Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Barings BDC, Inc., Mercury Acquisition Sub, Inc., Sierra Income Corporation and Barings LLC, dated as of September 21, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article I THE MERGERS | | | 2 | |||
Section 1.1 | | | The Mergers | | | 2 |
Section 1.2 | | | The Closing | | | 2 |
Section 1.3 | | | Effective Time | | | 2 |
Section 1.4 | | | Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws | | | 2 |
Section 1.5 | | | Board of Directors | | | 3 |
Section 1.6 | | | Officers | | | 3 |
| | | | |||
Article II EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES | | | 3 | |||
Section 2.1 | | | Effect on Securities | | | 3 |
Section 2.2 | | | Exchange of Certificates | | | 4 |
Section 2.3 | | | Lost Certificates | | | 7 |
Section 2.4 | | | Transfers; No Further Ownership Rights | | | 7 |
Section 2.5 | | | Dissenter’s Rights | | | 7 |
| | | | |||
Article III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | | | 7 | |||
Section 3.1 | | | Organization and Qualification | | | 7 |
Section 3.2 | | | Capitalization; Subsidiaries | | | 7 |
Section 3.3 | | | Authority Relative to Agreement | | | 8 |
Section 3.4 | | | Required Filings and Consents | | | 9 |
Section 3.5 | | | Permits; Compliance with Laws | | | 9 |
Section 3.6 | | | Company SEC Documents; Books and Records; Financial Statements; Enforcement Actions | | | 10 |
Section 3.7 | | | Information Supplied | | | 11 |
Section 3.8 | | | Disclosure Controls and Procedures | | | 12 |
Section 3.9 | | | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | | | 12 |
Section 3.10 | | | No Undisclosed Liabilities | | | 12 |
Section 3.11 | | | Litigation | | | 12 |
Section 3.12 | | | Employee Matters | | | 12 |
Section 3.13 | | | Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights | | | 12 |
Section 3.14 | | | Taxes | | | 14 |
Section 3.15 | | | Material Contracts | | | 15 |
Section 3.16 | | | Real Property | | | 16 |
Section 3.17 | | | Environmental | | | 16 |
Section 3.18 | | | Takeover Statutes | | | 16 |
Section 3.19 | | | Vote Required | | | 16 |
Section 3.20 | | | Brokers | | | 16 |
Section 3.21 | | | Opinion of Financial Advisor | | | 17 |
Section 3.22 | | | Insurance | | | 17 |
Section 3.23 | | | Investment Assets | | | 17 |
Section 3.24 | | | Appraisal Rights | | | 17 |
Section 3.25 | | | Company Investment Advisory Agreement | | | 17 |
Section 3.26 | | | Acquired Loan Documents and Equity Governing Documents | | | 17 |
Section 3.27 | | | Tax Matters Relating to Acquired Investments | | | 17 |
Section 3.28 | | | Acknowledgement of Disclaimer of Other Representations and Warranties | | | 17 |
Section 3.29 | | | No Other Representations or Warranties | | | 18 |
| | | | |||
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND ACQUISITION SUB | | | 19 | |||
Section 4.1 | | | Organization and Qualification | | | 19 |
Section 4.2 | | | Capitalization; Subsidiaries | | | 19 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 4.3 | | | Authority Relative to Agreement | | | 20 |
Section 4.4 | | | Required Filings and Consents | | | 20 |
Section 4.5 | | | Permits; Compliance with Laws | | | 20 |
Section 4.6 | | | Parent SEC Documents; Books and Records; Financial Statements; Enforcement Actions | | | 22 |
Section 4.7 | | | Information Supplied | | | 23 |
Section 4.8 | | | Disclosure Controls and Procedures | | | 23 |
Section 4.9 | | | Absence of Certain Changes or Events | | | 23 |
Section 4.10 | | | No Undisclosed Liabilities | | | 23 |
Section 4.11 | | | Litigation | | | 23 |
Section 4.12 | | | Absence of Certain Agreements | | | 23 |
Section 4.13 | | | Employee Matters | | | 24 |
Section 4.14 | | | Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights | | | 24 |
Section 4.15 | | | Taxes | | | 25 |
Section 4.16 | | | Material Contracts | | | 26 |
Section 4.17 | | | Real Property | | | 27 |
Section 4.18 | | | Environmental | | | 27 |
Section 4.19 | | | Takeover Statutes | | | 28 |
Section 4.20 | | | Sufficient Funds | | | 28 |
Section 4.21 | | | Vote Required | | | 28 |
Section 4.22 | | | Brokers | | | 28 |
Section 4.23 | | | Opinion of Financial Advisor | | | 28 |
Section 4.24 | | | Insurance | | | 28 |
Section 4.25 | | | Solvency | | | 28 |
Section 4.26 | | | Investment Assets | | | 29 |
Section 4.27 | | | Incentive Fee Hurdle Rate | | | 29 |
Section 4.28 | | | Acknowledgement of Disclaimer of Other Representations and Warranties | | | 29 |
Section 4.29 | | | No Other Representations or Warranties | | | 30 |
| | | | |||
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT EXTERNAL ADVISER | | | 30 | |||
Section 5.1 | | | Organization and Qualification | | | 30 |
Section 5.2 | | | Authority Relative to Agreement | | | 30 |
Section 5.3 | | | Required Filings and Consents | | | 31 |
Section 5.4 | | | Permits; Compliance with Laws | | | 31 |
Section 5.5 | | | Litigation | | | 32 |
Section 5.6 | | | Information Supplied | | | 33 |
Section 5.7 | | | Sufficient Funds | | | 33 |
Section 5.8 | | | No Other Representations and Warranties | | | 33 |
| | | | |||
Article VI COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS | | | 33 | |||
Section 6.1 | | | Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the First Merger | | | 33 |
Section 6.2 | | | Conduct of Business by Parent Pending the First Merger | | | 36 |
Section 6.3 | | | Preparation of the Form N-14 and the Joint Proxy Statement; Stockholder Meetings | | | 37 |
Section 6.4 | | | Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings | | | 39 |
Section 6.5 | | | Access to Information; Confidentiality | | | 39 |
Section 6.6 | | | No Solicitation | | | 40 |
Section 6.7 | | | Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance | | | 43 |
Section 6.8 | | | Notification of Certain Matters | | | 44 |
Section 6.9 | | | Public Announcements | | | 44 |
Section 6.10 | | | Acquisition Sub | | | 45 |
Section 6.11 | | | No Control of the Other Party’s Business | | | 45 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 6.12 | | | Rule 16b-3 Matters | | | 45 |
Section 6.13 | | | Repayment of Existing Loan Agreement | | | 45 |
Section 6.14 | | | Certain Tax Matters | | | 45 |
Section 6.15 | | | Stock Exchange Listing | | | 46 |
Section 6.16 | | | Takeover Statutes and Provisions | | | 46 |
Section 6.17 | | | Stockholder Litigation | | | 46 |
Section 6.18 | | | Update to NAV | | | 46 |
Section 6.19 | | | Coordination of Dividends | | | 46 |
Section 6.20 | | | Credit Support Agreement; Parent Trading Plan | | | 46 |
Section 6.21 | | | Company Advisory Agreement | | | 47 |
Section 6.22 | | | Voting Agreement | | | 47 |
| | | | |||
Article VII CONDITIONS TO THE MERGERS | | | 47 | |||
Section 7.1 | | | Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party | | | 47 |
Section 7.2 | | | Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Acquisition Sub to Effect the First Merger | | | 48 |
Section 7.3 | | | Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the First Merger | | | 48 |
Section 7.4 | | | Frustration of Closing Conditions | | | 49 |
| | | | |||
Article VIII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER | | | 49 | |||
Section 8.1 | | | Termination | | | 49 |
Section 8.2 | | | Effect of Termination | | | 51 |
Section 8.3 | | | Termination Fees | | | 51 |
Section 8.4 | | | Amendment | | | 52 |
Section 8.5 | | | Extension; Waiver | | | 52 |
Section 8.6 | | | Expenses; Transfer Taxes | | | 52 |
| | | | |||
Article IX GENERAL PROVISIONS | | | 53 | |||
Section 9.1 | | | Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements | | | 53 |
Section 9.2 | | | Notices | | | 53 |
Section 9.3 | | | Interpretation; Certain Definitions | | | 54 |
Section 9.4 | | | Severability | | | 55 |
Section 9.5 | | | Assignment | | | 55 |
Section 9.6 | | | Entire Agreement | | | 55 |
Section 9.7 | | | No Third-Party Beneficiaries | | | 55 |
Section 9.8 | | | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | | | 55 |
Section 9.9 | | | Specific Performance | | | 56 |
Section 9.10 | | | Counterparts | | | 56 |
| | | |
Appendix A | | | Definitions |
Exhibit A | | | Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation |
Exhibit B | | | Terms of Credit Support Agreement |
Exhibit C | | | Second Amended and Restated Parent Advisory Agreement |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | if to Parent, Acquisition Sub or the Parent External Adviser: | |||||||
| | | | Barings BDC, Inc. | |||||
| | | | 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500 | |||||
| | | | Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 | |||||
| | | | Email: | | | |||
| | | | Attention: | | | Jonathan Bock | ||
| | | | | | Jonathan Landsberg | |||
| | | | | |||||
| | with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: | |||||||
| | | | | |||||
| | | | Goodwin Procter, LLP | |||||
| | | | 100 Northern Avenue | |||||
| | | | Boston, Massachusetts 02210 | |||||
| | | | Email: | | | ***@*** | ||
| | | | | | ***@*** | |||
| | | | Attention: | | | Thomas LaFond | ||
| | | | | | Paul Delligatti | |||
| | | | | |||||
| | if to the Company: | |||||||
| | | | Sierra Income Corporation | |||||
| | | | 100 Park Avenue | |||||
| | | | New York, NY 10017 | |||||
| | | | Email: | | | |||
| | | | Attention: | | | Dean Crowe, Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| | | | |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: | |||||||
| | | | Sullivan & Worcester LLP | |||||
| | | | 1666 K Street, NW | |||||
| | | | Washington, DC 20006 | |||||
| | | | Email: | | | ***@*** | ||
| | | | | | ***@*** | |||
| | | | Attention: | | | David C. Mahaffey | ||
| | | | | | William J. Curry |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | BARINGS BDC, INC. | |||||||
| | | | | | ||||
| | By: | | | /s/ Jonathan Bock | ||||
| | | | Name: | | | Jonathan Bock | ||
| | | | Title: | | | Chief Financial Officer | ||
| | | | | | ||||
| | SIERRA INCOME CORPORATION | |||||||
| | | | | | ||||
| | By: | | | /s/ Dean Crowe | ||||
| | | | Name: | | | Dean Crowe | ||
| | | | Title: | | | Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| | | | | | ||||
| | BARINGS LLC | |||||||
| | | | | | ||||
| | By: | | | /s/ Eric Lloyd | ||||
| | | | Name: | | | Eric Lloyd | ||
| | | | Title: | | | Managing Director | ||
| | | | | | ||||
| | MERCURY ACQUISITION SUB, INC. | |||||||
| | | | | | ||||
| | By: | | | /s/ Jonathan Landsberg | ||||
| | | | Name: | | | Jonathan Landsberg | ||
| | | | Title: | | | President |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ATTEST: | | | SIERRA INCOME CORPORATION | |||
| | By: | | | ||
[___________], Secretary | | | | | [__________], President |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Issuer | | | Barings LLC | |||
Policy holder | | | Barings BDC, Inc. | |||
Maximum obligation | | | $100,000,000 | |||
Upfront fee | | | None | |||
Effective date | | | Date of transaction close between Barings BDC, Inc. and Sierra Income Corporation (the “Transaction”) | |||
Designated Settlement / Payment Date | | | The earlier of [ , 203[2]]1 or the time at which the entire Reference Portfolio has been realized or written off | |||
Reference portfolio | | | • Investments acquired by Barings BDC, Inc. in the Transaction (“Reference Portfolio”) | |||
| | | ○ [#] of Non-control/Non-affiliated investments | |||
| | | ○ [#] of Affiliate investments | |||
| | | ○ [#] of Control investments | |||
| | | ○ See schedule in [Appendix]2 | |||
| | • Investments that are restructured, amended, extended or otherwise modified (including to new securities) will continue to be included in the Reference Portfolio until such time as these investments are realized or written off | ||||
Reference portfolio value | | | Aggregate purchase price of Reference Portfolio of $[ ] | |||
Obligation basis | | | Change in the market value of the Reference Portfolio | |||
Calculation of obligation | | | • Aggregate realized and unrealized losses on the Reference Portfolio less the aggregate realized and unrealized gains on the Reference Portfolio, in each case from the Effective Date to the Designated Settlement/Payment Date (“Covered Losses”) | |||
| • In the event the Covered Losses are $0.00 or less, no obligation will exist | |||||
| • As defined above, the maximum obligation shall be $100,000,000 | |||||
| | | ○ For the avoidance of doubt, if the Covered Losses are greater than $100,000,000, any losses in excess of this amount shall be borne by the Policy Holder | |||
Settlement mechanics | | | On the Designated Settlement/Payment Date, following the final calculation of the Covered Losses, the Issuer will (1) waive the Incentive Fee (as defined in Barings BDC, Inc.’s then-current investment advisory agreement) and, in the event that Covered Losses exceed such Incentive Fee, the Base Management Fee (as defined in Barings BDC, Inc.’s then-current investment advisory agreement) during the four quarterly measurement periods immediately following the quarter in which the Designated Settlement/Payment Date occurs (such period, the “Waiver Period”) until an aggregate amount of the Incentive Fee (including any Incentive Fee calculated on an annual basis during the Waiver Period) and Base Management Fee has been waived equal to the Covered Losses. If the Covered Losses exceed the aggregate amount of Base Management Fee and Incentive Fee waived by Barings LLC during the Waiver Period, then, on the date on which the last Incentive Fee or Base Management Fee payment would otherwise be due during the Waiver Period, Barings LLC shall make a cash payment to Barings BDC, Inc. equal to the positive difference between the Covered Losses and the aggregate amount of Incentive Fee and Base Management Fee previously waived by Barings LLC during the Waiver Period. |
1 | NTD: 10 years from the date of closing of the merger. |
2 | NTD: To include a detailed list of the loan/equity details for each portfolio company. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | BARINGS BDC, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||||
| | | | |||
| | By: | | | ||
| | | | Name: Eric Lloyd Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| | | | |||
| | BARINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||||
| | | | |||
| | By: | | | ||
| | | | Name: Eric Lloyd Title: Managing Director |