e40vappza
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
July 8, 2011
File No. 812-13787
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 57(a)(4) AND 57(i) OF THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AND RULE 17d-1 UNDER THE ACT
PERMITTING CERTAIN JOINT TRANSACTIONS
OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY
SECTION 57(a)(4) OF THE ACT
MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION, MCC ADVISORS LLC, MEDLEY CAPITAL LLC,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND LP,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND LTD,
MEDLEY GP LLC, MEDLEY
OPPORTUNITY FUND II LP,
MEDLEY
OPPORTUNITY FUND II (CAYMAN) LP, MOF II GP LLC,
MOF II GP(CAYMAN) LTD. MOF II MANAGEMENT LLC
375 Park Avenue, Suite 3304
New York, NY 10152
(212) 759-0777
All
Communications, Notices and Orders
to:
Brook Taube
Medley Capital Corporation
375 Park Avenue, Suite 3304
New York, NY 10152
(212) 759-0777
Copies to:
James R. Tanenbaum
Anna T. Pinedo
Morrison & Foerster LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104
(212) 468-8000
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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In the Matter of:
MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION, MCC
ADVISORS LLC, MEDLEY CAPITAL
LLC, MEDLEY
OPPORTUNITY FUND LP, MEDLEY
OPPORTUNITY FUND LTD, MEDLEY GP LLC, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND II LP,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND II (CAYMAN) LP, MOF II GP LLC, MOF II GP (CAYMAN)
LTD., MOF II MANAGEMENT LLC
375 Park Avenue, Suite 3304
New York, NY 10152
(212) 759-0777
File No. 812-13787
Investment Company Act of 1940
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AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE APPLICATION FOR AN
ORDER PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 57(a)(4) AND
57(i) OF THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT
OF 1940 AND RULE 17d-1
UNDER THE ACT
PERMITTING CERTAIN
JOINT TRANSACTIONS
OTHERWISE PROHIBITED
BY SECTION 57(a)(4) OF
THE ACT |
INTRODUCTION
The following entities hereby request an order (the Order) of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the Commission) pursuant to Sections 57(a)(4) and 57(i) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the Act),1 and Rule 17d-1 promulgated under the Act,2
permitting certain joint transactions that otherwise may be prohibited by Section 57(a)(4) of the
Act:
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Medley Capital Corporation (the Company), |
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MCC Advisors LLC, the Companys investment adviser (MCC Advisors or the
Adviser), |
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Medley Capital LLC and MOF II Management LLC (collectively, the
Affiliated Investment Advisers) together with any future investment advisers
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the Adviser or |
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Unless otherwise indicated, all section
references herein are to the Act. |
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Unless otherwise indicated, all rule
references herein are to rules under the Act. |
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the Affiliated Investment Advisers that manage Future Affiliated Funds (as defined below),
Medley Management),3 |
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Medley GP LLC, MOF II GP LLC and MOF II GP (Cayman) Ltd. (collectively, the
Affiliated General Partners) together with any future general partners controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with, the Affiliated General Partners that manage Future
Affiliated Funds (as defined below), Medley General
Partners),4
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Medley Opportunity Fund LP, Medley Opportunity Fund Ltd., Medley
Opportunity Fund II LP and Medley Opportunity Fund II (Cayman) LP (collectively, the Existing Affiliated Funds and, together with the
Company, MCC Advisors, Medley Management and Medley General Partners, the Applicants). |
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The relief requested in this application (the Application) would allow the Company (or, as
the case may be, another business development company advised by the
Adviser), on the one hand, and
the Existing Affiliated Funds and any future entities advised by the Adviser, Medley Management or
an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or Medley Management
(Future Affiliated Funds, together with the
Existing Affiliated Funds, the Affiliated
Funds),5 on the other hand, to co-invest in the same investment opportunities through a
proposed co-investment program (the Co-Investment Program) where such investment would otherwise
be prohibited under the Act (collectively, Co-Investment Transactions). Affiliated Funds that
have the capacity to, and elect to, co-invest with the Company are referred to as Participating
Funds.
All existing entities that currently intend to rely on the Order have been named as
Applicants. Any other existing or future entity that relies on the Order in the future will comply
with the terms and conditions of the Application.
I. APPLICANTS
A. Medley
Capital Corporation
The
Company is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment
company. The Company filed a registration statement on Form N-2 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) in connection with its initial public offering on
May 3, 2010, which became effective on January 20, 2011. The Company filed an election to be regulated as a business development company (BDC)
under the Act on January 20,
2011.6 In addition, the Company intends to elect to be treated as a regulated
investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) and
intends to continue to qualify as a RIC in the future. The
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Affiliated Investment Advisers are domestic
limited liability companies and are directly wholly-owned by and directly
controlled by, Medley LLC. Medley LLC is controlled by the
Principals (as defined below). Medley LLC currently is exempt from registration
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
Advisers Act), as a holding company that does not directly advise an investment company. Medley
Capital LLC and MOF II Management LLC are registered investment advisers.
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Affiliated General Partners are directly wholly owned by and directly controlled by,
Medley GP Holdings LLC. Medley GP Holdings LLC is controlled by the
Principals (as defined below). |
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Any Future Affiliated Fund will either be
registered under the Act or exempt from registration as provided by
Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act. |
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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 section 55(a)(1) through 55(a)(3) of the
Act and makes available significant managerial assistance with respect to the
issuers of such securities. |
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Companys principal place of business is 375 Park Avenue, Suite 3304, New York, New York
10152.
The Companys investment objective is to generate current income and capital appreciation by
lending directly to privately-held middle market companies. The Companys portfolio will generally
consist of secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, subordinate loans and equity positions in
situations where they are also a secured lender. The Company seeks to provide customized financing
solutions, typically in the form of secured loans to corporate and asset-based borrowers, and may
utilize structures such as sale leaseback transactions, direct asset purchases or other hybrid
structures that it believes replicate the economics and risk profile of secured loans. The Company
may also selectively make subordinated debt and equity investments in borrowers to which they have
extended secured debt financing. The Company believes that its proposed investment strategy will
allow the Company to generate cash available for distribution to its stockholders and to provide
competitive total returns to its stockholders.
The
Companys business and affairs are managed under the direction of a board of directors
(the Board). The Board currently consists of seven members, four of whom
are not interested persons of the Company as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act. Each of Andrew Fentress, Brook Taube and Seth Taube serve
as directors on the Companys Board. The Board delegates daily management and investment
authority to the Adviser pursuant to an investment management agreement (the Investment Management
Agreement). MCC Advisors also serves as the Companys administrator pursuant to an administration
agreement (the Administration Agreement). Andrew Fentress and Seth Taube are not officers of the Company. Brook Taube
serves as the Companys Chief Executive Officer. None of Messrs Fentress, B. Taube or S. Taube
will benefit directly or indirectly from any Co-Investment Transaction, other than by virtue of the
ownership of securities of the Company and the Affiliated Investment Advisers. None will
participate individually in any Co-Investment Transaction.
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B. MCC Advisors LLC, the Affiliated Investment Advisers and Medley Management
MCC Advisors, a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment adviser
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, serves as the investment adviser to the Company pursuant to an
Investment Management Agreement. Subject to the overall supervision of the Board, the Adviser
manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory and management services to,
the Company. Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser: (i)
determines the composition of the Companys portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to the
Companys portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;
(ii) identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments the Company makes (including performing due diligence on
the Companys prospective portfolio companies);
(iii) closes and monitors the investments the Company
makes; and (iv) determines the securities and other assets that
the Company purchases, retains or
sells. The Advisers services under the Investment Management
Agreement are not exclusive, and
it is free to furnish similar services to other entities, consistent with its fiduciary duties to
the Company.
Pursuant
to the Administration Agreement, MCC Advisors furnishes the Company with office
equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at the Companys office facilities.
Under the Administration Agreement, MCC Advisors also performs, or
oversees the performance of,
the Companys required administrative services, which include, among other things, providing
assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, technology and investor relations. MCC
Advisors is responsible for the financial records that the Company is required to maintain and
prepares reports to the Companys stockholders and reports filed with the Commission. In
addition, MCC Advisors assists the Company in determining and publishing the Companys net
asset value, oversees the preparation and filing of the Companys tax returns and the printing and
dissemination of reports to the Companys stockholders, and
generally oversees the payment of the
Companys expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the
Company by others.
The Affiliated Investment Advisers currently serve as investment advisers to the Existing
Affiliated Funds. The Company seeks to co-invest with the
Existing Affiliated Funds. Additionally, MCC Advisors or an affiliate may serve as investment
adviser to Future Affiliated Funds. Any such Future Affiliated Fund may seek to co-invest with the
Company and Existing Affiliated Funds at that time.
Any Existing or Future Affiliated Fund that co-invests with the
Company will have substantially the same investment objectives and strategies as the Company.
MCC Advisors and the Affiliated Investment Advisers are held by Medley LLC.
The Principals (as defined below) control Medley LLC.
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C. Existing Affiliated Funds
Medley Opportunity Fund LP
Medley Opportunity Fund LP is a Delaware limited partnership. Medley GP LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, is the general partner of Medley Opportunity Fund LP and Medley Capital
LLC is the investment adviser for Medley Opportunity Fund LP. Andrew Fentress, Brook Taube and Seth
Taube (the Principals) are the managing members of Medley GP LLC and Medley Capital LLC. Medley
GP LLC is responsible for managing the business of Medley Opportunity Fund LP. Medley Capital LLC
is responsible for investment advisory services for Medley Opportunity Fund LP. Medley Capital LLC
and MCC Advisors are under common control of Medley LLC. The Principals control Medley LLC. Medley
GP LLC is under common control of Medley GP Holdings LLC. The Principals control Medley GP
Holdings LLC.
The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund LP is to generate current income and
capital appreciation by lending directly to privately-held middle market companies. The investment
strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund LP is similar to the investment
strategy of the Company.
Medley Opportunity Fund Ltd.
Medley Opportunity Fund Ltd. is an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws
of the Cayman Islands. Medley Capital LLC is the investment adviser for Medley Opportunity Fund
Ltd. The Principals are the managing members of Medley Capital LLC. Medley Capital LLC is
responsible for management and operations of Medley Opportunity Fund Ltd. Medley Capital LLC and
MCC Advisors are under common control of Medley LLC.
The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund Ltd. is to generate current income and
capital appreciation by lending directly to privately-held middle market companies. The investment
strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund Ltd. is similar to the investment
strategy of the Company.
Medley
Opportunity Fund II LP
Medley Opportunity Fund II LP is a Delaware limited partnership. MOF II GP
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of Medley Opportunity
Fund II LP and MOF II Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the
investment adviser for Medley Opportunity Fund II LP. The Principals are the managing
members of MOF II GP LLC and MOF II Management LLC. MOF II GP LLC is
responsible for managing the business of Medley Opportunity Fund II LP. MOF II
Management LLC is responsible for investment advisory services for Medley
Opportunity Fund II LP. MOF II Management LLC is under common control of Medley
LLC. MOF II GP LLC is under common control of Medley GP Holdings LLC.
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The investment strategy
of Medley Opportunity Fund II LP is to generate current
income and capital appreciation by lending directly to privately-held middle market
companies. The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund II LP is similar to the
investment strategy of the Company.
Medley
Opportunity Fund II (Cayman) LP
Medley Opportunity
Fund II (Cayman) LP is an exempted Cayman Islands
limited partnership. MOF II GP (Cayman) Ltd., an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, is
the general partner of Medley Opportunity Fund II (Cayman) LP and MOF II
Management LLC is the investment adviser for Medley Opportunity Fund II (Cayman)
LP. The Principals are the managing members of MOF II
Management LLC. MOF II GP (Cayman) Ltd. is managed by a board of directors, consisting of Mr.
Brook Taube and two independent members. MOF II GP (Cayman) Ltd. is responsible for managing the business
of Medley Opportunity Fund II (Cayman) LP. MOF II Management LLC is responsible
for investment advisory services for Medley Opportunity Fund II (Cayman) LP. MOF II
Management LLC is under common control of Medley LLC. MOF II GP (Cayman) Ltd. is under common control of Medley GP Holdings LLC.
The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund II (Cayman) LP is to
generate current income and capital appreciation by lending directly to privately-held
middle market companies. The investment strategy of Medley Opportunity Fund II
(Cayman) LP is similar to the investment strategy of the Company.
Each of the above Existing Affiliated Funds is a separate and distinct legal entity and each
relies on the exemption from registration as an investment company under the Act provided by
Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Act.
Any of the Affiliated Funds could be deemed to be persons identified in Section 57(b) of the
Act to the extent that the Affiliated Fund may be deemed to be an affiliated person of the Adviser
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3)(C), thus requiring exemptive relief for certain
co-investments with the Company. The Affiliated Funds and the Company
are under common
control.
II. RELIEF FOR PROPOSED CO-INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
A. Co-Investment in Portfolio Companies by the Company and the Affiliated Funds
It is anticipated that the Company will co-invest in portfolio companies with other Affiliated
Funds managed by the Affiliated Investment Advisers. The Adviser and the Company believe that
determining the allocation of a co-investment opportunity based on a pro rata share of the capital
available for investment by the Company and the Participating Funds provides for the equitable
allocation of co-investments and takes into account the current capacity of the Company and
Participating Funds to make the type of investment presented by the co-investment opportunity.
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1. Reasons for Co-Investing
It is anticipated that co-investment in portfolio companies by the Company and the Affiliated
Funds should increase the number of favorable investment opportunities for the Company. The
Co-Investment Program will be implemented if it is approved by the
Eligible Directors (as defined
below).
The Adviser expects that co-investment by the Company and the Affiliated Funds will provide
the Company with the ability to achieve greater diversification and, together with the Affiliated
Funds, the opportunity to exercise greater influence on the portfolio companies in which the
Company and the Participating Funds co-invest.
A BDC that makes investments of the type contemplated by the Company typically limits
its participation in any one transaction to a specific dollar amount, which may be
determined by legal or internally imposed limits on exposure in a single investment. In
addition, the Code imposes diversification requirements on companies, such as the
Company, which seek certain favorable tax treatment under Subchapter
M of the Code.7
In view of the foregoing, in cases
where the Adviser identifies investment opportunities requiring larger
capital commitments it must seek the participation of other entities with similar investment
styles. The availability of the Affiliated Funds as investing partners of the Company may
alleviate the necessity in certain circumstances.
The Company may have to forego some investment opportunities if it cannot provide all of the
financing required by a potential portfolio company. Portfolio companies may reject an offer of
funding arranged by the Adviser as a result of the Companys inability to commit the entire amount
of financing required by the portfolio company in a timely manner. By reducing the number of
instances in which the Companys individual or aggregate investment limits require the Adviser to
arrange a syndicated financing with unaffiliated entities, the Company will likely be required to
forego fewer attractive investment opportunities. With the assets of the Affiliated Funds
available for co-investment, there should be an increase in the number of opportunities accessible
to the Company.
The Adviser and the Board of the Company believe that it would be desirable for the Company to
co-invest with the Affiliated Funds, and that such investments would be consistent with the
investment objective, investment policies, investment positions, investment strategies, investment
restrictions, regulatory requirements, and other pertinent factors applicable to the Company.
At least quarterly, the Board of the Company will review the rationale for the Companys
Co-Investment Program and evaluate whether the program remains important to the Company.
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See I.R.C. Section 851(b)(3).
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2. Mechanics of the Co-Investment Program
In selecting investments for the Company, the Adviser will consider the investment objective,
investment policies, investment position, capital available for investment, and other factors
relevant to the Company. Similarly, in selecting investments for the Affiliated Funds, the
Affiliated Investment Adviser will choose investments separately for each entity, considering, in
each case, the investment objective, investment policies, investment position, capital available
for investment, and other factors relevant to that particular investing entity. The Adviser
expects that any portfolio company that is an appropriate investment for the Company should also be
an appropriate investment for one or more Affiliated Funds, with certain exceptions based on
available capital or diversification.
Under the Co-Investment Program, each co-investment would be allocated between the Company, on
the one hand, and the Participating Funds, on the other hand. The
Adviser will present each transaction and the proposed
allocation of each investment opportunity to the directors eligible
to constitute the
required majority (the Required
Majority) within the meaning of Section 57(o) (the
Eligible Directors) for approval by the
Required Majority. Required
Majority refers to both a majority of the BDCs directors or general partners who have no
financial interest in such transaction, plan, or arrangement and a majority of such directors or
general partners who are not interested persons of such company. No
Eligible Director will have
any direct or indirect financial interest in any Co-Investment Transaction nor any interest in any
portfolio company, other than through an interest (if any) in the securities of the Company.
All subsequent activity (i.e., exits or follow-on investments) in a Co-Investment Transaction
will be made in accordance with the terms and conditions approved pursuant to the Companys separate application for relief (File No. 812-13788).
The Co-Investment Program stipulates that the terms, conditions, price, class of securities,
settlement date, and registration rights applicable to the Companys purchase be the same as those
applicable to the purchase by the Participating Funds.
Co-investment opportunities are to be allocated to the Company either (a) based on the size
recommended by the Adviser based on the Companys available capital and the investments attributes
consistent with the Advisers allocation policy (the Recommended Amount), or (b) if the size of
the investment available is smaller than the sum of the Recommended Amounts for the Company and the
Participating Funds, pro rata based on the capital available for the type of investment by the
Company and the Participating Funds. The amount of the Companys capital available for investment
will be determined based on the amount of cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves, if any,
the targeted leverage level, targeted asset mix and other investment policies and restrictions set
from time to time by the Companys Board or imposed by applicable laws, rules, regulations or
interpretations. Likewise, an Affiliated Funds capital available for investment is determined
based on the amount of cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves, if any, the targeted
leverage level, targeted asset mix and other investment policies and restrictions set by the
Affiliated Funds directors, general partners or adviser or imposed by applicable laws, rules,
regulations or interpretations.
To the extent that a Participating Fund or an affiliate thereof receive any fees or other
compensation in connection with that entitys right to nominate a director or board
observer or otherwise participate in the governance or management of the portfolio
company that fee or other compensation will be shared with the Company.
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B. Applicable Law
1. Sections 57(a)(4) and 57(i) of the Act, and Rule 17d-1
thereunder
Section 57(a)(4) makes it unlawful for any person who is related to a BDC in a manner
described in Section 57(b), acting as principal, knowingly to effect any transaction in which the
BDC is a joint or a joint and several participant with that person in contravention of rules and
regulations as the Commission may prescribe for the purpose of limiting or preventing participation
by the BDC on a basis less advantageous than that of the other participant. Although the
Commission has not adopted any rules expressly under Section 57(a)(4), Section 57(i) provides that
the rules under Section 17(d) applicable to registered closed-end investment companies (e.g., Rule
17d-1) are, in the interim, deemed to apply to transactions subject to Section 57(a). Rule 17d-1,
as made applicable to BDCs by Section 57(i), prohibits any person who is related to a BDC in a
manner described in Section 57(b), as modified by Rule 57b-1, acting as principal, from
participating in, or effecting any transaction in connection with, any joint enterprise or other
joint arrangement or profit-sharing plan in which the BDC is a participant, unless an application
regarding the joint enterprise, arrangement, or profit-sharing plan has been filed with the
Commission and has been granted by an order entered prior to the submission of the plan or any
modification thereof to security holders for approval, or prior to its adoption or modification if
not so submitted.
In passing upon applications under Rule 17d-1, the Commission will consider whether the
participation by the BDC in such joint transaction is consistent with the provisions, policies, and
purposes of the Act and the extent to which such participation is on a basis different from or less
advantageous than that of other participants.
2. Section 57(b) of the Act and Rule 57b-1 thereunder
Section 57(b), as modified by Rule 57b-1, specifies the persons to whom the prohibitions of
Section 57(a)(4) apply. These persons include the following: (1) any director, officer, employee,
or member of an advisory board of a BDC or any person (other than the BDC itself) who is, within
the meaning of Section 2(a)(3)(C), an affiliated person of any such person; or (2) any investment
adviser or promoter of, general partner in, principal underwriter for, or person directly or
indirectly either controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a BDC (except the BDC
itself and any person who, if it were not directly or indirectly controlled by the BDC, would not
be directly or indirectly under the control of a person who controls the BDC), or any person who
is, within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3)(C) or (D), an affiliated person of such person.
Rule 57b-1 under the Act exempts certain persons otherwise related to a BDC in a manner
described in Section 57(b)(2) of the Act from being subject to the prohibitions of Section
57(a). Specifically, this rule states that the provisions of Section 57(a) shall not apply to any
person: (a) solely because that person is directly or indirectly controlled by a BDC; or (b)
solely because that person is directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with, a person described in (a) of the rule or is an officer, director, partner, copartner,
or employee of a person described in (a) of the rule.
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Section 2(a)(9) defines control as the power to exercise a controlling influence over the
management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position
with such company. The statute also sets forth the interpretation that any person who owns
beneficially, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, more than 25 percent of
the voting securities of a company shall be presumed to control such company; any person who does
not so own more than 25 percent of the voting securities of a company shall be presumed not to
control such company; and a natural person shall be presumed not to be a controlled person.
Sections 2(a)(3)(C) and (D) define an affiliated person of another person as: (C) any
person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such other
person; and (D) any officer, director, partner, copartner, or employee of such other person.
C. Need for Relief
The Co-Investment Transactions may be prohibited by Section 57(a)(4) and Rule 17d-1 without a
prior order of the Commission to the extent that the Funds fall within the category of persons
described by Section 57(b), as modified by Rule 57b-1 thereunder. Because an Affiliated Investment
Adviser is the investment adviser to each of the Affiliated Funds, the Company and the Affiliated
Funds may be deemed affiliated persons within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) to the extent the
Affiliated Funds may be deemed to be controlled by or under common control with the Adviser.
Because the Adviser and the Affiliated Investment Advisers are each direct wholly-owned subsidiaries of Medley LLC, the Company, the Adviser, the Affiliated Investment
Advisers and the Affiliated Funds may be deemed to be affiliated persons within the
meaning of section 2(a)(3)(C) by reason of common control.
D. Requested Relief
Accordingly, Applicants respectfully request an Order of the Commission, pursuant to Sections
6(c) and 57(i) and Rule 17d-1, permitting the Existing Affiliated Funds, and any Future Affiliated
Funds, to participate with the Company in the Co-Investment Transactions.
E. Precedents
The Commission has granted co-investment relief on numerous occasions in recent
years.8 Although the various precedents may involve somewhat different allocation
formulae,
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Ridgewood Capital Energy Growth Fund,
LLC, et al. (File No. 812-13569), Release No. IC-28982 (October 21, 2009)
(order), Release No. IC-28931 (September 25, 2009) (notice); Main Street
Capital Corporation, et al. (File No. 812-13438), Release No. IC-28295
(June 3, 2008) (order), Release No. IC-28265 (May 8, 2008) (notice);
Gladstone Capital Corporation, et al. (File No. 812-12934), Release No.
IC-27150 (November 22, 2005) (order), Release No. IC-27120 (October 25, 2005)
(notice); meVC Draper Fisher Jurvetson Fund I, Inc., et al. (File No.
812-11998), Release No. IC-24556 (July 11, 2000) (order), Release No. IC-24496
(June 13, 2000) (notice); Berthel Growth & Income Trust I, et al. (File
No. 812-10830), Release No. IC-23864 (June 8, 1999) (order), Release No.
IC-23825 (May 12, 1999) (notice); Technology Funding Venture Capital Fund
VI, LLC, et al. (File No. 812-11006), Release No. IC-23610 (December 18,
1998) (order), Release No. IC-23573 (November 25, 1998) (notice); MACC
Private Equities Inc., et al. (File No. 812-11148), Release No. IC-23518
(November 3, 1998) (order), Release No. IC-23478 (Oct. 6, 1998) (notice);
Brantley Capital Corporation, et al. (File No. 812-10544), Release No.
IC-22893 (November 18, 1997) (order), Release No. IC-22864 (October 21, 1997)
(notice); Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc. (File No.
812-10354), Release No. IC-22428 (December 31, 1996) (order), Release No.
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approval procedures, and presumptions for co-investment transactions to protect the interests
of public investors in the BDC than the ones described in this Application, Applicants submit that
the formulae and procedures set forth as conditions for the relief requested herein are consistent
with the range of investor protection found in the cited orders. We note, in particular, that the
co-investment protocol to be followed by the Applicants here is substantially similar to the
protocol followed by Ridgewood Capital Management, LLC and its affiliates, for which an order was
granted on October 21, 2009 and Gladstone Capital Corporation and its affiliates, for which an
order was granted on November 22,
2005.9
F. Applicants Legal Arguments
Rule 17d-1 was promulgated by the Commission pursuant to Section 17(d) and made applicable to
BDCs by Section 57(i). Paragraph (a) of Rule 17d-1 permits an otherwise prohibited person, acting
as principal, to participate in, or effect a transaction in connection with, a joint enterprise or
other joint arrangement or profit-sharing plan in which a BDC is a participant if an application
regarding the joint enterprise, arrangement, or profit-sharing plan has been filed with the
Commission and has been granted by an order issued prior to the submission of such plan or any
modification thereof to security holders for approval, or prior to its adoption or modification if
not so submitted. Paragraph (b) of Rule 17d-1 states that in passing upon applications under that
rule, the Commission will consider whether the participation by the investment company in such
joint enterprise, joint arrangement, or profit-sharing plan on the basis proposed is consistent
with the provisions, policies, and purposes of the Act and the extent to which such participation
is on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of other participants.
Applicants
submit that the fact that the Eligible Directors will approve each Co-Investment
Transaction before the investment is made, and other protective conditions set forth in this
Application will ensure that the Company will be treated fairly.
The conditions to which the requested relief will be subject are designed to ensure that the
Adviser or the principals of the Adviser would not be able to favor the Affiliated Funds over
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22378 (Dec. 6, 1996) (notice); Sherry Lane Growth Fund, Inc. (File
No. 812-10082), Release No. IC-22130 (August 9, 1996) (order), Release No.
IC-22060 (July 10, 1996) (notice); Access Capital Strategies Community
Investment Fund, Inc. (File No. 812-9786), Release No. IC-21898 (April 16,
1996) (order), Release No. IC-21836 (March 20, 1996) (notice); Ridgewood
Electric Power Trust III (File No. 812-9558), Release No. IC-21589
(December 11, 1995) (order), Release No. IC-21472 (Nov. 3, 1995) (notice);
MAAC Private Equities Inc. (File No. 812-9028), Release No. IC-20887
(February 7, 1995) (order), Release No. IC-20831 (Jan. 12, 1995) (notice);
Corporate Renaissance Group, Inc. (File No. 812-8978), Release No.
IC-20690 (November 8, 1994) (order), Release No. IC-20617 (Oct. 13, 1994)
(notice); ML Venture Partners II, L.P. (File No. 812-7841), Release No.
IC-18700 (May 11, 1992) (order), Release No. IC-18652 (April 13, 1992)
(notice); Equus Capital Partners, L.P. (File No. 812-7272), Release No.
IC-18105 (April 18, 1991) (order), Release No. IC-18058 (March 21, 1991)
(notice); Equitable Capital, Partners, L.P. (File No. 812-7328),
Release No. IC-17925 (December 31, 1990) (order), Release No. IC-17894
(December 5, 1990) (notice); Technology Funding Partners III, L.P.
(File No. 812-7355), Release No. IC-17571 (July 5, 1990) (order), Release No.
IC-17523 (June 6, 1990) (notice); Berkshire Partners III, L.P. (File
No. 812-7335), Release No. IC-17533 (June 14, 1990) (order), Release No.
IC-17496 (May 17, 1990) (notice); ML-Lee Acquisition Fund II, L.P.
(File No. 812-7133), Release No. IC-17123 (September 1, 1989) (order), Release
No. IC-17101 (August 7, 1989) (notice); The Prospect Group Opportunity
Fund, Inc. (File No. 812-7024), Release No. IC-16841 (February 27, 1989)
(order), Release No. IC-16774 (January 24, 1989) (notice). |
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See note 7, supra. |
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the Company through the allocation of investment opportunities among them. Because almost
every attractive investment opportunity for the Company will also be an attractive investment
opportunity for one or more Affiliated Funds, Applicants submit that the Co-Investment Program
presents an attractive alternative to the institution of some form of equitable allocation protocol
for the allocation of 100% of individual investment opportunities to either the Company or the
Affiliated Funds as opportunities arise.
Applicants submit that the Companys 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.
The conditions will ensure that neither the Adviser nor the Principals would be able to
favor the Affiliated Funds over the Company through the allocation of investment
opportunities among them because, as a guiding principle, the conditions permit a co-investment transaction only if the Eligible Directors have made a determination that the
proposed investment would not benefit an affiliated person other than the fund
participating in the transaction and then only to the extent strictly permitted by the conditions.
G. Conditions
Applicants agree that any order of the Commission granting the requested relief will be
subject to the following conditions:
1. Each time that the Adviser considers an investment for the Company in a Co-Investment
Transaction, it will make an independent determination of the appropriateness of the investment for
the Company in light of the Companys then-current circumstances.
2. (a) If the Adviser deems the Companys participation in any such investment opportunity to
be appropriate for the Company, it will then determine an appropriate level of investment for the
Company.
(b) If the aggregate amount recommended by the Adviser to be invested by the Company in such
Co-Investment Transaction, together with the amount proposed to be invested by the Participating
Funds, 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
the ratio of the Companys capital available for investment in the asset class being allocated, on
one hand, and the Participating Funds capital available for investment in the asset class being
allocated, on the other hand, to the aggregated capital available for investment for the asset
class being allocated of all parties involved in the investment opportunity, up to the amount
proposed to be invested by each.
The Adviser will provide the Eligible Directors with information concerning each Participating Funds available capital to
assist the Eligible Directors with their review of the Companys
investments for compliance with
these allocation procedures.
(c) After making the determinations required in conditions 1 and 2(a), the Adviser will
distribute written information concerning the Co-Investment Transaction, including the amount
proposed to be invested by each Participating Fund, to the Eligible Directors for their
consideration. The Company will co-invest with a Participating Fund only if, prior to the
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Companys and the Participating Funds participation in the Co-Investment Transaction,
the Eligible Directors conclude that:
(i) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and
fair and do not involve overreaching of the Company or its stockholders on the part of any person
concerned;
(ii) the transaction is consistent with
(A) the interests of the stockholders of the Company; and
(B) the Companys investment objectives and strategies (as described in the Companys
registration statement on Form N-2 and other filings made with the Commission by the Company under
the 1933 Act, any reports filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and the Companys reports to stockholders);
(iii) the investment by the Participating Funds would not disadvantage the Company, and
participation by the Company is not on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of any
Participating Fund; provided, that if any Participating Fund, but not the Company, gains the right
to nominate a director for election to a portfolio companys board of directors or the right to
have a board observer or any similar right to participate in the governance or management of the
portfolio company, such event shall not be interpreted to prohibit the Eligible Directors from
reaching the conclusions required by this condition (2)(c)(iii), if
(A) the Eligible Directors shall have the right to ratify the selection of such director or
board observer, if any, and
(B) the Adviser agrees to, and does, provide periodic reports to the Companys Board 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;
(iv) the proposed investment by the Company will not benefit any affiliated person of the
Company, except the Participating Funds, (a) to the extent permitted by condition 13; (b) to
the extent permitted by Section 57(k); or (c) indirectly, as a result of an interest in securities
issued by a Participating Fund or the Company.
3. The Company has the right to decline to participate in any Co-Investment Transaction or to
invest less than the amount proposed.
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4. The Adviser will present to the Board, on a quarterly basis, a record of all investments
made by the Affiliated Funds during the preceding quarter that fell within the Companys
then-current investment objectives that were not made available to the Company, and an explanation
of why the investment opportunities were not offered to the Company. All information presented to
the Board pursuant to this condition will be kept for the life of the Company and at least two
years thereafter, and will be subject to examination by the Commission and its staff.
5. Except for follow-on investments made pursuant to condition 8 below, the Company will not
invest in reliance on the Order in any portfolio company in which the Adviser, any Participating
Fund, or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or a
participating Fund, is an existing investor.
6. The Company will not participate in any Co-Investment Transaction unless the terms,
conditions, price, class of securities to be purchased, settlement date and registration rights
will be the same for the Company as for the Participating Funds. The grant to an Affiliated Fund,
but not the Company, of the right to nominate a director for election to a portfolio companys
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) and (B) are met.
7. If any of the Participating Funds elects to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of an
interest in a security that was acquired by the Company and such Participating Funds in a
Co-Investment Transaction, the Adviser will:
(a) Notify the Company of the proposed disposition at the earliest practical time; and
(b) formulate a recommendation as to participation by the Company in any such disposition and
provide a written recommendation to the Eligible Directors. The Company 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 the Participating Funds. The Company will participate in
such disposition to the extent that the Eligible Directors determine that it is in the Companys best
interests to do so. The Company and each of the Participating Funds will bear its own expenses in
connection with any such disposition.
8. If any Affiliated Fund desires to make a follow-on investment (i.e., an additional
investment in the same entity) in a portfolio company whose securities were acquired by the Company
and such Affiliated Fund in a Co-Investment Transaction or to exercise warrants or other rights to
purchase securities of the issuer, the Adviser will:
(a) notify the Company of the proposed transaction at the earliest practical time; and
(b) formulate a recommendation as to the proposed participation, including the amount of the
proposed follow-on investment, by the Company and provide a written recommendation to the
Eligible Directors.
The Eligible Directors will make their own determination with respect to follow-on
investments. To the extent that:
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(i) the amount of a follow-on investment is not based on the Companys and the Funds initial
investments; and
(ii) the aggregate amount recommended by the Adviser to be invested by the Company in such
follow-on investment, together with the amount proposed to be invested by the Participating Fund in
the same transaction, exceeds the amount of the follow-on investment opportunity, the amount
invested by each party will be allocated among them pro rata based on the ratio of each partys
available capital to the aggregated available capital of all parties, up to the maximum amount to
be invested by each. The Company will participate in such investment to the extent that the
Eligible Directors determine that it is in the Companys best interest. The acquisition of
follow-on investments as permitted by this condition will be subject to the other conditions set
forth in the Application.
9. The Eligible Directors will be provided quarterly for review all information concerning
Co-Investment Transactions during the preceding quarter, including investments made by any
Affiliated Funds which the Company considered but declined to participate in, so that the
Eligible Directors may determine whether all investments made during the preceding quarter,
including those investments which the Company considered but declined to participate, comply with
the conditions of the order.
10. The Company will maintain the records required by Section 57(f)(3) of the Act as if each
of the investments permitted under these conditions were approved by the Eligible Directors
under Section 57(f).
11. No Eligible Director will also be a director, general partner, managing member or
principal, or otherwise an affiliated person (as defined in the Act) of, any of the Affiliated
Funds.
12. The expenses, if any, associated with acquiring, holding or disposing of any securities
acquired in a Co-Investment Transaction (including, without limitation, the expenses of the
distribution of any such securities registered for sale under the 1933 Act) shall, to the extent
not payable by the Adviser or the Affiliated Investment Advisers under their respective investment
advisory agreements with the Company and the Participating Funds, be shared by the Company and the Participating Funds in proportion to the
relative amounts of their securities to be acquired or disposed of, as the case may be.
13. Any transaction fee (including break-up or commitment fees but excluding brokers fees
contemplated by Section 57(k)(2) of the Act) received in connection with a Co-Investment
Transaction will be distributed to the Company (or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) and
the Participating Funds on a pro rata basis based on the amount they invested or committed, as the
case may be, in such Co-Investment Transaction. If any transaction fee is to be held by the
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 between the Company and the Participating Funds based on the amount they invest in
such Co-Investment Transaction. None of the Participating Funds nor any affiliated person of the
Company will receive additional compensation or remuneration of any kind (other
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than
(i) the pro rata transaction fees described above and
(ii) investment advisory and administrative fees paid
in accordance with investment advisory and administration agreements with the Company and the Participating Funds) as
a result of or in connection with a Co-Investment Transaction.
III. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
A. Communications
Please address all communications concerning this Application and the Notice and Order to:
Brook Taube
Medley Capital Corporation
375 Park Avenue, Suite 3304
New York, NY 10152
(212) 759-0777
Please address any questions, and a copy of any communications, concerning this Application,
the Notice and Order to:
James R. Tanenbaum
Anna T. Pinedo
Morrison & Foerster LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104
(212) 468-8000
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B. Authorization
Pursuant to Rule 0-2(c) under the Act, Applicants hereby state that the Company, by resolution
duly adopted by the sole member on June 23, 2010 (attached hereto as Exhibit A), has authorized to
cause to be prepared and to execute and file with the Commission this Application and any amendment
thereto under Sections 57(a)(4) and 57(i) of the Act and Rule 17d-1 under the Act, for an order
permitting certain joint transactions that may otherwise be prohibited under Section 57(a)(4) of
such Act. Each person executing the application on behalf of the Applicants says that he has duly
executed the Application for and on behalf of the Applicants; that he is authorized to execute the
Application pursuant to the terms of an operating agreement, management agreement or otherwise; and
that all actions by members, directors or other bodies necessary to authorize each such deponent to
execute and file the Application have been taken.
All requirements for the execution and filing of this Application in the name and on behalf of
each Applicant by the undersigned have been complied with and the undersigned is fully authorized
to do so and has duly executed this Application this
8th day of July, 2011.
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MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION
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By: |
/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: |
Brook Taube |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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MCC ADVISORS LLC
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By: |
/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: |
Brook Taube
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Title: |
Manager |
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MEDLEY CAPITAL LLC,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY
FUND LP, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND LTD, MEDLEY
GP LLC, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND II LP, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND II
(CAYMAN) LP, MOF II GP LLC, MOF II GP (CAYMAN) LTD., MOF II
MANAGEMENT LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: |
Brook Taube
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Authorized Person |
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VERIFICATION
The undersigned states that he has duly executed the foregoing amendment
number 2
to this Application, dated
July 8, 2011, for and on behalf of the Applicants, as the case may be, that he holds the office
with such entity as indicated below and that all action by the directors, stockholders, general
partners, trustees or members of each entity, as applicable, necessary to authorize the undersigned
to execute and file such instrument has been taken. The undersigned further states that he is
familiar with such instrument and the contents thereof and that the facts set forth therein are
true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
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MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION
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By: |
/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: |
Brook Taube
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer
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MCC ADVISORS LLC
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By: |
/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: |
Brook Taube
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Title: |
Manager
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MEDLEY CAPITAL LLC,
MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY
FUND LP, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND LTD, MEDLEY
GP LLC, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND II LP, MEDLEY OPPORTUNITY FUND II
(CAYMAN) LP, MOF II GP LLC, MOF II GP (CAYMAN) LTD., MOF II
MANAGEMENT LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Brook Taube
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Name: |
Brook Taube
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Authorized Person |
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EXHIBIT A
Resolution of the Sole Member
MEDLEY CAPITAL BDC LLC
RESOLVED, that the sole member of the Company is hereby authorized in the name and on behalf
of the Company to submit and cause to be filed with the SEC an application for exemptive relief, in
substantially the form presented at the meeting, with such changes, modifications, or amendments
thereto as the sole member (personally or by attorney) may approve as necessary or desirable, such
approval to be conclusively evidenced by his, her or their execution thereof.
(Adopted on June 23, 2010)
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