018–004 on the subject line.
proceedings to determine whether the Commission’s Secretary and serving
Paper Comments proposed rule changes should be applicants with a copy of the request,
• Send paper comments in triplicate approved or disapproved. personally or by mail. Hearing requests
to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities For the Commission, by the Division of should be received by the Commission
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated by 5:30 p.m. on March 26, 2018, and
NE, Washington, DC 20549–1090. authority.29 should be accompanied by proof of
All submissions should refer to File No. Eduardo A. Aleman, service on applicants, in the form of an
SR–OCC–2018–004. This file number Assistant Secretary. affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of
should be included on the subject line [FR Doc. 2018–04484 Filed 3–5–18; 8:45 am] service. Pursuant to Rule 0–5 under the
if email is used. To help the BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Act, hearing requests should state the
Commission process and review your nature of the writer’s interest, any facts
comments more efficiently, please use bearing upon the desirability of a
only one method. The Commission will SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE hearing on the matter, the reason for the
post all comments on the Commission’s COMMISSION request, and the issues contested.
internet website (http://www.sec.gov/ Persons who wish to be notified of a
[Investment Company Act Release No. hearing may request notification by
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the 33038; File No. 812–14760]
submission, all subsequent writing to the Commission’s Secretary.
ADDRESSES: Secretary, U.S. Securities
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Alcentra Capital Corporation, et al.
the change, summarily suspend it and institute and Exchange Commission, 100 F St.
proceedings to ultimately approve or disapprove February 28, 2018. NE, Washington, DC 20549–1090.
the change, as applicable, to ensure an SRO’s rules AGENCY:Securities and Exchange Applicants: Alcentra Capital
meet regulatory requirements.’’ See Approval Order
at 8303. Commission (‘‘Commission’’). Corporation, Alcentra Middle Market
25 SIG Letter at 3. Fund IV, L.P, Alcentra NY, LLC,
26 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(d)(7). 28 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C). Alcentra BDC Equity Holdings, LLC,
27 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(D). 29 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). The Dreyfus Corporation, and Dreyfus
VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:39 Mar 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_9608/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 6, 2018 / Notices 9569
Funds’ outstanding investments Advisers under their respective advisory 15. Each Regulated Fund’s chief
immediately preceding the Follow-On agreements with the Co-Investment compliance officer, as defined in rule
Investment; and Affiliates and the Regulated Funds, be 38a–1(a)(4), will prepare an annual
(ii) the aggregate amount shared by the participating Co- report for its Board that evaluates (and
recommended by the Alcentra/Dreyfus Investment Affiliates and the documents the basis of that evaluation)
Adviser to be invested by each participating Regulated Funds in the Regulated Fund’s compliance with
Regulated Fund in the Follow-On proportion to the relative amounts of the the terms and conditions of the
Investment, together with the amount securities held or being acquired or application and the procedures
proposed to be invested by the disposed of, as the case may be. established to achieve such compliance.
participating Co-Investment Affiliates in 16. The Advisers to the Regulated
13. Any transaction fee 13 (including
the same transaction, exceeds the Funds and Co-Investment Affiliates will
amount of the opportunity, then the break-up or commitment fees but
excluding broker’s fees contemplated by maintain written policies and
amount to be invested by each such procedures reasonably designed to
party will be allocated among them pro section 17(e) or 57(k) of the Act, as
applicable) received in connection with ensure compliance with the foregoing
rata based on each participating party’s conditions. These policies and
capital available for investment in the a Co-Investment Transaction will be
distributed to the participating Co- procedures will require, among other
asset class being allocated, up to the things, that each of the Advisers to each
amount proposed to be invested by Investment Affiliates and Regulated
Funds on a pro rata basis based on the Regulated Fund will be notified of all
each. Potential Co-Investment Transactions
(d) The acquisition of Follow-On amount they each invested or
committed, as the case may be, in such that fall within a Regulated Fund’s then-
Investments as permitted by this current Objectives and Strategies and
condition will be considered a Co- Co-Investment Transaction. If any
transaction fee is to be held by an will be given sufficient information to
Investment Transaction for all purposes make its independent determination
and subject to the other conditions set Adviser pending consummation of the
transaction, the fee will be deposited and recommendations under conditions
forth in the application. 1, 2(a), 7 and 8.
9. The Independent Directors of each into an account maintained by the
Regulated Fund will be provided Adviser at a bank or banks having the For the Commission, by the Division of
quarterly for review all information qualifications prescribed in section Investment Management, under delegated
26(a)(1) of the Act, and the account will authority.
concerning Potential Co-Investment
Transactions and Co-Investment earn a competitive rate of interest that Eduardo A. Aleman,
Transactions, including investments will also be divided pro rata among the Assistant Secretary.
made by the Co-Investment Affiliates participating Co-Investment Affiliates [FR Doc. 2018–04447 Filed 3–5–18; 8:45 am]
and the other Regulated Funds that the and Regulated Funds based on the BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Regulated Fund considered but declined amount each invests in such Co-
to participate in, so that the Investment Transaction. None of the Co-
Independent Directors may determine Investment Affiliates, the Regulated SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
whether all investments made during Funds, the Advisers nor any affiliated COMMISSION
the preceding quarter, including those person of the Regulated Funds or Co-
investments that the Regulated Fund Investment Affiliates will receive Sunshine Act Meetings
considered but declined to participate additional compensation or
TIME AND DATE: 2:00 p.m. on Thursday,
in, comply with the conditions of the remuneration of any kind as a result of
March 8, 2018.
Order. In addition, the Independent or in connection with a Co-Investment
Transaction (other than (a) in the case PLACE: Closed Commission Hearing
Directors will consider at least annually
the continued appropriateness for the of the Co-Investment Affiliates and the Room 10800.
Regulated Fund of participating in new Regulated Funds, the pro rata STATUS: This meeting will be closed to
and existing Co-Investment transaction fees described above and the public.
Transactions. fees or other compensation described in MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
10. Each Regulated Fund will condition 2(c)(iii)(C), and (b) in the case Commissioners, Counsel to the
maintain the records required by section of the Advisers, investment advisory Commissioners, the Secretary to the
57(f)(3) of the Act as if each of the fees paid in accordance with their Commission, and recording secretaries
Regulated Funds were a BDC and each respective investment advisory will attend the closed meeting. Certain
of the investments permitted under agreements with the Regulated Funds staff members who have an interest in
these conditions were approved by the and Co-Investment Affiliates). the matters also may be present.
Required Majority under section 57(f) of 14. If the Holders own in the aggregate The General Counsel of the
the Act. more than 25 percent of the Shares of Commission, or his designee, has
11. No Independent Director of a a Regulated Fund, then the Holders will certified that, in his opinion, one or
Regulated Fund will also be a director, vote such Shares as directed by an more of the exemptions set forth in 5
general partner, managing member or independent third party when voting on U.S.C. 552b(c)(3), (5), (6), (7), (8), 9(B)
principal, or otherwise an ‘‘affiliated (1) the election of directors; (2) the and (10) and 17 CFR 200.402(a)(3),
person’’ (as defined in the Act), of any removal of one or more directors; or (3) (a)(5), (a)(6), (a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(9)(ii) and
Co-Investment Affiliate. all other matters under either the Act or (a)(10), permit consideration of the
12. The expenses, if any, associated
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
applicable State law affecting the scheduled matters at the closed meeting.
with acquiring, holding or disposing of Commissioner Peirce, as duty officer,
Board’s composition, size, or manner of
any securities acquired in a Co- voted to consider the items listed for the
election.
Investment Transaction (including, closed meeting in closed session.
without limitation, the expenses of the 13 Applicants are not requesting and the staff is
The subject matters of the closed
distribution of any such securities not providing any relief for transaction fees
meeting will be:
registered for sale under the 1933 Act) received in connection with any Co-Investment Institution and settlement of
will, to the extent not payable by the Transaction. injunctive actions;
VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:39 Mar 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06MRN1.SGM 06MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_9608/page/6.svg)
Document Created: 2018-11-01 08:48:59
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 08:48:59
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | The application was filed on April 10, 2017 and amended on August 21, 2017, October 27, 2017, January 26, 2018, and February 14, 2018. | |
| Contact | Courtney S. Thornton, Senior Counsel, or Robert H. Shapiro, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6821 (Chief Counsel's Office, Division of Investment Management). | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 9564 |
2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR